Well..Guess!!!!

Certainly not you, but maybe...

DONNY?

Regardless of who it was, it was a very wise decision Can't wait to hear more

Kind regards,
Tommy

[This message has been edited by TommyF (edited 08-25-2007).]

Hint..a diehard Yamaha user for 4 years..

Tommy please elaborate....I was very tossed about the Pa800 so far after my initial demo.....I will admit I didn't spend an ample amount of time with it .....but as a pro I did absorb enough First Look Info to put me on the fence for now....its rare that I need to make a further in depth diagnosis to make a decision......but the Pa800 does warrant this for sure....more to come....btw regarding the Topic header... its Not me

I came away with a lower view than most people..when I compared Don Mason's tunes recorded on the Korg PA800 and that Roland board, I can't recall the model..

Better?

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 08-25-2007).]

It's Meeeeeeeeeeee !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congrats Dave!!!!

Awaiting your FULL PROFESSIONAL REVIEW!!!



[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 08-25-2007).]

Dave ..check your version and download the newest version..

PS: how long to boot?

Congratulations, Dave, on your new acquisition...a fine instrument, to be sure.

Ian

Wow.
Wow.
Wow.

There are NO deal-breakers for me yet ! NONE !!!!!!!

The only looming anoyance has been a Kork "quirk" for years ....... the ryhthms and the fill ins are two separate bands/drummers. This HAS to be modifyed someday ... it's simply illogical how a cool, swinging groove can be going along from variation to variation, and then WHAM!!! the ending phrase has different instruments, different volume levels. Bad, bad thing .... but has always been that way, so I'll work around it.

IMPROVEMENTS:

1.
You can now access the SMF list while playing a style and vice versa. You still have to switch modes to PLAY the other type, but there is no down time, and the search-while playing option is finally there (like Yamaha, Roland etc.)
2.
Dedicated EQ for all parts and mikes
3.
FANTASTIC harmonizer that works with MY RIGHT HAND !!!!!!!! YAYAYAYAYAYAYAY .... I can play manual bass again and still get the harmonies to trigger. Ahhhhhh....nice.
4.
Weight, size, color - all top notch - love the look and feel.
5.
USB drive options are great. No need for add-on hard drive
6.
Second set of outputs. This has been here since teh PA80, but it sure does expand your options ! I'll route the bass through one and maybe the drums too !
7.
Assignable sliders (2)
Assignable switches (2)
Assignable footswich/pedal
LOADS of customizations here.

** OK, so my first impressions are stellar. I'm off tomorrow and I plan to really disect it all day. I'll let you all know if it falls from grace at all. So far, the ONLY thing that bugs me is the drum fills. I'm looking into thinning out the patterns, and seeing if I can make some adjustments there.

I'm EXCITED ...... more later - maybe tonight, even !

Donny - take that picture off so the post is easy to read, please ! It's Sooooooo wide !

Oh yeah, Fran - it's V1.2 - we're up to 1.5, I think.

Boot up is a little long, but that's no big deal. They let you load custom sounds at startup, like the Ketron does.

Sorry for the typos ... I'm rushing to get back to it !

FIRST disapointment -
If you choose to use the vocal harmoy processor ( who WOULND'T ?? ) you no longer have that second audio input available. I wanted to run my guitar into this too. rats.

If you bypass the TC unit, you can use the 2 inputs separately. The old plug-in card from the PA80 let you use both. Sheeesh...

Well, this is just a small thing. The harmonizer is so much better than the 3k, it's not an issue.

Congrats Dave.
It's a pretty nice instrument. I just set up a couple of custom lists on the 800 for tomorrow's gig , tuned in to the SZ, and was surprised to see a Korg discussion going on. Have fun. I think Donny will eventually get to like it.
Ciao,
Jerry

Dave. Congratulations on your new PA800!

I've had a chance to play the Korg PA800 & one big STANDOUT I particularly appreciated is its user assignable chord recognition area: either LEFT or RIGHT of split point, of which is essential to play LEFT HAND bass lines while triggering chords with the RIGHT HAND, a playing style we traditional acoutic piano are most at home doing. I really miss not being able to do this on my Tyros2. I also enjoyed the PA800's fresh contemporary styles. My primary disappointed was with Korg's typical brittle (to my ears) sounding acoustic pianos.

Scott

I'm still a bit confused as to why the fact that the fills and endings don't smoothly work with the rest of the style isn't a deal-breaker.

To me, this is like saying the interior decor is great, I like the styling, plenty of cup-holders, who cares if it stalls every time you get into second gear?

I've read a few posts where members claim this has been fixed... Are they jiving us? Or is it simply that it is NOT fixed, but at least better than it used to be?

I'll check it out for the second time at Dave's Crib this week after breakfast
As far as getting one ....its gonna really have to work hard SONICALY to win me over vs My beloved KETRON SD1+

But Donny...the PA-800 doesn't have a 76 note keyboard.

Isn't that a necessity for you?

Ian

Ian that's reason #2....plus the keyfeel is no where close to the Sd1+ or G70.

Dave:

Also you can assign the pads to many fuctions besides sounds, Fx, etc.. and still give you the EC5 Footswitches...

Other new things are that like in the PA1X ( not available in PA80), the pads has 3 modes, so, you can do more things too.
Also pads synch to tempo with the syles if you have made a secuence groove in the pads.
It does take some time to customize it, just like you would do with ANY other comparable models in other brands.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Nothing is fixed..... being an ex pa80 & pa60 owner ...I can tell you after demoing the Pa800 last week the first thing I tried using a style was the FILLS ....how can they let this out to market like that, I dont get it? they are just NOT In Sync with the styles.



[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 08-25-2007).]

I'm looking into the styles right now ... trying to thin them out.
There's a few more cool things I found -

1. The manual bass button instantly disengages the auto bassist, and maxes the volume limit to the bass tone in the pattern. You can pick it up live for those hard to "feel" riffs that just HAVE to be right. When you're done - just hit the chord recognition button again. It's a snap!

2. You can asign a button to mute all 5 accomanament parts at once, creating a bass&drums only backing. LOVE this feature.

Dave, looks like your on your way to Arranger Heaven!!! I know you'll make that baby shine very soon as always!!!

Just convert the G70 styles to the Korg and be happy..the fills will be correct..and very useable styles...

We will try some Monday..

I sound Sooooooooo good on this thing....

OK - something very cool...just found it:

When you push a button to access a particular style group ( rock, latin etc )... you can push that button successive times to access each PAGE of style choices! That's a great time saver. No need to take your finger off the button to look deep into the menu. Other boards do this? I forget !

You have been playing that 3k too long...All the other boards have better improvements that you are getting excited over..

If I don't put these smiles here..I will get abused here..

Yes Dave...the 3k is now over 3 years old...it was definitely time to move on.

The 3k was a great keyboard in it's day...much like the old G70 was.

Newer boards like the S900, E-80 and PA-800 are what folks are buying these days.

Ian

Watch your back ... Fran's packin' !

Well, if he wants to travel light, he shouldn't be packin' that big old G70.

Where's he headed for? Korg country, I bet.

Ian

Truer words have NEVER been spoken!
Fact is .... I got so involved in the performances that I forgot how many things I missed on the kb.

Things I miss from the 3K:
1) The ability to turn the arranger drums on during a sequence and have it replace the drum track in the smf. That was amusing
2) Ultra-friendly OS...I'm fine with Korg, but it is much deeper than Yamaha
3) Variation/fill-in buttons ( same button )
that's the most convienient design, IMO
4) Simple, logical styles and fill ins

Things I DON'T miss:

1) Spongyness ( I didn't mention keys ! )
2) distortion in the speakers ( AND the h/p outputs ... it got dirtier as it got older )
3) lack-luster harmonizer/mic preamp
4) No dedicated slider to change layered right hand sound
5) No hard button on the panel to turn some things on/off ( ensemble/dsp etc )
6) Only one extra pedal/switch jack

** As an overview - this kb is much more suited to where I am right now in the music world. It's a more solid, pro-looking board, and still comes in light as a (29 lb)
bag of feathers! The Yamaha has served me well, and shall now reside atop my beloved Rhodes Suitcase that I got from Capt Russ !
There it shall rest, and be gingerly played from time to time. Goodbye, old pal !

You must realize, Dave, that the 3k cost far less than the PA-800.

That being said, it is nice to see you happy with your new toy.

Ian

Never happen

What? that baby is not on Ebay as we speak???

Naw ... I need it at home. My Rhodes was lonely, and I need another kb at school, so this was the best solution !

Just another piece for the museum

Yep you're right...set it up next to the G70s.

Ian

Dave? g70? no way

No Donny, set it up to the G70 in the museum.

Ian

ian have you played a G70 yet? just wondering what your opinions are?

This may be an odd question, but what COLOR is it ... it is hard to tell from the Korg web site Is that BLUE ?!? ...
t.

Yep Donny...played one several times(even had it here for a few days)...a buddy had one up to a week ago...he since sold it and ordered an S900, after he dropped by my house to try it out.(no kidding!)

The G70 is very nice...well made, great sounds (Roland does organs very well),good but not great styles(I have them converted for the Yammies)and a nice solid keyboard.

What I didn't like...

The weight...you knew I would say that...the touch screen(no tactile feedback)...a lot of the styles...no speakers...

There will be people who are made very happy by a Roland G70, and I wouldn't laugh at them even though it is resoundingly not my sort of keyboard.

As you always say..."use what suits you".

Ian




[This message has been edited by ianmcnll (edited 08-27-2007).]

YES !!!

Ok so what I get from this is you have touched & played quality but, have chosen to use something else because it suits you & makes you happy playing it correct?



[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 08-27-2007).]

Donny,
The G70 is a quality piece...the PSR-S900 is a quality piece that suits me more.

Ian

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 08-27-2007).][/b][/QUOTE]



[This message has been edited by ianmcnll (edited 08-27-2007).]

Hmmmmm ... I would think you'd understand that Donny. You have changed keyboards yourself repeatedly for the same reasons. Obviously the features of those keyboards that attracted you in the first place weren't enough to keep you happy long term.

Choice of keyboard is never black and white. It is always a matter of weighing up feel, styles, sounds price and useability. I'm not criticising you either but just pointing out that just because a keyboard has an obvious quality to it doesn't mean it is suited overall to your needs.

Personally I have no brand loyalty. I just examine the pros and cons and then try to make a decision I can live and work with.



[This message has been edited by Nigel (edited 09-13-2007).]

And what did I say? Haha, hooray for me after all.

Give that man a CIGAR!!!!!