I've received email/PM questions from a couple of people asking what the new Korg PA3X Chord Sequencer feature is about,
and what (if any) benefits it actually offers the arranger player. First of all, here's how it works:

The PA3X's chord sequencer gives us the ability to record a chord progression while performing in 'auto accompaniment arranger mode' on-the-fly,
and then having the recorded auto accompaniment chord progression loop, freeing up our fingers to play the keyboard freely,
without requiring us to play limited restricted chord voicing in order to trigger correct auto accompaniment chords.

Two distinct advantages of having a chord sequencer are:

1) Ability of Left Hand to (at any/all times) access pitch bend and mod wheels resulting in far more realistic & expressive RH instrumental soloing.

2) free up the ability to play more pianistic-ally, opening up the possibility for far more creative live play keyboard soloing possibilities,
without the fear of it adversely affecting the auto accompaniment chord recognition.

Here's just one example of utilizing the chord sequencer in an AABA song (8 bars each sec) played twice.

1) 1st A: play auto accomp mode.
2) 2nd A: play in auto accomp mode.
3) B Section: play in auto accomp mode
4) 3rd A: enable chord sequencer REC.
At end of 3rd A: Stop chord sequencer rec.
Chord sequencer (8 bar) loop playback automatically begins.
5) AA: Solo freely over the recorded auto accomp sequence.
6) B: Disengage the recorded auto accomp looped playback and play in auto accomp arranger mode again.
7) Final A: play in auto accomp mode.

I'm really anxious to get my hands on a Korg PA3X to try out the chord sequencer because I see a terrific live performance benefit to it,
as it promises to bring 'live play' arranger keyboard performance possibilities to a higher more professionally impressive sounding level.

I hope Korg produces & posts soon, a dedicated video to specifically demonstrate & showcase these important chord sequencer benefits.

Or perhaps an owner might do such a thing??

Exactly, Dennis...looking forward to it.

Ian

This is a feature I'd LOVE to have.

CS is useless for my needs playing live....when I see someone play live styles....switch to the CS...switch back to live play WITHOUT a glitch or miss a beat whatsoever I might be interested in it..If your playing in full KB mode why the need for the CS?

Although I'm very used to pitch bending/modulating when in arranger mode, I can see the benefits of having the Chord Sequencer.

If I was used to having one, and my next keyboard did not, then I'd probably really miss it, but having done without, these many years, it certainly wouldn't be a deal maker or deal breaker.

BTW, Paul, I really enjoyed your two recorded pieces that Larry uploaded...exceptional playing, slick arranging, and the vocals were excellent.

Sorry for responding so late, but I had many Tyros4 clinics to do.

Ian

Donny,
from the early days when it was on my old Rolands, it always worked seamlessly ... you just push to start the seq, push to start playback ... so simple.

Well Ian, if the OP deigns to explain dissin' me, and maybe even an apology...then this owner MAY consider doing just that.

Dennis

Dave I'm going by the CS that was on my Roland G1000..lets see if this one works better .......for me I'd rather see features like Ketron's "Lock" buttons - Drums, Bass and Chords. These lock buttons will lock the respective instruments to a particular part. Let's say you are on Arr. A and you put the Drum lock on. Then no matter what Arr. you go to the drums will still be on Arr. A. What is interesting is that even if you change styles the Drums will stay on the A of the new style.
The Bass and Chord lock buttons work exactly the same way.
These are powerful arranger KB features making styles so much more versatile.

Dennis, all I can say is I heard no disrespectful words about you from the OP, who was doing his very best to help you with a new instrument.

If you felt you were disrespected, then you should take this up personally, and in private, with the OP, who, as far as I know, was not aware this was happening.

Ian

Hey m8, don't sweat it...It don't jar me none at all!!

This is about it for SZ posting for me for a while again...just busy with other stuff

CYA

D

There just certain types of chords an arranger not going to understand. Try playing a montuno pattern on full keyboard setting and see what happens.

so all the hoopla about "Rootless chord" recognition on some of these arrangers is a myth or does it really work?

Well thank you so much Ian for taking the time to listen. I wish I could go to one of your Tyros 4 clinics. As far as I know we have nothing like that down here:(

I may be the only one doing this live---but, I gig on a S910 with the auto rhythms (songs) already sequenced and stored on a USB drive. That frees up both hands for soloing, etc.. Works great in my situation. Played for 300 people tonight with a drummer and horn man. Worked like a charm.

Donny: the specific 'rootless chords' voicings I outlined over the years here works fine, and in all 12 keys.
These are 3 note altered versions of the most commonly understood & played by jazz pianists II-V-I '4 note' rootless jazz chord voicings (both A & B variety)
of which I've repeatedly outlined in detail, and now supported on Technics, Yamaha, Ketron and Korg arrangers.

Of course there will probably be other variations of rootless chords that aren't recognized, but until an arranger manufacturer adds a custom 'user definable' chord recognition palette feature,
I seriously doubt these will be added to the existing palette, especially if the chords already serve a duo function recognizing the chord voicing as something far more commonly understood. Because of this limitation, the addition of a "Chord Sequencer" is a good way to get around that problem. - Scott

Scott was kind enough to call me and explain to me the types of rootless chords that work on Yamaha and how he sets of the spilt points. It does work fine however there are so many types of rootless chords and some could be interpreted in so many ways. A chord sequencer would free me up so much!

Exactly Larry Styles, CS, SMF's are ALL just variations of SMF...
how you operate them is up to the player.