I copied this review that a well-respected member of the Korg forum did. It is available for view there, so I think he wouldn't mind my sharing it.

"Hi all.
Just got to spend two hours with the Pa4X last night in my friends Studio under perfect listening conditions. For those interested, here are some of my thoughts from the point of view of comparing the Pa4X to the Pa3X.

First up is the boot times. While I didn't actually time the Pa4X, it's blatantly obvious that it boots way faster than my Pa3X.

The Capacitive Touch Screen on the Pa4X is a vast improvement over the Resistive Touch Screen on the Pa3X. It's super responsive and light to the touch. I didn't find myself actually having to repress the same option more than once when making selections, which is something I'd get caught for now and again on the Pa3X.

Generally speaking, the entire performance of the keyboard is way faster. I was doing a fair bit of setup for my friend, loading styles and so on, and to be honest, I don't remember seeing “Please Wait” even once on the screen? Going from mode to mode, page to page, its all pretty much an instant response. Clearly the Pa4X is rocking a much faster CPU.

When it comes down to the sounds themselves on the keyboard, you can easily see where the benefits of having a much larger amount of PCM data streaming comes into play. The new sounds are a massive addition to the Pa4X library, and a delight to play. I found myself actually playing with the O-Verb effect quite a lot, remapping it to sounds that didn't have it by default as it's such a silky smooth effect to play with. I think it was first seen on the OASYS PCI ? The Guitar library on this keyboard is also amazing. It's very strong, and in many ways even far better than my KRONOS, or so it felt anyway.

Styles, many I knew from the Pa3X, but it doesn't matter. The new styles are fantastic, I even saw that KORG included a small selection directly for the Irish market. I wonder do all International Pa4X contain those styles? Either way, this was an excellent idea. When it comes to styles, the Pa4X is really bordering on perfection. I can't imagine a situation where anyone would ever be disappointed.

Build Quality, it's classic KORG. Beautiful machined aluminium sides, full metal body. Absolute top of the line workmanship. In comparison, when you compare the Pa4X to something like the toyish full plastic body of a Tyros 5, you can't help but laugh. KORG simply have the best built flagship keyboards on the market.

The Pa4X is a vast refinement of the Pa3X, and a considerable improvement on every front. The only one logical improvement I think KORG can make to the Pa4X is to allow end users to stream their own samples. So I can only hope that in some future OS update that feature gets added, just like KORG did for the KRONOS."

Now I only need 3600 Euro

Thanks for posting this Don. I've been thinking about the PA4x ever since you told me how much better it is than it's predecessor.....especially auditioning styles from a flash drive.

But, no sense having TWO pa's that I don't even play. I might as well just have one. I'm thinking about selling the 3x, followed by a call to Frankie V's to see if he has one on the floor. It's hard to find one to play. Harder even than finding a politician with virtue!

Mark

its a post by Sharp, the owner of the www.korgforums.com.. He used to hang around here to some years back. someone we all have in high regardds and known for his honest opinions.


If they ever add the sample streaming thats in the Kronos, it will be a gamechanger for arrangers, near unlimmited expandabillity. Its the single one feature that makes my #Kronos stand above all other instrumetns including Yamaha Montage.

Does the PA4X have vocal multipad sounds such as DoWop and other vocal sounds?

I'm thinking of the kind similar to what my Tyros 4 has

They are audio? you can create them yourself on the pa4x?

They are midi? Copy midi, and create a DoWop voice, the pa4x engines allows for such things to

If you want to create your won things, pa4x outshines the Tyros, if you are more a sit and play type, Tyros would still be my choice...

Bachus,

These are multipad 50's and 60's backup vocals that currently reside on the Tyros 4 & 5....maybe before that?

The PSR series does not have them.

Re: create your own....no problem with doing that. Thing is, there is so much that can be done, I've no interest in creating my own DoWop voices, especially when the Tyros multipad voices are already superb.

does anyone really use those doo wopp shoowop voices?

I think they are incredibly cheesy. When they can sound like the backup singers in Roy Orbison's "Only the Lonely", I might be interested.

God Bless,
Don

As cheesy as using VH?

OK, guys I need some opinions.
Looking to get a keyboard again.....
Let me first tell what I need.
I don't sing.
I don't gig.
I don't play any modern rock.
This is for me to play for me & family and I am 67.

Sound quality is CRITICAL. Since I don't sing....the keyboard sounds are even more important.

I like and play:
Slow love songs
Oldies
standards
Musical theatre
TV themes
Movie soundtrack stuff...etc.

If you listen to a typical easy listening or beautiful instrumentals channel on dish or direct TV you will hear a lot of what I like to play.

Not sure what I want to spend yet.....
but T5, used T4 (IF I could find one that has not been ridden hard and put away wet), Maybe PA4X, and maybe even the new PSR-970.

I played organ for years ...mostly Yamaha...but before that the Thomas models.

Previously I was disappointed in the T2 and Pa2XPRO as to sound quality....they had many issues....

Comments welcome please.

Thanks,
Lee

I think you answered your own question.... only you can make the choice. All the ones you mentioned sound fantastic.

Donny,
But I would have to go to a place & spend lots of time to decide.....
A PSR 970 sure is tempting for the price...
Thanks,
Lee

The S970 Will do all your asking, ....Although I just got it... I enjoy playing mine for now.
Good luck

Donny,
How good are the orchestral voices?
Is there free play styles like T5?
How is the keybed feel?
Thanks,

Lee let's be honest the S970 keybed is very lightweight either you like it or you hate it ....it doesn't have a weighted resistant feel at all...you just get used to it and it's usable like all PSR/S units Yamaha makes,...to my ear the Orchestral voices are very good & you can make EQ/Perimeter changes if need to any of them to suit your needs...

The PSR-S970 has 450 Styles, including 10 all-new DJ styles, 366 Pro, 31 Session, 3 Free Play and 40 Audio Styles. The more junior PSR-S770 has 360 styles (320 Pro, 27 Session, 10 DJ, a Free Play and none of the new audio styles).

Hope this helps

Keys are horible on s970.Too bad , otherwise nice unit.

With those keys they indeed better should have turned it into a module.. Allow people to bring their own keys

many do use it as a module with a Controller KB to suit their keybed playing needs.........its either that or upgrade to Tyros if you want the Yamaha sound with a better keybed.

Well....it is our fault...the keys are so bad....Quit buying and the changes will happen.
I will go somewhere to see if I can deal with them...I am spoiled with nice quality keybed for years now. Kursweil K2600, Korg PA2XPRO, CME UF-70, and the keybeds on all the wonderful Yamaha Organs I owned.

The PSR 970 is not a toy keyboard and for $2,000 it should have a better keybed. I just found out the keys are not standard size??

Of course I understand you guys that carry them around like the light weight...and some do like the keybed.....but I think a lot of players just acceot the keys as the rest of the instrument is very nice.

Yamaha, IMHO is very stubborn on changes that we want...I was very surprised and happy that they did a 76 on the T5. AND I think sales have been good on the 76...

My concern on the keybed on the 970 will be getting consistant results note to note on playing as the feel certainly effects that.

I think Yamaha needs a PSR in between the 970 and T5.
We go from $2,000 to $5,000 that's one heck of a spread.

I guess I need to go to a shop to play the 970 to see if the sounds and keys are going to work for me....If not then I will look for either a used T4 or bite the bullet & get the T5. I'm sure since the T4 has been out a while that it would be tough to get one that has not been used pretty hard.

Thanks for all the input it has been very helpful.

Lee wrote..."but I think a lot of players just accept the keys as the rest of the instrument is very nice."

I would say so..

Well I like the extremely light key feel on the PSRs. It is easier on my hands and fingers. I've never been a piano player. It's a different instrument. I can see how piano players would prefer heavier action.
Having said this, I like the Korg keys a lot. I'd probably like them even better if the touch was even lighter. I do appreciate that they are at least full size, unlike PSR keys.

Don I am so used to the light S970 yamaha style keybed too, buit..please explain further about the keybed feel on the Pa4x...
I understand what your saying ...

Well, the keys feel very good, very responsive, but last week after six nights in a row of four-plus hours each, my right wrist was telling me ENOUGH. Normally it isn't a problem, and after taking a few days off, last night was fine, no problem.
My point was that not all of us require, or even want, real piano action.
Since this thread started out being about the PA4X, I thought it was at least appropriate to mention it.

Yes Don a few nights in the trenches will definitely take it's toll on your fingers.....you make all good points as usual... I hope your not having korg buyers remorse & yamaha envy again...

Absolutely not. Not in any way whatsoever. I would not trade my PA4X for two Tyros 5s, an S970 and a future draft choice!
I love it!

ok lol....I'll save this post for future references hahah

Hey guys...were not talking about piano style, weighted hammer action here...we are talking about QUALITY, semi-weighted synth keybed. Piano players would ideally want Piano style keys like a full acoustic piano.
I am an organ player from way back so Piano keys not required or even wanted here....but I do remember trying a PSR-950 once at Sweetwater (I lived 20 min from there , not I have moved to Ocala, FL)....and it felt cheap, toy like...and I remember the spacing seemed strange too.

Come on Yamaha...make the price $2199 and give us the Tyros keybed (Yes it is reasonable to do, a CME-UF70 I have has great keys and only was $350 new).

I think enough people may go Tyros instead of PSR (or Yamaha thinks they will) because of the keys????

If sales went down, and we tell them we want a better keybed....maybe they would...money talks.

A Korg PA900 has wonderful keys and is about the same price of PSR-970. (I still think I want Yamaha sounds & styles however)
So its not that the cost of MFG is the issue.

Oh well, my opinions won't change anything...I still have to make a decision.

Good luck Lee...I'm sure you try them and make a educated decision for your needs as a player in all aspects..keep us posted..

As i said... Using a module allows everyone to choose their own keybeds....

61 super light, 61/76 fsr or even an 88 kawai or a Nord C2d.. A good module would support them all.

A 970 would make a perfect module, as the width of the control area is pretty compact...but I doubt we ever see it from Yamaha. Heck I don't even care if its the same price.