Korg released a new arranger keyboard
The ek50



Its on the low end of the spectrum
For now i am assuming it will sit where the pa300 was..
Which could be considered a step back?

Yes, looks like an entry level model. With that type of LCD display I would presume it took the place of the Pa50SD and/or MicroArranger.

Interesting specs:-

Keyboard
61 keys (velocity sensitive)
Touch Control: Soft (light), medium (standard), hard (heavier), fixed

Sound Generator
Stereo PCM sound generator

Maximum Polyphony
64 voices

Sounds
Over 702 sounds, 41 drum kits (including GM compatible sound sets)

Keyboard Sets
More than 170 sets

Effects

Accompaniment part
2 stereo digital multi-effects

Keyboard part
2 stereo digital multi-effects

34 types (148 variations)


Styles
More than 280 presets
2 intros, 4 variations, 2 fills, 1 count in/break, 2 endings, synchro start/stop, tap tempo

Music Styles
64 styles

Demo Songs
18 songs

Audio Player
MP3, WAV (44.1 kHz)

Sequencer

Record
Real-time recording (Style mode), maximum of 999 songs (approx. 100,000 notes), 12 tracks (4 keyboard parts + 8 auto accompaniment parts), original format (can convert to SMF0)

Playback
Supports song play (playing on the keyboard during song playback), SMF (Standard MIDI File) format 0 or 1

Scales
11 types (including user scale)

Controls
Power button, VOLUME knob, joystick, STYLE/[MUSIC STYLE] button, SONG/[DEMO SONG] button, KEYBOARD SET/[STS] button, GRAND PIANO button, each button in the PART MUTE/[SOUND SELECT] section, SETTING/[EFFECT] button, MEDIA button, SPEAKER EQ/[SPEAKER OFF] button, [SHIFT] button, ENSEMBLE button, SPLIT button, METRONOME/[BEAT SELECT] button, TAP TEMPO/[TEMPO LOCK] button, TRANSPOSE b and #/[OCTAVE –/+] buttons, dial, CATEGORY button, value buttons, + button, - button, each button in the STYLE/SONG section, each button in the SET LIST section

Set lists
10 banks × 4

Metronome
Tempo, beat, volume

Tempo
30–240

Key Transpose
C (-12) to C (0) to C (+12)

Tuning
427.5–452.9 Hz

Input/Output

Foot controller jack
6.3 mm (1/4") phone jack

AUDIO IN jack
3.5 (1/8") mm stereo mini-phone jack

OUTPUT L/ MONO, R jacks
6.3 mm (1/4") phone jack (unbalanced)

Headphones jack
3.5 mm (1/8") stereo mini-phone jack

USB A port
TO DEVICE port for connecting USB flash memory and controllers

USB B port
TO HOST port for connecting personal computers

Speaker System

Amplification
10 W × 2

Speakers
120 mm (4.72") double-cone speakers × 2 (bass reflex box-type)

Speaker EQ
8 types

MIDI
USB MIDI

Display
Custom LCD with backlighting

Power supply
AC adapter (included) or AA batteries (alkaline dry cells or nickel-metal hydride batteries) × 8 (sold separately)

Battery life
When using alkaline dry cells: approx. 5 hours

Power Consumption
8 W (0.1 W on standby)

Dimensions (W x D x H)
994 mm × 392 mm × 132 mm/39.13" × 15.43" × 5.20" (not including sheet music stand)
Height with sheet music stand attached: 329 mm/12.95"

Weight
7.5 kg/16.53 lbs. (not including sheet music stand or batteries)

Included items
AC adapter, sheet music stand

Allan

It’s just a microarranger/pa50 with much less features.

I agree.., it sounds identical to my MicroArranger (probably has a few newer sounds), but overall it’s a MicroArranger minus several features. Interesting because the MA was $100 more, has micro keys, but has full program editing, style recording, and dual 16trk sequencer.

I hope this isn’t the MA and PA-300 replacement. It’s a big step backwards.

Sqk

well they have to sell off old parts somehow...lol

I wish korg put this in a module for the same money. Not just another keyboard.

Or you can just make your own out of it ...

Any one who can lead me to convert a PA1000 into a module?

Midi via USB only..are 5 pin midi jacks becoming obsolete now? Or just money saving feature on entry level boards?

Could be a little of both, but mostly cost savings I would guess.

Well its the low end, meant to compete with the casio ctx series amd the yamaha psr-e series...

In a school environment it would be good

This keyboard can be battery powered which can be a big plus for those who perform for small outdoor functions or other small venues where cables can get in the way.

A busker's delight!

Allan