Difference between MicroArranger/PA50 & PA500

Is there a big difference in tone, ease of operation, etc?

Hi Scott,

I would have thought my entry last week was pretty obvious on this point :

http://www.synthzone.com/forum/ubbthread...s_Mu#Post335836

kind regards,
John Smies

Scott,

The microArranger is based on the PA-50SD which was introduced back in 2004, so all functions and features should be the same except for some new styles (maybe) and perhaps some internal tweaks.

I was wondering what the difference would be in price between the adult sized PA-50SD and the little baby MicoArranger?

I was thinking of the latter's use as a module controlled by a Yamaha P-95 or even the Tyros4, but the size is big enough to warrant using a double stand in either scenario. Kind of defeats the module idea, at least for me.

I would also think that with the advent of the wee Korg, the PA-50SD may be available at a reduced and attractive price, allowing both the acquisition of Korgian arranger styles and sounds with a normal sized, and much easier to play, keyboard (also with speakers, no less).

Are you planning on using a microArrnger as an addition, or like some others, using it as a roving, ultra portable entertainment system?

Ian

Ian,
One of the favorite vendors on this site told me the PA50SD was twice the price of the Micro Arranger. On the other hand, I had heard the PA50SD was just a few hundred dollars more than the Micro.

Deane

Pa50 Keyboard Package Bundle @Amazon.com $899.00 US

Hi John

Thanx for the reply. I knew the micro and the 50 were the same thing except for size.

My real question was comparing the micro/50 to the 500, mainly interested in knowing if the 500 actually sounds better and if it had the easier os that I had heard some of them had at some point.

Yes very BIG difference.(especially if you play styles, not SMF only).
As an old PA50 user I can tell you this.


PA 500 - advantages
more poly/more RAM/
newer sound generation (EDS)/RX (acoustic GTR trio styles competes with MEGA voice styles from yammy)
multi pads will play loops like Yamaha (pa 80/60/50 and micro can't)
more fills,more intro/endings
old styles retweaked for the better/less fill issues,
more style areas compared to PA 50/micro,
will still load pa 80/50/micro style files .
Guitar mode
Song Book ( great feature)
3 Ibs lighter and also less bulky (compared to 50)


Micro wins for size/portability/great 2nd board
PA 50 shows it's age/price/advantage compared to S710.But Pa500 and S710, (good competition)

Hi Ian

I guess I have an interest in the micro for the same reasons everyone else is having, it's small, light, cheap, a new toy. You get some Korg sounds and styles to add to your existing keyboard and/or use instead of. I think the newness and novelty has touched the kid emotions in us.

I'm actually, wondering why I'm interested though, even with the above, as I had a PA60 in my home for 10 days free trial from a local music store. They where going to sell it to me for their cost which I could verify as I was in music retail for over 30 years. I had the Tyros at the time, try as I might I didn't like the PA60 by far compared to the Tyros. I really wanted to like it, but it just didn't cut the buck. Everyone else who I did an A/B comparision didn't care for it either.

So, why am I thinking about the micro now? Maybe because I already know it will "different" than the T4, and I'm not being as knit picky about it.

The only way I would use the micro or 50, or 500 is if I picked out 10 to 20 generic styles that would work for all my songs, as I certainly would not want to set up both a Korg and a T4.

I do have a hunch that after all the fuss is over, there are going to be a lot of used micros for sale or stuffed in the closet. Maybe I should just wait til I can get one for $200 as I don't expect they will hold much of a value, IMHO.

Scott, actually they will hold value...you won't see $200 tag for 5 years....used , they may be around the $400 mark..

$499 street price now...you will see them jump up another $50 street price...

Don't forget..it does have the same engine as the PA1x..and a lot of folks still think that was the best Korg to date.....so a module of that sound source...yes $400 will hold..

The PA500 also has a marvelous touchscreen, which makes edits a breeze. I have both the 50 and 500, and the 500 sounds better. It has the same sound engine as the Korg M3. The #1 reason I upgraded was the songbook feature.

Scott,

I think by now most of your queries have been answered.
I had the PA80 and later on the PA80 for 5 years. Over the last
two years I went from PA500 to PA800. The touchscreen is a complete
marvel particularly for those like me who program a lot. Which brings me to a point that should be of main interest to you in your decision to buy the Micro or not. ( or even the PA500). KORGS demand programming.
Contrary to the Tyros you need to tweak etc.etc. if not you get easily bored with it. That is why I spent hundreds of hours tweaking and progamming , that is why people remark it seems like they have gotten hold of an entirely new keyboard once they have loaded my programming. (Ask uncle Dave, he had my PA800 programming a two years ago and that was even much inferior to my present 2012 set for the PA800).
There is stuff on the internet from me that you can download for free and use on the Micro. And there is other stuff that I have which certainly makes the PA50/Mikro shine, see my webpages on page 7. With a Tyros 4 at home and a little bit of pocket money at hand I would ALWAYS go for the Mikro at that absurd streetprice. And do hook it up properly like I suggested to the Tyros, both MIDI and AUDIO.
What do you stand to loose ? And that goes for virtually most of you !

good luck,
John Smies

http://pasounds.intropagina.nl/

Hi John

I haven't a Tyros, but an Audya and Technics KN7000. I don't suppose it matters as far as your programming is conscerned.

I, for one, will avail myself to your expertise as soon as my MicroArranger comes in. For such a nominal price, I can.t help but be better off sonically.

Bernie

Thanx all for the input.

John, the Tyros hook up looks interesting. I'm wondering how quickly in between songs one could switch from Korg styles to Tyros styles and what those steps might be, I am a midi novice.

Really, the Korg organ alone almost makes it worth having. I probably will end up with one of the Korgs. tht micro sounds interesting, but the 500 also.

Hi Scott and Bernie,

Never having owned a Tyros in my life, what's more this PSR3000 I purchased recently is virtually my first Yamaha experience, you may have to resort to the true Tyros connaisseur but I can tell you this much....

First about the software on offer. Not because of the pecunias but it is true what Bernie says, why not build on the strenght ( in this case the sounds, registrations, styles etc) of someone who has in depth experience and take it from there. I have come across few keyboards that sound mindblowing straight out of the box, certainly none of KOrgs.

About hooking up the Micro, well of course the same applies to the Audya and the Technics, though the latter's midi may be dated.
But to take the Audya or the Tyros or the PSR:
Hooking up the AUDIO should be a piece of cake, simply going from line out on the Micro to your main keyboard.
MIDI wise (Tyros midi out, Micro midi in) you simply connect the uppers
(if necessary ) thru channels 1 and 2. You connect the lower on channel 3). Then to play the accompaniment of the Micro on the Tyros you have to connect yet another channel but here I am slightly out of my debt not owing a Tyros or Audya. Anyway it must and can be done quite easily which gives you the result that by say playing a C chord on your main keyboard you can play either keyboard DEPENDING ON WHICH START/STOP BUTTON you have activated. So Scott this means you can actually change from playing a style on the KOrg to a style on the Tyros in almost a split second !! ( ....or to make matters worse.........you could be playing two keyboards simultaneously..........out of sync....)

There is still much more to be said but I won't try and confuse matters more than necessary. All I am saying is DO play your micro along the keys of your main keyboard. Once you have familiarized yourself enough with it, dis-activate the midi link for the uppers but keep the midi link to the accompaniment section. Wich , I repeat myself, will give you two full acc. keyboards on the lower half of your main keyboard and a total of five uppers on your righthand side, three on the main keyboard and two on the Korg..........................................

JOhn

John,
Have you actually tried this yet, using your PA50 and PSR3000? If so are you pleased with the results? If I purchase the Micro, I too would use the same set up (3000/micro)

Also I'm a little confused:
How does that happen if it's deactivated?

Thanks for your expertise

Hi Larry,

Not with the Micro for the simple reason that it is not on the market yet here in Europe. And due to poor health I have not done anything with my Korg PA80 and the PSR3000 either, but in the past I always hooked up my two keyboards ( whichever they were) in this way.

As regards you being puzzled about " de-activation ", let me try and explain from your point of view. PSR3000 + Korg Micro.

For starters like I said you hook up the audio, so korg audio out to Yamaha audio line in to beef up the sound a bit. ( not taking into account external amplification).
Right, once you get the Micro you initially will want to try out things without taking into account the Yamaha, that is APART FROM ITS KEYS. In other words you hook up (via MIDI) upper 1, upper 2, lower and accompaniment. To hook up upper 1 , upper 2 and lower you simply make them correspondent with the midi in channels on the Korg MIcro,
simple as can be. As to getting the correct response for the accompaniment you have to check out your manuals. I mean the idea is to hit the START button on the Korg and then play the chords on the Yammie. As to the uppers, you select the sounds and performances on the Korg but play them on the Yamaha......

Only when you have got that whole circus going and once you have familiarized yourself enough with the Korg to know what there is to like and not to like you can decide to DE-ACTIVE the upper 1 and upper 2 midi channels, or even the lower if you like BUT NOT THE ACC. CHANNEL. By doing so you retain a choice of accompaniment by playing the Yamaha depending on which keyboard you start with the start/stop button. But as you have disconnected the other midi links your PSR right hand will play the PSR sounds of your choice, and the KOrg righthand side the Korg sounds of your choice. In other words you can always have FOUR sounds at instant touch. And two different accompaniment depending on which keyboard yuo get going !!!!
Have you already got the Micro by the way ?

Good luck ,
John Smies

Ahhh...got it (I think)

We am ordering a micro next week for the store, but I'll be the one who HAS to try it out.

I'll give your setup a go, and will let you know how your recommendations works out, but it sounds interesting, and fun

Thanks for your instructions and insight.

Your welcome Larry.
Just let me know when you actually get hold of the Micro and that goes for Bernie and Scott as well, and I will send you guys a PM with more details because I can imagine this causing some wrinkles on the outset. But............you'll love the outcome !!

regards,
John

http://pasounds.intropagina.nl/

Just got word from Larry that the Micro is on backorder at his shop and will take time. So if anyone wants to fill his shoes and get going with the Korg Micro in combination with his or her major keyboard let me know,
preferably someone with a Tyros ( Scott ? ) but not necessarily.........

regards,
John Smies

Hi Larry,
I recently did some korg/yammie/biab chord/Sync setups for one of the korg members. I should be able to adapt it to korg/yammie if you get stuck.


[quote=john smies]
Hi Larry,


As to getting the correct response for the accompaniment you have to check out your manuals. I mean the idea is to hit the START button on the Korg and then play the chords on the Yammie.

Taken me a lot of time to answer this one but I have just sussed it out, thought there was a catch to the question, didn't want to look a fool "size" please tell me I'm right.

Oh sorry I forgot, lower carbon emissions on the toy one.