KORG EK-50

Two days was enough for me... entry level.

I gave it back to Dave, and he sent it back to Sweetwater the next day

I am considering one. Has for 90% the sound of a pa50 which i love.

I guess you didn't give it enough time...
sounds pretty decent for sure for the price...

Fran I think its a good choice and really good value to the buck for sure...good luck keep us posted.

Thanks, I will let you know when i got one.

It is the operation procedures that are bad.. Having to hold down a button and pushing another for a change... and you need two hands to do it.. Try that while you are performing

Personally I disliked Roland arrangers for the TWO Push transpose
and a few other things so they all have quirky navigational features but as us pros know there is always a workaround...just sayin..

Does sound pretty good in the demo. Not full size keys as far as I can tell. As for button pushing I don't know how you guys make many changes while preforming. I like things all set up before I go.
Good luck to whomever gets one. Good value to be sure.

Hey Bill after using the Korg Micro Arranger keys
these are full size lol
As far as button pushing my fingers were always my strength and faster then any foot......
that why I dislike using pedals as less as I can maybe just a sustain or VH trigger two tops...

The EA7 has one-push transpose. Dedicated buttons very near the left hand, next to octave shift.

Not all Roland's... Does the G70 have one touch transpose?

G70 one touch transpose. G70 does everything right.. it is the pro choice..

Doesn't the Ek50 have the same engine as the Pa50 / Micro Arranger ?

They are using all the fan favorites reworked in the E-50.

Exactly the same sound engine... they added the media audio player... problem is you can only have 99 songs in the folder.

99 songs?..Who cares when you use a laptop for Mp3 songs, lyrics, etc, ...and frankly the Pa50 series sound engine is really good if you know how to adjust the sound...
just like my Micro arranger kb..
It's the player NOT the keyboard !!!....
I have heard many Genos/Pa4x players that even though they have the TOTL units much improvement is needed in their keyboard skills..
which is ALWAYS heard with your ears. Here's a few KORG Micro Arranger demos I made a long time ago out of the box..


https://app.box.com/s/bc0zhbp7v0rwjrswsmi6hhghx2ngci81

https://app.box.com/s/h7blbcdww74d7ik5qb87dni7bksrx0ta

Beautiful demos. So much talent.

I'm very interested in the EK-50 myself. I'd love a battery powered KB for certain situation for sure. In fact I have the Korg Micro that I bought from Donny, it has served me very well, but I'm willing to trade it for a EK-50 if any one is game?

Paul,....I'll let you know how it is, I too like that it is
AC/& Battery powered if necessary.The M-Audio 49 key-station is gone.
I have a KORG EK-50 coming here in a day or so.
I'll try to do some more demos using the EK50 too.

Why do I feel you are on a downward slope... You can't be a happy camper.. I thought the PA700 was a good move for you...

So did Dave ....lol

we can only try right..?

The full-sized keys are a good thing, but in several important ways this EK-50 is inferior to the MicroArranger (and Pa50SD.) If I were in the market for an entry level, battery-powered keyboard, I would choose the Casio CT-X3000 over this. Better still, just drive a Roland BK-5 from an external power bank (i.e., laptop charger), and take my chances on voiding the warranty.

DNJ, PERHAPS, I may have a deal for you. SHHHHHH!

Donny,
With Don and Dave possibly getting an SX900, having your expertise in that group would only help us get up and running with our own SX900.

It seems that the new features on the 900 would give enough of a challenge to keep you busy for quite some time.

JM

Jingle NO Sx900 in my future sorry,......
I learned my lesson over and over again...
I wish all who ordered one good luck. I hope to hear some great music posted from all of you down the road...

take care

...can not understand for the life of me why anyone would want this keyboard, I am convinced the PA50SD is better and its mini counterpart the Korg Micro Arranger at least as good.
I agree with all though that the whole range of Korgs at the time,
PA1X, PA80, PA60, PA50 and KMA are/were outstanding.
If anyone in the USA is interested in the PA50SD rather than this new gadget, there are a few on Ebay USA, e.g.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Korg-Pa50-Professional-Arranger/233304682364?hash=item36520aef7c:g:W2kAAOSwG6pcvNuE&shqty=1&isGTR=1#shId

regards,
John

P.S. Frans, begin er niet aan joh, kan je beter nog een PA50SD gebruikt komen m.i. !!!!!

John don't knock it till you try one...

the only arranger keyboard that excites me is the Ketron SD9... Maybe another road trip to
Prince AJ's Lab is in my future for sure..

Thanks Donny but I am okay with my PA1000, its added Musikant Stick and soon the new V3 Kommex module. ( I will keep you lot informed on that )

2005 recording with PA50:
https://app.box.com/s/tltxp9gdcrjtnznfs5i3qra9xjwqagub

Thanks by the way for pointing out the offer on Mixcraft 8Pro, which is a fantastic program and DAW and includes 17 Synths as well as piano samples. Takes a bit of a learning curve but 80 bucks is really a steal for what you are getting......

regards.
John

John I love Mixcraft 8 pro Daw... Use for everything.... If you need help with it just shout...
Lots of great tutorials online also....
Great song... Good luck with your music.

She is a great demonstrator wish I spoke the language..

I already ordered one at Bax shop John It is exactly what i am looking for. A Great sounding keyboard without all the Bells and whistles I never use. I have the synths and workstations on my iPad for that. About the pa50, i had one but what a background noise had that thing.

DRUM ROLL Please.......

Quite a bang for the buck at under $400.

Today is the day !

I have to wait. It’s sold out at Bax shop.

There is a reason for that.....it seems KORG has a winner.

Hold off... Donny's will be available next week

I don't think FranN want to pay for shipping to the Netherlands lol

or maybe I should look for another Roland G70

I know, Donny, that you are a very experienced and professional musician and singer. If I’m not mistaken, you had Korg Pa4x, and after that you tried a lot of less expensive keyboards. I guess, after Pa4x there’s only one way to go higher – it’s Genos; but quite a lot of options to go lower. Personally, I’m all for reasonable minimalism and openness to changes. But I picture that you might want to hear good sounds, like authentic pianos and electric pianos, strings, guitars, etc. As a musician, you would probably demand that styles would sound realistic, with solid bass and pleasant drums. These are the things, which Genos is designed to provide. While keyboards of lower ranges are designed in order to cost less, also, in order not to compete with TOTL (so they are deliberately spoiled in some ways).

I must say that I don’t really support Genos myself. In fact, I got something for myself recently, which is 1/5 of the price of a Genos; I plan to show it later. After all, it’s hard not to see Genos as an overpriced product, which is a little bit unfinished. The fact that Yamaha didn’t even paint some marks on knobs and sliders seems a bit aggressive. So I understand if you have some feeling of a protest. Also, it’s none of my business to question your financial priorities, I just remember you saying that money is not the reason why you are not buying it.

Despite the fact that Genos may be not the best value for money, in arrangers’ world it’s so far an unique package. I just can’t help thinking that you now treat keyboards as a reviewer — not a bad thing, just not sure if it is your initial intention.

With respect,

I have tried to like Genos, but MUCH prefer my 4X. Ketron SD9 would rate right up there with those two.

Don you and an Sd9 would be an amazing thing.

I think the Genos sounds great in the videos I have seen and the features look terrific. It is just too much money unless you're a pro and can write it of or are rich and don't mind. I could never justify it-heck as a home player I can't really justify a PA900.

That will never happen. Too many keys, too heavy touch, too long, too heavy, too expensive.

But you forgot to mention probably the best sounding keyboard arranger on the market today

That brings up an interesting question as to best sounding vs sound including other factors. My best sounding keyboard is my Audya 76. AJ explained that the reason is that there was not the compression found in later Ketron models. That being said, I, more often, take the Pa4X or the SK1/SD40 for the reasons of more functions and less weight. I always want the best sound, but at the expense of other considerations? Do the listeners know or care? I have to admit I feel better knowing that I have presented the best I can regardless of the difficulty of workarounds and set up. Sometimes I think I am just making things too difficult. On the other hand, unlike many of you, I am only playing two or three times a week.

[/quote]
That will never happen. Too many keys, too heavy touch, too long, too heavy, too expensive. [/quote]

There's the sd60...

KORG EK-50 Update......

It just arrived 1 hr ago
Unboxed it (sorry I didn't video tape that)
played it for 15 min,
repacked it,
UPS just picked it up..

to be continued,......and what's next too???.

You just order stuff so you can see that UPS girl.

At this age that's all you can do!

Is that your record Donny lol

Donny, have you ever met the delivery guy - or girl - at the door and told them to put it back on the truck - sight unseen ?!?

Yes Tony many times......

I notice you have a new avatar...

Oh yes good buddy.....things are changing very quickly.
In short the Ek-50 sounded great and most of the basic go to sounds
were quite usable, Piano, EP, Organ, Strings, Guitars,
but when it gets to Brass,Trumpet,Synths, Pads etc if fell short to my ears...
Where it really falls short is in the navigation which is a nightmare in many ways
very "Casioish" is how I would explain it....
variations have to be double presses, sound and style changes using two hands was very awkward for sure,....
the menu system is strange to find things too...speakers are adequate, very light touch keybed, well lit display.
But in the end after 15 minutes it was gone in a flash. Oh Well.

Way to go Donny...Mine is on order as well
JM

Thank you Sir can't wait!

That changed pretty quickly too ...
Never say never ...

Gosh, don’t think too many will be surprised, after all the top end keyboards you’ve owned
couldn’t quite see this as being a good fit.

Hope you find what you’re looking for.

Tony life is too short to dilly dally!

Just don't pull "a Donny" and shower this new board with adoration that befits a king, only to have it disappoint you later .... like ALWAYS. No one faults you for changing your mind - hell, we all do that, but you treat every new thing like it's the end-all, greatest thing ever, sing it from the rooftops, and swear that you're soooooo happy, and then realize that you still get bored.
My take on YOU (as a great friend), is that it's time for a hobby that involves creativity, but not music. You're burned out.
Try photography, or painting, or writing (just NOT HERE)

Take a poll of the Zoners, and I'll bet no one is surprised that you're jumping on the SX wagon. Frankly, it's more of a stretch that I'm on it, given my aversion to Yamaha keybeds. If the keys re not substantially better, I will not keep mine. I like the fact that they finally got with the touch-screen program, and it's black, with speakers, but if it feels like the mush of the past ... it'll be on the block in the first week.
So, welcome to the club, my friend, but don't jinx it, by putting your rose colored glasses on as soon as you get yours.
It's just a tool. Just a tool. Just a tool.

(you know I love ya, buddy)

Dave, .....I've been in the game too long,....simply said
either I love it or out it goes with the rose colored glasses...
and no one has to read my posts. It's only a keyboard.

Donny, I’d still be interested on your ( short) experience with the EK 50, Did you like anything about it?

...and I hope the keys are not too stiff!

In short the Ek-50 sounded great and most of the basic go to sounds
were quite usable, Piano, EP, Organ, Strings, Guitars,
but when it gets to Brass,Trumpet,Synths, Pads etc if fell short to my ears...
Where it really falls short is in the navigation which is a nightmare in many ways
very "Casioish" is how I would explain it....
variations have to be double presses, sound and style changes using two hands was very awkward for sure,....
the menu system is strange to find things too...speakers are adequate, very light touch keybed, well lit display.
But in the end after 15 minutes it was gone in a flash. Oh Well.

Received the EK 50 today and it doesn’t sound that good as i thought it would. So i put it back in the box and will swap it for a Casio ct x5000.

FransN, at least Korg has dedicated buttons to mute tracks. Not sure about Casio. I can see how Donny expects an improvement by switching it to PSR-SX900, but would it be an improvement in case of CT-X5000 – well, this is how you’ll know it.

Sometimes I think that an option to send a keyboard back actually puts pressure to do it, while lack of such option puts pressure to get along with it and eventually make some use of it. Although there are sometime things hard to compromise, in that case such an option is a solution indeed.

I played the Korg ek50 a few hours more yesterday this time with my headphones and what a difference. The sound is very good through the headphones much better then through the onboard speakers. So i decide to keep it. Kabinopus was right about the dedicated buttons Casio don’ t have these. I played today the Casio ct x5000 and although it sound nice especialy the piano sounds overall the Korg is much better. The keys are very good on the Korg for the money and remind me of the keys on the pa50. I love the way it can load styles from the pa50 and microarranger. For the money it is really a Great little keyboard with the Triton sound engine. Aged yes but still sound very good. I love the strings and pads on this thing.