Yamaha PSR-SX900 BATTLES Korg PA1000

Nice find well I know who won this battle...

Thanks Telmo, nice and interesting find.
Wondering about if both Y and K is played as it is right out off the box?

Who?


Here’s my simple take, both are great arrangers there’s a seat for every butt. Some days I like playing my Korg other days my Yamaha. It’s like that with food too, sometimes I want a steak other days a nice pasta dish is more to my liking.

So think we all agree this time around it not about sounds and styles but ALL ABOUT THE FEATURES?

Two very nice Keyboards...I did not see where anyone stated who won or Did I miss something? Nice Video from AC Hamilton Music. I'm with Steven...What ever shoe fits... Very Simple Buy the one You like. Harold

And for Steve, some days he has BOTH ...

You do ?

Only recently I remarked in another thread as regards these two arrangers how virtually all KORGS sound crappy out of the box and this is definitely as good as out the box and still imho it sounds better than the Yamaha. Yamaha again highlighting old stuff like the Shadows guitar sound ( already there in Tyros 2 etc.)
I will add some demo one day highlighting how the PA1000 can sound after decent tweaking.

A much more interesting point is this:
Apart from the gigging artists here like Don,Donny, Deane, Dave, etc. who set great store by only using one keyboard and preferably a lightweight one , any home user would imho benefit much more by a combination like the following two, which would be cheaper than one PA4X or one Genos, even without monitors.

Yamaha SX900 + Korg PA700
Korg PA1000 + Yamaha SX700

both sets would cost approx. 2900 euros in Europe, I would say :take your pick !!!

John

Listening under good quality headphones...The Yamaha blows the Korg away...as it should being a newer board.
JM

I said the features are the key to it all
on both... Not sound or styles..

Well, it looks a bit risky of Jeremy See to "borrow" third party content. Also, it looks like he's being rather pragmatic when he invites to discuss it, because comments help the channel to be more popular (YouTube's algorithm).

As for the comparison, while I'm all for variety, so far I can't say that I liked anything about PA1000 very much. Styles are a bit mechanical to me. Drums and guitars on SX900 make a more colourful picture.

But I know it's not safe to draw a conclusion based on demos. It can be that the very thing which makes Yamaha attractive is also the one which makes you bored of it afterwards.

By the way, do you get the meaning of Jeremy's greeting, when he says "what's up Jeremies...?" Does it make sence to you?

Donny
I see you are having trouble turning this thread, exclusively, toward features, but I guess sound has something to do with the equation.

Features mean everything to me.... Both kbs can be made to sound great.. People are hung up on the sounds and styles imo.. But features and navigation is most essential and most important to me.

What I don't get is he never played a SX900?

I don't sing, I don't GIG out, I play the more smooth type music, ballads, musical theatre, 50. 60 love songs...easy listening mostly...so for me the Yamaha has the best sounds AND styles for my type of playing. I had a Korg PA2XPRO, and sent 3 pages of data to them highlighting the samples and sound programming that needed serious work, never heard a thing back.
I'm a old organ player at heart, had Conn, Thomas and several Yamaha's....and I want/need great Orchestral sounds mostly...Genos is king for me, but I may go SX900 for now.
Lee

Ditto, took me 10 years to realise I was playing wrong brand of keyboard.
Happy with my SX now.


P.s, I did enjoy those 10 years, but, didn’t do much actual playing.

Agreed. Even with hours of editing, Korg styles may not be smooth/ natural in comparison since the original style/fills/transitions- programming is busy/overwritten ( plus lack of 3rd party styles) compared to Yamaha and takes away playing time.

Again we are not taking about the Korg’s “ editing power”/ “ sequencer”, “ sound/ program editing”, “hardware”, “keys”, built quality”, “ functions”, “VH”,” bang for the buck”, etc.We are talking about simple unbusy 4/4 styles. Having simple 8 beat/ 16 beats styles with simple / natural bass lines which is a must for western ( non middle eastern/non Eastern European /Balkan) music player especially your gig depends on arranger function.

SMF’ers, Sequence replayers and , LH bass players who use arranger as drum machine will say they have no issues with Korg.

Not sure he’s been given one to test yet.

from my perspective, 99-percent of the arranger keyboard players use less than 10-percent of the built-in features of their keyboards. I'm confident that more than 50-percent of the players never take the user manual out of the Zip-Loc bag it came in.

I am constantly amazed at the number of players that play outside their homes say "My keyboard came UPS this morning. I'll test it out tonight on the job and see how my audience likes it." Are you kidding me? There is enough difference in models, changes in OS, new features, etc..., that even the most technical minded players need at least a week of working intensely with a new keyboard in order to master just a smattering of the new things available. I'm not all that smart, so I always gave myself a couple months before taking on stage.

Now, lets talk about sounds. For me, this is the most important aspect of any arranger keyboard. Some sound pretty darned good right out of the box, but not all. Some will need considerable tuning and tweaking before they are ready for an audience. Some, regardless of how much time you spend tuning them, will never sound great. They may sound OK, but never great. This, of course, is subjective.

Good luck on whatever you decide upon,

Gary

Hi ,
I was fortunate that I discovered 3 or 4 styles on my s950 that did work really well with one of my songbooks. I’ve got somewhere between 30 to 40 of those songs covered with just those styles.
Must be fairly simple if they work with so many tunes?
Might need to work out something for the intro’s, for a bit of variety , but at least I’ll get time to play.
Btw, the styles are also on the sx.

Rikki, I’m glad to hear your enjoying the SX900. I suspect you’re referring to Korg when you stated you played the wrong keyboard for 10 years.
JM

Gary, I agree...when I had the PA2XPRO, it was obvious many of their samples were not correctly done....can't really fix that with programming. Some sounds were real nice also. But the styles seemed wrong for a lot of the music I like....subjective of course. I don't need to keep em dancing....so I don't want/need drums that are in your face so to speak....but I do want them to sound as real as possible. Same for all the orchestral sounds...I want them EXCELLENT, as they are important to my playing.

Looking for a SX900 right now in Florida to test out.
Lee

Telmo, Hi my old friend.....I thought you played T5 last time we communicated??
Lee

Good comparison, but the comparison can not make the final decision about which keyboard you want. The decision can be answered, when you know you. Situation change, and so must we.

My story:
1-Technics to Yamaha Psr2100.
2-Moved on to a Tyros 3
3-Moved from a Korg Pa800 through to a Pa4x.
4-Sold the Pa4x because of the weight.
5-Moved to a Yamaha S975.
6-Traded with a member – his Pa1000 for my Yamaha S975.
7-Just sold the Korg Pa1000.

I was trying to find what I wanted, but the situation had changed, I am now a home player.
If I were still able to play out, I with-out-doubt, would have a Korg keyboard.

Playing at home I am no longer interested how fast I can move form A to Z, but in the sounds of the instruments and the amount of styles for my entertainment, the overall clear quality has me sold on a Sx900.
Rikki starts with, “Who am I” and then makes her decision. That sounds like good wisdom.

As the years pass ears begin to hear less, mostly in the highs and the clarity. So, a Yamaha S900. I would follow Steve’s thoughts and own both keyboards, but that would bring confusion; I want to reach without thinking.

Thanks for reading, John C.

Thank you,
yes I am referring to the korgs, I really enjoyed them over the years, the technology was amazing,
But, last year the words for this song rang true,

“You don’t know what you got till it’s gone”

A badly broken right wrist, 8 months of complications and not knowing if my right hand would go back to normal.
Realised what’s the point of all the technology and converting styles etc if I didn’t actually play.

I agree John, both sound great, but for various reasons one may suit someone better than the other. Becoming more apparent thru various posts that home players and gigging musicians have different needs.

Thanks for posting this Telmo. Interesting comparison, I have both keyboards and I know the Korg sounds better than this. In this particular demo, it does seem to lean towards Yamaha but I think the player could have maybe select Korg's stronger area's to compare with, as I mentioned before, the Latin & Unplugged stuff on the Korg surpasses those of the Yamaha (in my opinion of course) but from what I saw here none of those categories were compared unless I missed it.

Minus the Expansion pack sounds of Yamaha, the Korg drums for Latin out of the box are far superior than Yamaha's.

Hopefully we'll see more comparisons soon.

Btw, I know it's not quite the same but these two videos shows a good comparison between the PA1000 vs S975 since the Korg was used to better effect in these demos I feel, sure it's not the same comparison as the topic but since the S975 sounds close to the SX900 it's a decent marker.

Bonners Music



A&C Hamilton

the British are well-known for their Understatement and Danny is no exception
He states that he knows the Korg sounds better than demo-ed in the Telmo video. It sounds way, way way BETTER than demonstrated in that video. No, I am not trying to take away the pending joy of those in the USA awaiting delivery. If you have read my previous contribution in this same thread you will know I strongly support having two keyboards of both brands and I also acknowledge the fact that a number of sounds are definitely superior on the Yamahas.....
I rest my case,

regards,
John

Here is a video of Alois Muller with the Korg pa1000. Just listen how good the Korg sounds if you know what you are doing. I think most of you like and play this kind of music.

Rikki, Your point is right on. I remember in the good old sampling days...I would work for hours to get all my sounds together to start producing some music. By this time...I was exhausted and just went to bed. At this point in my life...I just want to play, not get too bogged down with technology.
JM

Nothing wrong with that, after all Playing the music is what it is all about. And if you do not want to program or tweak Yamaha is your best friend. But don't complain that even then you are only using perhaps 5% of its potential and 5% of its true best way of sounding.

Frans,
this German guy gives a decent performance of the possibilities of the PA1000 in particular as to the right hand sounds. It is still a long way removed from my programming though, and the PA1000 potential is still a lot bigger, particularly in the way he has , or rather has not, spent much time on tweaking the accompaniment. For PA users, if I may be so arrogant, the comments of an American entertainer who recently acquired my PA1000 programming:
http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/v...d6308937cd18793

Still, I stick to my guns: get a combination of the two !!!!



John

John the combination i would like is a Korg pa1000 or 700 and a Yamaha modx7
I only need the money.

What i still don’t understand is why the new yamaha psr sx serie don’t have a usb audio interface like the psr e 463.

Arrrrrgh! John the guy you referenced is Canadian, not American. He'll have the huskies out on ya'. S'okay, it's an easy mistake.

Hi John,
I’ll still end up exploring the sx900’s , the chord looper, the audio pads etc, but I’m hoping to get over this obsession of converting psr styles over to Korg. Most of them I never used , just did them for others, or for the heck of it.

Unfortunately mixing sounds is something I’m not good at, or maybe it’s because I’ve been too focused on styles.

P.s. good review from the guy on the for Korg forum .

Rikki your a true KORGIE at heart!!

Dear oh dear oh dear!!! We have millions of arranger keyboards on the loose here in Western Europe but not one huskie to my knowledge! Are they dangerous, carnivorous perhaps ? Do they have a predilection for Korg owners? I'll be on my guard though
Sorry about the mistake. Is this you Lee or just someone who happens to know ?

Very recent posting on youtube comparing PA1000 and SX900, that has not yet been posted to the best of my knowledge,and one comment (out of the many) I would like to quote as it is the essence really:

"..... Some Styles of Korg Sound really good, other appear so cheap and like out of a 90s key... But many Do not Know, that you only have to tweak them! Change some Instruments, put in some Effects like reverb or amp Simulations... Dont Know why they are selling their pa series that unfinished?... Not even the pa4x appears to be finished, sometimes like a live Band but not often... Tell me which professionell Soundingenieur Would Master a Band like that?... I Would never buy Korg without knowledge in tweaking... Its not worth the money right out of the Box... That s why many yamaha likers believe in yamaha and love that keys for its finished studio Sound... And Korg is much more complicated, it took me long time to even unterstand the Style play Mode... I come from Roland and yamaha and it s very different and more easy to use..."

link to youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VaFqOawv7s

regards,
John

John, I don't know if the Huskie is a dog or a wolf or a mix of both, but 'huskies' are often used in dog sled races here in Scandinavia.
Woff, woff.

I stand corrected, thank you!!!
So I'll better be on my guard then in case the Canadians liason with the Norwegians😀

We Had 2 Norwegian Elkhounds and different times...Beautiful Dogs...First came when I worked night shifts. It lived in our Home...NO ONE was going to enter our Home during the night! We have now moved on to Goldens as we Age!

I Played a Sx900 for one hour at Guitar Center today. In my opinion, the Sx900 is an upgrade from the S975, and no more. I had Technics keyboards from the Kn1000 to the Kn7000, all were considered upgrades, none were earth shattering until the SD card.

I have allowed the posts here on SZ to bring confusion. Lots of videos and opinions. One hour was all I needed to find a direction, and that is because I knew what kind of music I would be playing. I played the Pa1000 for a while, the keyboard is alive, strong, filled with drive. Good for playing jobs, without doubt.

My Kn7000 had so much of what I wanted, except it did not have the depth or drive. I tried ABBE sonic maximizer, an EQ, and added a sub-woofer for the bass and drums. I could not make the keyboard do more than it was designed for, When I bought the Pa800 I thought I was in Heaven. Right up to the Pa4x, Korg was fantastic.

But in the last six years I have not played Classical music, or show tunes, play fiddle play, somewhere over the rainbow, or any type of society music. Many of the slower songs did not require a style.
All of that to say, now I know me, and selecting I will be much easier. Want a keyboard that will give me what I want, so I can get back to the music I used to play; it was good.

Will I buy a Sx 900? Don’t know yet, but it will not be a Korg.
Only my opinion, John C.

Hi John ,
sorry to hear it wasn’t all you had hoped for.
Did you get a chance to try any of the styles from the Movie / Show Category, unless I totally misunderstood what it is you’re wanting to play.
The Broadway Ballad is one I use a lot. Different tempos. I found it very versatile.
Also like the free play styles.Thinking of either doing a few piano pads for them' or if possible just copy a piano track over.

They did seem to drop a bunch of classical styles including classical piano, ( or at least I haven’t found it) don’t know which version of the psr’s they did this on.
Either way came across them doing my style database. If of any use I can send them to you, should you decide check sx out again.

And if that’s the type of thing you’re after.

Rikki, writing my feelings helps me to make a decision. The last thing I did in Guitar Center was to play a style on the Sx900, then play the same type of style on a Pa1000. I had to stop myself from buying another Pa1000, but those days are over. I’m going back to loving and playing all kinds of music.

Part of my background:
My Dad was a concert pianist, his parents sent him to Italy to study music/piano. He played a 15-minute program on radio, before TV arrived. He played classical music and pop, all without music. And, he had his own band. At the places where they showed movies without sound, he was the piano player under the screen. I grew up listening to him play. At age 83, just before he left, he said,
“Johnny, no more piano player”.
They were the saddest words I’ve ever heard.

I went to bed an hour ago, could not sleep – had to get up --- I can’t wait until I place an order for a Sx900 tomorrow.

Thanks for reading, John C.
PS, I have another reason for buying the Sx900, there is no way you were going to get ahead of me. ha ha (I learned that from you)

Hi John, wonderful story about your dad, except for the last little bit. Have to agree, very sad.

Basically if I understand correctly, you love the korgs ( me too) but, they lack some of the styles you require for an all rounder. Whereas with Yamaha you hopefully should just be able to sit down and play.

No doubt, I won’t be able to help myself, I’ll still be altering the odd style, but it will because I want to, not because I have too.

Doubt I’ll get ahead of you John, haha , you probably know psrs better than me.
I’ve been tied up doing a style base, there are some pretty good factory styles Yamaha have dropped over the years, I’m trying not to lose them. Some sound reasonably good even as they are. Certainly not wasting time tweaking any, only if I find I need one. I’m a sucker for piano ballads and the some of the movie styles. Haha

Will Korg make any attempt to improve their sound engine out of the box with their next mid level release (8/20 on 3 yr schedule)? Seems to me if they continue to rely on customer alteration of their sounds to make them acceptable, they will lose more ground to Yamaha and others who don't require this out of the box. Myself , and my audience can't "hear" features, just sounds and rhythms.

Quite a saying there Gary....With that said guys I wanna know the PROS & CONS of BOTH Machines as I am seriously thinking of picking one up.

Let her rip....

Steve just do a search here on SZ on both KBs much info already said here ..good luck

The thing is the comparison is like comparing newer technology with older technology.

Rather like comparing the sx900 with the Psr s975,

Or the pa900 with the pa1000.

I DID...That's why I resurrected this one...Your timeline take on the machines is interesting. It was one of the reasons I resurrected it. Your position changes periodically.....Which is what I am looking for....What do people say TODAY....
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