Korg Pa4x VS PA1000

[Shandera]

Hello.
Tell me, if I buy Korg Pa4x, what will I get compared to PA1000?
Is it worth overpaying?
I do not like the build quality of the PA1000. But the sound of the PA1000 seems to be the same as that of the Pa4x. Or am I wrong?

[karmathanever]

Hi Shandera

These are just my personal views.
I would not hesitate to go for the PA4X - build quality is important to me part from other things.

Only you know your requirements but I would recommend downloading the PA4X and PA1000 manuals and print out the specs and resources pages (sounds, styles, etc... etc..) then spend some serious time comparing. There are other feature differences too. I don't own a PA1000 so to answer you with specifics, I would have to spend the time comparing the two from documentation.

Personally, I think the PA4X is worth every cent I paid particularly when I compare it to its Yamaha equivalent but I repeat, these are just my personal views.

If you can afford the PA4X, go for it!!

Cheers

Pete

[Shandera]

I hope to find someone here who already knows the differences. I have little time to choose. And little knowledge

[karmathanever]

Here is a review from these forums a couple of years ago:-

Just spent a few hours in Bonners trying out the Pa1000 and Pa4x side by side. I jotted down a few things to help me decide which to buy:
1. Pa4x has far superior build quality, it looks and feels professional. The Pa1000 is a bit plasticky and less professional. However that means the Pa4x is a lot heavier. The Pa1000 is only 10.75kg even with speakers built in.

2. The sound quality of the Pa1000 through its internal speakers was at least as good as the Pa4x but there is less choice e.g. less acoustic pianos although that is not a big issue as the Pa1000 has some really good pianos

3. The drawbar organ sounds seem to be identical and to my ears (surprisingly) the internal speakers of the Pa 1000 sounded slightly better than the Pa4x (with the soundbar) although appreciate this is subjective. I thought they were just as loud as well.

4. The Pa4x has physical drawbars and physical buttons for sound control (part on off and select) which means you can edit whilst keeping lyrics, notation etc on the screen whilst making changes (drawbars) or flip quickly back and forth (sounds) via a single button press.

5. Pa4x has more sounds and styles
6. Pa4x has more keyboard sets (12) compared to the Pa1000 (9) that can be displayed on the screen
7. The Pa4x keybed is a higher quality than the Pa1000 and longer (more piano like in length). The after touch seemed to be more responsive too
8. The Pa4x has a stereo input (e.g. for an iPad)
9. The Pa4x has an XLR mic input
10. The Pa4x also has stereo inputs for another keyboard so with 8 & 9 above has a lot more connection options.

Also use Google and YouTube - you'll get more opinions very quickly.....

[Shandera]

karmathanever
Thank you very much.

[Shandera]

I am ready to answer myself.
Playing the PA1000 keyboard is easier. She is much softer.
PA1000 sounds better. Build quality Pa4x not much better. Not clear work Style to KBD SET on Pa4x. On PA1000, if Style to KBD SET is lit, then SET changes immediately when another variation is clicked. If blinks, then after the start of a new variation. On Pa4x if it is on, then nothing happens, if it blinks, then just like on PA1000. I did not like it.

[duby2]

I have both keyboards I have plugged them in side-by-side saying EQ and when I play them very difficult to tell the difference. You are correct the PA4 has more samples, but do you need all those other samples, I would say it depends on the kind of music you're playing.
9 out of 10 people would not know the difference in the sound of the pianos or brass and so on.. I find myself like most people here probably you stick with one or two piano sounds one or two trumpet and so on. So they are very close. One big differencet is the vocal harmonizer. You get more options with the PA4 .. But like most people out of 100 presets you end up using the same 4 or 5 .
I bought the PA1000 for a backup. I play every day and at the pa4x breaks down, you have to send it back to the factory to get it fixed unless it's something very simple and for what I read here on the form, most of the time the keyboard goes back to the factory the local people can fix him and you have to wait for it for ever. If you don't play a lot I would pick the PA1000.
This is my opinion good luck choosing

One more thing I am a one man band so the pa4 or pa1000 does everything I need..
But if I were in a band I would use a different piano
, korg kronos because it does so much more and sounds excellent.. I would need a harmonizer because I would have five other people in the band to sing..

[Shandera]

I have both keyboards I have plugged them in side-by-side saying EQ and when I play them very difficult to tell the difference. You are correct the PA4 has more samples, but do you need all those other samples, I would say it depends on the kind of music you're playing.
9 out of 10 people would not know the difference in the sound of the pianos or brass and so on.. I find myself like most people here probably you stick with one or two piano sounds one or two trumpet and so on. So they are very close. One big differencet is the vocal harmonizer. You get more options with the PA4 .. But like most people out of 100 presets you end up using the same 4 or 5 .
I bought the PA1000 for a backup. I play every day and at the pa4x breaks down, you have to send it back to the factory to get it fixed unless it's something very simple and for what I read here on the form, most of the time the keyboard goes back to the factory the local people can fix him and you have to wait for it for ever. If you don't play a lot I would pick the PA1000.
This is my opinion good luck choosing

One more thing I am a one man band so the pa4 or pa1000 does everything I need..
But if I were in a band I would use a different piano
, korg kronos because it does so much more and sounds excellent.. I would need a harmonizer because I would have five other people in the band to sing..

Pa4x often fails?

[DonM]

4X has MANY more programmable sliders and buttons.
The MAXX e.q. feature is great.
I think the 4x sounds better.
More choices of styles and voices.
Touch pad.
Voice part select buttons.
I don't remember if 1000 has KAOSS because I sold mine.
More inputs and outputs and controllers.
I had both together for quite a while. Side by side, I LOVE the 4X.

[korg1]

-Something important for many users :
Pa4x has 4 Physical buttons for fills, plus autofill button,
that means you can do different fills on the fly,
while on pa1000 you will have to press twice the buttons
to do exactly the same thing (if lucky enough).

Also,when you use kind of songstyles,with bridges at fills ,etc,it's easier the transition to any part of the songstyle.

-Pa4x has the best keypad from all of it's class keyboards,while pa's 1000 are totally plastic

-Pa4x can edit songbook entries (copy from others,change style),while pa1000 lacks in many abilities.

[Shandera]

Tell me, is the keyboard of your Pa4x straight? I do not come across a direct copy in the store. Here, for example, Genos. The price is huge, and the keyboard curve.
<a target="_blank" href="https://c.radikal.ru/c24/1903/65/8c15f7b07917.jpg"><img src="https://c.radikal.ru/c24/1903/65/8c15f7b07917t.jpg"></a>

[duby2]

no my pa4x has never fails .... but on the forums I read of people have trouble...

DonM
is correct more inputs more outputs the PA1000 does have touchpads and the PA4 does have more sounds and the harmonizer is also better.. As far as styles you can load in anyone's from the PA4 . And just like DonM said I love my PA4 .



And the keyboard bed on the PA4 is much better than the PA1000

korg1
Pa4x can edit songbook entries (copy from others,change style),while pa1000 lacks in many abilities.
I will have to check but I'm pretty sure the songbook entries is identical to the PA4..
When it comes to the songbook you can work much faster and more efficiently by using the computer base songbook editor..
And yes my keyboard bed after four years is still straight and made me take out my laser light leveler and I was surprised it's good not like your picture of the Geos

[Shandera]

The store did not find Pa4x, whose keyboard is straight. Please take a picture of the keyboard from this angle. Only I have such a curved keyboard? I think to order another copy?
<a target="_blank" href="https://d.radikal.ru/d30/1903/db/49cf89a1cc7b.jpg"><img src="https://d.radikal.ru/d30/1903/db/49cf89a1cc7bt.jpg"></a>

[Ph4nt0m]

Friends ,
I am a new member and would highly appreciate some guidance. Stuck in a bewildering position.
I am looking to buy the PA 4x in a quest for furthering my hobby in playing the keyboard which was kept in the sideline for a few years due to work issues. Will also be using it to compose and record on and off. I am no professional keyboardist ..just and intermediate level player looking to enhance this aspect of my life. A few gigs here and there might also be on the card. Nothing extravagant ..just casual
I was really in the mind to buy this keyboard but none of the official dealers in my country have the PA 4X in stock
Should I go for the PA 1000 ?? The price of PA 4x is almost double than that of the PA 1000 in my country
Should I wait . The Korg India dealers are mildly hopeful shipments might come in January to march but no specific timeline.
Yamaha Genos is readily available here and the price is exactly same with the Korg PA 4x 76 key version including the bundled speakers and stand.
Please help me out friends..I am absolutely new to this forum. Used to play on the Yamaha PSR series ..but I don't want to go for Genos.
Should I wait it out for the PA 4X or the Pa1000 is sufficiently good enough to avoid the huge investment considering the price being almost double for the PA4X and extra Amos and speakers
I would really appreciate any guidance
Cheers

[Biggles]

PA4X with 76 keys is a no brainer.

Genos is a competent keyboard but it is not a Korg whise build quality surpasses all in the Yamaha Arranger model line up. In other words if you question the build quality of a Korg 1000 then forget any Yamaha.