Pa800 Vs Pa900

[rock_star]

Hi buddies,
Why would I go for Pa900 (1899$) when I have Pa800(2899$)?
or Can we campare Pa800 with Pa900?

Thanks

[PraiseTheLord]

I received this summary from Frank at AudioWorks

Pa900, simply put, is a big deal! Picture taking everything you know and love about the Pa800, improving upon it, and then pricing it $1000 less.
Yes, I think that’s going to turn some heads. We’re talking:

- 400 factory Styles – 1,200 total locations
- More PCM ROM – twice that of Pa600 for more of the expressive, nuanced sounds Pa Series is known for, plus sampling!
- More user memory – 192 Megs of user storage
- TC Helicon® vocal processing –Dedicated effects and integrated 3-part harmonies, brought to you by THE name in vocal processing
- Included video out – Optional on the Pa800
- XDS dual sequencer/MP3 player – Dedicated crossfader for DJ-style mixing of MIDI and MP3 files – not available on the Pa600
- Improved speakers – Loud and clear, with 2x20 watts for easy monitoring and performance without a keyboard amp
- A color TouchViewTM screen – Akin to the Pa600 screen
- A fantastically slim new casing with aluminum accents...

… and did I mention it’s $1,000 less than the Pa800?

[Thoraldus]

-snip-
- Improved speakers – Loud and clear, with 2x20 watts for easy monitoring and performance without a keyboard amp -snip-

I'd take that 2X20 watts with a LARGE grain of salt. Total input power is only 20 watts. I would guess the reality is more like 2X5 watts.

[tavo66CR]

I think PA prices are lower now because they are made ​​in China (new PA600 and Pa900), previous models were made ​​in Italy.

[cachete1966]

The dnc sound area:

Pa800 have 24.
Pa900 have 74.

50 more.

[propellerhead91]

I had done a bit of my own research on the PA800 and the PA900.Another difference between the two I've noticed,is that the PA800 has 4 audio outputs,as compared to just 2 audio outs on the 900 model.

I noticed that the 4 audio outputs are very important to those people who play live,as I've read some very distressing comments on this issue.

[mauroantunes]

I had done a bit of my own research on the PA800 and the PA900.Another difference between the two I've noticed,is that the PA800 has 4 audio outputs,as compared to just 2 audio outs on the 900 model.

I noticed that the 4 audio outputs are very important to those people who play live,as I've read some very distressing comments on this issue.

I have a PA800 and only 2 outputs on the PA900 is a NO GO

I actually haven't changed my keyboard because of that. I would need 6 outputs minimum (bass (mono), drums+perc (mono), acc (stereo), upper (stereo).

Regards,
Mauro

[PraiseTheLord]

For a OMB 2 outputs is generally fine.

[propellerhead91]

I have a PA800 and only 2 outputs on the PA900 is a NO GO

I actually haven't changed my keyboard because of that. I would need 6 outputs minimum (bass (mono), drums+perc (mono), acc (stereo), upper (stereo).

Regards,
Mauro

I could see how that could be frustrating(being that most people probably anticipated the PA900 as being a successor to the PA800)...but then again,if one can afford a price tag of nearly $3,000 for the 800...then it seems only logical to just go for the flagship PA3X(that's what I'd do,personally).

For those of us who don't get paid well from wedding gigs & the like and who just mainly do studio type stuff(or free coffeehouse venues & such),the PA900's feature/price ratio is perfect,in my opinion.

Korg was very clever in targeting this specific demographic...I mean,I never considered an arranger before(mainly because of the pricing)..but Korg certainly has my attention now,with the Pa900...& I LOVE the video output feature!!

[karmathanever]

When comparing these amazing keyboards, remember that:-
PA800 is basically a 61-key version of PA2XPro
PA900 is a mid-range cut down version of PA3X

So, although there will be improvements on the PA900. there may be things on the PA800 that could still sway your decision.

Cheers

Pete

[DESERT GUY]

I use the EC5 multiswitch pedal board a lot while playing for gigs on my PA-3X. I notice this is missing from the 900. Just wanted to add that comment in case that's one of your requirements for an arranger.

[propellerhead91]

When comparing these amazing keyboards, remember that:-
PA800 is basically a 61-key version of PA2XPro
PA900 is a mid-range cut down version of PA3X

So, although there will be improvements on the PA900. there may be things on the PA800 that could still sway your decision.

Cheers

Pete

Considering the price of the Pa800 even now,it only makes sense that there would be some advantages to it,being that the Pa800 was probably the flagship when it came out?
I'm not sure,since I've never explored the arranger market until recently...but I remember seeing the Pa800 in my local music store a few years back..so it's a fairly old model.

I don't know...as it just seems like buying a Pa800 currently,is like upgrading and downgrading simultaneously?

There are some older Korgs from many years ago I wish I still had,but things like floppy discs and the older displays is not something I'd be receptive to.

[propellerhead91]

Just an afterthought...the Pa800 came out in 2006 and I noticed that in general,Korg's sampled based sounds have improved dramatically since then,so I'd imagine that if sample quality is top priority for the prospective buyer,wouldn't the clear choice be the Pa900?

The Korg Triton EX for example,came out 2 years prior and honestly,I didn't really mind selling it all that much,because there's not too many presets that I miss from it.

[bachchan]

While PA900 looks so appealing, there are two key things that might be limiting and make Pa800 / Pa3X a better option, depending on how you are planning to use it. I just spoke to a Korg authorized person in Asia and confirmed:

Fills - in PA900 there are no dedicated buttons for triggering Fills. These have to be configured only as autofills that are triggered when you changed variations... so if you are playing one variation and want to trigger just Fill 2, there is no way. I was told that this is similar to Pa600.

EC5 - I have been extensively using EC5 footswitch to trigger Fills, Start/Stop, etc. Pa900 doesn't have EC5 connector.

Thoughts?

[Thoraldus]

While PA900 looks so appealing, there are two key things that might be limiting and make Pa800 / Pa3X a better option, depending on how you are planning to use it. I just spoke to a Korg authorized person in Asia and confirmed:

Fills - in PA900 there are no dedicated buttons for triggering Fills. These have to be configured only as autofills that are triggered when you changed variations... so if you are playing one variation and want to trigger just Fill 2, there is no way. I was told that this is similar to Pa600.

EC5 - I have been extensively using EC5 footswitch to trigger Fills, Start/Stop, etc. Pa900 doesn't have EC5 connector.

Thoughts?

Actually you can manually trigger fills on the PA600 and PA900. If Auto Fill is on, you can press the current variation to get its fill pattern. You can also simultaneously press the Auto Fill button and any variation button to get that fill.

If Auto Fill is off you need to do the simultaneous press thing above.