Kronos 2 vs Pa4x

[clascari]

Hello
I am creating this forum because I would like to take advantage of discussion concerning the relative merits of a Kronos 2 compared to the PA4x. I understand that one is a workstation and the other is an arranger. Since I have no experience with either, however, I would like to hear from experienced users. My intention is to use the keyboard for writing songs and playing live. From all of my research, I think the Kronos sounds better and has wider sound capabilities, while the PA4x has prefab styles. Problem is, I mostly think the styles sound very Karaoke. I thank you for your responses.
Peace

[karmathanever]

Hi & welcome

I interpret your comment regarding "styles sounding karaoke" as a negative for you. I'm not quite sure what you mean by "karaoke" as there are some amazingly authentic karaoke MIDI backings available.
But if that is a negative for you then I don't think any "arranger" keyboard will suit you.

If you need a keyboard to provide a "full" live backing band for you then the Kronos is NOT what you want unless you use sequences.
So maybe some high quality MP3 backings could be the way to go (or MIDI files)

Several have commented that the PA4X has "as good as" if not, "better" sounds but that is always subjective and in the ears of the beholder.

So ask yourself the following:-

1. Do I need a full & flexible accompaniment from my keyboard and want live playing freedom - (arranger)
2. Do I need my backings to be completely authentic (e.g. per originals etc) - (MIDI or audio)
3. Do I want to compose - (workstation or high-end-arranger)
4. Do I want to compose and perform and need full instrumentation backings - (high-end-arranger or "MIDI on a high-end workstation")

Check out as many youtube demos as you can for functionality and features and try and get to play both keyboards if possible to really hear the sounds - they are very DIFFERENT for sure.
If you are only judging from youtube demos then you will not have the best "sound" examples to compare from.

The fabulous Kronos "KARMA" function (e.g. for Kronos combis) can give the illusion that it is a like an arranger - trust me, it isn't like an arranger but yes, you could use combis as live song backings if you wanted to.

Hope this helps a bit.

Cheers

Pete

[tombikadam]

definitely, choose your path first, arranger or solo playing with kronos, Pa4x is the new king now and the sounds are very good, specially piano and guitars, also converting loops to styles is a king thing, with this u have no limits.. 400 MB ram may be seems us few but believe me in a performance you don't use hundreds of sounds.. if we could import our sounds to HDD for example and use them instantly, there would be no limits

result: if you are on your own buy an arranger even 3x will do.. if considering to play in a band, of course KRONOS..

edit: if you are a composer and write music, then look for a different option like ROLAND INTEGRA-7 with over 6000 sounds!

[chelsea4023]

Hi,

I am a little confused with Clascari's post.
He say's that the Korg PA4X has prefab styles. Mostly the styles sound very Karaoke which is a problem.
The Korg PA4X is currently possibly the best arranger keyboard on the planet.
As such any arranger keyboard is clearly not suitable for Clascari.
I would suggest looking at alternative options and steer well clear of arrangers whoever the manufacturer.

Chris

[Eduardo_Arg]

Hi Clascari:

I agree most opinions writed by Karmathanever.-
And i add:

1.- You can't compare peaches with apples: Kronos and PA4x are different keyboards, and oriented to different job.- Just considering the differences on sound engines (Kronos 9 + Karma, PA4x EDXi (only)), any comparision have no sense.-
2.- Both of them are flag ships on each applications, and they are the best on the market (IMHO).-

If your decision becomes from where invest the money, that will a wrong one; you must buy a keyboard that match your need.-
If you are a songwriter, perhaps PA4x will give you instant fresh ideas.-
If you are a composser and you are planing to perform film soundtrack, the choice must be Kronos.-
This is my POV from your inmediatly money invest.-

But, as most of us, we begin with a keyboard, and then when we need more, we go for one more.- In my case since long time ago i had several keyboards, till now where i fell glad with my Kronos + PA600 and several sound modules.-

Hoping these POV helps you.-
With regards
Eduardo

[Bachus]

Styles sound actually quite good on the PA4x... almost like a real live band.. on top of that, you cam edit styles and sounds more then on any other keyboard arranger out there.. Its a matter of adapting the PA4x build in content to your taste..

To get the best of both worlds, get both.. and then set up your Kronos so it adds some karma to the pa4x styles. Kronos is more of a toolbox, that requires you to create things from scratch (but so you can on the pa4x)

... if you want to create songs... both have their strongs...
... if you want to play live, and play covers (solo), choose PA4x
... if you want to play live with your own songs, or in a band... Choose Kronos

Another important question is the type of music you want to make?

[mintjamman]

Clascari you said that your main objects for consideration and I quote

My intention is to use the keyboard for writing songs and playing live.

My own take on this process is that music is a creative process and as anyone knows who has created music the last thing you need it that process is a showstopper where technology gets in the way of that process. For live work flexibility is the keyword. As the others have said the Pa4x is the flagship product of the Korg Arranger line and likewise the Kronos is the flagship of Korg Workstations. Both have their strengths and weaknesses but together they are a formidable arsenal for both of the tasks you have in mind.

The Pa4x is a great tool to either quickly flesh out songs and arrangements with the minimum of fuss and the sounds are musically and professionally credible hence why it appeals to Pro players who have the freedom to choose any product from any manufacturer, Kronos is deeper and very flexible for live work imho but the Pa4x is no slouch either and I can easily use the Pa4x live in a band as well as solo let alone for writting songs. I cannot connect with your view that the Pa4x is somehow karaoke and I would say that if you perceive that to be the case that might well have more to do with the player than the Pa4x

[Salto]

My intention is to use the keyboard for writing songs and playing live.

I use the PA 4X to write & play live worship either as an arranger or simply piano. I also can sequence tracks and play live acoustic guitar...

It is the ultimate songwriting partner......

[manouchehrmail]

He everyone,
is it possible to use Kronos or M1 sounds on PA series? I know if I have the samples from Kronos, then I can import it in user sounds of my PA2X but the question is how to get those samples?

I would appreciate any reply.
BR
Manu

[Musicwithharry]

I would like to chime in....

I have the PA700 and I love it. I use it so many different ways. I use it in my studio, I use it in my nursing home ministry where I perform 30-50 jobs a month using only the PA700. I also use it in a band that I recently joined. I also use it to perform my solo material at different solo gigs.

Using it in my studio, it gets a lot of use when I am writing songs. The sequencer is easy to use and the touch screen has a very fast response time. I also make/modify MIDI files and it is very easy to manipulate them on the PA700.

The nursing home ministry I have finds me playing most genres of music, as well as the different MIDI files that I have created/modified. It is a solid performer.

In the band I joined, I find it to be very capable as a main keyboard. The ability to layer up to 3 sounds (right hand) and having the split (left hand) makes it very easy to navigate onstage. The Songbook will also help with this. I will also be using my M50 and probably my Kross as well onstage and the PA700 can control them too (via MIDI).

I also program synth sounds and other sounds on my PA700. While the synth engine may not be like the Kronos, it is still very powerful.

I find that the PA series has what I need to perform live in many different situations with. Maybe you should consider getting the PA1000 and a Kross or Krome and have the best of both worlds...

They will all play well together onstage and in the studio

Grace,
Harry

[Biggles]

I read into your post that you currently do not play keyboards, the way you write about a workstation make me think that.

Do you play piano?

Can you please advise on your keyboard playing ability?

Your question is very vague with to many ifs and buts that are open to interpretation.

To song-right you simply do not need either keyboard.

[Fransman]

[quote="clascari"Problem is, I mostly think the styles sound very Karaoke. I thank you for your responses.
Peace[/quote]

Some maybe, but there are a lot of AWESOME styles in PA4X.
See for instance some demo videos of Qui Robinez, for instance:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mo4Lqz0TIV8

Genius!

EDIT: All created with the internal sounds of PA4X and available for free... (styles & sounds)....

[taichi]

Well said Biggles

I can feel yet another "anti we hate Korg Pa4x" coming on. Page after page after page. Fake news. Boring.

[Biggles]

Well said Biggles

I can feel yet another "anti we hate Korg Pa4x" coming on. Page after page after page. Fake news. Boring.

Probably not, it is a very old thread that has been resurrected yesterday by Manu.

[Aripearlmusic]

While the 4x has a nice sequencer i find most who use it start with styles first as the "bread and butter" so if you plan on doing song writing and have no experience making styles but have experience arranging i would recommend the Kronos over the 4x. As far as complexity they are both complex machines for different reasons. If you have experience with DAWs and have specific needs in the details of the arrangements and the mix for the songs you will like the Kronos. Either way i recommend trying them both at least a few times for a few hours at a time and watch plenty of how-to videos on YouTube before deciding what works best for your music