If not 5X - Genos 2?

[Ron]

Anyone considering the Yamaha Genos 2 as the next step beyond 4X?

My 4X satisfies my needs as a recreational musician but I'm always interested in the "new and improved." Although I have been a loyal Korg devotee for many years, I am not "locked in." And, like many of you, I have held off consideration of the 5X for many of the reasons that have been discussed here at length.

I have heard some really good and interesting things about the G2 (and a few bad to be fair) and just wondering if any of you might also be looking at the G2. If so, what do you think might be the main advantages ( or disadvantages) over the 4X and 5X?

For example, more and better styles, reworked sounds, etc.

Thanks in advance to anyone that might care to comment.

Ron

[karmathanever]

Hi Ron

I also am not locked into Korg but IMHO there is nothing better than the PA4x right now.
Genos 2 is yet another Tyros with some additional bells - check the manuals since Tyros 5.

Genos2 not for me - maybe Roland will jump in?????

HEY - you have the Kronos too - PA4x & Kronos - doesn't get any better - deeply regretting selling my Kronos

[redfox]

The real problem, in my opinion, is that the software in arranger keyboards has become increasingly complex and that musical instrument companies are not able to manage this kind of project. Excellent sounds, excellent playability, but in the arranger market the demand inevitably shifts to software and none of the major musical names has a software division capable of creating and especially managing what in effect is a complex operating system with many applications. Probably a new approach to the problem is needed: Yamaha is doing something with its latest products (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--2wkoeFNbk&t=933s), moving the interface to tablets and/or smartphones and thus uncoupling the software part, maybe that is the way to explore.

If someone today were to make an open source arranger, taking care of the musical part (sounds, touch, man/machine interface, vocoder, etc.) and leaving users the possibility to manage, extend and write new "apps", perhaps (and I underline "perhaps") this could be the right way.

Years ago, Lionstrack tried to follow this path with its Linux keyboard. GEM also introduced the possibility of creating custom modules in its WK8s. Perhaps the time was not yet right, or more simply, neither company had the resources to support this type of activity.

[korg1]

Happy new year to everyone guys!!!!

From my point of view, arranger keyboards should all have a common protocol regarding not only locations and mappings but also elements/variations/ etc.

Genos2 has the best sound quality indeed, but style's structure and editing capabilities are so poor.
If pa4x had the same sound quality, it would be like a Lamborghini Vs a Fiat ,cause that's what Genos is without the sounds .

I have a feeling that soon we will have some new toys around,after NAMM,so be patient !!!!

[SpOoNmAn]

Anyone heard rumors about a pa5x price drop in the U.S. happening anytime soon? I know some stores overseas already play with prices, but there hasn't been any movement here yet. I'll be ready to nab one early March, hopefully(not optimistic) there will be a worthwhile os update.

[redfox]

Anyone heard rumors about a pa5x price drop in the U.S. happening anytime soon?

Now here in Italy, tax and shipping included:

• Pa5X-61: €3.999,00
  Pa5X-76: €4.199,00
  Pa5X-88: €4.899,00
  Ketron Event (76): 4.699,00
  Yamaha Genos2 (76): 4.489,00

FIY

[ExTyrosFan]

Anyone considering the Yamaha Genos 2 as the next step beyond 4X?

My 4X satisfies my needs as a recreational musician but I'm always interested in the "new and improved." Although I have been a loyal Korg devotee for many years, I am not "locked in." And, like many of you, I have held off consideration of the 5X for many of the reasons that have been discussed here at length.

I have heard some really good and interesting things about the G2 (and a few bad to be fair) and just wondering if any of you might also be looking at the G2. If so, what do you think might be the main advantages ( or disadvantages) over the 4X and 5X?

For example, more and better styles, reworked sounds, etc.

Thanks in advance to anyone that might care to comment.

Ron

I know that this is an older discussion but I purchased the Genos 2 after checking reviews online, test out both in person at a music store and then making a decision on a few things that I thought I would overlook.

1. Stability was my number 1 preference. I am in the autumn years and spending so much money on a keyboard would make me wonder about long term reliability. I decided to give the Genos2 a tick as I had read in this forum that the PA5X was still considered underbaked in some areas; there are some reliability issues on the hardware etc.

2. Usability was also high on my priority list. I have used Yamaha most of my life so Genos 2 would take the nod in this department as well. I could plug it in, turn on ACMP + OTS + Sync Start + Intro 1 and a style and that is all I would need to churn out a melody. Manual is basic, setup is basic; I thought of Genos being the Apple Ipad for Arrangers.

3. This is where things were less important and compromises. (from here onward, my personal preferences come into play). Sound quality. Korg takes this one for me. The sounds (be it from youtube) from the Korg are "sweeter" and "warm" to me. Genos are no. Think Ferrari vs LFA. Passion vs. clinical.

4. Ecosystem - Yamaha has a larger user base so things like Styles and Voices are huge, I am a big fan of Rob's Song Styles and PDF combos. Plain sheet music and everything in its place to ACMP + OTS... you get my drift.

5. Build quality. I think if you look at key bed, finishing materials used, Korg has to take this one. The components might not be as reliable but paying over $5k for plastic body come Casio finish, really got to me.

6. Price; with negotiated discounts I was able to get a Korg PA5X for about $1k cheaper than a Genos2.

I fiddled with the sound of the Genos for almost a month. Drove my wife crazy and then finally decided to order the PA5X. It arrives tomorrow and I feel like a 16YO getting his first car! I cannot wait.

Conclusion: I know that the PA5X has blemishes but I feel like by owning one, I am not missing out on any of the "cool" features like SST, dual style / song players, Midi to Styles etc. Will it frustrate me and drive me to the wine cabinet - YES, will I want to take a hammer to it once a year - YES, will Korg support drive me crazy... probably YES; but I don't really care. I think in the end its what puts a smile on your dial; gives you a fizz feeling in your gut that matters.

Again, most of this is personal choice and everyone is different. All I can say is; buy the one that makes you happy. There is no such thing as perfect.

DISCLAIMER: My opinion might change after owning the PA5X for 6 months so there is that too....

[korg1]

I decided i need to move on from my well served pa4x.

Options Obviously are : Event , Genos 2 or Pa5x.

Event= Outtdated feel and Os,lacking still in time stretch,not good enough DSP's and stereophony , much time efford to create a propper audio style playable from any key but worthy it, quite expenssive, not enough support for my needs.

Genos 2 = Fantastic sounds and feel ,stable Os,Superb stereophony and balance,best DSP's ever , but limited to style and sound editing options (thank God at least now you can have different time signatured within a style)

Pa5x = Easier for me to handle and swap, but still that same sound i got used to and main reason i want to avoid it ,Problematic Os and buttons too,
less realistic from Genos2 Or Event.

I am reallu confused for now.....just waiting to see what Korg will come up with pa5x's Update, but don't expect much of it .

This all makes me wonder if it's worthy.......
As i said many times , future is on softwares , and Giglad arranger software seems very promising on that.

I think i will give it a try..... at 250 is cheep compared to hardwares, and it really sounds wonderfull.
I might need to create everything from scratch again, on other hand it reads Yamaha styles as well ,so maybe less work to do.

it claims it uses a pool for sound programs ,in order to be able to change VST sounds on the fly without loading times etc , and that's my main concern ,i hope it does it .

It also has a DYNAMIX GM bank for sounds and a sampler for USER sounds.

I think Openlabs NEKO will be soon on fire again....