Custom Created: Korg Pa1000 Arranger Module

[scottyee]

Just discovered this on YouTube today.

Custom Made Korg Pa1000 Arranger Module

forall788 converted his Korg Pa1000 arr keyboard into an arranger module. It 'looks' very impressive.

Curious how and where a remote 61/76/88 note midi controller keyboard connects to it. Via midi ports on the back or the multi-pin connector plugs on the bottom of the module?

Would love to see an arranger mode demo with this module & remote midi controller keyboard connected.

Scott

[OldtimerBill]

Hi Scott ... I just came across a Youtube video on the Korg PA1000 Module. I came over here to see what I could learn about it and a quick search led me to your post. I don’t know if you are still curious or not but I found this video that shows how the Korg PA1000 Module integrates into a Roland A800 Pro.

https://youtu.be/Q7H_fXOHZjw

[Scott]

Cool idea. Even if you didn't want to implement the direct connectors, it should work fine over a MIDI connection as well, at least assuming the PA1000 has a mode that allows an external MIDI keyboard to exactly duplicate the functionality of the internal one (most do, but it's not a given). I wonder what the module alone weighs? Though for me, a big part of the value of a PA1000 over a PA700 is the better action with aftertouch and the more capable samp/speakers... If I were going to buy a Korg arranger for the purpose of cannibalizing like this, losing those two features, I'd choose the PA700. (Not that the PA1000 doesn't have other advantages as well.)

The particular combination shown in the video wouldn't have much appeal to me, though. I'm not sure the Roland's action is any better than the Korg's action that is replacing, and he took out the Roland's top control surface, which arguably is one of the best things about that board. The only thing he's obviously gaining here is a place to put that other module... building some kind of bracket to place it over one of the PA1000's speakers would probably accomplish the same thing, far more easily and cheaply.

What really appeals to me about the idea would be to place the module over a 7x-key or 88-key action, without the weight/bulk/footprint of having to bring/place the entire PA above whatever you were using to control it.

[Scott]

Just discovered this on YouTube today.

Custom Made Korg Pa1000 Arranger Module

forall788 converted his Korg Pa1000 arr keyboard into an arranger module. It 'looks' very impressive.

I see this video is no longer available. Any chance someone has a locally downloaded copy they could share? Or anything else that might show some more detail about converting PA1000 to module?

[siebenhirter]

I see this video is no longer available. Any chance someone has a locally downloaded copy they could share? Or anything else that might show some more detail about converting PA1000 to module?

About the conversion

In short: the keys are removed from the Pa1000 or Pa700. The MIDI signals generated by the Pa1000's keys are replaced by MIDI signals from an external keyboard. Any MIDI keyboard is suitable for this, whether Genos, Tyros, Roland, E-Pianos etc.

In https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiGcfm2O8-E, the keyboard's MIDI signals are simply plugged into the bottom of the Pa1000 module.
Or a Roland A800 provides power and midi message via connectors from Pa1000-Module and another connector connect with a slight pus from top (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0A_wH1vnPI).

For example to connect Roland 800 Pro to a Korg arranger keyboard to send MIDI data, use a standard MIDI cable connected from the Roland 800 Pro's MIDI OUT port to the Pa1000's MIDI IN port. Ensure the Roland 800 Pro is set to output MIDI through its physical ports by pressing ACT + <, selecting MIDI Settings, choosing MIDI I/F Switch, and setting it to OFF to route MIDI directly to the MIDI OUT jack.

Connect the MIDI Cable:
Use a standard 5-pin MIDI cable to connect the MIDI OUT port on the Roland 800 Pro to the MIDI IN port on the Korg Pa1000.

Configure the Roland 800 Pro:
Simultaneously press the ACT and < buttons on the Roland 800 Pro to enter Edit mode.
Use the VALUE knob to navigate to MIDI Settings and press the knob to select it.
Select MIDI I/F Switch and press the knob to select it.
Turn the VALUE knob to select OFF, which routes MIDI data to the MIDI OUT port instead of the USB port.
Press the knob to confirm the setting.

Configure the Korg Pa1000:
Ensure the Pa1000 is set to receive MIDI data from its MIDI IN port. Consult your Korg Pa1000 manual for specific instructions on how to enable external MIDI control.

Test the Connection:
Play the keys on the Roland 800 Pro, and you should hear sounds or see activity on the Pa1000. The Roland 800 Pro will now act as a MIDI controller for the Pa1000.

[Scott]

Thanks. I'm guessing that all those multi-pin connectors on the underside are to facilitate easy re-connection into the PA1000 body if and when desired (i.e. making the mod more easily "reversible"). To drive it externally, it shouldn't need anything more than the rear panel connections (power, pedals, MIDI and audio connections).

[siebenhirter]

Thanks. I'm guessing that all those multi-pin connectors on the underside are to facilitate easy re-connection into the PA1000 body if and when desired (i.e. making the mod more easily "reversible"). To drive it externally, it shouldn't need anything more than the rear panel connections (power, pedals, MIDI and audio connections).

Yes, that's the intended setup. The Arranger Module can be used with or without the PA1000 keybed. The downside multi-pin connectors are only needed if Pa1000 keys are reconnected optionally.