Korg’s Professional Arranger - A Series Comparison

[siebenhirter]

I think because Pa models are advertised in a comparison, they are up-to-date, but were delivered with StylePlayer functionality far below the level of the previous models. These shortcomings meanwhile were compensated for with the Pa4x only, while Korg has not responded to complaints in this regard in the midrange area for four years.

Product Management Germany has announced that this concept will no longer be changed in the existing Pa-Arranger models and it is uncertain which changes can be expected in future Arranger models. However, this means that no updates are to be expected for midrange models now or in the future, in order to at least restore the scope of functionality which previous models had (Pa500 / 800 / 3x).

From this point of view, it is ridiculous to also advertise this model in a comparison instead of compensating for the shortcomings with an update as done with the Pa4x!

Regardless of whether some users are satisfied with their devices despite the reduced functions compared to previous models - this is really felt as a shame by long-term customers like me, which Korg has already said goodbye to because of such behaviors.

According to experience and as usual the same procedures are to be expected for each new midrange model - delivered with inadequacies and reduced functions that have not been eliminated when the successor model has already become obsolete and discontinued.

However, as long as the Pa1000 is still being advertised in the comparison, in contrast to the information from Korg Germany I still hope for an update and that would be desirable.

[Veren]

Hi All

I've been saying for years "they take the money and run"

I'm done with their products and lack of care for customer needs and am really content thus far to "never buy another Korg product"

Amazingly we will get some lash back from members etc here but Korg to whom this should matter...simply could not be bothered....tells me how much respect and regard they have for their customers.

[karmathanever]

I think because Pa models are advertised in a comparison, they are up-to-date, but were delivered with StylePlayer functionality far below the level of the previous models. These shortcomings meanwhile were compensated for with the Pa4x only, while Korg has not responded to complaints in this regard in the midrange area for four years.

As with many many "computer-driven" products, new models are rarely 100% cumulative in functionality. I fully understand what you are saying and agree with most of it except, that in the case of the PA4X, although it's functions may have changed, they are definitely not below the level of previous models - it has a newly designed OS. You say many many times that there are missing functions (for you) and whilst that may be true, there are many many added and enhanced functions. I'm not suggesting that you MUST accept that - the choice to buy or not is yours.

I very recently experienced your concerns when I updated the model of my Canon camera - some features were not carried through, other new features are amazing - so I decided to keep both cameras. It may upset some, but we have to learn that a new keyboard model is not necessarily going to have a bunch of new features plus a cumulative collection of all previous models. If that is an expectation, then it is important to buy wisely and research thoroughly before changing model - this applies to most similar products these days e.g. computers, smart phones, cameras, cars etc..etc... Always check out those functions which are critical to you before parting with your money.

I am unaware about responses from Korg as these would not be expected here in this forum which, as you know, is completely independent and has no association with Korg. If a response is required, my advice is to contact Korg or a local distributor.

Cheers

Pete

[siebenhirter]

... I fully understand what you are saying and agree with most of it except, that in the case of the PA4X, although it's functions may have changed, they are definitely not below the level of previous models. ....

Hello Pete,
I didn't say the same about the Pa4x as you write it here, but:

...I think because Pa models are advertised in a comparison, they are up-to-date, but were delivered with StylePlayer functionality far below the level of the previous models. These shortcomings meanwhile were compensated for with the Pa4x only, while Korg has not responded to complaints in this regard in the midrange area for four years...

I did not criticize the entire OS, but arrangers StylePlayer functionality of midrange-level models. Arrangers was delivered at least with StylePlayer functionality far below the level of the previous models, only compensated retrospectively with OS updates for Pa4x.

All models except the Pa4x still have the drawback of the missing fill mode (just to name the most important one here), but this is not compensated by its newly designed OS or some added or enhanced functions. Instead, these essential StylePlay functions have been forgotten, which means that the StylePlayer can no longer be used as we could before also in entry-level models for more than 15 years.

This has also been recognized very well at Korg, because otherwise these functions would not have been restored retrospectively in OS updates of Pa4x.

..."It may upset some, but we have to learn that a new keyboard model is not necessarily going to have a bunch of new features plus a cumulative collection of all previous models". ....

No, we don't have to learn or accept that, because if that were the case, Korg would not have compensated for these important functions in the Pa4x.

With the missing essential functions, the StylePlayer of midrange-level models is not professional for high demands, but can be used as an occasionally used toddler toy. Instead of looking for excuses here for these inadequacies, one should accept that an update of the midrange-level models is necessary here in order to compensate for the inadequacies as with the Pa4x.

The Fill Mode parameter and the lack of suppression of the automatic loading of KbdSet # 1 with styles of the songbook are not just any minor details, but are essential for the design of songs and performance with a couple of song-specific or universal styles, as has been done with Pa- Arranger was possible.

It has also been mentioned many times here that some users have not used these features until now - they will of course never have missed them.
*
The Fill Mode parameter allows for automatically selecting pre-selected or parameter-specified Variations after activating a FILL/BREAK button. These is essential for using the StylePlayer, because the Fill Mode parameters allow for automatically choosing the individual Variation at the end of each Fill. That could be saved to the Style Settings or a SongBook Entry, to have a different, individual Fill Mode configuration for each Style or SongBook Entry, depending on different Fill-Mode parameters.

Keyboard Sets Lock was added to Pa4x with update ver3.0, to preserve the currently selected KeyboardSets, when choosing a different Style via Songbook entry. This became necessary because the new OS automatically loaded KbdSet # 1 when changing the SB entries. That cause an ugly interruption of the keyboard sounds and seamless, smooth transitions of the keyboard sounds were no longer possible when changing styles via the songbook - thus also the cue modes of the style elements during the transition were canceled automatically.

This was also only compensated for with the Pa4x by means of a Keyboard Set lock, but not with the midrange models, although this is also an essential function for playing styles in order to play more demanding transitions, as was still possible with previous models.
*
It is indisputable that these two shortcomings alone have greatly worsened the quality standard of the StylePlayer, so that it is necessary to compensate for this also with the Pa1000 / 700. This means that the level is below that of previous models and this was recognized and partially compensated for with the Pa4x. The Pa4x also had the new design, but the shortcomings could not be explained away with this - with the Pa4x, however, these were compensated, but with the Pa1000 / 700 this update is missing, although there was enough time for it in the meantime.
*
Is it really so difficult to understand that one opposes this necessary update instead of supporting this demand?

..."Always check out those functions which are critical to you before parting with your money."..

That is done since years (also with this posting) - I need no new Pa5x or similar with another newly designed OS again (maybe an eyecatcher with other missing features), until those essential functions for the StylePlayer are not available again, who have previously distinguished the functionality of Korgs Style Player - and unfortunately only for the Pa4x was realized with an OS update.

[karmathanever]

@ siebenhirter
As always, I fully respect and understand your point of view.

Pete