Thinking about adding an arranger keyboard?

Ksynth · Post by **Ksynth** » Tue Nov 01, 2011 2:19 pm

I was wondering if anyone has added an arranger like the Korg PAx3 or maybe the Casio Wk7500 (at $499 a lot cheaper).

A nice demo of the Casio here.
http://www.kraftmusic.com/catalog/keybo ... oduct=8926

Its a 76 key bed and nice synth action. 17 track sequencer with User Patterns etc

How does the Korg PA compare - looks like it may have more features.

Synthoid · Post by **Synthoid** » Tue Nov 01, 2011 2:25 pm

If you don't mind me asking, what would you expect an arranger to bring to the table? Do you need more sounds?

iixorbiusii · Post by **iixorbiusii** » Tue Nov 01, 2011 2:30 pm

Synthoid wrote:If you don't mind me asking, what would you expect an arranger to bring to the table? Do you need more sounds?

I'm more of a synth-guy as well, but to be honest from time to time it's nice to break away from an environment where I am doing all the playing / programing, to one where an arranger does the majority of it for me

It's quite inspiring too, and helps me to come up with new ideas. Mind you since I discovered the joys of KARMA on the M3 a few years back, my arrangers haven't seen the light of day (some Yamaha thing and a Roland E86).

Ksynth · Post by **Ksynth** » Tue Nov 01, 2011 2:32 pm

Synthoid wrote:If you don't mind me asking, what would you expect an arranger to bring to the table? Do you need more sounds?

Its something that suits me and several others around here.

I used a Casio WK3000 for many years with the Korg M3M

This newer Casio WK7500 has updated sequencer features which make it very useful for me as an untrained keyboard player. I'd like to get the Korg PAx3 but that looks too expensive.

Synthoid · Post by **Synthoid** » Tue Nov 01, 2011 2:39 pm

Ksynth wrote:This newer Casio WK7500 has updated sequencer features which make it very useful for me as an untrained keyboard player.

So you're looking for a keyboard that will "work for you" by adding additional parts and rhythms? While that can bring inspiration, I'd suggest getting some keyboard lessons as well. It's important to truly learn your instrument and not just use its features as a crutch.

DennyC · Post by **DennyC** » Tue Nov 01, 2011 2:39 pm

Yes the Korg PAx3 looks intriguing to me as well.

Synthoid · Post by **Synthoid** » Tue Nov 01, 2011 2:45 pm

iixorbiusii wrote:to be honest from time to time it's nice to break away from an environment where I am doing all the playing / programing, to one where an arranger does the majority of it for me
It's quite inspiring too, and helps me to come up with new ideas. Mind you since I discovered the joys of KARMA on the M3 a few years back, my arrangers haven't seen the light of day

I also enjoy the unique rhythms and textures that KARMA brings to the table. It's given me the opportunity to completely rework many of my older songs.

Lou · Post by **Lou** » Tue Nov 01, 2011 4:14 pm

We all know the differences of a workstation and an arranger, pros and cons.
A few years ago I had a PAx, don't recall what version.

Working with a workstation is great and of course has it's credits.
What I do recall while working with an arranger, is the mere simplicity and immediate satisfaction/fun it brings to the table. The newer PA series has some of the finest voicing programs and the drums are kickin.

I really enjoyed it and may just revisit it's presence again one day.
Add a good plug or two (Omnisphere) and you could have a very productive environment while excluding a good deal of pain in the never ending programing of a workstation.. JMO

RonF · Post by **RonF** » Tue Nov 01, 2011 4:31 pm

The new Korg MicroArranger might be the perfect companion for you. Low cost, small footprint, feature rich.......I have considered getting one just to play with it too!

Lou · Post by **Lou** » Tue Nov 01, 2011 5:52 pm

Thanks Ron, that must be fairly new? Haven't seen it.
I never did care much though about onboard speakers.. Looks nice!

RonF · Post by **RonF** » Tue Nov 01, 2011 6:05 pm

Lou wrote:Thanks Ron, that must be fairly new? Haven't seen it.
I never did care much though about onboard speakers.. Looks nice!

I don't think its even in the stores yet....but its coming very soon.

JuneauUnderground · Post by **JuneauUnderground** » Tue Nov 01, 2011 9:48 pm

Ok you propeller heads chime in here. . . What does an "arranger" give you that a workstation doesn't. I checked out the Casio mentioned by the OP, as well as the Korg models. Does it make life easier?? Will all our dreams come true?? Details please! Are we missing something here??

RonF · Post by **RonF** » Tue Nov 01, 2011 10:02 pm

JuneauUnderground wrote:Ok you propeller heads chime in here. . . What does an "arranger" give you that a workstation doesn't. I checked out the Casio mentioned by the OP, as well as the Korg models. Does it make life easier?? Will all our dreams come true?? Details please! Are we missing something here??

In short...it adds "styles" of pre-recorded midi performances which generally act as "backing tracks" to your compositions. You can 'arrange' these styles and parts (intros, verses, choruses, fills, endings) in its sequencer to piece together a song, and then play over the resulting arrangement or add other original elements. Otherwise......its the same basic thing as a workstation. In fact, it IS a workstation, with the additional "arranger" mode (read: styles).

Whats cool.....some of the styles are well done, and they enable you to quickly arrange a song without starting from scratch. In other words, you have a guitar rhythm all prepared for you, and you can arrange the key and chord structure into a timeline so as to arrive at your composition. Then you can layer over the top of it with your original ideas.

Whats not so cool.....that same guitar rhythm is there for everyone to use, so its entirely un-original at its source.....but what you DO with it may have some originality. For structuring or scratching out songs, for quick jams, for live performance, for covers....its cool. For original artistic composition.....its cheating (or something close to it).

The styles are generally "fixed"...they are what they are, not very editable.....and therefore, not very "original" by nature. However, I have heard some very compelling and good music done with arranger styles....what was good about it was not the originality of the style...but what was done WITH the style....if that makes any sense.

X-Trade · Post by **X-Trade** » Tue Nov 01, 2011 10:27 pm

RonF wrote: The styles are generally "fixed"...they are what they are, not very editable.....and therefore, not very "original" by nature. However, I have heard some very compelling and good music done with arranger styles....what was good about it was not the originality of the style...but what was done WITH the style....if that makes any sense.

On most professional arrangers like Korg's series, you can program your own styles from scratch.

It's not unlike KARMA, as far as basic performance goes (KARMA is a lot more than that, with the ability to dictate the algorithmic properties of a phrase in realtime with physical controls) - but you can produce different patterns for different sections of songs and have them transpose into the chords that you play.

Sina172 · Post by **Sina172** » Tue Nov 01, 2011 10:43 pm