Korg Forums

[ktn]

I just sold my old PA-50 and like to buy either the PA700 or PA1000.
Does the PA1000 have features that make it worth spending and extra 700$? I budget for the PA-1000, just want to make sure my money is worth. I have tried both models at local GC and the PA1000 does look better but sounds the same as the PA700 (within my short test time).

Are features below exist on both models:
1) saving custom rythm to internal memory and USB thumb drive
2) load rythm directly from USB thumb drive (without having to copy to internal memory)
3) playing MIDI OR MP3 song while playing a backing rythm,
4) create rythm from MIDI song
5) create intro from MIDI song
These are the key features I want to have in my next arranger. (TYROS do not have 3,4 and 5 above)

[Biggles]

The features you list are common to both.

The 1000 has better speakers and amp, more Styles, more Sounds, a better keybed with aftertouch, considerably more memory and a few other features including a tilt-able screen.

Is the 1000 worth buying, that is subjective and all I can say is for me no, I would bypass it and buy a 4X but the 4x is Monopoly money in certain locations including the US.
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Biggles
Lancashire, UK

[ime95mos]

I'm in the same dilemma. I think I've watched every youtube video there is by now. How much better is the keybed in the PA1000? is it more towards pianoplayers or? The thing I certainly don't need is the mixing feature with two players. More styles and sounds is something that easily can be fixed.

Waiting for a good deal any day now on either the PA700 or the PA1000(this has to be really good).

[Biggles]

If you have only watched Youtube reviews can I suggest you watch the official Korg Video Manual tutorials on each of the Pa’s.

This is the first of the series for the 700, there is also a series for the 1000.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=y93U9xG85ao
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Biggles
Lancashire, UK

[ime95mos]

Thanks for the tip! Really good videos!

[Randelph]

Cool, I also had the Pa50 10 plus years ago, really enjoyed it!

Here are some comparisons I made in another thread. I have the Pa1000:
Upgrades from Pa700 to Pa1000:

- aftertouch
This is well implemented. Overall, the action feels good, a bit on the light side for my tastes. BIG complaint, it's considerably harder to play towards the rear of the keys, this sometimes throws off my playing, with some people its not such a bother

- more than twice the memory for user samples
So the 1000 has around 600MB, the 700 has around 256MBs. There's a double advantage with the 1000 in this regard being that there's a second, large piano on the 1000, which I believe is around 1GB in size, so not as big a need to add new samples to get a decent piano. Some 700 owners are using a piano that Reuben has made available for free that sounds better than the stock one, and that eats up most of the available memory on the 700.

- top panel volume and fx control for voice/guitar (also controls line in volume)
For me this is a huge plus. I play alto recorder and melodica, as well as letting others use my mic. Having volume AND fx amount with two top panel knobs is wonderful.

- USB port on top panel

- harmonizer
Haven't used much, but once again there's top panel button to activate the harmonizer, and a mute button to turn off the mic or guitar or line in

- upper/lower scanner switch for reading chords above and below the split point
This is a cool feature that is new to me. You can choose to have the board reading your input for chords from either side of the split point or across the whole board, very useful

- 2 speakers vs 1 speaker per side, 33 watts per side vs 25 watts
Tried out a 700 and 1000 side by side in GC, couldn't hear any difference in volume or sound quality. Not a very conclusive test, but its evidence that they're pretty similar

- screen that tilts up
I love this feature. Esp when playing outdoors, it really helps with the glare, and indoors its just handy, makes editing easier when you're constantly touching the panel. It's also a liability, I only use it when needed, would dread having it break

- 2GB of factory samples vs 1GB, apparently most of this is for another large piano

- dj style slider for dual sequencer/mp3 playback.

IF I needed to buy again and could afford it, I would definitely buy the Pa1000 over the Pa700. I mostly appreciate the aftertouch, more user sample memory, the top panel controls for harmonizer, and tilt-up screen. That said, if I couldn't afford the upgrade price of the Pa1000 I'd be very happy to have the Pa700.

Just be sure you register with Korg, which extends your 1 year warranty to 2 years.

If price is a determining factor for you look at ebay, ProAudioStar, etc.
I've routinely seen the 700 and 1000 at $1,100 and $1,650, new. Another avenue I've been looking up the Pa700 on the Thomann website (for US customers), it sells thru them for $1033 including shipping, and you can probably find it cheaper if you look for returns with warranty or refurb with warranty, which I've seen on their site. Musicstore.de is another large German retailer. I just sent them an email to find out the particulars:
? As a German company, are they also charging VAT?
? Would I be paying CA tax? Import fees?
? Warranty honored in the states?

Randy
_________________
Keyboards: Kawai ES920 / Casio CT-X5000
Instruments: Keys / Alto Recorder and Melodica

[Randelph]

Someone did a very extensive comparison chart of Pa700/1000/Pa4X. Tons of good info:

http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=111673&sid=19831c0613315a8222471f520780cfd8
_________________
Keyboards: Kawai ES920 / Casio CT-X5000
Instruments: Keys / Alto Recorder and Melodica

[ime95mos]

What about the microSD card that you can put in the PA700? Would that solve the issue of having less space to store sounds? For example this huge piano sound..

[Randelph]

[ktn]

"Just be sure you register with Korg, which extends your 1 year warranty to 2 years" ?
If this is TRUE, I do not have to worry about buying extra warranty from local Guitar Center.

[Musicwithharry]

[Musicwithharry]

[ime95mos]

Thanks for the great input. It was mentioned earlier that the memory could be an issue after loading a new Piano Sample. Is that the case for you as well? Once the piano is in, there's almost no room left for anything more?

[Musicwithharry]

[ime95mos]

Is the Piano Sound in the PA700/1000 really that bad that one need to upgrade with new samples? Can the current sound be tweaked in any way?