Should you get a Korg Pa5x or Yamaha Genos 2?
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- čas přidán 30. 06. 2024
- Why you should or shouldn't get a Korg Pa5x or Yamaha Genos 2
I got to sit down at a Genos 2 earlier. I didn't have much time so I compared just a few things. Listen with an open mind. Spend your $ how you choose, I sure did. Buy whatever inspires you more and is more approachable, to you. Almost everything is subjective. No ones ears are the same, go with what sounds best to you. Have a great Easter!
0:00 Intro
5:20 Key bed / Action
7:35 Chassis build quality and Screen
12:40 Ecosystem and workflow
15:50 Styles
17:38 Lack of SST on Genos 2 is ridiculous at that price point
21:15 Cheaper alternatives
24:38 Thank you for supporting, be inspired
28:30 Sound comparison opinions
32:00 Style example
32:42 Overall Factory sound winner
34:20 Global Sound Artist Edition mention
37:20 Trombone samples
40:00 Outro (Long winded) Happy Easter!!
43:15 Korg needs OS update!!! Happy Easter! - Zábava
Play both and decide yourself 😉!
Oh how I wish I could have seen this video back in January. I bought a Genos 2 back in February. I was happy with it at first until I got the shock of my life when switching voices or registrations. Later I learnt that it doesn't have what Yamaha call SSS (seamless sound switching). You called it SST (seamless sound transition) and anyway, it doesn't matter what it's called, but what matters is if the keyboard has it or not. What a pity I've spent all that money thinking that this keyboard covered almost everything, then to find that it doesn't have something that should have been included by default.
I did have my mind on the PA5-X before I purchased, but unfortunately Korg are not available in my country. Roland seem to have sidelined the arranger market ever since they shut down the plant in Italy.
I still wish I could find the PA5-X as in my opinion now I think that would have been the keyboard for me. But to get it from Germany or UK in Europe is quite a big risk should something go wrong on guarantee.
Not only there is no SST but selecting voices or registrations whilst still holding a key down makes the present voice go much louder suddenly that is very unpleasant to the ears. In my opinion this is a major flaw and an insult should Yamaha call this a flagship keyboard. Sorry Yamaha but it is a ship alright but without a flag! It would be a miracle for me should they come up with a solution.
Thank you for this video and I'm still thinking of how I could acquire a PA5-X.
I will keep the G2 because selling it would probably be quite a loss of money. Luckily in my case, I use MIDI a lot and VSTs etc... so I could get away with the no SST feature problem.
One of the reasons I bought the G2 is because it memorises all MIDI settings in each Registration. Then of course you save that Registration Bank. Does the PA5-X do this?
Oh I almost forgot, Pa5X has a dedicated guitar input with it's own effects!! And two inputs for an additional keyboard.
I know 2 guys that use it mainly for the guitar effects. Kind of crazy to spend that much but they love it so.....
I've had my Pa1000 for over 3 years now and I don't know if it's because of an OS update (I'm on 1.3 and going to install 1.5 soon) but I already have the persistence of sound when changing voices. Shocking the Genos doesn't have that. Mind you, I think I have seen videos on the Genos 2 where they showed that ability...
Hello i have been watching your videos for weeks now and they have helped me so much since i bought the KORG PA 5X. I sold my Tyros 5 recentley , thinking i may get the Genos 2 . i already have the Genos 1. But i was fascinated watching all the videos on it and so many good styles. After thinking about it for a long time , the ONLY reason i ' might ' get the Genos 2 was just the styles alone and to me i could not justify paying so much just for extra styles when i could spend time making the styles myself. So i am sticking with the Genos 1 and my lovely new Korg PA5X , which i have to say it all round outstanding.. the feel , the versatility of the sounds , and so much more , i could go on and on.. i love my Genos but the Korg feels so much better quality so im happy with these two
Being happy and loving what you do and have, is the goal 👍Sounds like you made the right decision for yourself, congrats! Post some videos, I'll definitely watch & listen!
@@SpOoNmAn365 aww thank you so much... I am trying to summon up the courage to put videos up on here but i am so critical of myself. I will definatley do it soon though,, its all ive wanted to do for years... sending you best wishes from Liverpool UK
@soulgirl62 One thing you need to realize, we are all critical of ourselves. It's probably the single biggest hurdle keeping ppl from uploading. I used to spend an entire weekend recording a video until it was perfect, which imo was silly now that I look back. Mistakes will always be made, some ppl appreciate seeing they aren't the only ones worried about it, and start a channel. You said yourself you've wanted to do it for years. I say start now, no time like the present! I wish I would have started years ago, live and learn. Have a great weekend!
@@SpOoNmAn365 Thank you so much for a lovely and supportive reply. Your words of encouragement help.. the thing is with me i am lucky to have a natural ear for music. I have always been the type pf person who will hear a piece of music and i can very easily hear my own orchestra behind it so its just getting down to the technical putting it all together sort of thing..because i have so many amazing songs i want to play... watch this space and thank you so much
Dear how much did you sell your Tyros 5?
I own a Tyros 5 and like it, but I agree the whole plastic thing bugs me. I'm very close to replacing it with a pa5x. Your video was very helpful in this. You stick to facts without a lot of "gee whiz" sales stuff. I think a lot of the guys who do keyboard reviews/comparisons have some obligation to the store or manufacturer who gave or loaned them their keyboard. So they can't be completely unbiased.
BTW, I also own a Korg M3 and really like it. But, as you say, the screen is pretty poor.
I own Tyros 5 too...
pa5x is really great keyboard If they release a proper firmware to remove those bugs...
But Genos 1 and especially Genos 2 sounds like nylon guitar, E. guitar, orchestral , woods sounds and organic sounds as a whole are extremely natural than that of pa5x?
And in the Style section, IMHO, Genos is again so rich and are made incredibly professional and very satisfying...
Korg has difference routes and they doing great as I said....
I wanted to say it's a matter of taste... which is true to some extent
In case of UI, korg is winner but at the end you have to make all your works, saved in Registry Bank (Yamaha) or performance (Korg)...
So UI is not THAT important when you play live especially... or even in the Studio
That's my 23 years of experiences with many Arrangers from Yamaha, Korg, Roland and many many more...
There should be a law that sates that "NO KEYBOARD SHOULD BE WITHOUT A CONTROL PANEL THAT DOES'NT FACE YOU!!"
Thanks for your video and your opinion about the pa5x vs Genos 2 - unfortunately I found it only after committing to Korg 😊. A few more thing -apart from the very valid points you made - the style mixing ability on the Korg with 2 players vs no similar feature on the Genos 2, also the independent sound and effect editing on Korg vs nothing similar on Genos2 - the storing or chord sequences for any song vs the chord loops of Yamaha requiring loading them to registrations separately - the ability of the Korg to have different intros of several of the styles whether you play a major or minor chord… you can buy and use sounds even better ones than the Genos 2 has - Pianoteq and Keyscape comes to mind - but you cannot replace the keybed, the build quality and the user friendliness and well though out organisation of the UI on the software. Thanks again.
It's always highly subjective. Especially with the keybeds and displays. I never liked the tilting screens. More mechanic things that can possible break. I personly like the keybed much more in the Genos 2 compared to the Genos. The aftertouch is much better implemented in the G2, even its supposedly the same FSX keybed as used in the Genos, Montage and Montage M series. I still think some of the older Yamaha keybeds was better then the FSX tho. I agree on the plastic design, but compared to other especially older keyboards that is even with plastic top, based on an aluminium or iron shassis the Genos and Genos 2 is feeling more "cheap". But yes, 10kg's difference do make a BIG difference when you add a Flightcase too. My old P9000Pro was 27Kg and the Genos is 17kg. The Tyros series was some where in the middle of that, so when you have to carry it up/down from the 3'rd Floor It's a hell lot easier to carry under the arm down to the basement and put it in the flightcase for for transport.
As for the SST . it "does" have it when you learn how to program it. but you have to switch from a sound on eg Upper 1 to another Upper part. There is no SST when switching a single sound on the same part. There is also cases on the Kronos/Nautilus dependent on what engines the sounds uses where the SST don't work. And SST is a hella lot easier to implement on a software based instrument compared to a VLSI based one. So Korg naturally have a heads up here. It's the same here .. they both have pros and cons. Korg is also considerably better in actual sound design where Yamaha is much more frantic in keeping their Synths and Arrangers highly segmented .. you have to buy a Synth if you want to be able to change a Piano sample into a futuristic Pad sound. There is practically no difference in the sound betwen the new Montage M hardware and their software version, so myself I don't get why Yamaha keeps insisting on using VLSI's for sound generation. It's a much more expensive solution even if you make your own in house mobos compared to Korgs solution of using of the shelf PC or Pi boards.
My own refference is that the Genos line is much more intuitive to use than the Pa series and the stock instrument sounds is still better in the Genos2 Even Korg have caught well up with the Pa5, and the different keybed choices is definetly a plus to the Korg and also the TC harmonizer is better than Yamahas. As for Synths I still love my Kronos 2 73, It's just darn heavy to carry around
I know your decision allready, but for annyone else, i would play them both at a shop, or preferrably at a friend, so you have the time to play and test them. It also depends on your own preference, and for instance if you need to move it a lot, and if weight is a issue or not, as the Genos 2 is a all plastic keyboard. It is solid enough, and easy to carry, but the plastic chassis can be scratched more easy due to being plastic. I use a carry case to protect it during transport.
The korg is much more solid, but it shows in weight too, so if you are like me, and live upstairs, how long can i carry that wheighty keyboard off and on the stairs? So for me, transportabillity was a big factor to go for the Genos, and like we also spoke about on my channel, if you are used to the operation system of one brand or another, that may also be the deciding factor.
Most important thing is that you love to make music on it, and use it as much as you can. Keep on having fun making music.
Kind regards, Ronald.
A good comparison, I'd say. For some reason I've never been into Yamaha keyboards (their acoustic pianos are a different story; I LOVE my U3) so naturally I'm biased towards Korg. Speaking of which, I finally got my Nautilus 88 and it's been amazing so far! I plan on uploading a short video of it in the near future.
Hey, you finally got it, Congrats! When you post it, and don't see a reply from me, it means I didn't see it, so feel free to comment over here so I can go watch it. *CZcamss Notifications system is very very unreliable.
@@SpOoNmAn365 If that ends up being the case, I'll gladly do so! It will mostly be a quick review going over my whole setup as well as my first impressions of the Nautilus itself.
I haven't done a review yet, but I did just upload a video where I'm using it for a piano cover! czcams.com/video/eR7O8xjru38/video.html
Great video! Should i go for Nord stage 4 or this Korg? (For home use mostly)
Asking because some ppl say Nord has the best sound.. thanks.
I don't know how to approach this question, as they are very different boards with very different purposes, so I'll come at it from all angles...
What is your main goal? Mostly great piano sounds? I'm not caught up on the latest Nord boards, but dont they still come with only a cpl hundred sounds? And primarily focus on pianos and organ? If those are what you prefer, Nord is for you. I'm sure there are sound packs for it to download too. But the stage 4 and pa5x couldn't be more different. The nord is most always part of a band, playing piano & organ. The pa5x IS the band.
Price obviously isn't an obstacle, so you have that going for you. I don't know if that helped, you caught me off guard with the comparison.
You answered perfectly! Thank you very much! Much appreciated 😊
@@user-wl1gg4re6s 🫡
Appreciate your opinion ... like you, I've been spending months going back and forth between the PA5X or Genos 2 ... I'm looking at the 88 fully weighted Pa5X but not sure if that is the best choice vs. 76 semi-weighted ... thoughts 88 or 76? Your video finally pushed me over to the PA5X. Any word on Korg OS updates, are they working on it? Release frequency?
Only you can answer that. You either prefer hammer action or semi weighted. Someday I may get an 88 of some model just for serious piano, but for everything else, I've always preferred the semi weighted. And if you want an excellent feeling keybed, the 76 pa5x is it. It's the best keybed I've ever had the pleasure of using.
@@SpOoNmAn365 Thank you for the rapid response ... I tend to feel I have more control/sensitivity on semi-weighted so will go the 76 route.
@robainscough Nice! Will you be posting videos? I subscribed so if you do, hopefully I get notified.
@@robainscough 👍
It depends on what ecosystem you belong to. I am personally with Korg myself, and currently have a Pa3x, and would LOVE to upgrade to the Pa5x for lots of reasons. Least of which the SST technology that was from the KRONOS and Nautilus workstations, as well as the sounds that were brought over from those workstations too. For me the build quality personally on the Pa5x is miles better than on the Genos and Tyros before it. Just looks cheap to me.
You just got yourself a subscriber 👍 if you ever upload vids, I'm there. I had a 3x, loved it. Out of the 15 I've had, there are 3 boards I truly regret selling in the last 40 yrs...the M1, the Triton Extreme, and the Pa3x. I'm having a keyboard midlife crisis, part of me wants to get a pa1, 2, 3 & 4x, and dedicate an entire wall to them.
I currently own a Genos 1 and have recently purchased a KorgPA5X. I totally agree about keybed on the Korg total quality. No comparison. Build quality on Pa5X is also beyond comparison. I realise I'm comparing Genos 1, but from what I've seen, Genos 2 is almost the identical product to Genos 1 (apart from the obvious new screen angle and slider lights). I don't want to compare sounds since it's not fair with the Pa5X being newer than my Genos 1.....but when comparing Genos 2 in my local music shop with Pa5X, again it was obvious to me which sounded better. I agree with your comment that the choice is down to your workflow. For me, Yamaha has totally simplified the user experience as suitable for novice which is why a lot of 'pros' don't treat it seriously. However, I do appreciate the simplicity of Genos 1, it is a very usable machine for live performance, I love the set lists and follow-along sheet music and words - excellent for gigging with backing tracks. But, I couldn't justify an upgrade where the differences (between G1 and G2) are so subtle they're effectively un-noticeable (in UK Genos is £4000! eye-watering) - well that was my opinion after trying one in a music shop. So I spent £3150 instead on the Korg where you get the sense that the machine is aimed at the professional. The learning curve is steeper with the Korg, but I was brought up on workstation type keyboards like Korg Triton, Kurzweil K2500 etc so I guess it'll sink in as I get more experienced with it. As you point out, seamless sound swapping is pretty vital and a professional feature. The screen is better on Korg. But at least the Yamaha is better for your back when carrying it up 6 flights of stairs🤣
Can't disagree with anything you typed. Thanks for being level headed, some get upset when you compare, even when those comparisons are highly subjective. If you fiddled with a triton and k2500, you'll get along just fine with the pa5x. one of my criteria for spending big $$ on a board is the keybed.) I'm still very very impressed with how this pa5x feels under the fingers. Thanks for the sub, do you have another channel other than the Vacation one? I'm always interested in supporting others, and if I get pa5x insight along the way, its a win win.
@@SpOoNmAn365 I do like to be respectful of other peoples preferences and opinions. Not sure why everyone on the internet is so angry🤣 I personally live by the mantra 'don't behave as you wouldn't in person', i.e. remain polite😀 I should have a youTube channel, but like you I have a job and family life so time for planning and creating content is in short supply. I originally looked into arrangers following seeing a Sax/Piano player in a hotel bar on Vacation (in Europe). At first I couldn't identify what he was using to provide his (in my opinion) very tasteful backing accompaniment, until I went over and saw a very old Korg Trinity🤣 Following this discovery I thought it time to look into arrangers (something I'd not had since being a child). On researching arrangers I became fascinated by good ole Peter Baartmans and what he could do with the Tyros. So my first actual arranger was the Tyros which within about twelve months was superseded by Genos 1. I upgraded back then when Genos was around £3000 (still a lot of money) and have used it for a few gigs (in UK where i'm from). I only gig a little these days as I have a regular 9 to 5 job now. But I still have that primal urge to create and perform music and love music tech. I think people who disregard the power of these arrangers are missing a trick. Like when you mention the Akai MPC is great but kinda hardwork (lets say), I know you're referring to the fact you have to program everything from scratch. I believe you're mindset aligns with mine, where I want to get on with knocking out a tune to an audience with having to multitrack record every part (life is too short!). Machines like Genos (1 & 2) and the Korg Pa5X enable us to do just that......just differently. I'll let you know if I ever set up a channel......but don't hold your breath🤣
YAMAHA-SHMIMAHA
The only Yamaha I owned and loved was way back in 1983 a CS-60
Worked at Sam Ash in 1983, Hempstead Long Island, and was one of the first guys on the list for the DX-7, and was the first person, probably in the world, who returned it!! lol
I saw 1st hand what a dx-7 looked like with abuse. My dad was the front man in a band and b4 the m1 launched, he got a dx-7. That thing had broken keys everywhere after 2 yrs of use 🤣 he gets the m1 in '88, used it till '92, absolutely no issues. He got out of the band in '92 and I graduated H.S., he gave it to me for grad gift. Best gift I've ever gotten. The only thing was it had duct tape residue on it from helping anchor it on his ultimate stand lol. He beat the piss out of it and it never faltered. I sold it in the late 90s, something I regret now. But that got me on the korg path and have loved the 10+ since.
I'm a Yamaha M8x fan but I bought the PA5x for superior professional quality over the GenoBoat which is a joke in comparison. Yamaha is bad about overcharging on the arranger line not sure if they have to pay royalties or what. The PA5x is a classy chassis perfect for studio with double players, seamless sound transition, capacitive touch and tilt, updated styles and Yamaha basically copied Korg on several of their "new" features so they are still behind the curve. No seamless sound transition is a deal breaker. Plastic toy the cuts off all sounds for $6K? Not today or tomorrow. I will admit if you're stuck in a flood the Genos might allow you to surf out of danger whereas the PA5x will sink like a stone. It's not much subjective because of the Genos obvious shortcomings. It can't seamless sound switch is because it's underpowered and way overpriced.
I lost it when I saw Genoboat 😂🤣 That's definitely the 1st time I've heard that term used.
Don't forget you can sing into the Korg along with play the guitar all while having Mastering effects😊
I have chapters in the video, one in regards to keybeds, FF to 5 minutes. I've never touched a montage or genos, just a genos 2 for an hour. Couldn't stand that keybed, the pa5x is by far, the best semi weighted keybed I've ever had the pleasure of playing.
Some of the greatest musicians in the world and history do not have, or have had any spouse/family/children, other wise they would not have reached the top of the best, or composed so beautiful music, - like the ones that have loved deeply, and maybe lost their loved ones have also made the most beautiful music in history
Which one is better buy Pa5x 61 or Pa5x 76 version. Kindly let me know.
There is no "better" in that scenario. Only you can answer that question. Price, size, weight, your intentions of use... all play a factor.
Depends on your situation. If you are a beginner and just starting out in piano, there is NO way you will be able to handle a 61 kay, because you'll soon be reaching for keys that aren't there. I found that out the hard way way back in the day when I first started out. Started reaching for keys that weren't there and then was forced to get an upright piano. If you can afford an 88 key, get that definitely. But if not, a 76 key should be fine.
Korg Best
Does anyone know how I set up my iPad Pro to pa4x so I can use the voices on the Korg module app to play on upper 3 on pa4x
@@keithgriffiths3420 go on the korg forums and ask.
1:16 in and a decision had been made, fair enough!
korg 5x only 😏
IS GENOS 2 BETTER THAN THE KORG PA5X
Genos key bed sucks! Korg Pa5X is from Italy, and Fatar makes the action. NEED I SAY MORE?!
I had a Pa5X thought I'd like the Genos more, WRONG!! Returned the Genos, and got my Pa5X 76 back, and I'm HAPPY!!
The Pa5X, people don't know this, but the Korg has a FULLY PROGRAMMABLE synthesizer, NOT the Genos!
Also, Korg updated the sound bar, and doubled the power output.
And LOOK OUT, the Koss Pad, like the Pa4x had, is coming in the next firmware update.
It's taken over six years for Korg to come out with the Pa5X. Within a year they'll be fixing a bunch of stuff!!
STAY TUNED!!
😎
I'll hold out on excitement on the kaoss pad until I see confirmation, but that would be fantastic!
I had a Montage 7 before and sold it. Is the pa5x keybed better than montage or genos which have the same keybed? im looking forward in purchasing my first arranger and it looks like the Korg PA5X is the one, im just curious about the keybed if its good or not.
I went to my music store and looked at genos 2 and WoW for that money I was so disappointed the keys felt like a cheap toy and the overall feel of the build quality for a flag ship keyboard was shocking.