I had a chance, at last, to audition a Genos last week. My friend Don Patterson in Lubuck, TX has one and I spent about 4 to 5 hours playing it.
I took my USB drive that I use on the S970 and tried to call up Registrations from it. Never could get it to work. I got a message saying something like "Wrong information", don't exactly remember.
The midi files and MP3s from the stick showed up and worked just fine, and the styles loaded and played also, but not Registrations.
Not a huge deal to me, but interesting. Maybe something I did wrong?
I decided the Genos is not for me, especially at the price they want for it.
Don't get me wrong, it is a fine arranger. Loved a lot of the lead sounds, the touch screen was nice, though it would have better if adjustable. The vocal harmonizer is improved over previous models. The drums are better. I absolutely love the keyboard touch and feel. Finally a joystick! The sliders are great. A lot of new styles, some of which I might even use. The Playlist is almost as good as Korg Songbook, and I liked the way it made Registrations automatically. The weight is really good for a 76.
As I drove back home I remember I had already owned an arranger with all those features, for the past three years. I sold my Korg PA4x-61 when I thought I was going to die pretty quickly. Bought an S970 (which I had also previously owned), because it would be easier for my family to sell after I'm gone.
Anyway, I ordered a PA4X-76. I can keep the S970, buy the Korg, and have quite a bit of money left over! In addition, I'll have a better vocal harmonizer, a 5-button programmable foot controller, a Midi-to-Style Converter, a Chord Sequencer, the four sets of programmable sliders and three programmable buttons. And I still much prefer the Korg drums. Almost forget the adjustable screen.
There are some better features on the Genos, and some on the Korg. Both are fantastic. They weigh about the same. Same number of USB slots, outputs, inputs, etc.
Someone asked what I'd do if the Genos and Korg were the same price. Not sure, but I really think I like the Korg better. Either would be nice though, if someone DOES want to buy me one.
I am willing to pay whatever it takes to have the best tools available, but when it is this close, it is an easy decision.