https://www.facebook.com/groups/2090069784511693/?hoisted_section_header_type=recently_seen&multi_permalinks=2122341301284541Copied from above facebook post. "Cosimo OZ Orofino". Written by Σωκράτης ΚαβλεντάκηςI don't really agree with the idea that this model is the best out there or the other is the best out there. I agree with the view that says: This is the best for me.
I personally have Arrangers from all companies (Yamaha Genos, Korg Pa3x, Ketron Audya, Ketron Event) as well as I had the opportunity to have in my studio for a month the new Pa5x which a store sent me when it was released in order to do some tests.
I will not go into more advanced functions (sampler, etc.) but I will be content with the spirit of your question.
So, I would suggest you think very seriously about what interests you most in an Arranger?
For example, if you are realistically looking for Styles, then you don't have to look too hard because there is only one choice and that is Ketron and especially Event.
The Event will offer you an excellent Factory palette of Styles with the main feature being Style Modeling where even a beginner can create a style that is needed in just a few minutes. You have in your hands a huge library of Real (audio) Drum, Real (audio) Bass, Real (audio) Chord, as well as two separate Midi Drums sections (Midi Programming & Midi Pattern), and finally three separate sections with a very large collection of Audio Sliced Percussions Grooves. We also have at our disposal a huge variety of Midi Arp, Licks, Piano, Guitars, Synth Arp etc.
All of these can be combined in real time and saved as a Style.
It also has a very good Factory palette of Solo Voices that most of them sound very good without needing additional settings. Event also has a very good new feature called PERFORMANCE which is like the Song Book (by Korg) where we can easily create our repertoire by storing and organizing an unlimited number of Registrations, Styles and Voices.
Of course, there are still problems in the OS, but the company shows that it is trying to solve them since the first OS 1.1.0 was released very quickly.
Yamaha on the other hand with the Genos has a different approach.
It has a very good and easy-to-use OS which you learn very quickly. We also have to say that it has (by far) the most reliable and stable OS that exists now. You forget the anxiety that it may (freeze) in a Live or have any kind of problem in a concert.
You just turn it on and play. The sound design has (in my opinion) the best and smartest programming I've ever played.
But according to my criteria, a few additional settings are needed to get what I want.
The Styles are mostly very good and if I singled out something it would be the EDM category (the best I've played) as well as some Big Band Swing which really makes you think there is a Real Band next to you.
The Registrations and the Playlist are really excellent having (also here) the possibility to have an unlimited number of musical repertoire which we have created especially for our needs.
Korg, on the other hand, with the new Pa5x, I think has made a difference from its older Pa models. It has a much more improved sound, new solo sounds, several new Styles and by far the best Mixer that exists in all other Arrangers since it has a separate full parametric 4 band EQ with separate High Pass/Low Pass Filter on each channel (either Style or Sound) (this doesn't exist anywhere and is particularly important), as well as having a Style Finalizer (EQ, Compressor) with separate setting and storage in each style EXCELLENT!!
But because the Pa5x has a completely new OS, it still has several problems and bugs that need to be solved in order to be reliable. I think Korg will slowly solve them through updates.
His solo sounds are quite good although for my taste I can't say I particularly liked them.
His styles are ok, but the majority of these styles come from very old models and I think it has become boring now the same and the same sound. Of course, they have made many new Styles, but again, at least I was not particularly satisfied.
It also has the very good Song Book which has tremendous options and possibilities for creating our repertoires.
So, let's summarize them.
1) Ketron Event: The Event is produced by a very small Italian company that has managed to have a very good (plug and play) sound, and particularly realistic Styles. I know very well that the company makes a great effort to solve as soon as possible several problems in the OS (bugs, etc.) and this is proven by the fact that, less than two months after the release of the instrument, it released the 1.1.0 OS Update in contrast with Korg which took 6 months for the first OS 1.1.0.
2) Yamaha Genos: Has the most stable OS out there by far.
Very good and clear sound, very good styles which have EXCELLENT PROGRAMMING and exquisitely designed solo sounds. The best programming in my opinion. Registration/Playlist is an amazing tool.
3) Korg Pa5x: Even with whatever issues and shortcomings the OS may have, there is still no other OS out there right now that is as complete as the Pa5x. The depth in editing is admirable, as long as the user is familiar and knows what he wants from it. It has by far the best tools (EQ, Insert FX, Finalizer Style, and many other useful functions. Its sound is quite better and more refined than all previous models and I would rate it as quite good.