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Like Ibanez, KORG is a Japanese company that initially started trading under a different name, before a defining product consolidated their outlook. The company, originally Keio Electronic Laboratories, was founded in 1962 after then nightclub owner Tsutomu Kato, was approached by accordionist (and club performer) Tadashi Osanai for finance to build a new kind of rhythm machine. Osanai was unsatisfied with his accompanying Wurlitzer Sideman, and so the company released their first product in 1963, an electro-mechanical rhythm machine named the Donca-matic DA-20.
In 1967 Kato was approached by Fumio Mieda, an engineer who wanted to build keyboards for the company. 18 months later Mieda presented Kato with a prototype programmable organ, which was later sold under the name Korg – a combination of Keio and organ.
The rest is pretty much history: Korg made their first foray into the synthesiser market in 1973 with the MiniKorg, amicably gave controlling interest to Yamaha in 1987, and bought all their stock back in 1993. These days they continue to release innovative keyboards, synths and organs, as well as a range of tuners, effects and countless other gadgets.
 KORG PA2XPRO
Keyboard Workstation
The Pa2XPro provides new and in-demand features in a single, integrated instrument that offers complete connectivity options in all professional environments. Borrowing from Korg’s rich heritage,
The Pa2XPro uses the same EDS sound engine that powers the Korg M3 workstation, Pa800 and the new Pa500. Also included are a motorized/tilting full-colour, easy-to-read TouchView display (with contextual help screens) and a set of assignable sliders that double as the nine draw-bars for the modelled organ. Additionally, the unit has advanced mp3 functionality that allows the user to record and play mp3 files with real-time control over tempo and pitch change.
The Pa2XPro features 76 semi-weighted velocity and after-touch-sensing keys, 120-note polyphony and Korg’s RX Technology, offering players a comfortable feel and dynamic articulation for enhanced realism. Over 660 fully-editable sounds come preloaded, with room for hundreds more. Korg’s new Guitar Mode transforms the keyboard into the fretted strings of nearly any chord/neck position for authentic picking patterns, slides, strums and more. In addition, the piano from Korg’s flagship C720 concert piano is included.
Each of the 660 editable styles is a complete musical environment for either performing a song or composing a new one. By following the performer’s chord changes, timing and voice leading, each style can provide a complete performance – all in real time and on the fly.
The four variations build in intensity, and a variety of intros, fills, breaks and endings allow musical ideas to be fully realized into finished songs. Created by a worldwide team, the styles are articulate and authentic, offering up to eight parts at once – from a simple drum and bass groove to a full blown R&B rhythm section – all fully under the musician’s control.
For the songwriter, the Pa2XPro features both traditional workstation sequencing, as well as Korg’s time-saving backing sequencer that can record each style part to its own track in a single pass, bypassing tedious sequencing and overdubbing associated with traditional workstations. Performers can play back and crossfade two sequences at the same time, using the unit’s dual sequencer functionality. The Pa2XPro also offers assignable pads to trigger sounds, sequences, riffs and phrases.
The sequencer is compatible with SMF, mp3 or Karaoke MIDI files, and allows players to use songs in any of these formats all in the same way, using search, selection, start/stop, playlist and crossfade functions. Specific mp3 Player features include key transposition and velocity/tempo (BPM) change with no audio degradation, as well as the ability to record performances as mp3 files (four quality options up to 256 kbps) and save the files on the internal hard disk or external media. Also standard are features such as four effect processors plus TC Helicon vocal effects – including three part harmonies. Digital (S/PDIF Co-Ax) output, Phantom powered XLR input, front and rear USB host ports plus a USB Device port complete the package. An optional VIF4 Video Output can display lyrics, etc. or mirror the on-board display on an external video monitor.
MSRP US$4600.
 KORG PA500
Keyboard Workstation
The Pa500 uses the same EDS sound engine that powers the Korg M3 workstation and the new Pa2XPro, features RX technology for realism and articulation, and the new guitar mode transforms the keyboard into the fretted strings of nearly any chord/neck position for authentic picking patterns, slides, strums and more. In addition, the piano from Korg’s flagship C720 concert piano is included.
The centre of all Korg Pa instruments is the style engine. By following the performer’s chord changes, timing and voice leading, each style can create a complete performance – all in real time and on the fly, with no programming required. In addition to drums, percussion and bass, a style can add up to five additional musical parts. Each of the 320 editable styles is a complete musical environment for either performing a song or composing a new one, with four variations, introductions, endings, fill-ins and more. Musicians can create their own styles from scratch, or combine various elements from existing styles to create their own custom settings.
For the songwriter, the Pa500 features both traditional workstation sequencing, as well as Korg’s time-saving backing sequencer that can record each style part to its own track in a single pass. Step editing quickly re-writes all style parts without the need to play new data. For the guitarist, singer or novice keyboardist, chord changes can simply be typed into the backing sequencer to create complete backing tracks without playing a note.
As the style engine follows the left hand chording, the performer can play up to four additional sounds in real time. Single touch settings allow these sounds to be quickly changed with a single button. Four single touch settings can be saved with each style. The SongBook feature allows all settings – style, single touch, tempo, transposition, MIDI file ... needed to recreate a song to be organized into a quickly searchable database for instant access.
Intuitive and easy to use, the Pa500’s 240 x 320 pixel TouchView display offers two interface modes. For beginners or live performance, the easy mode uses enhanced graphics to display common performance controls, while expert mode offers full editing control. One-touch, on-screen help is available in seven languages.
In performance, Korg’s XDS twin, multi-mode sequencer allows users to load one sequence while the other plays and use the DJ-style crossfader for smooth transitions between them. The Jukebox mode allows a single file to play back multiple songs for non-stop entertainment. The sequencer is compatible with standard SMF or Karaoke files. Karaoke lyrics will appear in the display. Sequence files – as well as sound, style and other data – can be saved and loaded via SD card or MMC memory stick.
The Pa500 features 61 velocity sensing keys and delivers 80-note polyphony along with 880 pre-loaded sounds (plus 128 user locations) and 56 preset drum sounds (64 user-programmable kits) and includes a GM2 soundset. In addition, four simultaneous effects (124 types) can be used.
A USB jack allows the Pa500 to communicate with a computer and supports USB/MIDI. The onboard sound system features two dual-cone speakers powered by 15-Watt amplifiers housed in a bass reflex enclosure with a tuned EQ for rich musical sound quality.
MSRP US$1899. For more information, visit their web site at www.korg.com
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