GENOS2 vs PA5X // Which Flagship Arranger Is Best?

[@vacation_generation]

Hi Woody, As an owner of Yamaha Genos 1 and also a Korg PA5X - I totally agree with your review and find it very fair. I don't have the Genos 2 since there didn't appear much change from Genos 1 and decided to have a change and buy the Korg. Both instruments are superb. My Genos 1 is super useful and easy to use live when I'm performing and I have become accustomed to it's way of working. I'm waiting for Genos 3 before coughing up anymore dough....only another 5 or 6 years to wait.....maybe that one will include AI and introduce a touch of randomisation to reduce that sense of repetitiveness and looping (that they all have🤣)

[@Daring2Win]

OMG! Ai is going to completely revolutionize Super Articulation 2! 🤯

[@GaryMCurran]

I also use Band In A Box, which is great for working out songs and so forth, but isn't really designed as a gigging platform. I'm sure you could use it as such, but that really wasn't what it was designed for. Now, if you're not familiar with Band In A Box, it's software for accompaniment generation. It will produce up to five instruments, drums, bass, guitar, piano, and strings are ostensibly the instruments, although they are changed. You input the chord progression for the song, so it's not live or real time) and then select a style you want. It generates the backing tracks. Band in a Box DOES produce randomness. Because it knows the length of the chord ahead of time, depending on how the style is written, you may find that you'll have a slightly different style for a one bar, two bar, four bar or even more. So, if you have a chord that only plays for one bar, you may have a different style pattern than a chord that plays for two bars. Furthermore, again, depending on how the style is written, you may have several one bar, several two bar, and several four bar patterns available, and depending on the weighting of each pattern, you may find yourself getting a slightly different, randomized, pattern each time you generate the backing.

[@GaryMCurran]

We make many decisions with our wallets. As a Korg owner for all of my keyboards over the years, starting with the iX300, I would choose the PA5X (if I had the money, I don't). I really like the DGX-670, but I've got a couple of changes I'd like to make to it, although the changes I would like would probably double the price of it. For the DGX-680, I'd like to see: 1. The Stand and Pedal unit included in the price 2. Speaker system from the HS-4 3. The rear panel from the PSR EW425 and then add a standard 5-pin DIN MIDI In/Out ports. 4. A 7" display 800x480 resolution. 5. At least two Intros, two endings, and two fills and a break. I really would like to see three of each. 6. More generic styles and not song-specific. 7.Double the number of styles, this only has 263 styles, it should have over 500. If they did that with the -680, that would be a keyboard I would buy.

[@billfriesTPA]

Good comparison. Neither is perfect. I went with the Korg Pa5x and am very happy with my choice. The build quality and the seamless sound transition feature is what pushed me into the Korg. I could not believe that the Genos2 did not have smooth sound transitions. I am blown away by what I can do with the Korg in terms of creating custom keyboard sets, sounds, samples and styles. No shortage of new things to learn on it. You mention some having issues with Pa5x OS. I have never had a problem.

[@marknagle-vi7og]

For the price of the Genos I would expect a metal and wood keyboard enclosure

[@WoodyPianoShack]

yeah, that would be a reasonable expectation

[@funnzie]

I bought the Yamaha DGX-670 for the acoustic piano sound and weighted 88 and the easy 16/44.1 internal recording to a USB drive. The DGX-670 piano is the best sounding I have heard in 40 years of Dpianos. The arranger is a bonus, and it has a style creator too, so you can create your own style and never get bored. There is only a headphone out, but it is not bad driving it with amp//speaker. For an arranger I use the Roland E-A7, mainly because I always create my own styles specifically for the songs I compose. MIDI out is very important so I can MIDI out the 8 track styles to other synths and instruments.

[@WoodyPianoShack]

congrats on the DGX, yeah, pianos are really great, especially when you jump into the piano room mode. interesting to read you are creating own styles on the roland, well done!

[@antunkatona5674]

Hi Woody! It was very exciting to watch this video! If one is choosing between these two top-drawer instruments from the two top manufacturers in the business, then one is in for a real treat! The thing that surprised me though is what you said about the synths/pads being equally good on either. I would have expected the Korg to have the upper hand here. Yamaha having superior acoustic instruments isn’t a surprise though as it has been this way for years. However, the thing that REALLY took me by surprise - and I kind of anticipated something like these, given that the ‘snow white’ has been in the picture frame for most of the video - is when you introduced the DGX-670! You put things in real perspective with that one and it isn’t every reviewer would do. In fact, you’re just about the only person whom I can imagine actually doing it!! Obviously, the DGX won’t be as advanced as any of those but in the right hands, it will be ‘almost there’, at a fraction of the price and with, IMHO, the looks to light up the room! One might even look at it as a slap in the face to both the Genos 2 and PA5X by the ‘little’ DGX-670!! The problem with the DGX-670 for me is the size. I simply do not have the space for a keyboard of this size and from what I’ve gathered, it isn’t exactly feather-light either which, I guess, is a consequence of it being made so well and having a really good set of speakers. I wish Yamaha would make a smaller, 73/76 key version with the same GHS action like they did with the P-125/121 digital pianos that you had prior to the DGX. I think the manufacturers are underestimating the importance of models with fewer keys and integrated speakers. As prices of everything are going up for us here in Europe, the demand for smaller and cheaper accommodation will become greater and so, a smaller instrument becomes more desirable than a full-size 88-key one. You can still have everything - hammer action and built-in speakers, just in a slightly more manageable package. Not all of us want to play Chopin (even if that might be the ultimate achievement)! I am rambling, sorry about that! Anyway, a great video - informative and entertaining as always - and with a point! Thank you, Woody! Cheers!

[@entweka]

For me, I discovered Registration Memory back in my young age when I learned to play music with Yamaha Electone organ series. So I’m a fan and for me, a 1-button touch to set the entire keyboard is a must have! So, Long life to Yamaha Genos2, 3, 4 and 5 😜

[@dannymormone]

Another great video Woody, and fantastic playing, really enjoying your playing. I have both these great keyboards and I like them both equally, and as you say both have their strengths in different areas over the other. I just wanted to mention one thing, about the extra styles, Korg also has these in the form of Bonusware on their site and its well over 1000 styles, all made by Korg engineers and they are absolutely fabulous, even from the early ones they made, they all play very well on the Pa5x. That DGX you have sounds beautiful too and looks very stylish :)

[@WoodyPianoShack]

well, that is the ultimate solution to a tricky decision, buy both! congrats and I know you are having a lot of fun. Thank you so much for bringing the extra Korg styles to our attention.

[@dannymormone]

@@WoodyPianoShack You're most welcome Woody, brilliant stuff as always!

[@DELTAOMEGA12]

Thank you for your honest review and amazing content.most honest review have ever been seen in all KZbin channels.thank you again for you honesty. ❤

[@knudjepsen420]

Hello from Denmark, I have been a keyboard player for 28 years and I have tryed the Genos 2 and the Korg together for 2.month, The Genos was easy to use. (I have an old Tyros 4) the Korg was complicated and with only a few good sounds from rhe factory, you had to make your Owen sounds, to difficult. Today my setup is: keeping my old Tyros 4 and the cheapest keyboard I ever had in my carrier : the Yamaha DGX 670, it is a fantastic instrument especially for dinner music, 88 fully weighted keys and built in keyboard. The Genos are my winner but a high price for a plastic keyboard.

[@WoodyPianoShack]

fabulous insights, much appreciated, thanks for sharing your opinions

[@davidosolo]

Great review Woody. Very objective. As it should be. So thank you for that.

[@johnny14794]

Awesome video sir! Thanks for sharing.

[@JamesNoteology]

Ultimately the winner is the Arranger that suites you the end user.

[@geoffk777]

I agree with your conclusion. I also think that it is crazy that the Genos can't be had with an 88-key weighted keyboard, even as an option. That said, if I was buying a flagshjip arranger, then I'd have to go with the Genos, just because it sounds bette and more realistic to me then the Korg.

[@ob1quixote]

I really dug your "Return to Innocence. " 💕💫💖💜

[@timweinheimer1]

Well presented 🎉

[@camilleotrakji]

I agree 1) The DGX670 and then 2) SX920/sx720 ... Both are very good values. I wish they had an 88-key version of the SX920.

[@jonachvdb-music3837]

The piano version of the Genos 2is the Yamaha CVP 900.

[@bachtube11]

Your comparison is exeptional good, it covers all aspects, and it is just to the point! I have seen many comparisons, but this is the best! 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 Very competent and well-balanced !, Just one example is your comparison about styles (this is very good expressed) 11:03 Styles is another really tricky one to compare, but here's what I think the overall quality of the Styles is pretty much the same on both, it's the same structure the same number of Parts the same variations intros and endings so nothing to choose between the sound quality and the overall composition quality of the Styles both do sound completely different, though the GENOS has a quite high-end clean Studio sound while the PA has a fat warm Punchy and slightly more lowfi sound and I really like them both actually and that means that for contemporary genres like EDM and dance I thought the corg was a clear winner, but for more acoustic genres like folk and the orchestral stuff the GENOS 2 was much better cinematic stuff as well was very much better on the GENOS. I fully agree, ony add this: PA has a fat warm Punchy sound, that is not lofi, but its equilizer and mixer setting makes it sound as if it was slightli lofi. For Popmusic I would prefer the Punchy sound of the PA5X, but as I like classic and cinematic as well, I personally tend to buy the GENOS, but I agree they are both very good and almost equal. The metal housing of th PA5X looks better but the more spaced arrangement of the buttons is a plus for the GENOS. Both have pros an cons. Just as you say.

[@royhesselink-rh7ce]

Yes PA5X has better hardware, but if you are satisfied and can play and how to use it, why not 🎉 I am still happy with the PSR-SX920

[@bachtube11]

The comparison I waited for! can you read my mind ;-)

[@cyberblade6120]

Couple of things to add. I own both keyboards. I agree that sound editing capabilities are limited at Genos2 BUT the Korg Pa5X has the full capabilities of a high end Synth workstation plus a fully implemented sampler. Not at all pretty basic sound editing as you said. And there is also a huge difference of the style capabilities! Here also Korg has the much more elaborate concept, with the opportunity to have completely different style variations for different chord types like major, minor, diminished etc. Yamaha derives ALL variations from one basic style played with a major 9 chord. Also Yamaha is much more limited in style editing than the Korg. I don't kknow if you took a look at the documentation? Yamaha 300 pages vs more than 2300 pages for Korg. Lots of the pages dedicated to sound and style programming at Korg side. So I totally disagree to your opinion that sound and styles are comparable. For the Yamaha registrations there is NO way for replacing them with the Korg songbook as you assumed because of the very few aspects that can be saved in the Pa5X songbook compared to the Genos2 registrations. The missing seamless sound transistion on the Genos is a shame, because Yamaha knows how to do seamless sound switching in the Montage/Modx with the same AWM2/FM sound engines. The overall concept and architecture of the Korg is outdated. It is extremely hard to use and has just a renovated architecture compared to the predecessors instead of real innovation. The more modern instrument and ways easier to learn and use is the Yamaha. Overall in my opinion the Yamaha is the keyboards for players whereas the Korg is the one for Creators. PS: I think the main focus group for both keyboards are entertainers and believe me there is absolutely nothing which the audience hates more than "a creative new interpretation" of a known title. So title specific styles are a core feature for the target audience of the keyboards.

[@WoodyPianoShack]

brilliant points, thanks for adding your insights to the conversation. strangely, i did explore the sound editing capabilities of the Pa and they were nowhere near that of a synth workstation... but it was a while ago, and perhaps i didn't even reach the right page.

[@eduardopereira9693]

Most of the PA5X are specific styles and many of them are more oriented to contemporary music while Genos is more focused on that kind of music that elder people like. Although in fact the woodwinds and other acoustic in Genos 2 sounds better, PA5X is like a limitless customizable keyboard for a more professional or enthusiastic use. Caming from TYROS4 during 10 years, I'm very happy with my PA5X. But having the 2 wouldn't be a bad idea...

[@Wagoo]

Did the PA5X get updated? Because I remember reading the manual when it came out to see if any interesting synthesis capabilities were in there.. and didn’t see anything close to a synth workstation

[@shalinvilla]

Thanks for the review and comparisons. Just checking, does the PA5X have a built in audio interface like the Genos 2 have ?

[@sonic2000gr]

Genos2 would be a no-brainer for anyone accustomed to Yamaha arrangers (which is, just about everyone playing arrangers the last 30+ years), but not at 4K+ euros. I could never convince myself to buy a plastic keyboard for 4K.

[@PedroSalesJrAP]

1:35 Build quality 2:12 Keybed 3:00 Display 5:44 Front panel 6:43 Operating system 9:27 Sounds 10:59 Styles 15:15 Features 18:44 Connectivity 21:01 Which is best?

[@swpderf]

I tried the Pa5X. 3 themes There is nothing wrong with it but it is always a matter of taste. I replaced my Genos with Genos 2 and WOW every day I enjoy the great sounds in the more orchestral and Bigband genre. The Genos was already the top in that genre for me! The Genos 2 is pure class and sounds masterfully better than the Genos 1. I also think the Pa5x is very good in terms of quality but I am not blown away by it as I am by the Genos 2.

[@Ptf74]

Seen a lot of positivity about the DGX, although is it similar in sound quality to the sx600 ? The genos and pa5x certainly "sound" like a few grands worth! Loving those EP's.

[@WoodyPianoShack]

dgx internals are based on the sx600 to the best of my knowledge

[@idemditto]

In my opinion both keyboards are made for different purposes. The Genos for home users and Korg for on the road and live performances.

[@WoodyPianoShack]

well thanks for that! i am not sure tho, both seem equally suited for home and live.

[@andromeda3542]

Summary: Korg -> Balkan, Oriental Yamaha -> Western

[@DionSchleepen]

Great video

[@Denvermorgan2000]

I have a Genos one and have from coming from Korg products. I agree with your view.

[@Nikola16789]

Do you use only factory styles/voices/acc or import your own?"

[@idemditto]

For what about sound design the Korg is by far the king. A full synthesizer is build in with 24 oscillators.

[@ruikazane5123]

Is Yamaha doing a similar thing as the Tyros? We've seen five of them before the Genos came out, and is fortunately compatible with Tyros media. For some reason the Korg reminds me of a Motif or a DX7...how heavy is it? The winner is there all along...sitting silently on the couch! But for real, it seems like the Genos, the Clavinova series, PSRs and the DGX shares a similar core engine, just packaged differently...

[@WoodyPianoShack]

the pa is heavy, like 15kg, which I appreciate that solidity and sturdiness in a studio keyboard! and even if your gigging, you probably take it in the car so weight no matter...? i agree with your last comment, they all share very similar DNA

[@ruikazane5123]

@@WoodyPianoShack The weight isn't actually that bad. Can't just put it in the usual gig bag. For the commuting gigger that can be a bit more hassle, but hey, it should survive a few knocks here and there...

[@johnhorazy12notes]

Great review, the DGX just needs more styles and it is awesome. Yamaha is made for players, other brands are for geeks and knob turners. Yamaha is designed to be played while other brads are for spending time to figure things out in the back room. It’s either be a player or become an engineer to get things going.

[@WoodyPianoShack]

that reminds me, should try and download some style packs from psrtutorial to see if they will work. thx for the comm.

[@OneSergioMendeseBrasil66Lover]

Hi Woody!

[@WoodyPianoShack]

Hi Sergio from Brasil!

[@elmarrakchiyahya]

Best arranger is of course KETRON EVENT, for Sounds it's KRONOS 2 .

[@lugeroaccordion9957]

Pa5x you can’t edit the arranger in midi which is very important then convert to audio. On the Genos,.You can edit your volumes for different parts and other editing complete your arrangement after it’s all balanced convert it to audio then upload to wherever . Pa5x is a great gigging keyboard, good sounds and beats. You can only record the arranger in mp3audio which is only one trackYes it’s modern and great, great to solo on ,and very musical but not true arranger . Previous Korg were truearrangers.Genos for me is a true arranger. I have both love them both . It’s great to Be able to arrange the arranger parts in midi , upper and lower all 16 tracks then save when your happy ,and then x convert to mp3 or4. Am getting rid of pa5x .

[@paulussantosociwidjaja4781]

No Ketron?

[@sfernando1]

I found Korg to be a lot more complicated and difficult to work with compared to the yamaha.

[@charthers8903]

I think the pa4x was just as good as the pa5x and I hear a lot of people preferring it

[@Echochamber79]

For pure sound tone, No. Maybe the OS was a little more user friendly.

[@charthers8903]

@@Echochamber79The players I know have sets on it and the sound is amazing much better than stock pa5x

[@Echochamber79]

@@charthers8903 You could argue that some tones are better "stock" tones that others but the PA5X has the ability for better sounds than the PA4X its plain and simple. The PA5X has a better DSP. Read for yourself . --- The Korg PA5X delivers superior tones compared to the PA4X due to its upgraded EDS-XP sound engine, which provides richer and more detailed instrument sounds. It has increased PCM memory, allowing for higher-quality samples and a wider variety of tones. The enhanced effects section, improved polyphony, and advanced Defined Nuance Control (DNC) technology contribute to more realistic articulations and smoother transitions. Additionally, the PA5X features a more intuitive interface for sound shaping and new high-quality presets.

[@eduardopereira9693]

@@charthers8903 Yes, and the Pa5x can do much better than PA4X with a good programming

[@kelvinperez8845]

I think that i make a mistake selling my korg pax5 . Iam thinking of buying the genos 2 but i dont know

[@lucvb9379]

🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙉

[@krysbryan4749]

Korg wins

[@tugrulozalp6106]

The best Flagship is Ketron Event 😉

[@andromeda3542]

Sorry, but no.

[@acoustistudio]

which is best? neither of those, the best is Ketron Event by a mile, a real band... ALL AUDIO...try it!!

[@ArrangerKeyboardGuy]

If you like glitchy UIs. Terrible support. Freezing instruments. Sure.

[@acoustistudio]

@@ArrangerKeyboardGuy not my case, and i have the Audya as well, Support is amazing, at least here in the USA. AJ Rocks.... all other keyboards sound "canned", try it live (Event), and then report back!!! :-)

[@alexmcallister492]

@@ArrangerKeyboardGuy

[@giorgiotibaldo]

Ketron Event Is the best !!!!!

[@krysbryan4749]

Ketron loop no sound

[@giorgiotibaldo]

@@krysbryan4749 for me the best quality of arrangements and reality of the accompanying instruments!! maybe even more modern and innovative styles... then everyone has their own tastes ..