Digital Piano Korg PA 300 Complete Review. A Good Choice?

Korg is a Japanese company of electronic musical instruments and guitar tuners. Today we are going to introduce you to the Korg PA 300. It is a mid to high range keyboard, which has very good characteristics and sounds. It can be found for about €589/$880/£545 on the market first hand (as of the date of this article), and it is presented as a very competitive keyboard in terms of quality-price.

We are talking about a keyboard designed for you to make mixes in its memory and to be able to regulate the sound parameters quite freely. Then you store your mixes and you can use them or shoot them while playing over them. Very powerful, isn’t it?

Let’s go on to talk about its features

• 61 keys with sensitive dynamics (touch-sensitive for nuance)
• Polyphony (Number of notes that can be played at once. This includes accompaniments that also consume notes. So if you play over an accompaniment more notes will be accumulated) of 128 voices
• 3 band equalizer for each track. To manage the frequencies of each sound and modify them if you want. This will modify the sound parameters and how it sounds,
• RX-Soundtechnologie.
• 950 sounds (Different sounds of piano and other instruments).
• 310 styles (Accompanying styles that adapt to the chords we are playing. For example they will put a bass and a drum kit that will adapt and synchronize with the notes we are playing on the keyboard).
• 1040 tracks for storage of user’s creations.
• MP3 playback.
• Transposition (Transposition allows you to move the note spectrum of a keyboard. This is to be able to play with transposing instruments. It is not an easy concept but it is made to facilitate the writing of an orchestration for instruments with very different bass and treble registers)
• Highly visible color touch screen, which makes it very user friendly for the management of your settings.
• 16-track auxiliary sequencer.
• USB midi (MIDI allows you to do such wonderful things as connect your keyboard to your computer, record a sound track and with certain programs click through what you’ve played to musical notes on a score. MIDI tracks store the information of the musical notes), USB-Host, USB-Device.
• Reads MIDI Q files or tracks, allowing the lyrics to be displayed as they are played.
• USB for other devices such as pendrive.
• Headphone output. It’s a pity but it doesn’t have a stereo line output so you have to use also the headphone output.
• Connection of sustain pedal (The sustain pedal of a piano or keyboard is used to keep the note playing even if you stop pressing the key) or tenuator.
• 2 powerful 13W speakers.
• A wonderful weight of 8.35kg and dimensions of 1030 x 378.3 x 127mm.
• Includes lectern, feeder and a very complete manual. But it does not have a pedal.

 

Let’s stop for a moment and describe the types of USB connectivity that the Korg PA series keyboards feature, as it can be confusing if we are not familiar with these types of connections or ports:

• MIDI-USB In/out: this type of cable has a USB connection for MIDI at one end for a PC or other computer device, and at the other end it has two different inputs to send or receive the MIDI signal. One for input signal (IN MIDI) and one for output signal (OUT MIDI), and has an adapter in the middle of the cable that joins them in one connection. These types of connections and cables are older, but can still be found on many models of keyboards or pianos.

• USB to Host or USB MIDI (this is on the Korg PA 300): This type of connection has the same functionality as the previous one, but the signals are transmitted by the same cable as the MIDI input and output signals, saving space on the connection side. This model is becoming the most widespread and universal, especially in the newer keyboard and piano models.

• USB to Device: This is the USB port that we all know. It allows to connect a pendrive to the keyboard and to record or load song or rhythm files to the keyboard.

 

I’m sure you’ll be interested…

• Ranking with the best digital pianos
• My selection of cheap musical keyboards.
• Basic concepts you need to know about digital pianos.
• The best resources to learn to play the piano by yourself.

Now let’s compare the Korg PA-300 with its more common alternatives. Also at the end of the post you will find a section with the best purchase possibilities for this keyboard. But you can go directly to that part of the post by pressing the next button.

Korg PA-300 vs Korg PA-600

Let’s compare two models of Korg keyboards from the PA line. The Korg PA-600 is 200 euros more expensive than the PA-300. The Korg PA-600 we can find it starting from about €788/$1150/£725 (price as of review date of this article).

We’ll try two 61-key keyboards with touch sensitivity and quite a few common features:

• 128-note polyphony. A totally sufficient quantity to be able to reproduce simultaneously a great diversity and quantity of notes in our interpretations
• 3 band equalizer for each track. It is common to find equalization functions in keyboards of this range.
  
• Extra or auxiliary 16-track sequencer
• Both have a Pitch Bend controller or modulator.
• Both have a number of 950 sounds available.
• Touch screen and color screen that allow to handle more easily the keyboards. They also allow you to follow the lyrics of our songs.
• They include music stand and power supply.
• They have the same dimensions: 1030 x 378.3 x 127 mm (W x D x H).
• Connection for sustain pedal. They do not include pedal, which is a handicap, especially with keyboards of these ranges.
• Support for MP3 file formats.
• The Korg PA-300 and PA-600 have a USB device/USB MIDI and USB to Host to be able to connect a USB memory to the keyboard and load sounds or rhythms, as well as record tracks on it.
• They include a headphone output.
• They have the same dimensions: 1030 x 378 x 127 mm (W x D x H).

As the most important differences we can highlight:

• The Korg PA 300 has a smaller variety of styles: 310 styles. The PA 600 offers 360 styles.
• The tracks for user song storage is higher on the Korg PA-600 (1040) than the PA-300 (600).
• The Korg PA-600 offers MIDI input and output, allowing you to connect to older devices that only support this type of connection. The Korg PA-300 does not.
• The Korg PA-600 has line input and output, which allows it to be connected to very high power amplifiers. It is not offered by the Korg PA-300.
• Different power speakers: The Korg PA-600 has a 13W speaker and the PA-600 has a 15W speaker. In both cases they allow a power for playing in rehearsal rooms or with an accompaniment, like a guitar (without powerful amplification).
• The Korg PA-600 offers the possibility of internal memory extension through a Micro-SD card.
• The Korg PA-600 is heavier (11kg) than the Korg PA-300 (8.35kg). Despite this, they can be considered lightweight keyboards for their performance and range.

If you like the Korg PA 300, for 200 euros more you can have a real wonder. I personally love these keyboards. It already depends on your budget but the Korg PA 300 is a wonder in itself.

We will put the characteristics of each of these pianos in 2 different columns to make it easier to see the differences:

Korg PA-300 vs Roland BK-5

Now let’s compare another keyboard from another well known brand, the Roland BK-5. The price difference with the Korg PA-300 is a little more than €150. The first hand market price of the Roland BK-5 can be found from €751/$1099/£685  (as of the date of this article).

The Roland BK is designed with the same idea as the Korg PA 300. These models are very similar in performance and basic features but the price of the Roland BK-5 is higher due to the quality of sounds, styles and more features. We will now analyze some of them and the extras that accompany each keyboard:

• They are keyboards with the same number of keys, support the same number of polyphonic notes, have a similar number of musical styles or rhythms and speakers of similar power (13W and 12W).
• The number of sounds is wide on both keyboards, but the Roland offers more than 100 sounds and the Korg only 950 sounds.
• The connection possibilities of the Roland are better, as it offers MIDI input and output, PAL or NTSC video output, audio jack input (you can connect a microphone, an instrument or a music player so that they sound through their speakers with the music of the keyboard) and line jack outputs (remember, it allows you to connect to more powerful amplification systems). In contrast, the Korg offers USB MIDI input. This is valuable, as you will need separate USB cables to connect to each keyboard.
• The Video output and the possibility to play MIDI files of the Roland BK-5 allow you to connect to a keyboard and turn it into a fun Karaoke.
• Both have headphone output and input for sustain pedal. In addition the Roland BK-5 has an expression pedal input.
• Both include a power supply, and the Korg includes a lectern.
• Own equalization systems on each keyboard.
• The Roland offers the possibility of recording audio files in different formats: mp3, WAV, KAR, etc. You can also play and interpret these files.
• Both are very light keyboards: the Korg PA-300 weighs 8.35 kg and the Roland 7.5 kg

The Roland BK 5 is actually more of a rival to the Korg PA 600

We are going to put all the features of each of these pianos in 2 different columns so you can have a look at them:

The basic functions such as the number of keys, connectivity with MIDI, availability of a wide repertoire of songs and styles, headphones output, sustain pedal input and the presence of powerful speakers in each one of them make them ideal keyboards for any professional musician on a tight budget or for beginners. You can learn, experiment and have many hours of entertainment with any of these keyboards.

In terms of quality and if your budget is not too tight, we recommend you to choose the Roland BK-5. But if you want a piano with a good sound and a wide repertoire of styles, and basic functions, such as sustain pedal input and USB MIDI and USB to device connections (to be able to connect a pendrive), we recommend the Korg PA-300.

And now a video of the Roland BK-5:

If you want to know more about this model don’t miss our review of the Roland BK-5.

Korg PA-300 vs Yamaha PSR-S670

In this comparison, we are going to talk about two pianos with very similar basic characteristics. The Yamaha is usually priced at 550 euros which is a little cheaper and is the first of the Yamaha S-series that are the professionals. It is also a mixer keyboard (like all the ones we are dealing with in this post)

• 61-key touch-sensitive keyboards
• 128-note polyphony.
• Wide range of styles: The Korg PA-300 offers more than 300 styles and the Yamaha PSR-S670 up to 230 styles and in 4 variations
• Similar number of sounds: both have a total of more than 900 sounds.
• They feature equalization systems: 3-band equalizer for each track. on the Korg, and on the Yamaha the Master EQ.
• Pitch Bend wheel. The Yamaha also offers an additional modulation wheel.
• USB MIDI connection for connection to a PC or other computer device, and USB to device for connection to a pen drive for playing or importing backing tracks, sounds and styles.
• They have an output for helmets, but the Yamaha PSR-S670 offers two in total.
• They have a sustain pedal input, but the Yamaha offers more again. Two inputs in this case!
• Similar speaker power (13W on the Korg and 15W on the Yamaha) This power is enough to have an audition in a large room, in a rehearsal room or with an instrumental accompaniment that does not have a powerful amplification.
• Very similar weight and dimensions. Both are keyboards that weigh a little over eight kilos, which means they are very light for and easy to transport.

But the Yamaha has its own characteristics, which at the same price, make it our favourite:

• Yamaha quality: It is the leading manufacturer of musical instruments, and that is a sure guarantee.
• A line output, which allows it to be connected to very powerful amplification systems. This is very suitable for live performances.
• IN entrance in the Yamaha so you can put a bug in. Then it also has many filters for the voice as the sound will come out of the keyboard speakers.

The Yamaha is very thought to make dance music and in that its library stands out although the Korg PA 300 also has but I like more the ones of the Yamaha

We are going to put all the characteristics of each of these pianos in 2 different columns so you can see them easily:

And now a video of the Yamaha PSR-S670

• The Yamaha PSR-S670 is a wonderful keyboard and has the same minimal features as the Korg PA-300.
• They are the same or very similar in price.
• Yamaha offers a security in the quality of its products and their sounds, which at equal characteristics and price, make it the most recommended option.

If you want to know more about this model do not miss our review of the Yamaha PSR-S670

Where to buy the Korg PA-300

Amazon

• Free shipping and overnight delivery with Amazon Premium.
• Full guarantee even if they are not specialists in musical instruments.
• Leader in rapid transport.
• Prices that fluctuate. On Amazon you can sell your own or other competing vendors. So the price may or may not be the cheapest. But it’s always interesting to see the actual price.

For a similar price you have the following pianos and keyboards:

• YAMAHA YDP-S34 ARIUS
• YAMAHA YDP 163
• YAMAHA YDP 143
• YAMAHA PSR S770
• YAMAHA PSR S670
• YAMAHA PSR E453
• YAMAHA PSR E443
• YAMAHA P45
• YAMAHA P255
• YAMAHA P125
• YAMAHA P-121
• YAMAHA P115
• YAMAHA P105
• YAMAHA DGX 660
• YAMAHA ARIUS YDP 142
• YAMAHA PSR S775
• YAMAHA PSR E463
• YAMAHA P35
• THOMANN SP 5600
• THOMANN DP-33
• THOMANN DP-31
• ROLAND GO KEYS
• ROLAND FP-60
• ROLAND FP 80
• PIANO THOMANN SP 320
• KURZWEIL SPS4-8
• KURZWEIL SP6
• KURZWEIL SP4-8
• KURZWEIL FORTE SE
• KURZWEIL FORTE 8
• KURZWEIL ARTIS 7
• KORG PA-700 EAST
• KORG PA-700
• KORG PA600
• KORG PA-300
• KORG PA-1000
• KORG HAVIAN 30
• KORG GRANDSTAGE 88
• CASIO PX-870 PRIVIA
• CASIO PX-770 PRIVIA
• CASIO PX-5S PRIVIA PRO
• CASIO PX-560 PRIVIA
• CASIO PX-360 PRIVIA
• CASIO PX 160
• CASIO CT-X800
• CASIO CT-X700
• CASIO CT-X5000
• CASIO CT-X3000
• CASIO TDC 130
• THOMANN DP 26
• ROLAND FP 90
• ROLAND FP 30
• ROLAND FA 06
• ROLAND BK 5
• KORG SP 280
• KORG LP 380
• KORG B1
• KAWAI ES8
• KAWAI ES110
• KAWAI ES100
• KAWAI CN27
• KAWAI CN25
• CASIO CDP 230
• CASIO PDC S100