Korg PA 1000 Review Complete Digital Piano. Is it a good choice?

Korg Inc. is a Japanese multinational corporation that manufactures electronic musical instruments, audio processors and guitar pedals, recording equipment, and electronic tuners. Their PA1000 is a professional keyboard that costs around €1800/$2199/£1,666  and offers us a very interesting functions without exceeding 2000 euros. Let’s go over the features but don’t miss the comparisons, that’s where all the good information is to know which one suits you.

• 61 semi-weighted keys (Weight of the keys of an acoustic piano, which digital pianos try to imitate to match the touch of the piano. The keys in the high register are heavier and in the high register less heavy. This is different from the sensitivity on the keyboard which serves to regulate the volume of the note. But a weighted keyboard always has sensitivity in the keys) with touch sensitivity and aftertouch effect
• 128 notes of 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)
• Filters with resonance effect
• For each sound you have a 3-band equalizer
• DNC(Defined Nuance Control)
• More than 1,750 sounds (various piano and other instrument sounds)
• GM/XG sound packs
• 107 battery kits
• More than 430 styles (accompaniment 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)
• Comes with digital handle organ
• 300 MB of PCM user memory
• 148 types of master effects
• Compatible with MP3 and MP3 G formats
• Highly visible TFT screen
• DSP (Digital Signal Processing) effects. These are digital effects that modify the sound of the keyboard)an>
• Support sequencer with 16 tracks
• 4 configurable pads
• Memory expansion slot with Micro-SD
• Recorder in MP3 format
• Metronome (Basic study element to study and practice the tempo of a piece of music)
• 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)
• LOOP function and for sample creation
• 960MB internal memory
• Helmet Jack
• Video output in RCA format
• Midi input and output (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 MIDI
• USB 2.0 for USB memories
• Input for a sustain pedal (The sustain pedal of a piano or keyboard is used to keep the note playing even if you stop pressing the key)
• Input for programmable pedal
• 2 very powerful 33W speakers
• 2 line outputs for the live
• A super light weight of 10.75kg and dimensions of 1,030 x 378.3 x 133mm (width x depth x height)
• Includes network cable and stand

This keyboard brings many sounds but it is also a tool to create sounds, equalize and master them. For each sound you have three frequency bands that can be equalized so you can adjust the parameters of each sound.

It also has a high quality color screen with an interface similar to the found on cheaper models such as the Korg PA 600.

It also has many corrective filters for the adjustment of sound frequencies, which makes this keyboard a real music production workstation.

We can save our sounds and create samples and loops for live play.

It has a voice processor to make us second voices if you plug in a voice microphone with some very interesting filters. It also has a guitar processor.

With this keyboard you can mix, create your own styles. It has a memory for user sounds that you create yourself and you can modify the parameters of the sound wave very thoroughly.

In this new model you can create a style from a MIDI song with the information of the musical notes.

Another good function is that you can regulate the intensity of the LEDs on each button. That’s nice when you’re playing in a gig and you can highlight certain functions.

You have fully configurable buttons for when you start setting up your splits and your sounds created in a way that greatly improves the usability of the piano.

I really like the lyrics function on the screen so you can remember the lyrics of the songs and it also has a score function. It also has a songbook with a very wide repertoire. Although you can load as many scores as you want.

We’re talking about a keyboard that acts as a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). It allows you to record in any format you want and create all the mixes you need. They have a very powerful 16-track sequencer.

As far as connections are concerned, as we have been talking about before, we can plug in a guitar and a microphone and process their signals at the levels we want. We can master them, put filters and effects and equalize them as we want because this keyboard is a real music production workstation (well, there are things that are better done in the studio but here you can also). It has line output to plug into any sound system and MIDI and USB ports as you have seen before in the features. It’s impossible that you need more. I like that it has a USB pendrive port on the front for easy access and more discreet.

I invite you to watch the following video in Spanish where they speak very well of all these features. Then watch the second video to hear sound samples because in the first one it talks about the features.

Related post you can be interested in:

• 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-1000 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-1000 vs Korg PA-700

We will now compare the Korg PA-1000 priced at €1800/$2199/£1,666  and the PA 700 priced at €1079/$1500/£999. The PA 700 includes some of the functions that the PA 1000 brings, although in some ways it is not as complete as the Korg PA-1000.

The main differences that justify this price difference are the following:

• The Korg PA 1000 has much more power in its speakers. And they doesn’t get a boomy sound when you turn it up to its fullest with what it can do for you even on a battery.
• Many more sounds, styles, filters, etc. So you’re paying for variety.
• Synthesis engine similar to PA 1000 but with less sounds, 1700 exactly, and also brings less memory for users 256 MB. It has the same functions as the PA 1000 for exporting sounds.
• The semi-weighted keyboard is very good for more comfortable playing.
• More memory for recording your creations.

It is basically the same but enhanced in the same aspects. I really like the semi-balanced functions. The decision has to be made according to the budget. But if you are going to play many hours at a professional level and you like to use your keyboards to the maximum this option is a marvel.

Otherwise the quality of the native sounds of the Korg PA 700 and Korg PA 1000 seem to be of equal qualities.

See the characteristics of them in this two charts:

If you want to know more about this model don’t miss our review of the Korg PA-700.

Korg PA-1000 vs Yamaha PSR-S975

The Korg PA 1000 is priced at €1800/$2199/£1,666 and the Yamaha PSR S975 which is usually around €1400/$1600/£1200. The Korg PA 1000 digital piano is a high-end arranger/workstation with very similar features to the PSR S975 and with a very similar price.

Let’s see the differences:

• The Korg PA 1000 has more sounds, it has 1750 high quality sounds compared to the 1625 sounds of the Yamaha PSR S975
• In terms of sounds, the Yamaha PSR S975 wins the versus, because it has 523 accompaniment beats against 430 accompaniment beats from Korg PA 1000.
• The Korg PA 1000 has a touch screen, which is a feature not available on the Yamaha PSR S975
• The Korg PA 1000 has a 960 Mb internal memory and a USB/SD card reader, while the PSR S975 comes with a 768 Mb internal memory and only a USB reader.
• The amplification system is much better on the Korg PA 1000, this is for its 2 x 33W speakers compared to the 2 x 15W speakers on the Yamaha PSR S975.

Summarizing we can say that although the PSR S975 brings more beats the Korg PA 1000 gains in storage capacity and again in the quality of the keys with the counterbalance. Although you have to evaluate if you are really going to use all the possibilities of the Korg PA 1000. In this case I would spend more money. If you are not sure, the Korg PA 700 option is more logical.

And now a video comparison between them:

If you want to know more about this model don’t miss our review of the Yamaha PSR-S975.

It must be said that although it is more expensive there is also the Yamaha PSR SX-900 to beat the Korg PA 1000 in sales.

Korg PA 1000 vs Yamaha PSR SX-900

The Korg PA 1000 basically still wins because even though they cost the same. At around €1800/$2199/£1,666  the Korg PA 1000 has a semi-weighted keyboard and much more powerful speakers. I don’t understand why Yamaha didn’t give semi-weighted keys in this model.

I find the Yamaha’s Vocal Harmony microphone function very powerful. A good function that allows you to do many creative ideas if you sing. Otherwise at the same price I will keep the Korg PA 700 but here are the features of the new PSR SX-900

Korg PA-1000 vs Yamaha PSR S775

It’s interesting to know differences but the Yamaha PSR S775 should really be compared to the Korg PA 700 for the amount of sound and performance because it’s much cheaper. Although in many countries Yamaha is giving preference to the Yamaha PSR S775 which costs about €1100/$1400/£855 and is a very interesting instrument:

Here are some important differences between them so you can see that it doesn’t make much sense to compare them (but as they ask me to do it)

• The korg PA 1000 has a touch screen, functionality not available on the PSR S775.
• As for its sound library, the Korg PA 1000 wins the versus with about 1750 factory sounds and 107 drum kits versus the Yamaha PSR S775 with its 1410 sounds (930 main sounds 480 voices XG) and 50 drum kits
• In terms of beats, the Yamaha PSR S775 is slightly ahead with 433 beats versus 430 beats of the Korg PA 1000
• The Korg PA 1000 features the KAOSS FX functionality inspired by Korg’s legendary Kaossilator effect processor, this functionality is not available on the PSR S775.
• The Korg PA 1000 has 960 Mb of internal storage, while the PSR S775 has approximately 280 Mb of storage, plus the Korg PA 1000 has a USB and SD reader.
• As for the speakers, the Korg Pa 1000 has 2 speakers of 33W of power compared to the 2 speakers of 15W of power of the Yamaha PSR S775

Now let’s go to the new Yamaha PSR SX-700 which is similar to the PSR 775 but you may find it in more countries. Let’s go with a video of the Yamaha PSR 775

If you are interested in knowing more, we invite you to see our review of the Yamaha PSR s775.

Korg PA-1000 vs Yamaha PSR SX-700

A very interesting new keyboard that competes more with the Kork PA 700 so the comparison is similar. There is a difference of about 700 because the PSR SX 700 is about €1200/$1500/£955

Like the SX – 900 the SX 700 has many functions in all DJ and electronic music although the Korg PA 1000 has also greatly enhanced those features since its old version the PA 900

If you want a lot of DJ functionality and your budget is limited to €1200/$1500/£955 this is a great option. And that’s why I wanted to tell you about it in this article. In many countries you may not find the PSR S775, but you can find this model. They are almost equivalent and the intention is the same.

If you want it all and also keys with a better touch similar to the piano and our powerful speakers, the Korg PA 100 is the right choice.

Where to buy Korg PA 1000

Amazon

• Free Shipping and possibility of shipping in one day with Amazon Premium.
• Full Guarantee but they are not experts in music equipment.
• Sometimes better price.

Thomann

• Best option to buy it at Europe
• Free Shipping.
• Full warranty. If you have any problems, they take care of everything.
• 100% reliable payment.
• Leader in trouble-free shipping.
• Usually Best price.
• Best Reputation: They are the leading online store in Europe and have the best catalogue and information.