Korg PA-700 Oriental Review Complete Digital Piano. Is it a good choice?

Korg is a Japanese company that makes electronic musical instruments and electric guitar implements. This time we will analyze one of their most exotic and different digital keyboards the Korg PA700, with a price of €1.329/$1700/£1,222. It is a keyboard oriented to oriental music that we were very eager to examine. It is considered a very interesting and even professional option, its features are:

• 61 touch-sensitive keys
• 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)
• Enhanced Definition Synthesis-eXpanded
• Defined Nuance Control also known as DNC
• 1700 sounds (different piano sounds and other instruments) with 512 user-configurable sounds and 256 drum kits. The Oriental Edition contains sounds (Different piano sounds and other instruments) from the Oriental music world and is what differentiates it from the conventional PA700
• 360 styles (Accompanying styles that adapt to the chords we are playing. For example they will put a bass and drums that will adapt and synchronize with the notes we are playing on the keyboard)
• 960MB internal storage memory
• 128 MB compressed user memory
• Compatible with MP3 and MP3+G formats
• 2 guitar modes
• TFT touch screen with good visibility
• 16-track booster sequencer
• Display with letter visibility
• Micro-SD card slot
• USB midi connection (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)
• Line input and output for live
• USB MIDI
• MIDI input and output
• USB stick. It has the capacity to record on a pendrive
• Input for sustain pedal (The sustain pedal of a piano or keyboard is used to keep the note playing even if you stop pressing the key)
• Configurable pedal input
• 2 very powerful 25W speakers
• A weight of 9.9 kg and dimensions of 1030 x 378.3 x 132mm (width x height x depth)
• Includes stand and power cord

We found an arrangement keyboard, with excellent functions and features. With an extensive amount of sounds reaching 1700 and also a large number of styles or rhythms for accompaniment that are 360. With the sensitivity functions, USB MIDI function and sustain pedal input we have a complete musical instrument to practice and play live.

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• Ranking with the best digital pianos
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• The best resources to learn to play the piano by yourself.

Now let’s compare the Korg PA 700 Oriental with its more common alternatives. Also at the end of the post you will find a section with the best shopping possibilities for this digital piano. But you can go directly to that part of the post by pressing the following button.

Korg PA-700 Oriental vs Korg PA-1000

First we will have a comparison between the two Korg array keyboards the PA700 Oriental, which as we have already mentioned has a price of €1.329/$1700/£1,222 and its big brother the PA 1000 which has a price of €1.799/$2200/£1,666 with a big difference of £470. We will see their differences and similarities in the following face-to-face:

• Both keyboards have 61 touch-sensitive keys. In the case of the Korg PA1000 the keys are semi-weighted and have an AfterTouch effect. Firstly sensitivity is the function of being able to create dynamics in the performances, i.e. when we play a key with force it sounds higher than when we play a note with less force which will sound lower. Weighted Keyboard, is the weight that the keys of a real acoustic piano have, in the low range it has more weight while in the high range the keys are much lighter. Aftertouch is a common detection system on keyboards that generates a type of MIDI control information. Using this information, you can alter the sound of a synthesizer or other MIDI device by holding down notes. This function will generate MIDI velocity information based on how hard you press the keys.
• The PA 700 offers 1700 sounds with 512 user-configured sounds from the Eastern music world. The PA 1000 offers more than 1750 sounds and equally 512 user-configured sounds. Both keyboards have 128 notes of polyphony, remember that polyphony is the highest number of notes that can be played at the same time in a device.
• In terms of styles, the PA 700 provides 360 accompaniment styles in line with the Oriental version that it is. While the PA 700 gives 430 accompaniment styles.
• Both devices have an internal memory of 960 MB, the PA 700 has 128 MB of user tablets and the PA 1000 has 300 MB of user tablets.
• Both keyboards have DNC, Defined Nuance Control to reproduce subtle nuances and articulations of acoustic instruments creating very real and rich expression simulations in real time.
• Both keyboards have a 16-track sequencer support, guitar and microphone inputs, micro SD card slot, USB MIDI connection to connect to a computer for use as a MIDI controller in a production or music composition program, and two pedal inputs, Sustain and the other configurable.
• The advantages of the Korg PA1000 are: A three-band equalizer for each sound, 148 types of master effects, a loop function to create samples and 4 pads to configure them.
• The Korg PA700 has two powerful 25W speakers. And the Korg PA1000 has two very powerful 33W speakers.
• In terms of weight and dimensions, the Korg PA700 is 9.9 kg and measures 1030 × 378.3 x 132 mm (W x H x D). The Korg PA1000 is 10.75 kg and measures 1030 × 378.3 × 133 mm (W x H x D)

As we can see, there are two good keyboards for arrangements, where logically the PA1000 has many advantages which are: semi-weighted keys, After Touch effect, a greater number of sounds and styles for accompaniment. In addition to other functions that are not found in the PA700, however, for the price the Korg PA700 is a good option.

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

I’m leaving you a video of the Korg PA 1000:

If you want to know more about this model don’t miss our review of the Korg PA-1000.

Korg PA-700 Oriental vs Yamaha PSR-a3000

Now we will buy two keyboards for arrangements, the Korg PA-700 Oriental which as we have already mentioned has a price of €1.329/$1700/£1,222 compared to the Yamaha PSR-a3000 which has a price of €1.499/$1500/£1,379, where there is a small difference of £170. Let’s analyze their similarities and differences by looking at them face to face:

• Both keyboards have 61 touch-sensitive keys. Sensitivity is the function of being able to create dynamics in performances, i.e. when you play a key with force it sounds louder than when you play a note with less force which will sound lower.
• The PA 700 offers 1700 sounds with 512 user-configurable sounds from the world of oriental music. The Yamaha PSR-a3000 has about 2000 sounds (107 oriental Super Articulation voices). Both keyboards have 128 polyphonic notes, remember that polyphony is the highest number of notes that can be played at the same time in one instrument.
• In terms of styles, the Korg provides 360 styles for accompaniment according to the Oriental version that it is. While the Yamaha gives 400 accompaniment styles.
• The Korg PA700 features a 16-track support sequencer, guitar and microphone inputs, a micro SD card slot, and two pedal inputs, one sustain and the other configurable, plus built-in effects.
• The Yamaha features: a programmable joystick pro for greater dynamics, arpeggio function, One Touch Setting 4 by style, Multi Pads, many built-in effects and Sustain and other pedal input configurations, plus many built-in effects as well.
• Both keyboards are equipped with: USB MIDI The one that allows a connection to a computer to be used as a MIDI controller in a music composition or production program.
  And USB to device, which allows the insertion of USB flash drives for audio or MIDI storage.
• The Korg PA700 has two powerful 25W speakers. And the Yamaha PSR-a3000 has two very powerful 15 W speakers.
• In terms of weight and dimensions, the Korg PA700 is 9.9 kg and measures 1030 × 378.3 x 132 mm (W x H x D). The Yamaha PSR-a3000 weighs 11.2 kg and measures 1002 × 437 x 148 mm (W x H x D)

How we can see both keyboards for arrangements are very good, however if there are relevant differences also between them. The Korg PA 700 has the following highlights: Its microphone or guitar input with specialized effects for them, a micro SD card slot (which allows you to record audio or MIDI files) and DNC, Defined Nuance Control to reproduce subtle nuances and articulations of acoustic instruments creating very real and rich expression simulations in real time, as well as more powerful speakers. While the Yamaha PSR-a 3000 offers the following features that make it stand out: a greater number of voices/sounds, a greater number of rhythms for accompaniments, a programmable joystick, arpeggio function and the One Touch Setting function, which is an option for switching styles at the touch of a button. Depending on your needs, you are sure to make the best choice.

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

Korg PA-700 Oriental vs Yamaha PSR-S775

Finally we are going to buy these following keyboards: the corre sees to 700 oriental that as we have commented before has a price of €1.329/$1700/£1,222 and the Yamaha PSR-S775 that has an approximate price of £1299, being of a very similar price with only £30 of difference, we will analyze therefore its differences and similarities:

• The Korg PA700 has a touch screen, functionality not available on the PSR S775.
• In terms of its sound library, the Korg PA700 wins the battle with about 1700 factory sounds and 106 drum kits versus the Yamaha PSR S775 with its 1410 sounds (930 main sounds and 480 XG voices) and 50 drum kits.
• In terms of beats, the Yamaha PSR S775 leads with 433 beats versus the 370 beats of the Korg PA700
• The Korg PA700 features KAOSS FX functionality inspired by Korg’s legendary Kaossilator effects processor, functionality not available on the PSR S775.
• The Korg PA700 has 960 Mb of internal storage, while the PSR S775 has approximately 280 Mb of storage, plus the Korg PA700 has an SD memory reader.
• As for speakers, the Korg PA700 has 2 speakers of 25W power versus the 2 speakers with 15W power of the Yamaha PSR S775.

As we can see both keyboards for arrays are very good, however if there are relevant differences also between them. The Korg PA 700 has the following highlights: Its microphone or guitar input with specialized effects for them, a micro SD card slot (which allows you to record audio or MIDI files) and DNC, Defined Nuance Control to reproduce subtle nuances and articulations of acoustic instruments creating very real and rich in real time expression, plus more powerful speakers. While the Yamaha PSR-S 775 has a head start on its rhythm numbers, it also has a guitar or microphone input that if you play one of these instruments or do it with other people comes in handy.

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

An extensive video of the Yamaha PSR-S775:

If you are interested in knowing more, we invite you to see our Review of the Yamaha PSR-S775.

Where to buy Korg PA 700 Oriental

Amazon

• Free Shipping and possibility of shipping in one day with Amazon Premium.
• Full Guarantee but they are no experts in music equipment.
• Sometimes better price.
• He’s got worse stock than Thomann.

Thomann

• 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.

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