Technical characteristics
| Keys number |
61 keys |
| keyboard |
velocity |
| weight |
8.35 kg |
| sounds |
950 |
| polyphony |
128 voices |
| rhythms |
310 |
| drum kit |
64 |
| effects |
EQ, filter, digital effects |
| display |
touch sensitive TFT colour display |
| power the speakers |
2 x 13 Watt |
| analog input |
no data |
| analog output |
Audio Out |
| auto accompaniment |
available |
| Transposer/mood |
available |
| Song player |
available |
| dual - / Layermodus |
available |
| feature |
fully programmable SongBook database based on styles, SMF, karaoke and MP3 instant retrieval of any song settings as well as user-definable user lists with filter - and management Optio |
advantages
- USB
- Large Songbook database
- many editing options
- low weight
- good built-in amplifier system
- balanced styles
- good sound quality
disadvantages
- external power supply
- No MIDI connections
- no stereo audio output
Korg has sent a new keyboard on the market with the Pa300. PA is the abbreviation of professional arranger and even if the price is relatively cheap, so there are many professional ambitions. Finally, the Pa300 undertakes the tradition of the proven Pa600, Pa900 and Pa3x. Korg combines many styles and sounds with the color TouchView display, which is known only by the larger models. This is built a compact and lightweight body and there is the built-in speaker system. The Korg Pa50 there already since 2004 and with the version Pa50 SD it was then continued in 2009. To compare the two models, the Pa300 offers although significant advantages, but it has been slimmed down compared to the Pa50 SD also in some places.
The housing and the Panel at the keyboard
only 8.35 kg is the weight of the keyboard and the plastic housing is matte black, robust and easy to grip. The Pa300 can stand on the keyboard stands to safely and quickly. At the Control Panel, the color TFT TouchView display falls directly on in the middle. For quite some time, basket stands for the touch-sensitive screens, which saved some selection and cursor button. Overall, the front panel so that acts very tidy and also open. There are two knobs on the left side and the total volume is adjusted with a slider. Balance between songs, backing tracks, and the sounds that are played on the keyboard can be adjusted with the other controls. One of the three basic features is selected in the MODE buttons. The Pa300 is in sequencer mode, in the song play mode, or in the style play mode. There are including controls, which are required for the control of the arrangers. Here, styles, endings, FIlls, breaks, variations and Intros are enabled. Also there are also 4 PAD button, where phrases and sounds can be fired. A common start-button has been installed to start of songs and styles. The manual bass button is typical for korg and present. Can quickly be toggled on left hand bass style operation. The minus and plus buttons changes the pace and it will be fixed with a lock button. Synchro start/stop functions and tap tempo capabilities are also available. The single touch settings button are located below the display and here are appropriate sound settings to the style called off. It specifies the dialing keys song, Songbook, sound and style. There are 6 user buttons for sound families in terms of performance. In the form of a performance sound registrations can be filed and also called. The keyboard has 61 keys and is velocity-sensitive. Overall, the keyboard makes a good impression and fast play is allowed. The typical joystick for modulation and pitch-bend is located left besides. There is the speaker system with bass-reflex holes in the rear wall of the housing and 2 times 13 Watts. There are therefore balanced sound, pressure and tidy volume.
The connections and the operation
which will have little joy who takes a look at the back at the Pa300. There is the connection for an external power supply and there's a small strain relief hook for the cables. The other connection options are sparsely planted. There is no normal stereo line output and also no MIDI at the keyboard. The buyer must instead settle with the stereo Jack headphone output. You need a Y-cable or an adapter to connect to the external sound system. At the exit of the level in the global menu can be toggled. The integration into a larger MIDI-live Setup is impossible by the missing MIDI connections. The Pa300 can be coupled with a second keyboard or an Expander module. It is a USB host port available, so that the keyboard with a computer can be connected. There is also the USB device connector to a USB flash drive can be connected. The designations differ from Korg here by the usual standard. For the USB connection is USB-host. When connected to the computer, the keyboard plays the role of a device. Would have been better if the jacks for headphones and USB on the front would have been placed. The sockets must be sought so complicated. Almost no controllers can be connected at the keyboard and only an expression pedal or a sustain pedal can be connected to the pedal Jack. The Pa50 SD there here audio inputs, right audio outputs and the second pedal connection. There's a button on the control panel and in the keyboard is switched on and off. The device is always in standby mode and it is consumed electricity. When you turn a little patience is required, because it takes about a minute, until the system is booted. The touch-sensitive color display is an important control element and 5 inches in size, it is also sufficient. The small pull-down menus and the slider will need often several attempts until they are properly caught. De mBedienfeld on the knobs and buttons may be slightly larger. However, the operating concept for the keyboard Pa300 is still intuitive. There are
the sounds and performances at the keyboard
at the Pa300 950 sounds and 64 drum kits on board and it's 128-voice polyphonic. There is a lower part and three upper-parts, which are at the same time to play. Works by directly tapping the selection of sounds. Korg have the real experience sound technology and here the sounds have the addition of RX. The sounds can be extensively edit and then save them in the user area. There is also the Department with GM sound and legacy sounds in addition to the factory sounds. All settings as performances are stored in the live sounds and there are 240 memory locations. The sound quality is good and there are no real weaknesses here.
Conclusion
At the Korg Pa300 there's much sound for the money. This small model of PA can complete the entertainer keyboards down. There are many advantages when compared to its predecessor and so there is a larger sound stock, twice as many votes and a better sound. There are more modern styles, MP3 compatibility, the touchscreen and USB. There are many ways through the mature Songbook feature and the sequencer and there is the complete modern sound store.
