Korg PA5X-61 61 Key Professional Arranger PA5X61
Intelligently designed for live and studio performance, the Korg Pa5X-61 Professional Arranger Keyboard expands on the success of its predecessor with a reengineered cutting-edge EDS-XP sound engine, cross-fading dual players that can play two Styles, MIDI files, or MP3 files at the same time, and a streamlined color-driven user interface—offering a powerful and creative platform customized for solo keyboard performers, entertainers, songwriters, and producers.
With its premium black aluminum body and elegant wooden side panels, the Pa5X-61 features 61 keys with semi-weighted Fatar action plus aftertouch for added expressivity. The keyboard comes packed with over 2200 inspiring sounds and more than 600 fresh Styles, all instantly accessible through an inviting modern workflow. A completely new front panel, featuring an assignable 16-pad matrix, a mixer section, 9 sliders, 9 multicolored LED buttons, a joystick, and a huge, tiltable 8" touchscreen, puts you in control of your music-making experience at all times. This 61-key model is 9.5" shorter and 11 lb lighter than the 88-key version, making it easier to transport when touring or traveling to local gigs.
Powerful EDS-XP Sound Engine for Rich and Inspiring Sounds
- Pa5X introduces the EDS-XP (Enhanced Definition Synthesis–Expanded) sound engine, which builds upon the technology used in Pa4X with advanced hardware and a powerful new operating system. The 24 stereo oscillators and 160 voices of polyphony power thousands of high-quality sounds, covering a wide range of musical instruments and genres.
- The EDS-XP sound engine introduces new cutting-edge features such as round-robin drum and percussion performance, smooth sound transition, sound-controller 3 functionality, and much more.
A Complete Sound Library
- The onboard sounds range from ultrarealistic acoustic instruments, to electric vintage keyboards, to synth classics, with the addition of fantasy sounds and special effects for game, media, video, and cinema production. Also included are instruments from Korg's flagship synth workstations: Kronos and Nautilus, plus various ages and world cultures, while also leaving ample room for your own expansions.
- The curated selection of acoustic and electric pianos includes sounds from Korg's celebrated SV-2 Stage Vintage Piano.
- A new Drawbar Organ section proudly boasts a realistic control surface that can rely on the physical sliders and buttons on the main panel of Pa5X. New effects derived from the legendary Korg CX-3 Combo Organ are also included.
- New Drum Kits have been recorded making use of technology based on round-robins to increase realism. No two drum hits are equal, resulting in authentic-sounding drum performances.
Modern and Streamlined User Interface
- At the center of Pa5X is a large 8" tiltable touchscreen that displays a completely redesigned GUI (graphical user interface). This makes all the sounds and features of Pa5X easily accessible to home and studio musicians as well as live performers.
- The colors in the display are carefully matched to the ones used in the LED programmable buttons on the control panel to provide instant interactive feedback when changing settings on the fly.
- Lyrics, Chords, Score, and Marker can be clearly shown on the large display of Pa5X or even on an external display when connected via the built-in HDMI port.
Realtime Controllers for Maximum Expression
- Pa5X features a fully programmable control section with a matrix of 16 rubber pads, 9 buttons, 9 sliders, a joystick, and a ribbon controller. You can assign any function to these—from mixer volume to drawbar settings, from microphone mute to bass inversions, to lyrics scroll commands, and more.
- The assigned function is shown by an auxiliary strip display, so that you always know what you have under your fingertips—even if you are on a different page from the main display.
Cutting-Edge Crossfading Players
- Pa5X can play two Styles, MIDI files, or MP3 files simultaneously and in any combination, made possible by the dual onboard Players. These two Players can be mixed with a handy crossfader or can be used to play a song while another one is waiting to start.
- All the while, Pa5X's sound engine delivers the power, effects processing, and polyphony to make these transitions happen seamlessly.
Create New Sounds with the Onboard Sampler
- In addition to the huge amount of included sounds, the onboard sampler will help you create new sounds, drum kits, and audio loops. Record your own sounds or import sounds in standard file formats like AIFF, WAV, and SF2.
- The detailed onboard sample editor allows you to fine-tune your samples and even transform an audio loop into a percussive kit.
Create Styles with Built-In Sequencer and Record MP3 Songs
- You can create your own Styles and record your own MIDI and MP3 Songs. The included editing features allow for detailed editing of each single recorded event. A sophisticated transposition table adapts the sequences to any chord you may play.
- You can record a MIDI Song using a full-featured Sequencer. Even easier, just record what you sing and play (including MP3 Songs) as an MP3 file.
MIDI, USB, HDMI, Audio I/O, Pedal Connectors
- Pa5X offers a plethora of audio, control, and storage connections. You can use MIDI and USB for controllers or storage devices, HDMI for an external display, and XLR, 1/4", and 3.5mm jack audio connectors for other keyboards, condenser and dynamic microphones, guitars and bass guitars, and smartphones and tablets, or for connecting your instrument to powered speakers or PA systems via the balanced outs. Four separate line outs are available to handle sounds separately.
- Three pedal inputs allow for connecting your preferred damper pedal (with half-pedal support), footswitch, or volume and expression pedals. You can use the ones you already own or choose from Korg's range of optional accessories.
Dedicated Microphone and Guitar Inputs with Effects Processing
- A microphone and a guitar can be connected simultaneously to the separate audio inputs of Pa5X. The latest generation of vocal processing algorithms are optimized to run on the latest technology used in the Pa5X, giving you lifelike, four-voice harmonies that provide the feeling of live vocalists surrounded by your music. The new Auto Pitch feature delivers the style of vocal performance and sound found in modern music.
- The separate guitar input is completely independent and even has its own gain control. Guitar effects include vintage pedal and amplifier simulators to enhance your guitar sound and performance. There are many predefined guitar-presets of which you can use up to 4 of the built-in insert effects, and easily create and save user effect presets.
Advanced Chord Recognition System and Full Library of Chord Sequences
- Pa5X’s sophisticated chord recognition system features an Expert mode that is crafted around the playing styles of the best modern jazz pianists. The system can be as simple or advanced as desired, even allowing you to trigger chords with a single finger.
- With automatic harmonization, a chord sequencer, and a sophisticated chord recognition engine, Pa5X gives you the tools to create rich musical arrangements no matter what the genre of music.
The SongBook: A Music Library is Always with You
- Songs and Styles can be saved into the onboard SongBook, whose database-like entries are easy to synchronize with external score readers on a tablet. You can then use a digital music book to control your Pa5X.
- The songs in the music database can be saved into Set Lists, each one dedicated to a show, a singer, or a style of music, for easy handling of all music resources at once during live performances. When choosing a song from the SongBook, you also immediately get the necessary Sounds, the Style, Song, effects, and even a chord sequence.
Smooth Transitions between Sounds, Styles, and Songs
- Pa5X adds Smooth Sound Transition (SST) technology, allowing for seamless transitions between Sounds, Styles, and Songs without any interruption.
- When you select a different element, the sound, effects, and sequences will continue to play, fading away naturally until you are ready for the next sequence or note to begin, making for an uninterrupted and realistic performance.
Intuitive Mixer Section with Extensive Effects Processing
- Sounds on Pa5X are processed by an elaborate chain of professional studio-quality effects, with up to ten Insert FX, three Master FX, and one Finalizer for each of the two Media Players. The Keyboard Sets can use up to three Insert FX and three Master FX.
- Final mastering effects are applied as the last step on the audio outputs of Pa5X, to help you achieve a polished, blended, and produced sound.
Optional High-Quality Accessories
- The optional modern and stylish ST-SV1-BK stand keeps Pa5X sturdy while performing onstage. Thanks to an elegant design, it can also function as a stylish piece of furniture when setup in your home.
- Pa5X is compatible with the Korg PaAS Amplification System, a speaker system that has been specifically designed to connect directly to the Pa5X without cables. This allows you to listen with the best audio quality, even at the lowest volume levels and while rehearsing at night.