Yamaha Genos VS Korg PA4X or Roland Fantom

[Dolf]

Hi. I own a Yamaha Tyros 1 that I now want to replace with the new Yamaha Genos. I have one concern, my Tyros gave problems that now become worse in that some of the sound selection buttons go dumb or dead. About four years ago I had five of the internal switches (below the buttons you actually press) replaced with bigger switch components which solved the problems, but some of the buttons that were not replaced, now also start giving problems. The consequence is that whilst playing you cannot use these buttons to select alternative sounds.

Seeing that I now consider buying the new Genos which is costly, I was wondering if with manufacturing the later Tyros models, and now with the new Genos, if Yamaha continued using the same switches used in the Tyros 1, which clearly in my opinion was of substandard quality and from a scientific perspective "undersize" to do its job smoothly for a number of years. I there possibly anybody on the forum who had similar experiences or that might know if the substandard switches have been replaced by more reliable ones?

I thank you for any response.

 

[Dolf]

I would also like to have some views on a comparison between the new Genos vs KorgPA4X and the Roland Fantom 6 & 8.
I have been playing Yamaha keyboards for almost 25 years (my current Tyros 1 which I have to replace) is my third Yamaha keyboard, so I tend to love Yamaha, but a good change also need to be considered.

 

[Biggles]

There is no direct comparison between the Fantom and the Yamaha & Korg.

The Fantom is a workstation/synth and a different class of keyboard.

I would have the PA4X anyday of the week and with the difference in cash between the two keyboards I would use the spare cash buy a Roland Juno DS61.

Seriously, you probably know a lot about the Genos already so why not watch the full Korg Video Manual series on the PA4X, you will have a good idea of the capabilities of the Korg on completion of watching the videos.

Do note that any Korg comes with a flat sound profile and they benefit greatly from enabling the Eq and Limiter.

We did have a member here who had a Tyros for years and bought a PA1000 but could not live with the sounds so you also may have a Yamaha ear.

This is a side by side comparison by Justin at my local Music Store, they stock equal Yamaha and Korg products hence no axe to grind.

Another side by side

Which is best for you I cannot say, and whilst I have heard a Genos being played and was impressed by it I have not played one myself so I do not know about its capabilities.

Now, if you head over to

Korg World Club For Pa Owners

Which is Korg’s UK website specifically for PA models and register and follow the Webinar link you will get directed to Crowdcast where you will find a mass of future and previous webinar webcasts, each one covers a specific feature or Q&A session. Watching these will give you an in depth understanding of the capabilities of the 4X.

One final thing about the Korg is that there are a whole host of free Styles Sounds, Performances etc on the Korg Bonusware website.

Good luck

 

[Alfred59]

Hi. I own a Yamaha Tyros 1 that I now want to replace with the new Yamaha Genos. I have one concern, my Tyros gave problems that now become worse in that some of the sound selection buttons go dumb or dead. About four years ago I had five of the internal switches (below the buttons you actually press) replaced with bigger switch components which solved the problems, but some of the buttons that were not replaced, now also start giving problems. The consequence is that whilst playing you cannot use these buttons to select alternative sounds.

Seeing that I now consider buying the new Genos which is costly, I was wondering if with manufacturing the later Tyros models, and now with the new Genos, if Yamaha continued using the same switches used in the Tyros 1, which clearly in my opinion was of substandard quality and from a scientific perspective "undersize" to do its job smoothly for a number of years. I there possibly anybody on the forum who had similar experiences or that might know if the substandard switches have been replaced by more reliable ones?

I thank you for any response.

I have had the Genos for 2years and have had no problems with it. It is well built, buttons and sliders work well. Tremendous acoustic sounds.
Also just bought The Fantom 6 to compliment the Genos being a workstation/synth and not an arranger. I’m hoping to explore a more creative side of music with it. It also is very well engineered with a superb Key action.

 

[Danny101uk]

I have Tyros 1 and 2 and love them and would love to have the Genos looks so cool.
but be for you pay that kind of money for the Genos .... look at DAW ,VST AND CAKEWALK I just hooked up my tyros 2 to
Cakewalk <----(free) and got Roland VST OMG AND WOW!!! I don't think I need to ever get a Synth, just good VTS plug ins.

The sound is great

This is just one VST
Dolf you like alternative sounds Roland the way to go. as for the buttons you can have my Tyros 1 for £280.00 if you live in London
and can pick it up.

 

[garryk]

Buttons on most keyboards are tact switches. These are soldered directly onto the PCB. Over time the contact inside a tact switch gets oxidised and worn. Tact switches can be unsoldered and replaced with an identical spec. part. This work requires knowledge and a steady hand. On my Fantom X6 with lots of dodgy buttons I decided to try an alternative approach. I bought a small amount of caig deoxit contact cleaner and put a drop or two onto the top of each tact switch. The deoxit will work its way to the inside of the switch and with a bit of button clicking gets distributed onto the contact area. All my dodgy buttons are now working without problem.

 

[ChrisNabil]

I had the Genos for about 6 months and the sounds are second-to-none. I sold it as at the time I just didnt have the time to play it and understand how it works. I am now wondering if I should buy another one. I have also been looking at other options as I have a Montage and wanted something a bit different with my rig. I would love to try out the Korg PA4x, The Fantom doesn't do it for me.

 

[Biggles]

One thing to checkout on both keyboards if it is important to you is the additional content.

It is free for both with the Yamaha content being in the Genos page and for the Korg it is on the Korg Bonusware website and further free content is available on korgworld.co.uk where it is Osimo for the 4X which will give over 100 Registrations.

Do note the considerable difference in cost between the two keyboards.

If you can do test play them back to back.

 

[ChrisNabil]

Thanks Biggles,

The price difference isn't to be ignored as it is considerable! From what I know the Genos or should I say Yamaha has a much bigger library to add to the Genos and also isn't the Korg a few years older than the Genos?... I think the Korg came out in 2015 and the Genos in 2018. I did listen to the strings in the PA4x and was impressed. It is very hard to make choices as there is so much out there these days.. I also saw the Kurzweil Forte and was impressed.... I have the money I just want to know what is the best lol .... I know there is no such thing as "the best" but....

 

[Biggles]

It is all subjective and personal.

I have only heard a Genos, not had chance to play one, well I have but it is not a keyboard that I am interested in.

The Genos I heard was very good, it was being played via the add on Yamaha speakers.

Conversely The PA4X that I heard was played by Pete Shaw at a demo evening and that was awesome to listen to.

Hence despite the price difference its a close call, which is why a buyer is best playing them back to back if possible or buying on a trial and full refund basis.

 

[Biggles]

Chris

Additionally to above the PA4X seems to have had hardware that is or has been partially locked since successive OS updates have released extra features and vastly increased available memory hence despite its age it is very much up to date.

I want one myself but am holding off just in case NAMM in January has a surprise or two on the Korg stand.

Korg UK are brilliant they have started to broadcast live webinars specifically related to their PA Arrangers, these are one hour in length and are interactive with those users like me who watch them live.

What I am leading up to is that there are a lot of these webinars that are available for watching at anytime, with each one being on a specific subject or q&a session or even mini concerts.

These webinars are a great resource for learning in a lot more detail how to use the vast array of features.

To view these visit korgworld.co.uk and follow the webinar link, register and view what you want.

As it happens they are starting a webinar on Synths with the first one being on the 27th November at 17:00 GMT (London time) and it is about the Krome and the host Luke is the UK Product Specialist.

 

[ChrisNabil]

Chris

Additionally to above the PA4X seems to have had hardware that is or has been partially locked since successive OS updates have released extra features and vastly increased available memory hence despite its age it is very much up to date.

I want one myself but am holding off just in case NAMM in January has a surprise or two on the Korg stand.

Korg UK are brilliant they have started to broadcast live webinars specifically related to their PA Arrangers, these are one hour in length and are interactive with those users like me who watch them live.

What I am leading up to is that there are a lot of these webinars that are available for watching at anytime, with each one being on a specific subject or q&a session or even mini concerts.

These webinars are a great resource for learning in a lot more detail how to use the vast array of features.

To view these visit korgworld.co.uk and follow the webinar link, register and view what you want.

As it happens they are starting a webinar on Synths with the first one being on the 27th November at 17:00 GMT (London time) and it is about the Krome and the host Luke is the UK Product Specialist.

Thank you! there is a lot of great information you have given. I will check them out, I was thinking about NAMM too... It seems a new Korg arranger is due! I would have no problem buying another Genos but I do remember being told that maybe mixing up your rig is a good thing to give variety. I am not going to rush into it which is all too tempting!.... Cheers Biggles!

 

[ed3player]

I have a Yamaha Tyros 5 and considered replacing it with a new Genos. After reviewing the Genos specs, I decided to keep the Tyros 5 and buy a Korg PaX4. I have only had the PaX4 for two weeks and it sounds great and has different voices and styles than the Tyros 5. I am happy with my choice and saved over $2,000 by keeping the Tyros 5 and buying the PaX4. As a former manager of a Korg and Yamaha service center both brands had very few problems.

edplayer3

 

[Biggles]

I have a Yamaha Tyros 5 and considered replacing it with a new Genos. After reviewing the Genos specs, I decided to keep the Tyros 5 and buy a Korg PaX4. I have only had the PaX4 for two weeks and it sounds great and has different voices and styles than the Tyros 5. I am happy with my choice and saved over $2,000 by keeping the Tyros 5 and buying the PaX4. As a former manager of a Korg and Yamaha service center both brands had very few problems.

edplayer3

Welcome.

There is a great resource that Korg UK have created for their PA arrangers, up until this CV19 crisis they have been holding live monthly webinars. This link will take you to the site where you can follow the links to the crowdcast site where past webinars are available to view.

Korg World Club For Pa Owners

Do also Google ....... Korg Bonusware

And that will link to a Korg website where c40 free Style and sound packs are available including all the soundfiles of the classic Triton.