Korg Pa500 International

When playing solo, an arranger keyboard provides accompaniment as you play. The Korg PA-500 International combines a velocity-sensitive 61-key keyboard with EDS sound generation, Styles and integrated speakers. 80-voice EDS sound generation and RX technology provide the basis for composing, practising and performing.

More than 880 editable sounds are available for your own arrangements, including a stereo piano and GM Level 2 sounds, complemented by 56 drum kits. The User area lets you save and edit 128 user sounds and 64 drum kits. Resonant filters and a semi-parametric 3-band EQ per track help you adjust sounds and tracks.

The automatic accompaniment includes over 320 pre-programmed Styles with up to eight tracks. Chord changes control harmony and voicing; four variations, three intros, three fills and three endings each add variety to the arrangement. Four assignable pads trigger additional musical phrases. Features such as Synchro Start/Stop, Tap Tempo, Fade In/Out, Bass Inversion, Manual Bass, Tempo Lock and Memory support operation while you play.

Styles can be edited and recorded from scratch. There is a guitar track, as well as parallel and fixed NTT settings for chord conversion. Style recording offers Step mode, as well as Track and Event Edit. Up to 64 User Styles can be saved; more than 448 Style locations are available for direct selection in total. The keyboard is also compatible with Styles from the i-series and Pa-series.

Four stereo effect processors each provide 124 effect types, including reverb, delay and guitar modelling effects using REMS technology. There is also a semi-parametric 3-band master EQ. Each track can be adjusted separately using the EQ, allowing you to adjust the tonal balance within an arrangement.

Four keyboard parts are available for your own playing: Upper 1, Upper 2, Upper 3 and Lower. Four Single Touch settings per Style recall saved track settings; 256 programmable Performance memories store settings for the keyboard parts. Four real-time pads with Stop button can play your own phrases, which can be recorded in Pad Record mode. An assignable knob and button provide additional real-time control.

The 16-track sequencer supports multitrack, Step and Quick Record recordings, including recording a Style accompaniment as a Backing Sequence. It handles up to 200,000 MIDI events and saves in SMF format. Step recording and Event Edit let you edit sequences afterwards without having to play all the parts live.

The XDS dual sequencer plays two songs with separate transport controls and a balance knob. With the Crossfade function, you can fade between the two players. Standard MIDI files in formats 0 and 1 are supported; existing lyrics can be displayed on screen. Markers and a Jukebox function make navigating songs easier. Two MIDI file players with Crossfade are suitable for prepared sequences and medleys.

In the SongBook, you can organise entries for Styles, MIDI files and Karaoke files in customisable lists with filter functions. Entries can include programmed settings and select the appropriate Style Play or Song Play mode when recalled. The pressure-sensitive, monochrome TouchView display shows 320 × 240 pixels; Easy and Expert modes adapt the controls displayed to the task at hand. Context-sensitive help in several languages supports you in operating the instrument.

For connecting other equipment, there are MIDI In/Out, USB-MIDI via the USB Device port, two unbalanced line inputs, and unbalanced Left/Mono and Right outputs. There is also a headphone output and connections for a damper pedal and an assignable expression pedal or footswitch. The SD/MMC card slot is used to save and load data. The operating system can be updated; thanks to OPOS multitasking, new data can also be loaded during playback.

The integrated stereo system consists of two dual-cone speakers in a bass-reflex enclosure and delivers 2 × 15 watts. At 9.9 kg, the instrument remains portable; the supplied external 12 V power supply powers it. For solo performances, rehearsals and playing at home, the PA-500 combines automatic accompaniment, song playback and your own arrangements in a keyboard with integrated amplification.