Korg PA5X 88 Keys Professional Arranger Keyboard

Pa5X
Create. Recreate. Perform.

Pa5X represents a redefinition of professional arranger keyboards. The flagship of the Korg Pa series, Pa5X boasts thousands of high-quality sounds, hundreds of meticulously crafted backing styles, and entirely new features that solidify its place as the professional arranger.

Key highlights

• More than 2,200 incredible sounds with new EDS-XP sound engine
• More than 600 realistic and versatile backing styles utilising new technology based on round-robin sampling
• Luxurious brushed aluminium and wood design with a choice of three keyboard lengths
• Expandable with onboard sampling, deep editing capabilities, and a new flexible file system
• Dual players with exclusive XDS crossfade control allows the playback of any two styles, MP3s, or MIDI songs together
• Versatile real-time controls
• Songbook and set lists for simple setting organisation and recall
• Powerful effects and extensive inputs/outputs

Introduction

Featuring a brushed aluminium body with wooden side panels, Pa5X boasts a detailed and immersive adjustable colour touch screen, supported by an array of intuitive hands-on controls. More than 2,200 professionally crafted sounds are powered by an expanded EDS-XP sound engine; these sit alongside more than 600 dynamic backing styles covering a huge array of musical genres. Whether at home, in a studio, or on stage, an unprecedented selection of advanced features sets Pa5X apart as it marks the beginning of a new generation of professional arranger keyboards.

Design & versatility

Pa5X looks incredible in the home, while also being ready for the road. A beautiful aluminium body with luxurious wooden side panels ensures Pa5X not only has a premium feel but is also sturdy to support countless live performance situations.
From the effortlessly compact 61-key model to the versatile 76-key, and piano-weighted 88-key versions, Pa5X provides the player with a responsive feel, with aftertouch for added expressivity.

Pa5X-61

Pa5X-76

Pa5X-88

Sounds

Thanks to a newly-developed EDS-XP sound engine (Enhanced Definition Synthesis – Expanded), the sounds in Pa5X need to be heard to be believed. This powerful technology, alongside 24 stereo oscillators and 160 note polyphony, delivers the detailed nuances of instrument performance like never before.
Drawing on Kronos, Nautilus and SV2, Pa5X has massive sound libraries across every genre, from pianos to EPs, orchestral, synthesized sounds and more. A new drawbar organ section even offers realistic controls and a sound which benefits from the stunning effects found within Pa5X. Smooth Sound Transition ensures seamless changes of sound and style, while Sound Controller 3 helps give an unprecedented level of sonic realism.
In addition to more than 2,200 factory sounds, Pa5X features a sampler and can be expanded through compatibility with Wav, AIFF and SF2 samples. Detailed onboard editing functionality gives the possibility of fine tuning your sounds, even offering the capability to transform an audio loop into a percussive kit.

Styles

Pa5X features more than 600 backing styles, each with three introductions, four variations, four fills, a break, and three endings. Covering a breath-taking array of musical genres, from pop, classic pop and ballads, to jazz, big band and movie soundtracks, Pa5X provides countless hours of musical inspiration and performance.
New drum and percussion sounds benefit from the use of technology based on roundrobin sampling, meaning that no two drum hits are equal. This, combined with the ability to edit each part of the drum kit individually, gives new and recreated styles a fresh sound that you can make your own.
Pa5X's chord recognition system can be as simple or advanced as you want it to be; from a single finger, to an Expert mode able to recognise some of the most complex harmonies. With a chord sequencer and hundreds of pre-made chord progressions, you'll never be short of inspiration.

Feature highlights 1

Dual players

Thanks to two players and exclusive XDS crossfade control, Pa5X can play two styles, MIDI files, or MP3 files simultaneously and in any combination! These two players can be mixed or can be used to play a song while another one is waiting to start. All while the Pa5X's sound engine ensures transitions happen seamlessly.

Lyrics, chords, score and markers

Key performance information is displayed on an immersive colour touch screen and can also be outputted to an external display thanks to a standard HDMI output. A wide variety of lyric formats are supported, and scores are automatically generated from MIDI song files. Markers allow for quick navigation through songs, while the currently playing chord is displayed – including during automatic introductions and endings.

Feature highlights 2

Real time controls

Faders, switches, real and virtual matrices of real time controls, the joystick, and the ribbon controller can all be assigned to modulate any parameter of your sound. This provides precise control of the most subtle nuances and articulation.
Pa5X features a fully programmable control section with nine faders and nine buttons. Freely assignable, the current function is shown on an auxiliary strip display so that you always know what you have under your fingertips – even if you are on a different page on the main display.

Feature highlights 3

Songbook

Songs, styles and sounds can be saved into the Songbook. This database-like system can then be organised into set lists for specific performances, types of music, or any other situation where quick recall of settings is needed. It is even possible to synchronise the songbook with external score readers on tablets, allowing you to recall settings from a digital music book.

Mixer and effects

Pa5X houses a vast array of studio-level effects, with 10 insert effects, 3 master effects and one finalising stage for each of the two players! Furthermore, keyboard sets can use up to 3 insert and 3 master effects. Thanks to an ongoing collaboration with Waves Audio®, Pa5X benefits from best-in-class mastering at the last stage in the audio output, resulting in a polished and high-production quality sound.

Feature highlights 4

Microphone and guitar inputs

A microphone and guitar can be connected simultaneously to the Pa5X, where both inputs have dedicated on-board effects. Vocal processing in Pa5X is provided by Shift Audio, industry leaders in vocal algorithms. The result is incredibly lifelike four-voice harmonies that recreate the feel of real backing vocals, alongside a new Auto Pitch feature.
The separate guitar input has its own gain control and stack of four insert effects. A huge library of guitar effects is available, including legendary Vox amps, vintage pedals and amp sims.
Settings for both microphone and guitar inputs can be saved within a Songbook entry for quick recall.

Feature highlights 5

Inputs and outputs

Pa5X has a huge selection of audio, control, and storage connections. MIDI and USB can be used for controllers or storage devices, while HDMI can connect an external display. XLR, jack and mini-jack audio inputs are ideal for other keyboards, condenser and dynamic microphones, guitars, smartphones, and tablets.
Pa5X has two primary balanced outputs to connect to powered speakers or PA systems, and a further four separate line outputs are available to handle sounds separately.
Three pedal inputs can be used for damper pedals (with half-pedal support), footswitches, volume or expression pedals.

Hear, Try and Compare the Korg PA5X 88 Keys Professional Arranger Keyboard in our showroom

Located in Leicester in the central Midlands and close to Coventry, Nottingham, Derby, Birmingham and Warwick we promise you that a visit to our specialist Digital Piano and Keyboard showroom will not disappoint. Try the full Korg range including the PA5X 88 Keys Professional Arranger Keyboard and compare it with Yamaha, Roland, all under one roof. Whatever your playing standard our knowledgeable and friendly experts will help guide you through the Keyboard buying process and make sure that you are buying the right instrument for your needs. As ex teachers we are ideally placed to advise and answer any questions you may have. Lifetime support and product tuition with ALL digital pianos.

We sell Digital Pianos and Keyboards. That's it. Nothing else. No distractions and nothing to steal our focus.

Q: What is the Korg Pa5X?
A: The Korg Pa5X is a flagship arranger workstation keyboard designed for professional performance, composition, and production, offering advanced sound design, real-time control, and extensive customisation.

Q: What makes the Korg Pa5X different from a standard arranger keyboard?
A: The Pa5X combines a powerful sound engine, deep editing capabilities, advanced arranger features, and professional connectivity, making it suitable for demanding performance and production environments.

Q: Who is the Korg Pa5X designed for?
A: The Pa5X is designed for professional musicians, performers, composers, and advanced players who want a high-end arranger workstation.

Q: How many keys does the Korg Pa5X have?
A: The Pa5X is available in 61, 76, and 88-key versions, all with aftertouch support, and the 88-key model features hammer-action keys.

Q: What sound technology does the Korg Pa5X use?
A: The Pa5X uses Korg’s EDS-XP (Enhanced Definition Synthesis – Expanded) sound engine, delivering detailed and expressive instrument sounds with deep editing capabilities.

Q: What is the polyphony of the Korg Pa5X?
A: The Pa5X offers up to 160-note polyphony, allowing complex arrangements and layered performances.

Q: How many sounds are included on the Korg Pa5X?
A: The Pa5X includes over 2,200 factory sounds and more than 130 drum kits, with additional user memory for custom sounds and sampling.

Q: How many accompaniment styles are included on the Korg Pa5X?
A: The Pa5X includes over 600 factory styles, all of which can be edited and customised for performance.

Q: Does the Korg Pa5X support sampling?
A: Yes. The Pa5X includes advanced sampling capabilities with large user sample memory, allowing deep customisation of sounds.

Q: Does the Korg Pa5X have a touchscreen?
A: Yes. It features a large colour touchscreen interface for intuitive control of sounds, styles, and performance settings.

Q: Does the Korg Pa5X have built-in speakers?
A: No. The Pa5X does not include built-in speakers and is designed to be used with external amplification or an optional speaker system.

Q: Does the Korg Pa5X include microphone and vocal features?
A: Yes. It includes a microphone input with vocal processing, harmony, and effects suitable for live performance.

Q: Does the Korg Pa5X include recording features?
A: Yes. It supports multi-track MIDI recording and audio recording, along with advanced sequencing tools.

Q: Does the Korg Pa5X include real-time performance controls?
A: Yes. It includes assignable sliders, buttons, joystick, ribbon controller, and performance controls for expressive live playing.

Q: How does the Korg Pa5X compare to the Korg Pa700 and Pa1000?
A: The Pa5X is a higher-end instrument, offering more advanced sound engines, deeper editing capability, greater sampling power, and a more professional control layout than the Pa700 and Pa1000.

Q: Is the Korg Pa5X better than the Pa700 and Pa1000?
A: The Pa5X is more advanced and better suited to professional use, while the Pa700 and Pa1000 are more compact and accessible arranger keyboards.

Q: Why should I upgrade from a Pa700 or Pa1000 to the Pa5X?
A: You should consider upgrading if you want deeper sound editing, advanced sampling, more styles and sounds, and a more powerful performance environment.

Q: How does the Korg Pa5X compare to the Yamaha Genos or Genos2?
A: The Pa5X and Genos models are both flagship arranger workstations, offering advanced sound engines, large sound libraries, and professional performance features.

Q: Is the Korg Pa5X better than the Yamaha Genos or Genos2?
A: Neither is universally better. The Pa5X focuses on deep sound editing and flexibility, while the Genos series focuses on streamlined workflow and ease of use.

Q: How do the Korg Pa5X and Yamaha Genos differ in workflow?
A: The Pa5X offers more detailed editing and customisation options, while the Genos series is generally more immediate and performance-focused.

Q: Which is better for sound design, the Pa5X or Genos?
A: The Pa5X is typically stronger for sound design and customisation, while the Genos focuses on ready-to-use sounds.

Q: Is the Korg Pa5X suitable for live performance?
A: Yes. Its extensive real-time controls, flexible arranger engine, and professional connectivity make it well suited to live performance.

Q: Is the Korg Pa5X suitable for beginners?
A: It is best suited to experienced players, as its advanced features and deep editing capabilities may be more complex for beginners.

Q: Who should buy the Korg Pa5X?
A: The Pa5X is ideal for professional musicians and advanced users who want a highly customisable arranger workstation with deep sound design and performance flexibility.