In this article we take a look and compare the features and specifications of the thirteen models of Korg’s Pa*X line of synthesisers.
There are thirteen models comprising eight distinct models with various key count variations on some.
The Pa1X was launched in 2003 so we are now looking at technology with its roots planted two decades ago. We’ll look at the similarities and significant developments in this line of synthesisers.
We’ll look at Korg’s other line of Pa instruments, including the Pa80, Pa60, Pa50, Pa800 and Pa500 in a separate feature.
Pa1X/Pa1X Pro
In 2003 the 76-key Pa1X Pro was launched, and the following year a scaled down 61-key Pa1X — the only model with built-in speakers — was released. Korg launched these with a combined manual, showing that they were very similar in nature, with the Pro sporting some additional features.
Both keyboards featured semi-weighted action with touch sensitivity and monophonic aftertouch.
Korg used its Hyper Integrated (HI) sound system, boasting 62 note polyphony, 870+ voices, digital drawbars, TC-Helicon voice processor, three pedal inputs, pitch/modulation joystick, assignable sliders, switches and pads, onboard sound sampling, and more.
Interestingly, the cut down version offered the possibility of a user-installable hard drive, with both models able to have a CD read/writer and additional memory installed.
Pa2X Pro
After a three year wait, in 2007 the Korg Pa2X Pro arrived. No ‘downgraded’ smaller non-pro version as for the 1X.
Still 76-key semi-weighted, velocity sensitive with aftertouch keyboard, sound processing is now the EDS (Enhanced Definition Synthesis) Tone Generation System and RX-Sound technology. The same voice processor is on-board. There are over 1000 tones and 400+ ‘live’ styles, a guitar mode for producing authentic-sounding guitar voices, 950+ sounds including some from the Korg OASYS, space for 256 user sounds, onboard sampler, plus a range of controllers.
Pa3X
Dropping the ‘pro’ suffix in 2011 with the Pa3X, which comes in two versions – a 61-key organ/synth style and 76-key semi-weighted variant – both featuring velocity and aftertouch.
Sticking with the Korg EDS and RX sound generators, adding in Defined Nuance Control and Natural Ambience Drums sound technology, plus the ability to continue playing the instrument while new sounds are being loaded.
Number of voices and styles have increased, as is expected with newer models.
Pa3X Le
Three years later in 2014 came the Pa3X Le, only in 76 key version, upping the polyphony slightly to 128 but really not expanding much upon the Pa3X – in fact several features appear to have been ‘downgraded’ such as the internal memory and audio output options.
Pa4X/Pa4X Oriental
The Pa4X launched in 2015 offering yet more small additions in voices and accompaniments, a better touchscreen display, much more onboard memory, and some other improvements.
The Oriental mode in 2016 provided much the same as the Pa4X but with some specific additional voices and features tailored to the oriental market.
Korg Pa4X product page.
Korg Pa4X Oriental product page.
Pa5X
Korg’s latest PaX arranger workstation, launched in 2020. The first in line to come in an 88-key fully weighted version as well as 61 and 76 key models, it also has a built-in guitar processor allowing for a variety of audio effects to be added to an audio input (which doesn’t necessarily have to be a guitar).
Current Model
Only the Pa5X is still available as a new model from Korg, any others would be purchased either as ‘new old stock’ from a dealership or on the second hand market. Hence we have not provided RRPs for the models as this would seem fairly meaningless now.
Specifications
Here’s a spec table for the main features of all eight models.
| Pa1X | Pa1X Pro | Pa2X Pro | Pa3X | Pa3X Le | Pa4X | Pa4X Oriental | Pa5X | |
| Key number | 61 | 76 | 76 | 61/76 | 76 | 61/76 | 61/76 | 61/76/88 |
| Key weight | Semi-weighted | Semi-weighted | Semi-weighted | Semi-weighted | Semi-weighted | Semi-weighted | Semi-weighted |
Semi-weighted (61/76) / hammer action (88)
|
| Key size | Full | Full | Full | Full | Full | Full | Full | Full |
| Touch response | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Aftertouch | Mono | Mono | Mono | Mono | Mono | Mono | Mono | Mono |
| Sound generator |
KORG Hyper Integrated
|
KORG Hyper Integrated
|
KORG Hyper Integrated
|
KORG EDS Enhanced Definition Synthesis
|
KORG EDS Enhanced Definition Synthesis
|
KORG EDS-X Enhanced Definition Synthesis eXpanded
|
KORG EDS-X Enhanced Definition Synthesis eXpanded
|
KORG EDS-X Enhanced Definition Synthesis eXpanded
|
| Polyphony | 62 | 62 | 120 | 120 | 128 | 128 | 128 | 160 |
| Number of sounds | >870 | >870 | 1007 | >1100 | >1100 | >1900 | >2000 | >2200 |
| Accompaniments | >450 | >450 | 409 | >400 | >410 | >580 | >700 | >600 |
| Vocal Harmonizer | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Guitar Procesor | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Recording | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sampling |
Record, Edit, Time Slice
|
Record, Edit, Time Slice
|
Record, Edit, Time Slice, Load/Import, Export
|
Record, Edit, Time Slice, Compression Tool, Load/Import
|
Record, Edit, Time Slice, Compression Tool, Load/Import
|
Full Edit, Time Slice, Sampling feature
|
Full Edit, Time Slice, Sampling feature
|
Full Edit, Time Slice, Sampling feature
|
| Tutorials | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| MIDI | 2 in, 2 out | 2 in, 2 out | In/Out/Thru | In/Out/Thru | In/Out | In/Out/Thru | In/Out/Thru | In/Out/Thru |
| USB | USB 1.1 Type B | USB 1.1 Type B | 2x 2.0 and 1x 1.1 | 2x 2.0 and 1x 1.1 | 2x 2.0 | 3x 2.0 | 3x 2.0 | 3x 3.0, 1x 2.0 |
| Power supply | Universal | Universal | Universal | Universal | Universal | Universal | Universal | Universal |
| Batteries | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Speakers |
4 Speakers (13 cm Woofer + Dome Tweeter), 2-way, Bass Re?exBox
|
No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Audio In | 2x line, 1x mic | 2x line, 1x mic | 2x line, 1x mic | 2x line, 1x mic | 1x line, 1x mic | 2x line, 1x mic | 2x line, 1x mic |
1x mic, 1x guitar, 2x line
|
| Audio Out |
2 main, 2 sub, 1 digital
|
2 main, 2 sub, 1 digital
|
4x analog, 1x digital
|
4x analog, 1x digital
|
2x analog | 2x analog | 2x analog | 5x analog |
| Sustain pedal | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Expression pedal | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Other pedal | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Drawbars | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| Other control | 4 pads | 4 pads | 4 pads | 4 pads | 4 pads | 4 pads | 4 pads | 4 pads |
| Display |
320×240 Color TouchView
|
320×240 Color TouchView
|
320×240 Color TouchView
|
320×240 Color TouchView
|
320×240 Color TouchView
|
7” Wide capacitive color TouchView™ TFT display
|
7” Wide capacitive color TouchView™ TFT display
|
8” Wide capacitive color TouchView™ TFT display, 800 x 480 resolution
|
| Memory |
16MB to 32MB RAM, up to 32MB ROM
|
16MB to 32MB RAM, up to 32MB ROM
|
256MB | 256MB | 192MB | 1.5GB | 1.5GB | 4GB |
| Storage | – | – |
USB, CD, floppy drive
|
USB, hard drive | MicroSD |
Hard drive, MicroSD, USB Flash
|
Hard drive, MicroSD, USB Flash
|
1GB drive, MicroSD, USB Flash
|
| Release date | 2003 | 2004 | 2007 | 2011 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2020 |
