Korg PA4X Quick Start Manual
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Korg PA4X Quick Start Manual

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  • Page 2 Important safety ▪ Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of instructions time. ▪ Refer all servicing to qualified service per- sonnel. Servicing is required when the appa- ▪ Read these instructions. ratus has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid ▪...
  • Page 3 The inter- nal date/time Lithium button cell battery is user replaceable. CAUTION – Pa4X is for use only with KORG ST- ▪ Do not expose batteries to excessive heat, SV1 BK stand. Use with other stands is capable such as direct sunshine, fire or the like.
  • Page 4 MaxxEQ, MaxxBass, MaxxTreble, MaxxStereo, Automatic power-off MaxxVolume are trademarks of Waves Audio To avoid wasting power, Pa4X will by default au- Ltd. All other trademarks or registered trade- tomatically enter standby mode after two hours marks are the property of their respective hold- of non-active use (playing, pressing buttons or ers.

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    Contents Part I LET’S START! Introduction Setting up the pedals and audio connections Powering up Interface basics Part II PLAYING AND SINGING Playing the Sounds Customizing the Sound sets Tempo and Metronome Playing the Styles Customizing the Styles The Chord Sequencer Playing the Pads Playing the Songs Lyrics, chords, markers and score...
  • Page 6 Part VI APPENDIX Installing the options Specs...

  • Page 7: Part I

    Part I: LEt’S Start!

  • Page 8: Introduction

    The main panel’s logical layout ensures easy access to sliders, buttons, knobs and all controls. Using your Pa4X is easy, thanks to the touch screen and the clean, clearly laid-out, modern user interface, based on icons reproducing real objects in the real world.
  • Page 9 (like a Vocoder), realistic amp simulators and carefully recreated vintage effects. The final effects are the result of KORG’s long term cooperation with Waves Audio®, the world reference in studio mastering effects. The included Waves MAXX AUDIO suite of effects delivers sound that is louder, clearer, fuller, and more polished.
  • Page 10 Introduction A band always ready to play with you Ultra-realistic sounds in the Pa4X are always ready to play along with you, in the music style best fitting your music. The high number of included Styles will satisfy any music genre, but can also be expanded by adding new Styles.
  • Page 11 MIDI ports. Even more! There is more, much more, but to know more, you need to explore Pa4X in depth. Pa4X is the most evocative, powerful, easy-to-use complete Arranger ever produced. Enjoy your musical life with the new Pa4X!
  • Page 12 Before starting to play… What’s in the box After you get your Pa4X, please check that all the following items are in- cluded in the package. If any of the following items is missing, please contact your KORG dealer immediately.
  • Page 13 Overview of the instrument |9 Overview of the instrument The following pages show the functional areas of the front and real panels. Front panel The front panel is where you can find the instrument’s controls, the (op- tional) loudspeakers and the music stand. Guide for the music stand and PaAS amplification system Headphones...
  • Page 14 Introduction Music stand A music stand comes standard with your Pa4X. Headphones connector Connect a pair of headphones to this output. You can use headphones with an impedance of 16-200 Ohms (50 Ohms suggested). Keyboard Use the keyboard to play notes and chords. Depending on the...

  • Page 15: Control Panel

    Overview of the instrument |11 Control panel The control panel is the part of the front panel where you can find the instru- ment’s controls. Metronome and Tempo area Microphone Sliders area Display Navigation area area Styles area Players area Sounds/Set List area Display Use this touchscreen display to interact with the instrument.
  • Page 16 Introduction Players area Songs can be played back by the two onboard Players. Sounds (and Set Lists) area Sounds are what you can play on the keyboard. Here you can choose Sound sets saved as Keyboard Sets in a dedicated library. Or you can choose Set Lists from the SongBook, that are collections of Sound sets with an associ- ated Style or Song(s).
  • Page 17 Overview of the instrument |13 Metronome and Tempo area Use these controls to practice with the metronome and control the Tempo of the metronome, the Styles and the Songs. Microphone controls Here you will control the microphone input and the voice effects and harmo- nization.

  • Page 18: Rear Panel

    You can connect an (optional) Korg EC5 multiswitch pedalboard, to control many functions in realtime. MIDI ports Use these ports to connect Pa4X to external controllers (master keyboard, MIDI guitar, wind controller, MIDI accordion…), to a series of expanders, or to a computer with a MIDI interface.
  • Page 19 Use these connectors to connect your Pa4X to a personal computer (DEVICE) or to connect an USB memory device, like an USB pendrive (HOST-R). Video out Connect Pa4X to a TV or video monitor, to read lyrics and chords on a bigger display. Battery and microSD slot This opening contains the clock battery and the microSD card slot.

  • Page 20: Setting Up The Pedals And Audio Connections

    PEDAL > ASSIGNABLE connector to connect a footswitch pedal like the (optional) KORG PS1, PS3 or DS1H, or a continuous pedal like the (op- tional) KORG XVP-10 Volume pedal or EXP-2 Expression pedal. By default, this connector will work as an Expression pedal. If you want to change the assigned function, or you need to change the pedal’s polarity...
  • Page 21 Connecting the pedals |17 Go to the Global > Controllers > Foot page. Touch the Calibration button in the area of the button to calibrate, to make Damper & Pedal/Footswitch Calibration dialog appear. Fully press the pedal down, and while continuing to press touch the Push button to confirm the maximum value.
  • Page 22 Setting up the pedals and audio connections Connecting the EC5 multiswitch Use the connector to connect the (optional) KORG EC5 multiswitch. With this programmable controller you can control various functions. By default, the first switch acts as an automatic accompaniment’s Start/Stop command, while each of the remaining four switches select one of the four Style Variations.

  • Page 23: Powering Up

    Turning the instrument on |19 Powering up turning the instrument on Connecting the power adapter Plug the supplied power cable into the POWER socket on the back of the instrument, and the cable plug into a wall power socket. When the cable is connected, the instrument is in standby. Warning: When the instrument is in standby, it is still connected to the power line.
  • Page 24 Powering up Calibrating the touch screen Calibrating the screen From time to time (for example, after loading a new operating system), cali- brating your Color TouchView™ display may be necessary to make pointing more precise. Warning: Do not use sharp objects, or you will damage your screen! Keep the GLOBAL button pressed, until the...
  • Page 25 Adjust the display brightenss |21 adjust the display brightenss Brightness can be adjusted to match the ambient’s light. ▪ Keep the MENU button pressed, and use the VALUE controls to adjust the display brightness. tilting the display For optimal visibility under any seating position, the display’s tilt angle can be adjusted.

  • Page 26: Listening To The Demo Songs

    Powering up Listening to the Demo Songs Access the Demo mode ▪ Press the DEMO buttons together. Listen to all the Demo Songs ▪ After accessing the Demo mode, do not press any button. All the Demo Songs will be played back. Choose a single Demo Song ▪...

  • Page 27: Interface Basics

    The main page |23 Interface basics the main page Main page of the Style Play mode appears when turning the instrument on. You can return to this page by pressing the EXIT button while in Style Play mode, or the STYLE PLAY button when in a different mode.

  • Page 28: The User Interface In Detail

    Operative modes The pages of Pa4X are grouped in various operating modes. Each mode is accessed by pressing the corresponding button in the MODE section on the control panel.
  • Page 29 (The following example is the Keyboard Set Select window). Dialogs Similar to selecting windows, dialogs overlap the underlaying page. Touch one of the button on the display to give Pa4X an answer, and the dialog will close. Page menus Touch the down-pointing arrow icon in the upper right corner of each page, and a menu with suitable commands for the current page will appear.
  • Page 30 Interface basics Touch one of the available commands to select it. (Or, touch anywhere else on the screen to make it disappear, with no command selected). Pop-up menus When a down-pointing arrow appears next to a parameter name, either touch the arrow to open the pop-up menu and choose an option from there, or use the...
  • Page 31 The user interface in detail |27 When the Name label is selected on top of a list, keep the SHIFT button pressed while touching one of the arrows on the scrollbar, to jump to the next or previous alphabetic section. Selected label Selected...
  • Page 32 Interface basics Parameters Checkboxes This kind of parameters are on/off switches. Touch them to change their status. Editable names When the Text Edit ( button appears next to a name, touch it to open the Text Edit window and edit the name. virtual keyboard works exactly as a personal computer’s keyboard.
  • Page 33 The user interface in detail |29 As an alternative, touch a numeric field and keep it held. Then move your fingers up (or right) to increase the value, or move it down (or left) to de- crease it. This also includes the Tempo numeric field in various pages. Icons Various icons help identifying the type of a file, a folder, a Song.
  • Page 34 Interface basics Virtual controllers Virtual sliders To change a virtual slider’s position, touch it and keep it held, then slide up or down to change its position. As an alternative, touch it, then use the VALUE controls to change its position. Depending on the status of the SLIDER MODE indicator, the position of the...
  • Page 35 Navigating through the pages |31 Navigating through the pages Going to a page Through this manual, page addresses are shown as in the following example: Style Play > Mixer/Tuning > EQ Gain Mode Edit section Page Here is how the above works: Press the STYLE PLAY button to go to the...
  • Page 36 Interface basics Touch the Mixer/Tuning button in the edit menu to choose the Mixer/Tuning section. The selected edit section is always shown in the title bar: Mode Edit section If the page is not yet shown in the display, touch the EQ Gain tab to choose EQ Gain...
  • Page 37 Navigating through the pages |33 Try a different page in the same edit section. Touch the Volume/Pan tab to go to the Volume/Pan page, and edit the parameters. Press the EXIT button to return to the main page of the Style Play mode.
  • Page 38 Previous/Next Pages You can always exit from this window by pressing the EXIT button. In Pa4X, Select windows stay always open until you press the EXIT button. If you prefer they automatically close after a few seconds, or after you select...

  • Page 39: Playing And Singing

    Part II: PLaYING aND SINGING...

  • Page 40: Playing The Sounds

    Sounds and Keyboard Sets Sounds are the basic element of what you hear from your instrument. Pa4X contains Sounds from any instrumental family (pianos, strings, synthesizers…). A set of Sounds playing together on the keyboard can be memorized as a Keyboard Set.
  • Page 41 Choosing the Sound sets |37 Choosing the Sound sets Choosing a Keyboard Set from the library Keyboard Sets are contined in a dedicated library, that you can access from the control panel or from the display. Open the Keyboard Set Select window from the control panel Be sure the SET LIST indicator is turned off.
  • Page 42 Playing the Sounds Select a Keyboard Set To choose one of the available types of Keyboard Sets, touch the buttons at the top of the window. Type of Styles Meaning Factory Standard Keyboard Sets, that cannot be modified. User Locations where you can load new Keyboard Sets from an external device, or save new or edited Keyboard Sets.
  • Page 43 Choosing the Sound sets |39 press the button of the selected group of Keyboard Sets in the KEYBOARD SET LIBRARY section of the control panel. Touch the name of the Keyboard Set you want to choose. If you want to close the Keyboard Set Library Select window (and it does not close by itself), press the...
  • Page 44 Playing the Sounds Choosing a Keyboard Set from a Style or a SongBook Entry There are four matched Keyboard Sets in each Style or SongBook Entry, fine-tuned for the containing Style or SongBook Entry. You can choose them from the control panel or from the display. Choose a Keyboard Set from the control panel ▪...
  • Page 45 Choosing the Sound sets |41 Display Hold You may prefer to leave a Select window open after you have chosen a Sound, Keyboard Set or Style, to continue trying other elements in that window. Or, you may prefer it automatically closes after you have com- pleted your choice.
  • Page 46 Playing the Sounds Playing and controlling the Sounds Playing the keyboard The instrument’s keyboard is like a piano keyboard. Just play it! With some Sounds, you can press the keys while they are down, and the sound might vary (for example, you might hear more vibrato). Using the pedals Pedals do different things depending on how they are programmed.
  • Page 47 Playing and controlling the Sounds |43 Using the joystick Moving the joystick left of right usually changes the Sound’s pitch. Moving it forward usually trigger modulation, but this depends on the selected Sounds. With the electro-mechanical organs, pushing the joystick forward changes the rotary speaker’s speed.

  • Page 48: Customizing The Sound Sets

    Customizing the Sound sets Customizing the Sound sets Playing different Sounds with the left and right hand Splitting the keyboard Split the keyboard into a Lower (left hand) and Upper (right hand) part ▪ Press the SPLIT button on the control panel to light up its indicator. The keyboard will be divided into a Lower (left hand) and Upper (right hand) part.

  • Page 49: Changing The Split Point

    Playing different Sounds with the left and right hand |45 Split, Keyboard modes, Sounds When changing the SPLIT status, the number of Sounds you hear may change. SPLIT Keyboard Left hand (Lower) Sounds Right hand (Upper) Sounds indicator mode Full No Lower Sound Up to three Upper Sounds as- signed to the full extension of...
  • Page 50 Customizing the Sound sets Playing two or three Sounds at the same time Turning the Keyboard Sounds on or off You can play up to three layered Sounds on the keyboard. This is useful to add, for example, a layer of Strings or Synth Pads to the Grand Piano sound. The Sounds will be assigned to the Upper part of the keyboard.
  • Page 51 Choosing different Sounds |47 Choosing different Sounds Choosing Sounds You can assign different Sounds to the keyboard. The new combination of Sounds can then be written into a Keyboard Set. Open the Sound Select window from the control panel ▪ Press the KEYBOARD SOUNDS >...
  • Page 52 ▪ Mixing the Keyboard Sounds Adjusting the Sound’s volume At its core, Pa4X is a mixer. As with any mixer, you can adjust the volume level of each Sound, therefore changing the balance between the different Sounds on the keyboard.
  • Page 53 Choosing different Sounds |49 Be sure the upper SLIDER indicator (PAD1 … UPPER 1) indicator is turned on, otherwise press the TRACK SELECT button to turn it on. Use the sliders to adjust the volume of the corresponding Sounds. Keep the SHIFT button pressed, and move any of the sliders...
  • Page 54 Customizing the Sound sets Turning the Sounds on or off from the Volume pane Sounds can be muted, in case you don’t want to hear them in the mix. Select the mixer channel ▪ Select the mixer channel to turn on of off. Turn a channel off (Mute) ▪...
  • Page 55 Transposing |51 transposing Transposing the Upper Sounds to a different octave All Upper Sounds can be transposed to an upper or lower octave at the press of a single button. Transpose the Upper Sounds one octave up ▪ Press the UPPER OCTAVE + button on the control panel.
  • Page 56 Customizing the Sound sets Using the Ensemble to add harmony There are several types of Ensemble, but with most of them what you play with your right hand will be harmonized with the chords you play with your left hand. Turn the Ensemble function on Be sure the SPLIT...

  • Page 57: Tempo And Metronome

    Tempo |53 tempo and Metronome tempo Setting the Tempo value While an optimal Tempo value is saved with each Style or Song, you can freely adjust it at your will. This will also set the Tempo for the Metronome. Adjust the Tempo value from the control panel ▪...
  • Page 58 Tempo and Metronome Visual Tempo count while the Style is not playing While the accompaniment is not playing, the current Tempo is still beaten by the indicator of the START/STOP button. Beating (‘tapping’) the Tempo value In Style Play mode, you can beat the Tempo value. ▪...
  • Page 59 Metronome |55 Metronome Turning the metronome on and off Turn the metronome on ▪ Press the METRO ) button to turn its indicator on. The Metronome win- dow will open, and the metronome will start playing, beating the current Tempo. Turn the metronome off ▪...
  • Page 60 Tempo and Metronome Turn the accent on or off ▪ Choose the accent by using the Accent parameter. Accent Meaning No accent. The first beat of each measure is accented. Bell A bell sound is heard at the first beat of each measure. Adjust the metronome volume ▪...

  • Page 61: Playing The Styles

    Choosing the Styles |57 Playing the Styles Choosing the Styles Choosing a Style You can choose a Style from the control panel or from the display. Go to the Style Play mode ▪ When turning the instrument on, you are already in Style Play mode.

  • Page 62: Style Select Window

    Playing the Styles Open the Style Select window from the display ▪ Touch the name of the Style in the display. Choose a Style Browse through the Styles in the Style Select window. ▪ To choose one of the available types of Styles, touch the buttons...
  • Page 63 Choosing the Styles |59 ▪ To choose a different group of Styles, touch one of the tabs on the sides of the window. ▪ To choose one of the available pages in the selected Style group, touch one of the P1…P6 tabs at the bottom of the window.
  • Page 64 Different sections can be selected to let you create a complete song in realtime. Accompaniment parts Accompaniment parts are like the members of a band. With Pa4X you get five pitched instrument players (for example: guitar, piano, strings, synthe- sizers), a bass player, a percussion player, and a drum player.
  • Page 65 Choosing the Styles |61 Making the accompaniment sparser You can easily turn off any of the accompaniment groups by using the Mute/Play buttons in the Main > Volume pane. For example, you may want to mute the ACCOMP (Accompaniment) group to play with the backing of the drums and bass alone.
  • Page 66 Playing the Styles Playing a manual accompaniment (Bass & Lower Backing) You can play a simple manual accompaniment, where the chord you play with your left hand is split between the Bass (chord root) and Lower (the remaining notes) Sounds. Be sure the Bass &...
  • Page 67 Playing the automatic accompaniment |63 Playing the automatic accompaniment Starting and stopping the accompaniment You can manually start and stop the Accompaniment. Start the Accompaniment Press the START/STOP button. Play some chords with your left hand, while playing a melody with your right hand.
  • Page 68 Playing the Styles Make the Accompaniment start and stop automatically (Synchro Start and Stop) Be sure the SYNCHRO > START indicator is turned on. Press the SYNCHRO > STOP button, to light up both the START STOP indicators. Play a chord to start the Accompaniment, and keep the keys pressed. Lift your hands from the keyboard, and see how the Accompaniment will automatically stop.
  • Page 69 Playing the automatic accompaniment |65 to start. The button’s indicator on the selected VARIATION button will be flashing, meaning it is booked after the Intro. Start the Accompaniment. Verse Chorus Choosing a Variation to play a Variations can be used for verses, choruses, bridges or specials. To choose the right Variation for your verse, please note that Variations are of growing ‘density’...
  • Page 70 ‘book’ one of the Ending sections. After the Ending, the Style will automatically stop. Fill Automatically choosing a If you like, you can let Pa4X automatically choose a Fill when you choose a Variation. Turn the Auto Fill function on ▪...
  • Page 71 Playing the automatic accompaniment |67 Turn the Auto Fill function off ▪ When you no longer need this function, press the AUTO FILL button again to turn the indicator off. Looping sections If you feel that a Fill or a Break should last longer than the recorded pattern, you can put it in a cycling loop.
  • Page 72 Playing the Styles Fade out ▪ When the song is approaching its end, press the FADE IN/OUT button to stop the Accompaniment with a smooth fade-out. Balancing the Accompaniment against the keyboard While playing, you may want to balance the Keyboard Sounds against the Accompaniment Sounds, to make the soloist stand out of the background or go back in the mix.

  • Page 73: Customizing The Styles

    Setting the Chord Recognition |69 Customizing the Styles Setting the Chord recognition Choosing where to play chords (Chord Scan area) You can play chords with your left or right hand separately, or with both hands. You can choose the recognition area, depending on the song you are playing and your preferred playing style.
  • Page 74 Customizing the Styles Deactivate chord recognition ▪ Press both the CHORD SCAN (LOWER+UPPER) buttons to turn their indica- tors off. Only the Drum and Percussion tracks will continue to play.
  • Page 75 Mixing the grouped Accompaniment Sounds |71 Mixing the grouped accompaniment Sounds Grouped Accompaniment Sounds As in a mixer, the Accompaniment Sounds can be grouped together. For example, instead of separately muting the guitar and the strings parts in the Accompaniment, you can mute the Accompaniment (ACCOMP) group by touching a single button.
  • Page 76 Customizing the Styles See the Accompaniment parts mixer ▪ While in the Main page, touch the Volume tab to select the Volume pane, then press the TRACK SELECT button to switch to the Accompaniment Sounds. Accompaniment parts Turn a channel on (Play) or off (Mute) ▪...

  • Page 77: The Chord Sequencer

    Recording a Chord Sequence |73 the Chord Sequencer recording a Chord Sequence You can record a Chord Sequence, that will play the chords for you. This will be useful, for example, when you have to play a repeated sequence, and prefer to use your left hand to play a solo on the keyboard, or use the DNC controllers.
  • Page 78 The Chord Sequencer Playing back a Chord Sequence You can play back the Chord Sequence in memory. The chords driving the automatic accompaniment will be performed by the recorded sequence. Play the recorded Chord Sequence Press the CHORD SEQUENCER > PLAY/STOP ( buttons together to start playback.

  • Page 79: Playing The Pads

    Choosing the Pad sets |75 Playing the Pads Choosing the Pad sets Choose the Pads by selecting a Style ▪ Choose a Style. The four Pads it contains will be selected. Choose the Pads by selecting a SongBook Entry ▪ Choose a SongBook Entry.

  • Page 80: Changing Tempo

    Playing the Pads Playing the Pads Starting and stopping the Pads You can play up to four Pads at the same time, by using the dedicated PADS buttons on the control panel. Play the Pads ▪ Press one or more PADS buttons to trigger the Pads.

  • Page 81: Playing The Songs

    Choosing the Songs |77 Playing the Songs Choosing the Songs Choosing a Song from the list Switch to the Song Play mode Press the SONG PLAY button. Title bar Page menu Selected Song (Player 1) Right-hand/ Selected Song Upper Sounds (Player 2) Selected Style Left-hand/...
  • Page 82 USB HOST port. Device Type DISK Internal memory Internal HD (optional in Pa4X-61) Optional internal microSD USB-F Optional device connected to the front (F) USB HOST port USB-R Optional device connected to the rear (R) USB HOST port The actual name (label) of the device will appear between square brackets.
  • Page 83 Choosing the Songs |79 ▪ Jump to the folder/directory, containing the Song currently assigned to the Player, by touching the Locate button. Jump to a different alphabetical section If it is not selected, touch the Name label on top of the list. Keep the SHIFT button pressed and touch one of the...
  • Page 84 MIDI Songs’ jargon name is Standard MIDI File, often abbreviated as SMF. The filename extension is .mid. The Standard MIDI File is the industry stan- dard format for songs, and is used by Pa4X as the native file format when playing and recording MIDI Songs.
  • Page 85 Playing a Song |81 Playing a Song Starting, stopping and controlling the Player Pa4X features two sets of Player controls, one for PLAYER 1 and the other PLAYER 2. Use the one or the other depending on the Player the Song is assigned to.
  • Page 86 Playing the Songs Stop the Player and return to the beginning of the Song ▪ Press the HOME ( button to stop the Player and move to the beginning of the Song. The button’s indicator will turn off. Fade In/Out For greater effect, you can start and/or stop a Song with a smooth fade-in or fade-out.

  • Page 87: Mixing Two Songs

    Mixing two Songs |83 Mixing two Songs Assign a Song to each of the Players ▪ Either use the SELECT buttons in the PLAYER 1 PLAYER 2 sections, or touch the name of the Song in the display. The full procedure is described above. Start both Players at the same time ▪...
  • Page 88 Playing the Songs When Player 2 is playing, assign a third Song to Player 1, and repeat the above procedure (by reversing the X-FADER direction) to fade out Player 2 and fade in Player 1.
  • Page 89 Playing along with the Song |85 Playing along with the Song Playing the keyboard Play along with the Song ▪ While the Song is playing, play on the keyboard. Choose different Sounds ▪ Choose a different Keyboard Set from the KEYBOARD SET LIBRARY sec- tion of the control panel, or by touching the...
  • Page 90 Playing the Songs Balancing the Songs against the keyboard While playing, you may want to balance the Keyboard Sounds against the Songs, to make the soloist stand out of the background or go back in the mix. Balance the Songs against the keyboard ▪...
  • Page 91 Playing all the Songs in a folder |87 Playing all the Songs in a folder When playing all the Songs in a folder, use the PLAYER 1 controls. Open the Song Select window from the control panel ▪ Press the SELECT button.
  • Page 92 Playing the Songs Move through the Songs ▪ Jump to the next Song in the list by keeping the SHIFT button pressed and pressing the FAST FORWARD ( button. ▪ Jump to the previous Song by keeping the SHIFT button pressed and press- ing the REWIND ( button.

  • Page 93: Lyrics, Chords, Markers And Score

    Choosing one of the Players |89 Lyrics, chords, markers and score Choosing one of the Players ▪ While in the Lyrics, Score Markers page, you can touch either the Player 1 Player 2 button in the title bar to select the corresponding Player. ▪...
  • Page 94 Lyrics, chords, markers and score reading the lyrics and chords contained in a Song Reading lyrics and chords Open the Lyrics page ▪ Press the LYRICS button on the control panel. The Lyrics page will appear, and you will see the lyrics assigned to the selected Player. Read the lyrics ▪...
  • Page 95 Reading the lyrics and chords contained in a Song |91 Showing chords You can show or hide the chord abbreviations that might be included as Lyrics events in the MIDI Songs. ▪ Be sure the Chord button is pressed in the Lyrics page to see the chord ab- breviations.
  • Page 96 Lyrics, chords, markers and score Moving through a Song with the markers Song Marker events that might be contained in a MID file (that is, a MIDI Song) can be read by Pa4X. They are immediately shown in the Markers page.
  • Page 97 Moving through a Song with the markers |93 Select the first marker, then select the Loop checkbox to repeat (loop) be- tween the first and second marker. If you no longer need them, delete the markers. In any case, they will be automatically removed when choosing a different Song or turning off the instrument.
  • Page 98 Lyrics, chords, markers and score reading the music score Creating and reading the music score Create the music score Choose a MIDI Song to play with the selected Player. Press the SCORE button to open the Score page. A score of the selected track will be generated.
  • Page 99 Reading the music score |95 Clef Meaning Treble Standard Treble clef. Treble+8 Treble clef with transposition one octave upper. Treble-8 Treble clef with transposition one octave lower. Bass Standard Bass clef. Bass-8 Bass clef with transposition one octave lower. Exit from the Score page ▪...
  • Page 100 Lyrics, chords, markers and score Muting the selected track Mute the selected track ▪ Touch the Play/Mute ( button to listen or mute the selected track. Mute the track if you are going to play or sing it live. This will avoid overlap- ping between your playing or singing and the internal Sounds.

  • Page 101: Searching For Files And Other Items

    Using the Search function |97 Searching for files and other items Using the Search function Searching Depending on the page, you can search for different types of data. For ex- ample, while in the Media pages you can only search for files, while in Style Play or Song Play mode you can search for several different types of data (Styles, Songs, Lyrics…).
  • Page 102 Searching for files and other items Choose the type of file to look for ▪ If needed, use the Type menu to choose the type of item you are looking for. Choose a storage device and folder When searching for Files, Songs or Lyrics, you can choose a storage device and folder where to focus your search.
  • Page 103 Using the Search function |99 Type the name and start searching Type the name of the file you are looking for. There is no difference between upper and lower cases (“LOVE” is the same as “Love” or “love”). When finished entering the name, touch the Search button.
  • Page 104 100| Searching for files and other items Exit from the Search window without stopping the Search operation ▪ Touch the Cancel button in the display, or press the EXIT SEARCH ( button on the control panel, to exit from the Search window and carry on other operations.
  • Page 105 Part III: SONGBOOK...

  • Page 106: The Songbook

    Styles. You can add your own Entries to the SongBook, as well as edit the ex- isting ones. KORG already supplies some hundred Entries as standard. Furthermore, the SongBook allows you to create various Set Lists, that are collections of Entries that will suit your different types of show, and you can choose with the dedicated buttons on the control panel.
  • Page 107 Choosing the SongBook Entries |103 Choosing the SongBook Entries from the Book list A large database is already included with the instrument. You may browse through this database and choose a SongBook Entry. Choose a SongBook Entry While you are in Style Play Song Play mode, press the...
  • Page 108 104| Using the SongBook Pads and Keyboard Sets will also be recalled. Keyboard Set #1 will be se- lected. Any TXT file associated with the Entry will be shown in the Lyrics page. A Voice Preset will also be recalled (unless the lock in Global >...
  • Page 109 Choosing the SongBook Entries |105 Filtering the Entries When you are looking for a particular artist, genre or other categories, you may ‘filter’ the list to only see the type of Entries you are looking for. Please note that you can also find items inside the SongBook database by pressing SEARCH button on the control panel, but while the Search...
  • Page 110 106| Using the SongBook If you like, select a Meter and/or a range of Tempo values to be included in your filter criteria. Delete the filter criteria you don’t need: ▪ Touch the Clear button to delete the text string or reset the parameter to a default value.
  • Page 111 Choosing the SongBook Entries |107 Getting information on the SongBook Entries You can see some statistical information on the selected SongBook Entry, to see the name of the Entry, the associated Style or Song, the total number of Entries in the SongBook database, the number of filtered Entries in the Book page, the number of available Set Lists, and the number of Entries in the selected list.
  • Page 112 108| Using the SongBook Using the Set Lists What are the Set Lists? Set Lists are selections from the full Book list. They allow for smaller, cus- tomized lists, suitable for a single gig or your own music preferences. We already included some example lists, that you can use for your own shows.
  • Page 113 Using the Set Lists |109 Be sure you are in Tile View, otherwise choose it from the page menu. Use the List pop-up menu to select one of the available Set Lists. The songs in the selected set are assigned to the SET LIST buttons on the control panel.
  • Page 114 110| Using the SongBook Songs are assigned to the buttons whose indicator is turned on. Each row of tiles corresponds to a group of three buttons. Play the Set List from the display Press the SET LIST button on the control panel, or touch the tile in the dis- play, corresponding to the song you want to start from.
  • Page 115 Using the Set Lists |111 Playing a Set List from the List View List View shows the selected Set List as a plain list of songs. Select the Set List Press the SET LIST button to open the SongBook > Set List page.
  • Page 116 112|...

  • Page 117: Recording The Songs, Creating The Styles

    Part IV: rECOrDING tHE SONGS, CrEatING tHE StYLES...

  • Page 118: Quick Recording A Backing Sequence Song

    114| Quick Recording a Backing Sequence Song Quick recording a Backing Sequence Song What is a Backing Sequence Song? MIDI Songs are made of up to sixteen ‘tracks’ – that is, separate parts, each one with a different Sound. Usually, MIDI Songs are recorded one track per time: the drums first, then the bass, then the Accompaniment guitar, then the strings…...
  • Page 119 |115 Accessing the Backing Sequence (Quick Record) mode Press the SEQUENCER button to switch to the Sequencer mode. main page of the Sequencer mode will appear. Press the RECORD button to open the Song Record Mode Select dialog. Choose the Backing Sequence (Quick Record) option and touch to ac-...

  • Page 120: Saving The Song

    116| Quick Recording a Backing Sequence Song Recording Turn on the metronome ▪ Press the METRO ) button to turn the metronome on or off while record- ing. The metronome click will not be recorded with the Song. Record Select the Style Element you want to use before starting to play. Select any of the Variations before starting to record.
  • Page 121 |117 Use the Device pop-up menu to select a storage device, then choose a folder where to save your Song. Use the Open Close buttons to browse through the folders. Use the scrollbar to see all Songs in the list. Keep the SHIFT button pressed and touch the...

  • Page 122: Recording Mp3 Songs

    118| Recording MP3 Songs recording MP3 Songs Recording an MP3 Song Prepare for recording ▪ Either choose a Style or Song, if you want to record them in the new Song. You can choose either MIDI or MP3 Songs. ▪ Choose a Keyboard Set to assign Sounds to the keyboard.
  • Page 123 |119 Record the MP3 Song Touch the button in the display to start recording. button will change to Stop, and the Recording label will appear. Start playing your song. During recording, use the MP3 Record dialog to check the Recording time, File length and the...
  • Page 124 120| Recording MP3 Songs Saving the MP3 Song Save the MP3 Song After having stopped recording, the MP3 Record dialog will allow you to choose a location for saving the MP3 file. Touch the Text Edit ( icon to give the MP3 file a name. Touch the Browse button to select a...

  • Page 125: Converting A Midi Song To A Style

    You can convert any commercially or freely available MIDI Song (in Standard MIDI File format) into a complete Pa4X Style. While Pa4X includes a state-of- the-art converter of this type, and will most of the times result in a careful recreation of the original song, the quality of results may vary depending on the source song.
  • Page 126 122| Converting a MIDI Song to a Style When the conversion is complete, you are asked to write the new Style into a Style location. Style name Style bank Touch to open the Style Select window Style location You may change the name of the Style.

  • Page 127: Video, Audio And The Voice Processor

    Part V: VIDEO, aUDIO aND tHE VOICE PrOCESSOr...

  • Page 128: Connecting A Video Monitor

    124| Connecting a video monitor Connecting a video monitor You can connect Pa4X to a TV or video monitor, to read lyrics and chords with your fellow musicians or audience. Connect the external video monitor ▪ Use the VIDEO OUT connector to connect Pa4X to a TV set or video monitor.
  • Page 129 |125 Turn the external monitor on ▪ Turn the video monitor on, and tune it on the correct AV input. Set the colors ▪ In the same page, use the Colors menu to choose the preferred set of colors for the lyrics and the background. Colors Meaning 1...5...

  • Page 130: Connecting Audio Devices To The Audio Inputs

    126| Connecting audio devices to the audio inputs Connecting audio devices to the audio inputs Connecting an external audio device to the line inputs Connecting an audio device Use the AUDIO INPUT > LINE connectors to receive audio from an external device.

  • Page 131: Connecting A Microphone

    Condenser microphones require phantom powering supplied by Pa4X. Usually found in studio, these microphones usually come with a wider car- dioid pattern, capturing more ambience and deeper basses. Wide-capsule condenser microphones are the preferred for studio voice applications.
  • Page 132 When disconnecting a microphone from the XLR jack, the phantom power is automatically turned off. Phantom power is also automatically turned off each time you turn the Pa4X off. As an alternative, you can go to the Global > Audio & Video > Audio In...
  • Page 133 Connecting a microphone |129 AUDIO IN color Meaning No signal entering. Green Low- to mid-level signal entering. If the indicator turns off too often, the input gain is too low. Use the GAIN control to increase the input level. Orange Slight overload in the signal path.

  • Page 134: Using The Voice Effects And Harmonization

    130| Using the voice effects and harmonization Using the voice effects and harmonization Choosing a Voice Preset Voice Presets contain settings for the voice effects and harmonization. Open the Voice Preset window from the control panel ▪ Press the PRESET button in the MIC/VOICE section.
  • Page 135 Choosing a Voice Preset |131 Touch the name of the Voice Preset you want to choose. If you want to close the Voice Preset Select window (and it does not close by itself), press the EXIT button. In the end, you will see the name of the selected Voice Preset in the dedi- cated area of the Mic pane.
  • Page 136 132| Using the voice effects and harmonization Harmonizing your voice Harmonization adds a choir of voices to your lead voice. Activating and setting the harmony voices Choose a Voice Preset ▪ Press the PRESET button in the MIC/VOICE section, and choose a Voice Preset containing the desired harmonization type.
  • Page 137 Doubling your voice |133 Doubling your voice Doubling adds a second voice to your lead voice, making it thicker and stron- ger. Choose a Voice Preset ▪ Press the PRESET button in the MIC/VOICE section, and choose a Voice Preset containing the desired doubling type. Turn doubling on or off ▪...

  • Page 138: Using The Effects

    134| Using the voice effects and harmonization Using the effects Effects can add ambience, improve or transform your lead voice and the added voices. They are always included in any Voice Preset. Turn effects on or off Go to the Main page >...

  • Page 139: Talking With Your Audience

    Using the effects |135 talking with your audience Soloing your voice (TalkOver) ▪ Go to the Main page > Mic pane, and touch the TalkOver button to talk to your audience. The background music will be softened, and the voice effects switched off. ▪...
  • Page 140 136| Talking with your audience...
  • Page 141 Part VI: aPPENDIX...

  • Page 142: Installing The Options

    Follow these instructions to assemble the supplied music stand. Assembling the music stand without the amplification bar installed Insert the music stand into the dedicated guide on the back of Pa4X, as shown in the illustration. Freely adjust the music stand, by sliding it to the left or the right of the stan-...
  • Page 143 Assembling the music stand |139 Assembling the music stand with the amplification bar installed ▪ When the (optional) PaAS amplification system is installed, make the music stand rest over the nylon supports in front of the PaAS, as shown in the il- lustration.

  • Page 144: Replacing The Clock Backup Battery

    KORG, or you risk to damage the instrument! Precautions ▪ Installation of the battery is done at the user’s own risk. KORG will assume no responsibility for any data loss, damage or injury resulting from its im- proper installation or use.
  • Page 145 Replacing the clock backup battery |141 With the help of your fingernail, lift the exhausted battery (c) from its lower side, and remove it from the battery slot, being very careful not to let it fall inside the instrument. ⓒ Insert the new battery (d) into the empty battery slot, being sure the positive (+) side is facing down.
  • Page 146 142| Installing the options Replace the cover (b) to the original position. Attach the cover to the back of the instrument by fastening the fixing screw (a). ⓑ ⓐ ⓐ...

  • Page 147: Installing A Microsd Card

    Precautions ▪ Installation of the microSD card is done at the user’s own risk. KORG will as- sume no responsibility for any data loss, damage or injury resulting from its improper installation or use.
  • Page 148 144| Installing the options Push on the microSD card (c) already installed in the slot (if any) to unlock it, and remove it, being very careful not to let it fall inside the instrument. ⓒ Insert the microSD card (d) into the empty card slot, being sure the connec- tor side is facing up and toward the instrument.
  • Page 149 (a). ⓑ ⓐ ⓐ Accessing the microSD card Once the microSD card is installed, restart your Pa4X. You can access the card from any Media page or from the Song Select window, by using the...

  • Page 150: Specifications

    146| Specs Specs KORG Pa4X Features Keyboard Pa4X-76: 76 keys (E1 – G7) Pa4X-61: 61 keys (C2 – C7) Semi-weighted keys with velocity and aftertouch System Upgradable operating system Multitasking, Load while play Sound Generator EDS-X (Enhanced Definition Synthesis – eXpanded)
  • Page 151 Installing a microSD card |147 KORG Pa4X Features Styles Factory: More than 500 Factory Styles, freely reconfigurable sets User: 1,248 locations, including User, Favorite and Direct banks Eight Accompaniment tracks, 4 Keyboard Sets, 4 Pads per Style; Style Settings (Sounds and Arranger parameters) on each Style...
  • Page 152 148| Specs KORG Pa4X Features SongBook Fully programmable music database, based on Styles, MIDI Songs (MID and KAR files), MP3 Songs, with automatic selection of Style Play and Song Play modes User definable Set Lists, with Entries selectable from the control...
  • Page 153 < 0.5 Watt in standby / 16 Watt normal / 35 Watt with PaAS installed Dimensions Pa4X-76: 1,192 x 364.4 x 125.56 mm / 46.93” x 14.35” x 4.94” (W x D x H) Pa4X-61: 980 x 364.4 x 125.56 mm / 38.58” x 14.35” x 4.94”...
  • Page 154 150|...
  • Page 155 CE mark which is attached to our company’s DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY (FOR USA) products of AC mains operated apparatus Responsible Party: KORG USA INC. until December 31, 1996 means it conforms Address: 316 SOUTH SERVICE ROAD, MELVILLE to EMC Directive (89/336/ EEC) and CE mark Directive (93/68/EEC).
  • Page 156 Address KORG ITALY SpA Via Cagiata, 85 I-60027 Osimo (An) Italy www.korg.com © KORG Italy 2015. All rights reserved PART NUMBER: MAN0010097...

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