KORG PANDORA PX5D Multi-effects for Guitar/Bass

[Jon Chappell]

The Korg Pandora PX5D ($250 street) is the latest in the series of Korg’s well-established mini-multi-effects processors for guitars and basses. This device is similarly sized as its predecessors—slightly larger than a deck of cards and an easy fit into your shirt or pants pocket when unplugged. It sports the same sound-generating engine, Korg’s own REMS (Resonant structure and Electronic circuit Modeling System), but the PX5D’s interface is improved significantly, including the addition of several realtime controls (including dedicated gain/mid, bass, treble, and volume wheels).

The Pandora line has always packed tons of features into a small but intuitively manageable and completely readable format, but the PX5D offers even more bells and whistles than previous Pandoras. In addition to the effects, I/O, rhythm composer, phrase trainer, and utilities (noise reduction, tuner, backlight options, footswitch configuration, MIDI, etc.), the PX5D has USB audio and data capabilities, allowing it to interface with any digital recording software (it ships with a version of Ableton Live Lite) and the included editor/librarian program for programming and data management (Windows XP only as of this writing).

Korg has promoted the PX5D to serve equally well in three settings: live, practice, and recording, so we’ll explore the unit with those activities always in mind.

http://jonchappell.com/px5d/px5d_1.jpg

[Jon Chappell]

The PX5D can be powered one of three ways: 1) on two AA batteries (which offer about 7 hours of continuous use); 2) with an optional AC adaptor; 3) or through USB power. Whenever I was near a computer, I always opted for USB power, which saves on batteries. Using the display’s backlight option with batteries drains them faster, but with USB, you can run the backlight 24/7. If you have a powered USB hub, you don’t even need a computer, and you won’t have to purchase the optional AC adaptor to run the PX5D.

Though the package doesn’t come with the AC adaptor, it does include a stereo breakout cable to support two footswitches, which you’ll definitely want to employ for live use. Footswitches allow you to step through programs as well as perform transport functions (start/stop/record) in the Phrase Trainer and Rhythm & Bass modes.

The PX5D accepts external audio signals in both its USB and 1/8" stereo inputs, so you can record your guitar and another source for use in the phrase trainer or sent to your software recorder. There is a three-way switch for USB power, On (using the batteries), and Standby (meaning “Off”), plus a low/high input switch for optimizing the signal of your particular type of pickup. The 1/4" output jack doubles as a stereo headphone out and stereo/mono line out for connecting to an amp or mixer.

For a detailed look at the features, we’ll start with the modeling and effects and move on to the rhythm and bass patterns, the phrase trainer, the I/O (which includes live control), and finish up with the interfacing and utility capabilities. Even if you don’t need to do heavy editing in some of these sections, you can appreciate the features just by sampling the pre-programmed versions the PX5D ships with.

[Jon Chappell]

The PX5D offers 100 presets and 100 user locations with a four-point cursor switch that allows you to easily scroll up or down through both banks (preset and user), and will “wrap around the corner” (to go easily from U99 to P00 and P99 to U00 in any direction). You can assign four of your favorite sounds to four large, centrally located program memory switches (A, B, C, D) for one-touch access. You can also use a footswitch to go up and down through the presets or through the memory switches for hands-free operation. Each program allows up to 7 simultaneous effects, which includes the more “modeled” sounds of pickups, amps, and cabinets, as well as the more traditionally conceived effects, like dynamics (compressor, wah, exciter, etc.) modulation (chorus, flanger, phaser, pitch shifter, etc.), delay, and reverb.
Stepping through the presets gives an instant demonstration of the variety of sounds—distorted, clean, acoustic, complex, straightforward, spacey, high-tech, and non-guitar (e.g., resonator and synth simulations).

Here’s a photo showing effects modules activated:

http://jonchappell.com/px5d/Pandora_2.jpg

The Pandora presents the fixed scheme of effects in this order.

DYNA (for dynamics—compression, auto-wah, etc.—and pickup modeling)
AMP (amp modeling, including 15 guitar and 10 bass amps)
CAB (for speaker cabinet modeling, including the speakers themselves)
MOD (for modulation and filter effect modeling)
DLY (for delay effects, including tap tempo)
REV (for reverb and ambient effects)
NR (noise reduction, for cutting off the audio in high-gain settings)

Noise reduction is not shown in the display as the 6 other effects are, but is available and editable.

So a typical program using all 7 effects might have this scheme:

DYNA: HUM -> SGL
AMP: UK BLUES
CAB: 4X 12CLS
MOD: PHASER 1
DLY: SLAP 1
REV: SPRING2
NR: 4.3

Translated, that means you’ve enlisted the pickup modeler to turn your humbucker into a single-coil; you chose a British vintage stack amp head and married it to a closed-back cabinet with four 25W 12-inch speakers; you’re strapping on a vintage-style four-stage phaser with a thick midrange; you’ve thickened it with some slapback delay; and you’re slathering the whole thing in a dense spring reverb. You’ve also dialed in some noise reduction, which helps quell the single-coil hum in a high-gain situation when you’re not actually playing.

There are far too many selectable models to list here, and there’s no online pdf available yet (though I’ll post it as soon as it becomes live), but you can get an idea from looking at a scan of the manual I made that shows the models just from the DYNA section.

http://jonchappell.com/px5d/Pandora_3.jpg
http://jonchappell.com/px5d/Pandora_4.jpg

Sometimes you’ll find an effect in the DYNA section that you thought might be somewhere else—like in the MOD section—so it pays to read carefully through the DYNA choices, as this contains the widest variety and most dissimilar types of effects. For example, in addition to the usual dynamics processors like compression and limiting, there are also “pedal models” such as wahs, octavers, fuzz, overdrives, a ring modulator, and lowcut (for reducing sub-audio frequencies when recording). Here’s where I found several neat effects for bass, including Preamp1 (for producing a clean clear bass tone), Balance (which models the sound of blending the output of two bass pickups), and my favorite, Fretless (which effectively simulates a fretless bass by adding slight envelope to the sound).

[Jon Chappell]

Korg already has recorded some impressive demos using just the presets, featuring David Spann and Paul Kramer. A more complete selection is available at http://korg.com/PX5D, but here are some of my favorites:

Distorted/Lead Sounds
00_Metalic_Ds.mp3 (http://jonchappell.com/px5d/00_Metalic_Ds.mp3)
Arena_p64.mp3 (http://jonchappell.com/px5d/Arena_p64.mp3)
Battery_P50.mp3 (http://jonchappell.com/px5d/Battery_P50.mp3)
BigLead_P55.mp3 (http://jonchappell.com/px5d/BigLead_P55.mp3)
Coheed_P04.mp3 (http://jonchappell.com/px5d/Coheed_P04.mp3)
Delayed_P48.mp3 (http://jonchappell.com/px5d/Delayed_P48.mp3)
LAShred_P61.mp3 (http://jonchappell.com/px5d/LAShred_P61.mp3)
Mr-SG_P12.mp3 (http://jonchappell.com/px5d/Mr-SG_P12.mp3)

Clean/Acoustic
12String_p38.mp3 (http://jonchappell.com/px5d/12String_p38.mp3)
40_Reso-Ds.mp3 (jonchappell.com/px5d/40_Reso-Ds.mp3)
AcoustC_p33.mp3 (http://jonchappell.com/px5d/AcoustC_p33.mp3)
Blueyes_P01.mp3 (http://jonchappell.com/px5d/Blueyes_P01.mp3)
BowAttk_P05.mp3 (http://jonchappell.com/px5d/BowAttk_P05.mp3)
Jazzy_P25.mp3 (http://jonchappell.com/px5d/Jazzy_P25.mp3)
Rotary_P47.mp3 (http://jonchappell.com/px5d/Rotary_P47.mp3)

Weird/Effect-y Sounds
16_Subsynth-Ds.mp3 (http://jonchappell.com/px5d/16_Subsynth-Ds.mp3)
43_Spaced_DS.mp3 (http://jonchappell.com/px5d/43_Spaced_DS.mp3)
Ascend_p35.mp3 (http://jonchappell.com/px5d/Ascend_p35.mp3)
Reverse_P49.mp3 (http://jonchappell.com/px5d/Reverse_P49.mp3)
Spaced_P43.mp3 (http://jonchappell.com/px5d/Spaced_P43.mp3)

By the way, if you're thinking of checking out the PX5D at your local emporium, the numbers above represent the factory program locations

[Jon Chappell]

Okay, so you see that there are 7 effect blocks, and I’ve posted the page from the manual of the first effect, DYNA. There are 6 more effects to go, and within each block are numerous options, just as in the DYNA block. All told, there are 180 separate REMS-modeled effects to choose from, and each is editable in some way—including the ability to turn it off and keep it out of the chain entirely. Pretty flexible stuff here.

Following are the other 6 REMS-modeled blocks, and brief descriptions of their operation.

Amp
There are 34 different amp models here, from clean boutiques to British and American classics (Tweeds, Blackfaces, Boogies, Marshalls, Vox AC15’s and AC30’s, etc.). In the manual, each amp model comes with a recommended speaker cabinet, and it’s a good idea to start off here, but you’re certainly welcome to experiment with different cab combinations. Within the amp modeling section is where you find the guitar and bass synth simulations. If you listen to the mp3 from the previous post 16_Subsynth_Ds.mp3 (http://jonchappell.com/px5d/16_Subsynth_Ds.mp3), you’ll hear one of them in action. There are three guitar synths and three bass synths, and the parameters include filter cutoff range, envelope decay, waveform selection, synth and guitar or bass level.

Cabinet
The PX5D provides 23 different cabinets: open- and closed-back, speaker size (10” bass vs. 12” guitar) and configuration (1x12, 2x10, 4x12, etc.). The cabinets are also labeled by quality, so you have selections such as “4x12 Vox closed back with neodymium speakers” vs. “4x12 closed back with 30W speakers” vs. “4x12 closed back with 25W speakers.” There are several bass amp cabs here, too.

Modulation
There are 56 total modulation effects here, but many are variations of each other (like 4 flangers and 4 talk boxes). But it’s an impressive array, and you get an intelligent pitch shifter as well as the usual time-based effects (phaser, chorus, flanger, rotarty, etc.). Some of the more interesting effects in this section include a feedback generator that artificially produces feedback at pitch or one octave higher. There are the aforementioned talkboxes, random step filters, a drone generator that sounds like a tambura, an envelope pitch shifter (which varies the pitch according to the strength of your pick attack), "infinite” flangers that raise or lower the pitch “forever” (listen to Ascend_p35.mp3 (http://jonchappell.com/px5d/Ascend_p35.mp3)), and other sonic mischief you can get into.

Delay
You can choose from 6 different delays (Slap, Echo, Clear Delay, Ping-pong, Multi, Reverse), and each has 5 variations with different feedback amounts. This isn’t as versatile as having individual and continuous control over the feedback parameter itself, but you can get pretty close to any sound just by stepping through choices 1-5. To hear a reverse delay, listen to Reverse_P49.mp3 (http://jonchappell.com/px5d/Reverse_P49.mp3).

Because it’s more critical to have control over delay time, the Delay block includes a sub-block just for adjusting the delay time. You can go from 20 ms to 1,000 ms in 20 ms increments. You can also tap the tempo in via the front panel button or a footswitch, and the display will reflect the millisecond (but not the tempo) interval.

Reverb
11 Reverbs round out the last of the true effects (there’s one more to go, Noise Reduction), and include plates and springs, as well as simulated rooms and halls. Three novel programs appear: Dryair, which produces a sensation of dry air, and Wetair, which does the same thing in a moisturized version. Then there’s a non-natural, but nevertheless pleasing “Bright” selection which makes the air sparkle. Check out 12String_p38.mp3 (http://jonchappell.com/px5d/12String_p38.mp3) to hear this program.

Noise Reduction
The final block has only one program, but it’s treated as an effect with respect to the signal chain architecture. It appears last in the chain, and as such will cut off any reverb tails. Some people would prefer to put their noise gate in front of the reverb, but none of the effects in the PX5D is movable. A noise gate is a welcome addition to any effect multi-effect, and better to have it than not.


That concludes the tour of the effects section. The wide variety of sounds is truly impressive, and there are many surprises and unorthodox sounds (like the synth sounds and the reverse delay) to be found in and amongst the standard fare. Changing sounds within the blocks is quick and easy, and I used the manual often here, not because I needed help navigating the interface, but because I could see the listings and descriptions of the effects themselves.

[Jon Chappell]

As with previous Pandoras, the PX5D comes with a programmable rhythm unit, called "Rhythm & Bass" mode. It works in the modular way, similar to drum machines, where you have existing patterns that can be chained into songs and arrangements. There are 128 total patterns and you can organize up to 16 of these patterns in a single chain. You can save up to 20 chains inside the machine itself. If that isn’t enough, you can offload them into SoundEditor, the included editor/librarian (assuming you’re running a Windows XP computer). So while the number of patterns is fixed, the ways to chain them together are infinite if you employ SoundEditor.

Initially, I thought there was one more level, called “Song,” but it turns out this option just selects the demo songs pre-programmed (and uneditable) into the unit. It’s a bit of a drag to have the demo mode get equal billing in the interface, making you cycle through it (pattern/chain/song, pattern/chain/song, etc.) every time you want to work in the rhythm composer. I don’t mind a hard-wired demo song, but it’s better to have it accessed through some obscure combination of button presses so that it doesn’t get in the way of daily work.

128 patterns certainly already seems like a lot, but it’s really more when you consider that each of the patterns offer two variations, which you can access by hitting the Enter/Rec switch. The usual complement of grooves are presented here, including Rock, Pop, Metal, Disco, Drums ’n’ Bass, Ska, various Latin grooves, 6/8, 7/8, 9/8, 2/4, 3/4, 5/4, Blues, Reggae, etc. Also included are 8 basic metronome sounds, which is nice, as some instructional situations don’t require a “groove,” just a nice steady tick from the metronome. Even these have two variations each!

I decided to include the page from the manual listing the rhythms. You’ll see there’s everything here but the kitchen sink.

http://jonchappell.com/PX5D/Pandora_6.jpg

To hear what the bass and drums sound like, here’s a recording of about one minute's worth of Demo Song 1. Pretty good quality, and not over-hyped with respect to EQ or ambient treatment. I especially like the bass guitar, snare, and hi-hats (closed, open, half-open). Interestingly, the audio from the drums and bass iwill capture some artifacts from the guitar and bass programs if you have an outrageous effect going. Aside from that, you can't isolate the drums from the guitar (say, for separate processing in your DAW). Both are mixed to the PX5D's stereo output with no panning options.

PX5D Demo Song 1 (http://jonchappell.com/PX5D/Pandora_7.wav)

One very cool feature is that you can record the rhythm and your guitar playing in the Phrase Trainer (discussed later), for repeated looping and tempo adjustments.

[Jon Chappell]

Since we’ve explored the preset sounds and the Rhythm & Bass mode, it’s a good time to take a look at SoundEditor, the editor/librarian that ships with the PX5D. It’s available only for Windows XP at this time, but Mac and Vista versions should be coming soon. Check korg.com/PX5D for details if you’re on one of those operating systems.

If you’re not used to a USB editor for a multi-effects, and you like to tweak sounds, then this is for you. I’ve already mentioned the two benefits of plugging your PX5D into a computer using the USB cable: 1) it draws power from the computer and saves batteries (and you can keep the backlight on indefinitely; 2) it allows you to record your guitar and the rhythm sounds directly into an audio program (GarageBand, Audacity, Traktion, Live, Cubase, Cakewalk, etc.). But the third option is that you can use the computer screen to edit your sounds. This has several advantages. For one, you can see all the parameters at once, so if you’re editing an amp sound, you really want to see all the parameters at once—like you would on your amp panel. And you can’t do this if you’re just looking at the PX5D. Take a look at this image to see P22, “Supacln,” to see all the amp parameters (as well as the effects selection and settings) at once.

http://jonchappell.com/px5d/soundeditor_1.jpg

Remember, tweaking on the computer screen makes changes on the unit itself, though the magic of USB (and the converse is also true).

Of course, because SoundEditor is not just an editor, but a librarian as well, you can save any sound you create into a user location. You can make several versions of the same sound with just one slight difference and load them all in, which is a good way to A/B (or A/B/C/D, etc., as necessary) a pair or group of sounds.

[Jon Chappell]

SoundEditor also works with the PX5D Rhythm & Bass Mode, and it’s just as valuable for creating chains—Korg’s parlance for drum-machine-style programming of songs. Here, you chain together patterns and their variations, transposing as necessary the bass part to match the chords of the song.

For example, take a look at the image below, which is “Chain_01,” a 12-bar blues. If you look at the patterns while listening along to the mp3, you can really see how the patterns work. You will also realize how much easier it would be to program songs, jams, and grooves using SoundEditor than trying to use the PX5D’s front panel. But you can do that too. It just takes longer and it requires a lot of concentration.

The chain mode allows up to 16 different patterns, but that doesn’t mean your music is limited to 16 bars. Note that in the “Repeat” slot, you can specify how many times a pattern plays. This is not as good as being able to, say, write your own drum fills or the individual bass notes, but it’s pretty versatile.

http://jonchappell.com/px5d/SoundEditor_Chain01_Blues.jpg


Check out Chain_01: PX5D's 12-bar blues.mp3 (http://jonchappell.com/px5d/blues.mp3)

_

Remember: Listen along to the mp3 while "reading" the above image. It's one bar (four beats) for all the Repeat windows that say "x1" and two bars for all patterns with "x2." After you get familiar with the form (and can keep your place in the music), then you can see how the basic, variation, and transposed patterns interact to create a usable blues groove.

I picked the 12-bar blues because most people will have a pretty good feel for this anyway. (Note that the following 4 slots of the available 16 are left blank.)

[Inazone]

Is the PX5D (or any its predecessors) really cut out for live use? I recently had the idea to pick one of these up to have as a push-button replacement for my pedalboard, namely dialed in for a volume or EQ boost and delay, but requiring a footswitch would defeat the purpose. Does it have a simple bypass function for the entire unit? Something that a person could do with one push right before and after a solo?

[Jon Chappell]

Is the PX5D (or any its predecessors) really cut out for live use? I recently had the idea to pick one of these up to have as a push-button replacement for my pedalboard, namely dialed in for a volume or EQ boost and delay, but requiring a footswitch would defeat the purpose. Does it have a simple bypass function for the entire unit? Something that a person could do with one push right before and after a solo?

This is a good question, Inazone. You would think the answer would be an instant "yes," but it's a bit more complicated than that.

First of all, there is in fact a "bypass" button that does what you think it should--pass the signal unaffected through the unit:

http://jonchappell.com/px5d/px5d_bypass.jpg

But here's the thing. It takes 1 full second to activate it. So you have to hold your finger on it for a moment, and then the bypass kicks in and brings up the tuner (which is not a bad thing). Now to get out of bypass and back into your program selection, you can just tap the button and it's instantaneous. So what you would do for a solo is set up the right program before the song begins, press & hold to go into bypass, play the rhythm and then with a quick button tap, you're into the solo program. Coming out of the solo and back into a rhythm sound requires another hold.

So a better way to do this would be to set up the Program Memory buttons (A, B, C, D), which are larger, wider-spaced, and easier to hit with your finger in a live setting. Program A would be "programmed" to be the bypassed setting (or as close as you can get to that). B, C, and D could be whatever you want. And of course, these change between programs instantaneously.

Now to address your question about the PX5D and "its predecessors." The previous-generation PX4D is actually better suited for live work. Why? Two reasons: 1) it comes with a belt clip; and 2) the cords come out of the bottom of the unit, so the unit sits in a "portrait" orientation. The PX5D is in a "landscape" attitude, with the cords coming out of the top, which makes it not as friendly for belt-wearing or pocket-stuffing. The PX5D has no belt clip (included or optional), nor is there any mention of it in the manual.

http://jonchappell.com/px5d/px4.jpg


But by virtue of its size and readability, I'd try to get one in my hands at the music store and see if you can deal with it. For live use, Korg didn't do themselves any favors by putting the outputs where they did and omitting a belt clip option, but through some DIY, you can easily get it to work.

[santos]

I've been a happy owner of the last iteration Pandora, the Px4D, for over a year now. All I can say is that this unit has done more than anything else to improve my playing. I can lose myself for hours playing over the rhythms or my own loops. Pretty cool.

The sounds you get are, IMO, better than "good enough". I've read reviews here and there where I think guys are getting way too picky. If cork-sniffing is your raison detre, then no, a Pandora isn't going to replicate your high-dollar, boutique rig. But it DOES offer a good variety of useable sounds that actually make it fun to play thru headphones. That's all I really needed/wanted from the thing.

Live use? Eh, I don't know. I've actually used my Pandora a couple of times at band rehearsal just for kicks, but it's more of a "choose one sound" thing. There's no practical way - at least with the Px4D - to change anything midsong.

It's a bummer that they've upped the price by $80 (mine was $170 new, I believe). But, for anyone thinking about getting one for quiet practice and jamming, I highly recommend it.

[Jon Chappell]

But it DOES offer a good variety of useable sounds that actually make it fun to play thru headphones. That's all I really needed/wanted from the thing. [...] It's a bummer that they've upped the price by $80 (mine was $170 new, I believe). But, for anyone thinking about getting one for quiet practice and jamming, I highly recommend it.

Thanks for weighing in, santos. Of course the PX5D features computer interfacing capabilities, including recording digitally into software (it ships with Ableton Live Lite), and an editor/librarian function for tweaking and organizing sounds and rhythm patterns. And the Program Memory buttons might make it a little easier to switch sounds live. (As would a footswitch--where you could at least change sounds hands-free even if you did have to drag along a small f/s.)

And I definitely like the color and the feel of the PX4D--it's got that "diver's watch" motif goin' on. :)

[Inazone]

Definitely some nice features, but like a number of other "cool" products I've looked into, the trend of including USB editing or onboard recording capabilities seems to overshadow or even reduce live-playing functionality. I have this pipe dream of being able to gig without being tethered to my amp with cords or footswitches, and the Pandora comes so close (at least in theory) but isn't quite there. A few years ago, I bought a wireless to avoid getting tangled in my own cables. Then I decided that my pedalboard was taking up too much valuable floor space and started replacing pedals with rack units, but of course that meant replacing a few stompboxes with MIDI controllers requiring as much or more space. So now I am using a simple preamp/processor and power amp that can run off a single two-button footswitch, but unfortunately that is pretty barebones and doesn't allow for multiple effects or variety of tones.

Maybe the PX6D will do what I want, a few years from now.

[santos]

Thanks for weighing in, santos. Of course the PX5D features computer interfacing capabilities, including recording digitally into software (it ships with Ableton Live Lite), and an editor/librarian function for tweaking and organizing sounds and rhythm patterns. And the Program Memory buttons might make it a little easier to switch sounds live. (As would a footswitch--where you could at least change sounds hands-free even if you did have to drag along a small f/s.)

And I definitely like the color and the feel of the PX4D--it's got that "diver's watch" motif goin' on. :)

Yeah, I forgot about the recording and interface, etc. Frankly, that's not stuff that really appeals to me at this time (my PC at home is an absolute dinosaur). I do have to say that I like the design of the Px5D.

For the record, I don't really have any problems with the design of the Px4D. It's pretty easy to get around once you get to know the features. I've pretty much come up with about 20 patches that I use regularly, and don't tweak too much anymore. Recording loops is really easy, and sounds decent, depending on how long of a loop you record. Also, I've been using the phrase sampler function quite a bit lately, and it works pretty well. Again, the best results come from taking shorter samples - but it's really easy to slow things down, and generally the fidelity is fine for picking out guitar parts.

[HaloRecordings]

Is the PX5D (or any its predecessors) really cut out for live use?

I've been using the Pandora PX4A for over a year. I have it mounted to my mic stand and run it through my mixer. It sounds great in a live application.

But when I go straight into my amp, it doesn't sound as good. I'm thinking this has to do with using the headphone out into and amp. Wrong impedance or something. Has anyone experienced this or have any suggestions?

Thanks for any info

David

[Jon Chappell]

... But when I go straight into my amp, it doesn't sound as good. I'm thinking this has to do with using the headphone out into and amp. Wrong impedance or something. Has anyone experienced this or have any suggestions?

I'm not sure about the PX4, but on the PX5D you can switch the output from Amp to Line:


[page 32 in the manual]
http://jonchappell.com/px5d/AmpLine.jpg

[guitar_pic]

Would the px5d be able to simulate a dotted 8th slapback delay? I guess I'm thinking about U2/Edge type sound.

Actually, does the px4d even have the same setting?

[Jon Chappell]

Would the px5d be able to simulate a dotted 8th slapback delay? I guess I'm thinking about U2/Edge type sound.

Actually, does the px4d even have the same setting?

guitar_pic, I just responded to your P.M., so forgive me if I copy and past the answer here, for others who might be wondering the same thing:

It so happens I'm kind of an expert on the DDL dotted-8th technique. Check out my article here, complete with sheet music and audio examples:

http://http://www.harmony-central.com/articles/tips/ddl_cascade/ (http://www.harmony-central.com/articles/tips/ddl_cascade/)

To answer your question about the PX5D, you have to tap in the dotted-8th rhythm manually; there's not subdivide function like there is on other pedals. (And you can't use the footpedal for tapping on the PX5D, either.) So tap your foot in quarter notes, tap the dotted-8th rhythm into the machine with your finger, and then play eighth notes against the (still-steady, foot-tapping) beat. That's how you do it.

Let me know if this helps.

[toritz]

I bought the PX5D a few days ago and is still going through all the features.

What I'd like to get clarification is whether there is a relationship between the preset programs and 7 effects? Let's say, as a bass player, I choose the program "P72 B Jazz", what would happen to the effects? Would the program pre-determines certain settings for each of the 7 effects? Or did I misunderstood the purpose of the programs altogether? If yes, when do I use the programs? Thanks.

[lightmar]

This is multi-effect is great value for price, I highly recommend!

[GuitarCol]

The unit in fact ships with a footpedal adapter that allows you to plug in a footpedal to switch between presets. Has anyone used this, and does anyone have any more info on exactly what type or model of 3rd-party footpedal will work with the unit?

Still scratching the surface on this puppy....

[Rojoyinc]

Not sure now they compare, but it looks very similar to my MicroBR by Boss. Which for a little less money is really awesome too. I love mine. More than just an FX/Rythm box, the BR is a multi-track recording studio as well.
If buying - look into it for comparison.

[trance4ever]

IMHO, the most useful feature Korg could of included in this unit is the ability for the user to program their own drum patterns & bass lines/progressions for practice or composition - either via midi data and/or loops. Chaining a limited selection of lame drum loops together isn't "drum machine style" as the PR hacks call it. Excluding cheesy organ percussion & the CR78, the majority of 1980's drum machines had way more programmability! This is like Ford selling a car advertised as having a "gasoline-driven style motor" that comes with a steam engine powered by a gas fired boiler.

Why didn't Korg do this? Perhaps:

- they're completely out of touch with the market place (very unlikely)
- they're running out of ideas for "improvements" & decided to wait another two or three iterations prior to including this feature on a Pandora.
- they don't want to add features which might make the unit compete against another Korg product niche.
- who knows????????

[MudFlaps-1]

When you compare the PX5D with Korg's own AX3G, AX5G, Digitech RP series, Boss GT and ME series, Zoom G1 and G2 series, Line6 FloorPOD and PODxtLive and PODx3Live, you can tell that it is not geared for live use like those other floor multi-effects. It's a tiny practice/recording device (which is why you can't program the drums, it'd have to be bigger for one thing). For live use, get a floor processor, there is quite a selection nowadays.

I'm thinking that they left out drum programming because it is NOT a Boss BR type device. It doesn't record by itself (as it's predecessor did) and most recording software you would use it with has some form of drum/loop programming. I agree that it would be nice to have the ability to program your own drum patterns, but I think they just really wanted to focus on the practice aspect, while adding the USB connectivity to "keep up with the Joneses".

FWIW My PX-2 sounds much better through computer speakers than through my guitar amp.

[santos]

...I'm thinking that they left out drum programming because it is NOT a Boss BR type device...I agree that it would be nice to have the ability to program your own drum patterns, but I think they just really wanted to focus on the practice aspect, while adding the USB connectivity to "keep up with the Joneses".

Yeah, I've got to agree with you there. I don't know that drum programability would be that much fun on such a tiny device. Useful? Sure, at times. Having said that, I've found the drum loops and basslines on the Px4D to be well into "good enough" territory for my purposes. The thing is still a blast.

[lkmuller]

Hi, I realize I'm a little late weighing in on this thread, but.........

I am a new PX5D owner and actually am quite happy with it, except for one MAJOR problem I am hoping there is a solution to. There is a pronounced hiss whenever I strike a note on my guitar, so loud that it makes the unit just about unusable in any situation. I've tried different eq settings, different input/output settings, but all to no avail. Apparently, the hissing problem is inherent with a lot of digital effects units, but the demo video I watched on youtube had absolutely no hissing.

And when I conect the unit to my computer to use the sound editor, there is a constant buzz whenever I turn the volume up.

What can I do to eliminate this hiss and buzz? :confused: Any suggestions or ideas would be welcome.

Thank you very much,

Lee

[edeibler2000]

Yeah, I've got to agree with you there. I don't know that drum programability would be that much fun on such a tiny device. Useful? Sure, at times.

I have an earlier iteration of the Pandora. It does, indeed, have its uses. When I travel I take it and a speedster guitar along with a cord and headphones. All of this fits quite easily into my duffle or suitcase and the space they take up is negligible.

[kensmith]

I have had a number of different types of mfx units. I have had a few drum machines from Boss and Zoom and I numerous pedals on my board...including loopers and trainers.
My PX5D is one of the best units I have owned and it will be with me for a long time. The functionality is perfect for my lower volume home practice on timing, playing along with mp3 player (or from my Tascam DR-1 from rehersals) and sounds great into headphones, acoustic amp, or even guitar amp (usually best into effects return...bypassing preamp stage).
It is clear and effects sound great, NR is there if needed, and the computer interface is awesome as well. And to boot you can power from computer or USB power supply or hub. I have not tried it direct into soundboard at church (since I like control of my monitor) but I am sure it would sound very nice live in that setting as well.
Big kudos to Korg on this one.
AND I traded a $100 pedal for my PX5D...so that was another bonus...but worth the $250 they go for!
Ken

[bigchasbroon]

Hi everyone Im new here and fairly new on the guitar. I just bought a px5d i have to say that I really love it. I had a zoom g2.1u but it wasnt nearly as easy to use and the fact that the display simply had a number but there was no list in the manual to let you know what type of sound the corresponded to the number consequently I never used it much so I sold it on ebay and it paid for half of the px5.

As a relative beginer the PX5 is 100 times easier to use. I have only used the presets and they are great. I just select whokids and im pete townsend playing the kids are alright (its a nice world my world). or Floyd and im dave gilmour. I play through a humble marshall mg30dfx and the px5 makes it sound good it is has given my learning a new boost of encouragement by getting a sound much closer to the original recording.

The reason I bought it was that it was recommended to me by someone much better than me at guitar. I havent really seen the line 6 pod range up close but the one thing that it seems tohave in its favour is the vast collection of user defined programs that are available which dont seem to be available for the korg (maybe someone could point me in the direction of a site if there is such a thing).

I have never played live so I wouldnt really know how good it would be with the pedals. But you cant expect a multifx unit like this to give the same vesatility as 6 or 7 stomp boxes when it barely costs as much as 2 pedals.

Anyway overall verdict 81/2 out of 10

[Wisko]

I got a PX5D last week, and have been enjoying a PX4B for about a year. It was a great "upgrade", and has some interesting new effects & drum rhythms, but what's so cool is the USB hook-up. Being able to program the bass/drum patterns and the sounds on the computer is the ultimate.

[Anderton]

I agree completely. The PX5D is cool "as is," but the USB options - and the recent upgrade - put it into an entirely different category, especially for the price.

[Wisko]

Last night I found that the PX5D has a lot more memory for recording/playing back than I thought! I used to have to set the tempo on the PX4B to 130 to have a complete 16-bar jam, but even at 110, the PX5D can have up to 32 measures, with the bass & drum patterns AND the rhythm guitar track.
Quite the amazing device!
I'd be curious to hear of any negative experiences that anyone has had, because so far, it seems too good to fit in that small of a device.:cool:

[danelectro1]

I am a harmonica player and work with a guitarist. I bought the Korg Pandora PX5D to use on gigs to provide bass and drums. I'm more than a little overwhelmed by the complexity, and am hoping someone could take me through a step-by-step process of programming the rhythm tracks and storing them for easy access onstage.
For example, the song, Mustang Sally in C, or any blues/rock acoustic duo song you care to demonstrate.
Thanks,
Mike

[bmatchick]

Great review! I went out and picked up one. But I'm having one issue and thought I'd check with you guys.

I'm following the manual and holding EXIT while pressing TAP/Bypass, but it doesn't work and just acts like I'm holding the TAP/Bypass (turns on tuner). Is this a misprint in the manual, or is a feature missing in the firmware (and will it be updated)?

If anyone can try this and tell me if it works on your unit that would be great. I'm trying to avoid a trip back to Guitar Center and really can't see how this doesn't work while everything else works fine. I'm betting it's an unimplemented feature or something.

Thanks a lot! I appreciate any help.

Brian

[ssites]

Anyone know of a website where we can trade patches for the Pandora?

[ZUrlocker]

You can find a half dozen or so custom patches for the Korg Pandora PX5D here:
http://www.haax.se/filesite/index.php?unit=px5d

I was also wondering if there's a list somewhere of the song Chains that are built-in. For example, it would be helpful to know what key they are in, etc. Also if anyone has found a site that has downloadable chains that would be very cool.

Thanks much
--Zack
www.guitarvibe.com

[LaughingGuitar]

I read an article in Guitar Player a while ago where the guy the article is about liked to use a PX4D instead of a PX5D because he said it sounded warmer. Does the PX4D really sound warmer than the PX5D?

[Anderton]

Sorry, but I don't have a PX4D here for comparison.