TEST OF KORG GRANDSTAGE X

[♔Chello]

TEST OF KORG GRANDSTAGE X

   

   


Crafted with precision in Japan
The Grandstage X has a formidable design in classic Japanese style, and is aluminum throughout.

The side panels actually have the exact same shape as my self-designed shelves (I also have a Japanese table that I designed).

With its sloping control panel, the Grandstage X is a perfect partner for an above-ground arranger.

All previous problems with visibility and access to the functions of the bottom panel are gone, and the placement of the keybeds is much more optimal in relation to each other - they can be placed much closer to each other than otherwise.

This also opens up a redesign of my existing 2 stands, as I can build these into a single, two-part stand.
I am using existing stands for now, but will rebuild these soon.


PREFACE
Since this is a Premium Stage Piano, I expect the Grand Pianos to perform optimally.
There are also separate sound engines for El Pianos and Organs, whereupon I also expect these to be of the best quality.
If other sounds are also equally good, this will be a bonus.

So pianos and organs MUST perform as expected.

The Premium RH3 keybed is also expected to be superb, at least for pianos.
If any of the above does not meet this expectation, the Grandstage X will not pass this test.


I have chosen to describe the functions I have tested intuitively

* ON/OFF
Is unusually placed on the far right.
Startup takes just over 30 seconds.

* Pitch bend/Modulation wheels are smaller than normal, and also unusually placed, but are surprisingly easy to operate.

* SW1/SW2 buttons are programmable.

* UNISON (button and slider) is a unison effect that is actually useful for coloring the sound image.

* RHYTM section (button On/Off)
Contains 22 rhythms within different genres - Dance is omitted, with a focus on Jazz, Funk and Latin.
Generally very well made rhythms.
It is easy to select rhythm, change tempo, and adjust reverb separately for drums and bass.

* Drum kit and bass cannot be changed for rhythms
This came as a shock - this reduces the rhythm section to seem pretty worthless..!
* No velocity sensitivity for drums and bass in the rhythm section
This is very negative - Kronos has this.

* KEY TOUCH (button and slider)
Very practical and never seen before - makes it easier than ever to fine-tune your touch.

* PART CONTROL; MAIN, LAYER, SPLIT (3 buttons/3 sliders)
VERY practical; direct mixing that is very practical and usable.

* Display
Small window, but easy to read and easy to maneuver.

* SOUND SELECT (Buttons 1-10 + 100 FAVORITE)
Access to all 700 sounds, with the possibility of saving favorites.
A smart feature not seen before is that you can go from button 1 and scroll to the next ones without pressing the next one.

* REVERB/DELAY (2 buttons and 1 slider - 8 different effects)
It is now easier than ever to add Reverb/Delay and adjust the amount perfectly.

* EQ (LOW, MID & HIGH, 3 sliders)
Very limited with fixed center frequencies and no access to Q value - low EQ is practically useless.

* ANALOG TONE
Provides a tube sound that is very natural, but it also negatively affects the drum kit by masking details when too much effect is used. Properly adjusted it works more optimally.

* SETUP (dedicated button)
One of the neatest things I've seen - everything is easy to find and edit.

* Parameters that can be saved as a favorite:
• PART CONTROL
MAIN: ON/OFF, PROGRAM, LEVEL
LAYER: ON/OFF, PROGRAM, LEVEL
SPLIT: ON/OFF, PROGRAM, LEVEL
• UNISON (ON/OFF, DEPTH)
• REVERB/DELAY (ON/OFF, TYPE, DEPTH, TIME)
• SW1/SW2
• TRANSPOSE, SWAP SPLIT, SPLIT POINT
• PROGRAM EDIT (Octave, Tune, Release, Use Unison, Reverb Send, Sound Parameter 1-n,
Damper, SW1,2, Other Controls)

* The included Damper pedal is of the best quality; far better than Yamaha's pedals.

* Headset was supposed to come with it, but was not in the box.

* The manual is one of the best I've seen, and for the most part gives very good explanations of all functions.


CONCLUSION:
The Grandstage X is more advanced than I thought, and has many more functions hidden than those I have described in my short test.

A few hours of use without reading the manual makes it possible to figure out all the basic functions, which must be considered extremely good.
Everything is not as logical as I thought, but still easy to figure out.

All functions work brilliantly.

The keybed is at least as good as the one on the Kronos; it is a bit noisier, but perhaps this is done to make the feeling of playing a Grand Piano more realistic ?

The sound image is very detailed with particularly good dynamic details.
Only few of the included 700 sounds are good, while others are not quite of the same quality, and not acceptable.

I find a rare joy in playing on this keybed - it's like OASYS/Kronos/Nautilus at their best.
The sounds (including pianos), however, are so bad that it's a shame to call this a premium stage piano.


NOT APPROVED 


Pros:

* Japanese RH3 keybed for real hammer action response
* 7 dedicated sound engines
* 700 preset sounds
* No Aftertouch
* Slider for Split
* Slider for Layer
* Slider for Main
* Slider for EQ Low
* Slider for EQ Mid
* Slider for EQ High
* Slider for Key-Touch
* Slider for Reverb/Delay
* Slider for Unison effect
* Knob for Nutube effect
* Integrated rhythm and chord progression section for automatic accompaniments
* Possibility to create predefined chord patterns
* Many options can be stored
* Separate Reverb Send for Drums and Bass
* Exciter effect upto 24 kHz
* Non-looping samples on all keys
* Up to 12 levels of velocity switching
* Damper resonance and simulated mechanical noise
* Three-part split & layer controls
* NuTube-based Analog Tone section for authentic driven tube sounds
* Unison function for thickening any sound
* Master Reverb and Delay effects with several algorithms available
* Easy-to-navigate interface
* SD card slot (FAT16 max 4 GB/FAT32 max 32 GB)
* XLR Output
* No built-in speakers
* Includes DS-1H damper pedal
* Includes free bundle of software, including Ozone Elements, software synths from Korg, and more
* Exceptionally good and tidy manual with direct references


Cons:

* Pianos do not meet Premium standards
* Drum kit and bass cannot be changed for rhythms
* No velocity sensitivity for drums and bass in the rhythm section
* Headset connection on the back
* No built-in recording capability
* No S/PDIF Coax or Optical connection

[♔Chello]

NOT APPROVED

I must point out that daily use left a strange experience:

The keybed was good, but everything else was not.
The rhythm section's 22 rhythms were too few, and the fact that it was not possible to change the drum kit or bass for each rhythm became worse and worse to accept with each passing day.

Although the rhythm pattern could be changed with 20 different ones, this constituted such a small variety that it became boring.

Several instruments that I use regularly were not available, and pianos were not felt to be good enough after a while of playing.

Daily use was also backward, despite the simple setup.


If this is the best Korg Japan can make, they will have big problems in the future.

My honest opinion ? 
The Grandstage X is a piece of crap of an instrument.