Korg PX4D Pandora Review and Video – Multi-Effects Processor and More
We here at Wiser-Rocker have always been fans of most of Korg's products, which are usually geared towards guitar effect processors of some form or another. In this review I wanted to take a look at the features of one of their most popular items, the PX4D Pandora Multi effect.
Once Korg started using their REM modeling chipset, I found that the quality of their products also improved.
Whenever I fire up a new effect board my first goal is figuring out how many effects I just purchased. Happily, the Korg PX4D does not disappoint here. (See full list below) In total there are 158 effect types from amps, cabs, and most any other effect you can think of.
The true test of any good board however is how many effects you can activate simultaneously. The PX4D allowed me up to 7 effects at the same time. This offers plenty of flexibility and power. Onboard memory is less extensive though, only affording space for 100 user patches. Not terribly impressive.
The following video is a bass player I found on YouTube demoing the Korg PX4D Pandora pretty well. Check it out!
One of the best features actually has nothing to do with the sound of the effect itself- I love how all the control knobs are old fashion REAL knobs, rather than using electronic displays, which actually slow down my playing and are generally less intuitive. For those players who want to use the PX4D as a practice tool you will find some cool features such as the ability to plug in an external AUX for playing along with a CD, or MP3.Korg was generous enough to round out the device with a built in tuner (good quality) a nice and bright LCD display, and dual power support for battery and AC adapters. Definitely a great multi effect board from Korg. Again, if they had allowed for more user presets and perhaps an expression pedal, I would have possible considered the PX4D for Ronz Editor Choice.
Live Results:
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Korg PX4D Multi Effects Guitar Effect Pedal |  |
2 Bids | US $10.50 | 1d 13h 36m |
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Korg Toneworks Pandora model PX4D | |
4 Bids | US $20.50 | 3d 4h 15m |
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KORG Multi Effect Processor Guitar Effect Pedal Pandora PX4D NEW Japan | |
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US $189.99 | 5d 18h 59m |
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AC Adapter For Korg Panndora PX4D ToneWorks Processor Power Supply Cord Charger | |
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US $12.99 | 9d 5m |
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New Korg Pandora PX4D Multi Effect Processor Guitar New | |
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US $147.99 | 13d 1h 19m |
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NEW KORG Pandora PX4D Multi Guitar Effects Processor JAPAN | |
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US $189.97 | 15d 7m |
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Pandora PX4D Guitar Multi Effect Processor NEW Korg JPN | |
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US $150.00 | 24d 10h 13m |
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KORG Pandora PX4D Guitar Multi Effects Processor NEW EMS | |
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US $149.99 | 24d 21h 57m |
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BNIBKORG TONE WORKS PX4D for Gu and BaNEW | |
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US $119.99 | 25d 8h 18m |
Main Features
Numerous high-quality effects using 'REMS' modeling technology are built in.Features a total of 158 effect types ranging from realistic amp sounds - including high-quality cabinets - to sophisticated effects.200 programs provided - 100 preset and 100 user programmable. Offers up to seven effects simultaneously
Knob-based interface for quick and intuitive editing.
The Phrase Trainer function offers a great way to learn by ear or to practice soloing.
One hundred rhythm and bass patterns cover a variety of styles with realistic PCM sound.
AUX IN jack lets you play along with external CD, MD, or MP3 audio sources.
Key Transpose lets you shift the key of an audio source that's being input.
A Bass Canceler function removes the sound of the bass from an external audio source.
The built-in Auto Chromatic Tuner also provides a Mute function for silent tuning.
Semi-transparent LCD illuminates the characters in inverse video when backlit.
Two-way power supply lets you use either batteries or a separately sold AC adaptor.
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Read the Official Press Release!
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Two New Pandora Personal Multi-FX Processors Announced
April 6, 2005
Two new models are joining the Pandora series of pocket-sized units: the dual-purpose PX4D for guitar and bass, and the PX4A for electric-acoustic guitar.
The PX4D offers 25 amp types along with 23 cabinet effects newly created especially for the PX4D. You even have the ability to combine a guitar amp with a bass cabinet if you choose. In addition to standards such as compressor and wah, there are numerous modeling effects. Pickup modeling transforms the sound of a single-coil pickup into that of a humbucking pickup (or vice versa), a guitar (bass) synth that lets you play synth sounds, an intelligent pitch shifter that automatically harmonizes with your playing, a talk effect that produces the impression that your guitar is speaking, a slow attack effect that creates violin-type swells, a feedback effect that allows feedback playing techniques that are normally possible only at high volumes, a rotary speaker that changes speed in response to your picking or fingering dynamics, a fretless bass effect that simulates the distinctive sound of a fretless bass, and more are ready for your use.
The PX4A contains 82 effects optimized for acoustic sounds. Included are Body effects that model the resonances and vibrational character of great acoustic guitars. Aspects such as guitar construction and body size are modeled for numerous guitars, ranging from famous brands of the past through today's manufacturers. The direct sound from piezo pickups can tend to have a sterile character, but the PX4A's effects add the warmth of resonating wood that is typical of an acoustic guitar, according tot he company.
The effects of the PX4A extend beyond the conventional boundaries of the electric-acoustic guitar to include models for resonator guitar, a newly developed banjo, and nylon-string guitar ---- you can play a wide variety of acoustic sounds using just a single instrument. There are also mic effects that simulate the sense of space and depth achieved by micing an instrument. There are also numerous other effects, ranging from standards such as compressor, limiter, echo, delay, reverb, and chorus, through distinctive effects such as a twelve-string effect that reproduces the sound of a twelve-string guitar, and even a drone effect that simulates the drone tones of ethnic instruments such as a tambura. There's also an Auto Notch function that automatically detects the frequency at which feedback is occurring, so you can perform with the best acoustic sound at all times without being troubled by feedback.
The user interface is knob-based for intuitive and easy use. Frequently-used parameters, such as the amp type, have their own independent dial, and the tone controls can also be adjusted as easily as on a guitar or bass amp simply by turning the knobs. The value dial makes it a simple matter to adjust amp types and parameter values. There's also a TAP button that you can use to set delay times or the tempo of a rhythm pattern.
The one hundred built-in rhythm patterns cover a broad range of styles that include rock, jazz, funk, blues and dance music. The PCM sounds used in these patterns produce accompaniments to play along with. There are even Bass patterns that let you specify the key chord, so you can practice any style of music while listening to a full rhythm and bass line. You can also make Chain Pattern settings to combine up to sixteen different rhythm patterns.
You can record up to 30 seconds from an audio source such as a CD, MD or MP3, and play it back repeatedly (looped) at a slower speed without changing the pitch. This is a great way to learn complex or rapid passages by ear, since you'll be able to hear the phrase slowly. You can also record a phrase that you play yourself along with the built-in rhythm and bass accompaniment, and then practice soloing over the top of it.
You can also connect a CD player or another external audio source to the AUX IN jack, and use the Key Transpose function to change the pitch of the song upward or downward by as much as one octave. The PX4D also contains a Bass Canceller function that erases the bass sound from an external audio source so that you can play and hear your bass along with the song.
PX4D Specifications
Effects: 158 types (Maximum number of effects available simultaneously: 7)
Number of programs: User: 100, Preset: 100
Inputs: guitar input (1/4" jack) AUX (mini stereo jack)
Output: line/headphone dual-purpose output (stereo phone jack)
Tuner section: detection range: 27.5 Hz-2,093 Hz (A0-C7), calibration: A = 438 Hz-445 Hz
Rhythm section: 40-208 bpm
Power supply: four AAA alkaline batteries, Allows 10 hours of continuous use (backlight OFF), Allows 7 hours of continuous use (backlight ON), separately sold AC adapter (DC4.5V)
Dimensions (W x D x H): 76 mm x 112 mm x 27 mm (2.99" x 4.41" x 1.06")
Weight (not including batteries): 138g (0.30lbs.)
Included items: Owners manual, four AAA alkaline batteries, Strap holder
Option: AC adapter
PX4A Specifications
Effects: 82 types (Maximum number of effects available simultaneously: 
Number of programs: User: 50 Preset: 50
Inputs: guitar input (1/4" jack) AUX (mini stereo jack)
Output: line/headphone dual-purpose output (stereo phone jack)
Tuner section: detection range: 27.5 Hz-2,093 Hz (A0-C7), calibration: A = 438 Hz-445 Hz
Rhythm section: 40-208 bpm
Power supply: four AAA alkaline batteries, Allows 10 hours of continuous use (backlight OFF), Allows 7 hours of continuous use (backlight ON), separately sold AC adapter (DC4.5V)
Dimensions (W x D x H): 76 mm x 112 mm x 27 mm (2.99" x 4.41" x 1.06")
Weight (not including batteries): 138g (0.30lbs.)
Included items: Owners manual, four AAA alkaline batteries, Strap holder
Option: AC adapter
Appearance and specifications are subject to change.
I got my PX4D from the shop just to try it out – i had plans to have some other guitar processor on the higher end. The dealer suggested me to try it out and it was agreed with him that if i dont like it, i would give it back and take other guitar processor. But, when i played it for a day, trying out the various effects and features it has, it captivated me. With that price tag, it was more than sufficient for me. I admit that it has limitations but if you want more features, you need to pay more also. Changing patches is very easy for me as i have been using the Pandora 1, 2, 3 and now the 4th generation. I also play Line 6 POD XT – definitely that has more features and killer tones but PX4D is also in the fray, taking into consideration the low price tag it has. Hats off !!!