Korg FISA Suprema C

[kep]

As far as I see, all the difference is here (comparing to FISA Suprema in italics):

Right Hand
PIANO: 37 keys (vs. 41) with velocity sensitive (no aftertouch)
BUTTON: 92 buttons with velocity sensitive (no aftertouch via Master Bar)
Left Hand
120 bass buttons with velocity sensitive
Standard and Free Bass mode

CONTROLLERS
Main Volume, Main Balance, DATA/ENTER, Reverb Level, Delay Level, FX-C1, FX-C2, 3 Chin Switches, Touch Sensor, “G” Sensor (no Master Bar control, Master Bar switch)

RATED POWER OUTPUT
70 W max (vs. 112 W max)

DIMENSIONS​

PIANO
501 (W) x 408 (D) x 273 (H) mm vs. 542 (W) x 408 (D) x 289 (H) mm
19-3/4 (W) x 16-1/16 (D) x 10-3/4 (H) inches vs. 21-3/8 (W) x 16-1/16 (D) x 11-7/16 (H) inches

BUTTON
469 (W) x 381 (D) x 253 (H) mm vs. 500 (W) x 381 (D) x 269 (H) mm
18-1/2 (W) x 15 (D) x 10 (H) inches vs. 19-11/16 (W) x 15 (D) x 10-5/8 (H) inches

WEIGHT​

PIANO
9.9 kg vs. 10.6 kg (excluding AC adaptor)
21 lbs 14 oz vs. 23 lbs 6 oz (excluding AC adaptor)

BUTTON
9.6 kg vs. 10.3 kg (excluding AC adaptor)
21 lbs 3 oz vs. 22 lbs 12 oz (excluding AC adaptor)

 

[SteveBox]

The piano version does have a more compact keyboard, but it's the same keyboard size for the button version. Only a small difference in size and weight. The C versions are $1000 less.

It would be nice if they could follow up with a truly compact and lighter button version. Not everyone needs a 4 1/2 octave keyboard and 120 basses. With a transposing feature for the bass to shift the notes up or down by 4 positions, one could play in any key with a 72 bass.

 

[debra]

The piano version does have a more compact keyboard, but it's the same keyboard size for the button version. Only a small difference in size and weight. The C versions are $1000 less.

I'm surprised that the "length" (keyboard size essentially) is so large. 54,2cm for the 41 key keyboard and 50cm for the 37 key keyboard is a lot. A "normal" modern accordion only has a length of 49 to 50cm for a full size 41 key keyboard. Is Korg using wider keys (like the old Morino IV M) perhaps?
I'm glad the button version of the Compact model at least has a more reasonable length of 46,9cm, which is normal for a full-size bayan. And having 92 buttons means the buttons can be a bit larger (and more comfortable) than a real bayan with 106 buttons.

It would be nice if they could follow up with a truly compact and lighter button version. Not everyone needs a 4 1/2 octave keyboard and 120 basses. With a transposing feature for the bass to shift the notes up or down by 4 positions, one could play in any key with a 72 bass.

The 120 bass makes it possible to have a full 58 note melody bass and it does not take up a lot of room. My wife plays an accordion that's only just over 40cm long (or tall, in the playing position) and it has 87 buttons which is enough for a 53 note range (she only has 52 notes). 92 is enough for 56 notes like my Hohner Artiste X S. More notes is always better, and you do not always have the luxury of time to use an octave up/down switch while playing.
Personally I find the length of 46,9cm just fine and sufficiently compact, and the weight of 9,6kg is also fine.
I can't wait to see a few demos that use the Suprema C as an accordion to see how it sounds when used as an accordion.

 

[kep]

I can't wait to see a few demos that use the Suprema C as an accordion to see how it sounds when used as an accordion.

I don't see any difference in electronics, should sound the same. Speakers are less powerful, though.

 

[debra]

I don't see any difference in electronics, should sound the same. Speakers are less powerful, though.

It should sound the same (especially through external speakers). But I am hoping that finally we will get some demos of skilled players using the Suprema as an accordion and not as a devil-do-all electronic gizmo.

 

[JerryPH]

It should sound the same (especially through external speakers). But I am hoping that finally we will get some demos of skilled players using the Suprema as an accordion and not as a devil-do-all electronic gizmo.

Just my opinion, but I've said this for a very long time... if you want an acoustic... use an acoustic. This is very specifically made to be a devil-do-all electronic gizmo, in this case, an even slightly smaller one.

 

[Walker]

As far as I see, all the difference is here (comparing to FISA Suprema in italics):

Right Hand
PIANO: 37 keys (vs. 41) with velocity sensitive (no aftertouch)
BUTTON: 92 buttons with velocity sensitive (no aftertouch via Master Bar)
Left Hand
120 bass buttons with velocity sensitive
Standard and Free Bass mode

CONTROLLERS
Main Volume, Main Balance, DATA/ENTER, Reverb Level, Delay Level, FX-C1, FX-C2, 3 Chin Switches, Touch Sensor, “G” Sensor (no Master Bar control, Master Bar switch)

RATED POWER OUTPUT
70 W max (vs. 112 W max)

DIMENSIONS​

PIANO
501 (W) x 408 (D) x 273 (H) mm vs. 542 (W) x 408 (D) x 289 (H) mm
19-3/4 (W) x 16-1/16 (D) x 10-3/4 (H) inches vs. 21-3/8 (W) x 16-1/16 (D) x 11-7/16 (H) inches

BUTTON
469 (W) x 381 (D) x 253 (H) mm vs. 500 (W) x 381 (D) x 269 (H) mm
18-1/2 (W) x 15 (D) x 10 (H) inches vs. 19-11/16 (W) x 15 (D) x 10-5/8 (H) inches

WEIGHT​

PIANO
9.9 kg vs. 10.6 kg (excluding AC adaptor)
21 lbs 14 oz vs. 23 lbs 6 oz (excluding AC adaptor)

BUTTON
9.6 kg vs. 10.3 kg (excluding AC adaptor)
21 lbs 3 oz vs. 22 lbs 12 oz (excluding AC adaptor)

They also made the enormous KORG badge tiny and the tiny FISASUPREMA sign enormous...

I prefer the look of the original FS, with the enormous KORG badge. Probably because I've never been a fan of the model name FISASUPREMA. It reminds me of a recipe called Fish Supreme. FISASUPREMA C is kinda worse though, because it sounds like 'Fisa Supremacy' and that's just a bit weird. Still, it's not going to bother me, because I'll not be buying one. I'd rather have a Beltuna than a FISASUPREMA. ​

 

[debra]

They also made the enormous KORG badge tiny and the tiny FISASUPREMA sign enormous...

I prefer the look of the original FS, with the enormous KORG badge. Probably because I've never been a fan of the model name FISASUPREMA. It reminds me of a recipe called Fish Supreme. FISASUPREMA C is kinda worse though, because it sounds like 'Fisa Supremacy' and that's just a bit weird. Still, it's not going to bother me, because I'll not be buying one. I'd rather have a Beltuna than a FISASUPREMA. ​

I care much less about the size of the logo/sign than about the size of the (digital) accordion itself.

 

[debra]

Just my opinion, but I've said this for a very long time... if you want an acoustic... use an acoustic. This is very specifically made to be a devil-do-all electronic gizmo, in this case, an even slightly smaller one.

I know, I know, if you want an acoustic... But I want an acoustic that never goes out of tune, but alas that does not exist. And believe me, tuning can be a pain in the @ss. Especially piccolo reeds... they are so much of a challenge that some tuners refuse to touch them...
I have tuned accordions that were somewhat out of tune and the piccolo reeds were so much out of tune that I doubt whether they were ever tuned after placing them in the accordion.

 

[JerryPH]

I know, I know, if you want an acoustic... But I want an acoustic that never goes out of tune, but alas that does not exist. And believe me, tuning can be a pain in the @ss. Especially piccolo reeds... they are so much of a challenge that some tuners refuse to touch them...
I have tuned accordions that were somewhat out of tune and the piccolo reeds were so much out of tune that I doubt whether they were ever tuned after placing them in the accordion.

Then with some good comes a lot of what some would call bad. If you want a forever-in-tune accordion, it will sound like a Roland or FISA. Have you heard any accordion sounds that caught your attention in a slightly likeable manner on either?

 

[SteveBox]

I'm glad the button version of the Compact model at least has a more reasonable length of 46,9cm, which is normal for a full-size bayan. And having 92 buttons means the buttons can be a bit larger (and more comfortable) than a real bayan with 106 buttons.

Has anyone gotten their hands on a Korg CBA and measured the treble side button spacing? They don't specify this in the specs. Is it 19mm center-to-center as on the Rolands?

They also made the enormous KORG badge tiny and the tiny FISASUPREMA sign enormous...

That is a little weird. Usually, the manufacturer's name is more predominantly displayed, not the model name.

 

[Thomas N]

It should sound the same (especially through external speakers). But I am hoping that finally we will get some demos of skilled players using the Suprema as an accordion and not as a devil-do-all electronic gizmo.

Paul, have you watched Uwe Steger's Hits 4 Accordion videos on the Suprema C? He fits the bill of extremely talented player and also goes into great detail on the reeds and sounds along with the bellows action of the Suprema C vs an acoustic and Bugari Evo.

 

[debra]

Paul, have you watched Uwe Steger's Hits 4 Accordion videos on the Suprema C? He fits the bill of extremely talented player and also goes into great detail on the reeds and sounds along with the bellows action of the Suprema C vs an acoustic and Bugari Evo.

Many thanks for pointing this out. It's all done on the Suprema, not the Suprema C, but I guess the sound should be the same.
I must say the choice of different accordion and reed sounds is completely overwhelming. But also, the times he shows the difference between the Bugari Evo and the Korg are very illustrative. The Korg is really much much improved.

 

[kep]

They also made the enormous KORG badge tiny and the tiny FISASUPREMA sign enormous...

My guess the photo are preliminary and the sign is photoshoped. Take a closer look at the photos.

FISA SUPREMA C - AERO DIGITAL INSTRUMENT | KORG (USA)

The magic of FISA SUPREMA, the world’s most powerful digital accordion, now in a lighter and more compact format.

www.korg.com

 

[Thomas N]

Many thanks for pointing this out. It's all done on the Suprema, not the Suprema C, but I guess the sound should be the same.
I must say the choice of different accordion and reed sounds is completely overwhelming. But also, the times he shows the difference between the Bugari Evo and the Korg are very illustrative. The Korg is really much much improved.

Ahhh...my mistake. I had thought that the C meant chromatic rather than piano. As in the Roland FR-8x and 8x-b for button. I see now that it's for the more compact version.

 

[JerryPH]

Ahhh...my mistake. I had thought that the C meant chromatic rather than piano. As in the Roland FR-8x and 8x-b for button. I see now that it's for the more compact version.

Yup, "C" for "compact".

The button version really seems to benefit the most with less compromises moving to the smaller size than the PA.

 

[debra]

My guess the photo are preliminary and the sign is photoshoped. Take a closer look at the photos.

FISA SUPREMA C - AERO DIGITAL INSTRUMENT | KORG (USA)

The magic of FISA SUPREMA, the world’s most powerful digital accordion, now in a lighter and more compact format.

www.korg.com

The photo looks real to me, and if the sign is a photoshop job it's a pretty good job.

 

[JerryPH]

Time will tell once the first videos of the “C” are made.

 

[Thomas N]

Many thanks for pointing this out. It's all done on the Suprema, not the Suprema C, but I guess the sound should be the same.
I must say the choice of different accordion and reed sounds is completely overwhelming. But also, the times he shows the difference between the Bugari Evo and the Korg are very illustrative. The Korg is really much much improved.

I agree with your assessment of the videos. The Korg was much better than the Roland (Bugari) with respect to bellows nuances and overall accordion sounds, but the acoustic was just in another world when compared back to back. Like a Casio piano sound compared to a Steinway. But that's really not the point.

If I were buying new I would not consider the Roland and only look at the Korg. It's making the switch from the Roland to the Korg that I don't personally find the value in doing. There's not enough there for an $8000 US purchase when I have a really, really, good digital accordion right now.

And I really loved Uwe's playing style and the fact that I didn't have to cull through Timpani Drums, Violin Concertos or some hell-derived virtual analog synth sound which makes me cringe when heard coming from an accordion.

 

[EuroFolker]

Is the weight difference of under a kilogram (9.9 vs 10.6) enough to qualify it as "lightweight"?

Less keys, smaller speaker, no aftertouch / master bar, which is all fine for a more budget friendly model, but the alleged price difference ($1000 USD) is not that much.