# Questions & Answers

Short, clear answers to the questions musicians ask us most. Type a word in the filter (for example “drum kit”, “PA5X”, “undo”, “Yamaha”) or pick a category.

Web page: https://pasetexplorer.com/tutorials?c=faq

## General

### What exactly does PA SET Explorer do?

It opens the SETs of KORG Pa arranger keyboards (PA300 to PA4X) and PA5X KSTs on your PC, shows everything inside (styles, sounds, samples, pads, performances), lets you listen to it, combine SETs by drag & drop, import and convert styles and sounds between KORG, Yamaha, Medeli and Ketron, and build Medeli AKX/Zen sets.

Full guide: https://pasetexplorer.com/tutorials?c=getting-started#what-is

### Do I need the keyboard connected?

No. Everything works with the SET folder on your PC. A keyboard is only needed if you want to play the KORG Style Player on it over MIDI, or play sounds from a MIDI keyboard.

### Which keyboards are supported?

KORG PA300, PA600, PA900, PA3X, PA700, PA1000, PA4X (SET folders) and PA5X (KST folders), plus Medeli AKX / Zen sets. Styles from Yamaha (SFF), Medeli and Ketron can be converted to and from KORG.

Full guide: https://pasetexplorer.com/tutorials?c=getting-started#supported

### Does it run on Mac or Linux?

PA SET Explorer is a Windows program (Windows 10 or 11).

### Do I need internet?

Internet is used for license checks, updates and the Community. Exploring and editing SETs works on your computer.

### What is the difference between Basic and Premium?

Basic lets you open, explore and listen, and do the everyday work. Premium unlocks the advanced tools — for example Import/Merge, Convert (whole SETs), Check Unused, exporting sounds and the Event Editor. Premium buttons show a padlock on Basic.

Full guide: https://pasetexplorer.com/tutorials?c=getting-started#plans

### Can I upgrade from Basic to Premium later?

Yes — on the Plans page you only pay the difference.

### Is there a trial?

Yes, a short Trial with Premium features. Its days left are shown in Profile.

### Can the program damage my SET?

SET A is edited on a working copy: your real SET is only written when you press Save, and you can undo every step before that. Still, always keep an untouched copy of your original SET — it is good practice with any tool.

Full guide: https://pasetexplorer.com/tutorials?c=saving#working-copy

### How do I change the language of the program?

Click the globe button in the header and pick a language.

## Opening SETs

### How do I open my SET?

Press **Open SET/KST** and select the folder whose name ends in `.SET` or `.KST` (not a file inside it). You can also drag that folder onto the program window, or double-click it in Resources.

Full guide: https://pasetexplorer.com/tutorials?c=open-and-resources#open-set

### I selected the folder but nothing loads / it looks empty.

You probably selected a sub-folder (SOUND, STYLE, PCM…) or a folder above the SET. Select the folder that **contains** SOUND, STYLE, PCM etc.

### Which model should I choose in “Select Korg Model”?

The keyboard the SET will be played on. It sets the memory bar (so you see if it fits) and whether sample compression is offered. You can press Skip if you only want to look.

Full guide: https://pasetexplorer.com/tutorials?c=getting-started#first-launch

### Why does a PA5X KST not ask for the model?

The program recognises a PA5X KST by itself and selects PA5X automatically.

### What does the memory bar at the top mean?

It shows the chosen model, how much sample memory the SET uses, how much is still free and the limit. Orange above 70%, red above 90%. If it is over the limit, compress samples or remove unused sounds.

### My SET is in a .zip or .rar file.

Extract it first with Windows (or 7-Zip / WinRAR), then open the extracted `.SET` / `.KST` folder.

### What is Resources?

Your personal library: every SET, KST, AKX set and style you opened or added, plus your Community downloads. It only remembers where things are; it never copies or moves files.

Full guide: https://pasetexplorer.com/tutorials?c=open-and-resources#resources

### A Resources card says the item no longer exists.

You moved, renamed or deleted it in Windows. Remove the card with ✕ and add it again from its new location (Browse → Add Folder… / Add Style Files…).

### I dropped a style file on the window and nothing happened.

The window only opens SET/KST and AKX folders. Drop style files into Resources → Browse instead, then double-click them to listen or use Import Style to put them into a SET.

## Sounds, samples & PCM

### How do I listen to a sound?

In the Sound Library: press **▶ Demo**, click the on-screen keyboard (top of a key = soft, bottom = loud), or use your computer keyboard (A S D F G H J K L ; and W E T Y U O P, Z–M for the low octave, Shift / Ctrl for octave up / down).

Full guide: https://pasetexplorer.com/tutorials?c=sound-library#listen

### What do RAM, Factory ROM and Mixed mean?

**RAM**: the sound’s samples are inside the SET — it travels with the SET. **Factory ROM**: it uses the keyboard’s built-in samples. **Mixed**: some of each. Drum kits show “Unknown” in the list; open Details to see each key (ROM keys have a ROM badge).

Full guide: https://pasetexplorer.com/tutorials?c=sound-library#overview

### Can I export a sound to use it in another program?

Yes: right-click → Export → SF2 (SoundFont), VOI / KIT (Medeli), Korg Sampler (.PCG + RAM.KMP + .PCM) or WAV files. Exporting is a Premium feature.

Full guide: https://pasetexplorer.com/tutorials?c=sound-library#export-sound

### Sampler Version 2.1 or 3.0 — which one?

2.1 for PA600, PA500 and older models; 3.0 for PA700, PA4X, PA1000 and newer. If the source is 2.1, only 2.1 is offered.

### “Export as Korg Sampler” is disabled.

The sound uses only factory ROM samples, which are not in the SET. The KORG sampler export needs RAM samples.

### If I delete a sound, are its samples deleted too?

Only if you tick “Also delete assigned RAM samples”, and only the samples that no other sound uses.

Full guide: https://pasetexplorer.com/tutorials?c=sound-library#delete-sound

### What is the difference between PCM Banks and Samples?

PCM Banks lists every sample of the SET. Samples lists only the samples of the sound you selected in the Sound Library.

### How do I free memory by removing duplicate samples?

PCM Banks → Check Duplicates. Delete unused copies first (Delete All Unused). For copies in use, Delete & Remap re-points the sounds to the kept copy, so they sound exactly the same.

Full guide: https://pasetexplorer.com/tutorials?c=pcm-banks#duplicates

### Check Duplicates does not list my “(L)” and “(R)” samples. Why?

Samples whose names only differ by the side — like “(06L)” and “(06R)” — are the left and right halves of a stereo sample. They are not duplicates.

### What does Compress SET do? Will it sound worse?

It stores samples compressed so more of them fit into the keyboard’s memory — on models that support it (PA700, PA1000, PA3X, PA4X). You can compress only long samples (> 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 10 s), which saves the most. Listen afterwards; Uncompress SET reverts it.

Full guide: https://pasetexplorer.com/tutorials?c=pcm-banks#compression

### I don’t see the Compress buttons.

They appear only when the chosen model supports compression, and never for PA5X KSTs. Check the model in the memory bar.

### What are oscillators?

The layers of a sound. Each oscillator plays a multisample with its own range, velocity, octave and tune. Untick oscillators in the Oscillators section to hear one layer alone.

Full guide: https://pasetexplorer.com/tutorials?c=oscillators

### An oscillator shows a strange value like “Transpose +244”.

Some values of older sound formats are not fully decoded yet and can be shown wrongly in the information panels. They are only displayed — the sound itself is not changed.

## SetManager & combining SETs

### How do I copy styles from one SET to another?

Open your SET (SET A), then SetManager → Import/Merge → KORG SET / KST and double-click the other SET (SET B). Drag styles from SET B onto slots of SET A. Set Copy Options first. Then press Save.

Full guide: https://pasetexplorer.com/tutorials?c=combining-sets#korg-to-korg

### Which SET is A and which is B?

SET A (left, cyan) is the SET you opened and edit — the destination. SET B (right, orange) is the one you loaded with Import/Merge — the source.

Full guide: https://pasetexplorer.com/tutorials?c=combining-sets#a-vs-b

### I copied a style but it plays with the wrong sounds.

The style uses user samplers / drum kits that SET A does not have at the same numbers. Undo, switch on **Save Styles Samples & DrumKits** in Copy Options and copy it again — its sounds come along and the style is re-pointed to them.

Full guide: https://pasetexplorer.com/tutorials?c=setmanager#copy-options

### Can I copy many styles at once?

Yes. Ctrl + click (or Shift + click) styles in SET B and drag the selection, or drag a whole SET B page button or bank button onto SET A.

Full guide: https://pasetexplorer.com/tutorials?c=combining-sets#groups

### I dropped a style on an occupied slot and the old one disappeared!

A single style dropped from SET B replaces the style in that slot. Press Undo (Ctrl+Z) to bring the old one back.

### “No free slot left” — what now?

The group did not fit in the free slots from where you dropped it. Drop the rest on another page or bank, or delete styles you don’t need.

### “Cannot drop drum kit into sampler bank”.

Drum kits go into drum kit banks (USERDK…), samplers into sampler banks (User…). Switch to the right bank and drop again.

### “Not enough sample memory in SET A”.

The samples you are copying don’t fit. Compress samples (PCM Banks → Compress SET), remove duplicates or unused sounds, or choose a model with more memory.

### Can I copy PA5X styles into my PA4X / PA3X SET?

Yes. Open the PA5X KST as SET B and drag its styles onto your SET A: each .stg is rebuilt as a KORG style. To convert a whole KST use Convert → KORG PA700 / PA1000 / PA4X (or PA300…PA3X).

Full guide: https://pasetexplorer.com/tutorials?c=combining-sets#kst-rules

### Can I put my old SET styles (with their samples) into a PA5X KST?

Yes. Open the KST as SET A and the old SET as SET B, switch on Save Styles Samples & DrumKits and drag the styles: they become .stg and their sounds are copied into the KST. Or convert the whole SET with Convert → KORG PA5X (.KST).

### Between two KSTs I can’t paste into SET B. Is that a bug?

No. With two PA5X KSTs, styles and sounds go only from SET B to SET A.

### How do I copy the pads of a style?

Switch on Copy Styles Pads (KORG SET↔SET) in Copy Options and copy the style, or drag pads one by one in the PADS tab.

### After copying, the style’s STS have different sounds.

With Save Styles STS off, a copied style gets a default STS. Switch it on (and confirm saving the STS samples if asked) before copying.

### How do I make a new empty SET?

SetManager → Create New Set: name, model (PA300 – PA4X) and folder. It opens as SET A, ready to fill.

Full guide: https://pasetexplorer.com/tutorials?c=setmanager#btn-create-new

### How do I find sounds that no style uses?

SetManager → Check Unused lists sounds that no style or performance uses. Delete the ones you don’t need (you can undo).

Full guide: https://pasetexplorer.com/tutorials?c=setmanager#btn-check-unused

### How do I find a style in a huge SET?

In SetManager press Ctrl+F and type part of the name. You can search sounds, styles, performances and pads, in SET A or SET B.

### Can I copy performances?

Yes, in the PERF tab: drag them from SET B, and right-click for Copy, Rename, Delete and Properties.

## Saving & undo

### How do I save my changes?

Press Save in SetManager (or Ctrl+S there). The Save window lists every change; press Save changes. Until then your SET on disk is untouched.

Full guide: https://pasetexplorer.com/tutorials?c=saving#save-window

### How do I undo?

Press Undo in SetManager or Ctrl+Z (redo: Ctrl+Y or Ctrl+Shift+Z). Every copy, import, rename, delete, compression and style edit can be undone until you save.

Full guide: https://pasetexplorer.com/tutorials?c=saving#undo-redo

### Is there a Ctrl+R shortcut?

No. The shortcuts are Ctrl+Z (undo), Ctrl+Y / Ctrl+Shift+Z (redo) and Ctrl+S (Save window), in SetManager.

### Ctrl+Z does nothing.

The shortcuts work while SetManager is on screen, outside text boxes and other windows. Click an empty area of SetManager and try again, or press the Undo button.

### I want to throw away everything I did.

Open Save and press Discard changes: SET A goes back to how it is on disk.

### What happens if I close the program with unsaved changes?

It asks: Save and exit, Exit without saving, or Cancel.

### Why is there no Undo for my AKX set?

Medeli AKX sets are written immediately — they have no working copy. Keep a backup of your AKX set folder before big changes.

Full guide: https://pasetexplorer.com/tutorials?c=saving#immediate

### How do I put the saved SET back on my keyboard?

After Save, copy the whole `.SET` / `.KST` folder to your USB stick and load it on the keyboard as usual.

## Styles, importing & Style Properties

### Which style formats can I import into a KORG SET?

KORG .STY (from any bank), PA5X .stg, Yamaha .sty (SFF), Medeli .sty, Ketron .kst and .mid files with style section markers. Right-click an empty style slot → Import Style.

Full guide: https://pasetexplorer.com/tutorials?c=importing#import-styles

### Can I play a Yamaha style on my KORG?

Yes: Import Style on an empty slot (Browse… → your .sty), or convert it in the Converter to KORG .STY / PA5X .stg.

### My .mid file is refused.

A plain MIDI file needs style section markers (Main A, Intro 1, Fill In AA…) so the program knows which bars are which section. Add the markers in your DAW, or use PA SET EXPLORER MIDI files exported by the Converter.

### How do I change the sound of a track in a KORG style?

Right-click the style → Properties → ReMap on the track → choose the sound → Apply. Use the User tab for your own samplers.

Full guide: https://pasetexplorer.com/tutorials?c=style-properties#remap

### Why can’t I edit Style Properties?

The style is in SET B, which opens read-only. Copy it to SET A first.

### Can I edit the notes of a KORG style?

Yes, with the Event Editor: Style Properties → right-click a Chord Variation (CV1…CV6) → Event Editor. Press Save CV when done. It is a Premium feature.

Full guide: https://pasetexplorer.com/tutorials?c=style-properties#event-editor

### How do I save one style as a file?

Style Properties → Export Style: KORG .STY, Yamaha .STY, MIDI, Medeli AKX10 .STY or Ketron .kst.

### How long can a style name be?

Up to 24 characters.

### How do I import a SoundFont (.sf2) as a KORG sampler?

SetManager → SOUNDS → right-click an empty slot of a sampler bank → Import Sampler → choose the .sf2 (pick the preset if it has several) → Import. For drum kits use a drum kit bank → Import DrumKit.

Full guide: https://pasetexplorer.com/tutorials?c=importing#import-samplers

### Which sound files can I import into a KORG SET?

Samplers: .sf2, Medeli .voi, Yamaha .uvn and KORG .kmp (+ .ksf). Drum kits: .sf2, Medeli .kit and Yamaha .uvd.

### Can I import WAV files?

Not directly. Build a SoundFont (.sf2) with your WAVs in a free sampler tool, then import the .sf2.

### What is kept when importing a sampler?

Samples, zones, velocity layers, tuning, volume, pan (kits) and reverb / chorus sends. Envelopes and filter use KORG defaults.

## Converter & Convert

### What is the difference between the Converter and SetManager → Convert?

The **Converter** converts one style file at a time, with full control (section map, Style Settings, Verify Fidelity). **Convert** in SetManager converts a whole SET in one go (to PA5X KST, older KORG, Medeli AKX, Yamaha or Ketron).

Full guide: https://pasetexplorer.com/tutorials?c=converter#what-converter

### Which formats can the Converter write?

KORG PA700/1000/PA4X (.STY), KORG PA300/600/900 (.STY), KORG PA5X (.stg), Medeli AKX10 (.sty), Yamaha (.sty), Ketron / Audya (.kst), Standard MIDI (.mid, up to 2 CVs) and PA SET EXPLORER MIDI (.mid).

Full guide: https://pasetexplorer.com/tutorials?c=converter#formats

### Why does my Yamaha / Medeli conversion lose Chord Variations?

Those formats store fewer variations per part (one main plus one alternative). The converter keeps the most important ones and the Warnings box tells you exactly what was reduced.

### What does Verify Fidelity tell me?

It converts in memory and compares with the source: sections kept, notes kept and ranges kept. KORG ↔ PA5X conversions usually reach 100%.

Full guide: https://pasetexplorer.com/tutorials?c=converter#verify

### Can I edit a style in my DAW and bring it back?

Yes: convert it to PA SET EXPLORER MIDI (.mid), edit it in your DAW, import that .mid and convert back. Untouched notes give a byte-identical style.

### What is “Transcribe Guitar Mode”?

KORG Guitar Mode tracks use special trigger notes that only KORG understands. Transcribing turns them into real guitar notes (voicings, strum direction, muted strokes) so Yamaha and Medeli can play them. Transcribe RX Noises also adds the guitar noises.

### “No free part for a chord-following track” — what should I choose?

Medeli’s Perc channel only plays drum kits. If a style has a melodic sound on Perc, choose the recommended option (Replace <part> with it) unless you know better; “Leave it out” drops that part.

### Where are converted files saved?

In the folder you choose when you press CONVERT (Converter) or Choose folder & Convert (SetManager). SetManager conversions also write a report (.txt) there.

### When will the Sampler Converter be ready?

It is in development and will arrive in a coming update. Meanwhile you can export sounds from the Sound Library and import .sf2 / .voi / .uvn / .kmp / .kit / .uvd files.

Full guide: https://pasetexplorer.com/tutorials?c=converter#sampler-converter

### What is converted when I convert a SET to a PA5X KST?

One style folder per bank (every style becomes .stg) and every sampler and drum kit rebuilt in a new PA5X sample template in the same bank and slot. GLOBAL, PERFORM, PAD and SONGBOOK are not converted.

Full guide: https://pasetexplorer.com/tutorials?c=setmanager#btn-convert

## Medeli AKX / Zen

### What is an AKX / Zen set?

The expansion that Medeli’s GrandSuite program sends to the AKX10 / AKX10S: a folder with a .GSTarget file containing voices, drum kits, pads and styles organised in packs.

### How do I put my KORG sounds and styles on a Medeli AKX?

Open your KORG SET, then Import/Merge → Medeli AKX / Zen expansion (or Create AKX/Zen Set). Drag KORG styles onto a Styles pack, samplers onto a Samples pack, drum kits onto a DrumKits pack — or use Convert Set to convert everything at once.

Full guide: https://pasetexplorer.com/tutorials?c=medeli-akx#korg-to-akx

### 256 MB or 768 MB?

Choose the memory of your AKX expansion. It is used for the memory bar so you know when the set is full.

### “AKX memory full”.

The set has no room left. Remove items you don’t need, or convert fewer sounds.

### Can I add Yamaha or KORG Triton sounds to an AKX set?

Yes: right-click a Samples pack → Add .voi / .uvn / .kmp files…, or a DrumKits pack → Add .kit / .uvd files…. They are converted to Medeli format.

Full guide: https://pasetexplorer.com/tutorials?c=importing#import-akx

### Can I edit an AKX voice?

Yes: double-click it. Change global settings (volume, envelope, play mode, reverb, chorus, vibrato…) and layer / zone settings, listen on the keyboard, then press Save (a backup is kept).

Full guide: https://pasetexplorer.com/tutorials?c=medeli-akx#voice-props

### Can I edit AKX styles?

Yes: double-click a style. Change samplers, volumes, octaves, chord rules and notes in the Tracks step, edit the Quick Settings, then Save Style.

Full guide: https://pasetexplorer.com/tutorials?c=medeli-akx#akx-styles

### Can I turn an AKX set into a KORG SET?

Yes: SetManager → Convert → choose the Medeli AKX set → pick the KORG model, name and packs → Convert…

Full guide: https://pasetexplorer.com/tutorials?c=medeli-akx#akx-to-korg

### Do AKX changes need Save?

No — they are written immediately. That is why a backup of the AKX folder is recommended.

### What is the convert manifest file?

After Convert Set, `<AKX set name>_convert_manifest.txt` in the AKX set folder lists everything that was converted, skipped or mapped.

## Style Players

### How do I listen to a style?

In SetManager: right-click → Play ▸ → choose the section. For style files: double-click them in Resources.

Full guide: https://pasetexplorer.com/tutorials?c=style-players#two-players

### How do I change the chord in the player?

In the universal Style Player (Tracks step) choose the root and type in CHORD. The KORG Style Player plays the style as recorded.

### How do fills work in the KORG Style Player?

Click Fill 1–4 or Break while playing: it starts on the next bar and returns to the variation. Clicked while stopped, it is armed and plays first.

### Can the style play on my real KORG keyboard?

Yes: connect it by USB-MIDI and switch MIDI: ON in the KORG Style Player. A connected KORG keyboard plays every track with its own sounds.

### I hear nothing.

Check Audio Options → Output device and Master Gain, and that Stop was not pressed. In the universal player try the other output (PC MIDI / Internal).

### Why are some tracks red in the Style Player?

Those tracks use a sampler that is not in the loaded set; they play with a GS sound in the preview. Double-click the sampler to choose another one.

### Can I save the changes I make in the Style Player?

Yes, with Save Style — for KORG .STY, PA5X .stg, Yamaha and Ketron files (saved in place with a backup) and for AKX styles.

Full guide: https://pasetexplorer.com/tutorials?c=style-players#save-style

## Problems & solutions

### The sound crackles or stops.

Audio Options → Output stability: Balanced or Stable, and/or a bigger Buffer Size (512). Close other heavy programs.

Full guide: https://pasetexplorer.com/tutorials?c=settings-and-more#audio-options

### A big SET takes long to load.

Big SETs (several GB) need time for the working copy and the sample index. Let it finish; the loading window shows the progress.

### My keyboard does not load the SET.

Make sure you saved, copied the whole folder, and that the SET fits the model’s memory (memory bar). Check the model you chose matches the keyboard.

### A button has a padlock.

It is a Premium feature and your plan is Basic. Upgrade on the Plans page or check your plan in Profile.

### I found a bug. How do I report it?

Use Bug Report in the sidebar: choose where it happens, describe it and the steps to repeat it. Technical information is attached automatically.

Full guide: https://pasetexplorer.com/tutorials?c=settings-and-more#bug-report

### I bought a new license. How do I use it?

Profile → Change License → enter the new key. The old one stays active until the new one is verified.