Korg Forums Forum Index Korg Forums
A forum for Korg product users and musicians around the world.
Moderated Independently.
Owned by Irish Acts Recording Studio & hosted by KORG USA
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Kronos or not kronos. Alternatives.
Goto page Previous  1, 2
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Korg Forums Forum Index -> Korg Kronos
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
RKfan
Senior Member


Joined: 15 Feb 2011
Posts: 402
Location: Cambridge, England

PostPosted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 2:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Rocness wrote:
RKfan wrote:
There is no alternative to the Kronos....

Must buy Kronos

Must buy Kronos

No really there is no alternative - it's great, best thing out there (there being US and Japan)

Unfortunately - we are all going to have to wait and save up for one (and if you live in the EU save up for one and a half).

See what I mean by Impulse . Wink


Been waiting for 5 months and have also posted to rolandclan (asking when the JP80 manuals will be available for example - got no answers looks like Scott Tibbs doesnt look at the site - and not sure where Dan Krishner is either). On balance I would prefer to go for the Kronos over the Jupier 80 (my current keyboard is a Juno-G which I have had for more than 5 years and absolutely love to death). I think supernatural sounds fantastic on the few demos that are out there but I dont want those kinds of sounds. For me I want a synthesizer that makes synth sounds - and the Kronos has 5 engines that I am really wanting AL-1, STR-1, Mod-7, Polysix and especially the MS-20 - the others for me are also rans although I expect to use the piano (not really interested in the CX-3 or HD-1 (I have 4 oscillators per voice on the Juno so 2 oscillators is not an improvement)). So when I get a decent deal (might not be straight away - I am prepared to wait) I think I will go for the Kronos.

And another thing - in Europe it is looking like the price is going to be at least 50% more than in the US - so I am not inclined to impulse buying - I will even consider importing since at the inflated prices currently advertised it makes no sense not to.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
EXer
Platinum Member


Joined: 17 Jan 2011
Posts: 558
Location: France

PostPosted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 4:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

RKfan wrote:
And another thing - in Europe it is looking like the price is going to be at least 50% more than in the US

That's irritating. Unfortunately it's not specific to Korg.

Examples:

Motif XF 6
• USA (Sweetwater) $2400
• Europe (Thomann, Germany) €2535 = $3637

Motif XF 8
• USA $3500
• Europe €3444 = $4941

Fantom G6
• USA $2500
• Europe €2555 = $3666

Fantom G8
• USA $3800
• Europe €3444 = $4941
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
EXer
Platinum Member


Joined: 17 Jan 2011
Posts: 558
Location: France

PostPosted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 4:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

RKfan wrote:
Must buy Kronos

You must pay taxes.
You must die.
That's all you must.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
keywhiz61
Full Member


Joined: 07 Mar 2011
Posts: 103

PostPosted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 4:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

EXer wrote:
You must pay taxes.


Not even that. I don't think most people in prison pay taxes, do they?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Scott
Platinum Member


Joined: 16 Oct 2009
Posts: 1013

PostPosted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 4:38 pm    Post subject: Re: Kronos or not kronos. Alternatives. Reply with quote

biggrime wrote:
As far as should you get a Nord. Well I look at them as 2 different beast. Either you want a workstation(Kronos) or you want a stage keyboard(Nord). If you do not know the difference google it.

My understanding is simply that a workstation includes music production capabilities... i.e. it has a built-in multitrack sequencer on which you can edit parts, and has a correspondingly wide range of sounds (including drums). However, the fact that the Kronos has this capability and the Nord Stage does not does not mean that they do not "compete" for many uses. If you want a clonewheel, strong piano sounds, VA and FM synthesis, sample loading/playback, and strong MIDI controller functions, these two boards and maybe a Kurzweil PC3K are the only boards to choose from. If someone wants these things but doesn't care about workstation functions, the Kronos and the Stage 2 are both strong choices to consider, The Kronos can certainly be used very well as simple "a stage keyboard" and I wouldn't rule it out simply because someone "doesn't need a workstation." Especially considering that the Kronos can be had for less $ than a Stage 2. They both have some unique capabilities to recommend them, but their functions also do overlap a lot, and I could see a lot of stage players looking at comparing the two.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Scott
Platinum Member


Joined: 16 Oct 2009
Posts: 1013

PostPosted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 4:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

keywhiz61 wrote:
EXer wrote:
You must pay taxes.


Not even that. I don't think most people in prison pay taxes, do they?


More to the point, no one has to pay taxes (if they're willing to go to jail).
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
synthguy
Platinum Member


Joined: 05 Jan 2005
Posts: 661

PostPosted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 6:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

EXer wrote:
RKfan wrote:
Must buy Kronos

You must pay taxes.
You must die.
That's all you must.

No, I must have a Kronos. Very Happy

I must have a new analog or two too, but I can only afford one major purchase at a time.
_________________
PRAY FOR THIS PLANET!!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message AIM Address Yahoo Messenger
Randelph
Platinum Member


Joined: 18 Oct 2008
Posts: 604
Location: San Francisco, CA

PostPosted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 6:45 pm    Post subject: Re: Kronos or not kronos. Alternatives. Reply with quote

audioird wrote:
Hi,

Here is my case, a few explainations.
My actual config is : Roland RD300sx, a laptop, V-Station, Ableton Live, Korg Legacy suite (MS20 and others).
I do not own Komplete, nor Pianoteq.

I recently sold my Roland to buy a Nord Stage 2 to get a more reliable configuration, a better piano and e-piano.
Than the Korg Kronos appeared !!!
I am now very confused and I want to know what would be the best setup for me.

I am looking for :
- an instrument, I mean real feeling and playability with goods keyboard sounds (rhodes, clavinet, piano) and why not others (Strings ...)
- good analog or wave sounds to overlay
- reliability (always works when you switch it on)
- easiness for live performance
- enough parameters to get the sound I want

The Kronos may be ok :
- if I can try it and if it does not sounds like a toy with bells and whistles (useless features, poor efficiency, poor user interface)
- if the price in France does not exceed 2500 € for a 73 or 88 piano keys.

Or maybe I should buy a Nord Stage
Or maybe I should buy Komplete or Pianoteq and a controller keyboard.


Quote:
Indeed, with a NS2, you do not get a good sample playback engine :
- in the piano module can only upload .npno files from Clavia, you can't edit a ".npno" file and make one yourself, and Clavia only has pianos/clavinet to offer for that engine.
- the sampler module has no velocity layers. You can edit ".nsmp" files with Nord Sample Editor and put your own samples key by key if you want, then upload it to the NS2, but I reapet : there is no velocity layers possible for that engine module !


Yes, the evidence seems to be overwhelming and compelling that the Kronos beats the NS2 in almost every way.

I own a NS Classic and a Korg M3, so I have a flavor of both.

The NS2 has 2 easy advantages: the 88 key weighs 10 pounds less than the k88, and is 5-6 inches shorter because of the mod/pitch wheel on top. For me this is huge- 88 keys is already super long, but add another 5-6" and it becomes undoable in some situations (like the theatre gig I did with the NS, where it wouldn't have fit in the space if it was any longer). And that extra 10 pounds at the end of the night can be a killer for me.

Quote:
I am looking for :
- an instrument, I mean real feeling and playability with goods keyboard sounds (rhodes, clavinet, piano) and why not others (Strings ...)
- good analog or wave sounds to overlay
- reliability (always works when you switch it on)
- easiness for live performance
- enough parameters to get the sound I want


What this discussion hasn't taken into account yet is the unique nature of the Nord. IF you like the sound of the Nord, then do you need endless parameters to tweak? After being in the workstation mode for years, I was pleasantly surprised by the Nord approach.

First off, I really LOVE the pianos, the EPs, the organs on the NS. They are the most satisfying, playable sounds I've ever had on any board. Some people are not as satisfied as I am, so that would be important obviously to check out.

But beyond that, it's the difference between a Stage Piano, which is all about getting down to business and playing/practicing, and a Workstation, which is a beast of a beast!

You do have endless possibilities with the Kronos for sound designing, for sequencing, sampling, computer integration, for layering, etc.

But you have to ask yourself if you want all that, or do you want a very portable, satisfying bread and butter sounds experience where you can change everything in real time 'cause almost all parameters are layed out in front of you.

I've gone down the rabbit hole with several workstations now, and frankly, I would probably sell my NS in order to get a Kronos.

But for someone who was a serious player/gigger that was not that into technology and the endless fussing with it that's possible with workstations (and I do mean endless); someone not as interested in music technology but in playing a super high quality, accessible board for gigging and practicing, I'd go with the NSII.

The Kronos has the NSII beat in almost every way, but player satisfaction is very personal. I made the mistake of buying way too much music technology with the Yamaha Motif XS, and grew to hate it. I thought I was getting the "best" out there. When I got the NS I was amazed at how much I just loved playing it, that I didn't spend countless hours auditioning patches and tweaking sounds, etc., but spent that time practicing and playing!

The Kronos is way better than the Motif XS/XF, and in my book the UI is much better with the Korg workstations; but you're still dealing with endless technology. Sometimes simpler is better, depending on your disposition and needs. And while you don't have nearly as many parameters to tweak, I've found the one that are available, from the Drive to the fx to the eq, all immediately accessible from the top panel, gets the job done.


Randy
_________________
Keyboards: Kawai ES920 / Casio CT-X5000
Instruments: Keys / Alto Recorder and Melodica
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
robinkle
Senior Member


Joined: 14 Jan 2011
Posts: 382
Location: Norway

PostPosted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 12:25 am    Post subject: Re: Kronos or not kronos. Alternatives. Reply with quote

Quote:

What this discussion hasn't taken into account yet is the unique nature of the Nord. IF you like the sound of the Nord, then do you need endless parameters to tweak? After being in the workstation mode for years, I was pleasantly surprised by the Nord approach.

First off, I really LOVE the pianos, the EPs, the organs on the NS. They are the most satisfying, playable sounds I've ever had on any board. Some people are not as satisfied as I am, so that would be important obviously to check out.

But beyond that, it's the difference between a Stage Piano, which is all about getting down to business and playing/practicing, and a Workstation, which is a beast of a beast!

You do have endless possibilities with the Kronos for sound designing, for sequencing, sampling, computer integration, for layering, etc.

But you have to ask yourself if you want all that, or do you want a very portable, satisfying bread and butter sounds experience where you can change everything in real time 'cause almost all parameters are layed out in front of you.

I've gone down the rabbit hole with several workstations now, and frankly, I would probably sell my NS in order to get a Kronos.

But for someone who was a serious player/gigger that was not that into technology and the endless fussing with it that's possible with workstations (and I do mean endless); someone not as interested in music technology but in playing a super high quality, accessible board for gigging and practicing, I'd go with the NSII.

The Kronos has the NSII beat in almost every way, but player satisfaction is very personal. I made the mistake of buying way too much music technology with the Yamaha Motif XS, and grew to hate it. I thought I was getting the "best" out there. When I got the NS I was amazed at how much I just loved playing it, that I didn't spend countless hours auditioning patches and tweaking sounds, etc., but spent that time practicing and playing!

The Kronos is way better than the Motif XS/XF, and in my book the UI is much better with the Korg workstations; but you're still dealing with endless technology. Sometimes simpler is better, depending on your disposition and needs. And while you don't have nearly as many parameters to tweak, I've found the one that are available, from the Drive to the fx to the eq, all immediately accessible from the top panel, gets the job done.


Randy


Very well said. I've tested NS2 in a store and I loved it my self, and I'm a big fan of hands on control when programing sounds. Though I would think Kronos is way better then many workstations when it comes to hands on control though. Kronos is a mix of the two I think.

Makes me wish all parameters on the Kronos having it's own button or knob Laughing Would probably look like the Bridge on the starship U.S.S Enterprise.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Bertotti
Platinum Member


Joined: 10 Jul 2010
Posts: 3384
Location: Middle of nowhere

PostPosted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 12:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

SHHHHhhhhh! No one is supposed to know about that board yet! " U.S.S. Enterprise workstation" Sadly it is still the size of a king bed because of the lagging technology!


True I have go round and round about what board i want and I am still worried the Kronos will have to much to offer me and frustrate me. I am glad to have a manual to go through now, sadly probably a year to go through it before I get my Kronos, truth is if I decide I do not like the Kronos or it is just to much for me, not money wise obviously, then a NS2 or even a simple C3 organ will get my time. But for now the Kronos is in my sites!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
robinkle
Senior Member


Joined: 14 Jan 2011
Posts: 382
Location: Norway

PostPosted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 1:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bertotti wrote:
SHHHHhhhhh! No one is supposed to know about that board yet! " U.S.S. Enterprise workstation" Sadly it is still the size of a king bed because of the lagging technology!


True I have go round and round about what board i want and I am still worried the Kronos will have to much to offer me and frustrate me. I am glad to have a manual to go through now, sadly probably a year to go through it before I get my Kronos, truth is if I decide I do not like the Kronos or it is just to much for me, not money wise obviously, then a NS2 or even a simple C3 organ will get my time. But for now the Kronos is in my sites!


I will wait for Summer NAMM, maybe Yamaha not Roland got some enterprise workstation cooked up for us.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
zahush76
Junior Member


Joined: 09 Mar 2011
Posts: 98

PostPosted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 6:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think that on the NS2 vs Kronos question, it is also very important which musical style you're into.
The nord stage 2 is a mean vintage machine. It seems clavia is aiming for that kind of sound pallete: B3 emulation (3 different models) plus vox and farfisa, rhodes, wurly, clav, CP80, a full mellotron and chamberlin library, every string machine imaginable, RMI Elektra, samples of P5, minimoog, polymoog, and the list goes on and on (and of course the VA).
I'd say if you were in a Genesis tribute band or something of the sort - there's really no better alternative. There are sounds here that no other company even thinks about.

While the kronos has a good ep engine, i think its clavs (both sampled and from str-1) are no match for the nord's. There's no dedicated vox and farfisa. The mellotron samples are but a few. It is no "vintage specialist" keyboard.

But on the other hand - the "synthy" side of the Kronos blows away the NS2. 22 kinds of filters, lots of lfo's, eg's, step sequencers, sophisticated arps, karma etc. FM monster, wave sequencing and - you know the rest. As does the HD-1 engine and so on.

So it really comes down to what you're looking for - musically speaking.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
lesfarrington



Joined: 09 Jun 2011
Posts: 24

PostPosted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 9:25 am    Post subject: AND THE WINNER IS... Reply with quote

GO FOR THE KRONOS! i love all those other instruments you mentioned and any one of them would be a welcome addition to any studio or stage but having used my Kronos for almost a week now I have to say THIS IS YOUR INSTRUMENT. USE THE LAPTOP for composition and take the sequences with you on the Kronos. I CANT SAY IT LOUD ENOUGH!!!! THIS IS YOUR CHOICE! i bought it SIGHT UNSEEN and when it was delivered last week i opened the box with SKEPTICISM ....after 5 days with it i am convinced that this is by far the most amazing musical instrument Ive ever touched by leaps. from the storage to the realtime control to the SOUND to the LIVE GIG SETUP to the BUILD QUALITY to the BEAUTY OF THE DESIGN...and again the SOUND!!! the MOD7 and AN-1 Synths are BEASTIES OF BEASTIES. its so deep you might get lost in it! modulation routings, Realtime Control assignments, Storage options, THREE DIFFERENT SOUND OUTPUT OPTIONS with 6 analog outputs and a SPIDF in and out and THREE USBs. what more can you ask for? this thing is LIGHTYEARS ahead. The Roland Jupiter 80 had better kick some BUTT if it thinks its gonna Dethrown the Kronos. The Nord sounds great but THERES JUST NO CONTEST. i am a professional musician with Top 40 and Soundtrack work. i know my synths.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
orpheus2006
Platinum Member


Joined: 17 Nov 2007
Posts: 597
Location: Germany

PostPosted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 10:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

IMO for the studio, there are alternatives e.g. Spectrasonics, Modartt, EastWest, and a few more,
but for live the Kronos is simply the best workstation on earth at the moment.

Quote:
the MOD7 and AN-1 Synths are BEASTIES OF BEASTIES
Nice typo. I guess you mean the AL-1. AN1 is the beast from this other company (and from the last century). Laughing
_________________
www.soundcloud.com/orpheus2006
.............................................................
Korg M3-88 w/ EXB-Radias, Yamaha Motif Rack w/ PLG150-AN & PLG150-DR, Novation A-Station, RME Multiface II Audio Interface, Thinkpad T60 Notebook w/ Sonar X3 and various VSTi, Event TR8 monitors, Beyerdynamic DT-770 headphones
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Korg Forums Forum Index -> Korg Kronos All times are GMT
Goto page Previous  1, 2
Page 2 of 2

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group