Korg Forums

[JimDavis]

I am sure it has been discussed many times before but I couldn't locate the thread here...

88 vs 73 vs 61 ???

Any pros/cons other than hammer action vs not hammer action and the key numbers?

Price difference is not an issue...
I will play mostly synth sounds and am not a piano guy...
It will be a permanent fixture in my man cave as a hobby piece and not going to gigs of any kind. So weight of the instrument is not an issue either.

I am planning to get a Roland KC400 with whatever Kronos I get... As long as it makes enough noise to suppresses my wife's endless chit chat I'll be happy with it

Also what stand you recommend for a sit down player?

Anything I should be aware of before grabbing a "xx" key model ???

[GregC]

[KK]

[nowtime]

If space is not an issue I would get the 73 (I presume it is not weighted). More notes at your fingertips and less need of using the octave button.

[GregC]

[19naia]

61 key is the easiest, but there are things kronos does other than just put basic sound out to every key press.
Kronos zoning goes 16 different ways and if you ever get into extensive multi samples and RPPR performances, then the more keys you have -the better.

If all you do is dabble a bit in everything and use more layers than you do splits, then 61 may be enough. RPPR is great stuff but it automatically uses up around 1 octave for silence keys that make no sound and work as a stop trigger for the keys that do make sounds via the patterns. So as soon as you enter RPPR , 61 keys becomes (61 minus 12) or somewhere around there.

Kronos has the wide array of sounds with unique qualities where some shine more on the higher registers and others at the low and then layering them in Combi, so 88 keys becomes a must for me. I go to some dull sounds and then the top of my 88 is where the particular sound comes alive so i layer that top part into other sounds with dull top parts.

Only way i would do 61 keys on a Kronos ,as was my original plan, is i would pair it with a worthy 88 key controller.

So if you go 61 keys to get you started, you can always get an 88 key controller board and you will have a pick of key feel varieties for soft 88 or hammer action 88. Ending up with the best of both worlds if you want.

Same goes with getting the 88 keys Kronos. You can always add on a 61 key(soft keys) controller board or even a 73-76 soft key controller.
The best of both worlds. But... Kronos 88 keys are nearly the heaviest action out there if you struggle with piano action weighted feel.

Kronos is built to pair up or midi connect with other keyboards or controller keys.

Get any key version you feel comfortable with and then you will have the option of later adding a longer set of any kind of keys you want- If you decide having wider range for splits, RPPR and Multisamples.
Also by the time you start assigning keys special functions in Karma, that just adds the need for more keys.

Kronos LS model has the shape and size of full piano keys but plays like soft keys and you get a full 88 keys. You give up aftertouch feature with LS model but end up with soft keys and a full rack of 88. Kronos keys are more than just plunkng down notes, and if you get into all the things notes can be used for in the system, you will find you need as many keys as you can just to not feel cramped into a tight performance space.

[JimDavis]

This is not my very first keyboard but I am a novice.
Years ago I owned a Korg Wavestation for a few years and liked it a lot.
But again I am a bass, drum and guitar guy 95% of the time...

Kronos seems a better suit to me at the moment for making the music I'd like to compose on my own.

KC400 was the result of an Internet search with keyword " keyboard amp"...
And Roland was claiming the new KC series they purified the signal output and bla bla bla... which I have no idea...

Again what is my choice for around $600 for a sound system that nice/loud/full of bass/ and preferably stereo option...???

[JimDavis]

How about : 2 of Yamaha HS8 8" Powered Studio Monitors ???

[19naia]

[studio460]

The Kronos 88 hammer-action is too heavy for me. I'm not a skilled pianist and I already have a hammer-action 88-key keyboard in my Fantom G8. If I had a choice, I would've preferred a synth-action 88-key Kronos. The 61-key Kronos is synth-action, but it's too small, as I want to play bowed basses with cellos and violins on the same keybed—so I went with the K88 despite the weighted keys.

For fast synth, plucked, or string leads, weighted keys can really slow you down and tire your fingers. If that's your thing, you're much better off with a synth-action keybed.
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Korg Nautilus 61 AT + DS1H + EXP2 | Korg Kronos 2 Platinum 88 | Korg Radias | Korg Kaoss Pad KP3+ | Kaossilator Pro+ | Kronos Remote iOS
PCG Tools v3.2.0 | WavesArt Cinematic Suite EXs

[studio460]

[JimDavis]

[leonh]

Kronos 61 for what you need why would be a reason to get 88 keys ?

[tomto66]

If you're not trained on piano your fingers/hand might hurt on a weighted keyboard - it takes training to develop muscle ...
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Kronos X-88, Nanopad2, Tascam US122 MKii, Roli Rise 49

[GregC]