Korg Forums

[danmusician]

I haven't gotten to read the entire review yet, but I thought the comment was interesting about the Kronos, as a workstation, being very close to dedicated pianos such the Roland V- Piano and Yamaha CP-1.

I spent a some time with both the V and CP before I got the Kronos. I think the Kronos compares very favorably to those instruments.

First, I've never been a fan of Roland digital pianos. That's purely subjective, they just don't work for me. Also, I thought the key throw on the V seemed a bit shallow. For the price and lack of portability, just didn't make the cut for me. I do like the Kronos pianos better.

The CP1 was a real contender for me. BUT, the looping on the lower octaves was too noticeable to me. The Kronos excels at having full samples.

Overall, the Kronos pianos tend to be a little bright for my taste. But the dark German is pretty good for a "normal" piano for me.

So for less money, I got a piano I prefer and a killer synth and workstation. It's the most I've ever spent on a workstation, but I think it's the best bang for the buck I've ever gotten on a keyboard!

(Actually, back in the day, I spent 2k on my EPS, plus nearly at least 1K on output expansion, memory upgrade and sound disks. Ah, the good ole days!)
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Kronos 2 88, Kronos Classic 73, PX-5S, Kronos 2 61, Roli Seaboard Rise 49

[kron]

I would use Kronos pianos in some situations and V-piano/RD700NX and CP1/Motif pianos in some other situations. This is purely because the piano sounds can be very subjective when it comes to finding the 'right' sound for a particular musical arrangement. This also applies for software pianos, I end up using VSL Imperial Grand, Imperfect Samples Fazioli and Pianoteq based on what suits the needs of a musical arrangement.

If this was confusing, here's what I meant (this is not in the order of any preference):

- V-piano: Best sounding piano, if I don't want to move it around
- CP1/Motif: Piano with a 'character'
- Kronos: Versatile piano that would suit most of the common situations

It is impressive what KORG has achieved here at a price point, that you would end up spending for a hardware piano alone.

These days, for me, magazine reviews are good for entertainment and just to ensure that I haven't missed a 'view point'. I have stopped relying upon them since I've ended up with wrong purchases by over believing into what they write.

[michelkeijzers]

The 'problem' with magazines that is mostly subjective from the author's point of view, and if it's not subjective, it's more like specs which are mostly already known by other sources (manufacturer, forums like this, youtube movies etc).
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Developer of the free PCG file managing application for most Korg workstations: PCG Tools, see https://www.kronoshaven.com/pcgtools/

[donjuancarlos]

What I don't get is the "too bright" etc., comments.

You've got adjustments galore right in front of your fingertips to make it as dull and dark as you like.

From the samples I've heard so far (still waiting for a 73), I'd prefer a slightly darker sound as well, with more resonance. And I'm going to dial that up on the piano sound as soon as I get it, and then press Save.

[Bruce Lychee]

I had the CP1 right before the Kronos. I love the EPs but the pianos on the Kronos are better. The big difference between the CP1/V and the Kronos is that they have far nicer actions and build quality.
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Shigeru Kawai SK5
Roland Jupiter 80
Vintage Vibe 64

[danmusician]

[danmusician]

[danmusician]

[Slovenec]

Regarding magazine reviews, I too don't rely on them anymore for a 'subjective' as well as an 'objective' opinion on a new product. It seems that sadly, most of the magazines also base how positive a review is with how much advertising the particular manufacturer is doing with that particular mag. 'Future Music', 'Computer Music', 'Keyboard' (to name just 3 are a total joke. In the case of Keyboard Magazine, it really saddens me about them as they used to have the best reviews up until about 7-8 years ago and I have very issue from 1987 up until the start of 2005! Their reviews use to be very comprehensive whereas now, it's like reading an extended brochure put out of the manufacturer of the product being reviewed! I still praise Sound on Sound very highly for most of their reviews but the review of the Kronos was also like reading 'Korg's Proview'! Electronic Musician still seems to do good reviews. Music Tech's reviews are also like brochure reading IMHO. It seems that the manufacturers are often sending unfinished products to the magazines so that they can get a positive review out to the public ASAP and then the magazine's marketing department is aptly rewarded with a nice 1 or 2 page spread of the product!

One can hope that some of our once respected magazines can get their act together and stop simply acting like the brochures you pick up at your local music retailer! Keyboard Magazine are you listening?????????
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MIDITEK MUSIC PRODUCTION RECORDING & TUITION- albums, demos, jingles. Recording, arranging & mixing.

[billysynth1]

Sorry gents, but where is this review? Is it on-line, can i buy it? I have gone to the keyboard mag site, but there is nothing about the JP80, am i perhaps looking at some other site with a similar name?

Thnks
Billy
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Yamaha C1 Grand Piano.
Korg Oasys 88, Jupiter 80
Kronos 88, V Synth GT
I am a student of classical piano...I am not a classical pianist.

[EXer]

[DavyP]

SOS is by far the best Music Tech Mag available in the UK, and maybe the world? I have purchased it since its first issue in the 80,s and its reviews are usually the most in depth and detailed and the Kronos is a good example.

The reviewer was obviously an Oasys fan but IMO I think the review was accurate and the reviewer could compare the kronos against the oasys as he was familiar with the different synth engines.
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Korg Kronos 88, Korg M1, Novation SL61 MKII, Roland JV1080 with Techno expansion, Roland D110, Yamaha MU80, KRK Rokit 5 monitors, Akai ME30PII midi patch bay, Behringer RX1602 mixer, ESI ESP1010e audio interface, Quad Core PC, Cubase Pro 9.0, SE X1 condenser mic.

Guitars: Yamaha SG700, Ovation Applause electro-acoustic, Squier Strat, Roland micro cube amp.

Former: Roland Jupiter 6, Yamaha DX9, Akai X7000 sampler, Casio CZ1000, Roland SH101, Roland TR909, Roland MC500mk2, Emu Procussion.

[zzz]

There's also this one to watch, to go along with this month's Keyboard...

from Keyboardmag.com


a Pre Review ... before the Official Sept issue review ...

http://www.keyboardmag.com/article/k...pressions/4350


Well worth a watch.

[danmusician]

[Chriskk]