Korg Forums

ilikewinning2 · Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 10

Ok, so im looking at witch model of the Korg kronos i should get.

The 61-key version is smaller and doesn't have octave up/down buttons for all programs/combis. However it is much more portable. This is good for bringing it to gigs, or just to jam.

The 73 key version is bigger (better because in my free time i often play songs by Chopin or Beethoven that utilize a large portion of the keys on a standard 88 key piano). The 73-key is harder to take around and i have heard about problems with the RH3 keys.

I plan on using this keyboard at home and possibly bringing it to gigs and to school. I will also bring it to university when i go. There is also the possibility of MIDI controllers. Could i assign a octave up/down to a MIDI controller like the NANO PAD 2?

What do you recommend?

keego · Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2011 9:16 pm Post subject:

Just save programs in the register you want to play and toggle through them with a footpedal if you go for a 61 key. I believe there are a few issues with the weighted action keybeds.
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Current Arsenal:
Kronos 61, Kurzweil PC3K6, Nord Stage 3, Yamaha MOXF8, Muse Receptor 2+, Mainstage

Previous:
Korg:X5D,Wavestation, N364, Trinity,Triton Classic,Triton Studio, Korg M3 61 w/ EXB-Radias
Ensoniq:TS12, SD1, ASR10
Roland:XP10, JD-800, Roland XV88, A90ex
Kurzweil:K2500RS, K2661, PC3
Nord: Electro 3

ilikewinning2 · Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 10

JPROBERTLA · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 1:24 am Post subject: Weighted or unweighted

I got the 61 because of all the RH3 problems reported on this forum and because the only 88 I actually saw had uneven spacing between the keys and minor key height variations. I play a weighted keyboard 90% of the time (now) and would have probably got the Kronos88 had it not been for the problems previously noted. So for now I will keep my Triton Studio88 and use it with the Kronos 61. Also, some of the Triton sounds are not found in the Kronos - I am a player not programmer, so keeping the Triton makes even more sense. Hope this helps.
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JP
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Kronos2-88, Behringer XR18, Turbosound IP2000 (x2), dbx DriveRack 260, KRK Rokit 8s, Mackie CFX16, Mackie SRM450(x2), Mackie SRS1500 (x2), BBE processors (x4), Roland VSR 880 (x2), Alto TS210, Alto TX10 (x3) and SoundForge

Vlad_77 · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 1:31 am Post subject:

Hard to make a recommendation. I bought my 61 in June because only Korg and God knew when the 73 and 88 were being released. I control the 61 from a Roland XV-88 for now. I DO plan on purchasing a 73 key next January; yes I love Kronos that much that I want another.

I had a chance to play a 73 in November and I experienced no problems with it. To be fair, I had only about three hours with it and not all of that time was spent on piano patches so I really cannot make an informed decision to offer advice based on a mere three hours.

I DO love the action on the 61 for synth stuff and will at times play it instead of controlling it depending upon the song. It has a ceratin action that is so hard to describe but feels so much better than any 61 key synths I have played in the last 8 years or so.

Ahimsa,
Vlad
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Current gear: Kronos, Jupiter 80, Kurzweil PC3,Roland Fantom X8, Roland XV-88 (yep, its old, but the ACTION is heaven and those XV-3080 sounds are still wonderful for me), Radias-R, Motif ES (yeah it's older but I love the guitars Wink

)

drchris · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 2:55 am Post subject:

I have an 88 and am super happy with my decision. I'd say the best thing is to try to find somewhere close to you that has both in stock to compare the keybeds. Before buying, I went to try out the 61 and it really wasn't what I was looking for. I was at GC the other day and noticed that they had an 88 and 61 both there. I played each a minute, and I remain very satisfied with my decision.

Others need the 61 action, so if at all possible, play each for yourself.

Best wishes!
Chris
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Kronos 88 # 000135
Ableton Live / AKAI APC40 / AKAI MPK49

danmusician · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 4:33 am Post subject:

I recommend the 73. I own 2. (one was damaged in a car accident.)

The RH3 issues are not trivial, but receive a disproportionate amount of attention on these boards. If you want to play Chopin and Beethoven, you want at least the 73, maybe even an 88. The 73, for a weighted keyboard, is not that heavy or cumbersome to move.

I found the 61 action to be subpar for an unweighted keyboard. Others disagree, so you really need to play one and decide for yourself.

In the face of RH3 issues, I would not hesitate to buy a 3rd 73. (hoping I don't need to!)
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Kronos 2 88, Kronos Classic 73, PX-5S, Kronos 2 61, Roli Seaboard Rise 49

keyplayer14 · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 5:04 am Post subject:

I have the 88 and despite a mild case of the note cut-off issue I'm very happy with the way it plays. I almost went the 61 and controller route, but I'm glad I didn't
Hopefully the fix will be in soon for the problem but it really doesn't affect me too badly - so far my K has done 30 or so gigs and a two week recording job with very few issues, so overall I'm very happy.
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Korg Kronos 88, Trinity Plus, Wavestation SR, X5D, M1
Roland RD 700, V-Synth GT, Jupiter 80, JV 1080
Akai MPD32, Cubase 5, NI Komplete, Spectrasonics Omnisphere, Stylus RMX

michelkeijzers · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 9:15 am Post subject:

It should depend mostly on if you like piano or synth style keys and the amount you need, secondary the weight and size.
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Developer of the free PCG file managing application for most Korg workstations: PCG Tools, see https://www.kronoshaven.com/pcgtools/

runningman67 · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 12:56 pm Post subject:

Your decision ultimately, obviously, but I have the 73. Occasional cut off note problems. It is intimitent so I think it is software based (guess). I am confident Korg will solve the issue, they have no choice.

Personally I love my 73 and I'm not a pianist. You get used to the action and I'd rather not have a secondary keyboard, just for reason of the action....... or avoiding a problem that can be solved or you may not even encounter.

IMHO Very Happy

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https://m.youtube.com/user/1967runningman

ilikewinning2 · Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 10

So you guys are saying that you think the RH3 problem isn't mechanical, and can (and will) be fixed?

runningman67 · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 9:13 pm Post subject:

ilikewinning2 · Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 10

ok, thanks. And by the way, can you connect more than one MIDI controller to the korg Kronos, or just one?

phattbuzz · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 9:36 pm Post subject:

EXer · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 11:12 pm Post subject:

A Kronos 61 + a Studiologic VMK 188 Plus master keyboard together cost less than a Kronos 88 (at least in Europe). And imo the action of the TP/40GH keybed of the Studiologic gives a better feel to a pianist than the action of the RH3 keybed (I have used a Studiologic SL-880 as my master controller before I used a RD-700 SX, and as a pianist I have always been satisfied with the SL).

Imo the combination of a K61 + a Studiologic VMK 188 Plus is worth considering instead of a K88...