Lets discuss Kronos BUILD QUALITY:

[jahrome]

Jahrome, I totaly understand why it's frustrating for you, and that you've had quite a wait for a fix. Part of the reason for that is that you had your Kronos before anyone else - don't take that as a criticism - it's not in any way intended as such. The reality is that as one of the first owners, you become de facto backup QC. That shouldn't be the case, but it almost always is.

Look on the bright side though - you have not one, but two of these beasts. There are a bunch of us on here who would gladly put up with a dodgy data wheel in the short term if it meant that we could get a Kronos earlier.

I don't take it as criticism. I am actually more annoyed at all the so-called product experts/engineers.

As far as other comments...people need to be more respectful on the internet. You do this by never writing something directed to an individual you wouldn't say if that person were standing in the same room as you.

In the end, this is a thread about build quality and I am only one of a few folks that has reported this issue. Maybe when I finally get my new data wheels, they will come with a coupon for a future discount on another $3K product. Tnen I will be a champion like Mr. Kay here.

[vladimotor]

However, Korg have a brick-wall solid reputation for build quality and that surely hasn't changed.

Was that irony or you have never used anything other then Korg??
As much as i love Korg sound, features, innovations, the shittiest build quality were usually Korgs. Some were ok, n364/362 were nicely built, M1 too. On the other hand TR, Triton Le, X50, MicroX, MS2000 were awfully built, some are not acceptable for even consumer electronics. Z1 had terrible buttons. M50 61 didn't feel nice either.

P.S.

As for Roland, i only owned a few but, their budget models such as Fantom Xa and Juno-G were made better then Tritons.

[michelkeijzers]

However, Korg have a brick-wall solid reputation for build quality and that surely hasn't changed.

Was that irony or you have never used anything other then Korg??
As much as i love Korg sound, features, innovations, the shittiest build quality were usually Korgs. Some were ok, n364/362 were nicely built, M1 too. On the other hand TR, Triton Le, X50, MicroX, MS2000 were awfully built, some are not acceptable for even consumer electronics. Z1 had terrible buttons. M50 61 didn't feel nice either.

P.S.

As for Roland, i only owned a few but, their budget models such as Fantom Xa and Juno-G were made better then Tritons.

Also never had problems with my Triton X5, N264, Triton Extreme and M50. I gigged with all of them and dragged during 15 years or so 1 or 2 weekly to and from the rehearsal room.

The only 'problem' I have is a velocity problem on one key of the N264 because I never covered it in the at that time reasonably dirty rehearsal room.

So for me Korg has proven its build quality.

[jrocko31]

Hello everyone,

I still don't have the money to buy Kronos at this time but that workstation will definitely replace my Triton Extreme in the future.I just like to point out that the Kronos data wheel's design seem to be different from the Extreme. I don't know of any other Korg synth that have the same design of data wheel though but as far as I know the data wheel of my TEX is simple and solid. I wonder if there's anyone from Korg care to share some insight on the new data wheel's design on the Kronos and its advantage over the ones of the previous Korg workstations?

[jahrome]

Hello everyone,

I still don't have the money to buy Kronos at this time but that workstation will definitely replace my Triton Extreme in the future.I just like to point out that the Kronos data wheel's design seem to be different from the Extreme. I don't know of any other Korg synth that have the same design of data wheel though but as far as I know the data wheel of my TEX is simple and solid. I wonder if there's anyone from Korg care to share some insight on the new data wheel's design on the Kronos and its advantage over the ones of the previous Korg workstations?

You have to ask robbinhood since he/she implies to have insight on this matter.

[taki]

Just spent 20 min. reading all 8 pages of this topic... Appreciate Stephan Kay chimming in... This goes to show that Korg cares and our forum has a contact, thus not going to deaf ears...

I recently acquired the Kronos... Have been practicing/playing with it ~4 hours a night for the past week... I have still not gotten past the I-A and I-B banks...

Since I own many korg keyboards (Sigma,Z1,Trinity/MOSS,TEX,PA800,M3), I did not read the Kronos manual to start adjusting/re-programming some of the sounds already, thus using the knobs to adjust things....

The rotary knob along with the levers are all tight and working as expected. The serial number of my Kronos is 200, so this is one of the earliest made.

I feel bad for the few of you that received bad knobs. It sounds like Korg is working on replacing them... It seems to be a QC issue that has quickly been addressed.

The overall make and feel of the Kronos61, for me, is excellent... I feel the keyboard itself has a sleek look to it, and feel that it has been built good... Of course, when you build it with more of a heavier shell, it gets heavier... I like the fact that it is not too heavy....

I also own the Kurzweil PC3, Roland XP-80, Roland RD-700SX, and a few more keyboards.... Overall, the build of Korg keyboards, including the Kronos, are comparible to other enclosures and knobs from other companies.

My two cents as a long time Korg user.

Nedim, sorry to hear that your Kronos had these initial problems. Please tell us if korg helped you out with your situation. After all, we all get the extended 2 year warrantly if we register the Kronos online.

Taki

[sparkie]

Because of your comments and a few others....is the reason why I go on. Additionally, the problem hasn't been addressed or solved until I actually receive the parts. Sir, you probably received your Kronos for free (could be wrong..). But I paid good money. I am still a little pissed because it took several weeks for anyone to acknowledge my issue. Anway...I have clearly made it known...outside of the data wheel, I have no issues with Kronos. But this one problem is big for me..and frustrating everytime I use it. I guess I should just be frustrated privately huh?

So I guess it's best if nobody involved with Korg (although I am not an official representative) responds to you about this? No attempts at any explanation or discussion? I guess we should just let you alone in your massive discontent, your preoccupation with this one data input device that has already been fixed?

See, the part that's a little bit peculiar to me (about all of this kind of Kronos bashing that is going on here) is this:

1. A keyboard company will support, for a longer time, products that do well in sales.

2. Products that do poorly in sales, will have a shorter life.

3. Why go on and on about something that has already been dealt with? This discourages other customers. See #1 and #2.

Dealt with?? They have only recognized the problem...When I get my knob and try it out ..then I will say it is dealt with! Please.......I cant understand why anyone would defend the use of "any kind of tape" to hold it in place on a knob that is heavily used? I think the next issue and problem Korg needs to recognize....and deal with ...is the NOT ENOUGH RAM IN THE KEYBOARD problem. DOnt you?

[Gargamel314]

I spent about 2 hours yesterday trying out a Kronos 61. Every single thing about it seemed rock-solid. It looks to me like some people may have some defects in their workstations, and I can certainly see how people might find the feel of the data wheel to be a little plasticky, but all the sliders and knobs felt solid, the data wheel certainly didn't seem to be overly cheap. It's a data wheel...it spins. That's it's only job. and it does it quite nicely. My only qualms were the fact that the ten million banks of GM sounds were right in the middle of every category view (much like in the Tritons), and I had some issues pressing certain zones on the touch screen, but this could be resolved by using a stylus or the back end of a pen (the non-writing end) to select. Also, not sure of the salespeople bothered to calibrate the screen. Also, the vector joystick was TINY... i expected something a little bigger, but it felt pretty solid also. I hear people always complaining that Korg's build quality is constantly going downhill, but I really don't think this is true. It seemed way more solid than even the M3 does, and definitely more solid than the X3/N364 that came out 17 years ago. It felt like a Triton Extreme the way it was put together. Build quality gets an A- IMHO ...

[donjuancarlos]

Please.......I cant understand why anyone would defend the use of "any kind of tape" to hold it in place on a knob that is heavily used?

There are all sorts of levels of tape quality. You should check out 3Ms catalog sometime. Some are so strong , Korg would never use them because they would not be able to get the knob off again with out breaking something. The quality control issue may be something as simple as the surfaces were not properly prepared (i.e., they had dust on them) before the tape was applied.

[michelkeijzers]

A bit offtopic tough: one of the first projects I did, a sensor of an X-ray system (for human purposes) was glued to the case with chewing gum and a bit of tape. It worked however this was only during the first experimental setup and way before production.

[aron]

In the end is this just about the knob or are there some people with fader problems? Mine are both fine. Faders and knobs unless they have set screws have always been friction fit - especially when used with plastic shafts. I agree the data wheel should not pop off when in use, but this is being fixed as I was told.

[GregC]

Because of your comments and a few others....is the reason why I go on. Additionally, the problem hasn't been addressed or solved until I actually receive the parts. Sir, you probably received your Kronos for free (could be wrong..). But I paid good money. I am still a little pissed because it took several weeks for anyone to acknowledge my issue. Anway...I have clearly made it known...outside of the data wheel, I have no issues with Kronos. But this one problem is big for me..and frustrating everytime I use it. I guess I should just be frustrated privately huh?

So I guess it's best if nobody involved with Korg (although I am not an official representative) responds to you about this? No attempts at any explanation or discussion? I guess we should just let you alone in your massive discontent, your preoccupation with this one data input device that has already been fixed?

See, the part that's a little bit peculiar to me (about all of this kind of Kronos bashing that is going on here) is this:

1. A keyboard company will support, for a longer time, products that do well in sales.

2. Products that do poorly in sales, will have a shorter life.

3. Why go on and on about something that has already been dealt with? This discourages other customers. See #1 and #2.

Dealt with?? They have only recognized the problem...When I get my knob and try it out ..then I will say it is dealt with! Please.......I cant understand why anyone would defend the use of "any kind of tape" to hold it in place on a knob that is heavily used? I think the next issue and problem Korg needs to recognize....and deal with ...is the NOT ENOUGH RAM IN THE KEYBOARD problem. DOnt you?

you knew about the RAM before you took delivery.

You can always return your Kronos if you are not satisfied.

[GregC]

Because of your comments and a few others....is the reason why I go on. Additionally, the problem hasn't been addressed or solved until I actually receive the parts. Sir, you probably received your Kronos for free (could be wrong..). But I paid good money. I am still a little pissed because it took several weeks for anyone to acknowledge my issue. Anway...I have clearly made it known...outside of the data wheel, I have no issues with Kronos. But this one problem is big for me..and frustrating everytime I use it. I guess I should just be frustrated privately huh?

So I guess it's best if nobody involved with Korg (although I am not an official representative) responds to you about this? No attempts at any explanation or discussion? I guess we should just let you alone in your massive discontent, your preoccupation with this one data input device that has already been fixed?

See, the part that's a little bit peculiar to me (about all of this kind of Kronos bashing that is going on here) is this:

1. A keyboard company will support, for a longer time, products that do well in sales.

2. Products that do poorly in sales, will have a shorter life.

3. Why go on and on about something that has already been dealt with? This discourages other customers. See #1 and #2.

Like I said before...its you. Some of your comments are irritating. Nothing has been fixed. I use the "one data imput device" 2x more than every other data input device added together. Its seems like you just don't understand this.

Korg Japan did not respond at all. Korg USA took weeks to get back to me. Its not my job to sell Kronos. If I got it for free, perhaps I would be a salesman like you. If no one responded, I would have returned both keyboards and have $6K in my pocket.

You spent $6k on a Kronos ?

Did you buy 1 or 2 boards ?

[panrixx]

He has two Kronii

[songbird]

this data wheel issue is blown out of proportion to be honest... yes, there is a problem with the data wheel... korg should have done better QA... blah blah... fine...
they acknowledged the issue and said they will fix it... the new wheels do not teleport... they have to be tested, and shipped etc. it takes time.. .few weeks to couple months, that is reality. there is nothing anyone can do to change that,. people have to accept that and move on...

the data wheel is not preventing people from making the music or enjoying the kronos. people who are not able to let go off that are doing harm to the company and the community...not to mention the harm and frustration they are causing themselves... so please take it easy... everyone will get the replacement when korg is ready...
for now, please enjoy the kronos...

for people who are researching the kronos to make it their next buy, this overblown issues will be confusing... it is giving an impression that it is a fully problematic KB, which it is not... so please do everyone a favor and stop the attack!!!