I had the same feeling concerning the KRONOS
I have a KRONOS 61 and it's a very good
synth but I did not have a ''coup de foudre''
even after 2 months now. It wasn't love at first
site(and it's still not ).
As far as sound is concern I have a Yamaha
XS and the accoustic sounds of the yamaha
are by far superior to the Kronos, the guitars
of the XS are really good, sure we probably
don't have the same criteria, It's very personnal.
But it's the way that synths has to be build
from now on, SSD, multi engins , touch screen
Karma........ but as far as sound is concern
it's a Oasis in a new body. I hope it will get
it's own identity very soon.
With 1.5 upgrade and new sound library I
think where getting there, and it's the reason
why I bought a Kronos, reason not love,
after all it's only a machine, so I am not
going to the emotional about that.
Padking
Kronos - My first impressions
Moderators: Sharp, X-Trade, Pepperpotty, karmathanever
Hey, Exer! It's great to find a fellow EX5 user here. I remember your posts on EX5tech.com.
Thanks for the review. Hope you'll have time to go back and test the MOD-7 engine. It's one of the reason why the Kronos it's in my "wish list".
Kronos just arrived in my country, (Brazil). It's been featured in the bigest music fair this weekend in São Paulo(imagine a latin version of NAMM in size).
So, we're hearing the first opinions from our fellow friends that tested there. And most stores here didn't received yet.
As an EX5 user, I got very excited about the kronos since the NAMM show and I've been anxiously waiting for it. Watching every single video and reading all posts here.
Another thing that I'm really curious is the difference about the key action on the 61 an 73/88 weighted.
But as mighty as the Kronos sure is, I am keeping my beloved EX5. I plan to used them both in the studio and combine their strengths to get unique sounds using all the programmin power that those multiple engine can provide.
Sorry for any mistakes in my writing. English is not my native language.
Thanks for the review. Hope you'll have time to go back and test the MOD-7 engine. It's one of the reason why the Kronos it's in my "wish list".
Kronos just arrived in my country, (Brazil). It's been featured in the bigest music fair this weekend in São Paulo(imagine a latin version of NAMM in size).
So, we're hearing the first opinions from our fellow friends that tested there. And most stores here didn't received yet.
As an EX5 user, I got very excited about the kronos since the NAMM show and I've been anxiously waiting for it. Watching every single video and reading all posts here.
Another thing that I'm really curious is the difference about the key action on the 61 an 73/88 weighted.
But as mighty as the Kronos sure is, I am keeping my beloved EX5. I plan to used them both in the studio and combine their strengths to get unique sounds using all the programmin power that those multiple engine can provide.
Sorry for any mistakes in my writing. English is not my native language.
-
PinkFloydDudi
Couple thoughts.
+1 to whoever said it is laughable when in terms of sounding thin compared to the motif...although I might have used a bit of a less-baiting term. I think the motif pales in comparison. To each their own.
+1 to whoever said their front bar doesn't move. Mine doesn't either. Are you guys standing on these things to get them to flex? EVEN if it did flex (which I might actually prefer), I would think that would be much better than the other side of things in which pressure on that area would cause the metal to bend (permanently) or fold. Flexibility = durability.
Your comments about the touchscreen I generally agree with. The font size doesn't bother me as much as others (would prefer it bigger though), but the response of it is a bit annoying. I definitely think a stylus will help, but I don't like having to use that when I'm creating patches.
Haven't used headphones so not sure about the output level. Headphone amp?
I do have a separate gripe about your comments on the Kronos. You own multiple other keyboards that you have built a "relationship" with. You played the kronos for an hour? 2? 3?
Your comments about the sounds I sadly must mostly disregard...it would be like buying an adjustable wrench and then complain that it doesn't fit the particular bolt you have...yet you admit you never tried adjusting the opening of the wrench using the very simple/easy button used to do so. The Kronos gives you endless programming possibilities. Even someone as ignorant about keyboard programming as myself has been able to make some basic tweaks to get things sounding how I want them.
Regarding the Japanese being too bright - I agree, until I played with my band. It is necessary IMO to use a brighter one to cut through. When I play solo at home, nothing tops that German Grand (until the ex12 maybe!)
As to comments on the RH3, i guess I've been through this already. I absolutely do NOT want to play piano on non-weighted keys. I absolutely do NOT want to play an organ on full grand piano keys. I'd much rather a happy medium which does all things well, but not perfectly. If you want a piano that much - get a stage piano. If you want an organ so much, get the CX3. Having one extreme or the other would literally prevent me from playing a certain sound. Having that happy medium allows for me to be able to use all the engines with some accuracy.
Regarding the spacing - I looked at a friends Fantom, another friend's Motif...both had uneven spacing of the keys. This again is so miniscule that to me it does not impact playing at all. You yourself referred to the instrument as a tool. Do you care if your wrench has a scratch on it?
Boot time - For those of us that gig out - you turn your stuff on before you hit the stage (like during sound check). Losing power would suck, and a UPS is definitely preferred. (I stepped on my power strip already, killing power to the kronos. Needless to say I had to sit out the remainder of the song.). Boot time is long, but there is a lot happening and being loaded. True other keyboards don't have that long of load time - they also don't have 10gb samples to load either...try loading that in a Fantom or Motif and see how long it takes you.
Conclusion - the biggest and best aspect of the kronos is its flexibility with sounds. If you aren't willing to take the time to contour those sounds to your liking - I really quickly and easily disregard your comments on the sound. The kronos is what you make of it.
With that being said, some people certainly prefer other keyboard sounds. So be it. I think the comparison to the Motif or Fantom is laughable as another stated...I can see an argument for the Kurzweil to some extent. But thats just me.
Cheers!
+1 to whoever said it is laughable when in terms of sounding thin compared to the motif...although I might have used a bit of a less-baiting term. I think the motif pales in comparison. To each their own.
+1 to whoever said their front bar doesn't move. Mine doesn't either. Are you guys standing on these things to get them to flex? EVEN if it did flex (which I might actually prefer), I would think that would be much better than the other side of things in which pressure on that area would cause the metal to bend (permanently) or fold. Flexibility = durability.
Your comments about the touchscreen I generally agree with. The font size doesn't bother me as much as others (would prefer it bigger though), but the response of it is a bit annoying. I definitely think a stylus will help, but I don't like having to use that when I'm creating patches.
Haven't used headphones so not sure about the output level. Headphone amp?
I do have a separate gripe about your comments on the Kronos. You own multiple other keyboards that you have built a "relationship" with. You played the kronos for an hour? 2? 3?
Your comments about the sounds I sadly must mostly disregard...it would be like buying an adjustable wrench and then complain that it doesn't fit the particular bolt you have...yet you admit you never tried adjusting the opening of the wrench using the very simple/easy button used to do so. The Kronos gives you endless programming possibilities. Even someone as ignorant about keyboard programming as myself has been able to make some basic tweaks to get things sounding how I want them.
Regarding the Japanese being too bright - I agree, until I played with my band. It is necessary IMO to use a brighter one to cut through. When I play solo at home, nothing tops that German Grand (until the ex12 maybe!)
As to comments on the RH3, i guess I've been through this already. I absolutely do NOT want to play piano on non-weighted keys. I absolutely do NOT want to play an organ on full grand piano keys. I'd much rather a happy medium which does all things well, but not perfectly. If you want a piano that much - get a stage piano. If you want an organ so much, get the CX3. Having one extreme or the other would literally prevent me from playing a certain sound. Having that happy medium allows for me to be able to use all the engines with some accuracy.
Regarding the spacing - I looked at a friends Fantom, another friend's Motif...both had uneven spacing of the keys. This again is so miniscule that to me it does not impact playing at all. You yourself referred to the instrument as a tool. Do you care if your wrench has a scratch on it?
Boot time - For those of us that gig out - you turn your stuff on before you hit the stage (like during sound check). Losing power would suck, and a UPS is definitely preferred. (I stepped on my power strip already, killing power to the kronos. Needless to say I had to sit out the remainder of the song.). Boot time is long, but there is a lot happening and being loaded. True other keyboards don't have that long of load time - they also don't have 10gb samples to load either...try loading that in a Fantom or Motif and see how long it takes you.
Conclusion - the biggest and best aspect of the kronos is its flexibility with sounds. If you aren't willing to take the time to contour those sounds to your liking - I really quickly and easily disregard your comments on the sound. The kronos is what you make of it.
With that being said, some people certainly prefer other keyboard sounds. So be it. I think the comparison to the Motif or Fantom is laughable as another stated...I can see an argument for the Kurzweil to some extent. But thats just me.
Cheers!
-
kron
To add to this point, I have used headphones with both Kronos and XF and can confirm that the Kronos is 'hot' on phone OUTs. XF phone outs are VERY pale, as if somebody has reduced 10db gain before the sound navigates through the phone OUTs. This is also discussed on Motifator and there are people complaining about XF OUTs being pale as compared to KORG keyboards in general.PinkFloydDudi wrote:Haven't used headphones so not sure about the output level. Headphone amp?
KORG KRONOS 88 First Impressions
I just got a couple of days ago a Korg KRONOS 88 after looking at it and hesitating since it's official release... (Got confused because of the misc feedbacks on the Web...)
I have own in my times quite a few keyboards. Lately I am left with a KRONOS 88, a Nord Stage EX Compact, a Yamaha Tyros 4 and a Kawai K3 acoustic piano. I went through a stream of Yamaha, Korg and Roland gears in the past (Too many to mention...).
So here are my first impressions...
KORG KRONOS QUALITY:
After comparing physically the MOTIF XF and the KORG Kronos, I was not able to pick significant quality differences, I know I wanted what a workstation has to offer, the knobs, controllers are very similar, a bit more rubber on the Motif, I did not like the screen of the motif, not enough definition, the Kronos, despite it's small font has the edge.
Economics times drive manufacturers to cut cost, I reckon EVERY BRAND will eventually have to do the same...
In 1989, my Yamaha SY77 weighted 20Kg... today for 23kg I got a 88 keys Kronos... obviously the use of plastic and other light materials is pretty obvious. Is it going to last long? I don't think anything is meant to last long these days...
A metal top part with wood base is pretty standard stuff on 88 keys synth to my knowledge.
I am expecting to find more bugs in the O/S in such a complex instrument as I play with it.
I am not sure about the reliability of an SSD drive... the technology is pretty new and there is no stats on how long they last...so why did I go for the KK88..?
KORG KRONOS SOUND:
I think it does things that no other synth can do, I hardly scratched the surface of this instrument, there is so much to it, it's quite impressive...
To my ears, you can do anything you want with it but you don't need to fiddle around too much to get a great sound which is a +, they are already there.
After a couple of days and about 15 hours playing with my new toy, I can tell that much:
- Much better overall sound than a Korg KARMA, Korg M3 or a Korg PA2XPRO (I owned all of them in the past), I am not sure if it is 24 bits which makes the difference but it's pretty significant.
- Orchestral sounds? It is not really the forte of the Korg, I personnally think they are not bad at all. I know I can work easily with them, I am pretty sure those synth engines can produce excellent sounds... I obviously did not try the all feature set yet.
- Synth sounds? You can go crazy with this, Korg has the edge. All kind of textures are possible ... that was actually one of the main reason I went for the KK88. I have other excellent sounds with other keyboards but none like what the KK88 can produce.
- Sequencer, sampling etc... don't know yet, I did not sequence anything, with the sound quality on board, so far I don't have any reason to use the sample facility except may be for re-sampling... to be done later...
IMPORTANT:
If you plan to record VOCALS with your KK, think about the fact that THE FAN CAN BE QUITE LOUD especially during hot days... it does not disturb me but it could impede a recording session. I haven't precisely measured the Db output of the fan but I guarantee, it is substantial...
YES it takes 2mn 10s to boot... it might annoy some people. Realistically any basic computer does the same... so I got over it.
CONCLUSION:
I think the KK is just a Linux computer which will be upgraded soon (First upgrade to 1.5 available within the next month or so), it is not perfect but for the money, what you get is an outstanding value, it is an excellent inspiring instrument.
Again it cost has much as what my Yamaha SY77 cost 20+ years ago...!
If you sick and tired of making "computer music" in front of your PC or MAC, get a Kronos, at least it looks like a musical instrument and there is so much to it that it will be difficult to get bored with it (That's me anyway).
Did I mention the obvious? Pianos are excellent (To my ears) especially through a good pair of Headphones...
And finally, I believe there is no workstation with such a synth power around yet, it is the first of it's kind...
I will post more infos has I discover the instrument.
Hope it helps.
Cheers.
I have own in my times quite a few keyboards. Lately I am left with a KRONOS 88, a Nord Stage EX Compact, a Yamaha Tyros 4 and a Kawai K3 acoustic piano. I went through a stream of Yamaha, Korg and Roland gears in the past (Too many to mention...).
So here are my first impressions...
KORG KRONOS QUALITY:
After comparing physically the MOTIF XF and the KORG Kronos, I was not able to pick significant quality differences, I know I wanted what a workstation has to offer, the knobs, controllers are very similar, a bit more rubber on the Motif, I did not like the screen of the motif, not enough definition, the Kronos, despite it's small font has the edge.
Economics times drive manufacturers to cut cost, I reckon EVERY BRAND will eventually have to do the same...
In 1989, my Yamaha SY77 weighted 20Kg... today for 23kg I got a 88 keys Kronos... obviously the use of plastic and other light materials is pretty obvious. Is it going to last long? I don't think anything is meant to last long these days...
A metal top part with wood base is pretty standard stuff on 88 keys synth to my knowledge.
I am expecting to find more bugs in the O/S in such a complex instrument as I play with it.
I am not sure about the reliability of an SSD drive... the technology is pretty new and there is no stats on how long they last...so why did I go for the KK88..?
KORG KRONOS SOUND:
I think it does things that no other synth can do, I hardly scratched the surface of this instrument, there is so much to it, it's quite impressive...
To my ears, you can do anything you want with it but you don't need to fiddle around too much to get a great sound which is a +, they are already there.
After a couple of days and about 15 hours playing with my new toy, I can tell that much:
- Much better overall sound than a Korg KARMA, Korg M3 or a Korg PA2XPRO (I owned all of them in the past), I am not sure if it is 24 bits which makes the difference but it's pretty significant.
- Orchestral sounds? It is not really the forte of the Korg, I personnally think they are not bad at all. I know I can work easily with them, I am pretty sure those synth engines can produce excellent sounds... I obviously did not try the all feature set yet.
- Synth sounds? You can go crazy with this, Korg has the edge. All kind of textures are possible ... that was actually one of the main reason I went for the KK88. I have other excellent sounds with other keyboards but none like what the KK88 can produce.
- Sequencer, sampling etc... don't know yet, I did not sequence anything, with the sound quality on board, so far I don't have any reason to use the sample facility except may be for re-sampling... to be done later...
IMPORTANT:
If you plan to record VOCALS with your KK, think about the fact that THE FAN CAN BE QUITE LOUD especially during hot days... it does not disturb me but it could impede a recording session. I haven't precisely measured the Db output of the fan but I guarantee, it is substantial...
YES it takes 2mn 10s to boot... it might annoy some people. Realistically any basic computer does the same... so I got over it.
CONCLUSION:
I think the KK is just a Linux computer which will be upgraded soon (First upgrade to 1.5 available within the next month or so), it is not perfect but for the money, what you get is an outstanding value, it is an excellent inspiring instrument.
Again it cost has much as what my Yamaha SY77 cost 20+ years ago...!
If you sick and tired of making "computer music" in front of your PC or MAC, get a Kronos, at least it looks like a musical instrument and there is so much to it that it will be difficult to get bored with it (That's me anyway).
Did I mention the obvious? Pianos are excellent (To my ears) especially through a good pair of Headphones...
And finally, I believe there is no workstation with such a synth power around yet, it is the first of it's kind...
I will post more infos has I discover the instrument.
Hope it helps.
Cheers.
-
michelkeijzers
- Approved Merchant
- Posts: 9112
- Joined: Thu Feb 08, 2007 3:10 pm
- Location: Netherlands
- Contact:
Thanks for the extensive review ...
I hadn''t noticed the fan until somebody wrote about it, but my computer makes even more noise ... but as you say in recording situations it could be substantial.
I hadn''t noticed the fan until somebody wrote about it, but my computer makes even more noise ... but as you say in recording situations it could be substantial.
Developer of the free PCG file managing application for most Korg workstations: PCG Tools, see https://www.kronoshaven.com/pcgtools/
Having tried the Kronos a couple of times using a good set of headphones in the music store, I too agree that the instrument offers a hell of a lot for the money with those 9 different synthesis engines. However, there are areas where the Kronos still lacks and one would think that they would have been improved with the 12GB plus sound library in the Kronos-
a). Guitars (both acoustic and electric)- My 1995 Trinity Plus had better programs and the STR1 seriously doesn't cut it for realism when compared to the Motif ES/XS/XF series. The same applies for the electric bass programs although IMHO, these are better than the actual guitar programs.
b). Korg should introduce the RX technology that is in their PA series of arrangers where up to 16 oscillators can be used for one program.
c). The Kronos is marketed as a 'be all and end all' workstation. So why not include all the M3 Expanded sequencer features in the 'new and improved' 2011 workstation???? Why these features were deliberately ommitted is ridiculous IMHO.
If Kronos includes what is mentioned above, I'd gladly take out my wallet and buy one. However, I think I'll wait and see what Korg does with their next new workstation in a couple of years and invest the money in a faster imac for my studio.
a). Guitars (both acoustic and electric)- My 1995 Trinity Plus had better programs and the STR1 seriously doesn't cut it for realism when compared to the Motif ES/XS/XF series. The same applies for the electric bass programs although IMHO, these are better than the actual guitar programs.
b). Korg should introduce the RX technology that is in their PA series of arrangers where up to 16 oscillators can be used for one program.
c). The Kronos is marketed as a 'be all and end all' workstation. So why not include all the M3 Expanded sequencer features in the 'new and improved' 2011 workstation???? Why these features were deliberately ommitted is ridiculous IMHO.
If Kronos includes what is mentioned above, I'd gladly take out my wallet and buy one. However, I think I'll wait and see what Korg does with their next new workstation in a couple of years and invest the money in a faster imac for my studio.
MIDITEK MUSIC PRODUCTION RECORDING & TUITION- albums, demos, jingles. Recording, arranging & mixing.
-
PianoManChuck
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 832
- Joined: Tue Aug 09, 2011 10:14 pm
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Contact:
I actually never even knew it had a fan until I read about the fan problems! I have never heard my 88's fan. Another 88 that I've used is also extremely quiet. If it weren't for these forums, from the two 88's I've used, I would never have known there's a fan inside!michelkeijzers wrote:Thanks for the extensive review ...
I hadn''t noticed the fan until somebody wrote about it, but my computer makes even more noise ... but as you say in recording situations it could be substantial.
-
michelkeijzers
- Approved Merchant
- Posts: 9112
- Joined: Thu Feb 08, 2007 3:10 pm
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I could hear it when moving my ears towards the back of the synth ... (normally there are cables and I'm sitting on the other sidePianoManChuck wrote:I actually never even knew it had a fan until I read about the fan problems! I have never heard my 88's fan. Another 88 that I've used is also extremely quiet. If it weren't for these forums, from the two 88's I've used, I would never have known there's a fan inside!michelkeijzers wrote:Thanks for the extensive review ...
I hadn''t noticed the fan until somebody wrote about it, but my computer makes even more noise ... but as you say in recording situations it could be substantial.
).But I have to say maybe my hearing is a bit degraded after playing in a rock band for too long.
Developer of the free PCG file managing application for most Korg workstations: PCG Tools, see https://www.kronoshaven.com/pcgtools/
my impressions after having my 61 key for a month...i write and score for movies and film and i also write newage/eletronic music.i was dissappointed with the selection of orchestral sounds with the kronos and was hoping to get the orchestral patches from the oasys,some are there but not the vast array i was hoping for and brought the kronos for as i am doing more film scoring and the demmands for orchestral music.i hope korg will update this without buyers having to dish out another $300.00 to get.as far as the newage/electronic side.i have never seen a keyboard so vast in this area,it's like having 5 or 6 different keyboards in one with the addition of the al-1,ms-20x and polysix engines and with the added sampling this area of sounds are vastly covered.like the oasys it will take a yr for the keyboard to get the added goodies some of us are hoping for.
To conquer others is to have power.....
To conquer yourself is to know the way.
To conquer yourself is to know the way.
KORG KRONOS 88... 1 Week Old...!
A bit more feedback after 1 week of ownership.
- I am trying to work out the sampling options, I am amazed how many options are readily available, no kidding... I only wish they've put a couple of XLR input instead of the TRS but nobody is perfect...!
- Sequencing IS RELATIVELY STRAIGHT FORWARD, easy to copy drum patterns and put something together quickly, I actually enjoy going away from the MAC for a while...
- SOUNDS ARE EXCELLENT...! They are kind of grow on me on as I play on the keys every time. I find myself generating more and more music...
- I have plugged in a USB 20Gb portable Hard drive and a USB DVD recorder. When I listen to some Audio from the DVD drive sometimes the sound cut off which I believe is more due to the USB bus ability to stream audio and to the KK system resources to get together to ensure a flawless reproduction. However WHEN YOU RIP A CD, even if theres is a cut off, the wave file generated is actually consistent, cut off as been somewhat "compensated"... very nifty stuff.
It could be as well that the DVD writer I am using is playing up but I stick with this setup until I can write a few CD's.
- Had a few issues with time slicing, I believe I need to dig a bit deeper to understand what I am doing, nothing wrong with the KK.
- I have printed the manual and hope to go through it in details bit by bits.
- I still did not have the need to edit any Program yet, only playing with some of the MS-20 sounds as a test but not really digging deep.
- There is no way you can get bored with that keyboard. I believe it is the best Workstation I have ever owned.
- I did not have any other issue whatsoever, everything works beautifully...
Hope it helps.
- I am trying to work out the sampling options, I am amazed how many options are readily available, no kidding... I only wish they've put a couple of XLR input instead of the TRS but nobody is perfect...!
- Sequencing IS RELATIVELY STRAIGHT FORWARD, easy to copy drum patterns and put something together quickly, I actually enjoy going away from the MAC for a while...
- SOUNDS ARE EXCELLENT...! They are kind of grow on me on as I play on the keys every time. I find myself generating more and more music...
- I have plugged in a USB 20Gb portable Hard drive and a USB DVD recorder. When I listen to some Audio from the DVD drive sometimes the sound cut off which I believe is more due to the USB bus ability to stream audio and to the KK system resources to get together to ensure a flawless reproduction. However WHEN YOU RIP A CD, even if theres is a cut off, the wave file generated is actually consistent, cut off as been somewhat "compensated"... very nifty stuff.
It could be as well that the DVD writer I am using is playing up but I stick with this setup until I can write a few CD's.
- Had a few issues with time slicing, I believe I need to dig a bit deeper to understand what I am doing, nothing wrong with the KK.
- I have printed the manual and hope to go through it in details bit by bits.
- I still did not have the need to edit any Program yet, only playing with some of the MS-20 sounds as a test but not really digging deep.
- There is no way you can get bored with that keyboard. I believe it is the best Workstation I have ever owned.
- I did not have any other issue whatsoever, everything works beautifully...
Hope it helps.
I do agree with you. Did you notice notes cutting off, since you have a weighted keybed?
I didn't print the manual, it seems like a lot of pages.. I have to say, I didn't need the manual too much (at least until now LOL), most settings and functions are pretty straightforward
I didn't print the manual, it seems like a lot of pages.. I have to say, I didn't need the manual too much (at least until now LOL), most settings and functions are pretty straightforward
Rick
Youtube!
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EvilDragon
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1992
- Joined: Thu Nov 24, 2005 1:18 pm
- Location: Croatia
Regarding low headphone output - EXer, if your Senns are 600 Ohm, of course you would get quieter output from Kronos. All the other people using headphones reporting that Kronos is HOT on headphone output, have lower impendance headphones (25-75 Ohm, most likely).
I agree with your general assessment of sounds, Exer. Harpsichords sound like crap. German piano sounds way better than Japanese. EPs are awesome. The lack of Vox and Farfisa modelled in CX3 is disappointing (no, samples don't cut it).
I agree with the size of fonts, even though my vision is 20/20. I had issues activating some small radio buttons and stuff like that. They are really small, and I don't have really big fingers either. The hardware buttons are too small and feel cheap. Knobs have too small diameter, too. Moreover, they're not endless rotaries, which would be a much better solution for a multi-purpose workstation that Kronos is. Alpha dial is the crappiest feeling thing ever, even if it doesn't fall out. Plastic sides are looking extremely cheap and not flattering at all.
Overall, a good and honest review, EXer, I enjoyed reading it!
I agree with your general assessment of sounds, Exer. Harpsichords sound like crap. German piano sounds way better than Japanese. EPs are awesome. The lack of Vox and Farfisa modelled in CX3 is disappointing (no, samples don't cut it).
I agree with the size of fonts, even though my vision is 20/20. I had issues activating some small radio buttons and stuff like that. They are really small, and I don't have really big fingers either. The hardware buttons are too small and feel cheap. Knobs have too small diameter, too. Moreover, they're not endless rotaries, which would be a much better solution for a multi-purpose workstation that Kronos is. Alpha dial is the crappiest feeling thing ever, even if it doesn't fall out. Plastic sides are looking extremely cheap and not flattering at all.
Overall, a good and honest review, EXer, I enjoyed reading it!