It's going ...
Moderators: Sharp, X-Trade, Pepperpotty, karmathanever
It's going ...
After some serious soul searching over the weekend I've decided to return the Kronos 73 I received last week. I crammed a week's worth of play into three days in order to make sure this was the right decision for me. I realize that not everyone has had problems with the Kronos. But IMO you can't ignore the many others that have had similar issues. I can't justify paying $3000 for a keyboard that supposedly is brand new out of the box and has these kind of problems. Also because of this I can't commit to the ordeal of exchange/repair. Even if I did, the long term reliability of this keyboard is questionable. And I would expect at this price point for it to last, well, a lifetime.
Issues ...
I've got major problems with the RH3 key bed. While the keys on this 73 are mostly even in height across the board, (two keys are not) there are notable gaps in the key spacing. Every octave between B and C has a gap. There are others as well.
In the second octave the C,E,F and G keys are all making a clunking sound on release. After just a few days of use other keys have been added to the list. Interestingly enough it's usually after the board has been played a while that this occurs. When you first sit down most of the keys work as expected.
The plastic cover on the lower joy stick is uneven and loose on the left edge. I've tried out two 61's and neither of them had any real build issues I could find other than the cheap plastic end caps and control wheel. I must admit this defect was a surprise. Does anyone even check these before putting them in the box???
I've had combis lock up twice while playing. Every note locked on sustain. The second time this happened I had to reboot the unit in order to recover. This might well be fixed in the new OS but who knows.
I've had note cutoffs from time to time. I wasn't sure at first but after 3 days of use there is no doubt. Check out outjets nice video here for a perfect example :
http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/ ... &start=105
As I've said before I could live with a few minor problems but that is clearly not the case here. IMO Korg has some serious quality control issues.
That was all the negative stuff and it's not fair to leave it at that. Once you get past these problems this is a truly amazing machine. The sounds this thing can produce are incredible. With only a few exceptions I found the workflow excellent. After having several Yamaha's and a few Roland's I am impressed with Korg in many areas. The tools are all there for any setting, live or studio. The sequencer, sampler, connectivity, I could go on and on but many of you already know this stuff.
So Korg really broke my heart on this one. I truly believe they are a better key bed and a little better build quality away from having the best workstation ever built.
One last thing. I want to thank everyone here for all the help and support they give. I've been able to make a very difficult decision, and feel good about it, due in no small part to all of you. Thank you!
Take care.
Issues ...
I've got major problems with the RH3 key bed. While the keys on this 73 are mostly even in height across the board, (two keys are not) there are notable gaps in the key spacing. Every octave between B and C has a gap. There are others as well.
In the second octave the C,E,F and G keys are all making a clunking sound on release. After just a few days of use other keys have been added to the list. Interestingly enough it's usually after the board has been played a while that this occurs. When you first sit down most of the keys work as expected.
The plastic cover on the lower joy stick is uneven and loose on the left edge. I've tried out two 61's and neither of them had any real build issues I could find other than the cheap plastic end caps and control wheel. I must admit this defect was a surprise. Does anyone even check these before putting them in the box???
I've had combis lock up twice while playing. Every note locked on sustain. The second time this happened I had to reboot the unit in order to recover. This might well be fixed in the new OS but who knows.
I've had note cutoffs from time to time. I wasn't sure at first but after 3 days of use there is no doubt. Check out outjets nice video here for a perfect example :
http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/ ... &start=105
As I've said before I could live with a few minor problems but that is clearly not the case here. IMO Korg has some serious quality control issues.
That was all the negative stuff and it's not fair to leave it at that. Once you get past these problems this is a truly amazing machine. The sounds this thing can produce are incredible. With only a few exceptions I found the workflow excellent. After having several Yamaha's and a few Roland's I am impressed with Korg in many areas. The tools are all there for any setting, live or studio. The sequencer, sampler, connectivity, I could go on and on but many of you already know this stuff.
So Korg really broke my heart on this one. I truly believe they are a better key bed and a little better build quality away from having the best workstation ever built.
One last thing. I want to thank everyone here for all the help and support they give. I've been able to make a very difficult decision, and feel good about it, due in no small part to all of you. Thank you!
Take care.
- Korgstream
- Junior Member
- Posts: 76
- Joined: Sat Sep 24, 2011 7:59 am
- Location: Korgstream Islands
No, you see the same 4 people making the same complaints (with rare exception).Korgstream wrote:dregsor, i understand you and agree with you.
Almost every day we see there is a new case of poor quality control in the Korg.![]()
I hope Korg will learn this lesson.
Take a look at the poll regarding users who are experiencing issues. It is not anywhere close to 1 per day.
This might be a better site for you: http://www.rolandclan.com/
Four? Nearly 50% of respondents in this thread have had some sort of issue. And there not all the same ...
http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/ ... c&start=30
My guess is that number will drop some. I'm not Kronos bashing by any means, but these problems are not isolated or imaginary. I am glad you got a good one!
http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/ ... c&start=30
My guess is that number will drop some. I'm not Kronos bashing by any means, but these problems are not isolated or imaginary. I am glad you got a good one!
If you have a problem with your kronos, where might be the first place you look for help? The forums. I would not at all be surprised given that statement that the numbers here would be higher than the actual average by a LOT.dregsor wrote:Four? Nearly 50% of respondents in this thread have had some sort of issue. And there not all the same ...
http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/ ... c&start=30
My guess is that number will drop some. I'm not Kronos bashing by any means, but these problems are not isolated or imaginary. I am glad you got a good one!
I am not saying there are no issues...I am saying there is not "1 per day", and it most certainly is the same people for the most part bringing it up over and over.
The gross and idiotic exaggeration of how widespread the problems are is what I am disputing...not that there are no problems.
The statement that the OP made:
"I truly believe they are a better key bed and a little better build quality away from having the best workstation ever built"
I have no problems with the keybed at all...nor with any bit of build quality (yet)...so according to his own words, I have the best workstation ever built. (Which while that may be a slight exaggeration, is pretty much what my experience has been thus far).
I would most certainly not be happy if my sounds were cutting out, or I was getting locks on combis. That just isn't the case for me though.
- Korgstream
- Junior Member
- Posts: 76
- Joined: Sat Sep 24, 2011 7:59 am
- Location: Korgstream Islands
4 people?PinkFloydDudi wrote: No, you see the same 4 people making the same complaints (with rare exception).

You see only what you want to see.
You seem rude. I did not ask you advice me where to go better, right?PinkFloydDudi wrote: This might be a better site for you: http://www.rolandclan.com/
So leave your advice to yourself, man.
BTW, I do not have any roland in the setup.
Many years ago i sold last roland from my setup.
- runningman67
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1663
- Joined: Sat Aug 06, 2011 6:13 pm
- Location: Manchester UK
I said with rare exception. People who are not haters come, say their complaint, and let it be. They don't bring it up in 50 other threads like...say...you, and a couple others around here do.Korgstream wrote: 4 people?![]()
You see only what you want to see.
They also keep the discussion about the problem...not "_____ keyboard doesn't have that problem so I think it is better than the kronos".
Nor do they make stupid generalized (and wrong) statements like "Almost every day we see there is a new case of poor quality control in the Korg" (which is completely false).... Thats when you go from being a productive member to a useless troll.
I can be...You seem rude. I did not ask you advice me where to go better, right?
So leave your advice to yourself, man.
BTW, I do not have any roland in the setup.
Many years ago i sold last roland from my setup.
I find it rude when all people do is bash something that is the main intention of the forum they are in.
And no...saying "but i love the kronos" after 18 pages of complaining about it doesn't cut it for me.
If your critique of the Kronos depends upon a lie (like saying every day there is a new case of poor quality) - I consider you a troll.
-
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 9451
- Joined: Wed May 15, 2002 12:46 am
- Location: Discovery Bay (San Francisco Bay Area)
I am very pleased with my K88. The most minor thing I have noticed is a sampling artifact (slight ringing) on B flat 2, with the German grand.PinkFloydDudi wrote:If you have a problem with your kronos, where might be the first place you look for help? The forums. I would not at all be surprised given that statement that the numbers here would be higher than the actual average by a LOT.dregsor wrote:Four? Nearly 50% of respondents in this thread have had some sort of issue. And there not all the same ...
http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/ ... c&start=30
My guess is that number will drop some. I'm not Kronos bashing by any means, but these problems are not isolated or imaginary. I am glad you got a good one!
I am not saying there are no issues...I am saying there is not "1 per day", and it most certainly is the same people for the most part bringing it up over and over.
The gross and idiotic exaggeration of how widespread the problems are is what I am disputing...not that there are no problems.
The statement that the OP made:
"I truly believe they are a better key bed and a little better build quality away from having the best workstation ever built"
I have no problems with the keybed at all...nor with any bit of build quality (yet)...so according to his own words, I have the best workstation ever built. (Which while that may be a slight exaggeration, is pretty much what my experience has been thus far).
I would most certainly not be happy if my sounds were cutting out, or I was getting locks on combis. That just isn't the case for me though.
I am confident that Korg will address the defects ( when significant) documented by some owners.
I also notice some new posters with 33 posts or less, who are not going to buy a Kronos, whose intent is to argue with other experienced posters.
I suspect these newbies have too much time on their hands

Last edited by GregC on Mon Oct 03, 2011 9:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I must have too much on my hands too because I engage them...although I did drop out of 2 pointless threads recently. If only I could bring the kronos into work and play it without others noticing.GregC wrote:I am very pleased with my K88. The most minor thing I have noticed is a sampling artifact (slight ringing) on B flat 2, with the German grand.
I am confident that Korg will address the defects ( when significant) documented by some owners.
I also notice some new posters with 32 posts or less, who are not going to buy a Kronos, whose intent is to argue with other experienced posters.
I suspect these newbies have too much time on their hands
+1 to you sir!
- Korgstream
- Junior Member
- Posts: 76
- Joined: Sat Sep 24, 2011 7:59 am
- Location: Korgstream Islands
-
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 9451
- Joined: Wed May 15, 2002 12:46 am
- Location: Discovery Bay (San Francisco Bay Area)
and +1 to you !PinkFloydDudi wrote:I must have too much on my hands too because I engage them...although I did drop out of 2 pointless threads recently. If only I could bring the kronos into work and play it without others noticing.GregC wrote:I am very pleased with my K88. The most minor thing I have noticed is a sampling artifact (slight ringing) on B flat 2, with the German grand.
I am confident that Korg will address the defects ( when significant) documented by some owners.
I also notice some new posters with 32 posts or less, who are not going to buy a Kronos, whose intent is to argue with other experienced posters.
I suspect these newbies have too much time on their hands
+1 to you sir!
I have an advantage. I have my own business, mostly work from home in addition to local travel.
I think there are a few newbie debate queens or trolls on this forum. Since they are spoilers, its useful to engage them for a few posts as they show their colors. After, its best to ignore them.
- Korgstream
- Junior Member
- Posts: 76
- Joined: Sat Sep 24, 2011 7:59 am
- Location: Korgstream Islands
- Korgstream
- Junior Member
- Posts: 76
- Joined: Sat Sep 24, 2011 7:59 am
- Location: Korgstream Islands
- Korgstream
- Junior Member
- Posts: 76
- Joined: Sat Sep 24, 2011 7:59 am
- Location: Korgstream Islands