Kronos report for those planning to purchase

jazlover · Post by **jazlover** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 3:12 pm

I bought my Kronos in early July. My 88 has been totally reliable like all of my other Korgs. I just drove over 1500 miles (some rough miles in the Mountains) with the Kronos on top of my vehicle. She is working flawlessly as far as I can tell (despite rough gig treatment). What the Hell is wrong with my machine? I am forced to be a "Korg fanboy" because I love this machine. I have had glasses for about 45 years of my life and I can work with the screen. I was playing on Mini Moogs, ARP Odysseys in the late seventies so I am not new to keyboards. I only post this for a little balance reporting on the most read Kronos forum on the web. Many will buy a Kronos this Dec. This fault report is the absolutely truth and I fear offensive to some on this forum. My intent is most certainly not to offend but rather for those considering the purchase of a Kronos.
There may be those who will try to dilute and commandeer this candid report. This is about my experience (which is valid) only. To those who have issues with your Kronos and those who feel abandoned with their Oasys.. who is more sympathetic to you than a poor musicians like myself? Your posts fill this Kronos forum ad-nasium and I have sympathizing not high jacked your anguish nor belittled it. Please show the same respect. This keyboard has given me amazing creative possibilities. If you are not creating music and you have a functioning Kronos (or other keyboard), then that is truly the greatest tragedy. Tragedy for you and the musical community. I so appreciate this community but we need to be more about creating music. I humbly suggest that life is short and music is great medicine. Peace and may you be open to the musical satisfaction that is available to you.

Pepperpotty · Post by **Pepperpotty** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 4:41 pm

Nicely put. There has been far to much Kronos bashing on this forum lately and if I were new to Korg products and considering purchasing one then one trip to this forum would certainly put doubt in my mind.

It's good to point out that most Kronos's work perfectly well and there are many satisfied users.

I remember when I first got my iPhone there was a massive amount of bad publicity advising how they had been built badly and there was a massive signal problem. 16 months down the line, I haven't lost a single call and am really pleased with the phone.

Long live the Kronos!

michelkeijzers · Post by **michelkeijzers** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 4:49 pm

Yes, I also think the build quality is above average, probably less than the Oasys, but better than an M50. And also my Triton Extreme has scratches, I wonder how the Kronos will look like in about 3 years.

PinkFloydDudi · Post by **PinkFloydDudi** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 5:26 pm

Holy hell +100 to the OP.

I too have a perfectly functioning Kronos. I have put well over 1,000 miles traveling with it beneath drums in a trailer while the Kronos is inside a Gator TSE case. Note, the trailer doesn't have shocks to absorb any bumps! It is not carpeted, etc...

I have tried for literally 15 minutes (twice) to replicate the issue a couple say they have with the RH3 keybed and have not even had it happen one time.

There are a couple software bugs that Korg has admitted to and is planning to fix for 1.5 update.

I can say that I haven't experienced any of those bugs first hand, but certainly don't deny they exist. I just don't use the functionality that most are found in.

I have had one time the Kronos say "failed to boot"...but that was after the power was cut to it TWICE within about 15 seconds. Rebooted it after chewing out the sound guy (I literally was screaming at him when I saw that error). But after I shut it off, waited 10 seconds, then turned it back on - I had no issues.

Sounds are incredible, workflow is great, and things like SST and setlist modes are just awesome and make other keyboards pale in comparison.

I have been in contact with pepperpotty and hopefully helped to point out some problem people that literally have a 100% "kronos bashing" post history.
I do think that many of us that have a working Kronos should band together to bring this forum back to being PRODUCTIVE, rather than just a place to bitch and moan. (Pardon the french).
This is not to belittle those that have the problem, but to simply put it in perspective of the grand idea of this forum. It is not technical support. I, as a Kronos owner, should not be forced to see pages and pages and forum post after forum post of the same people bashing the keyboard that I came here to learn about...and experiment with a community in a group-learning situation with this beast of a machine.

It is very great to see a long-time member of the korgforum post that he, like myself and many others, are tired of seeing the crap posted "ad nasium".
It seems Sharp and Pepperpotty are aware of our concerns and will hopefully be taking appropriate action in the future.

Cheers to those making this place a POSITIVE learning community.

jick · Post by **jick** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 6:10 pm

jazlover wrote:(...) I humbly suggest that life is short and music is great medicine. Peace and may you be open to the musical satisfaction that is available to you.

This is what it's all about in the end. Thanks for this.

aron · Post by **aron** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 7:38 pm

I feel sorry for the people that are experiencing difficulties and I hope their units get fixed ASAP.

I am lucky in that I have an early version Kronos 61 and it runs great! Right now, I have 3 incredible keyboards (PC361, Kronos and S90ES) and these are the best keyboards I have ever owned. I have had my share of difficulties with the Kurzweil - many have - but Kurzweil works to address the problems as I hope Korg will.

One thing I'd like to add is that - I do understand being very unhappy with a non-functional/unreliable keyboard. I went through this with my Kurzweil. However nothing kills enthusiasm like constant complaints. It's taxing for everyone - Korg included I'm sure.

It also makes for a very depressing forum.

JPROBERTLA · Post by **JPROBERTLA** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 7:57 pm

While this forum has been informative and has helped me to make the decision on when and which Kronos to get, there was never any doubt for me that the Kronos was my next keyboard; I am a Korg user (M1, O1W, Trinity, and Triton) Kronos = next logical step.

There are always some drawbacks and bugs that are experienced when the envelope is pushed and/or when relatively new technology is used. I have been patient for 6 months and have watched and listened to all that was said; my Kronos 61 arrives this Wednesday.

The bottom line is that its design, functionality, flexability and potential has become the next generation workstation benchmark. All other workstation manufacturers will have to emulate it in their next series workstations in order to compete and be relavent. We will just have to wait and see if they have any initial problems like the Kronos had; the questions are when will that happen, are you willing to wait and would it be worth the wait? The Kronos is here now, I am focusing on that, beginning the day after tomorrow.

cello · Post by **cello** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 8:09 pm

aron wrote:It also makes for a very depressing forum.

+1

All Korgs are creative tools - and the Kronos is the 'next gen' (borrowing from my day job here - Next Generation [NG] is used to refer to new Boeings and Airbus' like the new 737, 777, 787 and A380 and A350) - as opposed to 'classic' airframes like older 737s (pre 700 series) or the 747 or the A330.

The A380 has had failures with 500 people on board - with no losses (thankfully). Even the newest B787 at ANA has had issues.

But the issues get sorted.

So it shall be with the Kronos - whatever the %age.

I hope that everyone loves their Kronos and enjoys every moment with it, just as when we go on holiday, we get there safely.

So nice to have an openly honest and enthusiastic post here.

Above all, it's about the music and luvin' doing it

searlstudio · Post by **searlstudio** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 8:10 pm

I like this post so I will add my bit to it. I've had several keyboards in my 20+ years of creating music electronically. I have more plug-ins than you can imagine, and I have to say that this Korg Kronos that I've had for a little over a month is the most inspiring instrument I've owned. I can't stop playing it.

I spent half a day just choosing the right piano sounds of which to build my perfect two piano programs. I have Ivory and other plug-ins and nothing is more pleasing to play than this Kronos. It's all in the box and easily accessible.

Thank you Korg!

PinkFloydDudi · Post by **PinkFloydDudi** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 8:26 pm

cello wrote:
aron wrote:It also makes for a very depressing forum.
+1

Sorry but this is hypocritical as lately a majority of your posts have been in the depressing thread.
Perhaps you have had a change lately that will improve your posts, but please don't try to make it like you agree that constant complaining makes for a depressing forum when you are part of the problem.

Oh and to note via your sig - you don't even own a Kronos - which makes your bashing of the RH3 issue even more absurd.

I'm all for people who want to be productive, hoping you will join in with those of us that are and stay away from supporting something that is, as you agree, leading to a depressing forum.

Cheers.

Kevin Nolan · Post by **Kevin Nolan** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 8:34 pm

Sorry to fuel the debate once again - I generally don't like doing so - but I was about to offer support to the poster on this issue who returned his Kronos on the other thread but it's locked down.

I'm a long standing OASYS user (use two of them), a beta tester for OASYS synths and a huge Korg fan - and a long standing member of the OASYS forum so there's no trolling here - but -

While your Kronos is working fine; I think there are enough genuine negative reports to indicate a real issue with build quality of the Kronos. Few argue about the Kronos 'engine' - it is 2nd to none - but the physical chassis seems to have suffered badly in streamlining it to lower the cost. Despite the endless gripes of those struggling - they have suffered genuinely - and even if only a few percent of users - the number is too high and there can be no doubt that there are real issues.

So my intent to purchase a Kronos has been put firmly on hold - and I do not say that likely or advertise it here to look for a reaction - I'm a synth fanatic and hugely applauded the release of Kronos - but the sheer number of bad stories and even photographs of unlevel keybeds, dials held on with sticky-tape and the like have made be back right off.

I hope to buy one eventually - but at a minimum will wait at least one more year until Korg are onto their 2nd or 3rd manufacture batch where hopefully some of the real and current concerns are addressed.

In my view, the hardware design team of Korg have let Korg R&D and the legacy of Korg down badly. There is no doubt that this is the worst physical instrument they have ever produced - and that needs to be said because its the actual case and Korg need to learn from it.

I understand all to the pressures they are under and I want them to survive and proper - and I want to buy their products - but I'm extremely sceptical about the physical quality and longevity of Kronos as it currently exists.

So while I accept the Kronos engine is unique and unrivalled; there is no doubt from the unequivocal evidence presented here that there are real issues. As said, even a few percent of Kronos being flawed translates to a real and serious manufacturing quality issue; and IMO that will appear in all Kronos eventually (within perhaps 3 - 5 years). The situation is not good.

I'm personally hoping for the release of a Kronos module to mitigate all of the risks seeming apparent with the current 73 and 88 note models.

Your flawless keyboard does not negate the horror stories otherwise being reported in good faith by others.

Kevin.

cello · Post by **cello** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 9:09 pm

PFD - your post doesn't merit the effort involved in typing a reply any longer than this.

Kevin - nice to see you here again; been a while!

Good points and well made - am sure Korg will be doing everything they can to remedy and learn; too much at stake with the Kronos.

Korg must be reeling with all of this because frankly they're not used to these kind of issues. But they will come out of it better than they went in.

In the meantime, it's great there are new users to this community brought in by the Kronos. In time, once everything is sorted, we can get back to the core values of this forum - and give the moderators a break!

jimknopf · Post by **jimknopf** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 9:11 pm

From my view it is one thing to accept the fact of severe failures (like cutoff notes or keybed problems) or to try to put the Kronos in the "cheap Casio corner", which is just a malevolent way of spreading wrong news from my view.

The Oasys certainly is a more solid build - at 2-3 times the cost of the Kronos (fully expanded) and still with remarkably less sonic power, among others concerning engines, sampling (only half of the Kronos velocity layers) and sequencing (lower resolution). But the Kronos is designed well enough to do its job. So for me the price value relation makes the Kronos a clear winner, and yes, also significantly(!) ahead of the Oasys (which was leading for half a decade and still is a great board).

My own experience is very much like that of the original poster and others in this thread: I had to exchange the data wheel on my early unit, but else my Kronos 73 has proved to be transportable without any problems, reliable without glitches since months, and superfunctional like no other synth I know: both for recording and for absoulutely superior live use experience (setlist, controller richness and assignment flexibility, top sound across many engines etc.), all in all over anything else I have used and know.

I'm glad that this thread was started, to put realistic relations between successful widespread use and existing problems not to be denied back into a sound kind of proportion (and of course every single problem case is one too much).

Anyway: Nobody will tell me the silly tale that this board has general, uncurable design flaws or a "much too cheap build", which make it principally hard to use in everyday music life, while I'm experiencing the exact opposite(!!!) day by day, just like most of the Kronos owners do!

PinkFloydDudi · Post by **PinkFloydDudi** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 9:28 pm

cello wrote: In the meantime, it's great there are new users to this community brought in by the Kronos. In time, once everything is sorted, we can get back to the core values of this forum - and give the moderators a break!

It is sad that you think the rest of the forum should be put on hold while a small percentage of people deal with a single issue. Especially when fueled by people who don't even own the keyboard.

Heaven forbid we get back to the core values of this forum starting immediately....

Cello - you are part of the problem which you are trying to now champion against. To your credit, I suppose at this point I am too. But the sooner the other crap stops, so will mine =)

PinkFloydDudi · Post by **PinkFloydDudi** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 9:31 pm

Kevin Nolan wrote:Sorry to fuel the debate once again - I generally don't like doing so - but I was about to offer support to the poster on this issue who returned his Kronos on the other thread but it's locked down.

I'm a long standing OASYS user (use two of them), a beta tester for OASYS synths and a huge Korg fan - and a long standing member of the OASYS forum so there's no trolling here - but -

While your Kronos is working fine; I think there are enough genuine negative reports to indicate a real issue with build quality of the Kronos. Few argue about the Kronos 'engine' - it is 2nd to none - but the physical chassis seems to have suffered badly in streamlining it to lower the cost. Despite the endless gripes of those struggling - they have suffered genuinely - and even if only a few percent of users - the number is too high and there can be no doubt that there are real issues.

So my intent to purchase a Kronos has been put firmly on hold - and I do not say that likely or advertise it here to look for a reaction - I'm a synth fanatic and hugely applauded the release of Kronos - but the sheer number of bad stories and even photographs of unlevel keybeds, dials held on with sticky-tape and the like have made be back right off.

I hope to buy one eventually - but at a minimum will wait at least one more year until Korg are onto their 2nd or 3rd manufacture batch where hopefully some of the real and current concerns are addressed.

In my view, the hardware design team of Korg have let Korg R&D and the legacy of Korg down badly. There is no doubt that this is the worst physical instrument they have ever produced - and that needs to be said because its the actual case and Korg need to learn from it.

I understand all to the pressures they are under and I want them to survive and proper - and I want to buy their products - but I'm extremely sceptical about the physical quality and longevity of Kronos as it currently exists.

So while I accept the Kronos engine is unique and unrivalled; there is no doubt from the unequivocal evidence presented here that there are real issues. As said, even a few percent of Kronos being flawed translates to a real and serious manufacturing quality issue; and IMO that will appear in all Kronos eventually (within perhaps 3 - 5 years). The situation is not good.

I'm personally hoping for the release of a Kronos module to mitigate all of the risks seeming apparent with the current 73 and 88 note models.

Your flawless keyboard does not negate the horror stories otherwise being reported in good faith by others.

Kevin.

There are about 10 other threads in which people are bitching about the Kronos. Why do you have to drag a positive one about the Kronos down?

You are the "ad nasium" that the OP was talking about...

jimknopf wrote:Anyway: Nobody will tell me the silly tale that this board has general, uncurable design flaws or a "much too cheap build", which make it principally hard to use in everyday music life, while I'm experiencing the exact opposite(!!!) day by day, just like most of the Kronos owners do!

Also note the number of complainers who don't even actually own a Kronos...

I'm with you 100%.

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Kronos report for those planning to purchase

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