RH3 Keybed Information

DREY · Post by **DREY** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 1:30 pm

tell me I'm living in Kyrgyzstan have declined as a service tsentra Korg, how can I get new contacts,

michelkeijzers · Post by **michelkeijzers** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 1:58 pm

Write a mail or contact Korg USA, I am sure they will help you or otherwise redirect you to a service center which can help.

Melodialworks Music · Post by **Melodialworks Music** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 5:23 pm

What is "portato"? Not a term I'm familiar with.

Francois · Post by **Francois** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 6:28 pm

Melodialworks Music wrote:What is "portato"? Not a term I'm familiar with.

Also called Loure. Basically, in between legato and détaché. So instead of having note transition with no pause whatsoever, with portato you mark each note with a tiny silence, but not as much as when playing détaché, which has a sound interruption before each new note is played.

Qtipcore · Post by **Qtipcore** » Fri Apr 27, 2012 3:45 pm

1. When and where you had the repair performed
EM Nordic in Norway (Nordic Distributor)
Reported: 02. Feb
Shipped: 30. March
Received: 27. April
2. Which model (73 or 88 )
88
2. Any information you were told about the specific repair made
Replaced rubber contacts, upgraded firmware to 1.5.2 to accomodate the new contacts
3. The results -- did the fix work?
Yes!

4. Serial Number (optional)
000033

DREY · Post by **DREY** » Fri Apr 27, 2012 5:01 pm

if I buy their own contacts and make repairs where I can get v1.52

MarPabl · Post by **MarPabl** » Fri Apr 27, 2012 5:50 pm

DREY wrote:if I buy their own contacts and make repairs where I can get v1.52

You don't need OS 1.5.2 just install 1.6.0 I have also considered this option. What I'm missing is the fact that those OS have a hidden setting to adjust the keybed feel... but I don't know if this is necessary if you're just changing the rubber contacts.

MarPabl · Post by **MarPabl** » Fri Apr 27, 2012 6:33 pm

1. When and where you had the repair performed?
After waiting 3 and a half months, I got myself repared by ENC Audio Solutions

I delivered my Kronos mid February and then I faced a long wait line because of backordered parts.

2. Which model (73 or 88 )
I have the 88 model.

2. Any information you were told about the specific repair made
When I sent mine, the full keybed replacing solution was still current. Then it changed to just replacing the rubber contacts.

My Kronos never had the 1.5.2 OS installed: it jumped from 1.5.0 to 1.6.0 and no issues that I'm aware of.

3. The results -- did the fix work?
As from now, the fix seems to be working. Before the fix, Claire de Lune (Debussy) sounded like a real crap. Now it just sounds barely passable LOL

4. Serial Number (optional)
18xx "RH3 keybed from Japan" sticker

As an additional remark, I personally compared both rubber contacts: the faulty (pink) are stiffer in comparison with the new ones (blue) Indeed, I have the new surplus rubber contacts (now I'm able to repair some keys if they become mute) So when comparing both rubber contacts, I can only think that we were getting double notes (presented to a casual viewer as cutoff notes) because the stiffer rubber contacts caused the keys to bounce more than planned.

When the service center finished applying the fix, I got sticky keys. This means that, for certain keys, you have to press (noticeably) harder in order for it to begin moving. When the key begins moving, the behaviour is normal, but the issue is when you begin pressing it. Think of this as when you begin moving something sitting over a high friction material: it will be hard at the beggining but once you've started, everything goes sweet (no double meaning with similar situations

)

In order to fix the sticky keys (I faced clunky keys before), I applied this fix: A fix for sticky keys and clunky B's and C's and now everything is solved and working "as supposed to be".

So I must admit this is like having a new Kronos. Before the fix, I even was able to describe the issue with RH3: a really low poliphony cheap keyboard sporting a stellar pool note stealing algorithm. At last, I'm enjoying a perfect working action.

Also, I always feeled like I could not properly "control" (to say so) the keybed. Like my playing was not good or I had weird difficulties, even when not getting any cutoff note (which BTW didn't happen frequently). Now I feel comfortable with the keybed.

I've read that there are some variations with the responsiveness to velocity with this fix. I will try that, but until now, I think everything is the same. I can understand this feeling because, before the fix, I had to play harder to avoid cutoff notes, but I'll check and report back if I confirm differences.

However, the long waiting time is unacceptable. This is my 3rd Kronos, being the first one without issue ("RH3 keybed" sticker), but I sold it

The 2nd and 3rd both have this issues ("RH3 keybed from Japan" sticker) an the 2nd one had to be returned (System Startup Failure)

I'm pretty sad for the past, because Kronos is indeed a great workstation and making this to the flagship product is unbelievable. Anyways, I'll look forward and try to forget so much hassle I had to face.

bskaland · Post by **bskaland** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 12:58 am

1. I had the repair performed at EM Nordic in Oslo, Norway. They kept the synth as long as from late February to middle of April 2012.

2. My Kronos has 88 keys.

3. I was told by the retailer that EM Nordic changed the keybed to a RH3 keybed made in Japan - though there was no sticker labeled "RH3 Made in Japan" on it when I received it. The OS was updated to 1.5.2. The fan was replaced because I complained about the noise level of the fan.

4. The original problem is solved, no tone cuts anymore. Unfortunately, there is still a problem with four keys (F2, G2, A2 and B2): They make a distingt noise (klick) when I release the key. In addition the action feels different from the other keys. It feels like I have to put more force to play these keys - it is more resistance compared to the other keys.

And third, It seems that the keys are a bit out of position. They are closer to me than the other keys - perhaps 0.3 mm.
Good news is that the fan noise is much less.

5. The Serial Number is (21) 00003182.

Regards,
Bjorn

DREY · Post by **DREY** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 3:06 am

somebody knows when the new contacts will be available

MarPabl · Post by **MarPabl** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 6:10 am

DREY wrote:somebody knows when the new contacts will be available

The rubber contacts are available. Those rubber contacts are color blue. Ask to your nearest parts supplier because those usually are back ordered because the many cases which need to be repaired.

Francois · Post by **Francois** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 11:20 am

Just found out that mine also needs fixing. Two of the very low notes display the behaviour. Took me a long time to diagnose as the problem seems very localised. It's only when trying the diagnostic procedure starting from the lowest note that I found two keys exhibiting the problem. So I've contacted Korg UK to arrange sending my 73.

DREY · Post by **DREY** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 12:51 pm

tell me these are the contacts, http://www.guitar-parts.com/catalog/kor ... ive-rubber

MarPabl · Post by **MarPabl** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 1:46 pm

DREY wrote:tell me these are the contacts, http://www.guitar-parts.com/catalog/kor ... ive-rubber

Yes, those contacts are the same I have. As I recall, there's no much to disassemble in order to get access to them.

Begin following those instructions: Korg Kronos RAM Installation Procedure

On one of the first photos, you see brown circuit boards just above the keybed. You only have to remove those circuit boards and the rubber contacts are immediately below.

Just need to exchange those. AFAIK, the rubber contacts are all the same. You can check if the contacts you're about to buy are the correct ones when you compare those with the pink rubber contacts on the Kronos: both are the same size, the pink are stiffer.

DREY · Post by **DREY** » Tue May 01, 2012 2:26 pm

I went to the store http://www.guitar-parts.com/catalog/kor ... ive-ðîááåð I was told that it nepodhodit for Korg Kronos 73