Hi, just wondered if anyone can help me. I'm a long term N5 user, and I love the keys on it (I know many hated it but I liked it!). Then I upgraded to a TR61 and the keys were just horrible in comparison. They felt sharp on the edges so I returned it.
I'm now thinking about getting a Krome, but I'm concerned it will have the same awful keys as the TR. Can anyone let me know how the keys are on the Krome 61? Are they similar to the TR?
I live quite far from a keyboard center, but plan on trying a 61 key Krome asap when I can visit one. Thanks in advance.
Krome 61 Keybed
Moderators: Sharp, X-Trade, Pepperpotty, karmathanever
I played the Krome twice at Guitar Center. The second time, I played it for about ten or more minutes. The keybed is not great, but I can live with it. I have ordered a Krome 73 but have not rec'd it yet. The keybed is not even in the ball park with the Kronos, or for example, a Motif XS, but neither is the price.
As a comparison, I would say that it is more like the MOX or the Roland Juno Gi. The depth when you press the note is short. I know that it will take some adjustment, but I think that I can deal with the keybed without any problem.
If you order one without actually playing it, just be aware that you are not getting a motif or kronos keybed.
As a comparison, I would say that it is more like the MOX or the Roland Juno Gi. The depth when you press the note is short. I know that it will take some adjustment, but I think that I can deal with the keybed without any problem.
If you order one without actually playing it, just be aware that you are not getting a motif or kronos keybed.
Russ, I think the the keyboard manufacturers could easily and without much more expense, put in some of those desired features. A keybed like the one in the kronos, and aftertouch on all boards that cost over, say, 900 to 1000 dollars and up for a very small extra amount probably wouldn't be hard. They are not going to do that, though.
I feel that they are often making business decisions concerning the content of these boards that relate to the sales of more expensive boards. How many people would buy a Kronos if the Krome had the same keybed and aftertouch? Or put another way, how many sales would Kronos lose? However I, like you, am often frustrated by that(in my opinion)manufacturer's policy.
They walk a tight line, putting enough into the lesser board to one up the competition, yet not cannibalize themselves. I wish they would put some of the (less expensive) content that they reserve for the more expensive boards into the more moderately priced boards but I don't think they will.
Considering that, I still feel that the Krome offers a lot if the quality is there. Seems like it might be, looking at the posts.
I feel that they are often making business decisions concerning the content of these boards that relate to the sales of more expensive boards. How many people would buy a Kronos if the Krome had the same keybed and aftertouch? Or put another way, how many sales would Kronos lose? However I, like you, am often frustrated by that(in my opinion)manufacturer's policy.
They walk a tight line, putting enough into the lesser board to one up the competition, yet not cannibalize themselves. I wish they would put some of the (less expensive) content that they reserve for the more expensive boards into the more moderately priced boards but I don't think they will.
Considering that, I still feel that the Krome offers a lot if the quality is there. Seems like it might be, looking at the posts.
Thanks Summers2... yes it must be hard. My issue is that the TR61 I tried out was just horrible compared to my N5. The keys felt so sharp, you wouldn't dream of doing a glissando on that keybed, otherwise you'd be off to the ER!
I'd be happy with a similar keybed to my N5, very smooth, if somewhat inexpensive. Did you feel any sharp edges on the Krome you tried? I'm talking about the sharp edges of neighboring keys as one is pressed down (the underside).
Its a shame when you upgrade your keyboard from an older model, you're actually downgrading things like after touch!
I'd be happy with a similar keybed to my N5, very smooth, if somewhat inexpensive. Did you feel any sharp edges on the Krome you tried? I'm talking about the sharp edges of neighboring keys as one is pressed down (the underside).
Its a shame when you upgrade your keyboard from an older model, you're actually downgrading things like after touch!
I didn't notice that they were, Russ, but I wasn't checking for that specifically so I could have missed it. I didn't do a gliss. The aftertouch would be nice. I am expecting my board by Tuesday of next week. If you have not bought by then, I will give you a thorough report on the keybed, and the quality of the sounds and rhythms(of course, in my opinion)
Thank you - it would be much appreciated! The issue I had with the TR was that as you pressed a note down you could feel the sharp edges of the bottom of the neighbouring keys. If its all smooth on the Krome I'd be happy.summers2 wrote:I didn't notice that they were, Russ, but I wasn't checking for that specifically so I could have missed it. I didn't do a gliss. The aftertouch would be nice. I am expecting my board by Tuesday of next week. If you have not bought by then, I will give you a thorough report on the keybed, and the quality of the sounds and rhythms(of course, in my opinion)
I got my Korg Krome 73 earlier than expected. I have placed it on the stand and have played it a little bit. I am satisfied with the keybed, but truly, it is not as good as the Kronos nor the Yamaha XS. The keys might be considered to be sharp and a little thin, but not so much so. I wouldn't have noticed it if I hadn't been looking for it. I haven't adjusted the velocity, but the unit seems hotter than the motif or the Juno gi.
The sounds are great to my ear. I also think that I will like the C to C configuration of the 73. As far as I am concerned, it is(at this point)a keeper. The keys are different than those of the motif and the roland. It seems that they are a little farther apart. Seems you have to stretch further for octives, but I haven't measured. Seems the gaps between keys are(though even)wider on the Korg.
I didn't hear any distortion with my amp, even with the lower keys. I have an Accoustic Image Contra. As I work with it, I will make note if anything unusual occurs.
Incidentally, I have a Yamaha Motif XS and a Roland Juno Gi. I have finger pain for some reason if I play the Motif exclusively. Not so with Korgs and Rolands. I got the Korg to replace the Juno because I wanted the sounds, rhythms and 73 keys. I just can't let the Yamaha go, so I play it selectively. I can compare them in the same room for a while.
The sounds are great to my ear. I also think that I will like the C to C configuration of the 73. As far as I am concerned, it is(at this point)a keeper. The keys are different than those of the motif and the roland. It seems that they are a little farther apart. Seems you have to stretch further for octives, but I haven't measured. Seems the gaps between keys are(though even)wider on the Korg.
I didn't hear any distortion with my amp, even with the lower keys. I have an Accoustic Image Contra. As I work with it, I will make note if anything unusual occurs.
Incidentally, I have a Yamaha Motif XS and a Roland Juno Gi. I have finger pain for some reason if I play the Motif exclusively. Not so with Korgs and Rolands. I got the Korg to replace the Juno because I wanted the sounds, rhythms and 73 keys. I just can't let the Yamaha go, so I play it selectively. I can compare them in the same room for a while.
This is a prime example of how subjective everything is.
I sold all 3 of my Yammy Synths, hated 'em, now I'm left with a TR-61, and a Krome 61, and although I have noticed the TR keys being sharper than the Krome, I can't even imagine how many glissando's I've done on it over the years.
I love both of these workstations, I feel like there's nothing I can't cover with these two.
I sold all 3 of my Yammy Synths, hated 'em, now I'm left with a TR-61, and a Krome 61, and although I have noticed the TR keys being sharper than the Krome, I can't even imagine how many glissando's I've done on it over the years.
I love both of these workstations, I feel like there's nothing I can't cover with these two.
Stephen
https://www.soundclick.com/artist/defau ... ID=1514031
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https://www.soundclick.com/artist/defau ... ID=1514031
http://www.soundclick.com/jsf
http://cdbaby.com/all/jstephenfoster
Location Central U.S.A.
I have had the Krome 73 keyboard for several days now, and I like it. Some things I have noticed: Layers and splits are harder to accomplish than on the Roland Gi by far, and somewhat harder than on the Motif XS. The fact that there are a number of splits already available makes that less important.
The keys are not very solid(somewhat flimsy). I have become used to them already, and have made peace with that. They are also slightly farther apart than on the Roland or the Yamaha. That doesn't seem to make a difference at this point.
The unit outputs hotter than the Motif or the Juno Gi. I have to adjust my amp and the volume on the board to a proper level.(Accoustic Image Contra) I have a Traynor K-4 but I haven't connected the Krome to it as of yet. When I do, I will report anything unusual.
I have tried the arpeggios and drum patterns and found some very good ones(in my opinion). As I stated in a prior post, the sounds are very satisfactory.
I like the touch control as it is user friendly and easy to see. I am not crazy about the blinking tempo light, but some might use it for timing purposes. I have a 45 day return privilege if not satisfied. As it stands now, I will not be returning this unit. My only concern is that the quality is there. I say that because there seems to have been problems with the Kronos.
The keys are not very solid(somewhat flimsy). I have become used to them already, and have made peace with that. They are also slightly farther apart than on the Roland or the Yamaha. That doesn't seem to make a difference at this point.
The unit outputs hotter than the Motif or the Juno Gi. I have to adjust my amp and the volume on the board to a proper level.(Accoustic Image Contra) I have a Traynor K-4 but I haven't connected the Krome to it as of yet. When I do, I will report anything unusual.
I have tried the arpeggios and drum patterns and found some very good ones(in my opinion). As I stated in a prior post, the sounds are very satisfactory.
I like the touch control as it is user friendly and easy to see. I am not crazy about the blinking tempo light, but some might use it for timing purposes. I have a 45 day return privilege if not satisfied. As it stands now, I will not be returning this unit. My only concern is that the quality is there. I say that because there seems to have been problems with the Kronos.
Thanks for all the information summers2 - sounds like it fits your needs nicely. I will try and get along to my keyboard shop as soon as I can (its a bit of a long drive but I'd like to give it a try). Its interesting what you say about the keys being further apart. I'm glad you like it. Have you considered some black electrical tape for the blinking tempo light?
Stephen - that's interesting about the keys being sharper on the TR (that was my main annoyance when I had one briefly). I know its subjective but overall do you feel the keys are "nicer" on the Krome or are they very similar for you on both? Perhaps I was hasty returning it. It was a long time ago now.
Stephen - that's interesting about the keys being sharper on the TR (that was my main annoyance when I had one briefly). I know its subjective but overall do you feel the keys are "nicer" on the Krome or are they very similar for you on both? Perhaps I was hasty returning it. It was a long time ago now.
I was pretty disappointed to see this on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3J8nhbrGmjE
Guess I'm going to have to find a store to try this out before purchasing - wish we had more music shops in the UK!
Guess I'm going to have to find a store to try this out before purchasing - wish we had more music shops in the UK!
To paraphrase the presenters favourite word...
Depressing.
Seriously though, he compares a £799 synth to a £2000 stage piano. The Krome keybed is pretty bad but its a great sounding keyboard with plenty of high quality sounds as well as a great interface.
Its a cheap synth keyboard, if you want weighted get an 88 note or a different make. There is 4gb of pcm data here as well as the other stuff i mentioned...something had to give. Its still better than a PS60 or Microstation.
Depressing.
Seriously though, he compares a £799 synth to a £2000 stage piano. The Krome keybed is pretty bad but its a great sounding keyboard with plenty of high quality sounds as well as a great interface.
Its a cheap synth keyboard, if you want weighted get an 88 note or a different make. There is 4gb of pcm data here as well as the other stuff i mentioned...something had to give. Its still better than a PS60 or Microstation.
I think you're right - its just I wish Korg offered a £1000 version with lovely keys... but I think its still probably the one I'll be getting, as I'm not particularly impressed by the competition and spending more just means I'll be lugging around something twice the weight to gigs, which I can't face! Think I'll just bite the bullet and give it a gosplinters wrote:To paraphrase the presenters favourite word...
Depressing.
Seriously though, he compares a £799 synth to a £2000 stage piano. The Krome keybed is pretty bad but its a great sounding keyboard with plenty of high quality sounds as well as a great interface.
Its a cheap synth keyboard, if you want weighted get an 88 note or a different make. There is 4gb of pcm data here as well as the other stuff i mentioned...something had to give. Its still better than a PS60 or Microstation.
