GSi BURN and the Korg Kronos CX-3

jeremykeys · Post by **jeremykeys** » Fri Oct 11, 2013 1:35 am

HwyStar wrote:Okay... Now you guys have me worried...

I was just about to buy a K61 and with you guys making comments about not being able to get a decent distorted amp out of the KKX I am now doubting the purchase.

My background as you can guess by my avatar is that I really enjoy Jon Lord and his organ "beast" sound.

Am I going to get his beast sound or do you think a Burn is required to get the dynamics and Marshall grit that he was able to master?

Thanks for your help in making my decision since I do not have a Kronos available to demo in my area.

Hi there! Where are you from?
I can't tell you if you'll be happy with the distortion in the Kronos but I also think it comes down to personal taste. Me, now I have no problem with it but I think the secret is to not go to crazy with it and use multiple distortions. Other people here disagree but that's exactly what a forum is about. It might just be that I'm deaf!

HwyStar · Post by **HwyStar** » Fri Oct 11, 2013 3:06 am

Hi Jeremykeys and Thanks for helping me out!

I am located in Reno Nevada and the closest place to see a K61 is in Sacramento, about 2.5 hour drive over the mountains. Doable but not convenient. There is a local store that has one in stock but I refuse to do business with them... Long story...

These are the sounds I am looking for (@ 0:51 seconds):

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/JDEFMh_X2c4" frameborder="0"></iframe>

Do you guys think the K61 can do these types of sounds out of the box or is a Burn required? If the K61 can do a really good rendition of "Perfect Strangers" then I am in!

LZ · Post by LZ » Fri Oct 11, 2013 4:12 am

To be fair! The REALLY dirty stuff is a little better than subtle overdrive...but you'd for sure be better off with the Burn. What else will you be doing. If Jon Lord organ ALL you need, there are definitely better options. But if you need the other Kronos features! CX3 can pass.

phattbuzz · Post by **phattbuzz** » Sat Oct 12, 2013 1:39 pm

So in addition to the Kronos' Rotating Speaker Simulations, the Motion Sound models and Hammond Leslies, we have a few different companies that have put out modern Leslie stomp boxes:

1. Neo Instruments Ventilator:
Price: $459 US/unavailable; undergoing revision
Official Page: http://neo-instruments.de/en/ventilator ... r-features
Video of the Ventilator w/Kronos: http://youtu.be/2AjoDjwiNcM?t=1m12s
Controls: Speed, Acceleration, Balance, Drive, Distance
Pluses: Faithful reproduction of a Leslie 122

Neo Instruments has also released a version just for guitar with just two buttons and no other controls. Price from Sweetwater: $349 US

2. Strymon Lex:
Price: $299 US
Official Page: http://www.strymon.net/products/lex/
Video of Lex w/Korg CX-3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ghx3AleN3k
Controls: Fast Rotator Speed, Slow Rotator Speed, Mic Distance, Cab Direction, Horn Level, Acceleration Time, Pre-amp Drive, +/-6db Boost/Cut
Pluses: A few more controls than the Ventilator
Good bang for your buck

3. Strymon Mobius:
Price: $449 US
Official Page: http://www.strymon.net/mobius/
Video of Mobius w/Kronos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXwnC-iVLds
Controls: Fast Rotator Speed, Slow Rotator Speed, Mic Distance, Horn Level, Acceleration Time, Preamp Drive
Pluses: True or Buffered Bypass
Has other modulation effects including Chorus, Flanger, and Phaser.
Both good midi in/out controls

4. Hammond-Suzuki Digital Leslie
Price: $399 US
Official Page: http://hammondorganco.com/hammond-usa-a ... lie-pedal/
Video: none found with any keyboard yet. However it seams to be the same simulator that's in their latest Hammonds.
Controls: Acceleration Time, Overdrive, Mic Distance, Upper-Lower balance, Level
Pluses: 4 different models: 122, 147, Model 18 (Vibratone), and PR-40 (Stationary model)

5. GSi Burn
Price: $429 US
Official Page: http://www.genuinesoundware.com/?a=showproduct&b=41
Video of Burn w/Kronos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18Wgl0bmN-c
Controls: Varies depending on which Leslie is selected
Pluses: Emulation of various Leslie models, analog echo, phase, chorus, wah-wah, etc.
Real Tube!

I have the Strymon Mobius and I find it to be quite nice, but lately I've been going back to working more with just the Kronos' rotary speaker simulations. I'm wondering if it's actually worth the extra 5 minutes setup time to bring the Mobius to gigs.

HwyStar · Post by **HwyStar** » Sat Oct 12, 2013 1:52 pm

Great post and Thanks for the links all in one place! Thanks phattbuzz.

I think my choices come down to either a Kronos X 61, Vent or Burn

or

Hammond SK1 73, Casio Privia PX-5S, Vent or Burn

There are several pro players jamming live with the bottom setup and they swear by it.

Tough choice since the Kronos is all in one box and setup would be a breeze.

All great boards! For live and studio.

SanderXpander · Post by **SanderXpander** » Sat Oct 12, 2013 10:06 pm

They're vastly different in capabilities and workflow. I would really spend some time deciding whether you would prefer two boards or one, and whether or not the huge load of sampling and synth power you get with the Kronos is something you need/want.

HwyStar · Post by **HwyStar** » Sun Oct 13, 2013 1:08 am

Thanks for the advice SanderXpander. Your right. Initially I will be doing a butt-load of recording then later on will be gigging with far less recording.

If the CX3 sounds really good with a Vent or the Burn then that is the way to start. If I need a weighted board then the Casio would fulfill that role at $2500 less than a KKX 73.

SanderXpander · Post by **SanderXpander** » Sun Oct 13, 2013 10:16 pm

If you're going to record into a DAW you can really do that with any board. I get that organ sounds are important to you. I use a Ventilator on my Kronos for CX3 and the results are plenty good for me, especially live. But the Kronos does not necessarily do the very best organs available, not even when you discount for taste. It misses vox and farfisa models for instance, and as you know the built in leslie isn't the best. Those are just small examples. A Hammond or a Nord or a Crumar would probably do better. I wouldn't personally buy them, because for me the power of the Kronos is that it so many different engines, each of them at least above average (and in some cases really outstanding) integrated into a single box. Especially the synth engines are unmatched within any other single unit. If I JUST needed gig-ready piano/rhodes/hammond sounds though, I might look at the latest Nord Stage, or if I wanted two boards, a Yamaha piano with a Nord Electro 3 on top for organ and basic other sounds.

Just giving you some examples, and maybe I'm way off, but I don't really get the feel that what you are looking for necessarily lines up with the Kronos. We can all spend our money only once!

phattbuzz · Post by **phattbuzz** » Mon Oct 14, 2013 12:09 pm

It appears that Neo has produced a minivent specifically for organ too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYHje9ioL2Q

HwyStar · Post by **HwyStar** » Mon Oct 14, 2013 3:49 pm

Thanks Sander and PhatBuzz for your advice. I had seen Jim's post on the new Mini Vent. It looks great.

Since I play my guitars through an Axe Fx II it's a no brainier that I can run the Kronos through the Leslie simulator in the Axe and chose any amp I want to have for over-driving the CX3. I have not played that much with the Leslie sim in the Axe but it is probable really good. It has great re-verbs and delays so it maybe just be the answer I am looking for.

Thanks again for your great advice and sorry for taking this thread OT!

Dniss · Post by **Dniss** » Mon Oct 14, 2013 5:45 pm

Thanks for your great contribution guys!

HwyStar wrote:Okay... Now you guys have me worried...

I don't want to bash the Kronos in any way, I'd get another one in a heartbeat.

But to be fair, the Kronos CX-3 is very lacking in the organ department. Not so much for casual organ playing, but if you expect that Deep Purple sound, you will be EXTREMELY disappointed. I'd rather tell you in advance. I know I was. But with the vent/burn, it does sound a lot better thought. But that's another $500 bucks!

And as jimknopf said, I'd also take improvement in that department (CX-3) over any others.

Francois · Post by **Francois** » Mon Oct 14, 2013 10:05 pm

Thanks for the recap.

Ronl · Post by **Ronl** » Tue Oct 15, 2013 3:34 am

Gigged for a couple of years with a nord electric 3 and a vent. Blues jazz stuff- Ronnie earle. That combo screamed. Once I started using I always had to have it. It made everything sound so much better cant say enough things about it.

In a rehearsal studio for fun we did a tune twice, once with the vent and once without. I think it w Akos anyway the vent super impressed the guys.

I just got my 73 and haven't hooked up the vent yet...