From Casio VL Tone 1 To Korg Kronos - Big Jump?

[Steve Mc]

As of today I am the very proud owner of Korg Kronos 2 88.

The last keyboard(sort of) I owned was a Casio VL Tone 1 in the early 80s. Ever since then I dreamed of owning and learning to play a keyboard, but one thing and another meant I never got around to it. I now finally have the funds to get a proper keyboard, and the time to learn. I wanted something that could do everything. I wanted something that could truly create music, without sitting at a laptop with a mouse... Everything I read and watched said Kronos!

I bit the bullet, placed the order and waited. Today it arrived, although extremely gutted that I now have to work away for a few days. Hopefully when I get back from working away this week, I will be having some fun.

I know some may be thinking "all the gear, no idea", as I certainly am, but its gonna be one hell of a ride...

Feel free to share any Do Not! advice, as I don't want to break it...

[mailman000]

hi
jumping from a casio to a kronos is like jumping from the earth to pluto...hehe,my first keyboard was a casio in the late 90's and a friend who worked in a local music store showed me the triton...i never looked back the kronos is a pro-workstation synth that i see alot of beginners buying not knowing the learning curve.yes,they watch the videos on youtube and hear the beautiful sounds coming from it,however...there are 2 parts to making good music...1 is the hardware,the other is music theory and knowing what chords and progressions are and how to write and use them.because i am in the industry i am giving you a kind-of serious thought.i see some here who buy the kronos and then sell it months later due to the learning curve of the sequencer.if you know a little theory then you have a good jumping point just stick with it and hang out here on the forums...can't wait to hear what you come up with!

[IAA]

Congratulations Steve and hello to fellow Yorkshireman!

I've played most keyboards, owned stacks, and the Kronos does everything...seriously. I downsized my studio from 12 synths and e pianos to my K88x and a minimoog and I can do it all.
My advice is to recognise with such capability comes a learning curve to match. In my experience if you wish the Kronos could do something, or modulate something it can. I have sampled my old mellotron, prophet and use these in some great combis that years ago I would have needed 6 boards and as many hands.
Qui Robinez has some great demos on you tube, check these out.

Use the forum too, great people, great generosity of time and knowledge.

Ian

[benny ray]

Congrads, You will thoroughly love this keyboard. Like someone else said I sold most of my gear almost do everything from the Kronos.

[Beeman]

Yes, it's a big jump but not a bad one. You can be as simple or complex as you would like -- and starting simple while you approach the complex from time to time as you like keeps you in the right frame of mind to learn and be amazed rather than become overwhelmed. You won't regret your investment!

Having the capacity to do the basic stuff and also make truly breathtaking music is what makes owning a Kronos so awesome!

You and I are pretty much in the same boat. I have owned a few keyboards/synths, but nothing like a Kronos.

These are my suggestions:

1) Explore a bit to familiarize yourself with how to get around the machine and listen to as many sounds as you can while you try adjusting their parameters for fun. This will open your mind to the possibilities.

2) Brainstorm a project that you would like to do and then start to work on it bit by bit. For example take a song you've written and re-make it on the Kronos. This will help you really learn the machine and prompt a lot of questions. Then search the manuals and forums for answers as you try new things.

That is it for now. As you journey on it'll all come together.

About the "Do Not" advice you asked for. I think you'd have a hard time "breaking" your Kronos as far as just using is it concerned -- just don't drop it! (I've got a K2 88 and it's a beast!)

All the best,

Beeman

[ronnfigg]

Don't do? Don't NOT read the manuals! In other words- READ the manuals! You are going to have a steep learning curve. Utilize YouTube as much as possible. You have to learn the nomenclature, the architecture, and all the other idiosyncrasies that make this a massive music workstation. Be sure you understand the different modes of operation. Especially Disk Mode.

[Nippess]

Welcome! I see Kronos fan club on the horizon for Yorkshire users!
Yes, certainly an amazing piece of equipment; it's all too easy just to sit and spend several hours going through the presets then walking away feeling frustrated because I've not DONE anything. It certainly helps if you watch Youtube, make some notes step-by-step approach in small chunks. Using the help button can be useful too. User manuals quite overwhelming at first, but keep your task simple and repeat your process often - it does start to sink in!

[Shambler]

I've been watching youtube vids and reading the manuals for weeks!

My Kronos hasn't arrived yet, I have 'all the ideas, but no gear'!

[DanielD71]

Same here,

This forum has been my #1 reference on the web.
Can't wait to have mine !!!

Regards,