Potential New User - different questions!

Elbitrevnoc · Post by **Elbitrevnoc** » Sun Oct 11, 2015 10:21 am

Trying to decide between Krome and FA-06, but having played both in stores (a bit), read countless reviews and watched many videos, I'm still unsure which to go for! Main use will be for home studio and, hopefully, using the features to inspire some new ideas, etc., but also as a second tier keyboard to my Roland RD800 stage.

I'm a guitarist that also plays keys, so I'm not the most technically minded, and one thing I've loved about the RD800 is how easy it is to set up and edit sounds for my set-lists.

None of the reviews I've seen refer that much to ease of use for the Krome, although the FA-06 seems to score well in that respect (like the RD800 I guess). However, I wonder if the FA-06 might be a bit similar in its voices to the RD800 and whether the Korg will therefore be the best one to give me something 'new.' Certainly I felt that the Korg gave me more of an immediate 'wow' factor, with some its factory arp/drums combo sounds, but I wonder how much of this would be stuff I really use?

So, what I'd really like to know from existing users out there is does anyone have any experience of the differences between the keyboards:

1. in terms of functionality in area such as sequencing, ARPs and saving settings?
2. Ease of use for the guitaristically challenged!
3. Any 'killer' features that you think gives either keyboard an advantage over the other?
4. Access to new sound downloads

If it helps I can say that I'm not worried about:
1. The individual sounds - they're both good enough for the price
2. Keyboard action - again, both acceptable and I have a dedicated piano
3. Build quality/ external power supply

Sorry that this is a long first post, but I really need to spend some money soon and don't want to make a mistake!

Elbitrevnoc · Post by **Elbitrevnoc** » Sat Oct 17, 2015 12:11 pm

Ok, maybe too long a question!

How about which one should I buy and why?

voip · Post by **voip** » Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:59 pm

Both keyboards have a lot going for them sonically so, whichever you buy, it's not going to be a mistake. For me, the Krome has the edge, but could I explain the exact resoning? No. It's just a gut feeling. The next person along could just as easily lean towards the other board. There are too many factors to spend time on weighing the boards up against each other. Watch as many YouTube demos as you can. Read the manuals, and reviews. Ask yourself if one appears to have a soundset and workflow that better suits your style, then go spend your money and enjoy.

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SanderXpander · Post by **SanderXpander** » Sat Oct 17, 2015 6:37 pm

To me personally, for sound editing purposes and combi organisation, any random Korg board wins over any random Roland board.
There's always the benefit of working with an interface you know, but still.

rovito · Post by **rovito** » Sat Oct 17, 2015 6:49 pm

Both boards have their strengths and weaknesses. The FA series has pads, audio in jacks to act as a mixer, a sampler and a few other features as well. The Krome with it's touch screen and wonderful user interface just sets it apart in my book. I simply can get from point A to point B faster on the Krome. I used a Fantom X6 for years along with a MicroX. Korg's user interface is just a pleasure to work with and is simple to get things done on the fly. It also makes for a great controler. You can send program changes to other gear. The key bed is just ok but you get used to it pretty quickly. I enjoy playing live with my Krome 61 and SP170 more than any system I have ever owned.

Elbitrevnoc · Post by **Elbitrevnoc** » Sat Oct 17, 2015 8:40 pm

Thanks, I appreciate everyone's thoughts. I find myself edging towards the Krome - as much as anything because, in addition to my RD800 stage, I've already got an old Roland JV1010 and a XV3080 and I can't help feel that the sounds on the FA will, at worst, replicate what I've already got and, at best, sound very 'Roland-like.'

I can see that the FA has some extra functionality and more sounds on board (including ability to download EXP packs from the Axial site), and that makes it seem the sensible decision. However, the 'sound family' thing still bothers me and steers me back towards the Krome.

I've managed to have a play with both keyboards in stores, but I've been able to A/B test them in the same place. Both sound and feel fine and I'm sure neither will be a mistake as such and they're both a good buy. All that's keeping me from pulling the trigger now is the simple fear of ending up with another bit of kit that I understand how to use about 10% of!! I've been impressed by how intuitive I've found the RD800 interface to be and I've found that helps me to focus on all those black and white keys along the front and much less about needing a degree in programming!

Time for a lengthy users manual study I think...

voip · Post by **voip** » Sun Oct 18, 2015 12:20 pm

Understanding 10% of a board is not a problem, especially if that 10% is already quite a lot and it does what you need. That leaves 90% to learn about and enjoy as and when time allows and the quest for exploration beckons.
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neddycgoon · Post by **neddycgoon** » Sat Nov 07, 2015 10:50 pm

If your looking for a mid price keyboard mainly for a home studio use you want a Yamaha MOXF best PC DAW integration and it has USB Audio ability so you can run your guitar into the MOXF audio inputs and not only apply on board effects to the input but can transfer the audio to your PC digitally.Have a MOX and a Krome but wouldn't be without my MOX.

GabrielRusso · Post by **GabrielRusso** » Mon Dec 07, 2015 1:08 pm

I'm thinking of buying a Korg Krome, but the only question I have is, I can sort the sounds at will and assign the foot switch to increase the values of 1 at a time and not have to use the hands to change the programs?. something similar to what you can do with a foot switch on the Kronos setlist mode.

I'm using the google translator, sorry if there are any grammatical mistakes.

voip · Post by **voip** » Mon Dec 07, 2015 8:44 pm

The footswitch can be set to increase or decrease the number of the Program or Combination by 1. The only limitation is the Krome needs to be in the Program or Combi main screen, and will not work whilst the player is deep in the menu screens. Hitting the Exit button a couple of times usually gets you back to the main screen, so it's not a problem, just worth knowing.
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Details are in the Krome Parameter Guide, downloadable from Korg, under the heading: List of Foot Switch Assignments.
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GabrielRusso · Post by **GabrielRusso** » Wed Dec 09, 2015 3:42 pm

thanks for your time.

Korg Forums

Potential New User - different questions!

Potential New User - different questions!

SORT THE SOUND IN A KORG KROME.