Hi All...
I've noticed the audio quality from the Kronos Headphone jack is far superior to what is produced from the headphone output of my keyboard mixer. (Soundcraft EFX 12.) I'm using high quality TRS balanced cables from the Kronos to the mixer, and I've tried both an EFX12 stereo channel and a pair of panned mono channels. All patches (especially acoustic pianos) have a whole lot more life when listened to directly from the Kronos headphone jack, as compared to the headphone output from the mixer.
I have a hard time believing the EFX12 could be coloring the sound to this degree, but I guess it's possible. Has anyone using an EFX12 noticed this?
Am interested in experiences from other Kronos users on similar A|B tests (headphones directly from kronos vs from your mixer). If they both sound equally good, let me know what mixer is in your rig.
Also - and I hate to ask this -- has anyone tried amplifying directly from the Kronos headphone output vs the stereo outs?
I'm making it my mission this week to achieve the sound quality I'm hearing out of the kronos headphone jack! It's unbelievable what's missing in my current setup!
thanks,
Tom
Kronos X Headphone Audio Quality vs Stereo Outs
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tommy_1995
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jamesfinn82
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Tried using headphone output from Kronos to Yamaha DXR10 but produces undesired empty sound. Piano and organ terrible. Used Van Damme Neutrik cable. Although used balanced TRS Jack(from HEADPHONE Output on Kronos) to XLR on the DXR10 for this. Maybe need a Mono cable in this case as only using one DXR10. Ordered TR mono to mono will try out and repost when tested...
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tommy_1995
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Hi James -jamesfinn82 wrote:Tried using headphone output from Kronos to Yamaha DXR10 but produces undesired empty sound. Piano and organ terrible. Used Van Damme Neutrik cable. Although used balanced TRS Jack(from HEADPHONE Output on Kronos) to XLR on the DXR10 for this. Maybe need a Mono cable in this case as only using one DXR10. Ordered TR mono to mono will try out and repost when tested...
just to clarify - my A|B test is: headphones directly from kronos vs STEREO OUTs from Kronos to Mixer; Headphones from mixer.
My side question about amplifying directly from kronos headphone jack was really just to rule out any problem with my stereo outs on the kronos.
thanks,
Tom
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tommy_1995
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solved - problem is definitely the Soundcraft EFX12
Borrowed a little Yamaha MG10XU and repeated the A|B test.
No discernible difference in sound quality between straight from kronos headphone jack and headphone jack from MG10XU.
Anybody want a heavily used Soundcraft EFX12?
thanks,
Tom
No discernible difference in sound quality between straight from kronos headphone jack and headphone jack from MG10XU.
Anybody want a heavily used Soundcraft EFX12?
thanks,
Tom
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SanderXpander
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tommy_1995
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Hmmm. What you're saying makes sense, but my old ears were telling me the problem was much more than just having lost stereo. It was like the soundcraft completely sucked the life out of the patches. Maybe a combination of loss of stereo + weird eq'ing + signal loss + much dirtier signal.SanderXpander wrote:My guess is you were listening to a mono submix on your soundcraft. E.g. a PFL/solo mix is always mono/unpanned.
But I guess what really matters is - can i hear a difference in the main speakers between the soundcraft and the yamaha?? That test is up next....
cheers
tom
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GregC
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Re: Kronos X Headphone Audio Quality vs Stereo Outs
I had the same issue with my Mackie mixer. That mixer was in the way of the pristine sound of the Kronos audio outs.tommy_1995 wrote:Hi All...
I've noticed the audio quality from the Kronos Headphone jack is far superior to what is produced from the headphone output of my keyboard mixer. (Soundcraft EFX 12.)
I have a hard time believing the EFX12 could be coloring the sound to this degree, but I guess it's possible. Has anyone using an EFX12 noticed this?
Am interested in experiences from other Kronos users on similar A|B tests (headphones directly from kronos vs from your mixer). If they both sound equally good, let me know what mixer is in your rig.
Tom
I dumped the mixer and have a straight audio out to studio monitors.
Sounds great
Setup: Kronos 1/4" jack L and R outs via TRS cables to a Behringer RX1602X mixer inputs 1 and 2.
A/B test: mixer headphones out jack vs Kronos headphones out jack. Initially, the mixer headphone out seemed as if it might have been a bit less bright, but once the headphone volumes were carefully set to be equivalent at both headphone jacks, there was no discernible difference.
Things to check are stereo becoming mono. Kronos pianos can sound quite thin in mono. To check, pulling out the L/mono jack should result in sound only coming out of the right headphone, and conversely for the Kronos R output jack.
Poor connections can play havoc with sound quality, so check connectors and cables. If twisting or wiggling the jack connectors affects the sound quality then that's a sure sign of a problem here. If so, give jack plugs and sockets a good clean using a lubricating switch cleaner like Servisol Super 10, or Deoxit. It can happen to a Kronos, as much as any other keyboard, and in any part of the audio chain that follows it. The K2 has gold plated jack socket contacts, but these need gold plated jack plugs to make the most of it. Nickel plated contacts do oxidise over time.
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A/B test: mixer headphones out jack vs Kronos headphones out jack. Initially, the mixer headphone out seemed as if it might have been a bit less bright, but once the headphone volumes were carefully set to be equivalent at both headphone jacks, there was no discernible difference.
Things to check are stereo becoming mono. Kronos pianos can sound quite thin in mono. To check, pulling out the L/mono jack should result in sound only coming out of the right headphone, and conversely for the Kronos R output jack.
Poor connections can play havoc with sound quality, so check connectors and cables. If twisting or wiggling the jack connectors affects the sound quality then that's a sure sign of a problem here. If so, give jack plugs and sockets a good clean using a lubricating switch cleaner like Servisol Super 10, or Deoxit. It can happen to a Kronos, as much as any other keyboard, and in any part of the audio chain that follows it. The K2 has gold plated jack socket contacts, but these need gold plated jack plugs to make the most of it. Nickel plated contacts do oxidise over time.
.
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SanderXpander
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I sure have been enjoying running popular albums/songs through the kronos sampler to listen to them with Kronos EQ and added effects.
I was amazed at how much kronos improved sound quality on old popular songs that i imagine were top tier production quality of their day. Even albums that sold huge numbers and still get air play today.
I guess if kronos can take a poor sounding mix and improve it in a huge way, i think a poor mixer or mix can take the kronos sound and degrade it in a huge way.
I doubt i will ever again be able to have a music collection that hasn't been run through the Kronos for sound improvements to my taste. Pink Floyd or whatever. But Kronos has made a huge difference in dull ambience songs from the early 1970's and late 60's that i sample off of youtube or other sites. I get volume enhancements in some low volume recordings with kronos EQ and and input sound adjustments.
I think i am gonna start making a lot of friends with sound editing of their song collections.
I am getting ready to take my Kronos to Mexico, for extended stay winter leisure. No gigs or music tour planned, but i will end up playing at venues there eventually and maybe even join or record a few Mariachi bands to wow them with sound quality and what portable pianos can do these days if you know what to get., KRONOS!
I was amazed at how much kronos improved sound quality on old popular songs that i imagine were top tier production quality of their day. Even albums that sold huge numbers and still get air play today.
I guess if kronos can take a poor sounding mix and improve it in a huge way, i think a poor mixer or mix can take the kronos sound and degrade it in a huge way.
I doubt i will ever again be able to have a music collection that hasn't been run through the Kronos for sound improvements to my taste. Pink Floyd or whatever. But Kronos has made a huge difference in dull ambience songs from the early 1970's and late 60's that i sample off of youtube or other sites. I get volume enhancements in some low volume recordings with kronos EQ and and input sound adjustments.
I think i am gonna start making a lot of friends with sound editing of their song collections.
I am getting ready to take my Kronos to Mexico, for extended stay winter leisure. No gigs or music tour planned, but i will end up playing at venues there eventually and maybe even join or record a few Mariachi bands to wow them with sound quality and what portable pianos can do these days if you know what to get., KRONOS!