Think Kronos has some time left?

Discussion relating to the Korg Kronos Workstation.

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gnbutt
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Post by gnbutt »

I have owned several Korg "flagships" over the years and I think that the term has become overused in retail marketing. Now at 60+, I would like to scale down and will probably buy the latest Korg Kronos keyboard in 2017, probably a 73 key with a warranty and with the latest bells, whistles and with the latest operating system. I would be happy with this choice in my studio. The gigging has quieted down now, it's just for fun. Time to really learn all the features of the Kronos and explore it. A one-does-all high-end professional workstation with the Korg name on it sounds like a very good buy to me. Cheers.
M3-73, Roland Fantom X8, Motif ES7, OMNISPHERE VST and my baby, an old Fender Rhodes 73. Hammond SK2 with Neo Mini-Vent for Organ, Korg Krome 61 with Vintage Synth collection + DSKrome, Killer Organ Package
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gjvti
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Re: Kronos rack

Post by gjvti »

fcoulter wrote:
chini wrote:I know I've exclaimed this before but I still believe Korg will release a rack version before they release a new flagship keyboard.
.....The question would then be whether they want to replicate the entire Kronos user interface on the front of the rack, or have it mostly programmable via computer.

Interesting philosophical questions that Korg has to face, assuming they're making a rack mount Kronos.
I personally would be happy with either of these Kronos versions

Image

but as this was stressed many times already, Korg just won't do that and not because that is technically impossible, but apparently because of financial (investment in development) and marketing/sales reasons/considerations.
Jan1
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Post by Jan1 »

Maybe the next workstation has the new NuTube onboard which KORG announced last year? This Summer it was scheduled to go on sale, so it should be available by now.
psionic311
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Post by psionic311 »

Jan1 wrote:Maybe the next workstation has the new NuTube onboard which KORG announced last year? This Summer it was scheduled to go on sale, so it should be available by now.
In another wishlist thread, I also mentioned that it would be very cool (warm?) if Korg used the NuTube in a next-gen Kronos. We can dream...
Zeroesque
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Post by Zeroesque »

gnbutt wrote:I have owned several Korg "flagships" over the years and I think that the term has become overused in retail marketing. Now at 60+, I would like to scale down and will probably buy the latest Korg Kronos keyboard in 2017, probably a 73 key with a warranty and with the latest bells, whistles and with the latest operating system. I would be happy with this choice in my studio. The gigging has quieted down now, it's just for fun. Time to really learn all the features of the Kronos and explore it. A one-does-all high-end professional workstation with the Korg name on it sounds like a very good buy to me. Cheers.
I've had virtually everything in your signature, and have heavily used Fantoms and Motifs. I'm much happier with just the Kronos 61, an 88-key controller, and a real-deal Hammond/Leslie for home. I should mention that I also have a wonderful piano as well, but rarely get to play it due to work schedule and young kids at home. I don't lose much by practicing and composing with the Kronos, least of all inspiration.

The ability to write, practice, record AND gig with ALL of my sounds under one arm is priceless. I also had no trouble replicating all my old (but important!) Trinity and Triton sounds in the Kronos.

Do yourself a favor. Sell all that stuff. You won't be sorry.
Kronos 61, Kronos2-88, Hammond B3, Baldwin SD-10
Zeroesque
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Re: Kronos rack

Post by Zeroesque »

gjvti wrote:
fcoulter wrote:
chini wrote:I know I've exclaimed this before but I still believe Korg will release a rack version before they release a new flagship keyboard.
.....The question would then be whether they want to replicate the entire Kronos user interface on the front of the rack, or have it mostly programmable via computer.

Interesting philosophical questions that Korg has to face, assuming they're making a rack mount Kronos.
I personally would be happy with either of these Kronos versions

Image

but as this was stressed many times already, Korg just won't do that and not because that is technically impossible, but apparently because of financial (investment in development) and marketing/sales reasons/considerations.
I still want to see a weighted 76-key A-to-C keyboard with the left-side controllers above the keyboard. This would save so much space and a fair bit of weight, yet compromise very little in terms of playability and ergonomics.

E-to-G and left-side controls are huge compromises for players that choose 76 keys to shave bulk yet get close to piano range. E-to-G especially makes no sense with weighted keys.
Kronos 61, Kronos2-88, Hammond B3, Baldwin SD-10
GregC
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Re: Kronos rack

Post by GregC »

Zeroesque wrote:
gjvti wrote:
fcoulter wrote: I still want to see a weighted 76-key A-to-C keyboard with the left-side controllers above the keyboard. This would save so much space and a fair bit of weight, yet compromise very little in terms of playability and ergonomics.

E-to-G and left-side controls are huge compromises for players that choose 76 keys to shave bulk yet get close to piano range. E-to-G especially makes no sense with weighted keys.
The LCD occupies 8" in the middle of the keyboard. I can't see any 'left hand controls' below that. Would you give up the LCD ?
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Zeroesque
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Re: Kronos rack

Post by Zeroesque »

GregC wrote:The LCD occupies 8" in the middle of the keyboard. I can't see any 'left hand controls' below that. Would you give up the LCD ?
Image
Kronos 61, Kronos2-88, Hammond B3, Baldwin SD-10
GregC
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Re: Kronos rack

Post by GregC »

Zeroesque wrote:
GregC wrote:The LCD occupies 8" in the middle of the keyboard. I can't see any 'left hand controls' below that. Would you give up the LCD ?
Image
oh, those left hand controls.

the headphone outlet would have to be re-located.

its possible that Korg just has a template for all their w/s models to be designed the way they are.

I haven't popped the bottom hatch lately to see what electronics are to the left of the vector.
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wma
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Post by wma »

may be they work on the layout & control-surface/controls & the interface .. i loved the led strips beside the slides on the oyasis & also NI did a great job with the displays under the knobs - it would be nice if korg give more care about the physical controls & the interface other than the interface on the touch screen - and a nice thing also is letting a single control possible to assign it to multiple tasks simultaneously like letting the ribbon-bar under the joystick acts as the super-knob on the montage - and please korg look after the matter of the portability of the instrument - i don't like it to be over sized in it's depth & height - i love it to be wide enough
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Post by wma »

i did design & upload this workstation sometime before

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model. ... 4bde3506c5
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Post by wma »

Image

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Post by wma »

Image

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John01W
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Post by John01W »

Purpleibby here(got my original John01W account back)....

on the topic of this, some words from Nick Kwas, Korg product specialist on the monolog reddit on Nov 1st...someone asked Nick:

"I LOVE MY TRITON! But it is so outdated. I do really love the Kronos, but I wonder whether a new workstation is on the way, maybe one that has an analog engine built in?"

Nicks reply was:

"Kronos is still our absolute top of the line, and it won't stop being supported any time soon. We're also constantly updating it and putting out new sound packs. There's a reason we call it the most powerful synthesizer on the planet!"
GregC
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Post by GregC »

John01W wrote:Purpleibby here(got my original John01W account back)....

on the topic of this, some words from Nick Kwas, Korg product specialist on the monolog reddit on Nov 1st...someone asked Nick:

"I LOVE MY TRITON! But it is so outdated. I do really love the Kronos, but I wonder whether a new workstation is on the way, maybe one that has an analog engine built in?"

Nicks reply was:

"Kronos is still our absolute top of the line, and it won't stop being supported any time soon. We're also constantly updating it and putting out new sound packs. There's a reason we call it the most powerful synthesizer on the planet!"
Thought I would dust off this ' old ' topic.

I noticed that Nick somewhat ducked the question. Likely he is bound by an NDA. And would never tip his hand if a MORE powerful w/s synth is in the next 60 day launch window ( thru Jan NAMM).

I am observing there is no shortage of K2's in the US marketplace. I am unaware of any Korg sponsored price drops to move out K2's from the retail channel. I cannot speak to any conditions like this outside the US.

Therefore, I don't see Korg launching a MORE powerful w/s synth by Jan NAMM 2017. And I don't believe the "LS" prototype at the Gakki fair is more powerful.

Your budgets can breathe easier and you can still take the wife/girlfriend on that expensive vacation ;)
Kronos 88. MODX8
Achieve your musical dreams :)
https://soundcloud.com/user-898236994
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