Optimize pre-load time?

Discussion relating to the Korg Kronos Workstation.

Moderators: Sharp, X-Trade, Pepperpotty, karmathanever

Post Reply
Xenophile
Senior Member
Posts: 367
Joined: Tue Nov 14, 2017 4:22 am

Optimize pre-load time?

Post by Xenophile »

Has anyone got a documented method or video to help a user determine which samples must be loaded for a particular setlist?

I would like to reduce the current ~3.5 minute boot/preload time by preloading only the sounds I will need for a show.

Is PCG Tools the right tool for this?

Maybe there is an automated way to do this, based on the particular setlist you have configured to auto-load?
GregC
Platinum Member
Posts: 9451
Joined: Wed May 15, 2002 12:46 am
Location: Discovery Bay (San Francisco Bay Area)

Re: Optimize pre-load time?

Post by GregC »

Xenophile wrote:Has anyone got a documented method or video to help a user determine which samples must be loaded for a particular setlist?

I would like to reduce the current ~3.5 minute boot/preload time by preloading only the sounds I will need for a show.

Is PCG Tools the right tool for this?

Maybe there is an automated way to do this, based on the particular setlist you have configured to auto-load?
I am not aware of any magic software like that. Then again, I am on Mac. PCG tools is WIN based.

I think the answer is in custom PCG files. Which will need a few manual steps to load each one.

Your volume of samples or EXs connected to KSC files take time to auto load upon boot up- I think you are aware.

PCG files take 5 or 6 seconds to load.
Kronos 88. MODX8
Achieve your musical dreams :)
https://soundcloud.com/user-898236994
Stoffel
Junior Member
Posts: 78
Joined: Tue Apr 16, 2019 11:31 pm

Re: Optimize pre-load time?

Post by Stoffel »

To minimize the boot time on gigs I use the following method:

1. In Global mode, "KSC Auto-Load", unmark all KSC in the list
2. Press "Do Auto-Load Now". This erases the sample memory
3. Go to Setlist
4. Test every slot needed for the gig and see if the linked combi/prog shows "Samples Not Loaded"
5. If so, open the "Main" menu in there and press "Load required samples"
6. Repeat from step 4 until all needed slots are sounding as programmed.
7. Go to Disk mode, menu "Save" and go to the root of the SSD.
8. Press "Save Sampling Data"
9. Name the KSC as needed. Include "Links to EXs & User Sample Banks". Press "OK"
10. Go to Global Mode, "KSC Auto-Load", and Press "Add KSC"
11. Search the created KSC with the prefix "_UserBank", mark it, and press "Add"

The next start the Kronos will only load this Sample Bank and the boot time is minimized.

Hope this helps.
Kronos 2 88, Roland AX-Synth, 2x Roland A-800 Pro, Behringer Vocoder VC340, Synton Vocoder, Neo Instruments Ventilator 2, Panda MIDI Beam, Joh.P.Andresen Harmonium, Studiologic SL990, Beyerdynamic DT770/880, FL Studio, Shure WH20, AKG WMS470, Shure SE535, Xenyx Control 1, U-Phoria UMC404HD, Visaton Monitor, Gig Performer, PreSonus Studio 26c, Macbook Pro
Falcon2e
Platinum Member
Posts: 633
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2008 1:00 am
Location: Indiana USA

Post by Falcon2e »

My boot time is about 90 seconds, maybe a little more. It’s not a big deal for me because it’s only required once. I do have about 75 short samples. If your boot time is 3 1/2 minutes I’m guessing you have a lot of samples. I do use a UPS in case there’s a power interruption.
Kronos2-61..(2) Triton Classic, Nord Stage 2, Previously owned lots of other gear dating back to the 70’s.
Xenophile
Senior Member
Posts: 367
Joined: Tue Nov 14, 2017 4:22 am

Post by Xenophile »

Thanks! Most of what it is auto-loading came from the factory defaults. I just added a few things from the Funk and Soul Horns pack.

I'll definitely try Stoffel's method to limit auto-load to just the sounds I need for a particular show.
Mike Conway
Approved Merchant
Approved Merchant
Posts: 2476
Joined: Fri Jan 28, 2005 10:44 pm
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

Post by Mike Conway »

My fastest Kronos boot is 60 seconds, as seen here:

<iframe width="720" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zN1l0lbDuOw" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture"></iframe>
psionic311
Platinum Member
Posts: 1046
Joined: Fri Nov 14, 2014 11:57 am
Location: Orlando, Florida USA

Re: Optimize pre-load time?

Post by psionic311 »

Stoffel wrote:To minimize the boot time on gigs I use the following method:

1. In Global mode, "KSC Auto-Load", unmark all KSC in the list
2. Press "Do Auto-Load Now". This erases the sample memory
3. Go to Setlist
4. Test every slot needed for the gig and see if the linked combi/prog shows "Samples Not Loaded"
5. If so, open the "Main" menu in there and press "Load required samples"
6. Repeat from step 4 until all needed slots are sounding as programmed.
7. Go to Disk mode, menu "Save" and go to the root of the SSD.
8. Press "Save Sampling Data"
9. Name the KSC as needed. Include "Links to EXs & User Sample Banks". Press "OK"
10. Go to Global Mode, "KSC Auto-Load", and Press "Add KSC"
11. Search the created KSC with the prefix "_UserBank", mark it, and press "Add"

The next start the Kronos will only load this Sample Bank and the boot time is minimized.

Hope this helps.
Brilliant! This sounds like a safe, easy, and effective method. Doing this first thing tomorrow.
User avatar
SeedyLee
Platinum Member
Posts: 1397
Joined: Wed Sep 13, 2006 1:48 pm
Location: Perth, Australia

Post by SeedyLee »

For those of you that are feeling adventurous, it is possible to reduce the boot time of the Kronos considerably by booting a modified Linux kernel and disabling the security verification of all Kronos files … This process comprises the bulk of the boot time.
Current Equipment:
Korg Kronos 2 88, Reface CS, Roland JV-1080, TE OP1, Moog Subsequent 37, Korg ARP Odyssey, Allen & Heath Zed 18, Adam F5, MOTU MIDI Express XT, Lexicon MX200 & MPX1, Yamaha QY700, Yamaha AW16G, Tascam DP008ex, Zoom H6, Organelle, Roland J6 & JU06A

Previous: Triton LE 61/Sampling/64MB/4GB SCSI, MS2000BR, Kronos 1 61, Monotribe, NanoKontrol, NanoKeys, Kaossilator II, Casio HT3000, Roland VP-03, Reface DX, Novation Mininova, MPC One
psionic311
Platinum Member
Posts: 1046
Joined: Fri Nov 14, 2014 11:57 am
Location: Orlando, Florida USA

Post by psionic311 »

SeedyLee wrote:For those of you that are feeling adventurous, it is possible to reduce the boot time of the Kronos considerably by booting a modified Linux kernel and disabling the security verification of all Kronos files … This process comprises the bulk of the boot time.
I have 2 hard drives in my Kronos 61. If I can make it so that I can make them redundant so I could boot off either drive, consider me a candidate to modify the kernel on one of the drives.

I've been meaning to wade deeper into Linux and get certified, so this sounds like a good project to motivate me.

Can you PM the details? Thx
alfredharper

Re: Optimize pre-load time?

Post by alfredharper »

Stoffel wrote:To minimize the boot time on gigs I use the following method:

1. In Global mode, "KSC Auto-Load", unmark all KSC in the list
2. Press "Do Auto-Load Now". This erases the sample memory
3. Go to Setlist
4. Test every slot needed for the gig and see if the linked combi/prog shows "Samples Not Loaded"
5. If so, open the "Main" menu in there and press "Load required samples"
6. Repeat from step 4 until all needed slots are sounding as programmed.
7. Go to Disk mode, menu "Save" and go to the root of the SSD.
8. Press "Save Sampling Data"
9. Name the KSC as needed. Include "Links to EXs & User Sample Banks". Press "OK"
10. Go to Global Mode, "KSC Auto-Load", and Press "Add KSC"
11. Search the created KSC with the prefix "_UserBank", mark it, and press "Add"

The next start the Kronos will only load this Sample Bank and the boot time is minimized.

Hope this helps.
Thank you for your tips. they work.
tunaman
Senior Member
Posts: 427
Joined: Thu Nov 28, 2019 10:24 pm

Post by tunaman »

If you really want to do it right, make a copy of the PRELOAD.KSC and edit it with a text editor. Remove any unused items, especially drum kits. Then deselect the PRELOAD.KSC and instead select the modified version in the Autoload list, along with the other custom KSC files as outlined above.

I have one I named PRELOAD (No Drums).KSC for just this purpose, and it reduces the startup time considerably.
Post Reply

Return to “Korg Kronos”