OASYS vs Kronos 2

[Tom Marr]

I’ve owned an OASYS for 15 years. I am a hobbyist that loves new stuff...
I’m considering selling the O for a Kronos.

Still keep KARMA, plus more.
Pianos should be better.
700 drum patterns

Will instruments - strings, brass, guitars, etc. be better than on O?
It looks like the 6 O expansions will be identical.

Thanks for your opinion!

[Mike Conway]

I've had my OASYS, since 2005. I still use it as a controller, since my Kronos is 61 keys. But, I rarely use it for the sounds, as Kronos takes care of that. Let's get this out of the way; you're going to really miss that big screen. I ended up putting my Kronos at an angle to see the screen better.

Kronos 2 comes with some amazing programs, mimicking popular songs, that the other Kronos models did not have, initially. Once you get used to the Kronos, you're going to find that it can load a lot more sounds, thanks to disk streaming. You can output your songs as 24 bit wave files, whereas the OASYS tops at 16 bit. To my ears, those files have a better bottom end with the bass.

Disk management is improved on the Kronos. It reads more drives and file types. No need to SCAN, when plugging in a USB drive.

Aside from 24 bit recording capability, the Kronos sequencer is much better at handling stereo Audio tracks. Resolution is higher than the O, 480 PPQN versus 192 PPQN. The Kronos TEMPO knob goes up to 300 BPM versus 240 BPM.

Kronos Programs and Drum Kits have 8 split/crossfade layers, versus 4 on the O. Also, you will be able to have double Drum Kit programs on the Kronos. You will also have smooth sound transition, when changing programs and combis. There is also a Set List display, which is very handy.

Some other Kronos items include search functions, at most levels. Easy program INITIALIZE. The ability to edit programs from Sequence & Combi modes. A bigger internal hard drive. Also, Kronos comes with 12 gigs of sample ROM/EXs content, versus the factory 1.1 gigs of the OASYS. There is also an extra AA - GG row of program slots.

Will instruments - strings, brass, guitars, etc. be better than on O?

As far as Korg sounds, they will be same strings, brass, and guitars from OASYS ROM, EXs1, and EXs3 Brass & Woodwinds. But, if you're getting a Kronos 2, there should be some KApro strings in there.

Korg made some new sounds, but you have to get them from the Korg Shop:

Legendary Strings

Funk and Soul Brass

Aside from the K2 KApro sounds, most of the new content is pianos and drums. There are also some new gongs, rolling Timpani, sound FX, plus a few sounds of Mellotron tape style violins and mixed strings. The multi-gigabyte piano sounds take up most of the memory. I unloaded them, so I could have a ton of orchestral sounds instead.

You will have room for a lot of 3rd party content, if you use the disk streaming options.

[mwiik]

Had my Oasys 88 for 10 years. I considered the Kronos 1 but found it way to ”plastic” and not near the build quality of the Oasys.

When the Kronos 2 came I was convinced so I traded my Oasys and it was the right thing to do. Kronos 2 is much more ”rigid” and feels like the premium instrument that it is.

Kronos 2 is way beyond the Oasys if you consider all new features in the operating system, sample streaming and so on. So you won’t be disappointed. Just that I managed to transfer all PCGs and samples from my Oasys very easily, made the switch flawless.

I miss the ”feeling” of the Oasys. It was, and is a fantastic instrument. I miss the screen and how you could adjust the angle. And I miss the pads. But I did buy this nanopad (or whatever the name is) so it does work but not a premium solution.

If there ever is a Kronos 3, I wish Korg will step back and take a look at the Oasys again and how it was built. Yes, it was an expensive thing, but that was mainly because the software development I would say. But get that feeling back again please.

I am looking at the second hand market and might buy an Oasys again just because it is a legend. Maybe an Oasys 76 as a companion to my Kronos 2. Let’s see.

I say, go ahead ! You will not regret it ! Maybe go for Kronos 2 61 and keep the Oasys... up to you.

[GregC]

If there ever is a Kronos 3, I wish Korg will step back and take a look at the Oasys again and how it was built. Yes, it was an expensive thing, but that was mainly because the software development I would say. But get that feeling back again please.

ou.

if the Oasys2 /Kronos 3 will cost $800, Korg will make it

[KK]

I miss the screen and how you could adjust the angle.

I modified my K2 to adjust the angle of its factory screen (see sig).

[Musicwithharry]

I have been in love with the OASYS since it came out. I do not have one, nor do I have the Kronos. The Kronos may be a 'down the road' purchase for me if I needed to downsize my music studio. Right now, I've go so many synths that I cannot even hook them all up. With that said, I still have a Behringer VC340 on order and am looking at the Kurzweil SP1 - oh, the humanity!!!

I LOVE the way the OASYS looks, even today. Yep, the Kronos is light years ahead in features, but there is something commanding about the OASYS that still draws me to it.

It is too bad that Korg does not make an option for the Kronos to add a touch screen external monitor, either by USB or an HDMI output. This would solve so many issues with the small screen and not being able to move it around to an angle that works for folks. I have always said that for these high-end workstations, the companies should really allow for peripherial connections to further blur the lines between hardware and DAW functionality...

I like the mod that KK did to his Kronos, but I doubt that many, if not most people, would want to mod their keyboard in such a way. I can see adding RAM and another HDD and stuff, but to cut into the body and such is likely beyond what most would feel comfy doing.

Maybe someone on the planet has found a way to get into the programming on the Kronos to add the code for using an external touch monitor and I've not found it yet. Maybe it would be something universal among many models of Korg products that it would be done with...

I know that someone developed a video board upgrade/aftermarket thing for the old Tascam 2488 digital recorders. They created a board that allowed you to hook up a VGA monitor to it theough the installation of a PCB that he custom made and it basically doubled the built-in screen that was already in the Tascam. No one has done this with the DP Series from Tascam (of which I have the DP32SD), but at least with the 2488 series, someone did it.

Food for thought...

Grace,
Harry

[laandodeman]

But get that feeling back again please.
:

Well said, fully agree!

[Tom Marr]

I’m glad to hear from you that changes made when Kronos 2 creates were plusses. I know that O was a unique instrument in musical instrument history. I was fortunate to own mine for 15 years.
Its depth, fantastic screen, quality sounds and my favorite...KARMA!

I am a lifetime hobbyist. I love learning technology (to a point ).
It was time for me to make a change.

Maybe its new owner will dig in even more!

[ITguy54]

But get that feeling back again please.
:

Well said, fully agree!

Maybe instead of a Kronos 3, Korg should come out with the OASYS 2.

[mwiik]

If there ever would be an Oasys 2 with modern specs, I would put in the order immidiately !

[GregC]

[quo

Maybe instead of a Kronos 3, Korg should come out with the OASYS 2.

that is really funny

and charge $500, too

[Bachus]

If there ever would be an Oasys 2 with modern specs, I would put in the order immidiately !

Actually they should just add the things that makes the Oasys so special to the Kronos 3, ...

Lets see...

1) big screen (the small screen is the reason the kronos interface feels off)
2) build quallity, knobs and sliders with leds..
3) a high end processor. 15 years later, the kronos still has less processing power then the oasys.
4) open engine that allows you to add more synth engines, different backing tools and sequencers over time..

And then just keep it in kronos price range...

[GrandMasterKorg]

I miss the screen and how you could adjust the angle.

I modified my K2 to adjust the angle of its factory screen (see sig).

Very interesting modification. How did you close that opening in the housing that appears, after the original screen has been taken out?

[dimitris]

I think OASYS is an instrument that once you buy it you never sell it.

[KK]

Very interesting modification. How did you close that opening in the housing that appears, after the original screen has been taken out?

Hi there and thank you for your comment and question. In fact, it's the original factory LCD which can now be adjusted an any angle. So when it is in its original position, there is no opening and the Kronos looks the same as before. When tilted at angle, there is no danger for damage or dust to enter as there is a metal plate in that compartment just under the screen.