Kronos 88 and RH3 keyboard faulty

[Korgstream]

Alright folks, my dealer didn't hear from KORG within the 48 hours lead times so the K88 is going back.

Now I have options to get a replacement or a refund - this is REALLY tricky. I don't want overheads if the new one comes with the same problem. Sometimes I think I'd rather not buy it (and continue to be a happy user of Oasys + VIs for P/EPs) and buy a Numa Nero or LMK4+ to complement my O76 synth action keys.. Any suggestions please?

I like the sound of Kronos and its ability, so I do not want to abandon the purchase at all times. My preodered Kronos has to come in late November, so until the end of November I'll see what Korg will do. If there is no explanation from Korg, then I move the time of purchase of Kronos for next year. And will buy it only when I will fully confident in build quality. I have such thoughts.

[dregsor]

Alright folks, my dealer didn't hear from KORG within the 48 hours lead times so the K88 is going back.

Now I have options to get a replacement or a refund - this is REALLY tricky. I don't want overheads if the new one comes with the same problem. Sometimes I think I'd rather not buy it (and continue to be a happy user of Oasys + VIs for P/EPs) and buy a Numa Nero or LMK4+ to complement my O76 synth action keys.. Any suggestions please?

We are in similar situations. Sending back the 73 was agonizingly difficult because I love everything about the thing but the key bed and build issues. I use VI's in 80% of my work but I really needed a keyboard upgrade and some new sounds, the K73 seemed the perfect solution. So now I'm looking into some type of new controller keyboard that suits my needs and then perhaps in the future re-visiting the Kronos after the bugs are out. Most likely I'll just get a 61 and use the new controller with it. Anyway that's what I'm thinking today if it's any help.

[runningman67]

Alright folks, my dealer didn't hear from KORG within the 48 hours lead times so the K88 is going back.

Now I have options to get a replacement or a refund - this is REALLY tricky. I don't want overheads if the new one comes with the same problem. Sometimes I think I'd rather not buy it (and continue to be a happy user of Oasys + VIs for P/EPs) and buy a Numa Nero or LMK4+ to complement my O76 synth action keys.. Any suggestions please?

We are in similar situations. Sending back the 73 was agonizingly difficult because I love everything about the thing but the key bed and build issues. I use VI's in 80% of my work but I really needed a keyboard upgrade and some new sounds, the K73 seemed the perfect solution. So now I'm looking into some type of new controller keyboard that suits my needs and then perhaps in the future re-visiting the Kronos after the bugs are out. Most likely I'll just get a 61 and use the new controller with it. Anyway that's what
I'm thinking today if it's any help.

Dregsor, have you tried the 61. It's a beautiful semi weighted action in my opinion. Bugs will be fixed with updates. Seems a shame to lose all that learning time on the Kronos .
Just a thought mate.

[dregsor]

Dregsor, have you tried the 61. It's a beautiful semi weighted action in my opinion. Bugs will be fixed with updates. Seems a shame to lose all that learning time on the Kronos .
Just a thought mate.

Sent you a PM.

[mookie]

Yea its now spreading across my keyboard. Can't do rolling C2-C3 octaves without C3 cutting out. Have to use my Motif for gigs.

[runningman67]

Dregsor, have you tried the 61. It's a beautiful semi weighted action in my opinion. Bugs will be fixed with updates. Seems a shame to lose all that learning time on the Kronos .
Just a thought mate.

Sent you a PM.

Sent one back >>>>>>

[outjet]

I added a second video clip (in the same link) to show the blocked key problem up-close.

I thought there was a possibility it was my playing style (letting the keys bounce, registering the second MIDI event) but this seems to prove otherwise.

Updated video clip --> http://4g.outjet.com/kronoskeyfail.html

[Rookwood]

Have you contacted Korg support yet? I don't think they check this site on a regular basis.

I added a second video clip (in the same link) to show the blocked key problem up-close.

I thought there was a possibility it was my playing style (letting the keys bounce, registering the second MIDI event) but this seems to prove otherwise.

Updated video clip --> http://4g.outjet.com/kronoskeyfail.html

[outjet]

Have you contacted Korg support yet? I don't think they check this site on a regular basis.

Hey Rookwood -

I contacted my dealer directly. They've been great; put a new keyboard on a plane as soon as the factory reset didn't resolve my issue.

If the board I receive tomorrow has the same problem, I'll give Korg a shout.

[Rookwood]

Cool. Hope it's a good one.

Have you contacted Korg support yet? I don't think they check this site on a regular basis.

Hey Rookwood -

I contacted my dealer directly. They've been great; put a new keyboard on a plane as soon as the factory reset didn't resolve my issue.

If the board I receive tomorrow has the same problem, I'll give Korg a shout.

[kron]

All those who have received replacement keyboards, please post your feedback...!

[outjet]

A follow-up post, as requested and promised.

I received my replacement Kronos 88 today -- serial number 11xx, about 40 higher than the last one.

The second chord I played from the new one was cut off. Recreating the problem on the newer keyboard seemed much easier. For those of you who aren't experiencing this, I would say while playing a 30 second mid-tempo passage of chords it occurred around 10 times, clearly and audibly detectable.

I played from Kronos MIDI out to M3 MIDI in, and notes were cut off.
I played from M3 MIDI out to Kronos MIDI in, and notes were normal.
(I was hoping this second test might fail and help rule out the keyboard hardware, but no luck)

If you haven't seen videos #1 and #2 I posted showing the problem in action, here they are .

I'll call it into Korg in the morning and hope for some encouragement.

[Korgstream]

Outjet, I sympathize with you. You get a replacement and again with a defect!
So you've got the new Kronos now and again it has a defect, then we should add it to the statistics of defect Kronoses.

Someone might say when it will end?

[kron]

A follow-up post, as requested and promised.

I received my replacement Kronos 88 today -- serial number 11xx, about 40 higher than the last one.

The second chord I played from the new one was cut off. Recreating the problem on the newer keyboard seemed much easier. For those of you who aren't experiencing this, I would say while playing a 30 second mid-tempo passage of chords it occurred around 10 times, clearly and audibly detectable.

I played from Kronos MIDI out to M3 MIDI in, and notes were cut off.
I played from M3 MIDI out to Kronos MIDI in, and notes were normal.
(I was hoping this second test might fail and help rule out the keyboard hardware, but no luck)

If you haven't seen videos #1 and #2 I posted showing the problem in action, here they are .

I'll call it into Korg in the morning and hope for some encouragement.

Thanks outjet for a VERY valuable update. This gives me a clear insight and steer - this is a fatal error, I am going the refund route.

KORG - Silence is acceptance. K73/88 Keybed = Flawed design/mfg/logistics - your problem. My money back with me.

[EXer]

Someone might say when it will end?

When at last Korg stop persisting in producing their own keybeds (or in letting turkish or chinese subcontractors produce them?) and when they resume mounting Yamaha keybeds in their instruments like they used to do some years ago (remember the Trinity?).

Or possibly when the new Korg top management finally understands that too hard a cost cutting policy can do more harm than good to the company in the long term (maybe even in a not-so-long term).