Can we get back to all the good things about the Kronos?

[DocAtlas]

While I don't have a Kronos yet, I did get to try one out Friday, so I can give my impressions.

1. The sound was the best I've heard out of any hardware in a long time. It really is like having a truckload of instruments in one box; Piano, Rhodes, Wurli, Hammond, Wavestation, Karma, DX7, several analog synths, and a huge effects rack. A lot easier to carry to gigs, though. The possibilities with vector synthesis are interesting, since each patch can have one or two different synth engines. Kind of like the Yamaha SY22/TG33 (they had 2 pcm voices and 2 2-operator fm voices for vector synthesis) on a lot of steroids.

The acoustic pianos are exceptional, and the drawbar organs had the excellent sound I expected, since I use a Korg BX-3 regularly. The electric pianos sounded every bit as good as the real things I have here at home. With the engines that make up these classic sounds, there is not just a huge weight loss, but no need for the maintenance that the original behemoths require. (I'm not getting rid of my vintage gear, though...)

The analog models sounded wonderful; while I didn't have the time to delve into any in-depth programming with any of them, I can see I'm going to spend a lot of time with the AL-1 and MS20EX when I do get a Kronos.

The MOD-7 engine really interests me. It looks like it could also cover a lot of the ground that the SY77 does.It doesn't have the looping envelpes of the SY77, but there are workarounds, and while the non-sine waveforms are different than the Yamaha's, the waveshaping function should compensate quite nicely. Not sure if it compares to a TX816 as far as the polyphony goes (52 MOD-7 voices with dynamic allocation, vs 8 16-voice TF-1s with fixed polyphony), but maybe a DX1 or DX5 with a TX7 added, plus a bunch of SY77 DNA. The features of this engine blow the original 6-op fm out of the water, though.

One other point about the programming is the ams mixers; they seem to offer the same kind of processing as Kurzweil's FUNs. Great stuff.

2. The apperarance. It looks like the black Kronos will be a LOT easier to keep clean than the silver surface of my Triton. It definitely is drool-resistant.

3. The user interface. This is a nice compromise between a control for every funtion, and one data slider for everything.

4. The price. I know there has been a lot of comparison to the OASYS, but it's worth comparing to the instruments it replaces, too. The Kronos is an incredible bargain.

All in all, I really liked it. Enough to reconsider my policy of not working overtime at my day job. At least until I've got the money to buy my own Kronos.

[Ksynth]

Hey Gribs, glad to see you've made it over to KorgForums! Jerry Kovarsky posted today that he "just finished some more Kronos programming for an upcoming support release." Good to know! I'm bdub from KSS, by the way...[/quote]

Can you provide a link to where this info was posted?

Thanks

[Gargamel314]

http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/ ... ht=#396665

Is that the post you mentioned? but that was from last week. Glad to see Jerry's doing good!

I feel happy about the Kronos that it brought back some of the appearance of the M1, T3 & 01/W workstations. and finally... a BLACK KEYBOARD. Kronos is the best-looking workstation released since the 01/W. can't wait to own one.

[keywhiz61]

While I don't have a Kronos yet, I did get to try one out Friday, so I can give my impressions.

1. The sound was the best I've heard out of any hardware in a long time. It really is like having a truckload of instruments in one box; Piano, Rhodes, Wurli, Hammond, Wavestation, Karma, DX7, several analog synths, and a huge effects rack. A lot easier to carry to gigs, though. The possibilities with vector synthesis are interesting, since each patch can have one or two different synth engines. Kind of like the Yamaha SY22/TG33 (they had 2 pcm voices and 2 2-operator fm voices for vector synthesis) on a lot of steroids.

The acoustic pianos are exceptional, and the drawbar organs had the excellent sound I expected, since I use a Korg BX-3 regularly. The electric pianos sounded every bit as good as the real things I have here at home. With the engines that make up these classic sounds, there is not just a huge weight loss, but no need for the maintenance that the original behemoths require. (I'm not getting rid of my vintage gear, though...)

The analog models sounded wonderful; while I didn't have the time to delve into any in-depth programming with any of them, I can see I'm going to spend a lot of time with the AL-1 and MS20EX when I do get a Kronos.

The MOD-7 engine really interests me. It looks like it could also cover a lot of the ground that the SY77 does.It doesn't have the looping envelpes of the SY77, but there are workarounds, and while the non-sine waveforms are different than the Yamaha's, the waveshaping function should compensate quite nicely. Not sure if it compares to a TX816 as far as the polyphony goes (52 MOD-7 voices with dynamic allocation, vs 8 16-voice TF-1s with fixed polyphony), but maybe a DX1 or DX5 with a TX7 added, plus a bunch of SY77 DNA. The features of this engine blow the original 6-op fm out of the water, though.

One other point about the programming is the ams mixers; they seem to offer the same kind of processing as Kurzweil's FUNs. Great stuff.

2. The apperarance. It looks like the black Kronos will be a LOT easier to keep clean than the silver surface of my Triton. It definitely is drool-resistant.

3. The user interface. This is a nice compromise between a control for every funtion, and one data slider for everything.

4. The price. I know there has been a lot of comparison to the OASYS, but it's worth comparing to the instruments it replaces, too. The Kronos is an incredible bargain.

All in all, I really liked it. Enough to reconsider my policy of not working overtime at my day job. At least until I've got the money to buy my own Kronos.

Nice review. Thanks!

[Brandon Daniel]

It doesn't have the looping envelpes of the SY77, but there are workarounds

I'm not entirely familiar with the SY77, but you can create a looping envelope of sorts on the MOD7...

The basic Kronos envelopes found in models like HD-1, AL-1, MOD-7, etc, all have a EG Reset (aka re-trigger) AMS input with EG Reset Threshold value setting. You can set the envelope to be its own EG Reset AMS source, set the Threshold value appropriately, and the envelope will then retrigger itself after each cycle (or more precisely, whenever it crosses that threshold).

Hope this helps!

[cynkh]

First off, have to say to all the reviewers you've done a good job capturing some of the strengths and focal points of the Kronos!

@Synthvalley: I'm sure that this first Korg purchase of yours will make you a convert!
@Gribs: I agree about the controllers. It's just an amazing amount of power to have right at your fingertips and, coming from a Triton background, they've really expanded the array. I'm sure Oasys users will simply feel at home with the interface but I'm finding it more like moving into a mansion from a double-wide (keeping with the home metaphor).

For me, the most fun has been using my bass guitar to track an instance of the MS-20EX. With just 3 patch cables and a minor configuration to the Common section of the patch I was able to use the audio input from the bass guitar to drive an MS-20 bass patch and it really validated my purchase right then and there!
The AL-1 has also been an absolute playground and the inclusion of the multi filter on a number of synth engines makes this the most powerful stand-alone synth I've ever created with. In fact, once you start to think of the board in terms of being a single instrument, it truly is a game-changer. The expanded AMS and being able to link parameters to CC's and back to interoperate between instances is absolutely amazing.

I've spent an inordinate amount of time with the CX-3 engine considering I've never been an "organ person". I find that the Leslie emulation is just breathtaking; not just the sound but the full control over fast/slow mode and starting/braking the rotor. The first thing I like to do is set up SW1 and SW2 to control fast mode and brake respectively to get immense control over the performance. I also love that you can add leakage, percussion and all kinds of other noise to the mix (or remove it if you don't want it; *sooooo* much easier than having to resolder ). I do like a slightly dirty and percussive sound to the organ and it delivers!

I've found that the Help button has been a huge...ummm...help! I've got all the PDF manuals on my phone for easy recall but I've not yet been forced to actually have to RTFM. When I hit a brick wall with the MS-20 patch panel, I pressed the Help button and solved my issue within seconds! Same thing with my bank assignment problem: just press Help and be out of problem-solving mode and back into patch-tweaking mode in no time!

There's almost too much more to go over so I guess it depends on whether you're a sound diver, performer, producer or noodler. In any case you've got loads of options and infinite capabilities. I'm absolutely amazed at Korg's ability to basically roll up their entire history into one concise, lightweight package and make it immediately accessible and, frankly, affordable (this coming from someone who basically sold off an entire studio to finance the Kronos; but, it does everything that the sold items did in a lot less space).

Cheers!

[Hal2001]

Background: I've had the Kronos 88 on pre-order since May and have been reading a number of comments which made me wonder if it's as good as promised and to check deeper to address some concerns that have been expressed by several members. Spoiler alert: My conclusion is ... I'm blown away and want it more than ever.

OK so here are some issues, concerns and features that I checked out today and my observations:

Screen angle/visibility: The screen is outstanding. visibility was fine for me at normal sitting and standing angles. Yes some screens have very fine print but not most screens. The most frequently demanded screens, like voice selection etc are easy to read normal size.

Screen touch sensitivity - No problem, was accurate every time for me, one touch, no side buttons accidentally pressed - but I have long slender fingers.

Key quality - Looked and felt fine to me - however, I'm into 88 key weighted action personally. I mention that because I've only played a few 61 key synths and do not have a great frame of reference. I just wanted to make sure the keys were not flimsey or poorly made, e.g. irregular key spacing, irregular key action etc.

Data wheel - Based on recent comments, I spun it a bunch of times, and tugged it a few times and there was no play or looseness. It also was dead on center with no eliptical rotation. Perfect. This Kronos was on the floor for 2 weeks exposure to the public. My understanding is that Korg has re-designed the data wheel for anyone who wants a replacement. So, looks like there's a nice quick response from Korg. That's what you want to hear.

VJS - Yes this joystick is featherlight in touch, but never falls down. Fine to use. I assume it has been meticulously designed for this low resistance for whatever reason. No current problem seen.

Endcaps - They look show-room car shiny which will look great in my home studio. Was afraid it would look cheap but actually looks very beautiful IMO Maybe it will get scratched for giggers but, maybe you can get a bra for it at the local auto store to protect it from road dirt.

The voices - Pianos are phenomenal. I am 110% happy with them. That was my greatest concern. Organs are great, strings are real nice, orchestras are phenomenal, pads are beautiful. Spacey pads is what I'm looking for and expecting with Korg and I was very happily fulfilled, with many happy surprises with combi effects.

Rhythms - Standard rhythms.

Karma - I'm hoping there's a way to program it to work like the Motif "Performance arpeggiators" so I can make it behave almost like an arranger when I might want to do one man band stuff. That's not critical to me however. I've never had Karma (this is my first Korg - other than an old drum machine) so I need to fully understand its workings before I can comment on it. I do admit it was a feature that I considered a plus and look forward to. I enjoyed experimenting with it in the store. Salesperson assured me that Karma can be played random or with straight patterns that can be replicated.

Fan noise - There's a very low level fan hum, similar to a computer. I don't know if the fan speed changes with temperature. I listened to it several times and it was acceptable to me, not annoying. I'd prefer it to be totally silent but am willing to accept this very low level for the tonfull of fun and possibilities that comes with this board.

Final verdict - I'm totally glad I pre-ordered the Kronos 88 and will keep my order active. I'm looking forward to owning it more than ever.