The KORG KROSS

[Jan1]

It seems the prices originally mentioned by Steve McNally did not include VAT.
The 61 and 88 key versions are advertized for 700 and 1000 Euros, which is not really a very competitive price point considering the fact that the Yamaha MX61 sells for 50 Euros less.
Furthermore, the KROME 61 costs only 300 Euros more than the KROSS 61, not really a cost prohibitive gap.

There is a gap in the KORG workstation range, but it is between the KROME and the KRONOS X, 1600 vs 4000 Euros for the 88 key versions.

[Davidb]

There is a gap in the KORG workstation range, but it is between the KROME and the KRONOS X, 1600 vs 4000 Euros for the 88 key versions.

Agreed.

[Saxifraga]

There is a gap in the KORG workstation range, but it is between the KROME and the KRONOS X, 1600 vs 4000 Euros for the 88 key versions.

I think a Kronos without sampler, sequencer and karma would do the trick.
Just the engines HD-1, AL-1 etc. but able to load all the Kronos and M3 sounds. Or an AU/VST version.

[Jammmy]

I've seen a demonstration of the audio recording; Can you loop an audio recording, then overdub it? Could you also play audio recordings as key sounds/tones? Or are these more for a sampler type keyboard?

[Fener]

Remember, KROSS is an entry level keyboard.

Not all the people need big power and not all the people wants to face thousands of parameters and functionalities to work with.

KROSS address those people who want to start with a simple synth and/or for those who wants to learn to play keyboard, not necessarely a piano.

For all of those KORG offer a machine easy to use compared with the others of the familly and also the 88 key hammered version.

And all together they have the chance to get a KORG keyboard with the sounds and the functionalities of the predecessors.

THIS IS A DREAM FOR THEM.

I think just to my son. If he discovers this machine, my life become very difficoult.

Cheers.

Marco.

[Jammmy]

I have no experience with Korg keyboards, other than a microsampler Im considering getting the Kross 88 key version when it finally comes out - the specs say it has 'Natural Weighted Hammer Action' - while other Korg keyboards have 'Real hammer action' - is there a difference? Is the action close to that of a real piano?
As someone who learnt on the piano, but has had keyboards for past 10 years I'd like to keep learning on a keybed close to that of an actual piano but have the tools to record/play other sounds rhythms etc. - is this gonna be worth it?

[Kevin Nolan]

I have no experience with Korg keyboards, other than a microsampler Im considering getting the Kross 88 key version when it finally comes out - the specs say it has 'Natural Weighted Hammer Action' - while other Korg keyboards have 'Real hammer action' - is there a difference? Is the action close to that of a real piano?
As someone who learnt on the piano, but has had keyboards for past 10 years I'd like to keep learning on a keybed close to that of an actual piano but have the tools to record/play other sounds rhythms etc. - is this gonna be worth it?

I'm not up to scratch with the various Korg keybed implementations - but to me - that reads as if it will be weighted, but not graded (as in heavier in action near the bass end). This seems to be similar to the Yamaha Motif 88 which is weighted but not graded (unlike their digital pianos which are graded). Its to give a more balanced keybed, helping in the likes of Organ playing.


under my fingers, both the Motif 88 and Fantom88 feel a tad lighter or more 'springy' than an actual piano - so it looks like they are trying to provide the best of all worlds - a weighted keyboard for piano playing, but if like the Motif and Fantom 88, with no graded action and perhaps a touch more springyness in the action to aid organ and synth playing.


But to answer your question - it will most likely feel substantial and quite piano like (in the ball park of the Kronos 73/88, just, a variation on it). Korg actions are good, so you will not likely be disappointed if you are after a weighted action.

The one caveat is - if this is for traditional piano practice, look towards getting an actual digital piano, and not the Kross or any other workstation.

[Saxifraga]

...
As someone who learnt on the piano, but has had keyboards for past 10 years I'd like to keep learning on a keybed close to that of an actual piano but have the tools to record/play other sounds rhythms etc. - is this gonna be worth it?

Why buying Korgs old stuff repackaged again and again?
Buy a Studiologic SL-990 Pro keybed. I guess you have a computer.
Use it and buy Logic/Mainstage or Cubase ,Live etc.

[michelkeijzers]

...
As someone who learnt on the piano, but has had keyboards for past 10 years I'd like to keep learning on a keybed close to that of an actual piano but have the tools to record/play other sounds rhythms etc. - is this gonna be worth it?

Why buying Korgs old stuff repackaged again and again?
Buy a Studiologic SL-990 Pro keybed. I guess you have a computer.
Use it and buy Logic/Mainstage or Cubase ,Live etc.

Not everybody wants a computer on stage for e.g. live performance.

Btw ... I don't think you like any Korg at all (remembering you have a lot of complaints about the Kronos). That one has no 'old stuff repacked' and still is not according to your wishes.

Probably it is very difficult to handle for some people that their opinion is not the same like everybody else.

[Saxifraga]

...
...

Why buying Korgs old stuff repackaged again and again?
Buy a Studiologic SL-990 Pro keybed. I guess you have a computer.
Use it and buy Logic/Mainstage or Cubase ,Live etc.

Not everybody wants a computer on stage for e.g. live performance.

Btw ... I don't think you like any Korg at all (remembering you have a lot of complaints about the Kronos). That one has no 'old stuff repacked' and still is not according to your wishes.

Probably it is very difficult to handle for some people that their opinion is not the same like everybody else.

You are mostly wrong and Jammmy did not mention stage play as the major use case. He is more into playing piano it seems.

I very much like my used Korg M3 61.
I like the King Korg and would buy one if I had the money and did not already own an Ultranova.
I like my microKey 25 and the 64bit KLC.
I also like the Microkorg XL and the PS60.
So don´t tell me I don´t like Korg.

The point is: If someone wants to spend 1000,- € on 88 keys, I think he can get much more and better than an old style pimped up mini display Korg microstation.

(btw: The Kronos is a repackaged Oasis with many cut corners. So don´t get me started on this. It was a disaster I hope to forget.)

[tommymandel]

Looks nice, but still will have a hard time against the even less expensive Yamaha MX entry boards.

Maybe, but it's the same engine as Microstation (less polyphony though) and even though I have Motif XS, there are many beautiful pads that the Microstation does so beautifully with its spartan 49MB of ROM that Motif can't pull off with 355MB. This KROSS has more than double MS' ROM - I expect it will be a marvelous instrument that will stand up well next to the MX series, which have more ROM (166MB I believe) but more doesn't always men better. I am curious to see the pricing on KROSS

Yes, i got mine yesterday (61) and it really has some great sounds in it. For the price, it's not surprising that the keyboard lacks aftertouch, but there are 3 pedal inputs, 2 switches and both wheels, which are implemented nicely on the various patches. Plus a MasterFX on/off switch right on the panel. The keyboard feels better than the Karma keyboard to me. You can delve deep into the programming, the learning curve on how to get there as opposed to on the older models is not shallow, but not too too deep. I like it. Lots of pianos, which are of course subjective, but some soulful ones, some dark, some fuller, some bright, and the switches and mod wheel are important on customizing these. Good tynes and other EP's too, would prefer one more Reed(Wurly) but overall there's enough to play with. Jury's still out on the organs, compared to, say a Pa1x, it seems to lack some of the velocity-switched Leslies, but too soon to tell, maybe they're in with the Combi's. Very cool step-sequencing drum machine, and other drum beat facility plus arpeggiators. I'd say Korg has come close to putting it all into one box. They say it's 16 bit, 48k when called up from the stored data. So I can't vouch for the ultimate sound quality, but I will say that the sonic quality is good. The way I have mine set up (so far) I find keeping the master volume knob very low (around 10:30 on a clock face) is wise to avoid overdriving some of the patches (not ones with overdrive programmed in, this is more apparent on the fuller darker patches.)

[tommymandel]

Remember, KROSS is an entry level keyboard.

Not all the people need big power and not all the people wants to face thousands of parameters and functionalities to work with.

KROSS address those people who want to start with a simple synth and/or for those who wants to learn to play keyboard, not necessarely a piano.

For all of those KORG offer a machine easy to use compared with the others of the familly and also the 88 key hammered version.

And all together they have the chance to get a KORG keyboard with the sounds and the functionalities of the predecessors.

THIS IS A DREAM FOR THEM.
Cheers.

Marco



I think just to my son. If he discovers this machine, my life become very difficoult.
.

I agree with you, Marco, but as well as for very young musicians, it is cool for rather old ones as well, as it is so easy to pick up - light as a feather. Easy on the back!!
And works on batteries (cells) - which you can buy in a store, and so it can be played on park benches when we are feeding the pigeon birds, and in memory, revisiting the triumphs of our earlier lives, lolol. I've had mine for 15 hours, and although I haven't been to the park with it yet, I feel that it's a really nice product!

[tommymandel]

Each to their own. For me the favourites buttons make it worth having on their own. Finally a keyboard designed with live playing in mind.

And I saw a Korg demonstrator say on Youtube that when using the split button the effects from both sounds are brought into the combi. Anyone in the know care to confirm? If so this is huge for me. With today's technological advancements why the hell should I have to spend hours messing around with effects - I just want the two programs on either side of the split to sound identical to when playing them in program mode?

Chris

Actually I heard something similar from the videos. I was wondering why they got rid of the total effect, but then I heard the guy saying the effects doubles, so if there are two sounds, with 5 effect slots each, it would be 10 in total. Or something like that. I can't remember.

So far (16 hours of playing with it including dreaming of it) what I noticed is that the SW1 and SW2 may not be doing the same thing to both halves of a Split. This could be because the MFx is probably shared, and taken from the upper sound (you CAN swap upper and lower sounds btw) - and if SW1 or SW2 is programmed to alter a MFx parameter, that would explain it. But I am guessing that the iFX's of each sound are preserved in a split. I'll chime back in here when I figure it out some more, or find that on the .pdf.

[tommymandel]

single arps that I am aware of. less polyphony also. no touch screen is a Huge downgrade as well. Pluss the price for lacking these great features is simply terrible. If they could have gotten the price to a reasonable point I am sure it would be not bad but given the price for what you get, no way in hades man. Just my opinion for what that is worth. Like I said why not go krome and get so very much more even if you cn not find a sweet price on a closeout of the m50. You can get an M50 for a pretty sweet price when they can be had I know lol.

Double Arps.

[tommymandel]

On P. 64 of the Operations Guide .pdf, it explains that in a Combi or a Sequence, you get a total of 5 iFX effects to share between the tracks. Plus the 2 Master Effects.