A Kronos successor just a pipe-dream...?

G · Post by G » Thu Apr 27, 2023 6:15 pm

So, is a Kronos successor just a pipe-dream...?

Koekepan · Post by **Koekepan** » Fri Apr 28, 2023 1:57 pm

From KORG?

Apparently.

From other manufacturers?

To me, the top contender is the Kurzweil K2700. Full linear sequencer, touchstrip, aftertouch, incredibly potent sound engine, mature effects, deep arpeggiation (but no Karma, alas), plenty of pads, knobs, faders and all the trimmings.

For studio mastering in particular, I'd give the nod to Akai Professional, in the form of the Force, or the MPC X. Massive I/O, lovely engines, good DAW integration for those who want it, plenty of pads, Q-links, excellent internal engines and effects, audio handling that would have brought a tear to George Martin's eye.

KORG is like the former heavyweight champ who's working on a sixpack a day, and throwing the cans at the TV whenever boxing comes on.

bpoodoo · Post by **bpoodoo** » Fri Apr 28, 2023 6:20 pm

Koekepan wrote: KORG is like the former heavyweight champ who's working on a sixpack a day, and throwing the cans at the TV whenever boxing comes on.

I've still got bigger samples, more complex sound engines, and more complicated and arcane workflows than all you young whippersnappers! Y'all are just lazy and want us to make it too easy for you to make good music. You've got to put in the work! Why, back in my day.....

ITguy54 · Post by **ITguy54** » Sat Apr 29, 2023 12:42 am

So all of a sudden people are starting threads AGAIN about a successor for the Kronos. It’s beating a dead horse. In a multiverse there might be a universe where Korg isn’t complacent, disinterested and turned into the grumpy old man in the neighborhood yelling at kids to get off his lawn. But this ain’t it.

average_male · Post by **average_male** » Sat Apr 29, 2023 1:31 am

Give me a week and I'll give you an answer, my crystal ball is in the shop.

Mike Conway · Post by **Mike Conway** » Sat Apr 29, 2023 7:40 am

Koekepan wrote: To me, the top contender is the Kurzweil K2700

Wait, do you mean the workstation that can't sample, disk stream, and has that teeny display? No wonder Korg is sitting, waiting for others to catch up. I'm not saying that they shouldn't release something new, but they haven't been dethroned yet.

I have a bit of interest in the K2700. It does have a fantastic feature set. I would like to dive into V.A.S.T., but that display puts me off. Yes, it can import samples into 3.5 gig flash, but it's not a sampling workstation. Yes, it has 4.5 gigs of factory sounds - the sum size of which is just a bit more than one of Kronos' 4gig pianos. Kronos can stream over 20 gigs of samples, which I use every bit of.

Both the Kurz and Roland Fantom are nice boards, for sure. I only need one workstation to run my synths through, so Kronos is going nowhere.

This picture shows all the simultaneous libraries that my Kronos loads up with. I know of no workstation (outside of a PC and maybe MPC/Force) that can do this.

http://www.midnightsunent.com/KronosLibraries.jpg

I'm a glutton for libraries. I just bought 2 more, last week.

Koekepan · Post by **Koekepan** » Sat Apr 29, 2023 3:39 pm

To be entirely fair to the K2700, it has a small display because it doesn't have a touch interface. I happen to think that this is a good thing, but I can see how reasonable people might disagree. As far as sampling is concerned, I'll grant your point (but observe that it has pads, and you can load samples onto it).

The Fantom isn't fit for purpose because of its sequencing problems. Until Roland reprograms its sequencing to give a mature linear capability, it's permanently in groovesynth territory. Given your apparent feature list, I would have said that the MPC X would be closer to a Kronos successor for you - much closer than anything from KORG.

And yes, the MPC world has a deep and rich library history.

But to date KORG has steadfastly failed - perhaps refused - to follow up the Kronos with a plausible successor. My central point is that potential purchasers should look elsewhere.

I know that I did.

G · Post by G » Sat Apr 29, 2023 4:45 pm

Yeah, that tiny, non-touch screen of the K2700 is a nonstarter for a lot of people.

Koekepan · Post by **Koekepan** » Sun Apr 30, 2023 2:37 pm

For others, it's a positive selling point. Touchscreens don't work well for everybody - I regularly struggle with mine, because I do manual labour and my hands are calloused. I'd rather use a mouse or control buttons any day.

Unfortunately, most of the world seems to have caught touchscreen fever, so Kurzweil actually looks pretty good from where I'm sitting.

Mike Conway · Post by **Mike Conway** » Sun Apr 30, 2023 8:09 pm

Koekepan wrote:Touchscreens don't work well for everybody - I regularly struggle with mine, because I do manual labour and my hands are calloused.

I have very large hands. But, I only use the tip of a finger nail, as the Kronos screen responds better to nail tips or stylus pens. Some people who watch my videos comment on that revelation, as they have been fumbling with the skin of their fingers all these years.

I haven't tried the Nautilus screen, but I hear that one is different, and harder to get used to.

Koekepan · Post by **Koekepan** » Sun Apr 30, 2023 9:00 pm

For the Krome I use a stylus, and it is the best touchscreen experience that I have, but for the Force, and of course every tablet and phone in existence, what makes the difference isn't just the size of my hands, but the conductivity. Hardened callous is simply not something for which electronic engineers seem to plan,.

kday · Post by **kday** » Sat May 20, 2023 9:40 pm

A Kronos successor is coming in due time. Maybe in 3-5 years after Yamaha release their Montage successor and the chip market ease up from delays and shortages.

Koekepan · Post by **Koekepan** » Sun May 21, 2023 3:01 pm

kday wrote:A Kronos successor is coming in due time. Maybe in 3-5 years after Yamaha release their Montage successor and the chip market ease up from delays and shortages.

That far out, it's less of a successor and more of a re-entry.

In the same timeframe, I'd expect the next generation of Akai's equipment, and software updates from Kurzweil.

ITguy54 · Post by **ITguy54** » Tue May 23, 2023 3:30 pm

kday wrote:A Kronos successor is coming in due time. Maybe in 3-5 years after Yamaha release their Montage successor and the chip market ease up from delays and shortages.

You are an optimist. Nothing wrong with that unless you can’t handle the crushing of your hopes and dreams by an indifferent manufacturer.

PCFREE · Post by **PCFREE** » Tue May 23, 2023 6:43 pm

The Kurzweil K2700 and Forte have similar screens.
Although they are smaller than the Kronos, they are actually much easier to read than the Kronos.

It would be great to see a "worthy" Kronos successor.
I sold mine eventually.

It's all a matter of taste and workflow preferences.
There's something for everyone, but nothing is perfect - there are always compromises.

We just choose what best suits our personal requirements.
Happy music making, everyone!