Exploring my new Kronos

[KevinH]

Hello everyone,

I’ve been hanging around, reading these forums for a while now and thought it was about time I said hello. With the exception of a few threads, there’s a real sense of community here and I’m looking forward to becoming a part of it. I have really enjoyed listening to the music you all create with your Kronos and I’m looking forward to sharing some of mine with you.

I’ll be purchasing my Kronos 88 in Jan/Feb of next year. I currently play on a Yamaha digital piano and had an old Ensoniq synth quite a while ago. So, the Kronos is a massive step up in technology for me. Its possibilities are so vast, that I hardly know where to begin. I’m reading through the manuals, watched lots of videos and have read numerous informative posts on these forums. Now I’m looking for some guidance from those of you who have already been exploring your Kronos. I’m hoping that some of you pioneers can help me put a map together for the first few days with my Kronos.

How did you spend your first few days with your Kronos?
Which sound engines turned you on the most?
Which programs and combis got you the most excited?
What were some of your most surprising discoveries?
Any tips or tricks for a new Kronos user?

Thanks,
Kevin

[PianoManChuck]

I think the initial approach to take is to just turn it on and start playing. If its piano, do that for a while. If its discovering new sound patches, flip through them while trying each out. Asking for people's favorites is like asking if they think a particular person is cute... everyone is different. Get familiar with the patches and what each sounds like. Learn to tweek them to your liking. Once you get comfortable with that, you can move on to other things like sequencing or sampling.

[KevinH]

Comparing it to "asking if someone is cute" simplifies it a bit too much. It's more like if you're going on a trip to Europe and you're asking someone who has been there before what places are good to visit. I do get your point that everyones tastes are different. I'm just trying to get straight to some of things the others find amazing on my first pass, then dig down in and explore it deeper from there.

[michelkeijzers]

Hello everyone,

I’ve been hanging around, reading these forums for a while now and thought it was about time I said hello. With the exception of a few threads, there’s a real sense of community here and I’m looking forward to becoming a part of it. I have really enjoyed listening to the music you all create with your Kronos and I’m looking forward to sharing some of mine with you.

I’ll be purchasing my Kronos 88 in Jan/Feb of next year. I currently play on a Yamaha digital piano and had an old Ensoniq synth quite a while ago. So, the Kronos is a massive step up in technology for me. Its possibilities are so vast, that I hardly know where to begin. I’m reading through the manuals, watched lots of videos and have read numerous informative posts on these forums. Now I’m looking for some guidance from those of you who have already been exploring your Kronos. I’m hoping that some of you pioneers can help me put a map together for the first few days with my Kronos.

How did you spend your first few days with your Kronos?
Which sound engines turned you on the most?
Which programs and combis got you the most excited?
What were some of your most surprising discoveries?
Any tips or tricks for a new Kronos user?

Thanks,
Kevin

Welcome Kevin. My (short) answers to all questions:
1) just exploring all the programs mainly ... still busy with it after 5 weeks
2) CX3 because it's really an improvement for my band, for the rest: MOD7 is really deep (barely explored it), so is AL1. the other synth engines are very nice (especially the patches) and the pianos are great. I noticed I'm using a lot more electric pianos than before.
3) mostly the piano, hammond, brass, strings and most interesting are the synth sounds
4) the clearity is much better than with other synths. The sonic quality is way more than between my transition of Triton Extreme to M3.
5) No real tricks, but I haven't really programmed a program yet.

[korgvuer]

Hello everyone,

I’ve been hanging around, reading these forums for a while now and thought it was about time...I'll be purchasing my Kronos 88 in Jan/Feb of next year. I currently play on a Yamaha digital piano and had an old Ensoniq synth quite a while ago. So, the Kronos is a massive step up in technology for me. Its possibilities are so vast, that I hardly know where to begin. I’m reading through the manuals, watched lots of videos and have read numerous informative posts on these forums. Now I’m looking for some guidance from those of you who have already been exploring your Kronos. I’m hoping that some of you pioneers can help me put a map together for the first few days . .
Thanks,
Kevin

I'll toss in my 2 cents on this one: Unless you have let's of experience under your belt or blouse with units such as the Kronos - like many of the good people who contribute to this forum have acquired after years of hard work and experimentation - then I think everyone approaching a Kronos is in for a bit of a learning curve and even perhaps being overwhelmed. So, I think always breaking things down into easily digestible pieces -whether its learning combi programming or grasping an in-depth Kronos process - is paramount to avoid feeling like you're in over your head or even feeling frustrated. Also, take care with how you approach even the most basic techniques and your handling of getting into your Kronos. It's way too tempting to just start sliding levers, tweaking buttons and knobs, jamming through the numerous programs available and so on without really learning what you are doing. This could lead to a"burn out effect " once you've torn through the factory loaded sounds and are slammed into a brick wall of realization that you still don't know how the thing works weeks down the road. Nothing worse than having a $3,000.00+ machine sitting in your studio that you know can do so much more than what you have allowed to happen simply because you fell into bad habits/routines with how you approached this limitless musical tool. Therefore, I would also suggest:
a) Read the Korg manuals, all of them, because they do contain vital information that truly can aid you and point you in the right directions you need to go in. I've noticed that Korg manuals, guides, etc., are rarely, if at all, referenced in any Korg forums. So don't treat this reading material like we all treat the iTunes agreement before agreeing to it. By reading, I mean going through them at your leisure when you are thinking about a certain topic, scanning them during downtimes and so on. I find keeping them readily available in my studio on my iPad and PC laptop is very helpful. Keeps me from chasing my own tail at times.
b) Keep notes always while you work. Jot down little things you learned, discovered or whatever that may benefit you later. Don't waste time reinventing the wheel with your Kronos.
c) Expect to push beyond the presets on your unit immediately. Yes, you
could stick with them and probably scrape by, but why do just that when you can have the musical and audio universe at your fingertips with just a little more effort? Teach a man the presets and he will entertain you for a week; Teach him how to go beyond tweaking and he will entertain you for life.
d) Remember to come up for air every now and then.

Wish you well with your Kronos in waiting. I've learned a lot from the knowledgeable folks who frequent this forum. For the most part they are generous, experienced people willing to share what they know. Knowledge is power, so remember to tap into the deep well of sonic power right here, too. Good luck, dude...

[arne v]

korgvuer:

+1

Im still there after 3 months. I usually go back to a "simple" sound when i "hit the brick wall" Usually a piano (my own tweaked german grand) I have tried using the sequencer, but i do not have the patience to learn everything and the time it takes to make a song when you can use Karma, because there is ALOT in this machine. Either in programming or just browsing sounds.
Even though i try to play the Kronos every day im still learning

And Kevin, i do not know if you are married or not, but be prepared to spend a lot of time behind this beast

[KevinH]

Thanks to all of you for adding your thoughts here. I really appreciate the advice. I've been playing drums in bands for many years and have been wanting to get out from behind the kit. I finally have the band interested in moving me to keyboard and bringing in a new drummer. Adding keyboard is going to move our sound in the direction of Black Country Communion. So, I know that I'll be spending alot of time in CX-3 and SGX-1. I'll just have to push the other stuff aside while I delve into those.

It's way too tempting to just start sliding levers, tweaking buttons and knobs, jamming through the numerous programs available and so on without really learning what you are doing.

I'm taking this piece of advice to heart. I have a feeling that is what would have happened to me right out of the box. As you say, I would have most likely developed some bad habits.

Teach a man the presets and he will entertain you for a week; Teach him how to go beyond tweaking and he will entertain you for life.

Great saying. I may have to print that and post it on the wall to remind me not to settle for presets.

I do not know if you are married or not, but be prepared to spend a lot of time behind this beast.

Yes, I'm married and my wife already bans me from Kronos talk every now and then. She understands my obsession and loves that I play, but just doesn't want to hear me talk about it all of the time. I'm a pretty lucky man to have her.

[michelkeijzers]

Yes, I'm married and my wife already bans me from Kronos talk every now and then. She understands my obsession and loves that I play, but just doesn't want to hear me talk about it all of the time. I'm a pretty lucky man to have her.

I gave my wife a guitar so she started to play guitar and she really doesn't mind me playing the Kronos ... we sometimes play together so she likes me having a Kronos.

[MidnightPackage]

Kevin, if you are new to workstations like I am, check out the Kronos tutorial DVD from Sudosonic. As others have pointed out, there is nothing in these videos that is not in the manuals. But, if you can afford it, these tutorials are a wonderful way to get started more quickly and will save you some frustration (again, if you are new to all of this).

http://www.sudosonic.com/servlet/the-49 ... nos/Detail

[PianoManChuck]

Actually, the BEST way to start out is to watch Korg's FREE intro tutorials. I still watch from time to time and pick up something new each time:

----------------------------------

Part 1: Introduction and Navigation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w77zsCHO2Oc

Part 2: Program Mode
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjE3A4WChUo

Part 3: Combination Mode
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DHwX-kOL0M

Part 4: Sequencer Mode
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JHf1XqzBOU

Part 5: SetList Mode
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NUga0pLLgY

Part 6: Disk Mode
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukwEWdbOHYE

[balfi]

I just go into combi mode, press one button and let the machine do all the playing for me. I can even sit the other side of the room (that's a joke by the way )

[korgvuer]

Actually, the BEST way to start out is to watch Korg's FREE intro tutorials. I still watch from time to time and pick up something new each time:

----------------------------------

Part 1: Introduction and Navigation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w77zsCHO2Oc

Part 2: Program Mode
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjE3A4WChUo

Part 3: Combination Mode
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DHwX-kOL0M

Part 4: Sequencer Mode
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JHf1XqzBOU

Part 5: SetList Mode
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NUga0pLLgY

Part 6: Disk Mode
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukwEWdbOHYE

Yup, even more good advice. Checking out the online Kronos video tutorials as PianoManChuck points out is another great deparure point. Seeing is believing, so viewing the abovementioned videos is a measured, concise way of breaking the Kronos ice.

[KevinH]

Thanks for posting the video links and the advice.

Have a happy Thanksgiving everyone!

[arne v]

Yes, I'm married and my wife already bans me from Kronos talk every now and then. She understands my obsession and loves that I play, but just doesn't want to hear me talk about it all of the time. I'm a pretty lucky man to have her.

hehe..sounds familiar
I have tried to explain my obsession, but i she fails to see my point. Discussing quantum mechanics has the same effect..

[Cpilot]

Well, if you're mainly interested in CX-3 then there's not a big learning curve if you know anything about Hammonds. If you've been using stuff like B4 or a real CX-3 then you're way ahead. I found CX-3 a snap, but then I bought the Kronos mainly for CX-3 in the first place. All the other stuff is a bonus.

Bryan