Switched from Motif to Kronos

[trstack]

I've used Yamaha since the KX-88. I had a Motif 8, Motif ES8 and a Motif XS 8.

I made the switch to a Kronos 88 and got a fair value for my 5 year old Motif XS 8. The dealer allowed me take a floor model until a new Kronos 88 comes in. Based on forum info, I'm on the lookout for any key bed/key contact issues before I take delivery on my Kronos.

I'm learning my way around the Kronos and instinctively reach for Motif controls and functions. I'm sure between the manual, the You Tube videos and these forums that I'll be right at home in no time.

Thanks for all the info and guidance these forums played in helping me make my decision.

Cheers!

[1jordyzzz]

Good luck with your kronos!! The most powerful keyboard/musical tool right now!! don't forget to post your work with it, cause we've always loved to hear one

[Sharp]

Don't forget to drink and eat something from time to time.
Congratulations on your purchase.

Regards
Sharp.

[michelkeijzers]

Don't forget to drink and eat something from time to time.
Congratulations on your purchase.

Regards
Sharp.

And take care not to spoil drink and food in the Kronos.

Congratulations.

[MrDuke]

Are you congratulating him in the fact that he purchased a Kronos, or the fact that he gave up on Yamaha...

I never understood what IS it with the childish animosity from Korg acolytes towards Yamaha users, and the brand itself.

There's a guy here who makes an effort in especially mentioning in his equipment list signature that even his pedal is a Korg and NOT a Yamaha.

[johnnydr]

No childish animosity here, I love em both

[Sina172]

...

[music_avijeet]

No childish animosity here, I love em both

Seconded.

[billysynth1]

And when Korg get the hardware right we'll all be in heaven.

LOL

Billy

[1jordyzzz]

well, i'm congratulating for his newly bought kronos... i'm a yamaha user myself, so no offense there

[1jordyzzz]

I find many diehard Yamaha players to be more on the conservative side, and somewhat ignorant to new things such as KRONOS, hence why they like paying up the wazoo for a Motif with ONE Synth Engine and serious limitations instead of KRONOS with 9 Synth Engines, up to 13 EXs Libraries, and a massive Sampling capability that rivals every workstation that has ever existed at ANY price point, PERIOD. And of course a sound that's SO good that even AUDIOPHILES are floored by its sound!

Sina

THAT'S a really good point there

[michelkeijzers]

I find many diehard Yamaha players to be more on the conservative side, and somewhat ignorant to new things such as KRONOS, hence why they like paying up the wazoo for a Motif with ONE Synth Engine and serious limitations instead of KRONOS with 9 Synth Engines, up to 13 EXs Libraries, and a massive Sampling capability that rivals every workstation that has ever existed at ANY price point, PERIOD. And of course a sound that's SO good that even AUDIOPHILES are floored by its sound!

Sina

THAT'S a really good point there

Maybe if someone is used to a certain type of UI, even if it is outdated, that user will not easily switch to other synth brands.
E.g. even though I never had a Trinity, I am sure I can find my why very easily there, which is probably not true for a Yamaha or Roland.

[tdwctdwc]

I'm learning my way around the Kronos and instinctively reach for Motif controls and functions. I'm sure between the manual, the You Tube videos and these forums that I'll be right at home in no time.

You can master any keyboard if you put your time into it . I usually choose my synths based on the sounds . That's what's important . Controls and UI ,no matter how different they are between each brand, can be mastered with time and you'll soon feel like home .

Be Thankful for the fact that companies are still putting out top-notch workstations on the market ( ala Kronos) with all the VST/softsynth invasion

[DocBambs]

I think you have to buy "in context" - if you instrument is for home pleasure use then it is very different from commercial work or gigging. For home use you want something that inspires and enthuses you - I think Korg keyboards have always done this and the Kronos is no exception. I think the studio also environment often needs that (though speed to an acceptable sound is important too - very few people can afford unlimited time in commercial studios.)

If you are on stage every night then your criteria change:
-What sounds do the audience need/expect to hear?
-How does the instrument work and operate? (live workflow)
-How reliable is it?
-What are my options when it goes wrong? (could you get a loan/hire/rent unit at short notice on day 47 of a 90 day tour in sub-Saharan Africa?)
-What is it physically like to work with? (I did a short tour a few years ago and after a few nights began to get quite high levels of discomfort in the pads of my fingers - I moved to more use of semi weighted keys after that.)
-How practical is it? (size, weight, physical mounting, etc)
-What does it look like? (Any one for red keyboard?)
-etc -etc -etc (covered and discussed intelligently elsewhere in this forum)

I do use a Yamaha stage piano and, even having now (nominally) replaced my Triton with a Kronos, will still take it as, despite it's 10 years of hard work, it has never let me down and the piano sounds are perfect both as blending sounds with the band and also solo sounds.

[ As a side note: I did play a Motif in the shop and the sounds are incredible - as a rompler it really doesn't fall short and I can't imagine a gigging musician feeling that the audience will be severely short changed when they hear it. For me it doesn't compete with the Kronos directly - you would probably need a small selection of Yamaha products to truly displace the Kronos. ]

DB

[MrDuke]

For home use you want something that inspires and enthuses you - I think Korg keyboards have always done this and the Kronos is no exception.

As of now, though, Motif still seems to be the "weapon of choice" for many pro stage acts (I'm talking top Billboard stuff).

Watch a Leno or a Letterman or a Fallon, and the guy(s) in the musical guest's band will invariably still be playing a Motif XS/XF or to a lesser extent, a Fantom. I'm sure the reliability certainly has something to do with it.

[ As a side note: I did play a Motif in the shop ... For me it doesn't compete with the Kronos directly - you would probably need a small selection of Yamaha products to truly displace the Kronos. ]

The only reason why it's pitted against Kronos, or why the Kronos is put against Roland's JP80 is because they are the top synth/workstation of that particular manufacturer AND because of price.

Of course they're a product on a totally different level. When we face facts, Motif XF is "old technogy". Meaning, it's sample wave synthesis that has its roots in the AWM2 technology...from the 90's. In essence it's 98% based on a product that's 5 years old (Motif XS) - with only the Flash option and an extra user bank to its name...it could be argued that charging a full price for that in 2012 is ridiculous, which it sort of is.

Speaking of price, Motif used to be a little bit "cheaper" in previous incarnations, now they've dragged the price up to the $3000 mark where you'll find its Roland and Korg adversaries these days.

I mentioned it in another post, but all these three "big ones" (JP80, Motif, Kro) have their pros and cons, and if it was economically possible, I'd have all three, in addition to a solid software plugin selection.