Korg Forums

My K61 had a system startup failure the other day. I spent a few hours trying every recommended, method including using the Restore DVD with a known good USB DVD drive, with negative results. It is now at a local repair shop, awaiting warranty repairs. Korg support expedited the process quite professionally. The Guitar Center (where I originally purchased it) didn't want to touch it without their extended warranty protection. Lame!

That's bad news mate, hope it gets fixed soon. I can imagine how I would feel in the same situation!

Unfortunately equipment fails, it's all a part of the fun :p

This happened to me about a month ago after i returned the Kronos to Korg to install extra memory and SSD. Had to return the Kronos again to Korg UK who replaced the motherboard.

Seems ok now but its always in the back of your mind. Will it happen again?

ronnfigg wrote:My K61 had a system startup failure the other day. I spent a few hours trying every recommended, method including using the Restore DVD with a known good USB DVD drive, with negative results. It is now at a local repair shop, awaiting warranty repairs. Korg support expedited the process quite professionally. The Guitar Center (where I originally purchased it) didn't want to touch it without their extended warranty protection. Lame!

How long did you have it before it failed
How often did you use it
Just wondering if there is a common fault with the motherboard

Well the shop said they are replacing the SSD and the fan (neve had an issue with the fan). The unit is just over one year old and I have the 2 year warranty. I use it pretty regularly for live performance. Never had an issue on stage. Fortunately I got a good deal on an 88 a few months back, so I haven't been "without". Hopefully I don't have any issues with the 88.

it's true that equipment fails, but in these days equipment fails much more than ever...

i mean, i have had a trinity v3 for ten years, used for all rehearsal with my band (once or twice a week) and for live gig (once a month) and never ever had any issues with it.

then i purchased M3 and M50, the latter used for rehearsal and the former as center of my little "home studio" and never moved from the room.

well, both of them have been sent to repair in the first three years (m50 after 18 months, so it was still in warranty here in EU), and just one month ago m3's touchscreen has gone (stil at repair center).

to me this is a clear sign of quality decrease

kimu wrote: to me this is a clear sign of quality decrease

Maybe true - but it's also an indicator of increasing complexity and miniaturization. Modern Synthesizers have way more parts (not to confuse with "packages", each transistor having it's own 30 years ago) that can fail, and the highly integrated circuits are often more sensitive than "old school" devices...

.Jens wrote: Maybe true - but it's also an indicator of increasing complexity and miniaturization. Modern Synthesizers have way more parts (not to confuse with "packages", each transistor having it's own 30 years ago) that can fail, and the highly integrated circuits are often more sensitive than "old school" devices...

yeah, you're right, digital and VA synth are getting more and more complex. but anyway it seems (maybe i am wrong) that korg is suffer more than other (at least in my personal experience)

I don't think Korg has any more problems than other manufacturers. As it was stated, as things get more complex, there is more to go wrong.

When this keyboard problem came up I had to compare it to both Yamaha and Roland. Both companies are STILL replacing keyboards on products that are over 10 years old because of defects.

LCD's are a common item that fails. Remember, keyboard manufacturers buy LCD's, they don't make them. Same with keyboards in many cases. You can dot all your "i"s and cross all your "t"s and still get burned by a defective sub-assembly purchased from a third party. It could even have a problem that doesn't show up right away. We replaced a lot of Tantalum Capacitors in brand new Prophet 5's because they get a bad batch from...a capacitor manufacturer. That cost Sequential Circuits a lot of money.

Yamaha and Roland handled their respective keyboard issues fairly well. Still, the customer has to deal with the problem, finding out how to get it remedied, then having it serviced and if enough time has gone by, even costing them some money as warranties fade away.

Geo

DavyP wrote:This happened to me about a month ago after i returned the Kronos to Korg to install extra memory and SSD. Had to return the Kronos again to Korg UK who replaced the motherboard.

Hi Davy.
What Korg Uk told you about what happened to the motherboard, exactly?

The fact that a system is more complicated is not an excuse for a hardware failure.

I'd understand if the machine would miss a note hear and there, or crush from time to time, but these hardware FUBAR issues are not acceptable.

I assure you my Ensoniq TS-10 has much more electronic parts in it, and being a notorious machine it still functions well.

These machines are basically Linux based PC's with a strong sounds card and a touch screen, when was the last time your PC broke that bad that you had to get it repaired at the shop you bought it from?

And a PC might be something that most assembled from different parts which were not specifically designed to work with each other- here, Korg can make sure the parts are of high quality and work well for the designed purpose.

I mean PC's do start to have issues after a couple of years, but usually these are hard-disk issues, or other simple stuff you can fix at home.

I work with computers for years, and motherboards issues are very rare.

So, its either a bad choice of components, or poor design which causes overheating of the components.

BTW, I don't own a Kornos and don't have anything against it or against Korg - used to own an O1W and a Triton, and didn't had any issues with them, but I wouldn't buy this keyboard based on the info I see here.

BergerS wrote:The fact that a system is more complicated is not an excuse for a hardware failure.

+1

BergerS wrote:The fact that a system is more complicated is not an excuse for a hardware failure.

I'd understand if the machine would miss a note hear and there, or crush from time to time, but these hardware FUBAR issues are not acceptable.

I assure you my Ensoniq TS-10 has much more electronic parts in it, and being a notorious machine it still functions well.

These machines are basically Linux based PC's with a strong sounds card and a touch screen, when was the last time your PC broke that bad that you had to get it repaired at the shop you bought it from?

And a PC might be something that most assembled from different parts which were not specifically designed to work with each other- here, Korg can make sure the parts are of high quality and work well for the designed purpose.

I mean PC's do start to have issues after a couple of years, but usually these are hard-disk issues, or other simple stuff you can fix at home.

I work with computers for years, and motherboards issues are very rare.

So, its either a bad choice of components, or poor design which causes overheating of the components.

BTW, I don't own a Kornos and don't have anything against it or against Korg - used to own an O1W and a Triton, and didn't had any issues with them, but I wouldn't buy this keyboard based on the info I see here.

you are missing out with that conclusion.

Definately missing out, I have had a few problems with mine and its off being fixed but I am counting the days till it is back as its such a great sounding and flexible synth, a future classic.

OK, to be honest, I just don't have the money right now otherwise I can't deny that the Kronos is the most powerful keyboard ever made.

Also, I bought my Triton after already having my old faithful TS-10 for a couple of years, and things with the Triton just didn't come along very well... I ended up selling the Triton after a year and keeping the TS-10.

I'm "Old school", and for me a workstation is just that - everything you need in one box, and after the TS-10 intuitive sequencer, the Triton's one was very nice and comprehensive but not intuitive.

It sounds ridiculous, but you see these TS-10's on eBay and they are very sought-after for good prices because they do stuff differently and are very inspiring machines.

Its just a pity that American manufacturers have disappeared, they made machines which where notorious for braking often, but they sounded full and the workflow was great.
Now that Japanese machines are also not reliable anymore, its just sad.

I recently bought for a 1000$ (here in Israel its a good price) a Roland A-90 and a Yamaha Ex5R, so these keep me busy until something comes up which will catch my eye.

For you Kronos owners, I just wish Korg will pull through these annoying issues and you'll be able to enjoy this remarkable engineering achievement.