The KORG KROSS

Jan1 · Post by **Jan1** » Wed Apr 10, 2013 8:37 am

KORG has a new budget workstation, the KROSS.
Looks very nice, but the polyphony has taken quite a hit when compared to the Microstation: one third less on the KROSS, but I guess it may have to do with processing power being allocated to other functions.
So far I haven't read anything about the price yet.

Glancing over at the Yamaha site I cannot help but wonder if they decided to send the keys department on an early retirement.
Strange, is that their way of celebrating their 125th birthday?

Post by **Sharp** » Wed Apr 10, 2013 10:34 am

Looks like a very nice keyboard. Considering the target market this is for, they are getting a lot of “KORG” for their bucks. My daughter would totally love this. I can see her hooking up her Mic and recording herself for hours on end singing and playing.

Glancing over at the Yamaha site I cannot help but wonder if they decided to send the keys department on an early retirement. Strange, is that their way of celebrating their 125th birthday?

It does look that way. Its frightening to see how their Keyboard Department can simply get away with putting in almost no effort. Do they not use project leaders at Yamaha to drive forward staff ?

Regards
Sharp

jimknopf · Post by **jimknopf** » Wed Apr 10, 2013 11:21 am

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

rrricky rrrecordo · Post by **rrricky rrrecordo** » Wed Apr 10, 2013 11:36 am

jimknopf wrote: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

jimknopf · Post by **jimknopf** » Wed Apr 10, 2013 11:40 am

Yes, maybe for people buying both it's an option. But I'm still not sure about people who only buy one.

csteen · Post by **csteen** » Wed Apr 10, 2013 11:41 am

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

We have not even gotten a price yet. Hold on to your hat as this is an entry type keyboard with a whole lot to offer.

csteen · Post by **csteen** » Wed Apr 10, 2013 11:45 am

expected price of 699.00 for the 61 key ...999.00 for the 88
http://www.slashgear.com/korg-kross-tak ... -10277178/

a bit steep considering the price of a krome.

Bald Eagle · Post by **Bald Eagle** » Wed Apr 10, 2013 11:46 am

From slashgear.com ...

The Korg KROSS goes on sale in August, and is expected to be priced at $699 for the 61-key and $999 for the 88-key.

jimknopf · Post by **jimknopf** » Wed Apr 10, 2013 11:46 am

On Korg.de:

KROSS (61 keys)
Euro 832,-

KROSS (88 keys)
Euro 1.189,-

Street price will be a bit lower, but not come close to the Yamahas.

jimknopf · Post by **jimknopf** » Wed Apr 10, 2013 11:48 am

Bald Eagle wrote:From slashgear.com ...

The Korg KROSS goes on sale in August, and is expected to be priced at $699 for the 61-key and $999 for the 88-key.

What?? Are we Europeans once more supposed to act like paying idiots?

Bald Eagle · Post by **Bald Eagle** » Wed Apr 10, 2013 11:53 am

jimknopf wrote:
Bald Eagle wrote:From slashgear.com ...

The Korg KROSS goes on sale in August, and is expected to be priced at $699 for the 61-key and $999 for the 88-key.
What?? Are we Europeans once more supposed to act like paying idiots?

That is a pretty bad conversion rate if these prices are correct.

splinters · Post by **splinters** » Wed Apr 10, 2013 4:03 pm

Puzzled how this fits in the range with the Krome. I picked up a 61 key for £550 and it comes as standard in the UK with a 3 year warranty. Sounds like this ill be about that price yet loses almost 4gb of ram, touch screen and...well, what else?

splinters · Post by **splinters** » Wed Apr 10, 2013 4:12 pm

Now I look closer its like Korg threw the PS60, Microstation and X50 into a blender then dressed up what came out in Michael Jacksons outfit circa the thriller period.
Unless this is sub £499 I really cant see why you would buy it over a Krome.

And no XY joystick??

Jan1 · Post by **Jan1** » Wed Apr 10, 2013 4:22 pm

According to Steve McNally the 61-key version is 599 and the 88-key version 849 (just check out the SonicState video at 0:17).
I assume he means Euros, not dollars, so that is a very reasonable price.

Compared to Yamaha's MX it has certain options which the MX lacks, while the MX has more polyphony and a larger ROM.
Furthermore, the MX does not have an 88 key version.

Ahnyxrik · Post by **Ahnyxrik** » Wed Apr 10, 2013 5:11 pm

Built in audio recorder?!? SA-WEET! I hope it is more useful than the JUNO-Gi or other Roland Budget workstations w/ the built in recorder!
Korg ROCKS when it come to Audio Recording!