Korg Forums

Hi gents.

I'm about to purchase a 16 month old Kronos.

Please could you help me identify what I should test on the synth before parting with my money?

Thank you

Hi Natasha,

Are you looking at a 61, 73 or 88 key? The 73 and 88 has a different keybed to the 61 so there will be different things to look for.

Thanks,

Pep

Pepperpotty wrote:Hi Natasha,

Are you looking at a 61, 73 or 88 key? The 73 and 88 has a different keybed to the 61 so there will be different things to look for.

Thanks,

Pep

Hi Pep. Nice name btw. I'm looking for a 61 key. Thank u.

Well, presuming my latest Kronos is faulty I really don't know what to suggest as it came from Korg with just a few hours use in absolutely mint condition and even had the transit paper taped over the screen. It really couldn't be in better condition but I suspect a fault with the audio inputs.
The one before that was a 73 key, pretty sure the fan wasn't working as i never heard it and several keys made an annoying clicking noise. It transpired it had a bunch of screws missing from the base and had been upgraded (but not by Korg). It went back and I fear this one will too.

So, if you cant even be guaranteed a good unit direct from Korg, i really don't know what you can do to ensure you get one used elsewhere.
Must say though that Grant, who sells the stuff for Korg on eBay, is absolutely brilliant and has sorted me out. I cant help feel that I am messing him about but I simply pay the asking price, its not user ignorance here.

Natasha0404 wrote:

Pepperpotty wrote:Hi Natasha,

Are you looking at a 61, 73 or 88 key? The 73 and 88 has a different keybed to the 61 so there will be different things to look for.

Thanks,

Pep

Hi Pep. Nice name btw. I'm looking for a 61 key. Thank u.

Natasha, do you have any friends that own a Kronos ? Its a complex instrument and it would be perfect if they could check it out with you.

It would also be a plus if you have owned a Korg workstation before.

I am a careful shopper, esp for a used instrument with some history of defects/durability problems.

I would ask the seller for the history of his/her 61 . Do you actually know the seller ? Does he/she have original receipt. Try to find out the reasons for the sale. Unfortunately, some sellers ( of anything used) simply want to get rid of a problem item for your money. You will have to use your common sense and intuition to determine this.

Further on the 61 history- was it gigged ? heavily ? Are there scratches, dents ? Did the seller attempt to modify it anyway ?

There is more , but I suggest making an orderly list of checkpoints.

Thanks.

I've got all that info. I'm going to see it in a few days.

He's had it since 2012. Seems strange why he's selling it after so long. I will no doubt go check it first.

What's a normal boot up time?

I'll only be using it mainly for live gigs.

The normal boot up time is two minutes and eleven seconds

Off the top of my head here's a check list for a 61:

1. Check the fan noise - turn it on in a quiet room with nothing else on. Does the fan noise wear you out? Can you live with it? Would you consider replacing it with a quieter one? (I did on mine)

2. Build qualities - look for gaps near the chassis and the keybed. Check the data knobs and the joysticks.

3. 61 keybed - any clicking? Are the keys even? Do they all play?

4. Check outputs (digital and analogue)

5. check the sustain pedal - does it work? Did you use the correct polarity (other pedals are different than Korg's) - Is the OS 2.1.1? If not, this may be a cause for sustain issues

6. Are you going to use it live? You'll need a surge protector.

7. Ask for a small warrantee if buying used with option for return (heck do this anyway for new too)

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

For 73s and 88s

8. Check the keybed for a. double strikes b. uneven keys c. clicking and play them all. It wouldn't hurt to get someone who can play fancy classical music to jam on it and see if he felt the keys were working as intended.

9. look underneath the keyboard. Any screws missing? Any screws look like they've been scoured (has the board been opened?). This applies to the 61 too.

Finally and probably most important, read the sticky at the top of the Kronos page for other issues and fixes.

As far as the actual programming and getting in deep with sequencing, sampling etc, I haven't got that far yet.

Also, prices have come down on used and some new. Don't pay the price of a new one from a couple of years ago.

Good luck!

phil55 wrote:The normal boot up time is two minutes and eleven seconds

Off the top of my head here's a check list for a 61:

1. Check the fan noise - turn it on in a quiet room with nothing else on. Does the fan noise wear you out? Can you live with it? Would you consider replacing it with a quieter one? (I did on mine)

2. Build qualities - look for gaps near the chassis and the keybed. Check the data knobs and the joysticks.

3. 61 keybed - any clicking? Are the keys even? Do they all play?

4. Check outputs (digital and analogue)

5. check the sustain pedal - does it work? Did you use the correct polarity (other pedals are different than Korg's) - Is the OS 2.1.1? If not, this may be a cause for sustain issues

6. Are you going to use it live? You'll need a surge protector.

7. Ask for a small warrantee if buying used with option for return (heck do this anyway for new too)

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

For 73s and 88s

8. Check the keybed for a. double strikes b. uneven keys c. clicking and play them all. It wouldn't hurt to get someone who can play fancy classical music to jam on it and see if he felt the keys were working as intended.

9. look underneath the keyboard. Any screws missing? Any screws look like they've been scoured (has the board been opened?). This applies to the 61 too.

Finally and probably most important, read the sticky at the top of the Kronos page for other issues and fixes.

As far as the actual programming and getting in deep with sequencing, sampling etc, I haven't got that far yet.

Also, prices have come down on used and some new. Don't pay the price of a new one from a couple of years ago.

Good luck!

Wow. Thank you so much. I will make sure I check it all.

What's the worst case scenario during live use if the unit is faulty?

Natasha0404 wrote:...

What's the worst case scenario during live use if the unit is faulty?

This: http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/ ... hp?t=88298

The most important thing is to use a good shop, with any purchase.

Also, take some headphones and give it a real good audition.

Your going to love it

runningman67 wrote:The most important thing is to use a good shop, with any purchase.

Also, take some headphones and give it a real good audition.

Your going to love it

It's a used Kronos and a private sale...

Natasha0404 wrote:Thanks.

I've got all that info. I'm going to see it in a few days.

He's had it since 2012. Seems strange why he's selling it after so long. I will no doubt go check it first.

What's a normal boot up time?

I'll only be using it mainly for live gigs.

phils list is very good. As you can tell, diagnosing a used 61 is some work.

Would emphasize finding out if the owner got inside his 61 and tried to modify it. Some owners like to hack around inside the Kronos like its their uncles old PC. Its something you have to know for sure.

You also should find out the exact OS install history for this 61. What versions were loaded ? did the owner experience any issues installing any of the OS upgrades ?

Some owners don't understand the Kronos file system. As a result, they make all kinds of changes to existing Programs and Combis that steal note polyphony ( incorrectly) or you may not want. This can be a mess.

You should insist on the original DVD's and owner documentation. The DVD's are absolutely key in my mind since you might need to do a reinstall.

Did I scare you away, yet ?

Natasha,

I don't know what country you're in or what price you're getting on the used Kronos. If you're in the US, I'd recommend looking at ProAudioStar on Ebay and their website. They are a legitimate dealer and have some new and used Kronos (non X) models. I was looking into a brand new in box 61 earlier this week for $2,000. It might be more than you're spending now, but you get the full Korg warranty and a dealer who will stand behind it.

Good luck,

Dan

danmusician wrote:Natasha,

I don't know what country you're in or what price you're getting on the used Kronos. If you're in the US, I'd recommend looking at ProAudioStar on Ebay and their website. They are a legitimate dealer and have some new and used Kronos (non X) models. I was looking into a brand new in box 61 earlier this week for $2,000. It might be more than you're spending now, but you get the full Korg warranty and a dealer who will stand behind it.

Good luck,

Dan

For the record Natasha, I bought my 2nd hand Kronos 73 in Canada, for $1000. I had an issue with the fan (which I replaced) but so far, everything else seems to be working as it's suppose to.

Thank you all. There's a seller on eBay in Fulham London who's selling his Kronos. He's saying on the listing that he's moved on to using a DAW hence the sale.

I won't get any warranty from him so want to make sure I'm not paying for his potentially problematic synth.