Korg Forums

Hi, I just recorded a piano track using a Kronos (1st Gen) and the sound is distorted-it sounds like internal clipping. The patch used was the German Grand. The main volume of the unit was below the middle. Whats going on?

It was recorded in Pro Tools HD with the 96i/o interface.

Thenks in advance

sirve wrote:Hi, I just recorded a piano track using a Kronos (1st Gen) and the sound is distorted-it sounds like internal clipping. The patch used was the German Grand. The main volume of the unit was below the middle. Whats going on?

It was recorded in Pro Tools HD with the 96i/o interface.

Thenks in advance

Yes, I have noticed the same problem, I have turned off all the FX and EQ and still there is clipping???????

Hope someone knows how to solve that.
It is so strange??????

First try recording softer.
I'm assuming you're using the main outputs.

SanderXpander wrote:First try recording softer.
I'm assuming you're using the main outputs.

For me, recording software is not a problem. Kronos is? Distorted/Clipping sound can be even heard if you just listen through professional headphones. No software, no cables...directly from Headphones

miljantoto wrote:

SanderXpander wrote:First try recording softer.
I'm assuming you're using the main outputs.

For me, recording software is not a problem. Kronos is? Distorted/Clipping sound can be even heard if you just listen through professional headphones. No software, no cables...directly from Headphones

To me, this sounds like a hardware problem.

miljantoto wrote:

SanderXpander wrote:First try recording softer.
I'm assuming you're using the main outputs.

For me, recording software is not a problem. Kronos is? Distorted/Clipping sound can be even heard if you just listen through professional headphones. No software, no cables...directly from Headphones

that's not normal, did you modify the internal headroom setting on the kronos?

when i listen through my sennheiser HD650 (which is a professional headphone) i hear absolutely no clipping or distortion in the pianos.

please check the following:
- press the global button
- press the basic tab
- in the system preference area you see a setting called internal headroom, this should be on +48db

See page 756 of the parameter guide for more information about this.

But most likely i think it's something in your recording setup, like the gain settings of your ADDA convertor, but that doesn't explain that you hear the distortion in your headphone when you connect it directly to the kronos (headphone connected to the 6,3 mm input on the frontside of the kronos)

Thanks Qui,

I will try with "internal headroom" settings

SanderXpander wrote:First try recording softer.
I'm assuming you're using the main outputs.

Yes of course i use the main outs..
The volume knob is below the middle of the route.

Also all the gain settings are set equally for every channel of the converter And the signal goes directly on it. I checked the track using my Main monitors (Genelec 1032A), my secondary (Ns10 Studio) and headphones (Akg K271).

The waveform of course is ''healthy'', no clipping signs..

Complicated..Ill try later with the global settings

If the waveform looks healthy the problem could also be with the output stage.

Does it seem like a serious hardware fault? The fact is that I am going to buy this instrument from a friend of mine and trade my trusty Triton Studio as well. The actual purpose of the recording was to test the Kronos and listen how it fits in a mix.

Do I have to give it firstly for a check at the local repair centre?

Just a reminder that there are two volume controllers,the Main Volume and the Master.
These will affect the line output levels,so, some adjustments between the two may help.
Perhaps increasing the gain on the convertor input may improve things....??


As a side note.... the usb audio output is controlled with the Master and provide distortion free optimum levels.
However,there may be times that some clipping can occur during use with a DAW,which would be controlled by the usual method of volume adjustments etc.

Regarding headphone distortion,it may well be the type being used……I can confirm that there's none present at the highest levels using the SGX Piano,
with a pair of HD650 headphones nor even HD201…..just very loud !!

I didn't know about the two volume settings, i'll check it.

Forgot to mention alternative choices to try out,audio recording can also be done via s/pdif and usb as well.

The usb method is excellent....whenever other connected hardware and software is working correctly.

I still can hear some distortion.......maybe there's something that i miss about the correlation of the main volume knob and the Master Volume fader...

SOLUTION: The Internal Headroom preference has to be set to Standard not to the +48dB. Till now i had it set to +48.

This solved my problem