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I don't own a Kronos yet, but my friend owns both 61 and 88 X models. Reading through threads on this forum it looks like sample libraries are not transferable between different keyboards even though they share the same owner? So if my friend purchases a new sample library he can only install it onto one of his Kronos boards?

If this is true, do other companies (Nord, Yamaha, etc.) utilize this same scheme? Seems like a potential dealbreaker for a prospective Kronos buyer.

It is true and for me it is a deal breaker for buying sample libraries.

Not for buying the Kronos itself though. Kronos rocks!

Polkahero wrote:

If this is true, do other companies (Nord, Yamaha, etc.) utilize this same scheme? Seems like a potential dealbreaker for a prospective Kronos buyer.

I don't know what Nord or Yamaha does and frankly, it makes no diff to me.

BTW, the Kronos ( or a Motif) is not all about a few sample libs. if thats the basis of a $3000 keyboard decision, I don't think the Kronos was a serious consideration.

I think Korg just wants to protect the libraries, and so far haven't found another way than binding them to a physical device.

But I think they just have to find something to secure lasting ownwership, or people will always hesitate to invest too much money for libraries into one physical device. This obviously is no strict dealbreaker, but it probably slows selling additional libraries down, to a required minimum, for most users.

This is true, an unfortunate by-product of the protection mechanism selected by Korg.

Thanks for the replies, this is what I assumed but wanted to confirm.

I'm considering a Kronos for myself. I know how powerful it is from observing my friend's, I'm just not convinced all of the stock sounds are up to the level I need for live use. I know the CX-3 engine lacks, but I'm already set there as I already own a Hammond SK1. Just wondering if I'd be happy enough with the built-in acoustic piano and string sounds, seems like the AP was lacking but my friend runs mono whereas I always run stereo. I supposed the new Berlin sample in version 2 should be an improvement so maybe I'll wait until the new models are available.

I was ultimately hoping I could convince him to purchase some sample libraries and then be able to install them onto my own board, I guess that isn't in the cards!

The Kronos piano sounds pretty bad in mono to me, and pretty awesome in stereo. I also think the CX3 is usable though
Enough for me not to bring a dedicated clonewheel to the gig at least, I can't even be bothered to hook up my Ventilator anymore. Strings, I'm not sure. I'm lucky to have the Legendary Strings expansion, the stock sounds are a little limited perhaps. Plenty of great pads though, if you were going for the "piano and a layer" idea.