Korg Forums

russd1977 · Joined: 03 Dec 2012 Posts: 25

I have had the Krome 61 for a few weeks now, I'm very pleased with it, but wanted to post an honest and balanced review on my blog. Its not overly technical, but it perhaps it will help someone who has the same requirements as me when trying to decide.

Thoraldus · Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2013 1:58 pm Post subject:

Russ,

Regarding the power connector. Be sure to use the power cord loop near the power connector to remove any strain on the power cord. Using the power cord loop on my Korg has removed any worry about intermittent power for me over the last 2 1/2 years.

Korg like many other manufacturers of electronic equipment have gone to external power supplies in their designs. There are myriad government safety agencies that a manufacturer must submit their designs to for approval in order to sell their product around the world. It's much more efficient to purchase an external power supply from a third party manufacturer who has already jumped through all the bureaucratic hoops. This saves KORG time and expense in bringing a new design to the market.

It is also MUCH less expensive for the consumer to replace an external power supply than to return a keyboard to a service facility.

p.s. Great review!
_________________
”It’s easy to play any musical instrument: all you have to do is touch the right key at the right time and the instrument will play itself.”

Johann Sebastian Bach

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Rick Stirling - Retired Electrical Engineer - Erstwhile Photographer
Korg Kronos2, Casio MZ-X500, PA600, AKAI MPD32, M-Audio Oxygen 25, ZOOM H6, Cakewalk Sonar

michelkeijzers · Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2013 2:47 pm Post subject:

I hate external power supplies. I have an M50 which also has one and I take always care of the thin cable belonging to the supply.

I rather have a default euro(european) plug which cost nothing, if one breaks I have a spare for about E 2 (and always carry spares with me).

But luckily every more professional instrument has still the external supply.
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Developer of the free PCG file managing application for most Korg workstations: PCG Tools, see https://www.kronoshaven.com/pcgtools/

Thoraldus · Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2013 9:02 pm Post subject:

michelkeijzers · Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2013 11:21 am Post subject:

Thoraldus · Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2013 4:04 am Post subject:

russd1977 · Joined: 03 Dec 2012 Posts: 25

Thanks for the comments - my review isn't overly technical but I wanted to post my thoughts about it.

With the power supply, I prefer not to use the loop because I have to quickly set up and break down my equipment at gigs. If I had it in a studio I would use it though.

My Korg N5 has an external power supply but it connects firmly and securely to the keyboard with a large circular socket and 4 pins. Once its plugged in there's no movement in the socket. The Krome on the other hand has a strangely loose fitting socket and the plug moves about in it quite freely. I just can't see it lasting that long on the road - thank goodness for the 3 year guarantee.

I'm a little reluctant to go down the modding route with an electrician, as I don't want to void the 3 year warranty.

summers2 · Junior Member Joined: 18 Jul 2012 Posts: 65

Unless the other shoe falls, I see the krome as a winner. I enjoy playing it and I enjoy the sounds. I haven't had any trouble with mine to this point and considering all, I feel like I got my money's worth. I will certainly report on any problem areas that I encounter.

I must admit, though, that I do very little studio type work with mine. I just tweak and play(gospel music). I practice, using the unit, from 30 minutes to two hours every day. I haven't taken the board out to play as of yet, but I would not hesitate to do so.

michelkeijzers · Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 11:42 am Post subject:

russd1977 · Joined: 03 Dec 2012 Posts: 25

Yeah... trouble is, the moment you cut a hole for an IEE plug the 3 year warranty is invalid, so its not something I'd ever do in a hurry.

jasperdog · Joined: 20 Nov 2007 Posts: 13

Maybe it was a typo, but the review said that the 1/4" outputs were balanced. The spec says they are unbalanced.

Apparently the back panel of the Krome is grounded to the wall outlet through the "flimsy" power connector. This might seem improbable, but you will notice that the AC side of the power adapter has a 3-prong plug. I'm using a home theater receiver for amplification, and this caused a ground loop and hum in my setup. It was solved by modifying a short 3-prong extension cord so that the "ground" prong was disabled. Voila! Instant relief from hum. Smile

russd1977 · Joined: 03 Dec 2012 Posts: 25