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danmusician Platinum Member
Joined: 08 Apr 2009 Posts: 875 Location: Southern PA
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Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2017 7:37 pm Post subject: Kronos LS - UPDATED |
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<<<>>> Original Post is Below <<<>>>
After playing for several hours today, I decided that the LS is going back. I really want to like it, but I just find it too difficult to get a consistent touch on it. I blame my own technique more than the action. But without the weighted resistance, I just find that some notes explode out on me without much effort. I also noticed that when playing patterns on black keys, I had trouble getting a consistent sound if my hands are further back on the keys.
If it were my only keyboard, I'd probably put in the effort to get used to it. But, I went back to my K73 tonight and it just felt so much better to me.
I gigged part time in the 90's with an 01/Wpro (76 unweighted keys.) I did well with that instrument, but this one isn't working for me. I still give it a recommendation, especially if you like a synth action. Just not for me...
<<<>>>
I just took delivery of a new Kronos LS. I own a K73 (original) and a K2-61. Until now, I play out with either the 73 or the 61 w/ Casio PX-5S depending on the gig. On the rarest of occasions, including last weekend, I've performed on just the 61.
The 5S and the K61 are a great combination, but I really like the simplicity of a one board set up. The K88 is just too heavy and the K73 is only marginally better. I find myself missing the extra keys on the 73. The reduced weight of the LS is a big plus, so I thought I'd give it a whirl.
After calling around, none of my regional dealers had one on display and I have to drive a couple of hours to get to one anyway, so I ordered one knowing that I'll need to eat the shipping fees if I change my mind. Till I spend the time driving and gas, it'll be worth it to have an extended demo time at home.
So, after playing for a while, my initial reaction is mixed but overall favorable. The keybed feels study and even. Action resistance is little to none. It feels a lot like the action on the 61 to me. Keep in mind, that I am not an aficionado of synth action keyboards, so I'm not the best to compare the 61 to the LS in that regard.
What I will say is this: I had an M3-73 and I could never play well on it or the K61. On both instruments, the width of the keys always seems just a little bit on the narrow side to me. Enough that I would often split notes or catch my fingers on the black keys when playing big chords. The LS feels like regular sized keys to me. In that regard, I like it.
The key throw on the LS seems just a bit shallow to me. I rejected the Roland V-Piano several years ago for that very reason (also never a fan of Roland piano timbres). The LS is not as shallow as I remember the V-P.
I need to play with the velocity curves on the LS, but my initial reaction is that it's a keeper. If you're looking for a piano feel, it's not your instrument. If you're looking for a portable Kronos with 88 key range and a playable action, it just might be your thing. _________________ Kronos 2 88, Kronos Classic 73, PX-5S, Kronos 2 61, Roli Seaboard Rise 49
Last edited by danmusician on Sun Jun 04, 2017 4:09 am; edited 1 time in total |
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drama1 Platinum Member
Joined: 04 Apr 2007 Posts: 663
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Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2017 8:02 pm Post subject: |
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Hey Dan, thanks for the review. I'm sort of in the same boat you are -- or were. If you could give a little more detail on the action compared to the K61. I could live with the K61 action, especially with regular piano size keys, but anything lighter in action and I'm starting to play slop. Really wish Korg would've made a 76 key version of the LS. Might have a hard time fitting the 88 in my car. Thanks. |
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aron Platinum Member
Joined: 27 Jan 2011 Posts: 1548 Location: Hawaii
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Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2017 8:41 pm Post subject: |
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The Kronos LS seems like such an awesome gigging keyboard, until I remember why I bought the PX-5S - to retain finger strength on gigs. It seems the the natural answer to most people that want a lighter Kronos with all the keys.
If my K61 ever breaks, I may go for the LS. I love the action on the K61 - to me, it is very good. _________________ Korg Kronos, RD-88, Yamaha VL1, Deep Mind 6, Korg Kross, author of unrealBook for iPad. |
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danmusician Platinum Member
Joined: 08 Apr 2009 Posts: 875 Location: Southern PA
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Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2017 9:21 pm Post subject: |
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drama1 wrote: | Hey Dan, thanks for the review. I'm sort of in the same boat you are -- or were. If you could give a little more detail on the action compared to the K61. I could live with the K61 action, especially with regular piano size keys, but anything lighter in action and I'm starting to play slop. Really wish Korg would've made a 76 key version of the LS. Might have a hard time fitting the 88 in my car. Thanks. |
If you're comfortable with the 61, you'll be fine with the LS. Having played it for an hour or so since my first post, I adjusted very quickly. I played around with the curves and ended up right back at "4." It's balanced pretty well for me.
Fitting it in the car is an issue, for sure. _________________ Kronos 2 88, Kronos Classic 73, PX-5S, Kronos 2 61, Roli Seaboard Rise 49 |
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karmathanever Platinum Member
Joined: 12 Jan 2004 Posts: 10402
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Posted: Sat Jun 03, 2017 2:34 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for this feedback - I am waiting for the LS to arrive here in Oz.
Can you please confirm the conflicting comments regarding aftertouch please?
Does it really have it or not?
Many thanks
Pete _________________ PA4X-76, Karma, WaveDrum GE, Fantom 8 EX
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## Please stay safe ##
...and play lots of music
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narf Approved Merchant
Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Posts: 367 Location: Melbourne, Australia
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Posted: Sat Jun 03, 2017 3:11 am Post subject: |
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Hi Pete...The LS has no onboard aftertouch. It will receive aftertouch from an external source via midi though. They are available now in Australia and there are a few units available. Like Dan says, the key throw is shallow and I guess the closest action to it would be the Studiologic Numa Compact or a Nord Electro 5D, but even lighter to the touch. The keyboard itself is lighter than a Kronos 73 and its really manageable to carry around. As far as putting it in your cars backseat, its exactly as wide as a Kronos2 88 so its still too big for most cars. _________________ Admin Kronos Enthusiast Workshops Facebook Group
Korg Kronos SE 61, Kronos 2 88 Gold, Oasys-88, Triton Studio76, Kronos-61, SV1-73RV, Prologue 16
narfsounds.com
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KK Platinum Member
Joined: 13 Oct 2016 Posts: 1422
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Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2017 2:20 am Post subject: Re: Kronos LS - UPDATED |
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danmusician wrote: | I just find it too difficult to get a consistent touch on it. |
It's certainly impossible to change how a keyboard feels under one's fingers, but it is possible to adjust the velocity response to a certain extent using the Kronos parameters and also even creating your own velocity curves if you use a computer with your Kronos. But I can certainly understand that a synth can not work for someone. I used to be a devoted Kurzweil fan, but I don't like their new products now, so went back with Korg. |
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danmusician Platinum Member
Joined: 08 Apr 2009 Posts: 875 Location: Southern PA
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Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2017 2:27 pm Post subject: Re: Kronos LS - UPDATED |
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KK wrote: | danmusician wrote: | I just find it too difficult to get a consistent touch on it. |
It's certainly impossible to change how a keyboard feels under one's fingers, but it is possible to adjust the velocity response to a certain extent using the Kronos parameters and also even creating your own velocity curves if you use a computer with your Kronos. But I can certainly understand that a synth can not work for someone. I used to be a devoted Kurzweil fan, but I don't like their new products now, so went back with Korg. |
I experimented with the curves. It's not the action as much as my technique. As I said, if it was my only keyboard, I could make it work. But right now I have theee options:
1. Play my 73 and miss a few keys.
2. Set up 2 boards and have the touch I want on 88 keys.
3. Play the LS with 88 keys that I don't like playing.
For 3 grand, I'll take choice 1 or 2.
The laptop isn't really an option for playing out. I did that for about 10 years with a Yamaha S80 and a Mac laptop. Didn't like have the computer on stage. If I went that route now, it would be the computer -or maybe even iPad - the PX-5S. The Kronos wouldn't leave the house. _________________ Kronos 2 88, Kronos Classic 73, PX-5S, Kronos 2 61, Roli Seaboard Rise 49 |
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drama1 Platinum Member
Joined: 04 Apr 2007 Posts: 663
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Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2017 6:49 pm Post subject: |
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Mind if I ask what you paid for the LS? If that's a no/no to ask, just ignore. The only price I've seen is $3,499. Waaayyy to friggin much for a keybed with no aftertouch IMHO. Thanks. |
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danmusician Platinum Member
Joined: 08 Apr 2009 Posts: 875 Location: Southern PA
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Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2017 7:44 pm Post subject: |
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drama1 wrote: | Mind if I ask what you paid for the LS? If that's a no/no to ask, just ignore. The only price I've seen is $3,499. Waaayyy to friggin much for a keybed with no aftertouch IMHO. Thanks. |
I won't say what I paid, but several US dealers are quoting an unadvertised price of $3150 shipped.
Also, funny thing about aftertouch: I NEVER use it in performance and rarely think about it. When auditioning sounds on the LS, I instinctively went to add pressure on a few and it wasn't there! _________________ Kronos 2 88, Kronos Classic 73, PX-5S, Kronos 2 61, Roli Seaboard Rise 49 |
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Scott Platinum Member
Joined: 16 Oct 2009 Posts: 1015
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Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2017 2:28 am Post subject: |
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narf wrote: | I guess the closest action to it would be the Studiologic Numa Compact or a Nord Electro 5D |
I actually find those two actions pretty different from each other, the Nord pushes back with notably more force. |
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