Korg Forums

herefordmg · Joined: 16 Jan 2013 Posts: 3 Location: Houston, TX

I am currently using a Korg TR88 for live performance (church band) and some limited home sequencing / recording. I've been a big fan of Korg since the M1 (I'm old!!). I still really like my TR88 - it's basically a scaled-back Triton with some extra samples. Love the feel. I've added the sampling option (plus max memory), but haven't used that much.

I'm thinking about an M3, even though it's been replaced with the Kronos. The Kronos seems great, but the build quality seems cheaper to me, and I also don't like the idea of an internal fan.

So, that leads me to the M3 vs the Krome. The M3 has the sounds and features that I want and seems more of a pro-quality board than the Krome, but the M3 is getting pretty old. The Krome has a few new bells and whistles that are pretty user-friendly and some great sounds.

These days, the M3 is going pretty cheap... about the same as the Krome.

So... please let me know your comments on this. Thanks.

drama1 · Platinum Member Joined: 04 Apr 2007 Posts: 663

I have a Kronos and I STILL use the M3 exclusively for live performance. You can sample with the M3, Karma, SST using Karma, you can even download for free the Kronos-lite piano for the M3. The M3 all the way over Krome.

1jordyzzz · Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2013 6:38 am Post subject:

i'd say wait for namm.. or if you won't, get the krome..
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Love my kronos 88 Very Happy

Love my yamaha psr s910 as well

Korg Kronos 88, Yamaha PSR s910, Korg C720, Yamaha DTX 520, Focusrite Scarlett 18i6, a pair of Yamaha HS80 in (soon not to be) an unproperly treated room..

1jordyzzz · Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2013 6:39 am Post subject:

i'd say wait for namm.. or if you won't, get the krome..

Anyway as a kronos owner, i'm fine with the build quality of kronos.. it's not as bad as what some fanatic losers says about it..
_________________
Love my kronos 88 Very Happy

Love my yamaha psr s910 as well

Korg Kronos 88, Yamaha PSR s910, Korg C720, Yamaha DTX 520, Focusrite Scarlett 18i6, a pair of Yamaha HS80 in (soon not to be) an unproperly treated room..

herefordmg · Joined: 16 Jan 2013 Posts: 3 Location: Houston, TX

Thanks for the replies. I'm not in a big hurry, so I'll wait for NAMM 2013, next week. Whatever comes out will probably be marketed in 6 mos or so. I would expect Roland to come out with a new workstation (Integra?), and for Yamaha to replace or upgrade the Motif. Maybe Korg with have a Kronos rack?

I know there are lots of negative comments about the current "Big 3" - Korg, Roland and Yamaha. I think I'm in the minority... I love the sounds and capabilites, it's really amazing what we have today... and bang for the buck is incredible.

I still remember my 1st workstation - Ensoniq ESQ1 - 8 voice poly with 8 bit samples. In the day, it was groundbreaking.

I think my main complaint about current keyboards is the build quality. Some of those keybeds feel really terrible. I may be a bit spoiled... the TR88 is sort-of an entry-level keyboard, but it has an aluminum body, hammer-weighted keys (RH2) with aftertouch. The components include dual outputs, and audio input for the sampling option.

Back to the Krome VS M3. I think they are both incredible machines... the Kronos is even more incredible. I just like the feel of the M3 (73), synth-action, along with the sounds and features. At any rate, I probably can't go too wrong with either decision. But for now, we'll see what NAMM has to offer.

BTW... 1jordyzzz... thanks for posting your video, very nice. The piano is beautiful.

rudix999 · Joined: 07 Dec 2011 Posts: 2 Location: Czech republik

you can even download for free the Kronos-lite piano for the M3. The M3 all the way over Krome.[/quote]

Drama1, give me the link, where is Kronos lite piano for M3 to download, please.
Thanks.

drama1 · Platinum Member Joined: 04 Apr 2007 Posts: 663

herefordmg · Joined: 16 Jan 2013 Posts: 3 Location: Houston, TX

I finally purchased a new M3-73 ($1850). I also added the EXB-256M board. This version is the "Expanded" version, which has really nice sound and feature updates from the original M3. The grand-piano is amazing. I feel that I made the right decision for my keyboard use - some home studio, some gigging.

I looked at the Krome, but was really disappointed with the build quality... not nearly the level of the M3.

The Kronos build is better than the Krome, but still not at the M3 level. I also didn't like the idea of the internal fan. And finally, the price is more than I'm willing to spend right now. The Kronos is really a monster, but probably best for the studio only.

I'm very happy with the M3. I realize that the technology is a bit dated, but that is a minor issue to me, compared the alternatives. Someday, if I get bored with the keyboard, I can still add an EXB-Radias board.

Thanks to all for your input.

ConnMan · Joined: 08 Jun 2013 Posts: 24 Location: Upstate, New York

Okay...So here I am pondering the purchase of a used M50-73 or a Krome 73.

Seems like there's little difference between the two in functionality but a price gap of about $400-500.

Positive for the Krome is I can get new, with current updates and warranty.

The M50 for less but if in good condition, should be more than adequate for my needs and better build (according to the comments on the forum here). Another thing is the freezing issue I've read about (but that seems to only affect the 61 key versions, I think).

My dilemma is that I don't live close to a music store so I can't try out the Krome...Same being the case with a used M50 since all I've been able to find are ones on eBay located no where near where I live. So far I've seen the M50 73 in the $700-1,000 price range used and about $1,200 + for new.

My current budget is about $700-750 so even a new Krome would put me over that but if I wait a little while I might be able to scrounge up some additional cash if I sell off something.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance. Confused

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Korg M50-73, Alesis ION, ALesis QS6.1, Yamaha AN1x, Casio XW-P1, ZOOM R24

Bald Eagle · Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 4:36 pm Post subject:

I have not played either the Krome or M50 extensively but have played them on occasions at a store. As far as build quality I would say they are both pretty much the same and I wasn't to happy with either one. They're not really bad for the price but I always compare to the M3 which in my opinion is still the best built Korg board in a long time other than OASYS.

With Krome you get a better screen, Kronos pianos and Kronos drums. If that is important to you then save up for the Krome, otherwise the M50 should do nicely.

Synthoid · Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 4:47 pm Post subject: Re: Purchased a new Korg M3-73.

Bald Eagle · Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 9:28 pm Post subject: Re: Purchased a new Korg M3-73.

Synthoid · Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2013 3:21 pm Post subject: Re: Purchased a new Korg M3-73.

ConnMan · Joined: 08 Jun 2013 Posts: 24 Location: Upstate, New York

Decision made and won a M50 73 on eBay for a little less than $700.

Should have by next week, I hope.

Can't wait!! Very Happy

I'm sure I'm going to be using this forum a lot as I get to know the instrument. Thanks to everyone who've chipped in with their advise and experiences.
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Korg M50-73, Alesis ION, ALesis QS6.1, Yamaha AN1x, Casio XW-P1, ZOOM R24

michelkeijzers · Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 9:28 am Post subject:

I hope you enjoy the M50, it's a very nice instrument.
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Developer of the free PCG file managing application for most Korg workstations: PCG Tools, see https://www.kronoshaven.com/pcgtools/