A few answers

EvilDragon · Post by **EvilDragon** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 6:30 pm

burningbusch wrote:So if the EP-1 (MDS) page shows "SAMPLES NOT LOADED", is it correct to assume MDS technology combines sampled source data with some type of modeling? Can you explain what's going on in a little more detail?

Great question. I was convinced it was pure modeling.

RichF · Post by **RichF** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 6:39 pm

Jon Lord wrote:The text under the program name on the top (that says "the sgx-1 premium piano exi is designed...")
Does this change per program/combi in setlist mode and are you able to set this yourself per/program/combi Or is this per page/setlist?
And is this text user-editable? if yes this is awesome to put notes on for songs that you need to remember to do

Yes, you can customize this to say whatever you'd like.

Jive Talking Robot · Post by **Jive Talking Robot** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 6:47 pm

Hi Rich,

From the demos I heard someone mention a step sequencer. Is this a global sequencing mode (i.e. an alterantive to the core sequencer) that can be used with any of the synth engines, or is it limited to the various VA engines? If it lives as part of the VAs, is it designed to simply generate a riff, or can you actually compose several patterns on several tracks? I like banging out drum patterns w/ step sequencers, so I was hoping to be able to do the same here.

Regarding the HD-1 - do any of the ROMs contain sampled digital/analog synths? I understand most people would think "what's the point" as the Kronos has those amazing MOD and x3 analog engines built in, so I really just asking out of curosity.

Many thanks!

PS - My Pre Order is already in @ Nova.

RichF · Post by **RichF** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 6:56 pm

EvilDragon wrote:
burningbusch wrote:So if the EP-1 (MDS) page shows "SAMPLES NOT LOADED", is it correct to assume MDS technology combines sampled source data with some type of modeling? Can you explain what's going on in a little more detail?
Great question. I was convinced it was pure modeling.

EP-1 does in fact start with a sample library, but it goes deeper than traditional multisample playback. MDS (Multi-Dimensional Synthesis) lets us separate a sample into different elements- in this case, the pitched content, the hammer sound, and key release noises. We assemble these elements together in a way that gives us precise control over how the sound moves through time.

The practical upsides of MDS are:
1. There's no velocity-switching, so it reacts dynamically throughout the entire velocity range, just like the real instrument naturally would.
2. You have control over physical properties of the instrument, like hammer width and attack brightness.
3. We can control time-based elements like decay and release without having to introduce more processing.

So... Is it modeling? I suppose this depends on your definition of the word, but since it goes so much deeper into the behavior of the instrument than a traditional sample-playback engine would, the word "modeling" should be appropriate.

EvilDragon · Post by **EvilDragon** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 6:56 pm

Ah, yep. Sort-of like scripting in Kontakt, crossfading or morphing between different velocities, and adding different samples (noises, hammers, etc) in the mix.

I was kinda hoping for pure modeling in vein of (absolutely brilliant) GSi Mr. Ray mkII.

WorknMan · Post by **WorknMan** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 7:15 pm

Hey Rich,

Thanks for all of your input on the boards! I have a question that's not directly Kronos related, but maybe you can help me out

What kind of cameras do you guys use during demos to beam an image of the Kronos screen onto a projector, or whatever? Since there appears to be no tiltable screen like on the Oasys/M3, and I'm half-blind, I'm looking for a way to do this in order to get an image of the screen onto a large PC monitor while working/playing at home.

Any suggestions? Do you guys just use some sort of web cam, or something way fancier than that?

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 7:32 pm

Great info, Rich!

A feature I'd like -- and am wondering if perhaps it can already do this or some variation -- would be to store PDF files that could be associated with Song Titles in a Set List. My theoretical interface: If you tap a second time on an entry in the Set List, and there is a PDF file stored somewhere with the same name, it will display that PDF. The PDF could have, well, whatever the user put there. Lyrics, chord changes, notation, whatever. This would be extremely cool. There are ipad apps that do this sort of thing, but that requires, of course, buying an iPad, and finding a place to mount it, and calling up every song twice (once on the Kronos, and again on the iPad). Integrating that function onto that screen would seem like a natural! If it's a multi-page PDF, the pages could theoretically be advanced with a footswitch. And then it would just need a little close box somewhere to get rid of it when you don't need it. I'll probably buy a Kronos regardless, but that feature would clinch it. (I assume the Kronos is Linux based like the Oasys was... and there are plenty of Linux PDF readers, so maybe this could be a pretty easy thing to do...?)

The other thing I like, which I have already been told is not in it, but may be feasible to add, would be the ability to use its USB-A ports to hook up one or more Nano controllers. A nice way to get the pads back, or get more assignable knobs, or play "keys" to trigger samples, etc. And a nice way for you sell a whole bunch more Nano controllers!

danatkorg · Post by **danatkorg** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 7:40 pm

RichF wrote:
Jon Lord wrote:The text under the program name on the top (that says "the sgx-1 premium piano exi is designed...")
Does this change per program/combi in setlist mode and are you able to set this yourself per/program/combi Or is this per page/setlist?
And is this text user-editable? if yes this is awesome to put notes on for songs that you need to remember to do
Yes, you can customize this to say whatever you'd like.

...and you can have a different 512-character comment for each Slot (Prog/Combi/Song) in the Set List.

RC-IA · Post by **RC-IA** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 7:48 pm

thanx a lot ofr the infos

NavidSyed · Post by **NavidSyed** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 8:08 pm

RichF wrote:
RE: Sample RAM- After loading the entire PRELOAD.KSC, about 273MB are left for user RAM. This is not set in stone, however, since you can pick and choose what you want to use. For example, if you know that you're not going to use the EXS4 Vintage Keyboards library, you can unload it and get more space.

-Rich

thank you very much, that helps a lot however it would be nice to still have at least 1 gig user RAM (instead of 273 MB) while having all the libraries loaded..

synthguy · Post by **synthguy** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 10:50 pm

I'm curious about the pianos. In HD-1, how many grand, upright and electric grand pianos are there?

And on this note... wow...

User All Notes (tuning)

THIS is a cool feature I've been forgetting about in my fixation on getting SOMEONE to implement polypressure keyboards again.

On my Ensoniq SD-1 is an old honkytonk piano which I've never been able to recreate. One layer is a typical stretch tuned grand. But the other is a thin sounding sample which I painstakingly detuned individually, key by key, to create an old piano which went out of tune from age. And it sounds incredible!

Now, I can finally try a similar experiment on a far better instrument!

X-Trade · Post by **X-Trade** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 2:06 am

Rich, or Dan;
One thing which it would be nice to see considered (or perhaps it is already on KRONOS?) would be for the drumtrack selection to be tied into the KARMA scene.

That way we could have different drum track patterns for different parts of a performance, without having to use a precious (as there are 'only' four) KARMA module for generating drums.
I know the drum track was always viewed as a simple quick-inspiration feature but it really could be a lot more.

gjvti · Post by **gjvti** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 7:26 am

Great info, thanks a lot! Should this thread be made sticky at least for some time?

Jan1 · Post by **Jan1** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 8:17 am

I have a question about the fan: is it audible in a quiet room?

I'm all the more concerned about it since I read there are no holes in the KRONOS to move hot air out.
So, after a while all the fan ends up doing is moving hot air around in a closed space, and at that point the fan will just keep running at maximum speed since the temperature isn't going down.

RichF · Post by **RichF** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 5:21 pm

Jan1 wrote:I have a question about the fan: is it audible in a quiet room?

I'm all the more concerned about it since I read there are no holes in the KRONOS to move hot air out.
So, after a while all the fan ends up doing is moving hot air around in a closed space, and at that point the fan will just keep running at maximum speed since the temperature isn't going down.

I can hear the fan if I put my head close to the keyboard, but I certainly wouldn't call it "loud."

True that there are no holes specifically for ventilation, but a) the processor doesn't run extremely hot and b) even if it's being played outside on a blazing hot summer day, head can dissipate from the slider tracks and the keybed. Overheating should not be a concern... We go through extensive temperature tests with every product.

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A few answers

Re: A few answers