Korg Kronos vs. Yamaha Motif XF

[Rocness]

I used to own the XS6 and the Fantom G8. I have the Kronos 88 on order. I think the Kronos is clearly a more versatile and powerful workstation than the XS6, however for live players who aren't in need of great synth sounds, the XS6 is still one of the best gigging boards. It sounds great live and in a few areas like acoustic guitars, still sounds better than the Kronos. Yamaha build quality is also superior, whether because of materials used or their ability to leverage their manufacturing expertise and resources.

I understand why many live jazz and blues players still love the Yamahas and wouldn't question anyone who prefers the Yamaha sounds for their live needs. Nevertheless, the Kronos can also make for a great live board and offers much more than the XF as a workstation and creative tool for those seeking a world of choices at their fingertips. I paused and considered the XF before buying the Kronos, but that pause was momentary.

When you get your Kronos let us know how the electric piano Rhodes compare to your Yamaha CP1 . Thanks

[Vlad_77]

How about a comparo???

http://neosoulkeyz.wordpress.com/2011/0 ... -shootout/

I love the intro in a wtf way-- [over the top explosion] "gospelmusicians.com" [over the top explosion]

EDIT: okay, just watched a bit of it, the guy just mostly geeks out about the Kronos.

But this mostly geeking guy comes from a Yamaha background as he states quite emphatically and repeatedly. That says a lot to me, in fact more than if this was a Korg guy geeking about Kronos.

Ahimsa,
Vlad

[dumeril7]

Input is greatly appreciated.

The simple fact alone that we still have to copy effects for every sound when we're in combi (Korg) ,performance (Yamaha) , studio (Roland) ,setup (Kruzweil ) mode is rediculous.

A lot of times I'll get a custom effects configuration set up and the last thing I want is for it to be overwritten because I'm adding another sound to the combi/performance/whatever. The best deal would be to make it an option -- you choose what you want to bring over from the source sound (with configurable default settings to save time).

D7

[EXer]

i have the motif xs8 and a kronos 61. i'd do anything for a kronos 88, now. i should have waited and just sold my motif xs8. the sounds on the kronos are so refreshing for me after having the fantom & motif for all of these years. i honestly have new found creativity.
the learning curve is killing me on the kronos, but it's worth it.

just midi your xs8 into the Kronos 61 and it's technically the same as having a kronos 88...

No, it's not the same, it's better... If you can afford to keep both you'll have:
¤ a synth type kbd + a piano type kbd
¤ all the qualities of a Kronos + all the qualities of a Motif (Yamahas have strong points that Korgs don't have)

[GregC]

I suspect that if you post the exact same question on motifator.com you're get a majority of "Motif XS is best" type responses. (Maybe you already have . . . )

Having said that, the OS on the Motif is sort of like working with Windows / DOS and the OS on the Kronos is like working with OS-X.

BTW, I sold my Motif XS to finance the Kronos . . . I am not alone.

I agree- and I sold my XS7 to support my K88 purchase.

I had and enjoyed the XS for 2 years- but the terms 'outstanding ' or 'superb' for ROM sound quality do not come to mind.

A large part of this is due to the Motif sound set being around and heard frequently for 7 or 8 years. I feel the same way about Roland Fantom sound set. If one goes back to the JV days, thats 15 years +.

No doubt that the Kronos AP's/EP's well exceed the XS/XF. Having outstanding AP's/EP's are a must have for me.

[NuSkoolTone]

The Kronos/OASYS HD-1 guitars are as good as they get on a workstation - any comparison of any HD-1 sounds with Motif and other romplers on this basis is personal choice and not a real difference in quality (though if you want to split hairs then the uncompressed nature of Kronos/OASYS samples are superior w.r.t to fidelity and dynamics).

Says WHO? You? The Oasys samples were as good as they got in 2005. WHEN IT WAS RELEASED. IMO (And hey YMMV) my Motif XS put the Oasys to SHAME when it came to acoustic sounds. Now my comparison might be before expansion libraries for the Oasys were released who knows? But I tested both on very good monitors in a quiet environment and it was night and day. Again YMMV!

Then there's STR-1 which delivers exceptional string models across a range of instruments including guitars; which when properly programmed for basic sound and performance parameters, provide for a capability samples just can’t compete with.

The only "Models" I've seen demoed of the STR-1 is a Sitar, some weird sound that has nothing to do with strings, and something that vaguely resembles an acoustic steel string guitar given it's attack characteristics.
I mean maybe the demos I've heard are crappy, maybe the demo players don't know how to cop acoustic guitars on a keyboard, but it was NOT impressive to me. No better than what I already own (Motif XS), not even equal in fact. Now I reserve final judgement until I play one, but no matter how COOL the technology is, if it doesn't translate into something that sounds great it's worthless. Now I'm not saying it's worthless, that wouldn't be fair and careless. Though so far, there hasn't been much demo of the guitars and probably for good reason. Let's not even get started on the electric guitars shall we? They sound the same as the ones in my M50, which are not very good. Though like I said, I say these loosely based on the demos I've SEEN and heard on the internet. I need to PLAY it in person. My mind might change!

On top of that - check out Karma 'Manual Advance' Generated Effects. This is a breadth taking technique that allows for awesome strumming and plucking styles for Guitar (and Harp) - you just have to try it out.

I can appreciate Karma, but if it's NECESSARY for certain instruments to sound right something's wrong IMO. Though I'm sure it's fun to play with and a useful time saver while being a creative tool.

So I think, on balance, it is unreasonable to sum up a shortcoming in Kronos guitars without exploring the very serious programming, sound engine and performance capabilities of Kronos for Guitars - I'm sure you'll find it goes well and beyond the other romplers, and any shortcoming will only be in Keyboards looking to do Guitars, and lack of time spent exploring the huge options available. You are entitled not to like them; but Kronos is far from unimpressive in the 'guitars' department.

Once I try one in person, you might be right. Though for now let's agree to disagree. The demos so far do nothing for me and not for nothing, these sounds should be well represented RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX. A few tweaks for preference? Sure. It shouldn't sound like dung without having to get a degree in Kronos to re-program it though. I'm exaggerating of course, but you get the point.

With respect to Horns - the same broadly applies though I agree without a virtual brass and wind model, it is limited by its samples. But again the ESx3 wind and brass sample library is full of very strong instruments targeted for rock/jazz/big-band performance. I saw Herbie Hancock live in Dublin last October and he played Brass on OASYS admirably - if it's good enough for him I'll go along with that.

Kevin.

When you get a player like Herbie Hancock, he can make an 80's Casio sound good. So I wouldn't go by that. "Good enough" is a relative term depending on its context.

Just because there isn't a model doesn't mean something automagically sucks. There are LOTS of AMAZING sample based instruments out there. Even my lowly M50 has a GREAT spanish trumpet sound (Too bad all the other brass is HORRIBLE). Hey the technology is great and it gives bragging rights ON PAPER. However it has to translate into REAL results to matter. I'm VERY interested to see what else the CX-3 can do on the Kronos. I hear potential, but haven't heard anything make me stand up and go "WOW." Admittedly BETTER than a rompler, but so far not top of the class as a clonewheel.

Now the Pianos and EPs? WOW all over the place! It's obvious they slay and that's why they've been showcased. Reason enough to get the board on their own.

So hey it's cool you're sold top to bottom on Kronos, I'm not yet. At least in the way that I'll shout from the rooftops it has NO shortcomings whatsoever. So far, Brass and Guitars sound like the weak spot soundwise. Hopefully I can get around this with aftermarket samples without too much pain.

[burningbusch]

When you get your Kronos let us know how the electric piano Rhodes compare to your Yamaha CP1 . Thanks

I'll offer an opinion as I used to own the CP-1 and worked with the Rhodes sounds quite extensively. Below is my tweaked Kronos Mark II. The tone of the Kronos is far more accurate, is more expressive and more accurate from softest touch to full bark. The Kronos sounds organic. IMO, there's no comparison.

Kronos Mark II

CP-1 Rhodes Video

Busch.

[Bruce Lychee]

I'll offer an opinion as I used to own the CP-1 and worked with the Rhodes sounds quite extensively. Below is my tweaked Kronos Mark II. The tone of the Kronos is far more accurate, is more expressive and more accurate from softest touch to full bark. The Kronos sounds organic. IMO, there's no comparison.

Kronos Mark II

CP-1 Rhodes Video

Busch.

The CP1 is a great players board with an amazing action, superior build quality, and sounds that shine on the stage. I hear the CPs on many of jazz and blues stages and the EPs always come through great. That being said, the Kronos EP engine sounds amazing and from what I have heard thus far, produces some of the best EPs I have heard. I think the CP1 is still a great board for the stage, but the pianos on the Kronos definitely sound better and the Rhodes might edge the CP1.

[rrricky rrrecordo]

Gotta agree with most of what NuSkoolTone says about OASYS/Kronos guitars. They are NOT in any way shape or form "as good as they get on a workstation". They're as good as Korg can get them in their workstations, after having been heavily tweaked by Korg's sound design specialists. Both the rompler and modeled type guitars in Kronos pale in comparison to what Motif offers.

[aron]

Wow Busch, I wouldn't scoff at those sounds you got on the CP1. Sounds great!

[Bruce Lychee]

Wow Busch, I wouldn't scoff at those sounds you got on the CP1. Sounds great!

After listening to both clips more closely, I think the CP1 Rhodes actually sound better.

[aron]

I know the guy that designed the cp-1 and he's no slouch when it comes to keyboards!

I liked the cp-1 tones too!

[SoWi]

--

[SoWi]

--

[SoWi]

--