first time buyer questions

Mike777 · Post by **Mike777** » Tue Nov 03, 2015 1:43 am

Hi, I tried a Kronos, I guess the first version in the store (88 key), years ago and liked the sounds but not the keyboard feel. Wasn't quite right. But I'm reading they've improved the keyboard since? So I'm willing to it again and maybe buy a good used latest version Kronos.

Questions buying 88 key:

1. Has the keyboard physically improved on newer versions and which version should I buy? I see Kronos 2? is that the latest? Or is there a Kronos 3? And how can I tell for sure which version Kronos is being offered for sale? Check mfg year on back?

2. How many voices can be layered in a combi for live performance? Can the eight sliders adjust 8 different voice volumes during live play?

thanks!

LZ · Post by LZ » Tue Nov 03, 2015 2:08 am

I have unweighted, so I can't really comment other than to say I think the improvements fixed some issues in original version, but didn't change the feel of the action itself.

A combi can have up to 16 parts and the sliders can control volumes depending on which control mode you select.

danmusician · Post by **danmusician** » Tue Nov 03, 2015 3:23 am

There is essentially no change to the feel of the keybed from the original version. It is generally considered to be a pretty good and has received rave reviews from many - including me.

However, everyone has their own opinion on keyboard feel. It may not be your cup of tea, and that's fine. You may find that a 61 key with an 88 key controller would be more to your liking. Personally, I have a 61 with a Casio PX-5S that I use for a controller. The two are lighter to carry and actually fit in my car where as the 88 will not.

Bachus · Post by **Bachus** » Tue Nov 03, 2015 4:48 pm

danmusician wrote:There is essentially no change to the feel of the keybed from the original version. It is generally considered to be a pretty good and has received rave reviews from many - including me.

For people looking to get the keybed closest to a grandpiano the Kronos keybed might actually not be totally convincing..

But when looking for a keybed to both play Dynamic piano parts as well as lightning fast organ parts, there is no better trade off then the Kronos 73 or 88 keybeds.. Still convincing enough to play piano but also allows you to play synths and organs to its fullest...

voxg · Post by **voxg** » Tue Nov 03, 2015 5:53 pm

I tried the original Kronos 88 in a store and didn't like the action very much. I decided to go with the 61-key because of it. A few years later, I tried the Kronos X 88 in the store and liked it a lot. It's possible that my opinion evolved, or perhaps there was some problem with the original Kronos 88 I tried. I've read accounts of others that have had a similar experiences to mine, though, so maybe they really are getting better.

tcornishmn · Post by **tcornishmn** » Tue Nov 03, 2015 7:50 pm

Mike777 wrote:Hi, I tried a Kronos, I guess the first version in the store (88 key), years ago and liked the sounds but not the keyboard feel. Wasn't quite right. But I'm reading they've improved the keyboard since? So I'm willing to it again and maybe buy a good used latest version Kronos.

Questions buying 88 key:

1. Has the keyboard physically improved on newer versions and which version should I buy? I see Kronos 2? is that the latest? Or is there a Kronos 3? And how can I tell for sure which version Kronos is being offered for sale? Check mfg year on back?

2. How many voices can be layered in a combi for live performance? Can the eight sliders adjust 8 different voice volumes during live play?

thanks!

As others have said, you'll just have to try it and see what you think. I have both a Kronos X88 and a Kronos2-88, and they feel the same to me. I actually like a fairly light action as much of my playing isn't core piano, and organ slides hurt on a weighted action after a while.

At this point, I would avoid the original Kronos. Get at least an X, or better yet a Kronos2.

mintjamman · Post by **mintjamman** » Tue Nov 03, 2015 10:16 pm

Indeed a great question and one that I hope to have a answer for myself later this week when I try a K88-2.

My own view is that although I am currently using a 88 note board which has great feel I want to try and lighten my load as I am using a 49 pound Yamaha 88 note and in its full flightcase which on its own tips in at 15kg together they are a beast to move, I trolley the case nearly all the time and avoid gigs up stairs but still its a heavy thing. I also carry a Triton Pro which again is fully flightcased and also my own backline, mixer, amp and module rack 8u.

I like the facility of the 88 note board and its a panic thinking of loosing it and maybe either go a K73-2 or K61-2. I need to access if just one board like the K88 could do it for me or if I will get rid of the triton and get the K61 and use the Yamaha as my controller, that would give me the Kronos plus the feel I am used to, or get a K73 and keep the Triton.

Its a hard call and I need to make the right decision !

Mike777 · Post by **Mike777** » Wed Nov 04, 2015 4:29 am

thanks for replies about the key feel. Can someone answer this:

How many voices can be layered for live performance? Can the eight sliders adjust 8 different voice volumes during live play?

jmol · Post by **jmol** » Wed Nov 04, 2015 9:14 am

Mike777 wrote:How many voices can be layered for live performance? Can the eight sliders adjust 8 different voice volumes during live play?

In combination mode you can layer up to 16 programs (patches, sounds, or 'voices' if you will). And yes, you can use the 8 sliders to control volume. Also these is a button to switch the sliders to control volume of timbre/program 1-8 and 9-16. Allthough there are restrictions in terms of polyphony, effects and processing power, there are plenty features for building layers.

Mike777 · Post by **Mike777** » Thu Nov 05, 2015 3:14 am

well I traveled across town to the only guitar center that had a Kronos 2 to play so I played it. I still found the keybed too stiff somehow. However, the pianos are so amazing I quickly forgot about keybed feel when playing piano sounds.

The pianos, organs (except fast rotary), and synth sounds are spectacular, but to me not so much the other sounds, except some here and there. I need a better flute and better acoustic guitar sound. All the guitars seem like the same sample, just eq'd to be different from each other.

Are there 3rd party addon sample libraries out there for the Kronos 2?

I like the idea someone said of using a Casio as controller. I would have to do that to get the piano feel I like.

I like the extensive mixing/editing abilities. Especially 8 knobs/sliders.

AdDeRoo · Post by **AdDeRoo** » Thu Nov 05, 2015 5:58 am

check out
https://shop.korg.com/kronossoundlibraries
Sharp (Irish Acts) has an acoustic guitar set, and flutes are in the EXs90 Assault set

check also Busch's free sound sets:
http://thekronosblog.blogspot.be/

Korg Forums

first time buyer questions

first time buyer questions

Re: first time buyer questions