Ordered Kronos X Any initial advice?

[shaneblyth]

I also recommend getting a few good pedals. A good piano type sustain pedal, a volume/expression pedal and a switch type pedal. For that I use an old on/off type Yamaha sustain pedal. It allows me to easily advanse sounds while I"m in set-list mode.

I would also recommend you change the message on you voice mail to tell everyone that you are not dead, just locked in a room with your new Kronos. Then I'd turn my phones off!

Buy a LOT of snack food, keep hydrated, and maybe get a case of adult diapers just in case!

yes I have a pedal for sustain from an old roland but had not thought of others.
The switch pedal you mention for changing patched how does that work? Do you mean a simple switch that just goes from 1 to 2 to 3 etc and not able to go backwards or is there something you can use to increment and decrement your programs? If so what do I buy?

[shaneblyth]

IMHO: The Combis are very effective. They offer to me a way to develop and utilize the sounds and effects for which I purchased the Kronos.

It would seem you have an edge on me because you learned to operate a previous product. I never had an electronic keyboard before. My initial experiences were confined to the "Set List" level of play, and therefore limit to those - Wonderful as they are, but very confining. The Kronos, with 2,000+ pages of manuals was confounding to say the least.

The breakthrough for me was when a friend showed me how to develop Combis. Suddenly my Kronos became easier to understand and much more gratifying to use.

I hope you will enjoy the process of learning how to use "The K Beast" as much as the rest of us!

ok combi studies it is

[shaneblyth]

As someone who as just recently gone through learning the kronos machine. Id say it depends what you want to do with it and what you want to get out of. There is SOOOOO much to this monster. Its not the simplest beast either, some of the file hierarchy takes a while to get your head around (some of it Im still a bit washy with)

The best thing I did while learning was printing the manual, (cost me 60e at a place that does thesis binding)

I like your idea of printing the manual it sucks they dont do it these days well Kurzweil does and its an=bout an inch thick.

do you think it needs to be in color or would black n white surfice?

[jeremykeys]

My switch pedal is just a regular little square Yamaha sustain pedal. Lot's of companies make this kind and they're inexpensive. Usually less than $20. M Audio also makes them. I use it for advancing my sounds when I'm is set-list mode. If I'm playing a song that has several different sounds in it, eg: piano, then organ I wold have those sounds put into my set-list in the order that I use therm. If the songs starts on piano then the next sound is organ, I just step on my switch/pedal and the Kronos automatically advances to the next sound which in this case would be piano.
http://www.long-mcquade.com/products/26 ... switch.htm

This is what I'm talking about.

The set up that I use only allows me to advance not go backwards. Hope this helps.

[lonelagranger]

I have the Kronos X 88 note and find the keyboard very satisfying to play piano on. No, it is not a concert grand and I think my Roland X8 has a better action; the Kronos is just fine for piano playing. Just like every acoutic piano out there. They all have a feel of their own. I have gone the route of using a 88 note weighted controller and hooking it up to a module or smaller keyboard, but if you move it often it is a PITA. I like having it all in one box. Of course, everyone is different.

I want to wish you all the happiness in the world with your new baby. I know you will really like it. I think it is special, even though I have been critial about it in some areas. You will have a lot of fun. Don't forget to feed the baby. That's your child, I mean, if you have one. If you don't get one, their fun to.

[shaneblyth]

My switch pedal is just a regular little square Yamaha sustain pedal. Lot's of companies make this kind and they're inexpensive. Usually less than $20. M Audio also makes them. I use it for advancing my sounds when I'm is set-list mode. If I'm playing a song that has several different sounds in it, eg: piano, then organ I wold have those sounds put into my set-list in the order that I use therm. If the songs starts on piano then the next sound is organ, I just step on my switch/pedal and the Kronos automatically advances to the next sound which in this case would be piano.
http://www.long-mcquade.com/products/26 ... switch.htm

This is what I'm talking about.

The set up that I use only allows me to advance not go backwards. Hope this helps.

cheers nice idea I could definitely use that and I like how you have implemented it within a song.

[shaneblyth]

I have the Kronos X 88 note and find the keyboard very satisfying to play piano on. No, it is not a concert grand and I think my Roland X8 has a better action; the Kronos is just fine for piano playing. Just like every acoutic piano out there. They all have a feel of their own. I have gone the route of using a 88 note weighted controller and hooking it up to a module or smaller keyboard, but if you move it often it is a PITA. I like having it all in one box. Of course, everyone is different.

I want to wish you all the happiness in the world with your new baby. I know you will really like it. I think it is special, even though I have been critial about it in some areas. You will have a lot of fun. Don't forget to feed the baby. That's your child, I mean, if you have one. If you don't get one, their fun to.

Good to know re the keyboard. I'm still waiting!

[lotty1]

Just waiting on my Kronos X 73 key to turn up and have skim read manual and watched a few of Korgs videos but as experienced Kronos users is there any initial advice or things to look out for you'd recommend? I owned an M3 a few years back so things look laid out similar.

Cheers

Shane

If your married you might as well get a divorce because your never see your wife again may be for meals

[jeremykeys]

That last post may or may not be true. My wife absolutely approved of me getting a Kronos.
Since we share all the expenses it cost her as much as it did me. She just wants me to be able to express myself musically as much as is possible.

My wife paints with acrylics and as far as I know, she's freaking amazing!

We both share in our art.

I guess this means that we also share in the expenses. I'm okay with that.

[shaneblyth]

That last post may or may not be true. My wife absolutely approved of me getting a Kronos.
Since we share all the expenses it cost her as much as it did me. She just wants me to be able to express myself musically as much as is possible.

My wife paints with acrylics and as far as I know, she's freaking amazing!

We both share in our art.

I guess this means that we also share in the expenses. I'm okay with that.

wow the perfect woman ... congratulations

[JonSolo]

Well I wear the damn pants in my family.

Seriously, my wife is supportive as well as encouraging to my music. We each have creative outlets and she sings as well, so I am quite locked in...

And then she got me Kronos...

...in bed. (to quote SNL)

[jeremykeys]

http://i.imgur.com/J85XhvY.jpg[/img]

This is the pedal board that I built.
I got the idea from an old Keyboard magazine that had an idea for a metal contraption that would hold one pedal in place by sort of attaching it to you stand.

[lotty1]

Well I wear the damn pants in my family.

Seriously, my wife is supportive as well as encouraging to my music. We each have creative outlets and she sings as well, so I am quite locked in...

And then she got me Kronos...

...in bed. (to quote SNL)

She not a wife she's an Angel
I have married one as well

[lonelagranger]

If your married you might as well get a divorce because your never see your wife again may be for meals

And the down side to this statement is??????? Just kidding.

[latnjazfan]

http://i.imgur.com/J85XhvY.jpg[/img]

This is the pedal board that I built.

Excellent setup - well thought out. Thanks for the picture.