krome or kronos x?

[qurx]

hi all,

i'm a newbie who is looking to purchase a keyboard with some inbuilt sounds and good DAW integration.

i am a piano player so i prefer weighted keys, but i know that the weight of keyboards with weighted keys is a killer. i would like to bring my keyboard around for gigs (perhaps not more than 12 kg or so) and i am also looking to explore how the keyboard can work as a midi controller, with a DAW. sequencing capabilities are preferred but not essential.

i am totally new to this as i previously only played the piano. i've played the KRONOS X at a friend's place. the functions blow me away but i obviously am not able to harness even 1% of its potential.

i was looking at the KROME 73 thinking that it might be a good fit, based on the requirements i mentioned above. however, i'm not sure how the following would be essential:

- no aftertouch - from a classical piano perspective, i'm not sure what sort of "effects" i would look to be reating
- any cheap keybed feel issues?
- difficulties with controlling the DAW?
- other limitations that are significant for someone who wants to use the keyboard for years to come as a sole keyboard? e.g. expandability, polyphony etc. i've read a lot about a midi controller (eg. novation) + DAW alternative, but i think i'm not ready to take the risk with that yet.

as an alternative, i'm considering the KRONOS X 61. i would love good sounds as i know the KRONOS X has, but i understand that the KROME has pretty decent sounds, some based off the KRONOS. The issue I have with the KRONOS X is that only the 61 key would be suitable as a matter of portability, but i understand it works better as a midi controller and has a billion other functions the KROME doesn't. I know it doesn't have a dedicated "octave" key and from a piano background, 61 keys looks absolutely short but I think I could live with 61 + a transposition options. I'm not sure how convenient this is for the KRONOS X 61 - so i haven't ruled the KRONOS X 61 out given its other functionalities, and its biggest shortcoming being the number of keys.

lastly, i'm looking for a good DAW program that integrates well with either the KROME or KRONOS if i buy them. i'm opening to learning any software, no matter how easy or hard, but i want something that is efficient in terms of gigging and using it as a midi controller in the future.

any ideas or help would be much appreciated.

[nambuco67]

Hi qurx,

I would recommend you first try the Krome 73 to be sure you will be comfortable with it's light keys.

Concerning DAW, my Krome works pretty well with Apple Logic Pro / Mainstage. I recommend them. Logic is used for studio recording and music creation and Mainstage is used live.

It is a quite advanced workstation / synth with many good sounds, ability to edit parameters, layer instruments, etc. If you are new to synth world, it is a nice start. Both Krome and Kronos has configurable switches used for octave shift when you play Piano programs.

Kronos is for sure a better Keyboard, able to get new instrument samples, internal audio interface, has Karma, etc, but it's heavier and more expensive.

If I had the money, I would buy a Kronos X 73, rsrs.

[qurx]

Hi nambuco,

Many thanks for the feedback! I have my concerns with Krome and it's just kinda worrying given that this keyboard is going to be a significant purchase and also something that i'm going to be spending hours with.

I like the Kronos X 73 especially since I've been playing it regularly at a friend's place, but i have no idea how i'm going to lug it around for gigs and that's one of my objectives for the new keyboard i intend to get.

I hear that the octave shift for Kronos X requires a shift for each single instrument and not a global shift - not sure if that is true. Also, with an octave shift button, i'm still not sure if i would be comfortable with 61 keys.

Nonetheless thanks a lot for your feedback! Looks like Krome and Kronos both work well with Logic Pro / Mainstage which is a good thing since I'm primarily a Mac user.

Thanks once again!

[nambuco67]

Hi qurx,

Both Krome and Kronos X have two switches above the joystick that can be configured as octave shift. Each program has a different configuration but you can always change to octave shift.

You can also use a MIDI pedal to shift octave up and down.

Paulo

[qurx]

Thanks a lot Paulo! I am quite keen on the Kronos X 73 for its weighted keys and the number of keys. I'm not sure if I can adapt to the 61 keys + transpose button method yet.

Still thinking about it! But thanks for the input

[morty]

Thanks a lot Paulo! I am quite keen on the Kronos X 73 for its weighted keys and the number of keys. I'm not sure if I can adapt to the 61 keys + transpose button method yet.

Still thinking about it! But thanks for the input

What about the Krome 88 key???I have it, love it,... I actually like the keybed over my old RH3 keybed Korg,and Im a pianist first, keyboardist 2nd.
The touch is awesome,keys feel good, well balanced and the sounds are awesome; pianos,eps,orchestral,synth etc and it costs a lot less money than the Kronos giving you the oppurtunity to get a 2nd keyboard or module of another make say Roland I7 Yamaha Motif:)





Current Gear: KORG KROME 88 - KURZWEIL PC-3 - ROLAND INTEGRA 7 - ROLAND A PRO-800 Midi Controller - ROLAND VK8M Organ Module - YAMAHA MOTIF XS RACK

[jameslol]

hi all,

i'm a newbie who is looking to purchase a keyboard with some inbuilt sounds and good DAW integration.

i am a piano player so i prefer weighted keys, but i know that the weight of keyboards with weighted keys is a killer. i would like to bring my keyboard around for gigs (perhaps not more than 12 kg or so) and i am also looking to explore how the keyboard can work as a midi controller, with a DAW. sequencing capabilities are preferred but not essential.

i am totally new to this as i previously only played the piano. i've played the KRONOS X at a friend's place. the functions blow me away but i obviously am not able to harness even 1% of its potential.

i was looking at the KROME 73 thinking that it might be a good fit, based on the requirements i mentioned above. however, i'm not sure how the following would be essential:

- no aftertouch - from a classical piano perspective, i'm not sure what sort of "effects" i would look to be reating
- any cheap keybed feel issues?
- difficulties with controlling the DAW?
- other limitations that are significant for someone who wants to use the keyboard for years to come as a sole keyboard? e.g. expandability, polyphony etc. i've read a lot about a midi controller (eg. novation) + DAW alternative, but i think i'm not ready to take the risk with that yet.

as an alternative, i'm considering the KRONOS X 61. i would love good sounds as i know the KRONOS X has, but i understand that the KROME has pretty decent sounds, some based off the KRONOS. The issue I have with the KRONOS X is that only the 61 key would be suitable as a matter of portability, but i understand it works better as a midi controller and has a billion other functions the KROME doesn't. I know it doesn't have a dedicated "octave" key and from a piano background, 61 keys looks absolutely short but I think I could live with 61 + a transposition options. I'm not sure how convenient this is for the KRONOS X 61 - so i haven't ruled the KRONOS X 61 out given its other functionalities, and its biggest shortcoming being the number of keys.

lastly, i'm looking for a good DAW program that integrates well with either the KROME or KRONOS if i buy them. i'm opening to learning any software, no matter how easy or hard, but i want something that is efficient in terms of gigging and using it as a midi controller in the future.

any ideas or help would be much appreciated.

Do not buy any 61keys. If you're playing around, if you play for a band, for your home enterment I would recommend you should buy Krome 73 Key or Yamaha Mox7. You know why, not because you're a pianist with a wide range octaves. 73keybed will provide ya split function, which is very useful when ya playing or produce music by DAW.

I'm using Krome 73 for sounds, pair with Yamaha S910 for Styles, and I find they're a wonderful nice couple.

[michelkeijzers]

If you're a piano player probably 73 is best ... for myself 61 is best but I don't have a piano background.

[morty]

If you're a piano player probably 73 is best ... for myself 61 is best but I don't have a piano background.

Im a pianist and would not like the 73 for 2 reasons 1 its not 88 keys and when your in the middle of a performance its nice to know you have the full range without octave shifting(ie My Kurzweil PC-3 76 key) and 2 most obvious the weighted keys similar to a real piano.







Current Gear: KORG KROME 88 - KURZWEIL PC-3 - ROLAND INTEGRA 7 - ROLAND A PRO-800 Midi Controller - ROLAND VK8M Organ Module - YAMAHA MOTIF XS RACK

[michelkeijzers]

If you're a piano player probably 73 is best ... for myself 61 is best but I don't have a piano background.

Im a pianist and would not like the 73 for 2 reasons 1 its not 88 keys and when your in the middle of a performance its nice to know you have the full range without octave shifting(ie My Kurzweil PC-3 76 key) and 2 most obvious the weighted keys similar to a real piano.

Ini that case use the 88 (since you were thinking about 61 I thought 88 would be too much or the number of keys would not be an issue).






Current Gear: KORG KROME 88 - KURZWEIL PC-3 - ROLAND INTEGRA 7 - ROLAND A PRO-800 Midi Controller - ROLAND VK8M Organ Module - YAMAHA MOTIF XS RACK

[morty]

Ini that case use the 88 (since you were thinking about 61 I thought 88 would be too much or the number of keys would not be an issue)

Good suggestion...Wrong guy that was my suggestion to Qurx
over the krome 73 or kronos 73 key








Current Gear: KORG KROME 88 - KURZWEIL PC-3 - ROLAND INTEGRA 7 - ROLAND A PRO-800 Midi Controller - ROLAND VK8M Organ Module - YAMAHA MOTIF XS RACK

[morty]

I also forgot to mention the Krome 88 key is the lightest 88 key keyboard I have ever carried 32lbs.









Current Gear: KORG KROME 88 - KURZWEIL PC-3 - ROLAND INTEGRA 7 - ROLAND A PRO-800 Midi Controller - ROLAND VK8M Organ Module - YAMAHA MOTIF XS RACK

[shaneblyth]

Kronos 73 owner I wouldn't swap it for anything.
The Krome is good but there is no comparison between the two. OK the pianos in both are good but don't sweat the extra weight for a lighter Krome you'll regret it later. I suggest you go to a shop and find one with the Krome 88 and Kronos and jump between the two of them and play for an hour if you can. Also note the flimsy power adaptor on the Krome. If you go and want something thats going to last then the Kronos is a better bet in my opinion. But those other Kronos sounds are just in another dimension of sound quality. Those 9 engines will keep you learning for years and years to come there is so so much there what with all those extra effects and smooth transitions are amazingly useful I hold some keys down and change to another sound and it holds both till I release the keys and then there is setlist mode I could not live without for live usage. The Krome is not a bad keyboard by any means but going from a Kronos to a Krome ...

PS just released a huge update the organs in the Kronos are now lightyears ahead what with 128 new sounds and better leslies and programs from legends like Keith Emerson of ELP. I now love playing the organs where as before they surfaced, just.

[Chrissiemav]

l I hold some keys down and change to another sound and it holds both till I release the keys.

ooh! I would kill for this! My Krome cuts the note straight off out as soon as I change sounds, voices, programs, modes, anything

[shaneblyth]

l I hold some keys down and change to another sound and it holds both till I release the keys.

ooh! I would kill for this! My Krome cuts the note straight off out as soon as I change sounds, voices, programs, modes, anything

Yes and set lists are so useful too
The krome has a few things the kronos doesn't though like the sequencer in kronos doesnt have a piano roll page and you can't touch a slider onscreen and drag it you must use the physical sliders but as there are a lot more physical controls it not a problem. its jus a different OS