Kronos X Build Quality?

[Shakil]

I've been thinking of getting a Kronos X 61, but I keep coming across complaints about the Kronos' build quality in various forums. And even in this forum, there are two sticks about problems (the fan noise and keybed issues, though with the 61 I wouldn't have to worry about the later), which isn't a good sign. In my limited hands-on experience with the Kronos at music stores, I have come across several with broken controls on them.

So what's the real story on the Kronos X build quality? Are hardware problems common? I wouldn't be gigging with it, but I'd still want to to be built well enough to last for many years without problems.

Thanks for the feedback.

Mark

If build quality is your top priority, then there may be other workstations for you. But, if you want something that is above all as an overall sampling, synth, and audio recording workstation that will keep you busy for years, then KRONOS is for you.

[pedro5]

Yes,indeed....setting certain problems aside(without any intention of demeaning any that have had that misfortune...including myself).....Shakil's post says it all really.
A Kronos is worth owning.

[Ojustaboo]

Kronos Kronos and X are essentially the same,
apart from the RH3 keybed and the data wheel on early models.

The Kronos X also has a different motherboard, D525MW as I recall, with a slightly faster processor, 1.8 GHZ.

Yes, and memory type is SODIMM,
these are the only differences.

My keybed was replaced before march 2012;
I know very well that the problem in the video
I posted is not the cutoff problem,
I am just saying that Kronos X keybed is far from perfection,
unfortunately, other users have reported
noises, clicks and rattles.
IMHO I had a much better feel with original
Kronos keybed, apart cutoff problems,
no noises and rattles, more solid construction.

I can only go by what I've experienced.

My first original Kronos had uneven spacing between the keys but I thought the feel/action was fine, but I had the note cutoff appear after about a week and because it came straight from Korg UK (bought via a music store but sent direct from Korg) and they assured me it wouldn't have this issue, they admitted they had sent me the wrong Kronos and paid to ship it back to them and they sent me a brand new original Kronos.

This one was so different to play I'm convinced a blind keyboardist would not believe they were the same instrument. I much preferred the feel of this to my first Kronos but again the spacing between them was uneven.

Howeve I had a velocity problem where one note always played at full velocity.

The store offered me the X at no extra cost so I obviously jumped at it.

I do have one key that makes a slight mechanical boing boing boing noise when played in a certain way (as though the weight is bouncing after I've released it) but the note plays fine.

I also have a couple of other notes that rattle slightly when played very lightly (like a bit of plastic resonating)

But I have perfectly even spacing between every single key and the velocities are perfect too.

I can't honestly say whether I had rattles on my first or second Kronos but I don't recall having them.

However I was without both for quite a while and due to their problems, didn't really play them in the same way I play my X

You could be right in that none of the originals had no rattles or you could be lucky.

All I know is after my second Kronos I was about to throw in the towel but since getting the X, at last I can play (well practise) my piano playing perfectly with zero problems and its only if I have the volume very low that I can hear the bouncing and the rattles on those three keys.

Will be interesting in the future if someone does a YouTube vid of them replacing the key so we can see what the mechanics are like.

[carmol]

Howeve I had a velocity problem where one note always played at full velocity.

It's because they sent you a kronos whith keybed replaced;
hovever, who changed the keybed did not calibrate
Kronos to the new KDP type. Too bad, they were
supposed to do it.

I do have one key that makes a slight mechanical boing boing boing noise when played in a certain way (as though the weight is bouncing after I've released it) but the note plays fine.

I also have a couple of other notes that rattle slightly when played very lightly (like a bit of plastic resonating)

But I have perfectly even spacing between every single key and the velocities are perfect too.

That was the situation of my first replacement;
no velocity problems because I made sure to
get my Kronos calibrated.

The second new keybed is better
but some little noise is still present.
I hope it dont worsen.

[Davidb]

Howeve I had a velocity problem where one note always played at full velocity.

It's because they sent you a kronos whith keybed replaced;

Correct.

There are numerous reports about this happening after the keyboard cut off fix.

[Ojustaboo]

I didn't have my kronos repaired, I had a brand new Kronos, different much later sereial number sent.

Korg UK also had it back at their workshop trying to fix the velocity problem, it came back the same. I'm pretty sure they would have checked the right keybed was selected in the OS

It was just one note out of 88 that was on full velocity, all the rest were fine.

[Gustavt]

In my case when I got repaired the cut off problem, my Kronos is failing on one note with the velocity problem, it just to loud even if I play very softly, I had to play extremely light the key to get a low velocity register...ist very annoying, but the problem is that Im no longer under warranty, is there any chances to fix this myself? Im prety handy with computer hardware, and I have opened my kronos in the past to upgrade, so no fear to open my unit. It seems that is a simple fix because is only on one note, maybe a bad contact with the rubbers that got replaced last time??????I need your kind words on this matter.
Thanks!

[pedro5]

A common cause for one note high velocity (or a non playing one) can be a faulty rubber contact or dust particles between the pads etc.

As you've already opened the unit up( the warranty being expired anyway...)apart from cleaning the contacts, you could try swapping a rubber contact strip with another one on the keyboard to find out if it makes any difference.

Alternatively,you could replace all the rubber strips, which should then eliminate them as being the problem.

Anything further would probably need to be done via a service center.

[Bugra Ekuklu]

I have a Kronos X 73. The problem, which had been given in previous posts just started. Same key, F5, rattles even I play softly. There is no cut-off issue or something like that, it doesn't affect produced sound, however it bothers me. Did anyone encounter this? How can I solve?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Osf_zq3NKT0

Not my video, but same issue.

Buğra

[Vangelismusic]

O.K. seems like everyone is talking about the 76 and 88 key KRONOS, well, how about the original kronos 61? on the used market there is a 1000 dollar difference? is there such a big deference between the x and the origianl 61?

[Diego5150]

If build quality is your top priority, then there may be other workstations for you. But, if you want something that is above all as an overall sampling, synth, and audio recording workstation that will keep you busy for years, then KRONOS is for you.[/quote]

+1 very well stated, I can agree being that I looked at virtually every board that was out there and took 4 months to make up my mind. And I did not consider the Kronos until 2 weeks until I pulled the trigger. I purchased a Kronos X and I did purchase it from Guitar Center. I know I made the right decision, and I think the quality is there.