Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Digital Pianos - Electronic Pianos - Synths & Keyboards Kronos is out!

Still waiting for my 88 but I've been going back to GC to learn as much about the Kronos on the 61. There are so many amazing sounds on the Kronos. The pianos, EPs and organ alone are reason for a keyboard player to check out the Kronos, but all the other sounds and features make the Kronos an amazing tool at a reasonable price. I just bought a Virus again for it's unique sounds, but between those 2 boards (and maybe a Roland V-synth GT) I can't think of much else I would want on the digital end.

If my next keyboard wont be the Kronos, I will be very surprised. I will of course try before I buy, but it would be interesting to hear what people here have to say about the hammer action on the 73 and 88.Not too much about that on the Korg forum. I have seen the videos, so the only thing I have to test is the keyboard action. If I dont like the 88, I can buy the 61, control it from the MP6, and save some money. The best thing would be the 88. Then I could sell the MP6 and the Triton LE88, and manage very nicely with the Kronos and the Roland E80.

Not a big issue but keep in mind that the Kronos pianos and EPs have note off velocity info. Most controllers do not have true note off velocity so Kronos will just get Note Off command with no velocity info. I think it is a minor issue, but I'm getting rid of my CP1 for that very reason. I'm not sure about the MP6.

I don't think the Korg action on the SV1 is as good as the CP1, but it isn't bad by any means.

MP6 = no note-off velocity. Was on my consideration list when comparing to Roland options (e.g. FP7F) which DO offer that feature. Decided I could live without that controller info ;-)

Thanks for comments. The best way to control a keyboard is always to control it from the board itself, if the action is reasonably good. The action om the LE88 is surprisingly good, so good that for some things I prefer it to the MP6.
So one should expect the Kronos to be a bit better.
But the Kronos is available in Norway, so I will just find the nearest dealer who has a 73 or 88, and play it.

I know the 700GX did true Note-off velocity. I thought the FP7 and F only did fixed value even thought it indicates it has note off velocity? I'm not sure about the 700NX.

Check out this Kronos review from a guy that really likes Yamaha boards:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p59GmHrihQ8&feature=relmfu

It is a series of three videos. This is number one and he is playing a 61 semi-weighted board.

He is from http://www.GospelMusicians.com

Uhm, perhaps it has already been said , but does anyone know of the Kronos (88) has aftertouch ? Sales websites don't mention it...

Only thing that bothers me is the steep price of high end workstations in general, that certainly seem to be OK for what they deliver, but make a software solution based on a latest 4 core model MacBook Pro SSD + good keyboard a cheaper, but more flexible and extendable option in some respects.

Kronos and alike are state-of the art for the moment, but could become old fashioned in a few years as well. At the same time you can keep on upgrading your customizable software/hardware setup and keep using you setups and sounds when ported to a later model computer set. That makes your time and money investment more durable , but at the same time I still like the 'switch-on and just play without worries' advantage of hardware too. Tough decision...for now I would prefer a Kronos I guess; let's you concentrate more on music making instead of configuring and trying software continuously.

J

I think I saw that on the Korg forum that Kronos has aftertouch, and very good aftertouch.

I have been waiting and waiting for a DP manufacturer to deliver a unit with a fully sampled multi giga grand piano streaming from an internal ssd and I love the fact that Korg delivered in that regard. The Kronos has too many extras for me though, I really wish they offered a stripped down 88 weighted key piano only model (including electric pianos). My initial thoughts are that the Kronos piano should be leagues ahead of the Supernatural piano from the Roland DP's. Has anybody compared the two? I was considering buying the FP7-f but now I'm leaning towards the Kronos (having never played the Kronos though).
Thanks in advance (This site is a wonderful resource for DP's)
N

Agreed - a 'piano and EP only' version of the Kronos would be pretty awesome.

James
x

On the way James ....

I don't think this will happen. I've used several Korg products live with a Heavy Metal band (think of Jordan Rudess style), and IMHO a Kronos user will want lots of synths and strings.

Dr P, SV-2 you mean?

James
x

Is this for real?

I had the misfortune of playing with a Kronos earlier today - oh man. I really want it! Pianos sounded great, though there's too much noise at Guitar Center to do a good test on them, especially with only 61 synth-style keys. I loved the orchestra / strings sounds - perfection IMO. Same with the pipe organ. I could literally get lost in the sound and just keep playing without really thinking that something sounded off (which is what usually happens when I venture outside the SN pianos on my NX, and I keep switching sounds until I'm back to the pianos again). KARMA is also kinda fun to play with.

Haven't tried creating any sounds or recording anything, but already I'm trying to figure out how to go 700NX->Kronos.. aaaaah

Now did I say that ? ;-)

You're not the only one here with contacts within the industry.

James
x

My Kronos 88 is on the way. It left NY and should be here in a few days.

Please provide a review. I had the Yammy XF but I am waiting for the Kronos 88.