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Just an FYI for Pianoworld members considering the Korg Kronos....
Right now an alarming number of users are experiencing a number of problems with the keybeds on the Kronos fitted with the RH3. The most serious of these problems relates to notes that are either double triggering or cutting off.
User videos on YouTube clearly demonstrate the severity of the problem for those who are experiencing it. The problem is further aggravated by the fact that it seems to develop over time in some cases. I only noticed notes double triggering a few weeks ago, 5 months into ownership.
Korg has been completely quiet on the issue and users are left with the option of returning their units if within the return period, or sending the units to local repair centers for long term parking. If you call Korg customer service, they will not even acknowledge awareness of the issue.
One Korg forum member had 2 out of 3 of his Kronos he received experiencing the issue. At this point, I think anyone considering a Kronos should hold off until it is absolutely clear the problem has been identified and remedied.
The Kronos is the most poorly constructed and bug laden keyboard I have ever purchased. One look at the Kronos forum should raise some red flags for prospective purchasers. It has wonderful sound engines and tools for composition/sound editing, but the overall experience has been a mixed bag for me.
EDIT: KORG has just made an announcement on the Korg forum acknowledging the issue. I am skeptical of their 1% stated failure rate, but at least they have made it known they are working on it.
Last edited by Hideki Matsui; 11/21/1104:19 PM.
Shigeru Kawai SK5 Vintage Vibe 64 Roland LX-15e Roland Jupiter 80
Korg rep Rich F just announced on the forum that Korg is aware of the issue. He claims it affects less than 1% of all Kronos sold (which seems highly doubtful to me). He said they might have a fix by December.
Shigeru Kawai SK5 Vintage Vibe 64 Roland LX-15e Roland Jupiter 80
A few weeks back my friend and I swapped keyboards for our Sunday evening gig. He wanted to check out my CP5 as he recently sold a Kurzweil PC3X to get the Kronos 73. On my end it was "inquiring minds want to know", so I was able to play the Kronos in the heat of battle. .
At least with his unit there were no problems that I could hear or feel and we played 3 sets. I guess he lucked out in that regard. They sound of the APs were very good and the action didn't get in my way like I thought it would from playing a K88 in the store. The EPs, for the little I used them, were outstanding and the highlight of the board imo. The overall sound is impressive and I wouldn't mind having one but not playing the lottery with this first batch--it's just too much dough to have to have to go through all of that with a flagship keyboard. It is a shame all this QC mess is going on because the sound of the Kronos is stellar.
That said, I'd still take both my NP 88 & CP5 over the Kronos for my playing contexts. I think if I really wanted the "one board" for covering organ, synth and some LH bass splits I'd opt for a Nord Stage 2 76 at this point in time over the Kronos. Both are overpriced imo but at least with the Nord you have the good build quality and piece of mind in regard to customer support.
2005 NY Steinway D Yamaha AvantGrand N3X, CP88, P-515
On the keyboard side the EPs are definitely the stars for me. They have no velocity switching and ooze with character. I could easily let go of the Kronos if it didn't have those EPs.
Last edited by Hideki Matsui; 11/21/1104:30 PM.
Shigeru Kawai SK5 Vintage Vibe 64 Roland LX-15e Roland Jupiter 80
"I'm still an idiot and I'm still in love" - Blue Sofa - The Plugz 1981 (Tito Larriva) Disclosure : I am professionally associated with Arturia but my sentiments are my own only.
KRONOS - GAME CHANGER, but perhaps the game has changed not in the way KORG intended! Actually, I thought the OASYS was a game changer. The Kronos added a few features to those of the OASYS, but also removed a number.
Last edited by Melodialworks Music; 11/21/1108:02 PM.
Have other RH3 keyboards such as the M5088 and Sp-250, lp-350 had these issues? I emphathize with what you guys are going through; its horrible to put close to 4k into a board and have that keybed issues.
I have had pretty decent luck over the years; I only had to send back a Kurzweil MicroPiano that was not properly running a feature.
I had a keyboard that had to have its contact strip replaced; luckily there had been very good techinicans in our area and my synth was portable.
Since then I have had the tendency to only buy things that are more or less portable (keyboards,tv,laptops) in the event something needs to be serviced.
And to think I waited over half the year to check it out and be sure.-glad I did. My only regret is that I didn't buy your CP1..
The EPs aren't quite as good as the Kronos but I much prefer the Nord Piano overall as an instrument.
With the CP5 & NP, I feel I have the best of both worlds covered. Basically there's less stuff to go wrong and futz with, which = more time to practice and write.
2005 NY Steinway D Yamaha AvantGrand N3X, CP88, P-515
I've now played no less then 11 separate Kronos RH3 (7 88's and 4 73's) boards all were unrelated to each other (different owners, studios etc). I was able to reproduce the double strike issue on all 9 of them. 7 of the 9 owners had not noticed the issue personally although 3 had heard of it and were surprised that I could reproduce it so easily. At this point I'd say the % of keyboards affected is 100 % I simply do not believe Korg's earlier statements the only a small % of boards are affected. I believe every RH3 Kronos (even those owned by people who claim "no issues" ) is affected by this defect. I'd concur that the issue is hardware related and is a physical issue with the RH3 keybed. I'd also speculate that the issue is indeed related to the rubber stops. Korg need to recall all Kronos RH3 boards and do it now. The product is clearly defective in either design or manufacture.
"I'm still an idiot and I'm still in love" - Blue Sofa - The Plugz 1981 (Tito Larriva) Disclosure : I am professionally associated with Arturia but my sentiments are my own only.
Well, whatever the problem is, I do hope Korg are able to address the issue in time for the SV-2...
Even you James who is used to $hitty Nord actions will be unprepared for the sheer awfulness of a proper working RH3 action let alone one "fixed" The only way to "fix" a RH3 action is with a chainsaw anyhow ....
"I'm still an idiot and I'm still in love" - Blue Sofa - The Plugz 1981 (Tito Larriva) Disclosure : I am professionally associated with Arturia but my sentiments are my own only.
i sat down and played a Kronos 73 at a Sam Ash and almost immediately noticed the cutouts- on a pretty regular basis. very unsettling.
I would think GC making it non-returnable is the kiss of death at any price.
PS: these forums are great. I immediately knew what was going on when i played the Kronos and told the Sam Ash salesman who acted as if it were all news to him and just wanted to talk about how cool the synth sounds were and how pretty the screen was. I recently bought Alicia's Keys and knew about the latency issues going in, so i didnt panic and just grabbed the updates to Kontakt and AK as suggested in the forums. Thanks to all who contribute!
Steinway M; Roland V-Piano; Yamaha P250; Ivory II Grands, Italian, American D; Galaxy Vintage D; True Keys American; UVI Yamaha C7; Ravenscroft 275; Garritan CFX