Posted by: Mark79100
Saw the Kronos at a live demonstration today - 04/07/11 09:19 PM
I saw the Kronos today being demo’d by the Korg rep. First class demonstration by an enthusiastic player from the Korg team.
I’m not much of a technophile, I’m more interested in what it sounds like. Sure enough, it was the Oasys sound reincarnated. All the instruments sounded “pure,” and played correctly with a rhythm keyboard, sound absolutely realistic. The piano was superb, strings were rich, brass was punchy, and if that weren’t enough, he said everything could be “tweaked” and saved to your liking.
The LED screen was bright and rich in color. Large enough to see everything you’re doing in your editing without having to hook it up to a computer screen.
It has audio inputs also. You can sing into it and play the vocal line back to sing a duet with yourself.
He explained the 9 sound engines as each one has its specialties (one is used for piano replication, one for DX7 type sounds, etc.)
Surprise: you can load your DX7 sounds (if you still have them, I do) into this unit for playback of all those great electric piano sounds.
The drums were also very real. My understanding is you can run your MIDI out on your arranger and let it trigger the internal drums on the Kronos by mapping it. So if you’re happy with your arranger styles but not your drum sounds, there’s a possibility right there.
Of course, it can be used as a controller keyboard. The 61 note had plastic keys but the larger keyboards, he said had weighted keys.
The look of the keyboard is very pleasing and sleek. They designed it well. That goes a long way in making me want to play one.
The many features on this machine were overwhelming. One after another, he kept explaining them to us. I couldn’t keep up with him after a while. Just when you think you’ve heard it all, he points out another really useful (feature).
The best part was the price. I was shocked. I thought they started out at appx $3800, but it seems that’s where they end. The 61 note I was told was (manufacturers pricing) $2900. Incredible price for such a versatile instrument.
Of course, they’re still not on the market yet. The store was supposed to be selling them “right after the show.” I knew that wasn’t going to happen. The rep said because of the problems in Japan, no one is sure at this point. I also questioned about the PA3X Pro. Again no one knows, though the PA3X is coming from Europe.
I then went over to play the Casio 7500, but unfortunately after listening to and playing the Kronos, it felt like a toy. I should have played that first!
I inquired about the BK7M. They had one unopened box in stock. He said some fellow from the Louisiana area by the name of Don L, or N, or, I think it was, M. Yes….the name was Don M. ….ordered it as a backup unit without even hearing it first. Something about he wanted two so he could also use them as bookends.
I think with that kind of pricing, I'm going to go for one if they ever come in. There are enough good stock sounds in there that you probably don't have to do a lot of editing. I learned to program sounds on my DX7, but I don't think I want to go through that again!
I’m not much of a technophile, I’m more interested in what it sounds like. Sure enough, it was the Oasys sound reincarnated. All the instruments sounded “pure,” and played correctly with a rhythm keyboard, sound absolutely realistic. The piano was superb, strings were rich, brass was punchy, and if that weren’t enough, he said everything could be “tweaked” and saved to your liking.
The LED screen was bright and rich in color. Large enough to see everything you’re doing in your editing without having to hook it up to a computer screen.
It has audio inputs also. You can sing into it and play the vocal line back to sing a duet with yourself.
He explained the 9 sound engines as each one has its specialties (one is used for piano replication, one for DX7 type sounds, etc.)
Surprise: you can load your DX7 sounds (if you still have them, I do) into this unit for playback of all those great electric piano sounds.
The drums were also very real. My understanding is you can run your MIDI out on your arranger and let it trigger the internal drums on the Kronos by mapping it. So if you’re happy with your arranger styles but not your drum sounds, there’s a possibility right there.
Of course, it can be used as a controller keyboard. The 61 note had plastic keys but the larger keyboards, he said had weighted keys.
The look of the keyboard is very pleasing and sleek. They designed it well. That goes a long way in making me want to play one.
The many features on this machine were overwhelming. One after another, he kept explaining them to us. I couldn’t keep up with him after a while. Just when you think you’ve heard it all, he points out another really useful (feature).
The best part was the price. I was shocked. I thought they started out at appx $3800, but it seems that’s where they end. The 61 note I was told was (manufacturers pricing) $2900. Incredible price for such a versatile instrument.
Of course, they’re still not on the market yet. The store was supposed to be selling them “right after the show.” I knew that wasn’t going to happen. The rep said because of the problems in Japan, no one is sure at this point. I also questioned about the PA3X Pro. Again no one knows, though the PA3X is coming from Europe.
I then went over to play the Casio 7500, but unfortunately after listening to and playing the Kronos, it felt like a toy. I should have played that first!
I inquired about the BK7M. They had one unopened box in stock. He said some fellow from the Louisiana area by the name of Don L, or N, or, I think it was, M. Yes….the name was Don M. ….ordered it as a backup unit without even hearing it first. Something about he wanted two so he could also use them as bookends.
I think with that kind of pricing, I'm going to go for one if they ever come in. There are enough good stock sounds in there that you probably don't have to do a lot of editing. I learned to program sounds on my DX7, but I don't think I want to go through that again!
