played Kronos-did NOT like it

[docjohn]

had a chance to play the 61 key version@ GC today.

To be fair -it was hooked up to a smaller Roland keyboard amp(with an XF below it) with the every 5 minute GC commercial.

Keyboard feel-worst one on a Korg that I've ever played!

organ-I've had my CX 3 since 97;not a bad clone-but that's the best Korg could do in 2011?to include 15 year old software?

piano-seems thinner than XS/XF.

Brass-nothing to get excited about!

Some interesting grooves and I didn't do a real thorough run in-but I'm not sure I'd want to spend a lot of time on one.

[ma1ne]

I saw that board on youtube. I think Im convinced that simplicity outweighs everything. I have a privia 575r and I dont see myself buying another board, unless I get the px3. Im sold to Casio Privias. I say stick to what worked.

[theLearner]

You can get by with a casio in church? do you use a laptop in your setup?

[ma1ne]

You can get by with any decent board in church. I guess it depends on what you are trying to accomplish. My privia is midi capable, but I dont use a laptop. If you are more on the production side, then I guess you would need more of a workstation board.

[docjohn]

For what it's worth;the feel on Casio's keys aren't all that great-weighted or synth type.

With all the choices out there;spend a 1-2 k and have a really nice board.

In the day;if you travelled with a Hammond,electric piano,clav + amps-you had 10 k(in 1975 $$$) invested -needed a van and busted your hump for THREE sounds!!!

the average $500 board offers much more.

[Mrandrew]

I say just go with vst's and your laptop if possible. The money we spend on these boards is crazy considering not one of them gives you all the sounds you want in one machine.

I think buying the different vst's you want would cost you under 1k plus the cost of a laptop you still come out cheaper.

[docjohn]

Good point Ma!

Th Muse receptor with a bunch of VST looks like wave of the future

[ma1ne]

Thats why I spent 600 on my board. People paying more for a board than mortgages.

[Mrandrew]

Here a few things to consider.

M-Audio Oxygen 88 graded hammer action controller - 600 (maybe able to find another controller cheaper or use the board you have now)
NI Komplete 7 Software Bundle - 500
Apple Macbook Air - 1000
Audio Interface - 200
Total = 2300

Board Prices
Motif XF7 - 3100
Motif XF8 - 3300
Fantom G8 - 3800
Fantom G6 - 2500
Kronos - 3800
Kronos - 3500

When you add it up the vst route is cheaper.

[berbie]

You can get  the XF7 during one of the 20% off sales at a maximum discount of $500.00.  That brings it down to $2600,00.  If one keeps the unit rather than trading it in every time some eye candy gives them G.A.S., they would get their value from the unit.  It seems more convenient than computers to me although I am not really familiar with the VST route. 

Also, the truth is that most don't actually need all that is available on the XF7, and would be just as well served with a good digital piano which would cost much less.

I paid $2400.00 for my XS7 when they first came out.(about five years ago).  I intend to keep it until it breaks into pieces.  It is a quality unit which still meets my needs. I'm out $420.00 per year and shrinking.  The XF7, as well as the Kronos, is just eye candy, but if I wanted the Kronos for the long run, I would buy it on sale and work my value out of it. 

[Mrandrew]

You can get  the XF7 during one of the 20% off sales at a maximum discount of $500.00.  That brings it down to $2600,00.  If one keeps the unit rather than trading it in every time some eye candy gives them G.A.S., they would get their value from the unit.  It seems more convenient than computers to me although I am not really familiar with the VST route. 

Also, the truth is that most don't actually need all that is available on the XF7, and would be just as well served with a good digital piano which would cost much less.

I paid $2400.00 for my XS7 when they first came out.(about five years ago).  I intend to keep it until it breaks into pieces.  It is a quality unit which still meets my needs. I'm out $420.00 per year and shrinking.  The XF7, as well as the Kronos, is just eye candy, but if I wanted the Kronos for the long run, I would buy it on sale and work my value out of it.

That. I think most people buy for that reason. How much of the board do they really use or need for the most part, stop going for the bells and whistles people.

I say just find a board for the purpose you need it for. If you are not into sequencing and recording don't buy a workstation, buy a board that has what you need and want then you will be happier.

[smalls85s]

I bought a Motif 6 almost 6 yrs ago.  I'd really love to have more keys, but money is tight.  You can easily pad and layer the installed sounds to come up with nicer sounds.  Besides, unless you own a studio or you're a full time travelling musician, there's no way you'd get full use of a Kronos or XF

[floaded27]

That. I think most people buy for that reason. How much of the board do they really use or need for the most part, stop going for the bells and whistles people.

I say just find a board for the purpose you need it for. If you are not into sequencing and recording don't buy a workstation, buy a board that has what you need and want then you will be happier.

sometimes that GAS helps us lesser guys out. That makes more good stuff available on the used market at prices well within our budget.

[apex]

So if the Kronos was priced say.... almost $800 off of list price (so the 88 key would cost you about $3100 or so...) instead of $3800-$3900... would you buy it then?

I'm not sure if this is completely correct, but I've seen where guys that can't afford to purchase new gear DOWNPLAY the newer gear to..... justify what they use. 

Who would not purchase a Kronos if it was within reach?  or use it instead of a Casio if there was an option? 

If the Kronos (or any other workstation) was not worth what it cost vs a casio... the keyboard manufactures (Roland, Korg, Yamaha, Kurz, etc...) would have long gone out of business.  There's alot more to it than eye candy.  (you've got to believe that).

But at the same time, I do agree that G.A.S. is a very serious problem.  And I do know that those before mentioned companies make a lot of money from guys that buy "just cause" and they are musicians by hobby and not by full time career or job (or even part time like most church musicians). 

I posted on Korg Forums today about the fact that I wonder if there are many that get 100% value or use 100% of what these boards offer.  shoot... even 80%. (WHAT DO YALL THINK?)

but it's just doesn't seem correct in any form or fasion to say a kronos or any other $3000 workstation sounds like a casio that you could buy from Walmart or Target or somewhere.... Now if you have connected it to a laptop or sound module that's a different story.  But at that point, you're still spending thousands on your rig.  And with laptops who knows when they will crash on you or similar.

Plus software and computers have to constantly be maintained right?  not the case with hardware.

I think each person has to decide what they need and then purchase the best thing they can afford.  We all have run into situations where we felt like..."dang, I wish my board could do this", and we have all run into situations where we purchased SOMETHING (maybe not a keyboard) that we didn't need (LOL or maybe couldn't afford). 

The way I see it, is.  Buy what you need first and what you can afford second.  And also make a good mix between the two.  We serve an awesome God that doesn't give us 2nd rate ANYTHING, and we should give him the best we can.  We should give him the best we can give him.... not just make due with what we can get by with.  (Make sense?)

[musiqisme26]

man apex are you endorse by korg, they really do just suck...........even korg admits the most they have upgraded was adding the karma engine to the kronos, unless someone just wants to buy one to say they did they arent useful

i own a nord one of the priciest boards out there and i love it but its useful, i downplay korg cuz they suck

[apex]

man apex are you endorse by korg, they really do just suck...........even korg admits the most they have upgraded was adding the karma engine to the kronos, unless someone just wants to buy one to say they did they arent useful

i own a nord one of the priciest boards out there and i love it but its useful, i downplay korg cuz they suck

my endorsement doesn't matter.  the truth is the truth no matter who says it.  or who is paid to say it.  I like Korg as well as other manufacturers.  But right now, one has to admit that Korg has a VERY nice product in the Kronos.  And please point me to proof where Korg says thats all they added....  Karma has been around for quite a while.  So there is no way you can say "thats all they added"....   and to say that aren't useful downplays any credibility that you may have had.  That by itself kinda makes you look like a hater (for lack of better terms).  It's one thing to say that you don't like how something sounds (everyone has an opinion), but to say it's "not useful" is just.... ludicrous

(lu·di·crous

adjective /ˈlo͞odəkrəs/ 

    So foolish, unreasonable, or out of place as to be amusing; ridiculous)

Just in case....

[berbie]

Hey Apex, for a person of my skills and abilities at the keyboard(amateur) who already has a Yamaha Motif XS 7 and is looking at a Kronos or even a Motif XF, he is looking at eye candy and making himself susceptible to G.A.S.

[apex]

Hey Apex, for a person of my skills and abilities at the keyboard(amateur) who already has a Yamaha Motif XS 7 and is looking at a Kronos or even a Motif XF, he is looking at eye candy and making himself susceptible to G.A.S.

agreed.  I'm not saying that everyone should go out and buy the best thing available.  I'm saying if you feel like you need it.. (weigh options).  And decide if you can do it.  If you can then do.  If you don't feel like you need it, then there's no real reason to even consider.  right?

I'm an advocate for future proofing yourself though... (in just about any purchase you make, not just keyboards).  Jamall Hartwell said it somewhere on this site too... buy the best that you can afford.  Be patient and wait for a deal.  The guys go out and buy mo8s etc... and then are upset when they learn that they can't load MKS-20 samples in it.....  don't just grab something because it's the cheapest.  Studying your craft is not just the musical aspect of what we do, but also studying the tools that we need and use. 

determine what you want to do
determine what you need to accomplish that goal
determine if you can accomplish that goal with gear that you already own (in a feasible, timely, and user friendly manner)
determine what you have to do to get what you need

last but not least, be patient until you get it. 

if you use the bells and whistles or think there is a chance that you will use them... save your money and get them.  Otherwise, just get the tools that suits your needs and that you can afford.

(I think we are agreeing on our comments and thoughts, .... maybe just slightly off and that's what seems to be causing the discrepancy)

[docjohn]

I think you make a lot of sense Apex.For me;I waited a long time to get a motif XS-playing Korg/Roland/Alesis/Casio up to that point.

I'm just scratching the surface of my XS after a few years.I could justify an upgrade to the XF because of flash/a few sounds etc..

I think there's some great gear out by all these folks and hardware does have some distinct advantages for a pter' newbie like me who is techno-challenged.I think Korg had a great idea with the 2 piece approach from a couple years ago-sort of a rack that mounted on the keys with the M seris(?)

Korgs keys have NOT felt all that good to me last several model runs-my big issue(don't want/need 88 wtd).

The manufacturers are doing a good job of giving many options across a LOT of price points-starting @$5-600+up AND musicians DO need to LOOK before they buy-as to upgradability.

For something like the Motif-it would be nice if a XF rack would be available-or a similar concept to the Muse Receptor.For the Motif guys-if you have the keys/controller you need-just an less expensive way to upgrade.Perhaps a module that you could buy "a la' carte'"-sounds/features/flash etc..only buy what you need -but able to add more as the need arises.

[musiqisme26]

my endorsement doesn't matter.  the truth is the truth no matter who says it.  or who is paid to say it.  I like Korg as well as other manufacturers.  But right now, one has to admit that Korg has a VERY nice product in the Kronos.  And please point me to proof where Korg says thats all they added....  Karma has been around for quite a while.  So there is no way you can say "thats all they added"....   and to say that aren't useful downplays any credibility that you may have had.  That by itself kinda makes you look like a hater (for lack of better terms).  It's one thing to say that you don't like how something sounds (everyone has an opinion), but to say it's "not useful" is just.... ludicrous

(lu·di·crous

adjective /ˈlo͞odəkrəs/ 

    So foolish, unreasonable, or out of place as to be amusing; ridiculous)

Just in case....

Apex your a funny person.................you think korg has a nice product in the kronos that doesnt mean its reality buddy, except for hip hop heads who live by the triton and mpc nobody is breaking their neck for this overpriced piece of crap. ask anyone if they were given a choice between a motif, nord, fantom, or kronos at the same price point and see where it comes out

your pathetic demeanor or trying to play my intelligence is so weak, go in a corner and watch a jamal hartwell dvd and learn a tri-tone so you can be a neo-soul superstar