Krome distortion issue

peterkorg · Post by **peterkorg** » Mon Oct 29, 2012 6:59 pm

I picked up my new Krome 77 a week ago, and am pleased other than distortion issue, especially with piano programs. The distortion is present with headphones (have tried 3 different sets) plugged directly into 1/8" headphone output, and also when routed through mixer and monitors etc. Has anyone else experienced this problem? Thanks!

Low Class · Post by **Low Class** » Tue Oct 30, 2012 7:32 am

peterkorg wrote:I picked up my new Krome 77 a week ago, and am pleased other than distortion issue, especially with piano programs. The distortion is present with headphones (have tried 3 different sets) plugged directly into 1/8" headphone output, and also when routed through mixer and monitors etc. Has anyone else experienced this problem? Thanks!

Don't know if this is the same problem you have, but I bought a new Kronos 88 last week and it was doing the same thing you described. I thought something was wrong with the keyboard. I was using unbalanced cables, so I switch to balanced cables and the problem went away. You might give it a try.

Stephen · Post by **Stephen** » Tue Oct 30, 2012 12:22 pm

I noticed it also, especially on my favorite EP patch, I've switched to balanced cables, but my wife is sleeping so I have to try it later.

peterkorg · Post by **peterkorg** » Tue Oct 30, 2012 2:04 pm

Thanks. I noticed last night that if I pull the headphone jack out so that only one of the two contact points is utilized, the problem goes away. However, this will only produce mono sound in the headphones which isn't acceptable as I use headphones most of the time. I will try switching to balanced cables to see if it makes a difference when playing through monitors. Thanks again for your responses.

djcactus · Post by **djcactus** » Tue Oct 30, 2012 8:28 pm

Oh god and yesterday i was going to ask if everything in your gain structure was ok! haha of course ground loops and FM interference!

centauramp · Post by **centauramp** » Tue Oct 30, 2012 9:29 pm

I tried out the Krome 61 at Guitar Center here local, I used Sony MDR V-150 headphones. The volume was very week on the Krome on both piano and E. Piano, I had the master volume all the way up. I did not here any distortion but the store was noisy, and I could not get a good sample of the quality of the sounds. I went into the keyboard room and tested the Kronos X 88 key and the headphone was plenty loud. It sounded great. I did not how to turn up the piano patch on the Krome touch screen, but I got the feeling if I could have, it would have probably started distorting. Most Mixers and Keyboards use a simple dual op amp like a 4558 or 4560 and there's not a lot of current capability there. It could also be an impedance mismatch. On your keyboard if you have the master volume down and the piano patch is up you might be overdriving the headphone amp circuit. Try raising the Master volume knob and set the patch volume lower. I'll watch this subject to see if you get it resolved. Good Luck Bob S.

peterkorg · Post by **peterkorg** » Wed Oct 31, 2012 1:56 am

Thanks Bob etc
Yes, if I turn the volume of the piano patch down and increase volume on master, the distortion disappears from both headphones and monitors. However, most of the piano/ keyboard patches distort at preset volumes, therfore I would need to adjust all volumes prior to playing with a particular program/ combo to avoid this distortion. Also, the other patches playing with the piano etc sound louder than they should so I would have to adjust those too. Is there a global command that can decrease the gain(?) on all patches I wonder? I couldn't find it in the manual but haven't had the time to search extensively. The distortion only happens when playing in stereo (using both L and R outputs). If I use mono output there is no distortion. As you can tell I'm sure, I am new to this and might be stating the obvious. If there is no global command then using factory presets will be painful! I have an X50 which has never shown any distortion with the same equipment that I'm using so I'm surprised that it's present in the Krome.

Stephen · Post by **Stephen** » Fri Nov 09, 2012 1:04 pm

I'm very surprised that this issue isn't getting more attention from KORG.

peterkorg · Post by **peterkorg** » Fri Nov 09, 2012 3:17 pm

I returned the unit to the dealer, who set it up with their equipment and compared the sounds to a demo Krome 61 they had in stock. They confirmed that the Krome 73 was faulty as the 61 showed no distortion.

Stephen · Post by **Stephen** » Sat Nov 10, 2012 1:20 pm

Mine's a 61, and it definitely distorts!

I was showing it off to my former teacher, and he noticed it right off.

Stephen · Post by **Stephen** » Sat Dec 08, 2012 3:26 pm

Really!?

Nothing more about the horrible distortion issue?

I'm back to using the TR for EPs again.

JPWC · Post by **JPWC** » Sat Dec 08, 2012 3:39 pm

Mines don't distort! unless I set the gain chain wrong.

I've found that, given Korg's bright and excited sounds, there seams to be lot's of low (sub-woofer territory) frequency sound coming from them. This low frequency content is not present, or as loud, on other instruments. This low frequency content can take some getting use to and rake havoc with your audio system if you not careful.

It took a little while to learn to control this phenomena on the Kronos and I hear a similar thing with the Krome. I've come to enjoy this low freq. sound.

SanderXpander · Post by **SanderXpander** » Sat Dec 08, 2012 4:39 pm

Generally speaking Korg's presets tend to have pretty extreme eq settings (more than 6dB boost in multiple areas). Turning those down (either on the amp/eq page or in one of the fx pages) may help.

morty · Post by **morty** » Sat Dec 08, 2012 5:48 pm

Richard Formidoni
Technology Product Manager
Korg USA, Inc.
Hi Rich Have you noticed this problem and what do you suggest?
I too have the Krome 88 and notice distortion issues

summers2 · Post by **summers2** » Thu Dec 13, 2012 12:56 pm

I finally heard some distortion on the lower keys with an electric piano. I didn't make note of which one it was. I am checking again today. I might have to adjust some parameter(s) to resolve the distortion when using that sound. I am also going to search for other sounds that might distort. I have the Krome 73. I am still on board with the Krome.

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Krome distortion issue

Krome distortion issue

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Krome Distortion

Maybe we can address this distortion issue with Rich F