Any advice for a new Kronos user?

splinters · Post by **splinters** » Wed Jan 22, 2014 2:27 pm

Long time Korg user with the Krome being the last Korg board I had (great synth, terrible keybed). Now got a Roland RD300NX and a Mininova hooked up to Logic X so I am not green when it comes to using tech.

However, my Kronos 73 just arrived (the wait to open it after work is killing me) and I wondered if there was any advice to get started as I know its a complex beast. Do I register it, update, download sound packs etc?

Basically I am replacing all my stuff (including USB mixer) and simply comnnecting my iPad (with Animoog etc) into the Kronos and the Kronos into the Macbook and Logic.

I realise there may be a thread lurking around already but there are hundreds of pages in the Kronos section and I know at least one other person getting a new Kronos today who may also appreciate some tips.
Thanks in advance

phattbuzz · Post by **phattbuzz** » Wed Jan 22, 2014 3:10 pm

Spend your first week just playing it. Have the computer nearby so you can consult the manuals and if you can't figure it out from that, do a search on here before you ask questions. A lot of the questions have already been answered here. That first week, the main thing is to have fun with every patch change.

runningman67 · Post by **runningman67** » Wed Jan 22, 2014 3:49 pm

As Mr Buzz said, just have a play and get used to it. I'm not one for manuals and I sort of taught myself what I needed to squeeze from the beast.

To split it up, you have:

Karma
Programmes
Combinations
Sequencer
Set Lists
Sampling
Disk loading and saving.

They are all mighty features, but bit by bit, you sort of chip away and it all becomes a little easier and immensely enjoyable.

If you get stumped, just ask here, no matter how basic the question. I'm not the most tech based (in fact, I am still green) but there's a massive knowledge base on the forum.

splinters · Post by **splinters** » Wed Jan 22, 2014 7:05 pm

Thanks guys, my serial is 00305 so must be an early one but it looks and feels absolutely brand new and there are no issues I can see. Strangely, it says it has 3GB memory so maybe Korg already updated it?
No idea how to find out the HD size.

MusicLive · Post by **MusicLive** » Wed Jan 22, 2014 9:31 pm

Splinters,

I too have joined the Kronos 73 owners club today and have been reliably informed that there is another member here, who has ordered the 61 key model. Glad I made that phone call to Korg UK on Monday.
What a fantastic deal we've had from them.

To Korg UK: - Thanks for your super service.

I'm as green as grass here too when it comes to Kronos but at least I have the benefit of owning a Triton Extreme 76, which gave me a little bit of a grounding towards the Kronos. But Kronos is a BEAST of a machine compared to the Triton Ex.

I have to agree with the others on here, who say just have a play with it for a while.
Right this moment I have the Manual open on my lap, whilst typing this.
I'm usually anti manual, as they always seem to be written in 'Super Techy' language, but with this board I'm sure I'll benefit from digesting the information within.
I'm sure there will be others along on here to help us, should we get bogged down.

Thanks to you all.

Regards,

MC

splinters · Post by **splinters** » Wed Jan 22, 2014 11:02 pm

Did you get a manual Clive? I just got a quick guide which is as thick as a normal manual. I got the full manual on my ipad and theres a lot to get through.
Amazing board...i spent 30 mins on the orchestra and timpani patch with Karma turned on....wow.

Pepperpotty · Post by **Pepperpotty** » Wed Jan 22, 2014 11:14 pm

MusicLive wrote:Splinters,

have been reliably informed that there is another member here, who has ordered the 61 key model.

That would be me

Arrives tomorrow, can't wait.

splinters · Post by **splinters** » Wed Jan 22, 2014 11:20 pm

I noticed that the Kronos 61 on ebay was relisted...did you buy a different model mate?

Pepperpotty · Post by **Pepperpotty** » Wed Jan 22, 2014 11:36 pm

No I bought one from Korg direct. They've relisted it 2 or 3 times in the last 24 hours so it looks like they have quite a few models in stock.

MusicLive · Post by **MusicLive** » Thu Jan 23, 2014 1:42 am

Pepperpotty,

I spoke at length with Korg UK yesterday and they'd already said two days back that they had a few 61's in stock, including mine and Splinters' 73's, plus they have a couple of the 88 key models as well. They just re-list as and when they need to. Soon they will all be gone.

If you read this before your Kronos turns up then I can tell you you're going to absolutely love it. I know the Triton I have is excellent but once you hear the Kronos, it's another world entirely.

Hope it turns up OK.
Good luck and enjoy.

Regards,

MC

jeremykeys · Post by **jeremykeys** » Thu Jan 23, 2014 3:17 am

Apparently you two have been assimilated! Congratulations! My advice, and that is the same as everyone else's, just play stint he sounds for a week or three. Keep your health in mind though. Don't forget to eat and drink and after a few days, please try to get some sleep!

It'll still be there in the morning!

Bertotti · Post by **Bertotti** » Thu Jan 23, 2014 4:33 am

I am a bit divergent as I think the first thing would be goof off then go right to making sure you have the latest os, firmware and all the new cx-3 stuff! KRS06 and the KRS06 bonus'. They sound most excellent! Then lock yourself up for a while messing around.

wango · Post by **wango** » Thu Jan 23, 2014 10:53 am

New Kronos 73 user here as well. I got mine on monday this week and overall I'm happy with it. Just one thing bothering me and that's the fan noise. When the Kronos boots, coming to the middle of the process the fan spins up to the maximum and stays there, which noise (it reminds me of a 50Hz electric hum) is unacceptable in the silent environment of my studio. I told my dealer about this and he is checking with Korg how to resolve this problem. (I read the thread on this subject here where people replaced the fan with silent ones but never with a 100% satisfying result, but this was back end of 2011 - beginning of 2012).
I just would like to know, how other people deal with the noisy fan and, in case of replacement, what the best alternatives are as of 2014.
One other thing that "chocked" me was the wooden bottom plate but I guess there must be a good reason for that.

Best regards
Ab

michelkeijzers · Post by **michelkeijzers** » Thu Jan 23, 2014 10:57 am

Congratulations with your new Kronos!

phil55 · Post by **phil55** » Thu Jan 23, 2014 11:26 am

wango wrote:New Kronos 73 user here as well. I got mine on monday this week and overall I'm happy with it. Just one thing bothering me and that's the fan noise. When the Kronos boots, coming to the middle of the process the fan spins up to the maximum and stays there, which noise (it reminds me of a 50Hz electric hum) is unacceptable in the silent environment of my studio. I told my dealer about this and he is checking with Korg how to resolve this problem. (I read the thread on this subject here where people replaced the fan with silent ones but never with a 100% satisfying result, but this was back end of 2011 - beginning of 2012).
I just would like to know, how other people deal with the noisy fan and, in case of replacement, what the best alternatives are as of 2014.
One other thing that "chocked" me was the wooden bottom plate but I guess there must be a good reason for that.

Best regards
Ab

That fan noise can be quite wearing on the senses. It tapped me. There's a good thread on this under Kronos resources at the top of the page here. It'll tell you everything you need to do to make the fan quieter with pics and guidance.

I replaced my fan with a Noctua fan with a LNA resistor. The fan was about $30 with s/h and $50 labour. It'll never be silent as an M3, but it as quiet or quieter than my d3200 HD recorder.

Just a note, replacing the fan would probably void your warranty and if the fan bothers you now, without replacement, it'll probably always will.

---------------

EDIT as far as the wooden bottom, that interested me too. When we took the bottom off I noticed a template in the heat shield for what looks like a vent. Perhaps at one time, the designers were going to install a vent? Also some people suggest that the fan might've been a last minute addition and that the board could possibly run without it. I don't know about that.

here's the link to the fan thread: http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/ ... hp?t=65348