Who is using the Kronos?

levis · Post by **levis** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 12:37 pm

Tom Coster

JPROBERTLA · Post by **JPROBERTLA** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 2:23 pm

I have an old friend who is in the musical instrumental rental business in New Orleans. I take very good care of my keyboards, so we have a standing agreement that when I am ready to part with one he buys it. He tells me that he regularly gets rental requests for very old keyboards (DX7, M1, even older analog stuff like the Prophet 5 and ARP String Ensemble).

My guess is that bands that have been around a long time want to use the same exact sounds for those songs that people recognize them for and/or that the keyboard players are comfortable with something and want to stay with it.

Even though the Kronos has great Fender Rhodes and Wurlitzer sounds, he keeps both of those old and maintenance nightmare EPs in stock (?) and is not remotely interested in a Kronos. Based on typical rental fees, a Kronos would pay for itself in about 15 rentals. If he got one today it would be paid for by the end of Jazz Fest.

michelkeijzers · Post by **michelkeijzers** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 10:41 pm

I also know someone who dislikes every digital technology. He is a bass player, but he doesn't like digital mixers, he doesn't like not really synthesizers, but hammond, analog synths etc the more.

Nothing wrong with that of course, however I like to have an all in one instrument and the Kronos is currently the best in my opinion.

jeremykeys · Post by **jeremykeys** » Sat Feb 25, 2012 7:10 pm

I guess we've all met or know someone who is anti-digital. I have a friend who swore digital would never replace film for photography but now swears by his digital camera. It's the same with guitar amplifiers but there are those who would never get away from tubes. Tubes may possibly still sound a bit better but it's only a matter of time before you won't be able to tell the difference and probably will be able to dial in the age and wear on your tube sim-amp.
I wouldn't trade my digital Kronos for anything.

michelkeijzers · Post by **michelkeijzers** » Sat Feb 25, 2012 11:10 pm

jeremykeys wrote:I guess we've all met or know someone who is anti-digital. I have a friend who swore digital would never replace film for photography but now swears by his digital camera. It's the same with guitar amplifiers but there are those who would never get away from tubes. Tubes may possibly still sound a bit better but it's only a matter of time before you won't be able to tell the difference and probably will be able to dial in the age and wear on your tube sim-amp.
I wouldn't trade my digital Kronos for anything.

Yes my wife is learning guitar (a bit) and she bought a reasonably cheap guitar amplifier with builtin speaker simulators and effects builtin and I must say; they are not that good but also not bad. So for a bit more money you can have some even more convincing sounds without having to buy expensive tube amplifiers and high grade effects.

jeremykeys · Post by **jeremykeys** » Sun Feb 26, 2012 7:09 pm

Yes my wife is learning guitar (a bit) and she bought a reasonably cheap guitar amplifier with builtin speaker simulators and effects builtin and I must say; they are not that good but also not bad. So for a bit more money you can have some even more convincing sounds without having to buy expensive tube amplifiers and high grade effects.[/quote]

I'm using a Zoom pedal for my guitars. I record with it using the amp models. It sounds great, weighs nothing and cost less than $90. Eventually I will be running it through my monitor rig for songs that I play in my band on guitar. This way I don't need to bring a guitar amp as well as a keyboard amp. Even the acoustic guitar sim is fine.

michelkeijzers · Post by **michelkeijzers** » Sun Feb 26, 2012 9:44 pm

jeremykeys wrote: I'm using a Zoom pedal for my guitars. I record with it using the amp models. It sounds great, weighs nothing and cost less than $90. Eventually I will be running it through my monitor rig for songs that I play in my band on guitar. This way I don't need to bring a guitar amp as well as a keyboard amp. Even the acoustic guitar sim is fine.

Yes the zoom also is interesting ... however my wife should learn to play better before getting new gear. As long as she plays indoors only there's no need for switches/pedals etc.

jeremykeys · Post by **jeremykeys** » Sun Feb 26, 2012 11:03 pm

You are absolutely right with that. One of the drawbacks with technology; pedals and keyboards like the Kronos, is that with the touch of a few buttons you can easily sound great.
My wife decided she would like to learn guitar but after a few days decided it was too difficult. Plus she needed to cut her long fingernails. I love my wife but was a bit upset that she wouldn't make the sacrifices necessary to at least learn it a little bit. On the other side though, I've got a new guitar! It's a small body steel string acoustic and it records better than any of the other ones I have.

Melodialworks Music · Mon Feb 27, 2012 12:29 am

jeremykeys wrote:On the other side though, I've got a new guitar!

Sneaky devil!

orangefunk · Post by **orangefunk** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 10:02 pm

Part of playing the old keys is the feeling from the instrument itself. The Kronos sounds like any rhodes you want but it does not provide the same feedback to the player like the Rhodes does (I have 2 of em, and have owned about 6 in my lifetime)...

in someway the rhodes sound on the Kronos does not quite feel connected to the keys in the same way. (I am playing from the RD700GX which has an awesome feel). I am still aware I am triggering something rather than being directly connected (same with SV-1, Nord etc).

I had the Kronos setup the other day with a few pro players (soul, jazz, very high level) and we all agreed it sounds like a rhodes but does not feel/project in the same way. Maybe its in the tweaking...

funnily enough I think the Acoustic piano sounds are amazingly connected to my GX.. I just forget about the whole analog/digital debate entirely... the other guys were shaking their heads and just muttering "amazing" after listening on headphones...

I really do prefer playing the Kronos Japanese piano (via the GX) to playing the actual C3 I have in the studio!

keyboardcook · Post by **keyboardcook** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 2:18 am

I use a korg kronos.

I'm Brian, and so is my wife!!

Would love that keyboard stand Mr Rudess has!!

Surprised to see pips on stage.

runningman67 · Post by **runningman67** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 6:23 am

I'm not 'using' my Kronos, it is a consensual relationship.

Anybody just 'using' their Kronos should be ashamed and should have more respect.

Unless of course it is a role play situation, which should be kept behind closed doors!

michelkeijzers · Post by **michelkeijzers** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 9:33 am

keyboardcook wrote: I'm Brian, and so is my wife!!
.

Your wife also is called Brian? Sorry JK

I'm also a user btw

Jeff Gibbs · Post by **Jeff Gibbs** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 7:02 pm

Well to the Brians and other's I used the Karma in two films Bowling for Columbine and Fahrenheit 9/11, the Oasys in Capitalism a Love Story, and the Kronos on my current film. So though I am not famous, the projects I brought the the predecessors to the Kronos are fairly well known.