Bugs and flaws--may swap Kronos for Motif XF8

[derek4u]

I am on my 2d Kronos, and this one, too, is having issues.

I really can't afford two axes.

Pretty impressed, in many respects, with both, but XF may be issue-free, and I am a gigging musician--need an issue-free axe.

Please sway me either to get an XF or stick with my on-goingly-in-need-of-repair Kronos.

[Melodialworks Music]

I am on my 2d Kronos, and this one, too, is having issues.

I really can't afford two axes.

Pretty impressed, in many respects, with both, but XF may be issue-free, and I am a gigging musician--need an issue-free axe.

Please sway me either to get an XF or stick with my on-goingly-in-need-of-repair Kronos.

You're going to have to be more specific. What issues? What version of the OS are you running?

[Comrad_Durandal]

I am on my 2d Kronos, and this one, too, is having issues.

I really can't afford two axes.

Pretty impressed, in many respects, with both, but XF may be issue-free, and I am a gigging musician--need an issue-free axe.

Please sway me either to get an XF or stick with my on-goingly-in-need-of-repair Kronos.

If your asking for help, we do need more information - OS, problem description, details of how to reproduce it, etc.

If not, I don't understand the reason for your post.

[GregC]

3rd time is the charm for you.

The Kronos is a dream come true keyboard, IMO. I believe many have similar opinion.

Something to consider

[Melodialworks Music]

My third Kronos is on order, with delivery scheduled for July. I'm holding out for a "high enough" s/n.

[.Jens]

I can't really take the decision for somebody else. But I'm not sure if one could really expect another synth to be problem-free.

Surely it depends on the kind of trouble you have with the K. But a while ago we had the discussion about spontaneous reboots. If you google "Kronos reboot" or similar and "Motif XF freeze" or "Motif XF crash", you will get at least a comparable number of hits. Interestingly enough, the second one links the manual of the Motif XF stating: "If the MOTIF XF freezes, turn the power to the MOTIF XF off and then ..." - the authors seem to consider freezing of the Motif an expectable situation, if they give advices how to handle this.

At the end of the day, all high-end workstations are complex devices, and they all have their issues. Some more, some less, and maybe of totally different kind. But you always have a certain danger of malfunction, and if a functional device is in some way crucial to your business, you have to think about some kind of backup. No matter what brand, no matter what board.

Jens

[Dniss]

You're just out of luck if you ask me.

I know plenty of people who had remained problem free from day 1. Including myself. And mine is an early one. S/N in the 600's.

I undertand how you must feel, but with all do respect, you're out of your mind trading it for an XF!

The K is the best workstation out there and many people are touring with it.

[1jordyzzz]

kronos is the most advanced and the most best sounding keyboard in the whole world right now... sure XF has some great sounds (guitars, sax, brass), but other than that, kronos all the way... XF will be replaced soon (i've heard new motif coming on the winter NAMM), while kronos may take a few years until it's successor arrive (kronos arrives 5-6 years after oasys first on sale)...
IMHO, you'll be spending a lot of money for something that's not worth it... Motif still uses old tech (rom 700 mb's).. while people said that kronos is not worth the money (using an atom processor), the sophisticated integration between software (9 synth engine) and it's hardware is totally out of league.. it uses direct streaming of SSD which has over 10 GB's of samples (2 pianos took 9)... sure kronos uses atom (and a few of FX and voice processor), but what does motif uses that you have to pay the exactly same money (or maybe more expensive) than kronos (hardware wise)???
points of consideration....
i've also had doubts when i want to buy kronos (motif xf or kronos?) but now, i'm truly grateful that i bought kronos..

best wishes for you

[cachete1966]

Motif is not bug or issues free...!!

I used several times Motif with problems....

Picht problems..!! only fix (sometimes ) re starting the unti.

Problems with damper pedal or foot swicth... Dont regonized and not work..!!

And can you play all show (23 songs) without pedals and your master sound is a piano ???

A nightmare..!!

Many keyboards can fail..... this is not exclusive to one Brand or model..!!

Bye

[Chriskk]

XF will be replaced soon (i've heard new motif coming on the winter NAMM)

Don't spread a totally ungrounded rumor.

[tdwctdwc]

I used/gigged with a motif classic for 9 years : no crashes or freezes or reboots. BUT , I had to replace keys on the upper octave 3 times and i had the damper input stop working and won't recognize my pedal.

Trust me , having a keyboard with no damper is a nightmare. It will change your playing style and affect the sound of the whole band.

At least Kronos problems are only stuck to software bugs , which can easily be addressed in future OS updates.

On a side note , I had my Kronos for 2 months now and no problems so far.

Good luck.

[Vlad_77]

Obviously a gigging musician is going to be frustrated. I do hope that the OP will be more specific as well. I have found this forum to be a Godsend.

I do not think that switching to XF will solve your problems, only introduce you to other problems. As was mentioned, all modern workstations are extremely complex and issues will arise. Having said that, I DO understand the OP's frustration. I love my Kurzweil but sometimes I need to do voodoo rituals to get it to behave and yes, I have the latest OS. Would I take it out of my rig though? Never. It's a powerful instrument that adds exponentially to my sound palette.

As for Kronos, I have had no problems with it and it survived not only its original trip from Japan but also the rigors of a trans-Atlantic move - and I shipped it in the original box!

Obviously this is a Korg forum and most of us ARE going to advise you to give Kronos another go. But I suspect that deep down YOU really want the Kronos too or you would have made the switch to Motif already. Motifs are nice and perhaps I will add one to replace my beloved XV-88 - someday. But really, as has been stated, Yamaha has not brought anything new to the table. Bigger ROM does not a better or more powerful workstation make. People talk about the expense of OASYS but bear in mind that before its release, you would have paid high five to six figures for a Fairlight or a Synclavier. The Kronos and its mama OASYS give you that power for the price of a song really. Even the most staunch Yamaha defender would have to concede that point.

I do wish the OP the best in her/his decision but I REALLY wish the OP will try one more time with Kronos!

Ahimsa,
Vlad

[Rskeys]

I am on my 2d Kronos, and this one, too, is having issues.

I really can't afford two axes.

Pretty impressed, in many respects, with both, but XF may be issue-free, and I am a gigging musician--need an issue-free axe.

Please sway me either to get an XF or stick with my on-goingly-in-need-of-repair Kronos.

Derek, we all see where you are comming from, i'm mostly performer and i also had my problems with the kronos, before the kronos i worked with all major brands and believe me when i say there is no free of issue keyboard especialy in the first years. I also get a bit frustrated when i run into a problem but with the help of this amazing forum members and korg support i power through them all, the software will be better in time and your hardware is covered by warranty. At the end of it all this machine will pay you ten fold because it's so ahead of competicion right now. Please describe your problems in detail and i'm shure every one will try to help you with them.

Best Regards,

Ricardo

[derek4u]

I've decided to stick with my Kronos, then maybe buy some other boards I am lusting after as finances permit. Always loved Nord flagship keyboards--may try for one by and by.

What has made me stick with Kronos, largely, is all the posts letting me know that Motif is not, perhaps, even a bit more issue-free! Mine is, it seems, the frustration of the gigging musician: repair concerns.

At least there is a good and reliable Korg repair place not terribly far from me, downtown.

I now return to "window" shopping--

One last note: if the Motif DID offer Expansion Libraries, as Kronos does, I would be VERY tempted to trade!!!!! One big reason I'll keep my Korg is the KARO brass I got as an expansion library (KARO Symphonic Ensemble includes this--the brass there is BREATHTAKING!) I don't know if even Korg appreciates what a PLUS the EXs libraries are!! I have the Legendary Strings library as well--simply so useful, even with recording, and such a luxury!! Motif's guitars are thrilling--Kronos' guitars are, well, not. Motif's B3 is superior, too. If the Motif would offer sampled instrument libraries, I'd be SO tempted to trade--but they do not....(as far as I understand).

[MarPabl]

TBH Motif XF is not as bad as I read here. Check the comparison I out on this thread:
Switched from Motif to Kronos

I have owned the Motif XF almost from the beginning and there was not the kind of terrible issues and poor quality build that we had with Kronos, like the dial falling off, the faulty RH3 keybed, the noisy fan, the errors at booting and so on. While this issues has been solved, the early adopters (like me) had to suffer months without being able to enjoy the Kronos. Compare this with the Motif XF which really is rock solid from the beginning.