Top 50 Most Wanted Enhancements for Kronos

GregC · Post by **GregC** » Sat Jul 11, 2020 12:09 am

This topic is part of the communication approach as I see it
with Korg Inc

We are attempting to start a communication process with Korg Inc.
Korg Inc HQ is where major decisions take place and funding is approved.

And based on the passage of time, Kronos enhancement is not on their radar.

However, I understand there are 50 "Possible " or wishful enhancements.

In effect, some owners are asking for Kronos 3. I don't have a problem with that.

Post what enhancements you want here - " 50 Most Wanted Enhancements ".

Let it fly, dream BIG, use your imagination with your posts.

Keep your request brief and specific

I have provided this topic link in my letter for Korg Inc

Our recent letter covers both approaches:

-We have "simple list ". Requested 3 high priority enhancements in the letter to Korg Inc.
-We have the " 50 Most Wanted " per this link in our letter to Korg In
Its up to you.

GregC · Post by **GregC** » Sat Jul 11, 2020 12:19 am

1. Piano roll view/editor in sequencer

2. A proper mixdown function in SEQ that lets you mix down the whole song (or partial) to WAV, MP3, M4A, maybe OGG and other popular formats without going into sampling mode. Render direct from SEQ to USB drive in preferred format for easy sharing.

3. Nameable markers in SEQ with a way to jump to them

4. ASIO driver. More USB audio channels if it's possible

5]And my "stretch" wish is wavetable synthesis. I think this could possibly be added to HD-1, and I would think Korg could profitably sell sound packs based on it.

6] Rewrite the user interface to use a modern finger-friendly, iPad-like design.

7]New motherboard DIY

8] x64 OS

9]new engines [ Vox continental, trident]

10] guarantied supply of existing motherboard to cover potential failure over next 10 years

11] lots more RAM

12] File management updates:

Summary
a - Use the enhanced keyboard for all text entry;
b - Allow prompted overwrites for file copy processes;
c - Consolidate file management actions on one page;
d - Standardize file naming character conventions;

Detail
aa - The abbreviated virtual keyboard is frustrating, in that shift is either on or off and does not toggle when a character is entered; the enhanced keyboard exposed in some functions has a proper shift lock which is preferable. Also, the enhanced keyboard has simpler access to the numeric and special characters, thus being more efficient.

bb - The Kronos UI allows one to overwrite files (with prompt) when using the Save PCG/Save All/etc. functions, but the file copy function does not. One must navigate to the target destination and manually remove the file(s) before allowing one to attempt the file copy process.

cc- I would prefer to have all file functionality available from a single page, rather than having to select the Load/Save/Utility page to access the needed menu options. This is annoying when performing a quick Save PCG operation, since the UI defaults to the Load page (when the Kronos is first started) or the last-used page. The ability to have nested sub menus would address this and make file management operations more efficient.

dd - All files should be able to exceed the 8.3 file name limitation, including the KSC files.

13]. Cue list for the SEQ. the M3 model has this SEQ feature

14] Unload All button or checkbox on the Global KSC Autoload page.

15] In drop down menu for ALL modes: provide " open recent " file command.

16] Karma 3. Get it together with Stephen Kay.

17] The ability to specify a SNG file to load at startup

18] Enhance, improve ALL engines to produce new factory Programs.
EP engine in particular should be expanded.

19] security code to un-lock the Kronos to prevent unauthorized access.
[ theft etc]

20] Global/Basic - Text Anti-aliasing: 2x, 3x,4x etc LARGE FONTS.

21] add a automatic loop function when you edit a wav sample (in Sampling Mode)

22] motherboard is Intel D 252W, add an external display port for a bigger screen with a mouse function

23] AMS modulations are scattered over multiple tabs. Consolidate/organize them to include a user edit function.

GregC · Post by **GregC** » Sat Jul 11, 2020 12:22 am

If we can get agreement from more owners here -

1)MORE Program banks Please. Most owners have maxed out
available program banks long ago and will not buy any
more 3rd party sounds.

2) MORE wavesequnces slots and sound

3] Improve existing polyphony limit

4] Fix out of tune piano notes

GregC · Post by **GregC** » Sat Jul 11, 2020 12:27 am

Lightbringer · Post by **Lightbringer** » Sat Jul 11, 2020 12:01 pm

GregC wrote:If we can get agreement from more owners here -

1)MORE Program banks Please.

2) MORE wavesequnces

3] Improve existing polyphony limit

4] Fix out of tune piano notes

1. Seconded. I want to say I think this is a potential profit area for Korg. I get really tempted to buy Kronos sound packs, especially when they have a good sale. When I remember that I'm going to have to spend time fiddling with figuring out where to put the sounds, and what to remove to make room for them, I talk myself out of the purchase - every single time.

2. Do you mean more wave sequence slots or more actual wave sequence sounds? I might be willing to pay for the latter. But see #1.

4. Do you know specifically which programs/notes are out of tune? I'd suggest listing them specifically here in this thread so Korg doesn't have to go digging if they decide to act.

ChrisDuncan · Post by **ChrisDuncan** » Sat Jul 11, 2020 3:18 pm

I watch a lot of YouTube keyboard videos just for fun. I like what the Kronos does but it's always cool to see other manufacturers' approach to things (plus: cheaper than actually buying them to appease GAS).

After watching Montage, MODX & Fantom videos, one thing really jumps out at me. The Kronos OS could seriously use a facelift.

This isn't about eye candy, although that does matter. All the hot new keyboards have touchscreens with a finger friendly UI that looks like what you'd see on an iPad. The Kronos UI was obviously designed by guys sitting in front of a computer monitor with a keyboard and mouse. If you bring up the Kronos Editor, it's even more apparent that this is a traditional computer screen interface. It's fiddly and tiny (many people resort to using a stylus), and just not very enjoyable to interact with.

There is a ton of power and functionality in the Kronos, but accessing it is tedious at best. If Korg made absolutely zero changes to the functionality of the OS and simply rewrote the UI so that it's on par with a modern, finger-friendly iPad app like everyone else, it would do huge things for usability.

More important (from Korg's perspective), if the Kronos had a modern look and feel to the touch screen, it would go a long way toward making it feel more competitive with the latest offerings from Roland and Yamaha. That would undoubtedly do huge things for sales.

GregC · Post by **GregC** » Sat Jul 11, 2020 4:14 pm

ChrisDuncan · Post by **ChrisDuncan** » Sat Jul 11, 2020 4:39 pm

Rewrite the user interface to use a modern finger-friendly, iPad-like design.

GregC · Post by **GregC** » Sat Jul 11, 2020 5:48 pm

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tunaman · Post by **tunaman** » Sat Jul 11, 2020 5:52 pm

File management updates:

Summary
1 - Use the enhanced keyboard for all text entry;
2 - Allow prompted overwrites for file copy processes;
3 - Consolidate file management actions on one page;
4 - Standardize file naming character conventions;

Detail
1 - The abbreviated virtual keyboard is frustrating, in that shift is either on or off and does not toggle when a character is entered; the enhanced keyboard exposed in some functions has a proper shift lock which is preferable. Also, the enhanced keyboard has simpler access to the numeric and special characters, thus being more efficient.

2 - The Kronos UI allows one to overwrite files (with prompt) when using the Save PCG/Save All/etc. functions, but the file copy function does not. One must navigate to the target destination and manually remove the file(s) before allowing one to attempt the file copy process.

3 - I would prefer to have all file functionality available from a single page, rather than having to select the Load/Save/Utility page to access the needed menu options. This is annoying when performing a quick Save PCG operation, since the UI defaults to the Load page (when the Kronos is first started) or the last-used page. The ability to have nested sub menus would address this and make file management operations more efficient.

4 - All files should be able to exceed the 8.3 file name limitation, including the KSC files.

tunaman · Post by **tunaman** » Sat Jul 11, 2020 6:06 pm

Unload All button or checkbox on the Global KSC Autoload page.

I’d prefer not having to deselect all of the enabled KSC files, then tapping the Autoload Now button to perform a bare Autoload prior to working with new samples. Oftentimes I have some KSC files added to the list, but remain unchecked unless I implicitly want to load them (think Preload minus drums, as an example). Currently I have to uncheck around 20 KSC files, and usually have three or four others which are not normally checked, so it is more cumbersome than it should/could be.

laandodeman · Post by **laandodeman** » Sun Jul 12, 2020 10:10 am

1. File management
2. File management
3. File management
.....

and so on

tunaman · Post by **tunaman** » Thu Jul 16, 2020 2:18 am

The ability to specify a SNG file to load at startup.

I fail to understand why SNG files can’t be (or aren’t) managed like KSC files. I have one which has my current songs all loaded, but of course I have to manually load it after my Kronos initializes.

GregC · Post by **GregC** » Thu Jul 16, 2020 3:26 am

tunaman · Post by **tunaman** » Thu Jul 16, 2020 3:59 am

My SNG file loads in seconds, so I don’t believe it would discernibly extend boot time.

I have one I’m currently using in one of my setlists, but of course it does no good without the SNG file loaded.