Musikmesse 6th April

jimknopf · Post by **jimknopf** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 3:06 pm

At the Kronos demonstration in the Netherlands there was an educated guess from an experienced music business person:
- late summer / early autumn

This was such a frustrating view at our target time of Kronos delivery (in Europe, hardly much earlier elsewhere), that we all got back on the bandwagon claiming April/early May at the next possible occasion (hint from Korg or dealers), and then swallowing May/early June, knowing already what would come next: June, early July.

I happen to know people who reconsider right now, and will jump to buys like Nord Stage 2, or look for something completely else like Origin etc. to add to their workstation gear, keeping their old workstation and buying other interesting sound devices, instead of waiting for the Kronos too long.

At the same time Korg is simply
a) losing potential customers with each month of delay
b) reducing their own benefit time frame, giving the competition more time to react to the challenge, thus wasting and shortening their valuable technological/conceptual leading position.

For these reasons it is quite understandable that Korg (like others did before) start with early announcements, and even try to come close looking at a) and b), but in reality rather will end up somewhere in summer/autumn.

Just like we (or those among us remaining in the waiting loop long enough) will do by force. Simple as that.

GregC · Post by **GregC** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 3:09 pm

Kevin Nolan wrote:Agreed - Korg's silence is intersting to say the least. It kind of looks like they thought they were ready to ship a little closer to when they actually are able to. I'm sure they're racing behind the scenes to get it finished and out.

or it could be some kind of conspiracy theory.

Don't you enjoy Internet speculation ?

GregC · Post by **GregC** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 3:18 pm

jimknopf wrote:At the Kronos demonstration in the Netherlands there was an educated guess from an experienced music business person:
- late summer / early autumn

This was such a frustrating view at our target time of Kronos delivery (in Europe, hardly much earlier elsewhere), that we all got back on the bandwagon claiming April/early May at the next possible occasion (hint from Korg or dealers), and then swallowing May/early June, knowing already what would come next: June, early July.

I happen to know people who reconsider right now, and will jump to buys like Nord Stage 2, or look for something completely else like Origin etc. to add to their workstation gear, keeping their old workstation and buying other interesting sound devices, instead of waiting for the Kronos too long.

At the same time Korg is simply
a) losing potential customers with each month of delay
b) reducing their own benefit time frame, giving the competition more time to react to the challenge, thus wasting and shortening their valuable technological/conceptual leading position.

For these reasons it is quite understandable that Korg (like others did before) start with early announcements, and even try to come close looking at a) and b), but in reality rather will end up somewhere in summer/autumn.

Just like we (or those among us remaining in the waiting loop long enough) will do by force. Simple as that.

you are absolutely right.

The Kronos is not worth a 1 or 2 month wait. especially for ADD/OCD types
of people.

I will cancel my Kronos order since I can't handle the suspense .

I will then buy a Nord and/or a Kurzweil and complain on this forum, its all
Korg's fault.

Sound good ?

jimknopf · Post by **jimknopf** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 3:31 pm

I get your sarcasm, Greg, but I have not invented the people I talk about. They are in the business and want to improve their gear now or in one or two months, not in autumn. I think it does not help to ignore this part of music business reality.

If you or I are of the more relaxed kind, because we can afford the necessary time, fine for us.

And by the way, we do not talk about a 2 months wait, but about the gap between announcemant (January) and delivery/later delivery/much later delivery.

P.S. Ceterum censeo:
the time delay concerning concrete delivery and price information for Europeans is FAR out of any acceptable order from my European view.
Just ridiculous!

GregC · Post by **GregC** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 3:42 pm

jimknopf wrote:I get your sarcasm, Greg, but I have not invented the people I talk about.

They are in the business and want to improve their gear now or in one or two months, not in autumn. I think it does not help to ignore this part of music business reality.

If you or I are of the more relaxed kind, because we can afford the necessary time, fine for us.

And by the way, we do not talk about a 2 months wait, but about the gap between announcemant (January) and delivery/later delivery/much later delivery.

remind your acquaintences that there has been a catastrophic event in Japan.

And its best that the Kronos , a complex workstation, is 100% perfect when it launches.

Anyone who has bought new gear from Roland or Korg
knows that January NAMM is announcement time and that earliest available
ship dates frequently slip or are delayed.

True, my hair is not on fire with a music project due June 1st, where one unrealistically expected the Kronos to be available for said project. ( or pick your project completion date)

I consider my lack of impatience to be more common sense and experience.

jimknopf · Post by **jimknopf** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 3:52 pm

The people I talk about are not emotionally impatient. They just want things to get done in a convenient way, and buy the necessary tools within their own planning.

So they rather live in their own investment cycles, and these simply do not depend on casual industry release times. They just check what they want and need, and when and where something useful of that kind will be available. It's not too emotional. They accept limited waiting times fitting their planning, but they don't need or want "the latest and greatest", if they don't see it in a reliable time frame any longer. They are not sour in any way about a later release. They just opt out.

If someone like me, making a lot of music besides main profession, is looking forward to something like the Kronos, this is causing much more expectations and emotions, while at the same time not being under any relevant time pressure.

EnjoyRC · Post by **EnjoyRC** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 4:14 pm

I personally don't think any delays will hurt Korg. Sure, they may loose some impatient buyers now, but in a couple months there will be a new breed of buyers.

Look at the Access Virus TI delays. Now look at their piece of the VA market. Delays didn't hurt them.

I think the majority of those interested in purchasing a Kronos, are not first time keyboard purchasers. The Kronos is a special, high end, keyboard that attracts seasoned players. Not an entry level board. Kronos customers are not buying a Kronos on a whim. They'd have the patience to wait for it if they want it. Also, most keyboardists interested in a Kronos already have other quality keyboards that they have been using for some time.. and they can continue to use while waiting.

JPWC · Post by **JPWC** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 4:32 pm

While I agree with you EnjoyRC.

And I do have lots of keyboards to play with until Kronos is ready.

But, I still visit the Korg Site daily to see if the manuals are available.

I keep reading the Korgforum's Krono Board at least every two days.

The only thing Korg has got to worry about is I may spend all my money on something else, then they'll have to wait until next year to get my cash, but they'll still get it.

No matter how far I stray from Korg, I still come back, (they're products sound better and are simply more fun.)

This gear lust has got to stop! I think I am addicted to this high tech gear.

First step, Admit that I am a gear junkie. (crap, that did not do anything)

Maybe if Korg goes out of business, I'll get over this lust, (or maybe I'd just switch brands)

My Korg history:

M3, M1, WS, WSSR, 01W/fd, TritonLe, KP-2, KP-3, KO-Pro, KO-1, Electribe EMX-1, ESX-1, Prophecy, D3200, PX4B, Karma, microKorg, MicroStation, microX, SV-173, Radias, Pa500, monotron

PS. That damn monotron sure runs through batteries, as I forget to turn it off virtually every night.

Kevin Nolan · Post by **Kevin Nolan** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 5:14 pm

JPWC -

I think Korg owe you a debt of gratitude. that's some loyalty and more than a Korg banquet or two paid personally by you (Yamaha go most of my money!).

I often wonder why the likes of Korg do not over loyalty benefits like supermarkets do. As they say in business you should look after your existing customers. Just how many customers has the likes of Korg lost over the years through no particular reason; but who might have bought from them again and again like us had their been a loyalty benefit?

Kevin.

JPWC · Post by **JPWC** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 7:10 pm

Kevin,

Korg (and maybe most other Synth Makers) does have to worry about me, because I am Addicted.

If I ever finish my 12 step program for Gear Lust, they may have to start to have some concern, but I can make it past step 1.

And I think they (Korg, Roland, Yamaha) know that once a killer product is released, they'll not have to worry about the past sins.

Zeroesque · Post by **Zeroesque** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 7:14 pm

Kevin Nolan wrote:Just how many customers has the likes of Korg lost over the years through no particular reason; but who might have bought from them again and again like us had their been a loyalty benefit?

Does anyone really pick a high-end musical instrument based upon a few percentage points of discount?

axxim · Post by **axxim** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 9:29 pm

The main question is:

how did you managed to survive until now without the Kronos?????
Maybe Korg should have named it "Manna"

Manna manna, ♪♪ taa-tiiii tadidat ♪♪

Rob Sherratt · Post by **Rob Sherratt** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 8:06 am

RKfan wrote:
UKSimon wrote:Well if you bought one of the Lionstracs Groove X keyboards, then you could load Omnisphere and away you go.
http://lionstracs.com/store/
Shame the Lionstracs are so expensive.

With the Groove X-R that has changed. Prices were announced in the thread about Groove X-R in the News section. And I'm pleased to say that every Groove X-R will come with a fully licensed version of Sonic Projects superb OP-X Pro II synthesizer, preinstalled, and with an individual end user license.

JPWC · Post by **JPWC** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 2:56 pm

Zeroesque,

"Does anyone really pick a high-end musical instrument?"

No my young apprentice, high-end instruments will pick you.

PS Just got the Stylophone, what a great instrument (for $20).

Crystalmsc · Post by **Crystalmsc** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 4:12 pm

Something new from Novation is coming: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTtxypz3Ras