Korg Forums

Kronik wrote:The competition doesn't even come close.

There is some nice stuff out there but I'd have to agree. The only issue with the Kronos/X is it goes so deep and has an equal learning curve to match its potential. Hardly a bad thing. And since is its a Korg it is familiar with past Korgs that at least for me makes steppen into it easy.

Menu diving! now that's a good term!

Yes, the Kronos/X is deep, but that's what I like about it. Who knows if anyone ever will figure it out completely? I do find it to be quite daunting at times but then again I feel it is important to try and "get" how all the synth engines work. I'm starting to get a microscopic handle on the AL-1 but I haven't even poked at the Mod-7 yet. Go ahead. Call me scared!

It just would be so nice if there was a magic box covered on knobs that I could use to program those engines with. A programmer perhaps.

Maybe some of you engineer types could build one.

jeremykeys wrote:Menu diving! now that's a good term!
It just would be so nice if there was a magic box covered on knobs that I could use to program those engines with. A programmer perhaps.

Maybe some of you engineer types could build one.

I wonder if it would be possible to use an iPad app like Lemur to receive midi data from a knoby synth like a Voyager or P12 and map it to Kronos SysEx commands to modify program parameters.

I have more functionality available to me in the Kronos than I would from ANY analog synth.

Plus I have all those bread&butter sounds that I hardly ever use - guitar, bass, drums, piano, etc. That are nice to have every now and again.

I bought the Kronos because it would be an all-in-one instrument that negates the need to 'take the studio on the road', but equally brings the road to the studio, making gig preparation even more of a challenge.

Of course, shortly after buying the Kronos I stopped gigging, and started losing many hours of sleep to sound programming and endless piano noodling...


The PolySix and MS-20EX are both great instruments, with more polyphony than any analog synth, plenty of grit, punch, balls, and whatever else you want to call it. I find mod7 to be very useful too. And there's a brilliant effects chain. And it all has instant seamless total-recall. I can't imagine why I'd ever want to downgrade to a single function analog synth.

P12 does look interesting though. I would like one. If I continue to keep the big synths in the studio and barely use the Kronos then it may even be a better choice. But I'd lose all of those pianos, eps, organs that I use sparingly but are essential to have in such high quality. And even then that's forgetting all the awesome synths.

I feel there is a slight improvement in audio quality from analog hardware but the quality of digital VAs, particularly in some of Korg's latest developments, is at least 90% of the way there.

Ultimately as others have pointed out, I think the main advantage is the one-knob-per-function or thereabouts that you get from some modern analogs. But that tends to imply less depth. Limitations can make us more creative but at the same time, I like to explore and push the limits.

I can do more with the Radias which can be treated as a one-knob-per-function synth, even though it has plenty more hidden in the menus (which I know like the back of my hand).

I think the biggest problem with the Kronos then is that most of the functionality is locked away behind that touchscreen, with it's mostly 90s GUI. I know where everything is but I don't find it inspiring nor sometimes intuitive.


I think the Kronos makes more sense as an investment in raw technical power and flexibility. But that doesn't mean it doesn't leave something to be desired either.

jeremykeys wrote:Menu diving! now that's a good term!

Yes, the Kronos/X is deep, but that's what I like about it. Who knows if anyone ever will figure it out completely? I do find it to be quite daunting at times but then again I feel it is important to try and "get" how all the synth engines work. I'm starting to get a microscopic handle on the AL-1 but I haven't even poked at the Mod-7 yet. Go ahead. Call me scared!

It just would be so nice if there was a magic box covered on knobs that I could use to program those engines with. A programmer perhaps.

Maybe some of you engineer types could build one.

I wonder if any of the livid kits or controllers will do sysex. I wonder maybe a path for more control.

I don't think that's really a fair comparison and I'm not surprised not a single person has said "yeah, I'd do it"...Apples to oranges as they say....I bought the Kronos to be a master controller in the studio with 16 extra voices to help fill in....That way the computer cpu stays within it's limits to be able to finish a project beginning to end.....It would be silly to try to put an analogue in it's place.....moon

NO

I sold my Moog Voyager (and my old Oasys) to buy a Kronos.

But I earned some money and bought a Voyager again

Never would sell my Kronos though

Only for a Kronos II.

I have tried out the King Korg (if that counts) and I was stunned by it. The core sound is amazing, plus having some "standard" sounds hidden away in it to make it a very tempting keyboard. If I didn't have the Kronos I would be looking very carefully to see if I could find a way of making it my primary keyboard. However, I can't see any way now that I would trade the Kronos in for it.

So, that's a No.

DB

Depends, if someone wanted to swap a Buchla 200e system 7 for my Kronos I wouldn't say no

I was thinking of selling it to get a P12 but I came to my senses.

Bald Eagle wrote:

jeremykeys wrote:Menu diving! now that's a good term!
It just would be so nice if there was a magic box covered on knobs that I could use to program those engines with. A programmer perhaps.

Maybe some of you engineer types could build one.

I wonder if it would be possible to use an iPad app like Lemur to receive midi data from a knoby synth like a Voyager or P12 and map it to Kronos SysEx commands to modify program parameters.

It would mainly be a Herculean task.

Bald Eagle wrote:

jeremykeys wrote:Menu diving! now that's a good term!
It just would be so nice if there was a magic box covered on knobs that I could use to program those engines with. A programmer perhaps.

Maybe some of you engineer types could build one.

I wonder if it would be possible to use an iPad app like Lemur to receive midi data from a knoby synth like a Voyager or P12 and map it to Kronos SysEx commands to modify program parameters.

Maybe the best thing would be an iPad app that has knobs on it as opposed to a physical box with real knobs. It would certainly be a lot cheaper to design and make.
Myself, I really like the iPad idea simply because of the touchscreen.

mdeezy wrote:Do you think an analog synth like the prophet 08 is superior than the kronos? Sound wise? Would you sell your kronos for one?

For a PS-3300, yes. For a 08 most certainly not

In theory, we can come to the conclusion that analog and digital gear are different kind of beasts. Correct me if I'm wrong, their are things you can do with digital that you cannot do with analog and vice versa. We can all agree, that analog has its own sound that is simply beautiful, where as digital cannot obtain this degree of sound due to its circuitry, close but no cigar. As well, digital holds its ground quite well with different aspects. Pardon my lack of education on the subject, but that is why I'm here. At the end of the day, my focus is making good music, just like all of us. I was debating to maybe sell one of my romplers to obtain a analog synth, but I think I will educate myself on what I have already. Then who knows, maybe I'll be confident enough to treat myself to an analog. Thank you for you time and participation.

mdeezy wrote:In theory, we can come to the conclusion that analog and digital gear are different kind of beasts. Correct me if I'm wrong, their are things you can do with digital that you cannot do with analog and vice versa. We can all agree, that analog has its own sound that is simply beautiful, where as digital cannot obtain this degree of sound due to its circuitry, close but no cigar. As well, digital holds its ground quite well with different aspects. Pardon my lack of education on the subject, but that is why I'm here. At the end of the day, my focus is making good music, just like all of us. I was debating to maybe sell one of my romplers to obtain a analog synth, but I think I will educate myself on what I have already. Then who knows, maybe I'll be confident enough to treat myself to an analog. Thank you for you time and participation.

You sound well educated on it to me.

Answer is no !
But perhaps because I have already all I need !
A real Vintage Analog synth: (Minmoog model D) And the Kronos !

But frankly the Kronos is a beast !

Cheers