Great Kronos Piano Sounds ruined by using MSP7's

GregC · Post by **GregC** » Mon Mar 10, 2014 7:13 pm

SanderXpander wrote:I don't mind the Roland pianos a lot, they have a nice dynamic range with some top end bite that helps in a band context. But for realism I wouldn't even put them in the same league as the K. I think we've just all gotten very used to digital pianos that work in a band. Certainly the Yamaha's and Rolands mix easily, partly because they're less realistic.

I really, honestly, don't mean to pull authority here because I do believe a lot of it is taste and I certainly don't want to call a more realistic piano necessarily better (depends a lot on context), but do the ones who are disliking the K's pianos play real grands a lot?

I think you are onto something with the ' past perspective ' or expectation.

I played a 5' 6" Baldwin and also a Yamaha U3 for some years. The U3 string size is actually larger than a baby grand.

So my ears and taste gravitate to an authentic grand sound.

MusicLive · Post by **MusicLive** » Mon Mar 10, 2014 8:47 pm

ed_f,

I fully respect what you say and honestly believed the Kronos to be the very best digital keyboard. The sounds I'd heard it produce were nothing short of amazing. I still believe that to be the case but for some reason its pianos sound rubbish through MSP7's - end of.
If it produced the same sound through those speakers, as it does through my Senns, then I'd be very happy to post a different opinion.

Sadly, at the moment I can't!

Thanks again for your opinions.

MC

splinters · Post by **splinters** » Mon Mar 10, 2014 8:58 pm

Reading this might just have made my mind up about selling my Kronos. Because I use Logic for sequencing and audio recording (and don't play live anymore) the Kronos is a damn fine midi input keyboard and sound module but wasted in those roles.
However, I miss a weighted piano keyboard and the Casio PX-5s is the only board that fits my tiny studio space. The Kronos piano is not enjoyable to play on a 61 synth board...
The extra grand in my pocket wont go amiss either......hmmmmm, tempted.
I would wonder what a Kronos without the sampling and audio facilities would be worth but I pretty much had one....the Krome!!

GregC · Post by **GregC** » Mon Mar 10, 2014 9:04 pm

splinters wrote:Reading this might just have made my mind up about selling my Kronos. Because I use Logic for sequencing and audio recording (and don't play live anymore) the Kronos is a damn fine midi input keyboard and sound module.
However, I miss a weighted piano keyboard and the Casio PX-5s is the only board that fits my tiny studio space.
The extra grand in my pocket wont go amiss either......hmmmmm, tempted.
I would wonder what a Kronos without the sampling and audio facilities would be worth but I pretty much had one....the Krome!!

i agree. the kronos 61 is not the right fit for you

splinters · Post by **splinters** » Mon Mar 10, 2014 9:08 pm

Thanks Greg...

MusicLive · Post by **MusicLive** » Mon Mar 10, 2014 9:30 pm

Splinters,

I hope I've not been a factor in persuading you to 'maybe' part with what is overall a great keyboard. But then, if it doesn't float your boat???

If you do go Casio, shall I bring my spraying equipment up to Donny to give it a makeover?

MC

SanderXpander · Post by **SanderXpander** » Mon Mar 10, 2014 9:35 pm

FWIW, I think it's really hard to appreciate any piano sound played from an unweighted keybed.

splinters · Post by **splinters** » Mon Mar 10, 2014 9:59 pm

So true mate...I have it set to 9 which is the nearest i can get to the response of a real piano but without that subtle bounce of the weighted key it just feels weird.
I have just had a brilliant offer on my Kronos which is frankly too good to pass up so I am going to accept then seek something more suitable for my needs.
Casio PX-5S fits the space, Roland FA appeals to me but, again, has sequencing and audio features I wont use.

SanderXpander · Post by **SanderXpander** » Mon Mar 10, 2014 10:07 pm

If you get the PX, from what I've read, you've got a great controller. You could use some of the leftover money to get Omnisphere or something. I'd also recommend Komplete 9 Ultimate, but I'd honestly wait till another of their big sales, it goes nearly half off at times (and it's already great value).

For a studio situation, that's a "Kronos killer" in many aspects.

splinters · Post by **splinters** » Mon Mar 10, 2014 10:29 pm

Dragging the box out as we speak....Casio gets a new sound bank of extreme synths about now and sounds incredible. For a player, its a nice bit of kit but my god...its ugly!

MusicLive · Post by **MusicLive** » Mon Mar 10, 2014 10:38 pm

Splinters,

I have around 500 litres of black paint...that should just about cover that Ugly Casio!

MC

splinters · Post by **splinters** » Mon Mar 10, 2014 10:50 pm

500 litres? Wont be enough...

Still, I hear the Buck Rodgers look is in at the moment. Don't knock it, you might be there yourself soon given how little you like the Kronos Piano.

Not much difference in price between the Casio and a Roland RD...unfortunately the RD is too big.

MusicLive · Post by **MusicLive** » Mon Mar 10, 2014 11:20 pm

Splinters,

MC

danatkorg · Post by **danatkorg** » Mon Mar 10, 2014 11:26 pm

splinters wrote:So true mate...I have it set to 9 which is the nearest i can get to the response of a real piano but without that subtle bounce of the weighted key it just feels weird.

Vel Curve 9 is suitable ONLY for the weighted keybeds, and not for the 61. From the PG:

* * *

9: This curve is designed specifically for playing piano sounds from the weighted RH3 keyboards in the 73-note and 88-note models.

* * *

MusicLive · Post by **MusicLive** » Mon Mar 10, 2014 11:40 pm

Danatkorg,

I've tried all the curve settings on my 73 but still get a lousy piano sound with Yams connected. Currently it's set at 9.

Regards,

MC