KRONOS discontinued!

[Bertotti]

SanderXpander I like your list and I would hope #19 would include a more user friendly angle. The current screen angle may be good for you tall guys but I am short and I have to hunch over to work on the screen.

[jeremykeys]

SanderXpander I like your list and I would hope #19 would include a more user friendly angle. The current screen angle may be good for you tall guys but I am short and I have to hunch over to work on the screen.

I'm 5 foist 9 inches tala land sometimes I find the screen awkward. About a month ago I played an outdoor gig and I had to make a cardboard cover to keep the screen shaded from the sun.

[slowtrain]

They kept making the Triton series for a long time, through several models. Maybe we'll get an extreme with a tube in the output stage. They have one in the King Korg

[Bachus]

I see room for various improvements;
1. Better vocoder
2. More control over controllers (e.g. pedal as expression or foot controller depending on program/combi)
3. More RAM/64-bit architecture
4. Unlimited banks
5. Mixing HD1 and EXi within a bank
6. Faster editor with 64 bit support and VST integration a la Virus TI
7. Headphone mix separate from main L/R
8. Improved sequencer with piano roll and better pattern based composition (or bring back cue list). I wouldn't use this but it's a common complaint.
9. Easier (idiot proof) sample management
10. Tag based sound selection
11. Faster CPU/more polyphony
12. Add a regular arp to all programs
13. Allow KARMA to respond to sequencer data/notes.
14. Easier combi/split making (I have no problems here but it's probably at least 30 percent of the "how do I do this" posts on the forum).
15. No more keybed issues. Please.
16. Bring back wind model from Z1/MOSS
17. MonoPoly model or KingKorg filters for AL1
18. Better overdrives in the IFX section. Also, add the new CX3 leslie there and the FX from EP-1.
19. Larger touchscreen, perhaps using capacitive technology.
20. Allow different routing to the USB out (not only L/R).
21. Extra switch input for those who want a back and forth foot switch option in their setlist.
Etc., etc.

None of these would be a revolution, but there are plenty of possibilities for an evolution. I might even consider upgrading if enough is improved.

Considering point 19, make that a larger multi touchscreen, with a UI fit for touchscreen..

On the Kronos many of the UI ellements are still typical windows based and not really fit for touchscreens.... There is a reason microsodt moved to windows 8.1, or Mac OSX does not support touchscreens..

With good multi touch, and UI elements created for touchscreens a 12 or 13" touchscreen would move the Kronos replacement where it concerns workflow..

On top of that, if they integrated all the sepperate Kronos synths intoo a single synth allowing you to combine the synth engines even better, and hopefully adding two or three more forms of synthesis to the mix...

I dont see a reason to run VST instruments on a Kronos2 with even more forms of integrated synthesis... But i would love to see some vst effects expandabillity ..


The sequencer needs a totall overhaul, something more akin NI Maschine would really add a lot of flexibillity for live situations...

And add DNC to the HD1 engine

[John Hendry]

I've heard that the intel computer that was in the KRONOS is no longer being made or available which might have something to do with this....

We can only hope;-) Too bad they don't run out of keyboard beds that don't have poly AT. But I think at some point KORG is going to take advantage of reduced costs and better technology to bring back what should have never been left out of high end synths in the first place. Been playing my JD800 lately and it has release velocity you don't notice that much until you trigger it with another controller and it's like wow.... "what's wrong with the sound". The JD800 is an amazing piece of Roland's gear IMO and just hope Roland survives the takeover and benefits from it as competition is healthy for progress.... needed progress and repair.

It's so easy to take for granted that things will continue to progress and not run into a bump too big to get past starting a downward spiral of negative changes.

[jerrythek]

I see room for various improvements;
1. Better vocoder
2. More control over controllers (e.g. pedal as expression or foot controller depending on program/combi)
3. More RAM/64-bit architecture
4. Unlimited banks
5. Mixing HD1 and EXi within a bank
6. Faster editor with 64 bit support and VST integration a la Virus TI
7. Headphone mix separate from main L/R
8. Improved sequencer with piano roll and better pattern based composition (or bring back cue list). I wouldn't use this but it's a common complaint.
9. Easier (idiot proof) sample management
10. Tag based sound selection
11. Faster CPU/more polyphony
12. Add a regular arp to all programs
13. Allow KARMA to respond to sequencer data/notes.
14. Easier combi/split making (I have no problems here but it's probably at least 30 percent of the "how do I do this" posts on the forum).
15. No more keybed issues. Please.
16. Bring back wind model from Z1/MOSS
17. MonoPoly model or KingKorg filters for AL1
18. Better overdrives in the IFX section. Also, add the new CX3 leslie there and the FX from EP-1.
19. Larger touchscreen, perhaps using capacitive technology.
20. Allow different routing to the USB out (not only L/R).
21. Extra switch input for those who want a back and forth foot switch option in their setlist.
Etc., etc.

None of these would be a revolution, but there are plenty of possibilities for an evolution. I might even consider upgrading if enough is improved.

From a performance standpoint, #2 is a biggie for me, that I've been asking for. I want to be able to switch my FC7 pedal from expression to foot control (for Leslie, or Wah control) on a per Program basis. And I'd like to be able to set the Vel Curve different for each sound (like the SV1 does!) when needed.

These may seem like small things, but they really would make a difference.

Regards,

Jerry

[geoelectro]

just hope Roland survives the takeover and benefits from it as competition is healthy for progress.... needed progress and repair.

Can you elaborate on this takeover?

Geo

[karmathanever]

Can you elaborate on this takeover?

This info is a few months old - don't know the current status though....

https://zephyr.bvdinfo.com/version-2014 ... =zephyrneo

Pete

[SanderXpander]

Yeah Jerry, being able to set controllers easily per program/combi would help me too, a lot. I would personally prefer a "bypass global" setting like we have for audio routing, so that I can set it globally to expression yet adapt individual programs/combis to have wah or filtering or something.

Velocity curves per program are a good one too, as are customizable curves. I just made the list off the top of my head. There are mores points than I expected to write but I'm sure I missed a bunch. E.g. HD-1 enhancements (more than two stereo oscillators per program, more "scripting"-like features, customizable and modulatable sample start points, etc.).

[michelkeijzers]

Very nice list. Below are my remarks about it.

I see room for various improvements;
1. Better vocoder
-> I don't use it.

2. More control over controllers (e.g. pedal as expression or foot controller depending on program/combi)
-> This would be a great addition, I mainly now use the FCB1010 with 10 switches and 2 pedals, but if the Kronos could handle configuration per combi (or program) it would make the FCB mostly obsolete.

3. More RAM/64-bit architecture
-> More RAM would be nice, I think for people using more libraries (I only use a few), more memory might be really useful. Or otherwise an improved sample loading algorithm. E.g. where samples are being (or optionally) loaded only when need to be loaded.

4. Unlimited banks
-> This would be great indeed, it might increase the loading speed though (and size of PCG file).

5. Mixing HD1 and EXi within a bank
-> Also a great addition (cost me quite some extra work in PCG Tools to hold this constraint).

6. Faster editor with 64 bit support and VST integration a la Virus TI
-> I don't use sequencers.

7. Headphone mix separate from main L/R
-> I can imagine it would save an external mixer.

8. Improved sequencer with piano roll and better pattern based composition (or bring back cue list). I wouldn't use this but it's a common complaint.
-> Same here.

9. Easier (idiot proof) sample management
-> True, although I barely use samples, hwoever, maybe if it would be easier, I would.

10. Tag based sound selection
-> Very nice solution, I hope to add this with PCG Tools some time, but it should be inside the Kronos.

11. Faster CPU/more polyphony
-> Always good .... more, better.

12. Add a regular arp to all programs
-> I think it would be nice; although I barely use arps, Karma is too difficult to make it. Or there should be a simple manual how to create a siimple arp.

13. Allow KARMA to respond to sequencer data/notes.
-> I don't use sequencers.

14. Easier combi/split making (I have no problems here but it's probably at least 30 percent of the "how do I do this" posts on the forum).
-> This is also where I spend most time. Some nice additions would be:
14a Automatically sort timbres in combis (e.g. based on MIDI channel and key zone).
14b move left/right, copy/paste timbres from one combi to another.
14c Remove unused effects, so they can be reused again when copying programs to a combi later.

15. No more keybed issues. Please.
-> I don't have them, but of course it is annoying for those who had.

16. Bring back wind model from Z1/MOSS
-> More synth engines in general is always good; this is the true sound power of the Kronos.

17. MonoPoly model or KingKorg filters for AL1
-> Same here.

18. Better overdrives in the IFX section. Also, add the new CX3 leslie there and the FX from EP-1.
-> Would be a good idea to have all effects available everywhere; it would also be more consistent.

19. Larger touchscreen, perhaps using capacitive technology.
-> Might increase the cost, but adding it to an external screen would be nice (even better with a dedicated UI for big screens).

20. Allow different routing to the USB out (not only L/R).
-> Never used it.

21. Extra switch input for those who want a back and forth foot switch option in their setlist.
-> I use two switches of the FCB1010 for this which is possible since a later OS upgrade. It would be even better to be able to set the switch per combi, so if you use for a (live) song two combis, the first combi set the switch to program (combi) Up and the next combi to combi Down so you can easily switch between them (e.g. for verse/chorus).


Etc., etc.

None of these would be a revolution, but there are plenty of possibilities for an evolution. I might even consider upgrading if enough is improved.

From a performance standpoint, #2 is a biggie for me, that I've been asking for. I want to be able to switch my FC7 pedal from expression to foot control (for Leslie, or Wah control) on a per Program basis. And I'd like to be able to set the Vel Curve different for each sound (like the SV1 does!) when needed.

These may seem like small things, but they really would make a difference.

Regards,

Jerry

[metallo]

Backing tracks and click track separated from the sequencer, so you can use them and change combis and programs indipendently.

[SanderXpander]

You can already use the audio inputs for this if you want to. For anything more complicated you need the sequencer but I really don't see how to uncouple playback and click from it in any meaningful fashion.

Michel, for point 6 I meant for DAW integration, not the on-board sequencer.
I don't use my Kronos in the studio much but that is at least in part because it's a hassle to do so.

[metallo]

You can already use the audio inputs for this if you want to. For anything more complicated you need the sequencer but I really don't see how to uncouple playback and click from it in any meaningful fashion.

Michel, for point 6 I meant for DAW integration, not the on-board sequencer.
I don't use my Kronos in the studio much but that is at least in part because it's a hassle to do so.

Well, if you have a backing track system with the click that "drives" the metronome it would be handy.
Imagine to have your backing tracks linked to your click tracks that determines the internal clock, you can use your programs, combi and drum track at that tempo and don't have the limitations you have in sequencer mode.

Unfortunately the audio input is not a solution, for me that play prog rock with meter and tempo changes I'm forced to use the internal sequencer or a midi sequancer if I want to use programs or combis that use tempo based effects like an echo, a phaser etc.etc.

[Davd C. Polich]

I just purchased a used but barely touched Kronos 61 in perfect condition and did my own upgrades to X specs. and paid $1800 no tax. I'm very very happy ,it replaced my Fantom G6 that i loved (ROMPLER GEEK here) but have almost now forgotten after 3 days with the Kronos.

Discontinued is one statement and maybe true but... Out-of-date make me laugh. When a keyboard sounds this good I'm not sure it will ever really be out-of-date sound wise as long as I stay up-to-date in my choice of music.

If the shortage is related to atom processors it just means the next processor will offer more polyphony and less stolen voices.

Word. There is still nothing else on the market approaching the Kronos' capabilities. I also purchased mine slightly used(from an Israeli dentist who lives near me) about three months ago, and I'd been desperately wanting one since I saw it introduced at NAMM 2011. Mine works perfectly, no issues, hope there won't be any. If it continues to work I
honestly see no need to replace it…it does everything I need it to do.

I'm sure when Korg learned that the Atom was discontinued, it was a bad day for them. That is a real depressing development that no manufacturer can truly foresee, or avoid for that matter. There is always the risk that suppliers will drop their production, or go out of business. You can't future-proof anything electronic.

[SanderXpander]

You can already use the audio inputs for this if you want to. For anything more complicated you need the sequencer but I really don't see how to uncouple playback and click from it in any meaningful fashion.

Michel, for point 6 I meant for DAW integration, not the on-board sequencer.
I don't use my Kronos in the studio much but that is at least in part because it's a hassle to do so.

Well, if you have a backing track system with the click that "drives" the metronome it would be handy.
Imagine to have your backing tracks linked to your click tracks that determines the internal clock, you can use your programs, combi and drum track at that tempo and don't have the limitations you have in sequencer mode.

Unfortunately the audio input is not a solution, for me that play prog rock with meter and tempo changes I'm forced to use the internal sequencer or a midi sequancer if I want to use programs or combis that use tempo based effects like an echo, a phaser etc.etc.

I can understand why this would be helpful in your specific case, but to be honest I don't really see it happen. You basically want to uncouple two basic functions from the already existing sequencer. If you offered those features specifically there'd be complaints over why it doesn't include program changes or IFX or midi etc.

You can already automate significant sound changes, maybe this is an option for you.