So are these observations about the KK correct?
Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2015 10:06 pm
I'm looking for a VA/EDM synth (preferably with vocoder) to compliment my Kronos. Looking around the KK seemed like a possibility and theoretically sounded like it had a lot of potential and fun to play. Though what I HEARD gives me pause.
Strictly listening on demos, and paying casually once or twice in the store, this is what I'm seeing/hearing regarding the KK:
First the Negatives:
1.) While the filter behavior is nice and smooth, the timbres are really NOTHING like the Vintage synths they emulate. Yeah "styled" after or whatever buzzword you want to use, but if it doesn't actually SOUND like it why bother calling it a Moog, OB, 303, etc... type filter?
2.) It can sound "Fat", but to me the textures are more workstation sounding (and Narrow) than one of the big dog VAs (Like Solaris, or even the Blofeld) and just doesn't even COMPARE to RAs like the new prophet-6 (Again more expensive, but I'm looking for sound and features more than price first but want to be realistic too)
3.) The Vocoder sounds like it's not that great either. Serviceable and better than my Kronos, but not necessarily better than my 2008 Motif XS 16 band. It's just "average".
4.) What is UP with that tiny screen? Are we partying like it's 1989? That looks like a menu diving, oceanic expedition! Though maybe with the Knobs it's been done well and isn't so bad?
5.) No Combis, and only Dual Timbral. Only 24 voice polyphony. At 3 Osc per voice I assume, maybe not too bad. With only Dual timbral you have 12 voice, which when not using sustain Pedal is fine I guess. Though if I'm going to have a dedicated synth for this purpose I want ridiculous fatness and texture with CHARACTER! If it's not much better than my Kronos, little point to it.
6.) No Aftertouch. Though this is the "Norm" and a bit too often these days IMO.
7.) Only 100 user programs. SERIOUSLY? This could be a deal breaker!
8.) Depreciates badly? Many forum complaints about this.
Positives:
1.) It's one of the few (Only?) VAs with a FULL SIZE 61 key keyboard and a "decent" Vocoder. If Novation had full keybeds, I'd also be looking at them. The MiniNova just sounds killer, but it's not enough power (or keys) for me.
2.) It's fairly cheap and it's light.
3.) "Analog" Distortion. Though I'm a bit reserved on plate starved tube distortion that's usually just for show.
4.) Lots of big knobs. Is it enough? What about real-time performance?
5.)Unison Mode, but quickly limited by 24 voice polyphony.
6.)Vocoder is always available at a button press or so it seems.
7.) Adjustable key response could make a great organ controller in shallow?
So am I missing anything? Now that you guys have had these awhile what do you think? I see many posters with glowing reviews now thinking about selling.
Any other VA/EDM suitable power synths with 61 keys and Vocoder you guys would recommend? I guess something that "Beats my Kronos" is a tall order! Not sure why, but seems 49 (37!??? WHY?) keys is also popular. Cool for lead I suppose, but not full synth parts IMO.
In a different direction was also contemplating:
-V-Synth. There are soundsets for this that sound HUGE! Though I read the original is best but to use the Vocoder simultaneously it has to be the GT and it's a basket case with the Tone System.
I looked at:
Novation: No
Waldorf: No (The Blofeld would be a contender if it had a good vocoder! Even with the 49 keys)
Akai: No
Roland: Maybe the FA-06? Has Vocoder and SuperNatural Synths. Not very Knobby though. Wasn't really looking for another workstation.
Yamaha: No
Arturia: No
Casio: No. Was almost interesting though with their XW boards.
Access Virus TI2: Maybe? I read it has a vocoder, but as it seems no one uses it I'd bet it sucks. Virus is kinda played anyway?
Clavia Nord: Some interest, but no Vocoder. The NL A1 looks real cool, but it's a bit expensive to not get exactly what I want.
So That's kinda where I'm at. It's like everything's a toy targeted to "bedroom musicians". It's a serious drag! I'm itching to get some new gear and I can't find anything that does what I want and I don't think my end game is all that unique!
I thought about maybe a standalone Vocoder to go with a VA synth. Like the Roland Aria VT-3 Looked PERFECT, and then there is NO MIDI on it! Really? *smh*. Does anyone think when they design this stuff anymore?
It's enough to make one ponder the darkside of laptops/receptor and VSTs. Let's hope the hardware industry gets their act together!
Strictly listening on demos, and paying casually once or twice in the store, this is what I'm seeing/hearing regarding the KK:
First the Negatives:
1.) While the filter behavior is nice and smooth, the timbres are really NOTHING like the Vintage synths they emulate. Yeah "styled" after or whatever buzzword you want to use, but if it doesn't actually SOUND like it why bother calling it a Moog, OB, 303, etc... type filter?
2.) It can sound "Fat", but to me the textures are more workstation sounding (and Narrow) than one of the big dog VAs (Like Solaris, or even the Blofeld) and just doesn't even COMPARE to RAs like the new prophet-6 (Again more expensive, but I'm looking for sound and features more than price first but want to be realistic too)
3.) The Vocoder sounds like it's not that great either. Serviceable and better than my Kronos, but not necessarily better than my 2008 Motif XS 16 band. It's just "average".
4.) What is UP with that tiny screen? Are we partying like it's 1989? That looks like a menu diving, oceanic expedition! Though maybe with the Knobs it's been done well and isn't so bad?
5.) No Combis, and only Dual Timbral. Only 24 voice polyphony. At 3 Osc per voice I assume, maybe not too bad. With only Dual timbral you have 12 voice, which when not using sustain Pedal is fine I guess. Though if I'm going to have a dedicated synth for this purpose I want ridiculous fatness and texture with CHARACTER! If it's not much better than my Kronos, little point to it.
6.) No Aftertouch. Though this is the "Norm" and a bit too often these days IMO.
7.) Only 100 user programs. SERIOUSLY? This could be a deal breaker!
8.) Depreciates badly? Many forum complaints about this.
Positives:
1.) It's one of the few (Only?) VAs with a FULL SIZE 61 key keyboard and a "decent" Vocoder. If Novation had full keybeds, I'd also be looking at them. The MiniNova just sounds killer, but it's not enough power (or keys) for me.
2.) It's fairly cheap and it's light.
3.) "Analog" Distortion. Though I'm a bit reserved on plate starved tube distortion that's usually just for show.
4.) Lots of big knobs. Is it enough? What about real-time performance?
5.)Unison Mode, but quickly limited by 24 voice polyphony.
6.)Vocoder is always available at a button press or so it seems.
7.) Adjustable key response could make a great organ controller in shallow?
So am I missing anything? Now that you guys have had these awhile what do you think? I see many posters with glowing reviews now thinking about selling.
Any other VA/EDM suitable power synths with 61 keys and Vocoder you guys would recommend? I guess something that "Beats my Kronos" is a tall order! Not sure why, but seems 49 (37!??? WHY?) keys is also popular. Cool for lead I suppose, but not full synth parts IMO.
In a different direction was also contemplating:
-V-Synth. There are soundsets for this that sound HUGE! Though I read the original is best but to use the Vocoder simultaneously it has to be the GT and it's a basket case with the Tone System.
I looked at:
Novation: No
Waldorf: No (The Blofeld would be a contender if it had a good vocoder! Even with the 49 keys)
Akai: No
Roland: Maybe the FA-06? Has Vocoder and SuperNatural Synths. Not very Knobby though. Wasn't really looking for another workstation.
Yamaha: No
Arturia: No
Casio: No. Was almost interesting though with their XW boards.
Access Virus TI2: Maybe? I read it has a vocoder, but as it seems no one uses it I'd bet it sucks. Virus is kinda played anyway?
Clavia Nord: Some interest, but no Vocoder. The NL A1 looks real cool, but it's a bit expensive to not get exactly what I want.
So That's kinda where I'm at. It's like everything's a toy targeted to "bedroom musicians". It's a serious drag! I'm itching to get some new gear and I can't find anything that does what I want and I don't think my end game is all that unique!
I thought about maybe a standalone Vocoder to go with a VA synth. Like the Roland Aria VT-3 Looked PERFECT, and then there is NO MIDI on it! Really? *smh*. Does anyone think when they design this stuff anymore?
It's enough to make one ponder the darkside of laptops/receptor and VSTs. Let's hope the hardware industry gets their act together!