Get rid of Kronos or midi up?

[Gary75]

I'm being asked to do a duo gig piano/vox. The only portable I have as an option is my Kronos X, but I do not feel confident using the RH3 in such an exposed arrangement. I spend a lot of time using my GranTouch Yamaha. Whilst antiquated in its piano sample (32mb), the action is just a joy to play in comparison.

 

Now I could sell the Kronos X and get a dedicated Stage Piano (CP4) but I'm loathe to lose a lot of money on it, and secondly, the new OS3 offers a new piano which I would imagine would be superior to anything not software based?

 

Would it be viable to try and find a good used wooden keyed controller to get as close to my GranTouch and then midi up, or should I bite the bullet and let it go?

 

 

[mate stubb]

Pianos are for wimps. Organ FTW!

[Dana.]

the new OS3 offers a new piano which I would imagine would be superior to anything not software based?

That's some wildly optimistic imagining...

 

I'd do a few gigs with the Kronos before making a decision. What if the gig ends after only a few shows? You don't want to find yourself having lost money and stuck with a board you don't like or need.

[CEB]

Use the the Kronos on the gig before doing anything drastic.

 

You can look for a used Kawai but they are hard to find used. (MP8, MP9000, MP10 etc...). PS These are Heavy.

[Gary75]

Pianos are for wimps. Organ FTW!

 

If I sounded 25% as good as Cory Henry, I'd be doing it on organ!

[Gary75]

Basically it's a wedding band with a duo format for the daytime. There's no doubt I'll use my Kronos a lot more than I have been on this wedding gig, (old pub band, I have used only three sounds, piano,ep and clav) Maybe I need to just use it more and see if I can adapt.

 

As far for the optimism on the piano sample on the OS3 on Kronos, I can't offer an opinion as I haven't tried today's DP's and of course I'm yet to try it until the release.

 

 

[SpaceNorman]

If I'm understanding your post right - it sounds like your primary concerns are the Kronos' action and sound quality.

 

Granted love for a keyboard's "action" and piano "sound quality" are a highly personal thing - but considering that the Kronos is Korg's current production, flagship workstation product, both the action and the sound quality of the piano are in the same league as the rest of the $3,700 instruments of that class. While there may be another unit out there you may like better - you certainly won't be limping through the gig with your Kronos.

 

I'd give your Kronos a try before throwing money at what you perceive as a shortcoming. You might be pleasantly surprised.

[Gary75]

It's purely the action, the sound is fine. I love playing my GT2 and it has an antiquated sound sample in comparison to today. No it's purely the execution needed on the RH3 keybed. It's sluggish in comparison. Having said that, there are far better players than me using them without complaint. It is a personal thing, almost like wearing the wrong sized gloves!

 

I think another thing in my mind is that I'm not even using 5% of the Kronos capabilities because I find it so tedious to edit. Having said that, the new zoom feature may offer some relief to my knackered eyesight!

[SpaceNorman]

I can certainly understand how personal the whole "keyboard feel" thing is.

 

My gig rig includes a Yamaha CP300 (which I use to control a Motif ES Rack unit) and a Kronos 88. I tend to do most of my piano playing on the CP300 (which is the bottom board in my rig). However, when I'm doing a single keyboard thing (rehearsals, split bills/showcases where it's play a half dozen songs for "get in, play, get out" events) - the Kronos is my board of choice.

 

While there's no question that the action of the two boards are different - I'm pretty comfortable playing straight piano on both/either of them. I'm not sure I really have a preference either way.

[Moonglow]

the new OS3 offers a new piano which I would imagine would be superior to anything not software based?

That's some wildly optimistic imagining...

+1

 

When the Kronos first came out, I thought the pianos sounded fantastic on the videos that were released. Regrettably, I have found playing them live to be a much less positive experience. I don't even like how the new Berlin grand sounds on video....

 

 

[Dave Ferris]

For some reason, unknown to me, I have a hard time executing cleanly and accurately, as well, on the all the Kronos 88 pianos I've played in the store.

 

I can go over to a lowly Yamaha P155, or something similar in entry level DPs and feel *more at home*.

 

That said, I throw in my vote with the majority to hold onto the Korg and at least try it.

 

Like Dana mentioned - these kind of gigs can be short lived. After a couple of gigs you could end up hating the leader,female vocalist, the lame music (or all of the aforementioned) and wanna bail altogether. And then lose all that dough you have in the Kronos.

 

BTW...I owned the Gran Touch GT2 for about 10 years and regrettably got rid of it.

[Ashville.Guru]

It's purely the action, the sound is fine. I love playing my GT2 and it has an antiquated sound sample in comparison to today.

Have you tried actually MIDIing up the GT2 to the Kronos? If yes, the next step is to find a Kawai ES or even a Casio PX-150. Not wooden, but still might be a major step up from the RH3. You could even walk into a store with your Kronos to actually test it out.

 

I don't mean to come across as snarky, but wouldn't that be a much more practical way of making an informed decision, more than anything anybody can tell you here? To give an analogy, it's like asking, "I have this bowl of vanilla ice cream and a bottle of chocolate syrup in front of me, would they go well together". Why not just try it out?

 

- Guru

[J Graul]

If you're only using piano, ep, and clav, then why not sell the Kronos and get a stage piano like the CP4? Seems like you've got an instrument that has way more capabilities than you use and you're not real happy with the action anymore. The CP4 has nice wooden keys and it's lighter than the Kronos X.

[RABid]

Unless I missed it, I don't see a mention of which Kronos X you have. If it is a 61 key, then putting it on top of a controller is a nice option and you have both piano and synth action. If it is an 88, I would not want to carry both it and a controller around. You will get tired of that fast.

[Gary75]

Yes, I can midi it up to the GT2 without a problem. It'll feel great - because I'm using the GT2. My quandary is if I should try and adapt to it, if I can't, buy a controller I do like on the used market. Or lastly, just get rid and get something I will use more intensively. I feel it doesn't deserve me because I literally have only used a few sounds up until now. The thing is, when I bought it used at the beginning of the year, I had no intention of buying a Kronos, but I was offered a good price and the guy wanted my Nord Stage EX as part trade.

 

But I think I'll hang on because as some of the guys have pointed out, things may not last. I am after all playing horn parts as 2nd keys in a wedding band on the night...Mustang Sally all the way.