Korg Kronos Keyboard Workstation: Just bought a new toy!

People in these forums have been predicting the end of hardware for a decade yet how many hardware workstations have been released this past year? Quite a few models

Software is powerful but the lack of a hardware interface is a drawback. And as software gets more powerful, you need a powerful computer to run it. While you can build a PC on the cheap, a powerful Mac still cost as much or more than a keyboard workstation. And a highend PC does cost as much. Also it is a norm in this industry to replace your computer after a few years to have the latest technology...and also replace the software as new versions are released. Hardware keyboard workstation owners tend to do the same..thus I a replacing my Fantom G (had it for 3 years) with the Kronos.

Another thing that some of you are missing is that its not either or...hardware owners most likely own all the "powerful" software you rave about. I have GigaStudio, Mach 5, and Emulator X software samplers plus Reason and the EXS within Logic Pro. And I still prefer hardware. Computers will never replace dedicated hardware. Software is an option.

As far as the ASR-10, why would I take anything that you guys say as gospel over what NI says? Especially since I owned an ASR-10. All the magical "transwaves and pitch algorhythms" in the world wouldn't make me trade my $2000 plus Fantom G for a $350 keyboard on eBay. So, get started as much as you like. I don't want a keyboard that overheats and comes with floppies and SCSI...and don't need one. Even Alchemist started using an MPC 2500 instead of his ASR...Rza started using the MV-8800 instead of an SP-1200/ASR-10...and Kanye?.......don't get me started. As I stated earlier, the ASR-10 was only mentioned because of impact. When the ASR-10 was released, it set the bar very high for sampling keyboard workstation. There was no keyboard that could do what it did well. The Kronos is light years ahead of Roland workstations...and Yamaha as well who just released a new workstation.

At the end of the day....a keyboard workstation like the Kronos is essentially a computer (Atom Dual Core processor, touch view LCD, USB 2.0, solid state harddrive, etc). Plus these latest workstations can be integrated with your DAW as a plug-in. So stop with this madness.

Lol, you're arguing with things I never even said. This discussion is over.

yeah don't get jahrome started

jah-romeo-rome wrote:"Native Instruments said the ASR don't have a sound so its true. Its really that simple. The rest of you forum clowns are just having a mass hallucination thinking the asr sounds good or something... Pfff. Bunch of idiots don't you know who the fcuk I am??? Jahrome beeyyyyooootch!!"

Debate?

Here is the Namm Demo. Its almost an hour long:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHV3rnkGt3E

I personally love to have things. But my laptop packed with samples and a few programs is still more powerful than all these workstations put together. And I'd be doing it all from internet use to video editing to sound production, sampling, mixing, etc. Plus its ultra cost-effective as well. With $3000 I could get more than several useful synths that'll improve my sound a whole lot. Rather than an empty shell to which I then gotta fill with decent sounds.

Askia Shaheed wrote:Debate?

Here is the Namm Demo. Its almost an hour long:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHV3rnkGt3E

Hot damn, thanks for that!

If you and every other producer on the planet has managed without "xxx" workstation until now, why would you buy one?

Far too many people get sucked into the 'technology race' and buy stuff they really don't need, they just want it cos its new.

There is no substitute for creativity, skill and knowledge as other have pointed out.

Do manufacturers every claim their last product was schit? So why the need to produce a new one every two years?

There are two markets for these kind of products: Brand new, with warranty & Used, without warranty.

The brand new 'Pro' market has the ability to spend $3000 on a workstation, they keep companies alive.

The used (home/ project studio) market doesnt have the cash, they wait until prices fall below $1000 used 3-5 years later.

Have some loyalty with your current workstation, after all, why did you decide to buy it again???

Don't tell me, it was the new kid on the block, just like the Kronos...

Quite a few of those demos sound really dated to me. The guy at around 35 minutes for example sounds like he's playing the Rocky 4 soundtrack.

If you want a keyboard where you press one key and 10 sounds play, you'll love the Kronos, but I don't know any producers who use this approach to make contemporary music.

Each to their own I guess.

clint246clint wrote:If you and every other producer on the planet has managed without "xxx" workstation until now, why would you buy one?

Far too many people get sucked into the 'technology race' and buy stuff they really don't need, they just want it cos its new.

There is no substitute for creativity, skill and knowledge as other have pointed out.

Do manufacturers every claim their last product was schit? So why the need to produce a new one every two years?

There are two markets for these kind of products: Brand new, with warranty & Used, without warranty.

The brand new 'Pro' market has the ability to spend $3000 on a workstation, they keep companies alive.

The used (home/ project studio) market doesnt have the cash, they wait until prices fall below $1000 used 3-5 years later.

Have some loyalty with your current workstation, after all, why did you decide to buy it again???

Don't tell me, it was the new kid on the block, just like the Kronos...

Best post in years!

Lets take a DJ premier for example: They dude has been making beats with MPC 60 for 20 years, and hes still in the music business, and will be for a long time (and If you ask me, one of the best producers out there).

These manufacturers of this kind of gear know what they're doing because their sales have taken a dip the last couple of years.

TBH, there ain't much to rave about because a lot of these new products are reincarnations of their old predecessors, or borrowed ideas in some form or fashion from previous or other products.

I'm still holding out on jumping on anything new, until it proves itself that it's something worthwhile to have.

I've learned to never put all your coins in one basket, I like variety.

everything that comes out has it's pros & cons. I like the fact it has 12.5 gigs of sounds & 1g memory-that's gonna make other companies step their game up.at least KORG is trying to offer something to the keyboard player,thats not into software. my gripe with all companies now is that in this crazy economy their forgetting the average guy who would love too have one,but can't drop 3g's on 1 piece of gear.now I wanna see what ROLAND is gonna do.

I still love my Triton! This new workstation does a lot, but so does my Triton. I will keep my three racks in my pocket for now!! But I will certainly be waiting to see how well this Kronos does.

rookie wrote:...now I wanna see what ROLAND is gonna do.

Roland has yet to complete the software for the Fantom G. The G was the successor to the X, but it took a step back on its sampling capabilities.

dabmeister wrote:
TBH, there ain't much to rave about because a lot of these new products are reincarnations of their old predecessors, or borrowed ideas in some form or fashion from previous or other products.

Maybe around here...but it has the biggest buzz at Namm. New products should be reincarnations of their predecessors. The Kronos is the Oasys but so much more. The same is true with software only products.

clint246clint wrote:
Have some loyalty with your current workstation, after all, why did you decide to buy it again???

Don't tell me, it was the new kid on the block, just like the Kronos...

Actually, I have not been completely satisfied with the Fantom G (see the Fantom G forum). Mainly because in some aspects, the X is better and they failed to produce additional ARX cards for it. Roland's previous workstations had numerous expansion cards. The completely dropped the ball. *However, I must add that when you buy a product, you should buy it for what it is advertised to do.

MPC4k wrote:I personally love to have things. But my laptop packed with samples and a few programs is still more powerful than all these workstations put together.

How about some specifics?

my personal take on hardware, any piece of gear that is over $1200... FORGET ABOUT IT... unless its a Classic.

Just sounds like a plugin with a keyboard to me. Aint got no special ADAC, opamp, transformer, etc character sound to impress me.

jimmie wrote:..Aint got no....

Both the Kronos and you have me speechless for once in my life (..well, almost).