Here's one more thing that I thought was better about the original: The single row of 16 buttons for the Favorites meant that you could easily print out a legend that you could tape under those buttons that would tell you what the 16 sounds were, i.e. each sound name displayed directly under its button. You could even create a multi-line label that would tell you what those patches would be in different banks. (Easily all 4 banks if you had the 88.) There's no comparable way to so nicely label the Favorite buttons on the Kross 2.
I have both of them and use each other's sounds to record back and forth 😢 each unit. I get great results when I combine them! Great keyboard work stations!
Got mine five weeks ago. a K2. Did not have K1. I agree with all of your five points, and really hate not having the headphone jack in the front. Not having direct access to tap tempo button is genuine problem, as it is needed at the spur of moment, although I don't use it much, but will use MIDI to have the ability to tap directly using the connected keyboard. Similarly, removing other dedicated controls is also a bother. Another thing I wish they had done differently: instead of having a knob to switch categories, they could have used that much real estate to put a button for each category exactly where they have the names of those categories printed on the front panel.
I totally agree, kingsport. They could and have should have done better than they did. That category thing pisses me off big time. The category system is for entertainer keyboards, not for serious synthesizers. I programmed tons of sound patches that just don't fit in any of the the mandatory categories. Instead of having to use the mandatory categories/system folders, you should be able to create your own categories!
I am looking for a great keyboard with also excellent synthesis ability for dance club oriented gigs playing techno, house, trance, etc. Which is better for that, the mk1 or mk2? I am a Korg M1 user so i hope all the famous M1 sounds are in the Kross.
I like those "dumb live controls" (2:46 in your video) -- it's nice to have quick access to cutoff/resonance knobs, attack/release knobs, quick octave shift on the 61, etc. I guess it just depends on your usage. I never use tap tempo. ;-)
I am sorry, I did not mean to insult people who like the live controls. You are right: it depends on the usage. I just would have preferred the two extra controllers free to configure. So you could put them on MIDI channels of your choice. Or on parameters other than cutoff and resonance.
Yeah, it would be great if they were configurable. I was working with some simple 2-part splits/layers, and it would have been really convenient if I could have used those knobs as real-time volume controls for the two different parts. Or someone could want to have easy control of the drums volume separate from what they're playing. Navigating to each part on the mixer screen while playing is not so practical! @@SynthesaurusRex
Been re acquainting myself with my korg kross 1 and funny thing is the erhu patch played a huge part of my first improv using it. I don’t think TH-cam let’s me put a link but it’s on my channel if you want to hear it. Thanks !!
Of course you can. If you had watched my other Korg Kross videos, you would know that. Why haven't you? Isn't it a common thing to do to visit the channel of a video that you liked? No, I am not blaming you. I am asking you: Do you not visit a channel, before posting a question that might have been already answered in another video in the very same channel?
Synthesaurus Rex No thank you! I just bought a Korg kross 1 thanks to your video. I found that buying an older keyboard with better design beats buying a new beginner keyboard
Between you and me: I have always liked Roland stuff better than Korg in the 80s & 90s. But in 2020, if you're looking for the most versatile budget thing, I'd go with the K2.
In terms of modulation, functionality/features, effects quality, and drumkits, the Kross2 has the Juno beat hands down. The Juno has the edge in sound engine, startup time, menu/parameter navigation, and drafting loops. The Juno is much more comfortable to use, to a point, as a stage performance keyboard than the Kross2. Much better samples in general to boot, too, but Kross2's sounds are easier to fit into a mix. Kross2's sound in general has more bite, but the Juno's are often fuller and more vibrant. The two keyboards are even better together than pitted against each other. The Juno is the top selling performance rompler after MODX, if the online stores that enable listing synths by popularity are anything to go by, and I can see why. That rubbish Yamaha MX outranks Kross2, which is a shame. That one really doesn't compete with Kross2 and Juno in any way at all, then the synth engine is bloody paywalled while Kross2 and the Juno give you full access out of the box. I wish MX would flop in order to discourage Yamaha from continuing with paywalled synth engines and requiring a PC for full editing. It would royally suck if the other companies decide to pick up the practice. Do you want to start needing to pay to have full access to your synth for creating your own sounds? F**k you, Yamaha.
i have a ypg 235 and felt in love with it and it has an option to have a really high sensitivity that it doesn't matter how hard u press on keys they sound loud (which is what im used to). is the korg kross 2 able to do that?
So which one would you recommend buying if I had the option of either do both have the same options for note resolution i.e. 16 32 8 eccetera or in Korg language ppq
Synthesaurus Rex terribly sorry I was half asleep when I wrote that. What I meant to say was beats per note for sequencing, like 1/4th, 1/8th. Like the volcas have 2ppq, which is is 2 pulses per quarter note. Apologies for the inconvenience. And does that make sense now
Thank you very much. In that regard, the two models are identical, so it doesn't matter. Let me repeat: If you have the extra-$$ for the K2, go get it. If not, get the K1.
Great comparison, thanks. I agree with your assessment of the relative significance of various differences. I guess they made at least some of the changes to increase the "mass-appeal" of the product and let's face it, most people who buy K2 will not notice these unless they owned - and mastered! - a K1 previously, unless they come across your detective work.
I haven't anything against Korg trying to appeal to a younger audience with the K2. They just did it too late, and too badly. Still, the K2 is of course the better choice.
@@SynthesaurusRex hi from philippines.. Can you help me to have a good piano sounds like yamaha grand piano in korg kross 2..please send me how to make it tutorial.. Thanks alot..
Absolutely I haven't even mastered the K-1 yet and not to mention just really getting familiar with the K-2. I love these work stations they are so extensive and unlimited in what they are capable of. You don't need any additional equipment other than a Mic and chords for plug ins! Thanks Korg for this outstanding technology!
Wow. Thanks for this video. I've been looking for a good keyboard synthesizer workstation. I just sold my Roland Juno DS 88 and thought that it was the best. I now believe the Korg cross is the best and it's that's expensive. Thanks again for the videos really helped me make a good decision. I didn't know you could hook a dynamic mic up to this keyboard and sing while you play. They're always bragging on the Roland phantom, fa, and juno ds keyboards, They never mention this one, because they won't make any money that's why
I have Korg krome but it was bought before I knew anything about synths, but my biggest issue is lack of the buttons, button sequencer, no sampling function or audio in and overall lack of buttons since they moved everything into archaic touchscreen, but ppl don't buy keyboard to fiddle in touch screens. But here is the thing: I wish kross has both 16 button sequencer that Kross 1 had and they added 16 buttons for samples and kept both. Kross would literally be a cheap Roland fantom which I consider best synth. If Kross would combine those 2 functions that will let you literally make a song up and going in seconds. I think Korg product managers missing the point like Korg Nautilus literally don't have any buttons besides few....
Another thing ppl care too much about sounds. Krome has supposedly better quality sound than Kross HOWEVER why does it matter when audio interface degrades that sound anyway!? My krome sounds great in headphones but once I route the sound through audio interface from AUDIO OUT to record it, it sounds about 20% worse. So for me functionality is much more important than some minor sound difference.....
RE: #5. Do you think it would be possible to recreate the sound/feel of those missing multi-samples by taking the raw wave form(s) and doing a little programming? Or is the character of those multi-samples so unique that it cannot really be done?
That's a really good question, Eric. I have tried, and am still trying to do that very same thing. But multisamples like the Syn Bass Rommey - it's hard. I don't see how to recreate that on the K2 - except turning it into a multisample on the K2, of course! :)
@@SynthesaurusRex Korg/Support Kross Downloads. It is called KROSS/EXPCM004 (Future Synth Collection) It is the expansion library from the Kross Special Edition version. I find it on the Korg.com/us/ site.
And the Kross1 makes a great strap-on performance keyboard! Here's a DIY conversion of my KROSS synth to a keytar - th-cam.com/video/I7YHznSAEYY/w-d-xo.html
The korg kross 2 just more technical that the 1 but a two bad keyboard same way... Anyone still we get the work done, a just preference with the two keyboard simple as that 😴
I don't know what you mean by "dubstep". Do you mean the sounds to make dubstep? Or do you mean the functions to make dubstep? Well, the KK2 has both anyways.
@@SynthesaurusRex yes the sound effects I watch some video of dubstep sound effects in KK1 I hope if have tutorial how to set in dubstep sound effects in KK2
I considered the kross 2, looks great, but i found the screen too small .. but even though i dislike korgs ancient 30 year old inaccurate touchscreens, which, unlike Roland who now use mobile phone panels, korg refuse to update ... I ended up paying the extra and getting a krome EX.. which uses a nice big screen, but i just navigate it with the front panel.. even Yamahas MODX has a better panel than Korgs
To be honest with you ... that's one of the reasons I wouldn't recommend the KK in 2024. Back then when the KK1 was released in 2013, it was fine. But I can't in good conscience recommend paying full price for the KK2 today. It's way out of date.
@@SynthesaurusRex .. even though i have an EX, like your kk2, i wouldn't recommend EX in 2024 either.. your better off getting the cash together and picking up a pre-owned non AT Nautilus on ebay..
Well, to be honest: If you have the cash for a used Nautilus, you better invest that on a modern Roland, used or new. I'm saying that because the Nautilus follows an outdated concept, which is cramming everything possible into submenues, so the panel can be as empty as possible (stylish!). Screw that, get a synth with controls on the panel, is what I say.
Here's one more thing that I thought was better about the original: The single row of 16 buttons for the Favorites meant that you could easily print out a legend that you could tape under those buttons that would tell you what the 16 sounds were, i.e. each sound name displayed directly under its button. You could even create a multi-line label that would tell you what those patches would be in different banks. (Easily all 4 banks if you had the 88.) There's no comparable way to so nicely label the Favorite buttons on the Kross 2.
I never thought of that, SLHkeyboards! Because I'm not a band keyboarder. But it's so obvious! 👍
I have both of them and use each other's sounds to record back and forth 😢 each unit. I get great results when I combine them! Great keyboard work stations!
Got mine five weeks ago. a K2. Did not have K1. I agree with all of your five points, and really hate not having the headphone jack in the front.
Not having direct access to tap tempo button is genuine problem, as it is needed at the spur of moment, although I don't use it much, but will use MIDI to have the ability to tap directly using the connected keyboard. Similarly, removing other dedicated controls is also a bother.
Another thing I wish they had done differently: instead of having a knob to switch categories, they could have used that much real estate to put a button for each category exactly where they have the names of those categories printed on the front panel.
I totally agree, kingsport. They could and have should have done better than they did. That category thing pisses me off big time. The category system is for entertainer keyboards, not for serious synthesizers. I programmed tons of sound patches that just don't fit in any of the the mandatory categories. Instead of having to use the mandatory categories/system folders, you should be able to create your own categories!
I miss the handle the Kross1 had.
I am looking for a great keyboard with also excellent synthesis ability for dance club oriented gigs playing techno, house, trance, etc. Which is better for that, the mk1 or mk2? I am a Korg M1 user so i hope all the famous M1 sounds are in the Kross.
I like those "dumb live controls" (2:46 in your video) -- it's nice to have quick access to cutoff/resonance knobs, attack/release knobs, quick octave shift on the 61, etc. I guess it just depends on your usage. I never use tap tempo. ;-)
I am sorry, I did not mean to insult people who like the live controls. You are right: it depends on the usage. I just would have preferred the two extra controllers free to configure. So you could put them on MIDI channels of your choice. Or on parameters other than cutoff and resonance.
Yeah, it would be great if they were configurable. I was working with some simple 2-part splits/layers, and it would have been really convenient if I could have used those knobs as real-time volume controls for the two different parts. Or someone could want to have easy control of the drums volume separate from what they're playing. Navigating to each part on the mixer screen while playing is not so practical! @@SynthesaurusRex
Been re acquainting myself with my korg kross 1 and funny thing is the erhu patch played a huge part of my first improv using it. I don’t think TH-cam let’s me put a link but it’s on my channel if you want to hear it. Thanks !!
Well, my dear Maria, I think you can put any link into your commentary that you like! Have you tried?
@@SynthesaurusRex ok here it is. Tell me if it worked. Thanks!!
th-cam.com/video/so5v27hWX3o/w-d-xo.html
I broke the display screen years back,and the metronome sensor is out of wack.Anyway to fix it?on my korg kross 1
I am sorry, I'm not an electronics-repair-guy, I don't know that kind of stuff.
As always, very nice video sir!...I love my Kross 1 :)
As you should! ;)
I got both the 88 and 61
Do you know if I can create my own user styles / rythms and save them ?
Of course you can. If you had watched my other Korg Kross videos, you would know that. Why haven't you? Isn't it a common thing to do to visit the channel of a video that you liked? No, I am not blaming you. I am asking you: Do you not visit a channel, before posting a question that might have been already answered in another video in the very same channel?
The only other keyboard with a handle was the Korg X50 with 2 handles on each end, and of course the Kross mk1.
The mad hand trying to grab the keyboard on Kross 2....lol, you earned a sub for that!
Thank you very much, Sen! 😄
Synthesaurus Rex No thank you! I just bought a Korg kross 1 thanks to your video. I found that buying an older keyboard with better design beats buying a new beginner keyboard
Whats your thoughts on the roland juno ds88 compared to the korg kross 2?
Between you and me: I have always liked Roland stuff better than Korg in the 80s & 90s. But in 2020, if you're looking for the most versatile budget thing, I'd go with the K2.
In terms of modulation, functionality/features, effects quality, and drumkits, the Kross2 has the Juno beat hands down. The Juno has the edge in sound engine, startup time, menu/parameter navigation, and drafting loops. The Juno is much more comfortable to use, to a point, as a stage performance keyboard than the Kross2. Much better samples in general to boot, too, but Kross2's sounds are easier to fit into a mix. Kross2's sound in general has more bite, but the Juno's are often fuller and more vibrant. The two keyboards are even better together than pitted against each other. The Juno is the top selling performance rompler after MODX, if the online stores that enable listing synths by popularity are anything to go by, and I can see why. That rubbish Yamaha MX outranks Kross2, which is a shame. That one really doesn't compete with Kross2 and Juno in any way at all, then the synth engine is bloody paywalled while Kross2 and the Juno give you full access out of the box.
I wish MX would flop in order to discourage Yamaha from continuing with paywalled synth engines and requiring a PC for full editing. It would royally suck if the other companies decide to pick up the practice. Do you want to start needing to pay to have full access to your synth for creating your own sounds? F**k you, Yamaha.
i have a ypg 235 and felt in love with it and it has an option to have a really high sensitivity that it doesn't matter how hard u press on keys they sound loud (which is what im used to). is the korg kross 2 able to do that?
It's a bit unclear to me what you are asking. Yes, you can have velocitiy-sensitive sounds, but you can as well shut that off.
@@SynthesaurusRex how can i shut it off?
So which one would you recommend buying if I had the option of either do both have the same options for note resolution i.e. 16 32 8 eccetera or in Korg language ppq
Say what? Seriously: I do not understand your question. Can you be more specific?
Synthesaurus Rex terribly sorry I was half asleep when I wrote that. What I meant to say was beats per note for sequencing, like 1/4th, 1/8th. Like the volcas have 2ppq, which is is 2 pulses per quarter note. Apologies for the inconvenience. And does that make sense now
Thank you very much. In that regard, the two models are identical, so it doesn't matter. Let me repeat: If you have the extra-$$ for the K2, go get it. If not, get the K1.
Great comparison, thanks. I agree with your assessment of the relative significance of various differences. I guess they made at least some of the changes to increase the "mass-appeal" of the product and let's face it, most people who buy K2 will not notice these unless they owned - and mastered! - a K1 previously, unless they come across your detective work.
I haven't anything against Korg trying to appeal to a younger audience with the K2. They just did it too late, and too badly. Still, the K2 is of course the better choice.
@@SynthesaurusRex hi from philippines.. Can you help me to have a good piano sounds like yamaha grand piano in korg kross 2..please send me how to make it tutorial.. Thanks alot..
Absolutely I haven't even mastered the K-1 yet and not to mention just really getting familiar with the K-2. I love these work stations they are so extensive and unlimited in what they are capable of. You don't need any additional equipment other than a Mic and chords for plug ins! Thanks Korg for this outstanding technology!
Do either of these have a quantizer?
yes
Wow. Thanks for this video. I've been looking for a good keyboard synthesizer workstation. I just sold my Roland Juno DS 88 and thought that it was the best. I now believe the Korg cross is the best and it's that's expensive. Thanks again for the videos really helped me make a good decision. I didn't know you could hook a dynamic mic up to this keyboard and sing while you play. They're always bragging on the Roland phantom, fa, and juno ds keyboards, They never mention this one, because they won't make any money that's why
Thank you, David! I am always glad to hear directly from a real person that my stuff is helping! Makes me happy!😄
I have Korg krome but it was bought before I knew anything about synths, but my biggest issue is lack of the buttons, button sequencer, no sampling function or audio in and overall lack of buttons since they moved everything into archaic touchscreen, but ppl don't buy keyboard to fiddle in touch screens. But here is the thing: I wish kross has both 16 button sequencer that Kross 1 had and they added 16 buttons for samples and kept both. Kross would literally be a cheap Roland fantom which I consider best synth. If Kross would combine those 2 functions that will let you literally make a song up and going in seconds. I think Korg product managers missing the point like Korg Nautilus literally don't have any buttons besides few....
Another thing ppl care too much about sounds. Krome has supposedly better quality sound than Kross HOWEVER why does it matter when audio interface degrades that sound anyway!? My krome sounds great in headphones but once I route the sound through audio interface from AUDIO OUT to record it, it sounds about 20% worse. So for me functionality is much more important than some minor sound difference.....
Hi Martin, sorry, I'm a bit late. I understand you are a synth beginner. Why did you start with the Krome? Did the salesman talk you into it?
RE: #5. Do you think it would be possible to recreate the sound/feel of those missing multi-samples by taking the raw wave form(s) and doing a little programming? Or is the character of those multi-samples so unique that it cannot really be done?
That's a really good question, Eric. I have tried, and am still trying to do that very same thing. But multisamples like the Syn Bass Rommey - it's hard. I don't see how to recreate that on the K2 - except turning it into a multisample on the K2, of course! :)
you can also see it as an excuse to find better, equivalent samples fron the web and load them into the Kross2
Post credit scene- Awesome! Did any of those synth wave sets end up in the SE Future Synth collection Korg released?
Thank you. I don't know what the "SE Future Synth collection" is, but I sure do hope they release those dropped multisamples in that! :)
@@SynthesaurusRex Korg/Support Kross Downloads. It is called KROSS/EXPCM004 (Future Synth Collection) It is the expansion library from the Kross Special Edition version. I find it on the Korg.com/us/ site.
And the Kross1 makes a great strap-on performance keyboard! Here's a DIY conversion of my KROSS synth to a keytar - th-cam.com/video/I7YHznSAEYY/w-d-xo.html
The korg kross 2 just more technical that the 1 but a two bad keyboard same way... Anyone still we get the work done, a just preference with the two keyboard simple as that 😴
We English speaking people understand you hate Korg Kross 2. Thank you for your opinion.
Korg kross 1 have dubstep but i don't in korg kross 2 if have dubstep too
I don't know what you mean by "dubstep". Do you mean the sounds to make dubstep? Or do you mean the functions to make dubstep? Well, the KK2 has both anyways.
@@SynthesaurusRex yes the sound effects I watch some video of dubstep sound effects in KK1 I hope if have tutorial how to set in dubstep sound effects in KK2
I considered the kross 2, looks great, but i found the screen too small .. but even though i dislike korgs ancient 30 year old inaccurate touchscreens, which, unlike Roland who now use mobile phone panels, korg refuse to update ... I ended up paying the extra and getting a krome EX.. which uses a nice big screen, but i just navigate it with the front panel.. even Yamahas MODX has a better panel than Korgs
To be honest with you ... that's one of the reasons I wouldn't recommend the KK in 2024. Back then when the KK1 was released in 2013, it was fine. But I can't in good conscience recommend paying full price for the KK2 today. It's way out of date.
@@SynthesaurusRex .. even though i have an EX, like your kk2, i wouldn't recommend EX in 2024 either.. your better off getting the cash together and picking up a pre-owned non AT Nautilus on ebay..
Well, to be honest: If you have the cash for a used Nautilus, you better invest that on a modern Roland, used or new. I'm saying that because the Nautilus follows an outdated concept, which is cramming everything possible into submenues, so the panel can be as empty as possible (stylish!). Screw that, get a synth with controls on the panel, is what I say.
Thank s Dude for replying me
I was a bit disappointed but by your videos that bring me into faith of my Kross1. Thank you very much, God Bless you in Jesus name. Amen