[Reviews] KORG KROSS Reviews Its depth commentary

Just got the piano when I really was shocked, very worried, reason is really too light, too afraid to plastic feeling insecure, I think this is likely to lack a sense of security and I have a relationship, so I own the equipment is looks like a big weight can scare scaring others, since that would ease some of the time this play some pleasant, so I really feel for KORG KROSS a bad start. Imagine a computer that can be called music workstation synthesizer can be done only 4.3 kg (61 keys). And because the body design of the piano violin handle, so easy to pick up girls with one hand, two fingers up to the boys. Really apprehensive, especially the keyboard feel (Touch) and work (Quality) will be diminished to the extent of those children's toys supermarket Keyboard? When I was out of the box and then boot, then play, this feeling completely disappeared, because KORG KROSS remained good workmanship and high quality sound, not the "cost reduction is achieved by the introduction of transitional piano to divide market share." This concept into KORG KROSS body. Very lucky, I do insecure people in KORG KROSS before will feel at ease. The KROSS really have to praise the engineers and designers, this time even tone superimposed (Layer) and Split (Split) keys are designed to make a key operation on the panel, even STEP sequencer functions are transplanted to the panel, I would be one pair of special equipment KORG KROSS picky person, but I did not let me down.

Let us talk about the appearance, from the figure can be seen in the KORG LOGO "ass" in the left-most position "R" which joined the blue light, so that the entire piano instant fashion up, saying that this design is actually from KORG KROME began, but KORG KROME of LOGO because too far in the middle, resulting in its little blue light is not visible. Do not underestimate this little light, especially in the dark stage abnormal dazzling, so you dazzling. As a whole piano plastic material, in addition to "the violin" is Tiechu, the panel plastic reflector. KORG KROSS a total of 52 buttons of which 13 are no buttons light, meaning that most of the button pressed will emit red light, KORG KROSS of LOGO in the piano back to dark yellow presented before the KORG KRONOS and KORG KROME are white, and their key light is white, it can be seen KORG KROSS has begun to slowly out of this set of designs for new ideas. The color red button at the bottom of the body of the lamp and the piano is the same dark red, so it looks very comfortable and beautiful. Entire piano black theme, black and red in color psychology of the match is to make people feel calm and cool and clear thinking.

We start with the way outside to inside to introduce KORG KROSS it. I just get on the map is really making the first picture, we can see LOGO font with dark yellow, this is not a light issue, but so coincidentally the same day I also wear yellow clothes, yellow walls of the room is a wall paint, so it looks special yellow. To avoid color, specifically the piano to re-shoot a friend's house. The following figure shows, because sunny clarity increases, we can see roughly the original KORG KROSS, flanked with a curved bottom design, from both sides seem to have obvious "off-type" position. Panels are reflective plate, and the rest is matte plastic, the level is very clear.

I deliberately NORD ELECTRO 4D come together to take pictures from above both the figure can be seen, whether it is color or overall layout, KORG KROSS look a little better than NORD ELECTRO 4D grade difference. Of course, these are all a matter of opinion, you had better know the price just NORD ELECTRO 4D one-third less. Of course, it is easy to see from the key design KORG KROSS music workstation, NORD ELECTRO 4D is a stage keyboard, two completely different types of things in this not go equal. Close look at the diagram below, the first battery worse Operates in 6 AA alkaline or NiMH batteries (four to five hours of continuous use), the second is the "hand to" carry mobile performance really super invincible convenience, and the third is the headphone jack, according to customary arrangements KORG key at the bottom left, use 3.5mm stereo mini jack allows you anytime, anywhere as long as the headset can listen play. Plus 4.3 kg of weight really is worthy of the "the most portable music workstation," the name:

The rear panel jacks from right to left are: cable hook, power input (DC 9 V), a power switch, an audio output, audio input, USB, SD card, MIDI jacks and three conventional pedal jack, there should beIt has. And unlike some models in the middle of the rear panel jacks, but the design in the middle of the rear panel on both sides, so that the layout of the benefits is that you can make your stand on the airplane, the airplane does not have a conflict with the frame in the middle of the core columns. Wherein the power supply has an automatic shutdown function, when the keyboard is not used for a long time and panel buttons KORG KROSS will automatically shut down. Audio input is a MIC IN jack for connecting a microphone or a guitar, a LINE IN jack is used to connect external audio input connected devices (when recording described below have introduced this function operation).
Serious attention KORG KROSS data wheel, the first thing to say is very texture data round, round surface of a bump in data lines, turn up internal damping force greater efforts can be easily controlled, material and perception than KORG KRONOS X better data on the wheel, the wheel KORG KRONOS X data on particular rough, with who knows who, many foreign forum spit bad that this is an important KORG KRONOS X appearance defect, I think maybe because of this and in later KORG KORG KROME KROSS they redo data wheel design. Look at the above chart is the last one to select the tone group, in the pages of useful data directly set the dial to select the design tone groups, it is one of many musicians like operation. On the appearance of already long-winded about it, there is no good detail, the picture has the best introduction, let's start to talk about some of the key internal functions:

- Effects / sequencer -

FX: music workstation inside the effects, is the embodiment of the device to adjust the tone color change effect of the core. KORG KROSS there are 134 kinds of high-quality digital sound to choose from 74 kinds of effects can be used to insert, 101 kinds can be used in the main effect 1 (MFX1), 120 species is used for the main effect 2 (MFX2), made 8 effects: five insert effects Insetr Effects (IFX 1-5) 2 master effects Master Effects (MFX1 / MFX2) and can control a variety of sound effects mixer path allocation. Compare KORG KRONOS X and effect KORG KROME data can know, KORG KROSS really good, and KORG KROME and KORG M3 data is almost the same, but less than KORG KRONOS eight insert effects, and an overall effect:


KORG KRONOS X: a total of 16 effects: 12 insert effects Insetr Effects (IFX 1-12) 2 master effects Master Effects (MFX1 / MFX2) and two Total effects
KORG KROME: a total of eight effects: five insert effects Insetr Effects (IFX 1-5) 2 master effects Master Effects (MFX1 / MFX2) and a total effect
KORG KROSS: a total of seven effects: five insert effects Insetr Effects (IFX 1-5) 2 master effects Master Effects (MFX1 / MFX2)
KORG M3: a total of eight effects: five insert effects Insetr Effects (IFX 1-5) 2 master effects Master Effects (MFX1 / MFX2) and a total effect

KORG TRITON: a total of eight effects: five insert effects Insetr Effects (IFX 1-5) 2 master effects Master Effects (MFX1 / MFX2) and an equalizer effects
FX: music workstation inside the effects, is the embodiment of the device to adjust the tone color change effect of the core KORG KROSS there are 134 kinds of high-quality digital sound to choose from 74 kinds of effects can be used to insert,. 101 kinds can be used in the main effect 1 (MFX1), 120 species is used for the main effect 2 (MFX2), made 8 effects: five insert effects Insert Effects (OF X 1-5) 2 master effects Master Effects (MFX1 / MFX2) and can control a variety of sound effects mixer path allocation. Compare KORG KRONOS X and effect KORG KROME data can know, KORG KROSS really good, and KORG KROME and KORG M3 data is almost the same, but less than KORG KRONOS eight insert effects, and an overall effect:
KORG KRONOS X: a total of 16 effects: 12 insert effects Insert Effects (IFX 1-12) 2 master effects Master Effects (MFX1 / MFX2) and two Total effects
KORG KROME: a total of eight effects: five insert effects Insetr Effects (IFX 1-5) 2 master effects Master Effects (MFX1 / MFX2) and a total effect
KORG KROSS: a total of seven effects: five insert effects Insetr Effects (IFX 1-5) 2 master effects Master Effects (MFX1 / MFX2)
KORG M3: a total of eight effects: five insert effects Insetr Effects (IFX 1-5) 2 master effects Master Effects (MFX1 / MFX2) and a total effect

KORG TRITON: a total of eight effects: five insert effects Insetr Effects (IFX 1-5) 2 master effects Master Effects (MFX1 / MFX2) and an equalizer effects

- Step sequencer / arpeggiator / Drum Track -

The figure shows, step sequencer "STEP SEQ" and Favorites "FAVORITES" plus Arpeggio "ARP" and the drum track "DRUM TRACK" constitutes KORG KROSS functionality mode area. And wherein the step sequencer "STEP SEQ" set out the right of a separate "SETUP" and run "RUN", so that you can operate directly step sequencer on the panel. The Favorites "FAVORITES" on the right also has a separate button BANK ABCD, it can really make you "explosive" can choose to put away their own sound in advance. The whole panel is simple and elegant, easy to understand so that newcomers get started, veteran would use more handy.

Step Sequencer STEP SEQ: Step Sequencer is used to create drumming sentence cycle, as shown above by opening or closing the figure below 1-16 keys to control, 1-16 a button when the buttons when it is opened, it will be key lamp is lit, then you will hear the sound of drums. In the system default, the sequencer will play a 16-step cycle, the maximum you can set the control to play 64-step cycle, this time the BANK ABC and D of the LED light will be lit continuously. Very flexible and practical, especially temporary need to edit an impromptu drum for playing music when the rhythm of a drum loop with, is a very simple thing.

Drum track DRUM TRACK: that you can open the drum's rhythm track, is a separate track, a total of 700 kinds of combinations drum rhythm pattern to make your choice. Drum track synchronized playback can be used together with the step sequencer and arpeggiator, simply open them together so that the button lights can be. When I try a tone color or a combination of voices, or try to use a variety of voices in song when the outline, KORG KROSS also provide you with a simple way audiovisual drumming model. When you have a new idea, you can use the Audio Phrase setting function in sequencer mode for recording immediately.

Arpeggiator ARP: arpeggiator automatically generates an arpeggio function, derived from the chord melodies. It provides five preset arpeggio types: standard uplink and downlink, alternating 1 and 2, as well as random arpeggios, a total of 1,028 user arpeggio type (preset 916). This feature lets you use the arpeggiator when more tricks you can play the melody, including repetitive drum and BASS, guitar or keyboard music section. And KORG KROSS arpeggiator or dual arpeggiator, it is that it can allow you to use two simultaneous arpeggio in combination mode or Sequencer mode, make full use of this advantage of it, for example using a Drum Voice arpeggio playing in device, in addition to playing a bass, or other selected arpeggio, KORG arpeggiator has been such a powerful.


- The oscillator / filter / amplifier -



Three elements of sound: pitch, tone and volume, which in general, "oscillator" is used to modify the pitch, "filter" is used to modify the tone, "amp" is used to modify the volume. In addition to these three elements, the sound can also be changed in accordance with chapter time. Like EG (envelope generator) and LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator), these templates and controllers are all used in the changed tone. These KORG KROSS everything.

Oscillator OSC: oscillator with sound-based waveform, KORG KROSS provides two oscillators OSC1 / 2, allows you to create a more complex sound, stereo multi-sampling, 4 layer velocity switching / crossfading / Each oscillator can support layer. You can also modulate the oscillator pitch and filter sound, EG (envelope generator) and LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator) to control and change the broader sound range. Each oscillator has two multi-mode filters: low pass, high pass, band pass and band stop.

Low frequency oscillator LFO: KORG KROSS Each Voice has two low-frequency oscillator LFO1 / 2, shared by the two oscillators. You can use these LFO to adjust the various tone color parameters, such as: 1 pitch, for vibrato. 2, the filter, the wow tone. 3, the volume, the strength gradually. 4, pan for automatic harmonies. In addition to the above listed, you can also adjust many other parameters.

Filter FILTER: in the filter can be reduced or enhanced the specified frequency region of the sound, the sound of the pitch will determine the filter settings. A filter disposed in the KORG KROSS, including tracking (FILTER ROUTING), type (FILTER TYPES), the cutoff frequency and resonance. There are four types of filter routing: single, serial, parallel and 24dB.

Amplifier AMP: we can use the amplifier EG, LFO and efforts together with other AMS resource control KORG KROSS volume. KORG KROSS in each oscillator has its own amplification section, such as: OSC 1 amplifier 1, OSC amplifier 2 2. Different sound volume level for their special slope. For example, the volume of piano notes you play notes began to gradually decrease. Organ notes when you hold down the volume keys are consistent. The volume of notes and playing the violin category class can be changed on the instrument musicians playing process, that is, by adjusting the amount of pressure and blowing intensity and so on.


- Audio Recording -



KORG KROSS provides a high-quality digital audio recorder, you can record on your SD disk inserted SD card slot. In addition to record your playing or recording music sequencer playback, you can also record external audio input to the piano body. For example: a microphone and a guitar, or any kind of connection to sound equipment KROSS inside. When you record tracks KROSS or external input audio, audiovisual recorded sound, audiovisual recording of sound recording times can be selected. Here's Undo function allows a state before you back, and then again resumes recording from that position. Use of this recording tool is like using a multitrack tape recorder. Audio data is recorded as a waveform WAVE file is saved to the SD card, but also a wave file WAVE files can be input to the recorder playback.

The recording time and data size: Recording a song is the maximum time of three hours, the actual recording time multitrack recording was based on the actual size of the SD memory card may be. Single-track recording is saved 11MB / min. This means that the contents of 1GB can record about 90 minutes. When you perform multi-track recording, according to the SD card memory size and determine the length of recording time. External recording function built-in effects, you can apply effects provided inside the piano, meaning no effect on your guitar, electric guitar effects you can use the piano inside.


Recording operation is too simple: 1. Press the Voice key PROG to enter the Voice mode, select Voice. 2. Press the button to open the Audio Recording Settings window. 3, select the song you want to record (if not record data on the SD card, skip this step). 4, press the record button to enter record waiting state. 5. Press the Record button to start recording. 6, playing (you can open the drum track, arpeggiator and sequencer synchronization). 7, turn off the recording, press the stop button, is completed.

Repeat function LOOP: This function allows you to loop on a specific area of audio song played repeatedly. When you switch to a different song or turn off the power KORG KROSS your settings will automatically be saved to SD card, no longer have to worry about losing data. Operation is very convenient, as shown clearly region looping, loop start point to the end point A to B to set the time.

External audio recording function: probably divided into three categories. Microphones, guitars and external audio player. When connecting a microphone, you simple steps: 1 Close AUDIO IN button. 2 Turn the volume knob, the sound to minimum. 3 Connect a microphone to the MIC IN jack. 4, open the AUDIO IN button. 5 against MIC sound when playing KROSS keyboard, slowly turn the volume button until the volume is moderate. So get away, no extra complex functions, no need to select the tree menu layers. The same operation guitar and microphone connection, connect an external audio player is equally smoothly, similar operation. Save to SD card supported formats are: PCG, SNG, MIDI and WAV. Loading data formats are supported: PCG, SNG, MIDI and WAVE.


- Ultra-fast superimposed / sound division function / rhythm -



Outset mentioned, KORG KROSS the overlay and segmentation features to an independent panel buttons arranged at a position most likely to operate. Fast superimposed can let you set up a layer of sound, while playing two voices, two voices can be adjusted volume, respectively, in your own way to balance them. Quick Split area around the keyboard is set to play a different sound, and adjust the volume up and down their respective Octave Transpose like. In combined mode, you can use up to 16 color tones to create complex, layered and split. Operation of the moment will be able to readily meet your requirements: 1 Press the Voice button to select a Voice. 2 Press superimposed or split button, then superimposed or separate dialog box will appear. 3 Select another tone color, then superimposed on the designation of its volume and pitch, if you specify the split dividing point. 4 Press to write the end to save the dish superimposed and split settings.

Rhythm TEMPO: TEMPO rhythm and all workstations as to adjust the rhythm of the entire KORG KROSS, including arpeggiator, drum track, step sequencer, rhythm and tempo sync LFO BPM synchronization and so on. Three small parts: 1, LED lights. LED flashes to show the speed of the rhythm. 2, the knob. Knob to adjust the tempo speed of directly. 3, TAP button. Use TAP buttons to adjust the speed of the rhythm when you do not know the parameters, click on the specific values ​​can be drawn speed of more than two clicks rhythm values ​​will be specified.



- And how to KORG X50 ratio -

Want to know the KORG X50 KORG KROSS than how kind we must first find out some of the relationships. About KORG X50 and KORG KROSS relationship is: There is no relationship. KORG KROSS KORG X50 is definitely not an upgrade version or replacement version! Many people mistakenly think that the relationships between them because they are the same as the "hand of the" and to the portable as focus, two pitch bend wheel position are also in the top left corner of the panel, which looks somewhat similar result. Why did not any relationship between them? The reason is simple, can be judged from the positioning. KORG X50 is a portable music synthesizer, while KORG KROSS is a portable music workstation, it can be said to be two completely different things, how to locate cost of a fight? Because the synthesizer KORG X50 is connected sequencer so it did not, no sequencer means that the body can not produce and record the piano music. And KORG X50 only one insert effect and two master effects, and 5 insert effects and two master effects KORG KROSS difference is not just a little bit big. On sound engine to turn a few turn-grade, KORG KROSS is EDS-I sound engine, KORG X50 is more than a decade of HI KORG sound engine. KORG KROSS in terms of clarity and fidelity function or sounds are beyond the KORG X50 too much weight even lighter than the KORG X50! There is also a 88-key KORG KROSS furnished heavy version, KORG X50 on a 61-key model. So far-fetched that they go along with a relationship, it is a bit disappointing. However, if the user is already KORG X50, still a soft spot for KORG X50 portable, decisively start KORG KROSS sure, you'll be cool varus.

Sound engine: despite all the voice sound engine can not decide, but the position occupied by the most important. KORG KROSS the EDS-I engine refers to the "Enhanced Definition Synthesis-Integrated" Enhanced Definition Synthesis and inherits KORG integrated high-quality sound workstation before, so there was some users have noted that some voices actually go beyond the definition KORG KORG KROME KRONOS X, the reasons here. We take a look at the ancient KORG's flagship synthesizers (workstation) and some non-flagship synthesizer (workstation) PCM sound engine, it will be clear. (Multiple engines of models omitted)



KORG KROSS: EDS-I (2013 年) Enhanced Definition Synthesis-Integrated Enhanced Definition Synthesis + Integration
KORG KROME: EDS-X (2012 年) Enhanced Definition Synthesis-Expanded Enhanced Definition Synthesis + extension
KORG KRONOS X: HD-1 (2011 年) High Definition Synthesizer high-resolution synthesis engine
KORG M3 (M50): EDS (2007 年) Enhanced Definition Synthesis Enhanced Definition Synthesis
KORG X50: HI (2006 年) Hyper-Integrated Ultra integrated synthesis engine
KORG OASYS: HD-1 (2005 年) High Definition Synthesizer high-resolution synthesis engine
KORG TRITON (TR): HI (1999 年) Hyper-Integrated Ultra integrated synthesis engine
KORG N1: AI-2 (1998 年) Advanced Integrated Advanced Integration second generation synthetic engine
KORG N364 / 264: AI-2 (1996 年) Advanced Integrated Advanced Integration second generation synthetic engine
KORG X5D: AI-2 (1995 年) Advanced Integrated Advanced Integration second generation synthetic engine
KORG 01 / W: AI-2 (1991 年) Advanced Integrated Advanced Integration second generation synthetic engine
KORG M1: AI (1988 年) Advanced Integrated Advanced Integrated synthesis engine

Posted by ultimasquad

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