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RLeJeune « Synth simple, powerful and inspiring »
Published on 02/23/13 at 14:15
Best value:
Excellent
Keyboardiste enthusiastic and father of four children, my time is very limited. That's why I was looking for a workstation integrated, easy to use and powerful enough to have fun, without the long set up with the required software instruments. Initially set on the Kronos, I quickly forked on Krome which seemed faster to handle. What characterizes this machine compared to Roland Juno / Yamaha Motifs, the TouchScreen. All settings are clearly displayed and modified directly on the screen, which complements the buttons and knobs.
UTILIZATION
PROGRAM MODE
Sound synthesis is based on a kind of engine sound 2 oscillators, working with groups of samples or wavetables up to 8 velocity layers (which can also be played simultaneously, which allows to reproduce some syntheses 3 or more oscillators). Kits for a group of thick samples is different assignable to each note of the keyboard. This is followed by a number of filters (envelopes etc ...) and modulators (LFOs etc ....) plus many FX. This synthesis is very effective for most instruments, but can not quite at a program like Kontakt some acoustic instruments, if you look at the products SampleModelling example.
The choice of sounds and instruments is very wide. The basic parameters of the instruments are directly modified with knobs. Many additional parameters can be edited for the touchscreen completely manipulate sound. It is possible to create your own instruments using samples and wavetables integrated, but it does not seem possible to import your own samples. For a sound designer is already rich in possibilities, even if the two oscillators synthesis is limiting, however. Here FM synthesis, granular, or 3 oscillators are reproduced very effectively using samples (such as Kontakt synth).
Each instrument has a pattern associated with arpeggiator and a drum track. It is possible to change from what you want.
COMBI MODE
Combi mode features 16 tracks of instruments organized in a mixer. Each track can be fully parameterized to define the splits, the midi channels, the delays if you want an instrument is a delay on the other, the velocity levels etc ..... Can be attributed to two arpeggiators any track. A track can act drum track. Can route each track to the FX bus.
This mode allows you to make complex arrangements with multiple instruments and effects. Arpeggiators and drum track can be enabled and disabled on the fly.
SEQUENCER MODE
You can record from any previous mode. It is automatically migrated to the sequence 16 tracks. It records everything you want in realtime. And then you can edit all the touch screen to manipulate notes, measures, controls noon. It works like a DAW touchscreen. It is possible to edit everything, however the use of Touch screen is not as intuitive and fluid than an iPad.
You can record each track separately, or some or all at the same time if you use a combi.
Another approach is the method of recording RPPR: recording music videos (patterns), the length you want, we assign to the keyboard. It's clips can be defined as a musical sequence to play once or looper. Each clip can be triggered or stopped during recording, and is assignable to one of the 60 middle keys of the keyboard. So you can imagine with 60 sound clips on the finger to a mode of production music closer to what is offered Ableton Live. The example "Krome Teeth" on the Korg website was made this way.
A record is considered a SONG with these 16 instruments or drum track / kit. The SONG can be organized Cuelist. For example, a SONG the intro, another chorus with a different set of instruments etc ...
They are assembled in a Cuelist, and Cuelist can even merge if we want a single SONG. Krome automatically manage the program changes and effects.
SOUNDS
Korg has a very good selection of sounds and drum kits. The banks in GM, GM2 and G (x) are also all available. In any case it sounds great.
The piano is very good to excellent, the synth sounds are excellent, the average acoustic instruments excellent, very good drum. In any case nothing completely useless!
OVERALL OPINION
In conclusion this machine, despite some limitations, already offers incredible opportunities that I take time to deplete.
Frankly buying it, I did not find as many features as extensive. It's been four months that even I did not even use my DAW with NI Komplete, so I'm having fun with this machine.
The main advantage for me is the approach live (realtime) in the process of composition, interpretation and understanding. You push a button, it makes its introduction with arpeggiators, one pushes another, we start the drum track and play his reasons. The creative process goes quickly on this workstation.
March CURRENT SOUND I WILL PUT SOME EXAMPLES. FOLLOW ....
most:
- Touchscreen interface very intuitive Display / clear / well-organized menu -> very effective
- Large variety of sounds, bass quality
- Effects FX great
- Quality of the drums
- Very good sound 48kHz/16bits
- The sequencer is similar to a DAW Touchscreen!
- Polyphonic arpeggiators two powerful managing the flame, in addition to the track drum track (the third "Arpeggiator" if you want)
- Speed of programming. editing, production etc ...
Machine - very inspiring
- RPPR Playback: midi loop / clip fashion assignable trigger to 60 keys (similar to the approach in Ableton Live)
- Can be used as a plug-in in a DAW (Korg Krome Editor Plug-in) Caution Midi only.
- Ability to create cue lists of songs and convert them into one single song (can compensate for the lack of Karma)
- The combis give a very good mix immediately
- Krome lightness of 88 compared to other keyboards weighted
- Large selection of samples or wavetables to create their own instruments
- Very good quality / price ratio in my opinion
- It's nice to be able to move from the computer!
Cons:
- No possibility of variations for live drums (pity they did not implémanté the Korg SOS system for rhythmic variations on the fly with the touchscreen)
- No KARMA
- No touch grid presets for live (linear lists only User presets)
- No sound 24bits (when working with Komplete there becomes sensitive)
- USB for MIDI only (no sound card)
- Lack of joints for some acoustic instruments for live
- Slight lack of responsiveness of the touchscreen: it is not as smooth as an iPad or Windows 8.
- A priori not possible to sample your own sounds
- Very good mechanical keyboard but some keys vibrate more than others (DOs)
- No possibility of connecting the nano pad
- No possibility of using FX with external audio input (no sound card)
UTILIZATION
PROGRAM MODE
Sound synthesis is based on a kind of engine sound 2 oscillators, working with groups of samples or wavetables up to 8 velocity layers (which can also be played simultaneously, which allows to reproduce some syntheses 3 or more oscillators). Kits for a group of thick samples is different assignable to each note of the keyboard. This is followed by a number of filters (envelopes etc ...) and modulators (LFOs etc ....) plus many FX. This synthesis is very effective for most instruments, but can not quite at a program like Kontakt some acoustic instruments, if you look at the products SampleModelling example.
The choice of sounds and instruments is very wide. The basic parameters of the instruments are directly modified with knobs. Many additional parameters can be edited for the touchscreen completely manipulate sound. It is possible to create your own instruments using samples and wavetables integrated, but it does not seem possible to import your own samples. For a sound designer is already rich in possibilities, even if the two oscillators synthesis is limiting, however. Here FM synthesis, granular, or 3 oscillators are reproduced very effectively using samples (such as Kontakt synth).
Each instrument has a pattern associated with arpeggiator and a drum track. It is possible to change from what you want.
COMBI MODE
Combi mode features 16 tracks of instruments organized in a mixer. Each track can be fully parameterized to define the splits, the midi channels, the delays if you want an instrument is a delay on the other, the velocity levels etc ..... Can be attributed to two arpeggiators any track. A track can act drum track. Can route each track to the FX bus.
This mode allows you to make complex arrangements with multiple instruments and effects. Arpeggiators and drum track can be enabled and disabled on the fly.
SEQUENCER MODE
You can record from any previous mode. It is automatically migrated to the sequence 16 tracks. It records everything you want in realtime. And then you can edit all the touch screen to manipulate notes, measures, controls noon. It works like a DAW touchscreen. It is possible to edit everything, however the use of Touch screen is not as intuitive and fluid than an iPad.
You can record each track separately, or some or all at the same time if you use a combi.
Another approach is the method of recording RPPR: recording music videos (patterns), the length you want, we assign to the keyboard. It's clips can be defined as a musical sequence to play once or looper. Each clip can be triggered or stopped during recording, and is assignable to one of the 60 middle keys of the keyboard. So you can imagine with 60 sound clips on the finger to a mode of production music closer to what is offered Ableton Live. The example "Krome Teeth" on the Korg website was made this way.
A record is considered a SONG with these 16 instruments or drum track / kit. The SONG can be organized Cuelist. For example, a SONG the intro, another chorus with a different set of instruments etc ...
They are assembled in a Cuelist, and Cuelist can even merge if we want a single SONG. Krome automatically manage the program changes and effects.
SOUNDS
Korg has a very good selection of sounds and drum kits. The banks in GM, GM2 and G (x) are also all available. In any case it sounds great.
The piano is very good to excellent, the synth sounds are excellent, the average acoustic instruments excellent, very good drum. In any case nothing completely useless!
OVERALL OPINION
In conclusion this machine, despite some limitations, already offers incredible opportunities that I take time to deplete.
Frankly buying it, I did not find as many features as extensive. It's been four months that even I did not even use my DAW with NI Komplete, so I'm having fun with this machine.
The main advantage for me is the approach live (realtime) in the process of composition, interpretation and understanding. You push a button, it makes its introduction with arpeggiators, one pushes another, we start the drum track and play his reasons. The creative process goes quickly on this workstation.
March CURRENT SOUND I WILL PUT SOME EXAMPLES. FOLLOW ....
most:
- Touchscreen interface very intuitive Display / clear / well-organized menu -> very effective
- Large variety of sounds, bass quality
- Effects FX great
- Quality of the drums
- Very good sound 48kHz/16bits
- The sequencer is similar to a DAW Touchscreen!
- Polyphonic arpeggiators two powerful managing the flame, in addition to the track drum track (the third "Arpeggiator" if you want)
- Speed of programming. editing, production etc ...
Machine - very inspiring
- RPPR Playback: midi loop / clip fashion assignable trigger to 60 keys (similar to the approach in Ableton Live)
- Can be used as a plug-in in a DAW (Korg Krome Editor Plug-in) Caution Midi only.
- Ability to create cue lists of songs and convert them into one single song (can compensate for the lack of Karma)
- The combis give a very good mix immediately
- Krome lightness of 88 compared to other keyboards weighted
- Large selection of samples or wavetables to create their own instruments
- Very good quality / price ratio in my opinion
- It's nice to be able to move from the computer!
Cons:
- No possibility of variations for live drums (pity they did not implémanté the Korg SOS system for rhythmic variations on the fly with the touchscreen)
- No KARMA
- No touch grid presets for live (linear lists only User presets)
- No sound 24bits (when working with Komplete there becomes sensitive)
- USB for MIDI only (no sound card)
- Lack of joints for some acoustic instruments for live
- Slight lack of responsiveness of the touchscreen: it is not as smooth as an iPad or Windows 8.
- A priori not possible to sample your own sounds
- Very good mechanical keyboard but some keys vibrate more than others (DOs)
- No possibility of connecting the nano pad
- No possibility of using FX with external audio input (no sound card)