Korg Kronos Vs Nord Stage 2
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- Опубликовано: 23 окт 2024
- Update - some people have asked which song I'm playing at 1.30 - it's an original piece that you can now hear in full on our most recent video • Yamaha NU1 Avant Grand...
For a quick video of the Nord Stage 2 88 Petrof Upright Piano please watch here - • Piano improv on a Nord...
Hi all, we decided that we should compare 2 products which are renowned as the top of their respective range, even though the products are originally targeted at different users.
The Nord Stage 2 is one of the most popular stage pianos in the world and famous for its red finish and hands on controls. The Korg Kronos is famous for its sound and workstation capabilities but it is not as well known as a live instrument like the Nord.
We feel the Kronos has a huge amount to offer in terms of live use and has many benefits that people may not be aware of so we compare the 2 products more as live instruments. The Kronos is a similar price band to the Nord Stage 2 so it compares directly as a live product especially with all the hands on controls and live switching with no sound glitch.
Take a look and see what you think
![KORG New KRONOS Demo & Review [English Captions]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/vG0QJ3bjfqk/mqdefault.jpg)
Korg Kronos for me. I sold mine Nord stage 3 88. Now I have the Kronos 88 gold edition. More realistic ( cx3 organ, kapro Italian Grand 9gb ) and it works great live Together with My Roland Jupiter 80 and crumar Mojo 61. 👍
Having used both of these great keyboards, each has it's strengths...
From an audio perspective the 'Kronos' has great refined, nuanced sounds. It also has quite a good minimalist working environment especially with its large bright touch screen helping to do away with a lot of the physical buttons and knobs and is ideal in low light. The keys feel OK but could be better.
The 'Stage 2' has some awesome live sounds and is a joy to play with. Everything you need is at your fingertips when playing live and the beast can take some hard knocks as well. The control area feels a little messy and cluttered but that feeling quickly evaporates as soon as you become familiar with the layout. On the other hand, the key action is not that good. The tiny screen is very hard to work with and the lack of memory makes it difficult to load large samples.
Each device is suited to particular situations as their designers intended but IMO, the Nord is way overpriced and technically underwhelming.
I love both of these keyboards, however, the Kronos is miles ahead in
features which makes it much more useful for everything from live to
studio to writing, arranging and so on.
In my opinion there`s no competition for quality sound Stage wins in everything, but as a performance musician I would prefer Kronos instead of stage because of its versatility of creating programs and switching among them. Those are powerful sound machines so to me one wins about quality but the other one wins for performance. They are both winners.
Both products are worthy of the highest praise
I'm lucky enough to own both the Stage 2 and Kronos. The Kronos is a very versatile instrument, between all of its sound engines I can always get close to the sounds i'm trying to get. The AL-1 and MOD-7 engines are just jaw droppingly good !!! ...... But..... The Nord gives me so much more back when it comes to the Piano and B3 sounds, it responds like an organic instrument, it fits in to a mix easier too. The synthesizer section on the Nord may seem basic, but it gives you 'enough' control over some very well recorded samples from a continiously evolving free library of classic boards........ Run thier Solina or Eminent samples through the filter with some phaser and verb on top...... Jean Micheal Jarre's Oxygene is right there, at your fingertips. The Chamberlin and Melotron libraries are just exceptional........ My Kronos does surprise me in pleasing ways on a regular basis, but the Stage 2 I love, it plays, feels and sounds right with very little effort on my part, I fully expect to still be loving it as much in 10 years time...... I personaly don't feel that the Kronos is going to make me feel that way despite its feature set in 5 years time. These are just my personal feelings, but I think they are relevent when we are talking about value for money, the nord doesn't look nearly as powererful on paper, but that is the board I could not be without.
I have both the 88 keys - Kronos X and Nord Stage 2, and in fairness you cannot compare them in this manner.
The reason being they each bring their own magic for different uses. For example I find the nord keys not as good as the kronos but for performance the keys on the nord actually works better for that reason, and it really makes the sound come across richer and more natural. Where as the kronos has better key setup/action which makes for better creativity workflow and working the sound in a different way. I am sure many here will probably disagree but that is my take on them having both anyway.
As far as technical capabilities I find the piano on the nord first class and probably the best there is, and the organs are right up there. The nord synth is "Ok" its comprehensive and flexible enough to be fairly creative, and packs a super rich sound, and for live performance its spot on, unless your your jordan rudess then your going to smash the hell out of the keys at hyper speed the use the kronos!
The kronos is just genius creative tool kit in the studio, its second to non in its synth capabilities and some say its too clean etc, that is just rubbish it exactly how clean or dirty you want to make it. The kronos sound management and capabilities make this board virtually limitless in creativity, utilizing karma and the 9 built synth engines is mind blowing in itself.
Well that's my view of the keyboards, thanks for reading...
Lee Hayes I found that very helpful, I've been debating between the two. Thank you for posting that comparison. Being a guitar / guitar tech nerd and an overall music geek in general, i can tell that you know what youre talking about. Thanks again.
Thanks. Nothing wrong with being a music & guitar nerd I am not good with the string playing as much hence more keys hehe.
I am glad you found that helpful. They are two very different beasts and so I think I had to say it as it was about them. Which keyboard do you think your going to go for? Since I posted that there is now the new Nord Stage II EX and Kronos II, the Kronos has just been released a few weeks back now. If you were to purchase the Kronos X you can update all the software changes or sounds that come with the newer Kronos II if you did not already know. I think the Nord is a memory upgrade which is about it as I understand it.
Lee Hayes I am a keyboardist as well. I mainly play classical, jazz, and gospel (I work in churches) and am split between the new Kronos 73 or the Electro 5 HP. I don't really need any of the workstation functions of the Kronos (sequencer, songwriter, etc.) as I use a number of DAW's. So, which would you prefer in terms of key feel (not just for piano but also playing organ and synth), build quality, ease-of-use, and portability? The latter is very important because I need to be able to set it on top of a grand piano or hammond organ so it can't be super heavy and massive. I guess what I want to know is does the Kronos as a workstation still manage to beat the Nord at its own game as a stage piano? Thanks!
Marcus Wiles Wow tough one. I have never used the Electro 5 that said the Kronos is a heavy beast much more heavier than the Nord Stage II. Might worth while looking up the specs online for the weight issue but I would definitely have to favour the Nord for weight.
For key action my Kronos has an excellent key action but I still stand by this the Nord's semi weighted I think is better for overall performance, it will not let you down at all. Unless your really needing to exploit serious synth power then the Nord is the option I would pick but I am not sure about the Electro 5 specs :)
Hope this helps a little.
Lee Hayes Thanks, friend! If I went with the Nord I would likely opt for the fully weighted one but that really helps. Have they both held up well?
Nord has it better as to the Hammond sound but to me everything else sounded better from the Korg Kronos. The strings were interesting from the Nord but the notes were chewing up each other up which rules it out.
Not Until you sample it... I have the B300 and B200 and it's amazing on the Kronos
and the winner is...!!! the pianist!!!
Nord
50th like
eh92303 seriously!! I could listen to him all day!
I own both of these. First, let's understand that they are really two very different animals. The Nord is a stage piano, organ and basic synth. The Kronos is music workstation: it can sample, sequence, act as a very flexible MIDI controller and does a much wider variety of sounds (including drums).
The Nord I have (a 76 key) has waterfall key action, where as my 88-key Korg has weighted keys. I'm not sure what kind of action the 88-key Nord has. I don't much care for the feel of the Korg though - the keys have a very slow return and I simply can NOT do certain things involving repeating keys on it. As an example, I think it would be very hard to play Billy Joel's "Prelude" on it which involves a staccato on the same key.
I greatly prefer the Nord's Hammond simulation. I think the Nord is exceptional in that category. I also think it's classic key simulations (Rhodes, Wurlie, Clav, etc.) are noticeably better. I'm torn about the pianos. I definitely prefer the Nord for most stage situations, and yet the Korg to me sounds more realistic in someways. But "Dark German Grand" is about the only Korg piano sound I use.
In the area of synthesis, the Korg is far better though there are some great sounds in the Nord library.
Another salient fact is that that the Kronos is VERY heavy. I don't have an 88-key stage to compare it to, but my 76 Stage is about the lightest board I've ever own, though far from the smallest.
Played the Nord. Would love to have one. Bought the Kronos8. It's just fantastic.
Gigging/Performing: Nord
Composing/Versatility: Korg
Geusteer Ok sir
Finally I found a comment that summarizes my own opinion.
@@jpnavarromusic Korg for me as I'm the proud owner of a Kronos 88 key Gold limited edition great piece of kit multiple uses a sound techs dream though pricey I also have a Yamaha Montage that's good too but not as the Kronos though they make an interesting combination.
I've always played acoustic, but when I had to choose, because my trbajo, tried all brands and undoubtedly NORD STAGE 2 is a champion, that give no ..
The only reason I bring it up is that when listening to the two instances of what you play, often the part that is the most variant is the final notes or the intentional pauses where you can hear the notes ring out. In what you can hear in this recording the German Grands are very similar until you hear the tonality of the final chords, which ring out very differently but can seem altered with the variation of your reach and altered angle of play.Or at least they do to me.
Very great video! I can already imagine myself experimenting those sounds and tones!
The ProXL Strings on the Kronos blew me away. I could listen to you play them all day long.
I've been using Nord on stage for about 15 years in mostly blues/rock bands. It's their B3 simulator and EP sounds that sold me in the first place. Now that I have NS2, I'm going beyond string and horn lines, and I'm exploring the world of synth more and more these days. (Just got me the Lead A1, too. :) Listening to this video demo, I like the Korg strings, but, overall, it seems more suited for the home studio. If I had the money, I'd take both. Thanks for the demo.
With the exception of the Grand Piano, the Korg seems to have the richer sounds. The strings pads and the Hammond organ were significantly better sounding. But we are splitting hairs choosing a "best" with these two terrific instruments.
Excellent fair and balanced demonstration of two fantastic keyboards. The (SST) smooth sound transition capability on the Kronos was one of the most important factors for my choosing the Kronos. It always caused a problem with my Fantom X88 when I changed programs in the middle of my composition and there would be abrupt cut offs of the prior voice. Now it's tremendously freeing to be able to let my current program sustain while I transition to the next voice I want to use in a live setting.
Thanks for sharing this video. For me I think Nord have a great sound quality compare with Korg. I pray to God that somebody will bless me with a Nord. =)
sorry sir... that's my opinion.
anyways thanks for your concern.
God bless your heart.
it's not a big deal... everyone can share their opinion and i think there's nothing wrong with that. well in fact everyone can commit mistake as well. including you. so don't think too much of yourself man... coz everything, including our talents, came from God.
The piano is a LOT better on the Nord than on the Korg. Touch only changes the volume of the Korg, and not the tone or color. The Nord is much more expressive and warmer.
+belsha and the string resonance and the dampers sounds are superb
not so. The New kronos Berlin Grand is multisampled at 12 points (over 9GB) so velocity timbre is not replicated with filters as in the NORD. It is much more expressive and IMHO the BEST piano sound short of KEYSCAPES which is a VST. I have both Keyboards and I love the NORD for a variety of reasons. But overall, the Kronos is superior.
Yes, there are panels A and B - each can use one piano sound, one synth and one organ and both panels can sound at the same time (6 instruments split\layer) with independence effects setups (only master-effects like reverb and compression always work the same way for both panels).
Excellent comparison. Both are my most favourite workstation and stage piano.. Thank you for this video.
I had exactly this choice to make 4 months ago, I played both instruments at the musicstore for almost 4 hours (not counting the time before researching in videos and demos) I made my decison for the KRONOS. 2 reasons, I don´t play live anymore, so I bought the keyboard for my homestudio, and there the Kronos is more versatile and offers the better features. For live, maybe i would´ve chosen the NS2, the sound is always a matter of taste, both great, but i liked the keybed of the KRONOS better.
Came here for the demo, stayed for the great keyboarding
I own both and I think they complement each other perfectly.
These are two completely different pieces of equipment that have different purposes. The Nord is a more analog oriented keyboard, therefore, it can prioritize a natural sounding acoustic sound. The Korg Kronos is definitely more versatile and it has a large array of enhanced syths and voices. It's hard to compare.
como tu lo haz dicho el korg es mas versátil y tiene mas variedad y calidad. Por lo tanto es mejor. ya que para tener todo lo que tiene el kronos en Nord necesitas mas de un teclado... xd
I would love to hear them played from the same level, but I realize that other considerations have to be made. Thanks for the videos they are useful when deciding to purchase especially when you don't have access to all of the boards.
I am fortunate enough to own both a Kronos 73 and a Nord E4 73. My rationale is that I love the waterfall keys for organ on the Nord(I am more of an organ player than piano, but still want the hammer action for piano stuff). I also MIDI them together using the Combi and Set List functions on the Kronos so I can play the sounds of either from either and control changes. For me, it's the best of both worlds.
Very good video showing each keyboard's features. They both have their places in the music world - one seems better for music production and studio recording and one seems better for the live stage.
Thanks
I've got a Kronos 88 knowing that most people got a Nord. I think the Nord is, maybe, better on stage and got very good sounds.
I've got a Kronos b/c I found in it everything I was looking for, the incredible possibilities, mixing different sound motors sources, and the fact that I work a lot in studio makes the Kronos more interesting b/c of its endless possibilities.
Hi, yes, it is amazing how people see things in so many different aways with so many different opinions. That's the idea at the end of the day though because everyone is different and therefore there is no wrong or right when it comes to the products themselves but, what is more relevant is that everyone can decide which product best suits them.
Bread and butter sounds (piano, clavinet, rhodes, wurli, and organ)? Nord all the way. If you're playing in a cover band, need tons of patches and need to get to them quickly the Kronos is the best choice, in my opinion. I will also say though, that the sounds quitting when you change programs, the limited polyphony, and that pretty lame string patch is pretty rough for the Nord. Those are basic things that should be addressed.
It is kinda silly to discuss the sound, since we all have different idea's of how a "good" instrument patch should sound.
But gonna tell My opinion anyway .. you may dislike it if you like :)
To me both have really nice sounding Piano's
Nord clearly wins in the organ department ... How Korg could f*** the CX-3 engine up this bad is a mystery to me, unless they wanted it to sound like only their own old BX and CX models .. it doesn't even come close to a real Hammond.
Being a Korg and Yamaha user for many years, I simply do not like Nords sample library .. it sounds like its taken from way old 12 bit samples from Ensoniq, Emu etc.. wich had these very raw sounding instrument samples (the instruments of the early 80'es didn't have any onboard effect processors) .. and it's the same library you choose from on all Nords wether its a Stage, Electro or Piano line.
Only Thing Nord got right is the Piano samples and the Organ engine.
Sure you can find usable patches wich will do for a quick gig where you just have to bring 1 instrument.
I see Nord as a Hammond SK-1... You baught it for the Hammond sound (The Nord for the Hammond & the Piano Sound)
and the rest of the samples is so so, but usable ,.. (not that the audience will notice it anyway weather you came with your 4-5 keyboard setup with all the right sounds YOU like or a little Handy Nord Stage)
Nord Pros:Really good Organ if you can't afford a Real Hammond
Excelent Piano sounds .. both Acoustic and various EP sounds
Many knobs and buttons to wiggle if your into that stuff for on the fly sound edit.
Good Quality Feel from the Metal chassis .. and the color is spiffy
Real Drawbars !! on the newer models
Nord Con: Horrible interface... its like they just randomly spread out all those buttons and knobs without thinking.
Way too small display ... its like programming a DX-7 ... oh those old days
For the "synth" keybed versions .. crappy Fatar keybeds. Especially the Waterfall keys on the Electro feels like a
Bontempi kids keyboard worth 50$
Korg Pros:9 Different Sound engines with nearly unending possibillities of sound editing.
Workstation function, Sequenzer, KARMA, Hard disk recording.. You don't need any external Gear
Big selection of Sample libraries available
Excelent Piano sounds (Kronos II)
Really nice Clean Interface. You can access a myriad of editing features on the Large Touch Screen
and focus on the very easy program switch keys and a fair amount of faders and knobs nicely placed
for on the fly sound editing.
Decent Piano keybed on the 76 and 88 key version (good enuf for me anyway) havn't tried a 61key synth version.
Good Quality Metal Chassis with Wooden Side panels
Korg Con: Even with the fair resolution of the Touch Screen, Many editing functions is with very small text and many functions
on the screen at once ... DEfinetly requires a touch screen pen for in depth editing.
Little long boot routine because its basically a Linux-PC with a korg user interface for the Touch screen and 9
Software synths that need to initialize
For being a Mega Workstation, there could be more analog controller inputs for the "older" generation that havn't
completey changed to various USB controller boards.
All in All
Both are good keyboards for different people and different usages
But a direct comparison is IMO not really fair to the Nord no matter if it was a Nord Piano / Stage / Electro.
Korg Kronos II will still be miles ahead than All Nord Models put together when it comes to versatility and posibilities in one keyboard.
But Nord Stage / Electro or Piano will have its usage especially for those that don't want to program, but just want to Play, if you can figure out Nords very very strange and Odd user Interface.
But We will always be able to discuss the if the one sound better than the Other ..
Some like the Mother (Korg ??) and some like the Daughter ... (And Nord still only is a big Teenager) :)
Nord Stage 2 all the way for me.
Rocktron is Back The Kronos is a superior instrument, it is the most advanced synthesizer in the world, with 9 synth engines in total, perfectly integrated. The Nord has dreadful built in effects, its filter sounds digitally prosessed and harsh, its Nord lead engine is harsh, its various engines are poorely integrated. Its pitch "wheel" and modulation wheel are the worst ever implemented in a serie of synths. The nords layering capabilities are weak and its sound bank system is a mess. Its piano sounds and organs are sublime but that dosent justify its price!
Nord is beautiful and it can definetely help the player achieve that sound that catches your ear. Where most keyboards you search through a billion sounds waiting for that one sound to make you stop and go back. Nord helps you build that to the players exact specification of his ear.. Korg Kronos is a keyboard in which all the sounds are sounds that catch your ear and make you play and enjoy... I find it difficult to pick between the two keyboards. Maybe be the Nord for a lower scale gig.. But in a recent gig I had playing at a conference, even though preprograming is a bit of a hassle I think there isnt a keyboard and wont be a keyboard that can out perform the Kronos.. The thing is a WEAPON.. Ive been playing a roland G8 and have been dreaming about having a kronos for years.. FINALLY GONNA HAPPEN... It is expensive but im sure there wont be another keyboard to come out for many years that will make me want to consider it over the Nord... but the Nord is still a beautiful sound.
#respect
Can't compare them...... But for jazz man, I think Nord would be better.
Have tried both at local music store, both are very good instruments depends on what budget you have what sounds you like and how easy you think they are to play or program
Hmmm, heard the Nord in a studio setting, have always had Korgs and Rolands, Never had a chance to do a side by side, this was actually a great help. I read through most of the comments and can only wonder what people were listening on? The keyboards are remarkably close in sound quality through my Genelecs. Have to say wanted the Nord when i first heard it by itself... until... i found out the patch changes cut the sounds... deal killer for live use... bummer... bottom line... it all depends on who is playing and doing the patch programming. Thanks for the vid:)
wow, meanwhile my budget is like 500usd
Casio got you covered. Or maybe you want an AW 61 Key. Mmm... you can really taste the cheese.
In that case get the cheaper little brother of the Kronos, the Kross.
Key action is always a very personal thing. Both products have great actions and we have no issues with either. Some people are more particular and the only way to tell which is really right for you is to try them for yourself. The Nord weighted action does have aftertouch though where the KRONOS does not.
awesome side-by-side comparison. thanks so much
HI, I thought I would just make clear about the aftertouch. Weighted versions - 73 and 88 do not have aftertouch on the keyboard. They will respond to aftertouch via MIDI but the keyboards do not have aftertouch built in. The 61 key version however does.
Ever since the days when Korg was making the SG-1D, I have always heard a slight distortion in their default acoustic piano samples. The electric pianos on the Yamaha Montage are also excellent.
I think the Nord definitely does better in the piano and organ sections but kronos hammers it in the synths.
My brother has a Stage 2 and i'm amazed by the things that you can do with it. I love fiddling with it and creating new sounds and presets.
What I love especially about the Nord is the Live playing capabilities. you can make switching between and modulating sounds incredibly easy with things like a control pedal and the control wheel if you only spend a small amount of time setting them up beforehand.
For example. my brother regularly plays Superstition with his band and i made a preset for him by his request. He needed a clavinet on the lower notes so i made a split keyboard. and I even had to edit where the split was on the keyboard. then he wanted a sax synth on the upper notes and then i made it so he can switchi between having the clav and the sax and a normal piano with a control pedal
Thank you, it's part of an 8 minute piece I've yet to record. I'll be sure to link to it from this page when I get around to doing it (hopefully very soon)!
Nice comparison, both great boards. I have and love the Kronos, but some of the Nord Stage 2 sounds are warmer than the Korg. Was almost sold on the Nord from this until the string ensemble comparison - clearly the polyphony on the Korg was higher and better. The Nord strings were stealing notes from running out, while the Korg maintained a full sound with no cutoff. I love the way the Kronos can switch programs without cutting the previous sound - don't know why more manufacturers don't do that.
I love the attack of the Nord piano sounds. I'm already a Korg Kronos owner and will buy myself the Nord Electro 5d as 2nd keyboard to use live (together with Yamaha Motif XS)
Great comparison. What is the latest model of Kronos? I'm thinking of buying one. Does it matter if it's the latest model? Or is there another new model coming soon?
At first with the acoustic piano sample patches I couldn’t tell the two apart. But when I heard the electric piano sample patches with its higher order harmonics it seemed the Nord was more stable and accurate with it’s reproduction of the timbres. IMO
Nord for me, but the price... better I get Kontakt with The Grandeur, PEARL and Ultimate Stage Pianos HD.
Nord is more real! The sound of Nord is hot. Kronos about tecnolgy more complex but about sound i stay with Nord .
korg kronos is way better. the only problem is it takes 5 years to set everything right.
One more year’ you almost there 😁
Is everything Set?
Hey, is everything set right?
Thru a PA the Nord is perfect and superior of anything else IMO. Great gigging piano. Nord however loses me completely in not being able to switch sounds without break. I'm very surprised at that in them and for me that's huge. Korg I think is the superior synth. I hate red for a keyboard also so that also pushes me further away. Sad because I already own a Korg Triton Pro so just want the piano sounds mainly. Being used to the korg interface will probably keep me with it. One more thing is I think the Korg has the advantage in low light visually speaking, but once you're use to the Nord you'd be able to not need your eyes to change what you want (I prefer nobs and sliders for gigging personally). Nord by far on it's build feel, very solid (but very heavy). I may just skip the latest flagship since I really only need a new 88 piano and go cheaper for now and get either the Korg Krome or Yamaha MOXF8. Thanks for the vid.
the nord has a more authentic piano sound imho
Lars Løfter really it depends
Not a keyboard player at the moment but I'll be learning in the future. I would gonf8r the Korg, largely because of there being no drop out between sound changes.
I'll take the Korg over the Nord any day.
although the Nord sounds a bit brighter, punchier...fuller.
I like how the Korg piano notes resonate and sustain, sounds like a real piano.
The strings are WAY better on the Korg...they stretch to the bloody end and vibrate your gut.
Nord is sounds like it's canceling itself out a bit on that back end. ADSR config or natural circuit envelopes?
Nord just sounds more EQ'd and louder overall. Sometimes these videos are biased.
In the end though, the Nord seems to be a planet, the Korg seems to be a galaxy.
I own neither (yet), I'm just making an observation based on this video.
Not sure - I'd prefer a dedicated stage piano for a start, and I have a Nord C2D that will cover most organ sounds that I use, so I'm looking more for something that will give me solo sounds (synth & orchestral). It also depends on the style of music and how much you need to respond "on the fly" rather than having the set pinned down.
Even the RH2 keybed on the OASYS has aftertouch. (According to the OASYS Service Manual, the OASYS 88 (RH2) keybed is a Fatar TP-31 w/ Aftertouch. (this was made custom for Korg for the O)) It would be very, very strange if the RH3 in the Kronos does not. I'm actually quite sure it has. The RH3 keybed definetly have velocity aftertouch, even the M3 had this. Check the calibration part of the setup to see if it reacts.
Most realistic = Nord
I'd say yes, the piano on the nord sounds more realistic.
There string sounds sound too similar.
Don't forget though, at least to my understanding the Nord uses sample based sounds, whereas the Korg Kronos uses physical modeling, particularly pianos, EP's, organs and string instruments.
I am playing Korg Kronos X. It it such a powerful keyboard I have ever played. However, I dont think Korg has the best piano sound honestly. The best piano sound belongs to Yamaha CP4. Nord is not popular in Vietnam.
Huyen Vu Nguyen hi there, did you buy Korg Kronos in Vietnam? I’m currently living in HCM City, can you recommend a good music store selling digital piano such as Korg or Yamaha?
Thanks for the comment. Everyone has their own view on these things which is why we do these videos so people can see the basic differences and to aid them in their decisions.
KRONOS is less at retail than the Nord Stage 2 as a general rule. Both work great live as Korg has the set list, realtime controls and SST technology whilst Nord has lots of hands on controls for tweaking live along with registration buttons. Yes, the KRONOS has a large manual set!
they both sound great cant go wrong
6:52 I like the Korg feature of not cutting off between patches. This was a pain on all digital synths for years and is so unmusical. The old analogs like the Prophet-5 you could just switch between patches anytime no problem and the music would continue. It is nice to see that feature on the Korg Kronos. It's on of those little things tha t is in fact a really big thing.
I remember the only digital synth in years that could do this was the little Alesis QS, playing one in a Newcastle Music store near the Keyside (that's Quayside actually!) in 1995 when you selected a new patch it played new notes with the new patch and the old notes remained on the old patch until they faded off. I thought, "Wow."
yep - some folks have been asking me why I won't go for a Nord rather than my Kronos -- answer is -- I gotta have the smooth sound transition feature. It is such a critical factor in the kind of stuff we play. And I also really love the setlist function on the kronos. (yeah,could probably get an outboard solution in lieu of the setlist function, but I don't really want to be carrying around another device!) I can't tell if Nord's grand piano sounds any better than the new ones in Kronos, and I seriously doubt Nord can match Kronos sound quality in any other category. (I use a Hammond XK3C for my organs, so that category doesn't register in the decision process.) Nord is too pricey and too RED.
Dave Bellamy problems to switch between patches will be resolv in The future Nordstage 3 ! 🙂
I use aftertouch on my weighted 73 kronos all the time, it is an important part of how i play synths. My problem with it is that a lot of pressure is required to activate it I can do it using my thumb but my pinky finger isn't strong enough. The AT threshold settings for all kronos models can be set in global mode. check it out!
I'm a kronos 73 owner and I think piano&hammond sounds better on NS2... Depending on the rest I think the Korg wins...
(IMAO... ) Tried the piano "Berlin Grand" it's fantastic.... (just the demo version)
There may be some owners for both what do you think?
I would have to give the win to the KORG. Don't get me wrong, the Nord has some excellent piano sounds and very good organ sounds and would make a good stage piano. However, the piano sounds on the KORG is actually very closely matched. Plus the other sounds are very authentic and high quality sounding. Especially the synth voices. I feel like you could actually be more expressive when playing live on the KORG in my opinion. Especially since you don't have to worry about the sound being cut off.
I give the win the KORG.
+Ian Cunningham Thanks, Thats what I need to hear. I got SPOT ON samples of B-3s on other gear, and strings If they're as bad as I hear on the Kronos, I got strings for days ...Nord cuts off when you change patches. They need to quit bein pretentious and back the price off, too. So I will probably get neither or both. I was all in for the Kronos, but havent played one yet.....I admit I was amused for a bit with the Nord. Thanks for making the decision look so simple!
+serpentbrew since the Nord cut off the sound when you switch, that was the deal breaker for me. The Nord did have me interested but honestly, the KORG is much better for live performances and high quality sounds. The Nord could be useful for an acoustic set though.
So many of these products (especially these two and the Kurzweil), are so good at what they do its a matter of personal preference. Some may be "better", but the concept is now purely subjective and also subject to countless variable that would effect the outcome of the comparison. I've had Kurz, Roland (RD700gx), Kronos and now other factors enter into it, such as my back's ability to move the gear. I'm looking seriously at the Nord for purchase at present.
Both are great. Remember, most people are biased - they are loyal to a particular company, depending what they have been using in the past. Same with the cars they drive. I own several makes of synths, of various ages, and I assure you that no one keyboard does it all. If you want the best sounds, the best workstation etc, you'll need to buy several. And, at the end of the day, it's how you use them. Some of the best music around was made on primitive keyboards a decade or two ago!
Ive had the opportunity to work with both of them for a while now. I know them both really well and the organ on the Nord is unbeatable!!! both have amazing piano sounds, but when I had to money to buy just one I went with the Kronos.
Both pianos and Rhodes are just as great, but everything else the Kronos is better. Its expandable, its a computer, has great feel on keys and its so much flexible than the Nord. Theres Sooooooo so much the Kronos does that the Nord doesn't.
If you're willing to learn how to use a keyboard at its max, go with the Kronos
Just to make it clear KRONOS 73 and 88 weighted versions do not have aftertouch. THey will respond to aftertouch via MIDI but the keyboards themselves do not have aftertouch. The KRONOS 61 however does have aftertouch on the keys
I have both the 88 key Kronos2 and the 88 key Stage2.
Nord: Piano and Organ sounds are better on the Nord. I like having the controls on the top for on-the-fly changes, though it is harder to choose patches on the Nord. AFAIK you can only add 1 split on the Nord. I like the 5 "live" buttons.
Korg: The large touch screen makes a lot of things like splitting keyboard and choosing sounds way easier (sounds are categorized). Strings are better on the Korg. The Korg is substantially larger and heavier than the Nord. It wouldn't fit on my Ultimate stand! Up to 16 splits which is useful for me.
They are both fine instruments and have a similar feel to their respective keypads.
I'm not really much of a nord guy, so i don't have much experience with those other than guitar center. The rig i use at my church consists of a yamaha mm8, and a korg tr61. The only problem i have with yamaha is that their earlier keyboards, like early motif, have the keys SUPER DUPER heavy, which i think they improved with the xf. korg keyboard offers this HUGE array of sounds, but sometimes they're not so easily accessed, which can lead to lots of last minute cramming if you're anything like me. rolands, well, you don't see a lot of 88 key rolands on stage for pianos and things like that, but are great for synths and studio work. again, not much of a nord guy, those things get too buttony for me. That's just my opinion, anyways.
Please, see the first half of the "whiter shade of pale 2006" video!
It starts with strings+clarinet, then piano+strings and then organ+piano
Can you, please, show a very similar performance of "whiter shade of pale"
with split/layered keybords on both the Nord and on the Kronos!
lol nord has such a fatter, richer, thicker, more robust sound... thanks for making that extremely clear! kronos is a nice all in one package but the sound quality for rhodes and organ go to nord...
I have both Nord and Korg, well Nord's piano and organ are by far better than Korg's but although Nord has a pretty powerful synth, Korg has bigger potential in the synth section :)
What is the piece you are playing at 6:03? Reminds me of an 80's movie song, but I can't remember it. Phil Collins, Steve Winwood?
+Michael Smith
Hi. it seems the starting chords sequence of Live to tell (Madonna) ....
I think that the Nord comes off well in the initial tests due to its sound being more fully compatible with some meaningful studio application such as a making a record. However, as platforms go, the Korg clearly outperforms the Nord, continues to improve throughout the demonstration; once the sounds go into the upper range of useful application it begins pull ahead. I would imagine that it's programmability is far greater, and when the full extent of it's range is known it will be preferred.
Stupid question but concerning repairs, im assuming the Korg would cost a lot if anything with the LCD went wrong and needed to be changed. Do keyboards break down often or whats the average life span of it before they may break from wear and tear. (Excluding travelling and what not, im talking setting it up in a room and leaving it there)
Both sound perfect but the Korg goes up to 11.
I love them both. I think the Korg has many more possibilities but for live applicationst I prefer the Nord Stage for B3 sound and the Nord build quality. Thanks for your efforts on this video, Great Job!!
Great demo! I have a Kronos but I am not happy with the sound and I played a Stage 2 the other night at a gig and was blown away... Listening to this demo I can hear the Kronos sounds kinda dull compared to the Nord. The Nord does however have a thinner top end on the piano. I think having both is the only way to go.
Interestingly, I also have a Korg CX3 and prefer playing that to my Kronos.
I agree, very beautiful.
Were I only working in a studio, I'd take the Kronos. Were I gigging, I think I'd prefer the Nord Stage 3 (yes, it was just released). I own the Kronos and the menu diving does stifle the creative flow, no doubt. That being said, it IS a great sounding keyboard.
as a professional I have to say Nord won...but not by mind blowing statistics.
I am a korg guy however...i can live with the loss...gotta love that changing sounds without hiccups!!
I have listened to several of your comparisons and I do like the way you go about evaluating them against one another. I have noticed something though, and I was wondering about it. I notice that whatever keyboard is shown on top in your comparisons suffers in your playback due to its raised height and reach. it sometimes causes a slight delay in your playback flow. Or at least it seems to. I was wondering if you noticed a difference? I realize you try to show them in the same shot.
Your grammatical skills are truly stupendous.
Awesome can't wait to hear it!
Each keyboard is unique in it's own way. There are many aspects that honestly can't be compared because of this. At the end of the day, it's all a matter of personal preference.
Hiya, awesome comparison, thanks! Just wondering what song that is at 0:38?
Great great great video. I'm between this two. But can I use a Nord like a decently workstation?
I think the North is no workstation at all...
But it can be an excellent master keyboard.
+GreenHoleSun Yeah, it sounds so so beautiful.
It includes all the virtual analog waves and FM alogorithims of the nord lead!
Hello, the sound quality on this video is awesome...!
Can you remember what were the amplifiers or monitors used ?
I own a Kronos, I recognized and reproduced the original sound of the polysix strings of the Kronos1 (I-A085) at 6'50...(with some knob1;) , the sound on the video is a kind of warmer than the one reproduced on my Kronos.
I am sure it is not due to different programming because I have the same feeling on the other sounds heard in this demo...
We did not use any amplifiers for the sound. The sound is a direct feed from the KRONOS into a Focusrite interface. We have added no EQ or sound processing to make sure you hear the product naturally. We did not program any sounds either - all are factory presets.
Ok thanks for the hint. I recorded directly on my Kronos the same pattern and sound (SSD direct sampling) but the result is definitely not as "warm/rich" as in your video...maybe the audio interface somehow emphathizes fat frequencies or adds some reflections...anyway I would love to achieve the same result but I don't know how !
Fantastic video ! Two big monsters !
PLS SOMEBODY, tell me name of patch , better source samples (analog synth) from 6:18????i want recreate it on my kurzweil forte and kronos ! thanks for answer
Can u split it? Does it take USB midifiles? A sustain pedal? Lyn challands fb australia
Both are incredibly good !! But that giant display on the K , seems to be very expensive to repair is something goes wrong. I do prefer the Nord in that case .
The Kronos is a remarkable keyboard that reproduces the feel and sound of the instrument that you are playing. I have a baby grand and had a rhodes and a B3. When I close my eyes and play the German grand or rhodes the keyboard touch and respond to dynamics is identical to the original. The weighted keyboard does not duplicate the feel of B3 but the sound does.
I liked the Korg!
The Kronos sounds exactly as you program it to sound. Any defect is in the programing (within its limitations), not the Kronos itself. The Kronos is far more programmable than any Nord. Nord are nice keyboards but Korg has always made the most powerful synths like the OASYS the Kronos came from.
What piano model do you use on the Nord stage? Is it the Italian Grand?