KVR Audio

aaastronomer · Post by **aaastronomer** » Tue Jun 04, 2013 8:04 am

Ok. I'm going to wrap it up with hardware synths (unless something major, which i cannot currently conceptualize, comes along). I can't afford a Solaris or an Acclerator or anything above about $4K US and I've decided to try for something with higher sound quality (and quality control) than Ultranovas or Blofelds. So, i have to ask. If it's a choice between a Kronos X 61 or Virus T2i for a last 'do it all' (or almost all) synth, which is it???? The music i compose runs mostly along the axis from abstract dubstep to glitch to minimal (like Pole) to columbia-princeton experimental stuff. I have computers, but i want a solid KB as well. I'm sure somebody here will have an opinion (or two) on this consideration. Thanks in advance for any solid advice. (Oh: 'both' is not an option!)

Wormhelmet · Post by **Wormhelmet** » Tue Jun 04, 2013 12:55 pm

That's a tough choice, but I think if I just was going all out for a hardware I would pick the Kronos over the Virus. I think it's a little more flexible for a variety of sounds.

Good luck. I'm sure you'll get mixed responses. The good news is its a win/win choice. Either choice leaves you with an outstanding hardware synth to play.

EvilDragon · Post by **EvilDragon** » Tue Jun 04, 2013 1:37 pm

Kronos does so much more than Virus.

bjporter · Post by **bjporter** » Tue Jun 04, 2013 1:42 pm

aaastronomer wrote:Ok. I'm going to wrap it up with hardware synths (unless something major, which i cannot currently conceptualize, comes along). I can't afford a Solaris or an Acclerator or anything above about $4K US and I've decided to try for something with higher sound quality (and quality control) than Ultranovas or Blofelds. So, i have to ask. If it's a choice between a Kronos X 61 or Virus T2i for a last 'do it all' (or almost all) synth, which is it???? The music i compose runs mostly along the axis from abstract dubstep to glitch to minimal (like Pole) to columbia-princeton experimental stuff. I have computers, but i want a solid KB as well. I'm sure somebody here will have an opinion (or two) on this consideration. Thanks in advance for any solid advice. (Oh: 'both' is not an option!)

Sounds like you are deciding on a VA vs. workstation. There doesn't seem to be a competition between these 2 - one does something better than the other.

I'd get a Virus from the style you mentioned - plus the VSTi integration makes it a plugin... does Kronos have this VSTi system as well?

JavaJ · Post by **JavaJ** » Tue Jun 04, 2013 5:45 pm

Just want to throw out that the Kronos doesn't power up instantly- not sure if you are concerned with that but something to keep in mind- would suck to be live and have to power cycle- and wait a few minutes before you could do anything. Not sure if they improved on it lately but I know that is one big drawback for me.

JavaJ · Post by **JavaJ** » Tue Jun 04, 2013 5:46 pm

What about a Nord Stage 2?- or do you only want a 61-key unit?

aaastronomer · Post by **aaastronomer** » Tue Jun 04, 2013 7:27 pm

JavaJ wrote:What about a Nord Stage 2?- or do you only want a 61-key unit?

The 61-key spec is due to reviews of the 88-key Kronos which give the keybed 'less than stellar'
marks!

aaastronomer · Post by **aaastronomer** » Tue Jun 04, 2013 7:30 pm

JavaJ wrote:Just want to throw out that the Kronos doesn't power up instantly- not sure if you are concerned with that but something to keep in mind- would suck to be live and have to power cycle- and wait a few minutes before you could do anything. Not sure if they improved on it lately but I know that is one big drawback for me.

I can wait. Where I'll be performing there's no need for speed.

Uncle E · Post by **Uncle E** » Tue Jun 04, 2013 8:37 pm

bjporter wrote:I'd get a Virus from the style you mentioned - plus the VSTi integration makes it a plugin... does Kronos have this VSTi system as well?

It does not. The TI is what makes the Virus the winner for any KVR die-hard plugin junkie.

cryophonik · Post by **cryophonik** » Tue Jun 04, 2013 9:18 pm

Yeah, I'd say that for the styles mentioned, the Virus TI2 would be the better choice. That said, I own a Virus TI2, but I've only played the Kronos briefly in stores.

I should also mention FTR that the boot-up on the TI2 is not instantaneous either. It takes like 10-15 seconds.

Monib · Post by **Monib** » Wed Jun 05, 2013 12:15 am

Uncle E wrote:
bjporter wrote:I'd get a Virus from the style you mentioned - plus the VSTi integration makes it a plugin... does Kronos have this VSTi system as well?
It does not. The TI is what makes the Virus the winner for any KVR die-hard plugin junkie.

Depends also on use model. Like people have said, Workstation vs Synth. There is probably some overlap. Really depends on what you have so far, and what you need.

EvilDragon · Post by **EvilDragon** » Wed Jun 05, 2013 7:14 am

aaastronomer wrote:
JavaJ wrote:Just want to throw out that the Kronos doesn't power up instantly- not sure if you are concerned with that but something to keep in mind- would suck to be live and have to power cycle- and wait a few minutes before you could do anything. Not sure if they improved on it lately but I know that is one big drawback for me.
I can wait. Where I'll be performing there's no need for speed.

Then get the Kronos. It's just doing so much more than Virus it's not even funny.

werp · Post by **werp** » Wed Jun 05, 2013 9:44 am

From memory, the 73 & 88 key kronos keys are piano weighted while the 61 key version is std synth style..

The 61 key kronos is 2500 and the kronos x is 3800 australian....hmmm...

How about the DSI prophet 12?
Similar price here

Thunderchief · Post by **Thunderchief** » Wed Jun 05, 2013 10:02 am

I would like to add that I have a Korg M3, and its vst plug in has not been updated for 64bit DAWS. This makes me doubt Korgs commitment long term, Where as Access have updated all versions of the TI for a significant period.

Something to bear in mind.

Simon.

Oopfoo · Post by **Oopfoo** » Fri Jun 07, 2013 1:13 pm

I have both.

To be honest, the workstation vs synth argument is the best one in this thread. If you're looking for a single-box performance solution that includes sequencer and storage and sampling, then the Kronos is definitely the way you want to go. It's synth engines are better than respectable, and you will have years of tweaking available to you, with multiple engines and lots of possibilities. I've had my Kronos 61 since release. If I had to carry a single keyboard around, it would be this one. It does everything. There are better synths. There are better controllers. But this one covers all the bases WELL.

But...if you want a synthesizer with all the knob-tweaking fun that implies, then the Virus TI is a great synth. And it's useful in so many types of music, that I recommend it for everyone looking to buy their first synth. It wears many hats, but it is at heart a great digital synth. And Access is a great company to deal with for upgrades and warranty work. Second to none.

Last Hardware Synth: Kronos X 61 or Virus T2i