Korg Krome 88?

[Captain Caseous]

Hi there. I'm looking for a keyboard for gigging: I need a light but versitile machine, if possible. 88 keys, weighted is pretty necessary for me, too. Mostly playing piano, organ, with a few random sounds here and there. Right now, I play a Yamaha P95, which is fine, actionwise and is probably the lightest 88 out there. However, I need better sound, especially organs. I started looking around and saw the Korg Krome 88. It sounds pretty good and I like the interface. However, the action seemed kind of crazy to me: way too light, like a cross between weighted & unweighted, but with this weird, delayed snap-back of the keys. Also, the key noise was pretty high and I play a lot of soft piano that might really get impacted by that. The thing is, I don't live very close to a store that sells these, so I can't really try them in a lot of places. Is it possible I just tried out a lemon? Does anyone have this keyboard and like it? If so, what do you think of the action and how did it figure into your decision?

I get that there's not much in this price range (would be extremely happy to deal with the weight of a Nord Stage 2 88 if I could afford it!) and wasn't thrilled by much else I saw but maybe I missed something. Any thoughts?

Many thanks,

CC

 

[happyrat1]

Contain your skepticism.

Take a good hard look at the Casio PX-5S Stage Piano.

For what you need it may be a perfect fit and about half the price of the Krome.

Gary

 

[CowboyNQ]

Hi there. I'm looking for a keyboard for gigging: I need a light but versitile machine, if possible. 88 keys, weighted is pretty necessary for me, too. Mostly playing piano, organ, with a few random sounds here and there. Right now, I play a Yamaha P95, which is fine, actionwise and is probably the lightest 88 out there. However, I need better sound, especially organs. I started looking around and saw the Korg Krome 88. It sounds pretty good and I like the interface. However, the action seemed kind of crazy to me: way too light, like a cross between weighted & unweighted, but with this weird, delayed snap-back of the keys. Also, the key noise was pretty high and I play a lot of soft piano that might really get impacted by that. The thing is, I don't live very close to a store that sells these, so I can't really try them in a lot of places. Is it possible I just tried out a lemon? Does anyone have this keyboard and like it? If so, what do you think of the action and how did it figure into your decision?

I get that there's not much in this price range (would be extremely happy to deal with the weight of a Nord Stage 2 88 if I could afford it!) and wasn't thrilled by much else I saw but maybe I missed something. Any thoughts?

Many thanks,

CC

G'day Skipper,

I own a Krome 61 - it is an exceptionally good keyboard, and in one of my bands, the only one I use, such is the quality of the sound, and the sheer number of tricks it can do. Love the touchscreen too, once I got used to it.

I have played Krome 88's quite a bit in music shops and I didn't love the action either. If you compare it to a Nord or Korg Kronos - well there is no comparison really but we're talking a completely different ballpark when it comes to price. Although I doubt the noise of the keybed would be a problem when gigging unless you're playing VERY quietly to someone who is standing four feet away from your 'board.

At the end of the day you have to decide where your priorities lie. However I'm betting the Krome you played wasn't unique so if you didn't like the action, you need to decide if it's worth compromising.

Cheers!

 

[Captain Caseous]

All really helpful. Thanks!