Korg Kross vs. SV-1?

[SGMusic]

Hey all. I'm a vocalist/guitarist/pianist looking for a new keyboard for live gigs and a bit of home recording. I recently sold my Roland Juno-di because I couldn't get used to the feel of the keys (too toy-like for me), and I also felt like I wasn't really using 80% of it's capabilities.

I really don't need to be able to do anything fancy. I play folky-pop-rock, 70s influenced kind of material. Think Fleetwood Mac meets Joni Mitchell, or something like that. I'm not into messing with patches or anything - the main thing I need is a reasonable variety of nice piano / electric piano sounds and a good set of weighted keys so I can accompany myself live and lay down keyboard parts on recordings. Some decent organ and synth sounds would be a nice plus, but I'm not stressing out over those as that wouldn't be something I used as often. Also, portability would be ideal because I am planning on using this to play out a little in the future.

I've been looking at the SV-1 for a while online, and it seems to really fit the bill for what I need in terms of sounds and relative simplicity. The problem is that I haven't been able to find one at any of the music stores near me to try out, and I'm a bit fearful of spending that much money (poor college student here) on something without trying it first.

On my last trip to Guitar Center, I was trying out the keyboards and the Korg Kross caught my eye. I enjoyed playing it a lot and it sounded good to my ears. But it seems to have a lot of features that I wouldn't really be putting to use... however, it's cheaper than the SV-1 despite the extra features, so I'm wondering what the quality comparison would be between the two?

Any advice would be appreciated. I'm open to other suggestions as well - these are just the main two that I've been considering. I'm trying to stay around the $1k price range.

 

[happyrat1]

No opinion on the Korg or the SV-1 but in that price range take a serious look at the Casio PX-5S stage piano/synth. Weighs in about 24 lbs, has one of the best feeling keyboard actions in the business and there's a good chance your local Guitar Center will have one in stock to test drive. Lists about $999 but have seen them for $100 less street price.

EDIT >>> One caveat. Lacks an input for an expression pedal but a MIDI pedal like the Behringer FCB1010 can easily add that capability as well as a lot more.

http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/FCB1010.aspx

 

[SGMusic]

No opinion on the Korg or the SV-1 but in that price range take a serious look at the Casio PX-5S stage piano/synth. Weighs in about 24 lbs, has one of the best feeling keyboard actions in the business and there's a good chance your local Guitar Center will have one in stock to test drive. Lists about $999 but have seen them for $100 less street price.

EDIT >>> One caveat. Lacks an input for an expression pedal but a MIDI pedal like the Behringer FCB1010 can easily add that capability as well as a lot more.

Thank you for the recommendation! I've looked at some videos on this board and now I'm pretty impressed. I'll definitely have to head to a local GC that has one and try it out. On my list of contenders now.

 

[Gina Marie]

You probably won't be satisfied with the Kross because the 61 key version doesn't have the weighted keys like the 88 version (unless .;you were looking for 88 keys). The Privia is very nice, just about any model. I have the 88 keys for home playing but for a gig I am looking for the Kross 61 keys because my hands are small. My problem is the weight of these keyboard amps; most of you guys take this for granted but amps are dead weight to me. I need something a lot lighter than what's out there (20 lbs.?)

 

[happyrat1]

I've got one of these as my backup amp. Sufficiently loud enough to play a small club or such a venue. Weighs in about 32 lbs.

http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-K450FX-Ultratone-Keyboard-Amp/dp/B00GORG642/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1403221765&sr=8-3&keywords=behringer k450fx

http://www.behringer.com/en/products/k450fx.aspx

This one is only 15 lbs but also only 15 Watts. The only gig you could play with this is either a school classroom or your basement on Superbowl Sunday

http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-KT108-15-Watt-Keyboard-Amplifier/dp/B0010KGD4Q/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1403221765&sr=8-2&keywords=behringer k450fx

http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/KT108.aspx

Specifically though, how much power do you think you need for a gig? Wattage is pretty much directly proportional to weight when it comes to amps.

Gary

 

[Gina Marie]

I've got one of these as my backup amp. Sufficiently loud enough to play a small club or such a venue. Weighs in about 32 lbs.

http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-K450FX-Ultratone-Keyboard-Amp/dp/B00GORG642/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1403221765&sr=8-3&keywords=behringer k450fx

http://www.behringer.com/en/products/k450fx.aspx

This one is only 15 lbs but also only 15 Watts. The only gig you could play with this is either a school classroom or your basement on Superbowl Sunday

http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-KT108-15-Watt-Keyboard-Amplifier/dp/B0010KGD4Q/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1403221765&sr=8-2&keywords=behringer k450fx

http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/KT108.aspx

Specifically though, how much power do you think you need for a gig? Wattage is pretty much directly proportional to weight when it comes to amps.

Gary

I would just like something for a keyboard and a mic for a coffehouse or small restaurant, or a nursing home entertainment room, that kind of gig. I'm not looking for a lot of power, just enough. I don't know how realistic this is. but thanks for anything you suggest.

 

[happyrat1]

The 450 is 45 Watts output and the 108 is 15. In a coffee house or a small restaurant 45 Watts is enough to overpower the rattling of plates with room to spare while 15 Watts will pretty much blend with the ambient noise and be lost in the conversations of the patrons.

One important feature of any keyboard amp is dynamic headroom which allows you play pianissimo to crescendo without any loss of fidelity or clipping. On your kind of venues the 450 would be pretty much a perfect fit. You could play comfortably at 30-40% levels without overtaxing the amp and realistically a 32 pound amp with a carrying handle would not even tax a 100 pound child to carry from the car to the gig.

The 450 has two mono line inputs and a mono mic input so it really would be a perfect fit for your needs.

Worst case scenario if 32 lbs is too much for you to carry get one of those little tagalong style luggage carriers and use that to muscle it from your vehicle to the job.

http://www.amazon.com/Sparco-Easy-G...7&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=luggage+tagalong+cart

Problem solved. Go with the K450FX. You won't be disappointed. Your ears and your audience will thank you.

BTW, to play a typical small club for a bar crowd a band typically needs a couple of HUNDRED Watts or MORE.

Gary

 

[happyrat1]

BTW, that Amazon link for the 450 is sold out. Here's one that has it in stock.

http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-ULTRATONE-K450FX-3-Channel-Amplifier/dp/B000MJ9EBA/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&srs=2529020011&ie=UTF8&qid=1403234939&sr=1-1&keywords=behringer k450fx

Read the Amazon reviews on that page as well.