From ccmacdon@rogers.com Tue May 01 05:23:38 2012
Subject:Re: First gig last night using just my Kronos/CX3 engine - great/OK


Brian, thanks for the note.. and the kind words..

Yes, we're on the same page here.. both regarding the "digital edge" of the CX3, but also regarding the value of these workstations that have built in clone engines (Kronos with it's CX3 and the Kurzweil with it's KB3 mode).. FYI I've owned both, and I used KORG digital BX3 (through a speakeasy) with a Kurzweil K2661 for a long time as my gig rig, and I bought the K2661 thinking that in a pinch I could use the KB3 mode.

Both the CX3 engine AND the KB3 mode are quite workable clones.. KB3 mode has evolved a lot from the original version to the newest OS, and this "digitalness" of the CX3 can be calmed down in a number of different ways. Just going through my ventilator alone, is a dramatic improvement, and I suspect that the little bit of an edge that it still has will simply work to my advantage and help me cut through the mix a little better in a live ensemble situation. Neither the CX3 engine or KB3 mode is perfect but what clone is.. there's always a compromise of some kind somewhere.

I've also been down the same path as you, with my rig evolving from CX3 to BX3 to NORD C1 to a NORD C2, I've used B4 and B4II in my studio along with VB3 (which I love and have been using for years!). I've also had a NUMA (loved it but it had some bugs and the poor quality service/support scared me off), along with an SK1 which also had bugs, and it was the SK1 with it's unique combination of premium price and poor quality Extra Voices, that got me to reset my "hardware clone" paradyme" and consider a workstation solution, for my needs.

I am not trying to push the Kronos, OR steer anyone away from the SK series.. the Kronos is the right solution for my needs, on a number of different levels.. in my studio or for my live classic rock band. With all it's voices and splits and layers AND CX3 mode, I can do everything I need with this one keyboard. On the other hand, if I was just looking for an excellent lightweight clone with a few extra voices the SK might be perfect.

But I have to say, as I'm sitting here with the Kronos CX3 engine going through a separate output to my ventilator and into my K10's while the other layered voices like beautiful strings and acoustic/electric pianos are all going directly into the K10's.. I don't think it gets much better than this.. certainly not in one keyboard!

The Kursweil PC3 series stuff is equally good value, at a different price point of course. If I didn't have the cash for the Kronos, I also probably would have gone with the PC361 too.

Craig

--- In CloneWheel@yahoogroups.com, "Brian Fuller" wrote: