From ccmacdon@rogers.com Tue May 01 06:20:31 2012
Subject:Re: First gig last night using just my Kronos/CX3 engine - great/OK


James,

First off.. I think that your SK1 is defective.. I took all kinds of flack about this when I posted on this in the KC forums, as you know. However, Hammond told my dealer that while they deemed the hiss in the EV's to be an insignificant issue overall, they said that SOME units displayed markedly worse hiss than others.. and they were prepared to exchange my unit (I declined). So I think the starting point for you would be to see if Hammond will repair or replace it. Once you have an answer, you will know whether or not to get rid of it (if it can't be repaired or exchanged), or perhaps once it's fixed you won't be quite so dissatisfied with the sounds.

For me, I declined the replacement, because I thought that, hiss aside, the samples/voices/split layering capability just wasn't good enough to satisfy my needs. You may feel differently once you have proper working unit!

Assuming that you've decided to move on, I think that the only keyboard that you're going to be happy with might be the NORD Stage 2, if you need split/layer capability, or the new Nord Electro 4D if you don't need the split/layer capability. Unfortunately the Stage 2 is very pricey!

But it's not inconceivable that depending upon what type of split layering you need to do, you might pick up a module to add to the Electro 4D.. I have been using a Roland Sonic Cell for a couple of years now, and it's extremely flexible!! In this case you use the Electro 4D for your main sound (high quality piano, organ, EP, Clav, plus samples) and you layer in strings or brass or whatever using the Synth module. This keeps your main/primary sound extremely high quality.

The other thing you might think of is simply adding a laptop/VST solution to your Hammond, or going with a laptop/VST based rig. If you're looking for something that is "backpackable"... a light NORD or a VST based rig might be the best way to go..

Based on what you've said, that would be my recommendations.

Craig

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