Potential New Owner

[Elbitrevnoc]

Trying to decide between FA-06 and a Korg Krome 61, but having played both in stores (a bit), read countless reviews and watched many videos, I'm still unsure which to go for! Main use will be for home studio and, hopefully, using the features to inspire some new ideas, etc., but also as a second tier keyboard to my Roland RD800 stage.

I'm a guitarist that also plays keys, so I'm not the most technically minded, and one thing I've loved about the RD800 is how easy it is to set up and edit sounds for my set-lists.

None of the reviews I've seen refer that much to ease of use for the Krome, although the FA-06 seems to score well in that respect (like the RD800 I guess). However, I wonder if the FA-06 might be a bit similar in its voices to the RD800 and whether the Korg will therefore be the best one to give me something 'new.' Certainly I felt that the Korg gave me more of an immediate 'wow' factor, with some its factory arp/drums combo sounds, but I wonder how much of this would be stuff I really use?

So, what I'd really like to know from existing users out there is does anyone have any experience of the differences between these 2 boards :

1. in terms of functionality, in area such as sequencing, ARPs and saving settings?
2. Ease of use for the guitaristically challenged!
3. Any 'killer' features that you think gives either keyboard an advantage over the other?
4. Access to new sound downloads

If it helps I can say that I'm not worried about:

1. The individual sounds - they're both good enough for the price
2. Keyboard action - again, both acceptable and I have a dedicated piano
3. Build quality/ external power supply

Sorry that this is a long first post and I realise I'm asking those already in the Roland camp here, but I'd really appreciate any thoughts. I need to spend some money soon and don't want to make a mistake!
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Roland RD800

[Elbitrevnoc]

Ok, maybe too long a question!

How about which one would you buy and why?

[cello]

Welcome to the Clan :)

For easy of use and variety of sound engines (SN acoustic, SN Synth and PCM) as well as 10 EXP packs that are available for free at Axial, the FA wins hands down.

I've used Korg workstations before (Triton, M3 and OASYS) and their sequencer is not as easy to use the FAs; for me anyway.

Being able to layer up to 16 sounds is fantastic on the FA - you can get huge sound going, very easily even just from the onboard sounds without having to tweak/create your own.

There's all of Roland's classic sounds from the JV/XV series (or rather the cards you could buy for them) in the EXP packs offering amazing sounds that are still used by the likes of Hans Zimmer and Vangelis today.

So bang for buck, FA wins - bear in mind I am biased!

[Elbitrevnoc]

Thanks Cello, I appreciate your thoughts.

I think you are absolutely right about extra functionality and greater number of sounds on board the FA. Plus the fact that the EXP packs can be downloaded. My only nagging doubt is that I also have an old JV1010 and a XV3080 and I wonder if these, together with the SN sounds I have on my RD800 might mean I find the sounds on the FA a bit 'samey.'

However, ease of use is very important to me and I don't want to spend all my time studying a manual every time I want to tweak/save a sound! The RD800 is brilliant in that respect and, if the FA is anything close to being as intuitive to use it might get my vote regardless of any reservation over the sound similarity.

Think I'll spend a bit of time reading the online manuals..!

[cda]

I've got a Korg M50, which is pretty much the same as the Krome, and a Roland FA-06. I can't say I prefer one over the other because they are quite different machines. The Korg is more instant - you choose a combi (a group of sounds) and off you go: arps and drums and sounds ready to go. The Roland is more sequencer based. It does have arps and drum patterns, but they are not set up in a way that lets you turn it on and just go. I think the sequence in the Roland is better, but it does have its quirks.

I wouldn't worry about duplicating sounds because of the gear you have already. There are simply an astonishing variety of sounds in the Roland, plus you have all the free sounds and expansions on the Axial site.

The synthesis capabilities of the Roland are, IMO, better than the Korg. You can get some serious sound-mangling going on in no time.

I've not really added anything to this thread, just thought I'd give my opinion.

[0kk0p3kk4]

With Roland, you dont get sound cut off when changing sounds within a studio set, whether its one sound or a multisound. Maybe this cant be done at all on Krome (not 100% sure though)

[Niarf]

There is a lot of functions, especially EQ for each part which is no squatting an IFX =)

Sequencer is good, but not very pratical for slim editing, but I do loops about 4 or 8 bars and can play along with all other sounds.

It's very easy to use =)

Killer feature ? I prefer modidying tones or create mini song on the FA than my Kronos, which I'm selling...

I get much more pleasure to play with the FA than the Kronos, but the Kronos' keyboard is awesome. The FA's keyboard is cheap but it does the trick, I wish I had aftertouch =)

Sounds are very good, you can modify them a lot (not as far as Kronos, but I'm very upset with its editing modes, the screen is laggy...) but for 1000$ I find it very good.

A dedicated piano will be good, I will buy one to trigger the FA once the K is sold.

There is an external supply, you can buy one other easily, build quality is plastic, if you take care of it with a quilted transport bag, you won't have to worry, avoid shocks =)