Korg Kross vs Roland Juno DS - Speed Synth Shootout!

[@shabbee]

To my ears, surprisingly, the Juno won hands down, where the kross excelled was strings

[@1881Gordon]

I absolutely agree. The Korg got Murdered IMO. That said, I wouldnt say no to either of them to be fair.

[@nick9486]

I agree completely, the juno sounds much more vibrant and rounded, the korg sound was kind of flat in comparison

[@WarrenPostma]

THe sounds were a wash to me. BOth sound fine but neither sounds better or worse, just different patch design choices. However, can we just get a minute to appreciate the Juno's realtime performance and expressive capability. The kross is a basic budget keyboard, with low quality build and very limited expressiveness. The Juno looks like a board I would gig.

[@1881Gordon]

@@WarrenPostma Agree with most of what you've said... Having just purchased the Juno DS61 I can tell you the following: Negatives: Thinner, shorter keys, just like the FA06. Keybed does not go down very far... Positives: Decent build quality. ridiculously light. Great selection of 'Useable' Sounds, Pianos, Organs, Synth Pads, Brass Pads, Strings, Orchs, Leads, Sync effects, Atmostpheric, Ethnic, and Sweeps... I'd say that the Roland is very giggable (IMO).

[@Jason75913]

@@WarrenPostma The Korg is capable of being more expressive, but requires that you know how to dial it in in the parameters.

[@tyronemixx]

Great video. I feel Roland was better at everything except the strings, which Korg nailed

[@Malvo6820]

Awesome video. I love both Korg and Roland. I've been a Roland fan for years. Love the synth sounds. Can't wait to get that Juno DS 61 in the next few months.

[@anime.ammavan]

Did u get it?

[@Acrimonious_Snake]

This thing is wonderful. It has the engine of the Fantom X in its heart and sounds heavenly.

[@thejoshuathomas]

I like these videos as a constant reminder that different bits of kit excel at different things. Good stuff as always.

[@danrkelly]

Spent the last week comparing write ups and tests on these two machines, bit spooky that you should turn out a comp video at this particular moment JD and crew. Spooky and excellent.

[@Infinighost]

Great video. My only piece of feedback is that I miss the long videos with the waffling. I listen to them like podcasts and there haven't been many recently!

[@michaeltamul500]

I’m always so pumped when Jack kicks off the video and introduces the Maltese Falcon! Seeing that just makes my day 😊

[@imme.7106]

The Korg Kross 2 sounds completely different if you change the setting (in global mode) for velocity curve to #5(4 is called "normal",and is the default setting) The higher volume of the sample is missing otherwise;and I wanted to pass on this finding to fellow Kross 2 owners. Great video;based on the comparison you provide,the Juno sounds better! FYI;your playing is pretty good dude! I'm just saying!👍

[@FrancisMaxino]

My Kross is an 88 weighted key and play a lot of piano so i use the #9 for velocity response. It really depends a lot on how subtley you can variate your dynamics as to triggering layers in many of the more full on combis.

At first I tought also the Roland sounds better, it has a huge sound and very round. Then I realized it lacks details. The Korg has more deep and precise sounds.

[@EliveltonFagundesADV]

thoise reviews are always not a 100% honest... volumes turned down... settings not set right.... that`s kinda sad

[@AnthonyElsetinow]

I had the Kross1 and looked to trade up, i chose the Juno DS61 and very happy with it. One major problem with Kross is there is no octave change button! You have to program each sound to do that if you want. Playing live I need the octave change there for every thing. Juno sounds are great as well. My rig is the Modx8 and Juno Ds 61.

[@tkarlmann]

You can program the 2 buttons over the pitch bed/mod wheels to change octaves. (This is one of their prime uses)

[@Geepstar]

Who thinks of that? What kind of product management and philosophy is behind that? Or perhaps they just forgotten it

[@deliannehal3233]

@@tkarlmann That is correct! I own a korg kross, and had to read a lot from the various manuals to get things right :o

[@tkarlmann]

@@Geepstar They obviously forgot dedicated octave buttons; and pulled their fat out of fire through software. However, to an mfr. an extra button definitely adds cost to the product -- and the fat-asses just want to sit in corner offices reading yacht catalogs and rake in the profits; not add more buttons!

[@mybachhertzbaud3074]

When I decided to get back into playing, I decided I would purchase one of each of the moderately priced models of the major brands. I chose the Juno DS first then a Korg Wavestate, a Yamaha MX and a Casio CTX 5000.and finally a Zoia pedal .They sounded great togerher .Each gives a unique flavor. I did eventually sell the Casio because the interface sucked and would not display instrument changes thru MIDI command. It did hava great effects though. 😁🎶🎹🎶Play On

[@takesome100]

I use them DS88 and Kross2 in my rig, along with the Ferrowfish. I think it's a great combo. 👍

[@charlesk8578]

Wish I found this earlier. I bought the Juno DS-88 a little while back and I am utterly underwhelmed with it. The Kross sounds so much more dynamic. I'll definitely upgrade to a Korg in the near future.

[@ianflurrance8438]

Love the new video format! Would love it you added in a little bit about how each keybed feels. I know the video is not supposed to be super in-depth, but core sounds and key action are my make or breaks when comparing boards. Love all the videos Jacky boy, keeping me inspired!

[@adamfenyves3972]

While I was disappointed last time on the performance of the Roland on the Workstation shootout, here it definitely gets the upper hand.

[@merbertancriwalli8622]

I Love the way at around 4:40 a bit of faux penguin café sneaks its way in 🙂

[@pvsamorgan9803]

Thanks for this amazing comparison! Korg Kross 2 is 3.8 kg. That's the best part. I liked Juno's sounds better. It's a personal preference though. Juno is around 6kg. Not a deal breaker though. I wish, hope, dream - Roland brings an updated Juno by NAMM 2024 if not during NAMM 2023 in April. Yamaha just brought their lightweight tiny stage keyboard CK61 and I hope Roland makes something the same. Modern sounds, intuitive controls, less space wasted, lightweight 🎹🎹🎹🧡

[@benpalmer1770]

i have the juno ds88 and its 16 kg

[@Jacksonlomax]

Agreed. Juno Ds needs to be updated. I want progressive hammer action keyboard with escapement on the 88 and upgrage the 61 and 76 to the fsb action. Please!!!

[@nikooplayer]

for me, Korg is the winner. It sound more natural and rich.

[@matszh]

As a portable songwriting tool, I think the Kross 2 is hard to beat, as it’s got everything you need in a compact package, even battery powered. The Juno might be better suited for the studio though.

[@Hardts]

For portable songwriting, take a look at the Yamaha Reface CP

[@matszh]

@@Hardts I’ve got the Reface DX (and a QY100) but those 61 keys with a built-in 16-part sequencer, good variety of multi-timbral sounds, fx, batteries and even a sampler, under 4 kilograms, is hard to beat.

[@danmaduff8919]

JunoDS is can also be battery powered, phrase pads allow you to do live looping and 8 track sequencing, and the 61 is pretty light. I bought my DS88 as an "idea machine" but it also has many sounds built in from the JV-1080, XV-5080, Zenology line and even the legendary D50.

[@Jason75913]

@@Hardts nah

[@victorespina]

Altought JunoDS can do very well in studio, for me this keyboard its mainly a gigging keyboard. You can control so many things live....

[@tonalaxis]

Both sound great!

[@BioSoftStudios]

Not gonna lie, had to pick up the roland for this one, only because i already had a korg and yamaha synth and i’ve always wanted to play a roland one as well

[@joshjamesuk]

The Roland's Organ patches were a country mile better than the Korg's in my opinion!

[@rainbow_mess]

the cobalt 5s being used as a synth stand in the shot is brutal, lol. great comparison though :)

[@KerteszHuba]

Juno for me . But I enjoy the playing more !

[@beatspieces6213]

The Korg sounded good, but very dry, like the sounds are intended for the user to apply an effects chain. The Juno sounded song ready. I really liked some of the Korg sounds, but they needed some effects, at least some reverb. The Juno could have benefited from effects too, but it doesn't need them. I wounder if the Korgs presets are intentionally dry, and the Juno already has an effects chain... I wouldn't mind have both or either. I feel like they would work well together.

[@Acrimonious_Snake]

True

[@mirkomontaldo]

I had Juno DS and I have now Kross 2. From a straight sound/tone perspective, perhaps Juno is little better. But from features perspective Kross is much more enjoyable. Drum track, Linear 16 tracks sequencer, 2 arpeggiators at the same time... everything is more valuable. On Juno there is not such configuration like the Combi's on Kross, Juno has a Performance mode, but much less flexible than Kross, a strange management of the Drums, only 8 tracks and few measures available. Good for sketching ideas, not to make any complete song, unless connected to a DAW... With Kross you can do almost everything on board: it's an all-in-one hardware.

[@imme.7106]

I love my Kross 2;and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND changing the velocity curve to #5(in global mode) The louder part of the sample seems to come through more in this setting.

[@mirkomontaldo]

@@imme.7106 Yes! I did it already, you're right. The only weak part on Kross, in my opinion is the management of the effects: it's too complicated the assigning of one effect to the various parts, too many clicks... also delay and reverb cannot be assigned simultaneously... You need an external effect to layer them...

[@victorespina]

Definitely Kross is a better studio keyboard, while JunoDS is great for gigging. I do wish that sound programming were a bit easier on the Juno.

[@frattuncbas]

Roland is way better.

[@andrgo]

У меня как раз наоборот - сначала был Kross 2 88, и использовался дома. Сейчас я играю в группе, и решил сменить его на Juno DS 61, не так часто играю рояльные партии, чтобы мириться с габаритами моего Kross. В Juno огорчает лишь отсутствие аудиозаписи в инструмент, чем я очень часто пользовался на Korg, и логика сохранения эффектов к патчам в режиме Performance. Арпеджиатор также вынесен как отдельная функция, никак не сохраняется в Performance, к сожалению. В остальном - вес, габариты, дизайн инструмента, звучание патчей «из коробки», удобство управления при живой игре, куча бесплатных библиотек расширения и наличие пэдов с классным функционалом (к которому сначала отнёсся скептически, но поняв как и что работает - изменил своё мнение) - это всё делает Juno DS классным лично для меня, даже не смотря на своеобразную логику настроек, меню, вкладок. Kross 2 больше для студии, Juno DS - однозначно круче для выступлений и группы.

[@thomasschatton3481]

IMHO the Roland wins in this comparison. It sounds fresher, crisper and more authentic. I really like this new format gy the way. I would very much appreciate though if you would make the vids 2 or 3 minutes longer by mentioning which keybed you prefer (especially when it comes to the 88 weighted key versions) and the differences regarding the main features.

[@1881Gordon]

100% agree with everything you've said. I am almost ready to pull the trigger on a DS61 BUT I really would like to know if the key bed is up to scratch, i.e. keys not too short , or thin for larger hands... The same issues which plagued the FA06.

[@thomasschatton3481]

@@1881Gordon Good and important question. For me as a pianist anything less but the 88-key version with weighted keys wouldn't make sense, so I don't worry too much about the quality of the keybed of the 61-key version though.

[@Jason75913]

@@1881Gordon the DS61 keybed is almost the same as the FA-06, so forget it if you must, look into the older Juno-Di, it might be different but I am completely unfamiliar with it

[@Jason75913]

@@thomasschatton3481 Kross2 88 keybed is okay but the black keys require a little extra pressure, a number of folks online complain about this janky quality of its keybed, and I noticed it in person, too. The Juno-DS88 has a great keybed.

[@thomasschatton3481]

@@Jason75913 Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@mstk8845]

Love having the short bread and butter sounds. Like window shopping to get an idea of what you want. Then having the longer videos after you decide to make sure of your purchase. 😃

[@funkmachine6420]

I picked the Juno DS over the (then) Kross 1. Still prefer it to the Kross 2. Keys are slightly shorter but not bad to play, unlike the Korg's which feel horrible

[@victorespina]

Actually, the keybed is one of the things I like the most about my JunoDS... you get used to the shorter keys in just a couple of hours and the feel of the keybed is reallly premium.

[@phd_sound]

Love the new format… easier to compare

[@jacobarmstrong5308]

can't wait for the demo of the new fantom 0

[@Jason75913]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqC5ioSoibqUkK8

[@malcolmstockbridge2569]

Juno on all fronts for me...

[@gcmproductions3499]

Roland for me

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

What happened to the encoder knob on your poor Juno? To me, the 7-year-old Juno DS is getting a bit long in the tooth.

[@Jason75913]

Nothing beats the Juno without you paying much more money, like the Fantom-0 or MODX.

[@alan93]

Roland grand pianos are amazing, they were one of the first when that first came out. Korg holds its own on electric pianos and strings. Why did the Roland feature high flutes on its organ sound and Korg did not? So on both you only get the sounds that are in them? Can you create from scratch or import any sounds on either?

[@isitreallyisitreally1756]

Nice , the Roland seems to have more and bigger stereo fx on the presets so it sounds better , but the Korg may sit better in a live band mix as fx get lost once the whole band kick in 😊👍

[@mrdyer1006]

juno sounds betta

[@remowo_]

How about the key-bed. Any differences or preferences?

[@zombieman81]

That DS61 looks like it can tell some war stories... Of the sounds presented I felt the DS61 seemed better except the "big string" sound where the Kross sounded more authentic. With these sorts of keyboards except the "what's the first patch (grand piano) like" question, where you'd expect the manufacturer to put what they consider best first) it's always hard to compare because there are 100s of sounds in these things. What I can say as an owner on a DS61 is that I don't get on with the performance programming aspect when it comes to effects - every time I think I have it worked out I get frustrated when suddenly I can't seem to get reverb to apply to one of the parts... Unlike JUNO-Gi and MOX which can only layer 4 patches in a performance, the DS61 can have 16 which is nice. Also the ability to have a user samples on the keyboard or on pads is nice, and was why I bought my DS61. The Kross has been tempting for a while if for no other reason than to have a 61-key Korg, but I do like the idea of having a mod wheel on the Kross. Sometimes the combined "joystick" on the Roland is nice but I prefer mod wheels. If the performance programming on the Kross is better at controlling even simple things like setting reverb levels on parts then I'd probably never use my DS61 again if I bought a Kross because for me I need a good performance programming interface.

[@Jason75913]

Kross is much, much more versatile and intuitive when it comes to effects programming and effects routing. It also does user samples like the Juno and without the need for a PC to prep the samples if desired. It is a more complete and feature-laden workstation and the sequencer is far better. I also think it is more practical in using SD cards for audio and utilities instead of a USB flash stick like the Juno. All that aside, the Juno is far better for performance controls, switching layers on the fly, swapping patches does not cut off sound (if desired), much better keybed, nice vocoder, and its 8-track loop sequencer is more practical for improv and having various backing patterns (melodic or drums, whatever you wish) to switch between during a performance. They each have their strengths. In the meantime, familiarize yourself with the Juno's effects routing. The Performance parameters and FX routing aspects can be confusing. You have to set which part routes to which MFX in _Performance Edit_ > _Output_ > "Sel" + "Lev" + "Cho" + "Rev", but you also have to take into account that the Partials in each preset also have individual routings to the MFX and master chorus and reverb (this doesn't matter if you are using factory presets), then each MFX has its own master chorus and reverb sends. Proper gain staging within the keyboard is alao necessary to avoid clipping and distortion. One little tip that the instrument Parameter/Reference manuals (not the User manuals) do not specify on the Juno is that the "Vibrato" page in the Performance controls messes with LFO1 on every patch as Roland has set that LFO to vibrato on every patch. This means that you can remove/replace/add modulation to any patch with LFO1 as the source and tweaking the "Vibrato" Rate in Performance controls can modify all that. So "Vibrato" can do more than just vibrato in the Performances, really, really cool.

[@ValWillKay]

I liked the Kross better in almost every category. Organs was the only place i prefer the Juno. Strings, both were quite different.

[@claudiasunshinetristancho5595]

Kross 2 wins me over "warmly" from the Juno DS and the Prophet 5 for price and flexibility i am looking for in performing 👍

[@300wil]

Strings Korg 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽😛

[@DruDilly]

Korg on Piano, Strings Roland on EPiano and Organ…the piano was really close though

[@doubleodevin]

1:07 has been on repeat.

[@martinvigo8589]

Me quedo con el Kross 1, lo antiguo es mejor siempre. Pero oigo que el chamber del roland tiene un sonido muy elegante.

[@msxmax2422]

Thank for comparision sound, but for the sequencer ,which is the better?thank you

[@elipuebla2537]

I think the Roland sounds better. But it only has an 8 track sequencer where as the KORG has 16 tracks plus it runs on batteries too.

[@Jason75913]

The Roland runs on batteries as well. The Juno has the edge in performance and realtime controls while the Korg is a much more feature-laden workstation. The two make a badass combo, though, that's why I own them both.

[@jjrusy7438]

IMO, one should have both a korg and either a yamaha or roland. it seems that the korg patches are eq'd thinner. i do not like korg pianos (i have kromeEX73 and an X-50). i have always liked yamaha/roland pianos, especially the motif (i have yamaha MX88 and a roland JV-2080). why both? korg has many other patches which are better. (the X-50 combi strings patch(#11) is my favorite in the whole world) also, korg patches sit really well in busy mixes whereas the smoother, darker yamaha/roland pianos are better for solo or only a few instruments in the mix. This shootout favors the better solo sound of the roland. an MX series would also have beat the kross in this test.

[@Jason75913]

It's not EQ, it's just the inherent Korg sound, but it is not a bad thing.

[@joshjamesuk]

Is Luke still demoing for Korg? Him and Jack had such fun Chemistry when they used to do Korg vids together!

[@andresbermudez8498]

I can't see the Korg's display in the video. What sounds did you use (number or name), please? Thanks!

[@Lael128]

Piano: Tied (Although the Roland had slight more punch) EP: Korg Organ: Roland (surprising since the patches remind me of the XV series.) Strings: Korg (it’s my personal preference when the effects are tamed, but Roland sounded lush and could easily be tamed if the effects are toned back)

[@sarbaazchabahar]

Kross♥️🎹✌️

[@infeCtedRonald]

Are the Juno DS & Yamaha MX keys smaller than regular keys? Kross looks fine

[@imcarobello]

Si eso es así, funcionarían bien para mi que tengo la mano pequeña.

[@geoffwebber8272]

Jack sneaking in his arrangement of an Englishman in New York!

[@JW75383]

What are the presets used on the Korg? I can see them clearly on the Juno but not the Kross 2. Thanks!

[@EliveltonFagundesADV]

It sounded that the Juno was with the volume turned down.

[@icykangaroo]

Aside from the piano sounds, the Korg won.

[@daeone1514]

And the organ.

[@victorespina]

@@daeone1514 And the EP :D

[@session-lounge9097]

the leslie simulation in my juno stage is awfull, wondering if its better in the juno or the cross - does somebody know??

[@Panos.78]

Roland by far ....

[@stevenburns989]

roland for me though the korgs strings sounded less synthetic

[@parisdontlikeyou]

Did you use the super layer on the juno?

[@kersleybk9318]

Juno

[@philipgilligan_art]

All up until the last sound inpreferred the DS

[@avetisk]

It feels like Roland is compressed and has more gain 🤔

[@vanessalouse6106]

Juno DS wins 8.5 vs 6.8 out of 10.

[@loveaboveall2382]

Should of add YAMAHA's Mx61 in there.

[@adematesli9717]

is it possible to load all 10 expansion packs at the same time?

[@Caleb.3473]

sadly not, but you can store all 10 on a jump drive and switch in around 3 to 4 minutes

[@tonymickens7465]

Juno won hands down

[@nathanreddent2427]

Are you reviewing the new fantom 0 soon ?

[@Jason75913]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqC5ioSoibqUkK8

[@soozikins]

Roland nearly all the way, until the strings.

[@nateofalltrades1448]

Not sure how you got the Juno DS to sound decent. I have one and the piano sounds are really “light” they don’t have any “body”. If you’re getting a keyboard to use primarily piano sounds I wouldn’t recommend it. You made it sound nice here though

[@Jason75913]

might be some setting or another that threw you off, the Juno kills Kross2 and MX at piano, and then the free Axial expansions available from Roland include the EXP-04, whose "PremierGrand" preset puts the Juno's main piano to shame, even beats the SuperNatural pianos on the FA-06

[@nateofalltrades1448]

@@Jason75913 I got it brand new so everything was default settings. I downloaded an expansion from Roland but I can't remember ever seeing a Premier Grand sound

[@Jason75913]

@@nateofalltrades1448 There are 10 expansions.

[@exmenno]

I agree. My DS61 pianos were disappointing, so I added a Yamaha to my setup. P125 on the bottom, DS on the top.

[@swordmaster405]

Why doesn't my Juno DS sound as good as this one? (Apart from the obvious gap in talent)

[@Jason75913]

check your settings? maybe yours is defective? maybe just crank up the volume, lol?

[@lebate.j.9545]

I know korg kross 2 piano was so amazing tones ... But you not playied much from piano side....!

[@tysonrichards2011]

Roland wins in my opinion, but Korg strings were nice. I just find Korg's sounds to be overly processed and compressed compared to Roland and others. I have Korg Krome, Korg X50, Roland RD-88 and Nord Lead A1

[@Jason75913]

I'd replace the X50 with a Kross2.

[@tysonrichards2011]

@@Jason75913 I probably wouldn't use it. I am getting rid of the Korg Krome too

[@WaldyAmadeoOfficial]

Roland by far, Korg sounds like an entry level $250 keyboard.

[@srivera001995]

This is kinda a bummer.. i like the sound of the Juno better, but the Korg looks better in my opinion

[@MaleInMarchMusic]

So stinnnn g Jakkkkk

[@hunterfrederick2731]

Did they use the sample libraries on the kross? All the instruments in the sample library sound better.

[@tonylancer7367]

Pianos and EP's are a matter of taste, but the Korg's EP are just not it.

[@user-eu3mn6ss5l]

Juno DS. To me it wasn't close.

[@biubis-zh3zj]

Roland juno ds better sounds and with more presence

[@destroso]

I don’t know if I should get something like this or a deep mind 12. Bought the poly D but the para symphony is underwhelming

[@Jason75913]

Behringer stuff is an entirely different world of usage versus the keyboards in this vid. What are you trying to do?

[@destroso]

@@Jason75913 I kept the poly D, despite it’s quirks it just sounds grand

[@louisvalentino5110]

I hear Roland sounded better but, no sequencer, no SD Card slot with the Roland. Korg wins with so many options to record on as a home studio. As mentioned by one of the reviewers, the volocity curve on the korg should be set to 5 not 4. As far as the feel of the keys, this is ALWAYS missed by reviewers. It's sooooooooooooooooo important, the feel of the key Bed. Please mention that next time and your playing is great. I have not heart any reviewer, and I've listened to lots, talke about how the keys feel. Some keyboards are semi weighted. Is the length of the keys the same as someone mentioned that the Korg was horrible to play on the keys verses the Roland. Sorry, I was referring to GH or grated hammer action keys and you are not playing that keybed here.

[@Moron1994]

los Eps del Roland parecen mejores

[@Geepstar]

I'd go for the Roland. Korg a bit disappointing to my taste.

[@wojtczyk]

Do you guys get free subways, yet? 🥪😊

[@rhea-musik]

To my ears, KORG won.

[@danmaduff8919]

I think the Roland sounds richer and more natural, the Korg was thinner. I might be biased since I own the JunoDS88. On the Junos you can super layer 4 sounds and apply onboard MFX for some wonderful sonic capability but the keybed on that JunoDS 61 is shit.

[@ToastandJam52]

These are both very old and dated. Anything new coming during the MusiKmesse next month? Let's hope so.

[@toroddb]

The MusikMesse is cancelled.

[@handel1111]

it's your playing that's old and dated

[@Jason75913]

@@handel1111 seconded

[@oamioxmocliox8082]

;)

[@christophebrunel8875]

Strings are awful on both

[@halholbrookspussy]

I thought more often than not, the KORG sounded more impressive.