How to Use the Korg Kronos Setlist Function for Convenience and Creativity - Tutorial "Hal's Hints"

[@edgardocrespo3840]

Three weeks after buying the Kronos 2, I was about to give it up until I saw your tutorial. Thank you so much Hal and more power to you.

[@Halunlimited]

+edgardo crespo That is great news! Workstations are complicated to the degree that they seem to have endless depth. However, that depth is also their strength and requires time and effort to learn. I have felt like giving up at the beginning with Kronos and other digital keyboards as well. The more features and options they have, the more there is to learn. My advice is to start with the simple basics, like splits and layers, and then explore tutorials on YT. Do stay with your Kronos as you have one of the best keyboards out there. Good luck. Enjoy.

[@nbtd1959]

Thank you for this useful tutorial. This is another reason I love my Kronos. I'm watching this video from 2012, it's now 2/26/2020, it's been about 1.5 years since I purchased a new Kronos, yet all this information is still relavent 8 years later. You sure can't say that about most technology, such as computers, Televisions or even phones. Buying this instrument was the best purchase I've made in the 60 years I've been alive.

[@PianoManChuck]

Very thorough presentation, Hal. Excellent speaking voice, easy to undersand, and done with professionalism. A+

[@richardmiller191]

Hey Hal - I know this is from 8 years ago but thanks so much for posting. It was really clear, I could understand everything you said, and it was really helpful. I ordered mine and it's coming in 2 days and now I have a jump on knowledge of using it. Great job!

[@chandanajayarathne1569]

oh thanks you saved me , struggle the whole day to do this ! God Bless and keep helping the world of Music!

[@Halunlimited]

Hi, Thanks. Yes you can. Highlight the song you want to move. Go to drop down menu "Write Set List". In the "To" lower field, select what slot you want to move it to, save it by clicking OK and save again by clicking Write Set List in the drop down menu (just to be sure it's saved permanently. You can then repeat the procedure for every song that you want to reassign position. You can overwrite and save if you change your mind.

[@DrGargani]

where have YOU been??? lol...what an excellent tutorial, the pacing was perfect, the speaking voice just right and you built up the features and options one by one ....a really great job!!!

[@Halunlimited]

Thanks much for your nice comments.

[@Halunlimited]

I'm real glad this worked for you. It makes the effort worthwhile. Thanks for your really nice comment. If I get additional positive feedback/"likes", I'll make other tutorials in the future. This is the first YT tutorial I ever made so I'm learning something about how to do that too.

[@Halunlimited]

Yes you can. Go to Set List mode. Click "Control Surface" at bottom right of screen. You will see all the parameters you can edit. If you want to start with piano and bring in the strings using the sliders, make sure you have the "Control Assign Timbre/Track" button pressed so that you are controlling the timbre. If you want to control the effects then you must have the "RT Knobs/Karma" button pressed. It's really amazing the range of controls on this keyboard. It goes very deep. Good luck.

[@gjc82071]

Thanks man. I figured it out. I had to adjust both the Kronos & pedal polarity. 1 = - & 2 = +, but I did +-, ++, --.. I finally figured it via trial & error. The Kronos X is truly an amazing keyboard. I played for 12 hours straight yesterday, grabbed 3-4 hours of sleep, woke up & started playing again! =D Anyway, I appreciate the reply. Thanks again.

[@Halunlimited]

Hi. Thanks for watching. So far, for Kronos drum patterns, I've just used existing Karma patterns and changed them on the fly using the physical Karma control buttons for existing presets. I have not attempted your situation of programming them in the SetList. I find the KorgForums website to be very helpful with all Kronos questions. You might want to check it out. The community is very cooperative and friendly. Good luck.

[@dhpstudios2009]

Wow, this are the videos I need for no everything about my Kronos, thanks

[@Halunlimited]

Glad you love your Kronos. I modify/tweak most of the factory sounds and create some combis from scratch to get the sound and blend I need for different songs. All my piano/string sounds are modified to varying degrees: e.g. different patch/program pairings. My most common adjustments are choice of program combinations, reverb, sustains, octave shifts and volumes of programs relative to each other - all within a combi.

[@jamesccochran5704]

Excellent Hal. Very clear and complete.

[@yareyoufat]

This tutorial is better than the factory Kornos one.. Nicely done. Now, make a lot more. thanks.

[@Halunlimited]

Steve Boydstun Thanks for the note. Glad it was helpful. Enjoy your Kronos!

[@LadsInSpace]

Awesome Hal. Thanks for sharing with us. Erik from Brittania.

[@Halunlimited]

Thank you Erik. As you work more with the setlist you may find alternate ways of organizing the list that work even better for you.

[@Halunlimited]

I read your criticism. I know of several different ways to use the setlist feature for different situations. I was not aware that there was only one right way to use it. In this tutorial I shared and illustrated how I used it to compose and perform a new song because some people specifically asked me how I use setlist in my work. Please let me know what your single, one, right way is so I can learn something from you. I always appreciate when people offer very specific helpful advice.

[@Halunlimited]

Yes, it's possible. I am currently using all resident sounds streamed from the Kronos (factory and downloads), but eventually I'll get Logic and also try some virtual instruments with a third party library. If you're using a Mac (which I use) you can go direct with your Kronos USB into your computer and record audio and transmit midi signals without the need for an interface. I think PC will take USB midi data direct from Kronos but not audio without an interface.

[@Halunlimited]

The Kronos has 128 separate set lists and each set list contains 128 slots, so there are a total of 16,384 storage slots that respond instantly on the touch screen. It is a very useful and convenient feature to have because it is so readily customized and so easy to access. I use it for setting up all my songs into memory.

[@Halunlimited]

I haven't done any assignment changes to SW1 or 2 yet, just used the presets on them so far. Do check out the KorgForums website and post your question there. You'll find fellow tonewheelers there who'll give you a very quick and helpful response. Good luck. It's a great forum.

[@Halunlimited]

Good to hear. Enjoy!

[@Halunlimited]

Yes AFAIK. However, you could do a work-around and save all the songs that you want to keep forever at the higher end of the range of the SetList slots e.g. 70-128 and leave them there as a bank of songs to select from. Then I would copy each one I want, and write it to the beginning of the SetList slots starting with 1 and going to 69 (that's an all day and all night gig!) in the order I want them. You'd have the same song in two places, no erase. You can check KorgForums for more help.

[@Halunlimited]

Thanks much for the approval. You make some amazing sound design.

[@TimE_5150]

Thanks Hal, very good tutorial!!

[@CRV1958]

Great Job Hal, Thank you.

[@Halunlimited]

I appreciate the kind thought.

[@Halunlimited]

I personally leave all the factory programs/combis intact because the factory sounds can appear in other combis and then those can be messed up if they depend on a sound you changed. When I do change parameters to customize sounds, I save the new settings under a different but similar name (e.g. add my initials to it or a descriptive term like XRev for extra reverb so that it becomes a new program or combi. You can write/copy a new command line for your new patch.

[@TheSoundBarr]

Great info mate. Thank you

[@tonewheeler1]

Great Video Hal. Thanks!

[@Halunlimited]

Note: the song that I used as an example when creating the new Set List in this video, "You Lucky Dog", is already uploaded on YT in its entirety. You can hear all the programs/combis that were set up in the tutorial in actual performance. Regards, Hal

[@adzr851]

2) Do the sounds in each individual slot have full functionality of effect controllers, individual song volumes in real time? (ie. if you have a combi with layers of piano & strings, perhaps you want to start playing with mostly piano and then slide the volume of the strings in gradually)? I have a Motif XF, & it only allows this in regular voice mode, not in its equivalent mode to Setlist (it treats the layered track as one track, with its components unable to be adjusted individually). Thanks

[@Musiccanonix]

Good tutorial, thank you Sir!… Again please!

[@Halunlimited]

Thank you very much Chuck. That's very encouraging.

[@Halunlimited]

Thank you for your note. Glad the vid was useful to you.

[@drgruber57]

This is well done. Thank you! But can I vent at Korg!? I wasted 30 or 40 minutes trying to rename a set list, and it simply would not do it! It kept going back to the old name! What I finally discovered, no thanks to Korg who does not alert you to this nor does the on screen software tell you, is that, if you try to type too many characters in, even though they will appear in the field, the software rejects it and will not allow you to rename it that! I wish they had at least programmed it to give you 80% of the title you typed in and cut the last few characters off, so at least you knew what was happening. As it was, I thought the keyboard was broken. So there you have it: heads up to anyone who might have the same frustrating problem. Give it a shorter name and then try it.

[@tonewheeler1]

Hal, I'm trying to set up my own custom CX-3 Organ, and I can't get the hang of trying to assign the "SW1" and "SW2" switches. I can assign percussion but not chorus/vibtrato. What am I doing wrong? TIA.

[@adzr851]

Excellent video, thank you for posting! I have just a couple of questions: 1) You are able to rearrange the slots (ie. copy, paste etc.) for each song (or setlist as Kronos calls it), but are you able to copy/paste the order of the songs (setlist)? This would be ideal so that the songs for the gig are sequential, especially when song order changes from gig to gig.

[@roccoco58]

Wow, this video kept me from using my hammer I retrieved from the garage. LOL Thanks!

[@Halunlimited]

Ha Ha. I don't think that's what KORG meant about the Kronos being available with weighted hammer action. Glad you didn't need the hammer from the garage anymore. Thanks for your note.

[@Halunlimited]

GJC: Setlist advance pedal does not go in 1/2. It must go into "Switch" jack. Put "annotations" on for viewing KZbin clip (The speech bubble at the bottom of the YT screen). Check this video at 10:40 where I talk about setting it up. At 10:50 screen title shows instructions. Make sure you save your configuration by using drop down menu "Write Global Setting" otherwise it won't hold. Your screen should look like mine unless your polarity is different based on pedal brand. Good luck.

[@RinievR]

Thanks, very helpful!

[@adzr851]

Thanks very much for your helpful replies! In relation to moving setlists around, I asked this same question to the ma.agwr of a keyboard store and this was his reply: "Yes, it's possible but not easy or straightforward. To copy Setlist 5 to Setlist1, you write SL5 into SL1, but you have to write SL1 first somewhere else so as not to erase its original data. Unfortunately, there is no INSERT command for it." Is this true?

[@SoundsOfPlanet]

great work !

[@Halunlimited]

I personally record my audio externally e.g. with my DAW or digital recorder, however, I don't see why you wouldn't be able to record everything on board. You can download the Kronos User Manual in pdf from the Korg sight and look it up for your situation. Good luck.

[@KrixPrix]

Is it possible to record audio onboard while playing through the setlist? So I do not need to carry a notebook for example to a gig.

[@beat2009]

Thank you very much for tutorial.

[@dimitrismuse]

Some sounds in the list have their own description in the command line, but when i change something in the program or combi preset, (as amp, or balance parameter) and save it, this description is gone. do you know what happens? and how i can keep all those helpfull descriprions?

[@phly23]

Hal, I noticed you have quite a few piano/string sounds in your combos. @ 3:31..are those stock? I was really looking for some more on the factory loads...any help or tips is really appreciated!!! Love my Kronos!!!

[@apostolosvazoukis1535]

Hello !!! very nice !! could I just ask how can I erase one or several setlists ? Thank you!

[@winiarjt]

Hi Hal At 5:55 you call up the first voice, but as soon as you tap on the second voice the first voice stops very abruptly what happen to the SST Thanks in advance John

[@Halunlimited]

You have to keep the right foot pedal down to sustain the first voice into the next voice. If the sustain pedal is not depressed the first voice will end when you switch voices.

[@basspig]

Any idea how to get Kronos to receive on 16 channels from DAW? I cant get more than one channel in Program and no sound at all in Combi. Every vintage synth just worked but these new ones seem to be too difficult to use with a DAW.

[@IvarFritjofHansen]

ps i save this wow great tutorial i try out this for a while to know basic working:)

[@basspig]

Is there any way to copy multiple entries from one set lists and paste them into another set lists. I have about 20 entries that I want to copy from one set lists to another but so far doing them one at a time is very slow and tedious.

[@scottweber2413]

how do I make a set list of all my combos? I'm new to the Kronos but what a wonderful keyboard it is!

[@Halunlimited]

Hi Scott. The procedure you would use is the same as described in this video starting at 00:25 and ending at 6:10. Instead of making a Setlist title based on a song title as I did in the demo, you create a Setlist title that serves your custom purpose. For example, I have made custom setlist focussing on certain categories of sounds that I use for certain purposes such as variations of my customized soft sounding pianos, pianos with reverb, pianos with strings, pianos with choral voices, favorite guitars, organs and wind instruments, various karma patterns, and more. Then, when I’m composing or arranging a new song, I have a Go To place to immediately find patches that have a certain sound, feeling or mood I’m after. Yes, the Kronos is a wonderful and fantastic keyboard. Enjoy!

[@vikrampatik34]

Thank you so much

[@phly23]

Please color code slots...InCant read the layout.,,i missed a cue tonight on my new Kronos because i cat read it

[@gjc82071]

Great! Thanks for the reply. I just wanted to know if it's possible. The last time I used a VST/PC & MIDI was in like 2000-2001. I had Gigasample & a little, green, "MIDIMan" USB/MIDI box thing. I have a bunch of free, VST, analog synth simulators, but I have no MIDI interface device. So thanks again. I truly appreciate your time & help. =D

[@JVocalCoach]

Thank you!

[@barilepasquale]

how many setlists are available? Thanks

[@mahavpm]

Hi Hal I have (tried to) post a video response youtube to your very nice tutorial. I was requesting some guidance for a KRONOS feature, but I cannot post the URL, so the video is at: "Video Request to Hal for KRONOS lesson" if you wouldn't mind searching. Thanks Vince

[@NarsonPurification]

Hi Hal. I know it's been a few years since you posted this, but I'm a new Kronos user and would love if you could point me in the direction of one of your videos on creating combis. Or, if you know of a great video tutorial that makes it simple as you do, please point me in that direction with a link.. Thank you!

[@IvarFritjofHansen]

respect man good tutorial thanks...

[@Halunlimited]

+Ivar Fritjof Hansen Nice to know you found it worthwhile. Thank you.

[@gjc82071]

Mind if I ask you 1 more question? You don't have to tell me HOW to do it, (I will figure that out), but just tell me if it is possible. Can I use the Kronos X as a controller, (via it's USB ports), to control/play virtual instruments/VST on my PC? Do you know if it's possible? (or would I still need a USB/MIDI adapter device?) If you know the answer I would really appreciate it. I just want to know if it can be done. Thanks for your time.

[@edgardocrespo3840]

It' me again Hal, I was just wondering if you have other tutorials regarding the Karma. Any tutorials regarding Karma, and any tutorials you have that might be of help to a beginner in both keyboards and computer. in short Kronos for dummies. Thanks again and a good day to you.

[@Halunlimited]

+edgardo crespo I don't but search YT and you'll find plenty. In addition to the video tutorials that came with your Kronos and can be seen on YT, I recommend the whole line of Qui Robinez tutorials on YT, including his one on Karma. Join KorgForums and you'll be part of a very active, knowledgeable community of like-minded musicians. You can post questions and get very timely answers. They are always cooperative and helpful and you'll be kept current on the latest news and updates about your keyboard.

[@philc8527]

Hey Hal, Wonderful video, it was way more practical than the official video tutorial. Quick question, would you happen to know how to boot up the Kronos with a custom set list? Cuz everytime I boot up, it always loads the PRELOAD set list. I'd like to be able to boot up my Kronos with my custom set list ready to go without having to look for it in the list. Yeah it might save me 3 seconds but still... would be nice to know if it's possible. Thanks.

[@Halunlimited]

+Pawaris Chuasukonthip Thanks for your nice note. Regarding booting up your custom setlist: Choose the Setlist you want to boot up. Press GLOBAL. In first "Basic" screen, look for "Power On Mode" and change from "RESET" to "MEMORIZE." Open the drop down menu top right of screen and press "Write Global Setting." to save the new setting, otherwise it won't hold. Now every time you boot up Kronos will boot up where you left off. It functions exactly like a computer's Resume setting, automatically saving your last session. Of course, if you turn off the K from a different setlist, the changed setlist you just worked on will resume next time. I use this as my default setting. Enjoy your extra 3 seconds!

[@philc8527]

+Halunlimited Sweet!!! It worked!! Thanks Hal

[@ginises83]

One question please ....when you create your own set list with Combi or Programs , is the kronos put the same volume on each part ?

[@Halunlimited]

Each Combi or Program you use in your setlist keeps the factory default or last saved configuration for volume and other controls that are in your onboard Kronos sound libraries. If the slots inside your Setlist sound good as is within (inside) your setlist, then you just leave it. If the Combi or Program does not sound right within the flow of the other slots I entered in the Setlist, I modify the sound and effect of that C or P to fit the song and rename that C or P so I can recognize it for use in the future. I.e Custom versions of the German Grand (Default) can be renamed to German Grand Louder, German Grand Softer, German Grand with Strings/Pads, German Grand with Chorus, whatever works for you. That gives you access to the original factory C or P for reference if you need it. Good luck.

[@IvarFritjofHansen]

How do i make a setlist only with own made songs from the seaqencer on korg kronos and when i boot up the kronos i hear my songs right way i struggle with this function the rest i have figured out ...

[@popitn2nd]

does this key have easy access physical buttons for transpose sharp or flats?

[@Halunlimited]

It has a button (labeled "Global"), that opens up a screen setup page that immediately allows you to change parameters like key transpose, master tune, aftertouch, velocity curve and much more. If direct access via buttons vs menu and submenu screens is important to you for things like splits and layers etc, also consider looking at the "stage" type of keyboards like Nord Stage 2.

[@samscott54]

Really nice my 88 Special Edition comes Monday - I may need to contact you , if thats possible later thx Sam

[@DanielAndrade-ch1um]

I can't get my pedal to work on my piano if anyone knows how please help!!

[@bubbatub777777777]

Can you set individual keys for each slot? For example have one slot transposed to a certain key then select the next slot and it automatically transposes to the next key you wanted..? Not sure if that makes sense lol I looked into the stage 2 and backed out cause if you wanted to change sounds smoothly, you couldn't because the sound cuts out:(

[@Halunlimited]

I've done it with some Programs (Voices) but not Combis (Combinations). Use the Kronos Control Surface screen and Tone Adj. tab to make a custom Transpose setting. But you can only select one transpose for each Program (voice), so my workaround is to rename the Program for each Transpose setting (i.e. make your own new Programs) and then you can call them up in the Setlist without cutoff. I recommend you trying that out before you buy to make certain it works well enough for you. Good luck.

[@pyannaguy4361]

Do I understand you, Hal? When you add notes to a combi in your set list , the way to save them is SAVE TO SET LIST?

[@Halunlimited]

Hi pyannaguy. The short answer is yes. I believe what you want to do is highlight the Combi on the Setlist you want to add a note to, then hit "Edit" tab at the bottom left of the Set List page, then hit "T Edit Comment" at the top right of the Set List page, then type in your note/comment/text, hit "OK", then drop down the top right Set List Menu Button , hit "Write Set List", then hit "OK." I know, this is a lot of steps. As an unsolicited suggestion, if find yourself modifying or experimenting with any aspect of an important Set List, Program or Combi, I suggest leaving what you start with intact, make a copy of it, rename the copy and work on that version, and then try out your experimental changes. This way if anything gets messed up, you still have your original Program, Combi or Set List intact. It’s very frustrating to lose data and try to reconstruct it. Technically, the “Compare” button should also immediately undo a mistaken entry you might have made, but you have to catch it before entering additional commands/changes beyond that. Best of luck.

[@phly23]

Cant read it...can't spell either it looks like!! Any way we would love to see colors!!!

[@omranalharmoodi8903]

amizing pro

[@MRedZac]

What a waste of slots to setup a setlist for each song ! - I can put 128 songs into one setlist, but you will never have 128 different combis or progs in one song... So you really should think about it !

[@jackiesmith2710]

Just purchased the Kronos one of the main thing i was interested was the patten drum loops! but they are terrible. Sounds like they where all played by the same drummer, No soul beats what ever, No R&B BUT R&B + HIPHOP Together as a loop. Don't get that. Loads of Techno loops! who wants them. You will struggle to find any decent beat to put in your setlist

[@jackiesmith2710]

Makes no sense how would write a drum pattern in there, and if playing live would you stop to play all the different sounds you put in set list, it would be much easier to put songs save in disk into set list! Kronos is badly designed