Choosing the right synthesizer is definitely not easy, the chance is the good one will drain your wallet especially if you have limited budget and the affordable one will not be good enough. So, to help you choosing your preferred synthesizer, let us introduce you to two affordable and great synthesizers by the famous Korg and Roland. They are Korg Kross 2 and Roland Juno DS.
In this article, we are going to give you information about:
– What is Korg Kross 2 and Roland Juno DS
– What Korg Kross 2 and Roland Juno DS can offer to you
– Korg Kross 2 vs Roland Juno DS
About Korg Kross 2
Korg Kross 2 is the entry-level electric synthesizer released by Korg in recent years. Korg Kross 2 is said to be the next generation of the previous generation model, with some added features to set it different from its predecessor. The improvements promised by Korg Kross 2 making this portable synthesizer does a bit of everything.
Korg Kross 2 Features
Korg Kross 2 now comes with 1000 sounds and polyphony that has been raised from its previous model, which only has 80 to now 120 voices. There are also 128 MB expansion PCM memory that you can use to fill with optional libraries and 134 effects, where you can use five insert and two master effects simultaneously. Comes with a sampling function and pad sampler, you can use Korg Kross 2 to record into the hardware and assign stereo sample up to 14 seconds to each of the 16 pads.
On the production side, Korg Kross 2 comes with a 15-track MIDI sequencer, a drum track, a step sequencer, and an arpeggiator. With its audio recorder, you will also be able to overdub a vocal track. Korg Kross 2 only weighs no more than 9 lbs. with 3.46” in height, 36.81” in width, and 10.59” in depth.
About Roland Juno DS
The Roland Juno DS is an electric synthesizer by the famous brand Roland. In this review we are going to pick the 61-key. The Roland Juno DS according to Roland is very versatile, intuitive and can be easily carried or highly mobile. The appearance of this electric synthesizer gives the perfect balance of instant access buttons and well organized on screen menus, to help even the beginner or new users find the advanced features easily. Sometimes in electric synthesizer, you will find some problem finding the menus among the poorly organized buttons, this is not happening in The Roland Juno DS. If you are interested on other Roland products, read our article on Roland FP30 vs Yamaha P115 here.
Roland Juno DS Features
The Roland Juno DS comes with 1200 included patches and all of them are easy customizable. It also provide a room to add your own or to download more. The sounds you can find in JUNO-Di library is not the same patches that you can found in Roland premium keyboards like the FA-06 and Jupiter-80. These patches are organized under 9 major categories and easy to scroll with the central dial. At the front of the unit, there is a small monochromatic LCD screen to show you the current patch and the menu options. The Roland Juno DS weigh at 11 lbs. 11.81” in depth, 39.68” in width, and 3.87” in height.
Korg Kross 2 vs Roland Juno DS
| Korg Kross 2 | Roland Juno DS | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Korg | R O L A N D |
| Key features | - In addition to a total of more than a thousand preset sounds, expansion PCM memory has been newly added. Also new is a pad sampler that allows full-fledged sampling, and USB audio/MIDI interface functionality. The color scheme is even more stylish, and the user interface allows intuitive operation even by beginners. Effortlessly select the sound that you want to play, shape it to match your imagination, sample a sound, create phrases and rhythms, record your vocal or guitar, bring KROSS 2 on stage, and perform. | - Lightweight, gig-ready instrument with pro sounds, enhanced performance features, and battery-powered operation - Includes all the sounds from the popular JUNO-Di, plus newly updated acoustic and electric pianos, additional organs, and other stage essentials - Wave expansion slot enables users to download new sound waveforms, available for free at Roland’s Axial website |
| Price | ||
| Customer Ratings* | 4.5 out of 5 stars | 4.3 out of 5 stars |
| Best Deal* | Save Money Please click here | Save Money Please click here |
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Decision
Both of Korg Kross 2 vs Roland Juno DS we mentioned above are the 61-key version, both of them also has the 88-key version available. Both of them also able to produce good sound, but in our opinion the Roland sound better than Korg Kross 2. Korg Kross 2 sound good but not as good as Roland Juno DS and the menu is said to be quirky. Roland Juno DS indeed has a better sound but the LCD is too small and sometime it is hard to see the text. Choosing between both may depend on your needs and preference. However, if you want a lighter, more compact and has a great sound we will recommend you the Korg Kross 2.