Korg Krome EXFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 46 mentions across 12 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment39%
PROS 39%
CONS 61%

Rank based on 46 mentions across 12 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want strong onboard pianos, pads and a 16-track sequencer without paying Kronos money
  • You're upgrading from an aging Triton/Karma/X-series and want a familiar Korg workflow
  • You mainly use it in the studio rather than gigging live

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need pro-feel weighted-style keys for live performance
  • You require WAV export, USB flash drive support, or aftertouch for your workflow
  • You already own an original Krome and want a meaningful feature upgrade

What users complain about

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Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
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Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
2Premium
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Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
3Premium
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
Best value
4Mid
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Mid
Korg Krome EX
Strong stock soundsCapable onboard sequencerGood value vs pricier Korg boardsPoor keybed qualityMissing features vs competitors and older Korg modelsSeen as only a minor refresh
Korg Krome EX
Strong stock sounds
Capable onboard sequencer
Good value vs pricier Korg boards
Poor keybed quality
Missing features vs competitors and older Korg models
Seen as only a minor refresh

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Sound quality and sequencing win people over. Multiple owners single out the pianos, pads, drums, bass and strings as standout, with some saying the piano beats Roland FA and Yamaha MOXF competitors outright. The onboard 16-track sequencer is called easier to use than the pricier Kronos, and several buyers who moved from a Triton or Karma feel the EX covers everything those older boards did plus more, at a friendlier price for non-expert keyboardists.

The keybed is a recurring dealbreaker. Many commenters, including repeat Korg owners, describe the keys as feeling like a cheap Casio toy keyboard, with at least two buyers returning their EX within days of purchase specifically because of key feel. Others report keys that creak, keyboards that visibly flex while playing, and general dissatisfaction versus Yamaha's MODX key action, though the 88-key model is called comparatively decent.

Missing features and reliability issues frustrate long-time users. Commenters list absent WAV export, no USB-A port for flash drives, no aftertouch, no cue list or piano roll editor, and no Set List mode as puzzling omissions given the price and competition. Some owners also report OS crashes and failing velocity sensors requiring multiple repair-shop visits, while others feel the EX is barely different from the original Krome despite years between releases.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?