Korg Kross 2From real comments

Verdict distilled from 36 mentions across 13 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment48%
PROS 48%
CONS 52%

Rank based on 36 mentions across 13 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a lightweight, battery-powered workstation for gigs and travel
  • You value 16 pads and combi mode for DAW-style sample triggering
  • You're budget-conscious and want classic Korg (M1/Triton-era) sounds

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need a premium, non-plasticky keybed feel
  • You require balanced studio outputs and pristine, modern-sounding samples
  • You want a touchscreen or knob/fader-heavy modern interface

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

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1Mid
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Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
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Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
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Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
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Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
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Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
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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
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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
31Budget
Korg Kross 2
Classic Korg sound legacyLightweight and portableVersatile pads for DAW and live useCheap-feeling keybedThin or dated sound qualityDated, non-touchscreen interface
Korg Kross 2
Classic Korg sound legacy
Lightweight and portable
Versatile pads for DAW and live use
Cheap-feeling keybed
Thin or dated sound quality
Dated, non-touchscreen interface

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Portability and pads make it a fun, flexible workstation. Users repeatedly praise the Kross 2's light weight (around 4kg), battery operation for outdoor or garden use, and fast boot-up. The 16 pads are a standout feature, used for DAW percussion control, live sample triggering, and combi customization. Several owners call it inspirational and easy to get lost in creatively, especially compared to bulkier workstations that tie players in knots.

The keybed is the most polarizing aspect for many owners. Multiple commenters describe the keys as cheap, plasticky, or the worst keybed they've encountered, leading some to return units entirely. Others, however, find the weighted 88-key version reminiscent of a real piano despite being mushy. This split suggests feel varies significantly by expectation and prior keyboard experience, especially versus other Korg models like the Triton or M50.

Sound quality opinions range from thin and dated to genuinely impressive. Some users call the sample set poor or thin with little stereo image, especially versus cheaper rivals like the Yamaha MX88, while others love the classic Korg character and electric piano tones. Complaints include noisy/unbalanced outputs, key-click noise, and looping artifacts in sampling. Still, many long-term owners report satisfaction and consider it great value for the low price point.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?