Korg Workstation Keyboard

[Georgeanna Abson]

Witha red gradation finish that makes it identifiable at a glance, this KORG KRONOS features the new Italian-made grand piano that debuted on the KORG Grandstage. It also comes with the pre-installed "KApro Showcase" that collects only carefully selected sounds from KApro (*), who provided more than 100 of the KRONOS Sound Libraries. The gorgeous color and sound delivered only by KRONOS will make an unmistakable difference on stage. The KRONOS Special Edition is available in a lineup of three models: 61-key, 73-key, and 88-key.

*About restoring the system and factory sounds of KRONOS SE, please refer here.

In recent years, this Italian grand has drawn dramatically increased attention from the worlds of classical and jazz music. The presence of its sound and its detailed resonances have captivated audiences worldwide. A full concert grand previously used in international competitions was specially adjusted and sampled for the KRONOS.

Each of the individual KRONOS sound engines is eminently qualified to operate as a stand-alone synthesizer. And each one represents the cutting-edge technology available for that type of sound creation. Exacting programming parameters, real-time controllers, integrated effects, and assignable modulation routings provide incredible control for the creating custom edits or for the ambitious sound designer

In addition to MIDI and Audio tracks, the onboard sequencer is loaded with valuable tools to transform your musical ideas into a complete composition, using realtime and interactive techniques that are unavailable or cumbersome to use on a computer-based system.

This function that plays drum patterns automatically was included and highly acclaimed on the M3 music workstation/synthesizer that appeared in 2007. KRONOS is the latest KORG Workstation to offer the Drum Tracks features. First appearing in 2007, Drum Tracks can create everything from a simple reference beat to an outline rhythm track on up to a full-blown drum track for your music productions.

Expanded for use in the KRONOS, Drum Tracks now includes professional drum performances, and is ready and able to generate grooves that capture the distinctive feel of a pro drummer, and that challenge the capabilities of stand-alone drum machines.

KRONOS features a sequencer/recording section that offers both 16 MIDI tracks plus 16 audio tracks; a great resource for putting together a dazzling performance or a brilliant production. MIDI sequencing makes it easy to capture ideas, inspiration, and pro-quality phrases using the KARMA, Drum Track, or RPPR (Realtime Pattern Play/Recording) functions.

The 16-track audio recorder simultaneously captures up to four tracks of 16-bit/24-bit uncompressed data at a sampling rate of 48 kHz. Play along with recorded tracks, add effects, and then resample the KRONOS itself and place the resampled WAV files directly in a track. When polishing your tracks, feel free to use mixer automation and editing functions such as copy, paste, and normalize to get the results you want. Plug in a USB CD-burner and assemble your album right from the TouchView display!

KRONOS provides 16 internal effects to add impact to your sonic creations. Each of the 12 Insert effects can be applied to individual or multiple timbres in a combination, or to individual or multiple tracks of the sequencer. In addition, two Master effects can be applied to sends 1/2, and two Total effects can be applied to all tracks at the final stage of the sound.

A separate three-band EQ is provided for every timbre, for every sequencer track, and for every audio track for adjusting subtle tonal balances or for creatively modifying the overall sound.

Any class-compliant USB-MIDI controller can be connected directly to the KRONOS. If you connect a KORG pad-equipped USB MIDI controller (nanoPAD, nanoPAD2, padKONTROL), pads 1 through 8 of the controller are automatically mapped to the virtual chord pad function of the KRONOS, allowing them to be used to play drums, trigger chords, or to switch chords in chord mode.

When you switch program sounds during a performance to get ready for the next section, or when you switch from Program mode to Combi mode, the sound that's currently being output is always given priority and its effects are maintained during the program change, ensuring a seamless transition with no dropouts. This function has also earned extremely high praise from pro musicians.

For those who prefer the ultra-quick response of a synthesizer keyboard, need to focus on organ performances, or are seeking the ultimate in portability, the KRONOS 61-key model is equipped with a lightweight and expressive semi-weighted synthesizer action.

So the vast majority of the tech/models in their workstations has given them 13 years of mass market sales since the launch of Kronos. My point being not that they are outdated sonically/playability-wise (far from it), but that surely the R&D costs are settled by now.

It really is time for something new- as DAWs are used by the majority, perhaps adding some features geared towards live performance would be welcome. I have often thought that a vocal harmoniser in a workstation would be killer, for example.

In 2024, I just don't understand the appeal of a workstation vs. a nice lightweight keyboard coupled with a laptop or ipad/iphone. I would be interested in a new, lightweight keyboard that has USB-C audio in that incorporates a 60 or 100 watt USB-C power delivery supply to power laptop/ipads right from the keyboard.

......a nice lightweight keyboard coupled with a laptop or ipad/iphone. I would be interested in a new, lightweight keyboard that has USB-C audio in that incorporates a 60 or 100 watt USB-C power delivery supply to power laptop/ipads right from the keyboard.

Why not? 1) Because computers get outdated almost as soon as you get them home. 2) Plus, are you gonna put a Windoze machine in it or a Crapple? And also, what you're asking for is basically what already sorta exists... a "workstation."

I have no desire to bring out a laptop or ipad. Did the ipad thing for a while playing B-3X, didn't really get on with it. Sounded great, but I had some glitches and it really wasn't the same seamless experience as using built-in sounds IMO. I'll be getting a new workstation once I make a couple sales, and my tradition of never actually using the sequencer on a workstation I've owned will likely continue

I'm all software at home though, so certainly it would be cheaper for me to do so....I have the laptop(s) and any sound under the sun ready to roll. Just don't want to use it live, not at this point anyway.

I guess the more powerful the off the shelf ARM platforms become, the more powerful machines of this type, software in the box, we will see. It seems KORG are no longer doing any internal work on processing platforms, so for a successor to Kronos worth talking about they will have to up their ARM game quite a bit.

I think that is their calculation - I would imagine sales of flagships have slowed significantly - especially as composition devices. That seems to have shifted over to Ableton Live, Logic, etc. Market data continues to show more affordable instruments paired with a laptop/tablet/phone is the trend, hence having an audio interface in the keyboard is a strong selling point.

Can only imagine what a genuine Kronos replacement would be like now. Would be crazy powerful if you think of the impact the Kronos (and Oasys) had on launch. Still, bet your average iPad has more power under the hood...

Can only imagine what a genuine Kronos replacement would be like now. Would be crazy powerful if you think of the impact the Kronos (and Oasys) had in launch. Still, bet your average iPad has more power under the hood...

I'm curious to know what more a Kronos replacement would do especially when as I've mentioned, most folks are not using the full range of features and functionality in current KB workstations.?

New modules as stated.

Now, my wishlist items are mine alone so there's that

A lot quicker loading times, speaking of Korg in particular.

My own preference is to NOT have single vs multi modes. I much prefer the Modx and Fantom approach of "everything is a scene/performance". But then I'm not doing multitimbral sequencing.

Improvements in sound are always possible, in particular with Korg the cx3 needs work (IMO).

Poly AT done well would be a nice feature!

Having a global EQ/compressor is pretty handy I've found, as is more dedicated controls. Love the superknob macro that the Montage/Modx has (I know it gets grief for throbbing!). More of that kind of control, and speaking of the Nautilus, more controls.

But yeah things are hardly terrible the way they are is the way I see it. I don't feel limited at all with what I have or what has been out there for a while now.

Given the nature of menu-diving when it comes to programming a KB workstation, I doubt that anything ground-breaking or revolutionary sound-wise would be gleaned from having 13 engines in a *new* Kronos.

You can usually update both if you stop supporting Apple crap.

Even better bang4buck would be to build/buy a mini-pc, small audio interface (or use asio4all), add a small screen or a touchscreen of choice. Load it with whatever instruments you want. Making sure adequate power requirements are met would be the only hurdle.

I have fond memories of my 01W and Tritons, but its hard to see a bigger Kronos as necessarily being better. Those first three would be cool additions, but son of a bleep, any one of them is already like a workstation engine minus the sequencer. Each one covers a LOT of traditional territory well within its own method.

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