KorgKronos Synthesizer / Workstation (61-Key)

Korg Kronos

Praised by musicians and producers worldwide, Korg's Kronos workstation is a force to be reckoned with. Equipped with nine dynamic and expressive synthesis engines, the Kronos delivers stunning performance and reliability. The touch-screen interface is intuitive and provides hands-on control over vital sound parameters. It comes equipped with a 62GB solid-state drive preloaded with 21GB of sounds, songs, and synthesis programs.

Delightfully modeling German and Japanese acoustic pianos' characteristics, the SGX2 piano engine spares no expense when it comes to fully articulating and emulating a grand piano. When used with a damping pedal, it accurately recreates the behavior of a piano with sympathetic harmonics. The EP-1 Electric Piano sound engine captures an electric piano's action using Multi-Dimensional Synthesis technology with six distinct models, whether you need the percussive hit of a hammer on a tine, or the bell-like tones of steel reeds. True to the form of Korg's iconic MS-20 analog semi-modular synthesizer, the MS-20EX has all the grit and crunch that made the original so revered. Using Component Modeling Technology, this engine faithfully recreates the behavior of the analog components, thoroughly emulating not just the sound of the MS-20, but the response and character of all the parts working together.

Incorporating a tonewheel organ's classic sounds, CX-3 comes with a selection of effects that fill out this engine's character and feel. These include emulations of rotary speaker cabinets, vintage effects, and the feel of tube-amp warmth. By employing physical modeling to produce a stringed instrument's sound, STR-1 produces dynamic string sounds of everything from a guitar to violins to non-western stringed instruments. Using a combination of PCM cross-modulation, substantial waveshaping, and semi-modular subtractive synthesis, the MOD-7 variable phase modulation engine delivers powerful FM and phase modulation sounds. When Korg released the PolySix in 1981, it was a smash hit, so now almost 40 years later, the PolysixEX faithfully recreates this synthesizer with six-voice polyphony, onboard effects, and a distinctive four-pole filter.

The AL-1 analog synthesizer modeling engine uses the OASYS (Open Architecture Synthesis Studio) technology to recreate the sound of analog synthesizers with robust digital control. This includes extensive modulation routing, responsive oscillators, and filter morphing. Combing a wealth of PCM instruments, HD-1 is a sound engine that uses wavetables to capture many of Korg's classic synthesizers' quality and performance. Load your own sounds onto the Kronos with the Open Sampling System, which utilizes internal or external audio sources as the foundation for new instruments. Building on the legacy of the M3 workstation, the Drum Tracks rhythm generator can add everything from a click track to an entire drum ensemble. Korg included 16 onboard effects, 12 insert effects, and a three-band EQ per track perfectly sculpt your sounds.

Not only does it have these impressive synthesis engines, but the Kronos also boasts many features for both performance and studio use. Dynamic Voice Allocation manages the polyphony to create a natural-sounding layering of the synthesis engines. The four-way joystick and responsive ribbon control add a layer of performance and dynamic variation with hands-on control. A 16-track sequencer covers your sequencing needs and can be used to layer together whole tracks. Once you have your tracks going, the 16-track audio recorder captures your performance in 24-bit/48kHz quality. A high-resolution screen, nine powerful synthesis engines, and onboard performance features combine to make this iteration of a Kronos a true titan of a synthesizer.

Kronos Features

• Music workstation
• 61-key semi-weighted keybed
• Nine powerful synthesis engines
• SGX-2 piano engine
• EP-1 electric piano
• CX-3 tonewheel organ
• MS-20EX MS-20 emulation
• AL-1 analog modeling synthesis
• STR-1 physical modeling engine
• PolysixEX 80's polysynth
• HD-1 PCM digital synthesis
• MOD-7 phase/frequency modulation synthesis
• 16-track sequencer
• 16-track audio recorder at 24-bit/48kHz
• 8" SVGA TouchView display
• Open Sampling System creates new instruments from samples
• USB/MIDI host
• Dynamic voice allocation ensures great-sounding polyphony
• Four-way joystick and ribbon controller
• Drum Tracks from M3 workstation
• USB ethernet connection
• 16 built-in effects, 12 insert effects, and three-band EQ
• 64GB solid-state hard drive