Korg redefines and reimagines the music workstation,
revolutionizing the capabilities of the hardware instrument and
exceeding the demands of the modern player: introducing the Korg
KRONOS 73 Music Workstation.
Click Below for Korg Kronos 73 News and
Reviews
Korg Kronos 73 Overview
KRONOS unites nine individual synthesis engines in a single
instrument, each providing the finest sound creation techniques
available. Together, they represent not only the rich legacy of
Korg, but the history of the electronic keyboard industry
itself.
KRONOS provides the absolute finest in keyboard sounds; accurate
and responsive to the player's technique. The expansive control
surface offers joysticks, sliders, knobs, switches, a ribbon
controller, assignable pedal inputs, and of course our improved
resolution color TouchView display. New additions include our
easy-to-use Set List mode for song-specific and gig-ready sound
selection, and our Smooth Sound Transition feature.
Korg has equipped the KRONOS Music Workstation’s sequencer with
16-track MIDI tracks plus 16 audio tracks, our Open Sampling
System, dazzling hi-fidelity effects, as well as flawless plug-in
integration with many popular DAW platforms.
A variety of exclusive Korg technologies drive the synth engines
to provide astounding results – VMT (Virtual Memory Technology);
CMT (Component Modeling Technology); Physical Modeling, Digital
Synthesis, Wave Sequencing, MDS (Multi Dimensional Synthesis);
KARMA and more!
KRONOS contains nine distinct synthesizer/sound engines. While
each is worthy of a separate product in its own right, KRONOS
brings them all together into a single, integrated musical
instrument. Dynamic voice allocation and new technologies allow all
sound engines to smoothly share a stable, enhanced hardware
platform.
The SGX-1 Premium Piano sound engine offers two distinctive
grand pianos; a rich German D piano, and a robust Japanese C model.
Each uses superb, un-looped stereo samples sampled at eight
velocity levels for each and every key. Thoughtful attention to
detail preserves the realism and warmth of the piano sound; this
extends even to sampling and reproducing the body resonances of the
grand piano, as well as the mechanical noise that occurs when the
keys are played, or the damper pedal is pressed and released. The
foundation of any keyboard instrument is the piano; the SGX-1
engine allows KRONOS to confidently deliver on this sonic ideal.
Korg abandoned working within the limitations of existing sampling
methods and took advantage Virtual Memory Technology (VMT), able to
play large samples directly from the internal high-capacity Solid
State Disk (SSD).
The EP-1 sound engine is dedicated to faithfully recreating six
of the most popular classic electric pianos. The MDS (Multi
Dimensional Synthesis) technology eliminates the transitions
between velocity-switched samples, and does away with the unnatural
behavior of looped samples. It also provides the user with unique
control over the tines, reeds, and noise elements that make up the
essential character of these timeless and coveted electromechanical
instruments. Each of the six electric piano models provides
realistic simulations of the period amp, cabinet, speaker, and even
the hard-to-find vintage effects that gave the original instruments
their distinctive sound.
The CX-3 engine precisely models the classic tonewheel
instrument. Proprietary Korg technology has been used to perfectly
reproduce the vacuum tube amp, and effects such as Vibrato/Chorus
and the “must-have” rotary speaker. Even the instability,
fold-back, leakage, and noise of the tonewheels have been
obsessively analyzed and recreated. Take full advantage of Korg’s
exclusive EX mode and switch from 9 to 18 drawbars (13 footages
plus 5 to define the percussion) and generate even richer and more
detailed sounds.
HD-1 “High Definition” synthesis features Korg’s proprietary
low-aliasing sample playback oscillators, full bandwidth multimode
resonant filters, and extraordinarily fast & smooth envelopes
and LFOs. Once again, the SSD and Virtual Memory Technology (VMT)
gives the HD 1 access to a larger sample set – gigabytes in size –
than could be normally stored using internal memory. The HD 1
covers all of the essential sounds in exquisite detail, from
orchestral to classic rock to hip-hop, all instantly available. The
extensive array of samples provided by KRONOS is unparalleled by
previous hardware synthesizers or samplers, and is a superb fit for
film, video and sound effect work.
First introduced on the Korg WAVESTATION, and used here as part
of the HD-1, Wave Sequences play a series of samples over time,
creating distinctive rhythmic timbres or smooth, complex evolving
sounds. Additionally, step-sequencer modulation outputs allow Wave
Sequences to control any modulate-able Program parameter.
The Ambient Drums feature two kits. Each provides three
different mic'ing positions, capturing the whole kit, (with the
snare on and off), plus the individual hits. The HD-1 voice
architecture allows the custom blending of the drum's direct sound
and ambient sound layer, adding a finished quality to the
track.
Feature-packed, the AL-1 is the same premium analog modeling
sound engine that was first featured on the Korg OASYS back in
2005. Its patented ultra low aliasing oscillators (using completely
different technology than the HD 1) recreate all the power and
glory of true analog synthesis— without the artifacts that can
plague lesser instruments. Morphing waveforms allow you to change
the oscillator shapes in real time. Resonance modeling lets you
choose between classic filter sounds, and the extraordinarily
flexible MultiFilter lets you create your own hybrid filter shapes.
Hard sync, analog style FM, drive, low-boost, and ring modulation
offer plenty of tone-twisting power.
Using Korg’s CMT (Component Modeling Technology) the MS-20EX
faithfully reproduces the legendary MS-20 from 1978 while
dramatically expanding its patch panel functionality.
With its self-oscillating four pole filter, smooth analog
oscillator and sub-oscillator, plus a lush Chorus/Ensemble effect,
the PolysixEX extends the abilities of the original in many
creative ways. The strings and pads that were such a major feature
of the Polysix will be invaluable when you need the sounds of the
early '80s. The classic arpeggiator built into the original Polysix
is also provided.
The MOD-7 Waveshaping VPM Synthesizer - VPM/Waveshaping/PCM
processing sound engine combines Variable Phase Modulation (VPM),
waveshaping, ring modulation, samples, and subtractive synthesis,
plus a modular patch panel system.
STR-1 Plucked String Synthesizer: Based on the physical modeling
know-how Korg developed over the course of many years, this
struck/plucked-string physical modeling sound engine takes
advantage of cutting-edge technology. You can also process samples
and live audio input through the physical model—including audio
feedback from any of the KRONOS effects!
Under the hood, all nine engines share the same hardware, with
no separate cards to manage or polyphony barriers between them—and
no “CPU overs” to worry about. KRONOS dynamically allocates power
between the engines as you play, automatically and in real time,
providing an integrated experience no PC can match. In addition,
KRONOS smoothly functions as a plug-in with many popular DAWs,
providing your studio with native, unprecedented sonic power.
KARMA: Now in its greatly enhanced second generation and
offering features like KARMA Wave Sequencing, Note Mapping and 8
scenes per layer.
No matter whether you're in Program, Combination, or Sequencer
mode, you can always use KRONOS to sample an external audio source,
or to resample the performance of the KRONOS itself. User samples
can be edited using operations such as truncate, normalize, time
stretch, or time slice. Edited samples can also be exported in AIFF
or WAVE format. You can also load external samples in AIFF, WAVE,
SoundFont 2.0, and AKAI S1000/3000 formats via USB memory. By
loading samples that you've previously created on other instruments
or on a PC, you can set up your music production system on the
KRONOS – no additional equipment required.
KRONOS features a sequencer/recording section that offers both
16 MIDI tracks plus 16 audio tracks. 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.
The new Set List screen lets you instantly recall your favorite
programs, combinations, or song data with a single touch,
regardless of mode. There are 128 Set List locations, and each one
can have 128 slots. Sixteen of these slots appear at a time as
buttons in the TouchView display, color-coded to ensure easy
visibility even in dim lighting. This is a great convenience during
a live performance or in the production workplace.
Smooth Sound Transition eliminates dropouts when changing
sounds: this powerful addition is designed to maintain any
currently held, played, or sustaining notes (with their effects),
helping to prevent drop-outs from occurring when you switch sounds
or change from Program mode to Combi mode.
Korg's TouchView graphical user interface is based on a new
large, color 8-inch (800 x 600 pixel) touch screen. In addition to
the parameters accessible directly from the TouchView display,
KRONOS also offers a wealth of realtime controllers to enhance any
performance and to aid navigation. A four-way joystick, ribbon
controller, and two assignable switches are located to the left of
the keyboard. An additional Vector joystick is nearby. Above the
keyboard, nine sliders, eight knobs and a number of switches
provide realtime interaction with features at the heart of the
KRONOS’ impressive sound. The damper pedal input supports
half-damping, providing another level of piano realism. In addition
to the damper pedal jack, there are also two assignable pedal
inputs, one footpedal type and one footswitch style.
Korg KRONOS 73 main features:
- 73 RH3 (Real Weighted Hammer Action 3) keys
- 9 Sound engines, each offering a unique sound-creation
technology
- 16-part Combis allow all engines to function together
- Dynamic Voice Allocation keeps the polyphony high
- Comprehensive interface, based around a new large 8” TFT
TouchView display
- Virtual Memory Technology (VMT), aided by a fast SSD (Solid
State Disk) provides high polyphony and massive, ultra-long, and
unlooped samples; offering unheard of performance from a hardware
instrument
- Smooth Sound Transition: this often-requested feature allows
held or sustained notes to keep sounding when changing sounds or
modes.
- Set List mode: Organize the Programs, Combis, and Songs you
need to perform your set in a single, easy-to-select screen –
including performance notes!
- Use up to 16 premium-quality effects at once; individual
effects rival dedicated units
- On-board sequencer offers 16 MIDI tracks + 16 audio tracks
(24-bit, 48kHz recording quality)
- Open Sampling System – Instant sampling and resampling from any
mode: Program, Combination or Sequencer.
- Sophisticated KARMA technology generates infinitely variable
performance-driven phrases, musical effects, and backing tracks to
catalyze your creativity
- Expanded Drum Track for play-along grooves and inspiration
- Signature sounds created with guidance from world class
musicians
- Synthesis Types: SGX-1 Premium Piano (Acoustic Piano), EP-1 MDS
Electric Piano (Electric Piano), HD-1 High Definition Synthesizer
(PCM Virtual Memory Technology), AL-1 Analog Synthesizer (Analog
Modeling), CX-3 Tonewheel Organ (Tonewheel Organ Modeling), STR-1
Plucked String (Physical Modeling), MOD-7 Waveshaping VPM
Synthesizer (VPM Synthesis), MS-20EX (CMT Analog Modeling),
PolysixEX (CMT Analog Modeling)
- Maximum Polyphony: SGX-1: 100 voices, EP-1: 104 voices, HD-1:
140 voices, AL-1: 80 voices, CX-3: 200 voices, STR-1: 40 voices,
MOD-7: 52 voices, MS-20EX: 40 voices, PolysixEX: 180 voices
- Dimensions: 48.94” x 16.18” x 5.71” 1,243 x 411 x 145 mm
- Weight: 44.75 lbs. / 20.3 kg
- For full specs please visit the official Korg product
page.