Korg Kronos 73 - Music Workstation with SGX-2 Engine (Black)

Overview:

The black Kronos 73 from Korg is a music workstation with a vast palette of sounds, integrated editing, detailed 8" TouchView display, 16-track sequencer, 16-track audio recorder, and extensive sampling capabilities. The keyboard features nine distinct sound engines, with each engine dedicated to authentically reproducing its respective instrument type, including detailed pianos, vintage keyboard sounds, tone-wheel organs, ethnic instruments, plucked instruments, analog synthesizers, and more.

The sequencer can access any combination of sound engines and imported samples, and the 16-track audio recorder can be used for recording vocals, other instruments, and more. For arranging and inspiration, the instrument includes the company's KARMA technology for generating endless phrases, drum grooves, and full-blown backing tracks based on the notes and chords played. Drum Tracks generate drum patterns automatically; everything from a simple reference beat to a full-blown drum track.

The Open Sampling System can quickly sample an external audio source regardless of operating modes, and it can even resample the performance of the keyboard itself. The user sample bank allows custom samples to be loaded and played, taking advantage of the large SSD capacity. Additionally, the Kronos 73 functions as an advanced control surface, with a four-way joystick, ribbon controller, two assignable switches, and a Vector joystick. Nine sliders, eight knobs, and a number of switches provide real-time interaction with the keyboard sounds.

Features: 

• 73 Keys with RH3 Weighted Hammer Action
• 9 Sound Engines
• KARMA Technology
• SGX-2 Grand Piano Sound Engine
• 16-Track MIDI Sequencing
• 16-Track Audio Recording
• 16 Effect Processors
• Open Sampling System
• Effects
• Color TouchView Display with Touch-Drag

More Features:

Evolve. 

When ambition, imagination, and technology converge—the results are spectacular. Witness KRONOS. Created by KORG to satisfy today’s most demanding, accomplished performers and producers—as well as tomorrow’s visionary leaders—KRONOS embodies over 50 years of artistic vision and production expertise. With nine distinct synthesis engines and a complete suite of performance and productions tools, KRONOS is simply the most versatile synthesizer ever made.

KRONOS restores the magic, the thrill, and the promise that only a visionary new instrument can provide. And KRONOS delivers on that promise. Every resources and technology of service to the modern musician has been refined, perfected, and integrated into a single instrument, and is available on demand. Multiple state-of-the-art sound generation techniques represent the pinnacle of software realization. Onboard effects open the door to processing any internal or external audio source with dazzling results. Multitrack audio and MIDI recording deliver efficient studio operations in a mobile platform. Hands-on hardware includes an assignable control surface, dual joysticks, ribbon controller, top-of-the line keyboard action, and KORG’s revolutionary tap-and-drag color TouchView™ display. Best of all, KRONOS integrates all of these music-making resources into a single instrument in ways that no software setup or hardware platform can rival.

KRONOS easily delivers everything you’d expect, plus many things you’ve only dreamed of. Set List mode keeps all of your custom settings and performance notes organized in the display for on-the-fly selection. Smooth Sound Transitions eliminate note and effect dropouts when switching sounds or modes. Connect virtual patch cables, select sounds, plus edit envelopes and sequences—all using the eight-inch color TouchView display. Add to that advanced sequencing, KARMA, and Drum Track composition tools. Enjoy exclusive KORG wavesequencing, MS-20 filtering and the impossibly-rich Polysix chorus. And only KORG boasts the finest sound-design team on the planet, so you can always sound your very best.

Nine Distinct Sound Engines

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

Enhanced SGX-2 Grand Piano Sound Engine

The KRONOS piano engine has always offered huge collections of non-looped/natural decay stereo samples, recorded for every key, with additional unique tools to customize the piano to your needs. Inheriting all of this SGX-1 functionality, the new enhanced SGX-2 Grand Piano engine introduces the new Berlin Grand piano to the existing deep German Grand and lively Japanese Grand. The Berlin Grand offers resonant piano sound with a striking sense of depth.

Other enhancements to the SGX-2 engine included Sympathetic String Resonance and newly-recorded Una Corda (soft pedal – literally “one-string”) samples. 

Massive Sound Selection

KRONOS comes equipped with thousands of sounds, created using various synthesis modes and calling upon over approximately 21 GB of preset waveform data covering a variety of genres. Each one has been carefully crafted by the KORG Sound Design team. The internal SSD offers a generous 62*GB capacity, providing enormous space for user sampling or downloading KRONOS Sound Libraries. These optional expansion KRONOS Sound Libraries add new professionally programmed sounds—without the need to add any new hardware.

Artist Signature Programs provide the priceless sounds actually used by top-ranking musicians. Additional Song Programs are named for the classic rock and pop songs whose signature keyboard sounds these programs recreate. Use these universally well-known sounds to pay homage to the originals, or as the basis for personal sonic explorations

Innovative Set List Mode

KRONOS can organize all of the resources you need to get through a song—or a set—using the Set List mode. Using the Set List mode, the TouchView display can host 16 color-coded touch-screen buttons; each one can instantly call up the appropriate Preset, Combination, or Sequence—regardless of mode!

You can even add handy performance notes (“Sing on Chorus;” “Transpose Down;” “Wait for Sax Solo;” etc.) to each one.

The Set List mode even adds a nine-band graphic EQ, allowing the overall tone to be tweaked to match the venue. New in OS version 3.0, Set List mode now allows for deeper customization with many slot color options, text size variations, and a full-screen text editor. Connecting a USB computer keyboard makes it simple to enter text and numeric values.

Colour TouchView Display—Now with Touch-Drag Capability 

The nerve center of the KRONOS is KORG’s enormous eight-inch (800 x 600 pixel) SVGA color TouchView display.

In addition to simply selecting a sound or choosing a parameter with the touch of a finger, the enhanced Touch-Drag ability allows more detailed control of parameter values. Interactive instruments and panel graphics provide the ability to do everything from adjusting the lid of a grand piano to connecting patch cable on a semi-modular synthesizer model.

The TouchView display also hosts a convenient new Search Function, allowing you to search for (and preview) sounds based on their titles.

Sequencer Composition Tools 

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.

16-Track MIDI Sequencer / 16-Track Audio Recorder

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!

16 Onboard Effect Processors

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.

USB/MIDI Host Ports Accommodate MIDI Control Surfaces

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.

Smooth sound transitions that eliminate dropouts when changing sounds, regardless of the mode you're in

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.

Advanced Control Surface 

Flagship RH3 Weighted Hammer Action 

Natural Touch Semi-Weighted Action