Kronos Review

Kronos Synth Review

‘Why buy a hardware synth these days?  Well, they are relatively cheap, convenient, and a lot of them sound fantastic.  They are well suited to live performance and for many musicians they simply have more soul.

A recent user survey article at the Music Radar website ranked the Korg Kronos hardware synth number 4 among the best synthesizers on the market today.

Check out this Korg factory demo to see what musicians around the word are saying about the Kronos today!

You will be amazed!

Korg has set the standard for nearly 50 years with technical innovation and superior sound.  In 2011, Korg redefined the music workstation by optimizing the capabilities of hardware instruments by introducing the Kronos Music Workstation.  The Kronos is much more than a new instrument.  It sets a new milestone in synthesis and workstation evolution among the best synths, embodying new ideas and awesome technology by integrating new sound engines with interactive technology.

Nine Synth Engines Provide a Universe of Sound

Kronos combines nine synthesis engines into a single instrument, and each one provides the some of the best synthesizer sound creation methods available today.

Kronos is the next-generation instrument for sound design, production, or live performance for artists creating in a computer-based production environment or studio.

Korg sought the advice of many musicians around the world while creating the Kronos.

For live performance, Kronos provides the best in responsive technology to optimize the player’s technique. The interactive control surface includes sliders, joysticks, switches, knobs, and even a ribbon controller and assignable pedal inputs.  The improved resolution color TouchView display offers many easy-to-use features for gig-ready song-specific sound selection.

For production, Korg has equipped the Kronos with a 16-MIDI track sequencer and16 audio tracks.  The open sampling system, amazing  hi-fi effects, and seamless plug-in integration with many popular DAW platforms round out the offerings.

Kronos comes equipped with an awesome sound, effects, and drum library which combined with the amazing Karma algorithmic technology offers the ability to instantly produce sophisticated drum grooves, phrases, and full-blown backing tracks.

Kronos SYNTHESIS  offers programming joy for the sound designer and keyboard artist that dreams of turning visions into sound by merely tweaking parameters.

World-class artist’s contributions
Korg called on world-class musicians to guide its design team towards the ultimate goal..

All nine synth engines share the same hardware with no barriers to get in the way. Kronos allocates power between the engines in real time as you play, to provide an experience no PC can match. Kronos also smoothly functions as a plug-in for many popular DAWs.

Description

Kronos is available in three versions with 88, 73, or 61 keys.  The 88 and 73 key versions offer Korg’s finest RH3 Graded Hammer Action keybed, while the 61 key version features the responsive action from the Korg M3-61.

Besides the 16 MIDI and audio tracks, and Karma phrase generating technology, Kronos offers an effects suite with over 150 effects to choose from including 12 insert effects, 2 master effects, and two total effects.
Features

KARMA – which first appeared on the Korg Karma Music Workstation in 2001 is now standard on the Kronos, revolutionizing the production of sophisticated phrases, drum grooves, and backing tracks.  KARMA responds to the notes and chords you play as well as to the interactions you choose to perform with sliders, knobs, and switches.  KARMA is now in a greatly advanced second generation offering features like note mapping, wave-sequencing, and multiple scenes per layer.  KARMA will be a great enhancement to any live performance.

Kronos offers a revolutionary sample playback system assisted by fast SSD (Solid State Disk) technology to provide high polyphony as well as massive, ultra-long, unlooped samples to deliver unheard of performance from a hardware instrument

Korg’s Finest Keyboard Actions
The 61-key version offers the same responsive, great-feeling, semi-weighted keybed as the Korg M3-61 Music Workstation. The 88-and 73 key models offer the same RH3 real weighted keybed used on Korg’s upper-end piano models.  The Smooth Sound Transition feature allows you to hold or sustain notes  when changing sounds or modes. 

Computer Connectivity

Kronos features versatile outputs and inputs including USB, S/PDIF, and analog connections to provide full Audio and MIDI connectivity between your computer and Kronos keyboard.

The Kronos Editor software allows for easy editing of sounds and settings directly from your computer. The Kronos Plug-in Editor allows you to use Kronos from within many popular DAW systems, just as if it were a plug-in instrument.

Set List mode allows you to organize the combis, songs, and programs in a single easy to use screen for performing live sets.

Other feature highlights

• Allows 16 premium-quality effects at once to rival dedicated units
• Expanded Drum Track enhances inspiration and play-along grooves.
  • 2 Total effects
  • 12 Insert effects
  • 2 Master effects
• On-board sequencer offers 16 audio tracks + 16 MIDI tracks (with 48kHz, 24-bit, quality recording.)
• Open Sampling System offers instant sampling/resampling from any mode: Sequencer, Combination, or Program.
• Signature sounds were created with the assistance of world class musicians
• The 16-part Combis allow all of the synth engines to function together in perfect harmony; and Dynamic Voice Allocation keeps polyphony high.
• Eight-inch TouchView™ color display
• Ribbon controller, joystick, and two assignable switches, with additional Vector joystick available nearby
• Eight knobs, nine sliders, and a numerous illuminated switches provide real-time control

Advantages

Disadvantages

Specifications

Keyboard:

88-key: (Real Weighted Hammer Action 3) RH3
73-key: (Real Weighted Hammer Action 3) RH3
61-key: Semi-Weighted Natural Touch

Tone Generator:

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Tags : Korg Kronos, Music Workstation, Synth