The 73-key Kronos is more than a new instrument.
It is a milestone in synthesis and workstation evolution; one that
embodies fresh ideas and breakthrough technologies. Kronos brings
together multiple sound engines working in harmony and interactive
performance features that reflect the way musicians play. Most
importantly, Kronos provides a seemingly inexhaustible supply of
breathtaking, spectacular sounds.
The Next-Generation Instrument for Live, Production, and Sound Design
The
Kronos Music Workstation is the single instrument designed for live
performing musicians; for artists creating in a studio or computer-based
production environment; and for musicians and sound designers seeking
the ultimate synthesizer. In creating Kronos, Korg listened to many
musicians, heard their requests, and has vowed to deliver.
LIVE - for the performing keyboard player
Kronos
provides the absolute finest in keyboard sounds; accurate and
responsive to any player's technique. The expansive control surface
offers joysticks, sliders, knobs, switches, a ribbon controller,
assignable pedal inputs, and, of course, Korg's improved resolution
color TouchView display. New additions include the easy-to-use Set List
mode for song-specific and gig-ready sound selection, and Korg's Smooth
Sound Transition feature. Plus, it includes Korg's finest RH3 keybed.
PRODUCTION - satisfying the producer, music director, and musician
For
many, the studio is where the work gets done; from laying down tracks,
to building up grooves for an on-stage extravaganza, to delivering the
soundtrack for today's media rich world. For these creative leaders,
Korg has equipped the Kronos Music Workstation's sequencer with 16-track
MIDI tracks, plus 16 audio tracks, Korg's Open Sampling System,
dazzling hi-fidelity effects, as well as flawless plug-in integration
with many popular DAW platforms. Kronos is also equipped with phenomenal
sound, dynamic drums, and an impressive array of premium sound effects.
Add to that the ability to use KARMA (explained below), the Drum Track,
and the sequencer's RPPR to greatly speed up and enrich the music
creation process.
SYNTHESIS - programming joy for the enthusiast and sound designer
In
addition to being Korg's premier workstation, Kronos has it in its
blood to satisfy the programmer, sound designer, and synthesizer
enthusiast; the musician who dreams of turning visions of the cosmos
into sound, of tweaking parameters to conjure invisible sounds from the
ether. Kronos rekindles Korg's founding dream that is at the core of
synthesis: the exhilaration and enjoyment of creating new sounds, sounds
never before heard. 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!
9 Synthesizer Engines, United in One Instrument
Kronos
contains 9 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 results are nothing less than
spectacular.
SGX-1 Premium Piano
Piano sound engine
To
accurately capture the rich character of a concert piano, 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 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, unlooped stereo samples sampled at 8 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,
and the SGX-1 engine allows Kronos to confidently deliver on this sonic
ideal.
EP-1 MDS Electric Piano
Electric piano sound engine
Korg's
new EP-1 sound engine is dedicated to faithfully recreating 6 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. The MDS
sounds respond smoothly to the subtleties of the player's keyboard
touch. This technology also delivers an astounding dynamic range so that
the energy of climactic passages is accurately preserved. Each of the 6
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. From the sounds, to
the touch, to the effects; every element has been coordinated in a
single package to create the ultimate electric piano experience.
CX-3 Tonewheel Organ
Tonewheel organ sound engine
The
original Korg CX-3 combo organ went on sale in 1980. Loved by musicians
around the world, this classic organ reappeared in 2000 as a new
product with the same name, but using the latest technology of the time
to faithfully model the tonewheel organ sound. In Kronos, the CX-3
engine precisely models this 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 tone
wheels 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. The organ sounds heard in legendary
performances—some recreated here by the original artists—are now yours
for the playing. Go ahead and experience these classic organ sounds,
reborn for the present day.
HD-1 High Definition Synthesizer
Flagship PCM, sampling, and Wave Sequencing sound engine
The
HD-1 was named"High Definition" because of its superior sound, starting
with Korg's proprietary low-aliasing sample playback oscillators,
full-bandwidth multimode resonant filters, and extraordinarily fast
& smooth envelopes and LFOs. Once again, Korg's 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.
Wave Sequencing
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.
Ambient Drums
The
HD-1 sound engine also includes Korg's "Ambient Drums." Take advantage
of this rich sample content to create incredibly realistic drum parts.
The Ambient Drums feature two kits. Each provides three different miking
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.
AL-1 Analog Synthesizer
High-fidelity analog modeling sound engine
Feature-packed,
the AL-1 is the same premium analog modeling sound engine that was
first featured on the Korg OASYS, the Open Architecture Synthesis Studio
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 unwanted artifacts. 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.
MS-20EX Legacy Analog Collection
Analog modeling sound engine
Debuting
in 1978, the MS-20 unified a 37-note keyboard with a vertically
oriented control panel, and was easily obtainable by those smitten by
expensive and gigantic furniture-sized synthesizers. With a thick and
solid sound, aggressive filters, and patching that opened up limitless
potential for creating sounds, the MS-20's rich personality captivated
countless synth freaks. Using Korg's CMT (Component Modeling Technology)
the MS-20EX faithfully reproduces the MS-20 while dramatically
expanding its patch panel functionality. Modulate filters with
audio-rate oscillators; turn audio inputs into control signals; control
all of the original knobs with mod sources including additional
envelopes, LFOs, and realtime controllers. It's a tweaker's dream, but
even without the patch panel, the MS-20EX would make waves with its
unique, aggressive tone—due in large part to its signature filters,
which are completely different from those in either the AL-1 or the
PolysixEX. The Kronos version is now very polyphonic.
PolysixEX Legacy Analog Collection
Analog modeling sound engine
The
Polysix first appeared in 1981, offering six-voice polyphony, program
memory, and a surprisingly competitive price tag. 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. Korg added
modulation of every control on the front panel, for a world of sounds
impossible on the original. It's also very well-suited to hands-on
control via the Kronos' Tone Adjust; with a knob, slider, or switch for
almost all of the original Polysix controls. As a bonus, it's also
capable of extremely high polyphony.
MOD-7 Waveshaping VPM Synthesizer
VPM/Waveshaping/PCM processing sound engine
Combine
Variable Phase Modulation (VPM), wave-shaping, ring modulation,
samples, and subtractive synthesis, plus a modular patch-panel system,
and you have the MOD-7. Exceptionally versatile, it offers everything
from classic FM keyboards, bells, and basses (including the ability to
import sounds from vintage DX synths) to rhythmic soundscapes and
sparkling, epic pads. Vast sample-mangling capabilities, with incredible
flexibility and power, let you create intensely rich processing
environments: combine multiple stages of filtering, waveshaping, and
ring modulation—even use samples as FM modulators—all patched together
however you like.
STR-1 Plucked String Synthesizer
Physical modeling sound engine
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. The STR-1 begins with highly
playable sounds whose tone responds to your touch in ways that are
difficult for a PCM sound engine to replicate. These include acoustic
guitar, electric guitar, harpsichord, clavinet, harps, bells, and ethnic
instruments. Then the STR-1 goes beyond, allowing the creation of
sounds that obey physical laws, but that don't exist in reality. Play
harmonics on a metal bar "plucked" by a piano or sing into a guitar
string—with the STR-1, it's all possible. You can also process samples
and live audio input through the physical model—including audio feedback
from any of the Kronos effects. While some of the Kronos engines look
back in time, this is a sound engine of the future, one that allows the
synthesizer programmer to construct truly new sounds.
Premier Artist Contributions
In
order to take full advantage of these 9 sound engines, Korg called on
respected musicians to guide their sound design team towards their
individual ideals. Responding positively, numerous world-class players
contributed their time, energy, and critical listening to help them zero
in on making the sound respond the way they hear it. Certain artist
signature sounds were tested, judged, and tweaked by the likes of Jordan
Rudess, Russ Ferrante, Lyle Mays, George Duke, Tom Coster, Jeff Lorber,
Frank McComb, John Novello, and several other artists known for their
serious love of sound and for their critical, demanding ears.
Features
- 9 sound engines, each offering a unique sound-creation technology
- 16-part Combis allow all engines to function together in perfect harmony Dynamic Voice Allocation keeps the polyphony high
- 73-key keyboard features Korg's finest RH3 Graded Hammer Action
- 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
- Smooth Sound Transition 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:
- 12 Insert effects
- 2 Master effects
- 2 Total effects
- 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
