These aren't your typical synth strings. Rather than using old-school synthesis, the STR-1 plucked strings sound engine employs physical modeling — a high-tech form of sound generation that calculates the specific behavior of strings in motion to generate realistic guitar, harp, harpsichord, and ethnic stringed instruments in ways PCM/sample-based synths can't quite manage. What's more, this sound engine lets you dig in deep to create unique sounds entirely of your own. It's the perfect tool for anyone who loves getting tweaky and diving into sound design.
The Most Expressive Sounds You'll Play
How much time do you enjoy putting into getting great sounds from your keyboard that fit your playing style? If you're like most of us, then the answer is none. That's why keyboardist and composers love the Kronos. This amazing keyboard workstation features sounds that respond naturally, not only to playing dynamics but many other factors as well. From the first time you fire it up, sit down, and play, you'll be in love with this amazing system.
All of this is only possible thanks to powerful synthesis technologies, many of which were developed specifically for the Kronos. Onboard, you'll find many signs of this tech, including solid-state storage and memory. That's the driving force behind Korg's Virtual Memory Technology, a flexible system that provides you with high polyphony as well as incredible unlooped samples. It also allows the Kronos to perform smooth sound transitions, so you can hold sustain notes while switching sounds or modes — just what you need for seamless transitions from one passage to the next.
Music-production Studio Onboard
More than just an amazing performance keyboard, the Korg Kronos is a complete 32-track music creation workstation. In addition to a robust 16-track sequencer, Korg gave their Kronos series keyboard the capacity to record up to 16 audio tracks as well. That means you get a complete studio-standard, 24-bit/48kHz recording system right inside your workstation!
Want to spice up your tracks? No problem! Your Kronos comes with an entire rack full of effects, each of which more than rivals dedicated standalone effects units. Since you can run up to 16 of these fantastic effects at once, it's easy to enhance your entire songs. And thanks to the Kronos's Open Sampling System, you can even sample and resample any sounds you create. Talk about a great way to come up with amazing and unique new sounds.
Get Your Hands on Your Sounds
Long known for their easy-to-use workstation environments, Korg raised the bar again by loading their Kronos series keyboards with abundant hands-on controls. Starting with the large 8" TouchView display, you'll find navigating through the Kronos environment to be refreshingly simple. Each contextual menu puts all of the most important controls at your fingertips, so you never have to dive in deep to get the results you want.
A complete set of sliders, knobs, and buttons lets you adjust a wide range of parameters on the fly. Whether you're tweaking tones or mixing a complete song, you're sure to appreciate these extensive controls. On that note, there's a touch-activated ribbon and Korg's fantastic vector joystick onboard, providing you with a massive amount of expression. What's more, your Kronos includes Korg's next-gen KARMA technology, so you don't even need to touch any controls to get realistic real-time accompaniments that let you focus on your own performance.
Features:
- Comprehensive keyboard workstation with 9 sound engines, thousands of sounds and effects, extensive hands-on controls, and everything you need to arrange and create original music onboard
- 88-note semi-weighted action keyboard provides the quick response and recovery you need for fast-paced synth and organ performances, with enough resistance for piano parts as well
- SGX-2 sound engine takes a no-compromises approach to acoustic piano sound, featuring complex, full-sample synthesis to deliver the character of famous German and Japanese grands, including string resonance and una corda modeling
- EP-1 sound engine employs Korg's cutting-edge Multi-Dimensional Synthesis (MDS) technology to simulate the precise behavior of reed and tine electric pianos, along with effects and more
- CX-3 sound engine perfectly models timeless tonewheel organ sound, complete with a full complement of vintage effects, tube-amp warmth, and rotary speaker cabinet emulation
- HD-1 sound engine leverages decades of PCM digital synthesis developments to produce wavetable tones ranging from perennial classics to unparalleled futuristic synth sounds
- MS-20EX sound engine utilizes Component Modeling Technology (CMT) to recall Korg's classic MS-20 semi-modular monosynth down to its finest details, including external input routing
- PolysixEX sound engine faithfully re-creates the original 1981 Polysix, including its 6-voice polyphony, aggressive 4-pole filter, and onboard effects
- AL-1 sound engine puts legendary OASYS technology into action, mimicking the behavior and response of classic analog synth hardware while including modern functions such as filter morphing, complex waveforms, and more
- MOD-7 sound engine uses waveshaping VPM/FM synthesis to generate everything from the classic electronic piano sounds found in countless '80s ballads to unique and evolving pads and sound beds
- STR-1 sound engine uses advanced physical modeling to synthesize virtual plucked strings for guitar, harp, harpsichord, ethnic instruments, and many other creative sound-design applications
- Sounds include numerous artist signature programs created by top musicians and 16-part Combis with complex sounds covering multiple engines
- Massive 62GB solid-state storage comes pre-loaded with 21GB of sound content covering thousands of sounds, programs, and songs
- Dynamic Voice Allocation manages polyphony for realistic sound layering to keep your performances sounding natural
- Enormous 8" 800px x 600px SVGA TouchView display makes navigation easy while providing you with detailed feedback and parameter control
- Set List mode lets you organize Programs, Combis, and Songs into a single, easy-to-select screen
- Comprehensive onboard songwriting platform includes powerful 16-track sequencing and 16-track audio recorder, allowing you to create entire songs via an intuitive workflow
- Advanced Kay Algorithmic Real-time Music Architecture (KARMA) technology provides natural-sounding and responsive accompaniment that adapts to your style as you play
- Complex yet easy-to-use drum tracks from the M3 synthesizer allows you to quickly add compelling drums and rhythmic elements to your music
- Create your own unique sounds via the onboard Open Sampling System, which takes external sounds or internal samples to create new instruments
- Enhance your sounds with 16 extensive onboard effects processors and 12 insert effects, plus a 3-band EQ for every track
- USB/MIDI host ports let you instantly add MIDI control surfaces directly to your workstation for even greater hands-on control
- Onboard performance controls include Korg's classic 4-way Vector joystick and a responsive ribbon controller, as well as two pedal inputs with half-damper support
- Slim body looks great, travels well, and fits on any keyboard stand for comfortable live gigging — 16 pounds lighter than the standard Kronos 88!
- USB Ethernet adapter compatibility enables high-speed data transfer between Kronos and your computer and lets you access the Kronos Editor and Plug-in Editor software