Korg Kronos 73  E-mail this product to a friend

Korg Kronos 73 Workstation

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 new interactive performance features that reflect the way musicians play. Most importantly, KRONOS provides a seemingly inexhaustible supply of breathtaking, spectacular sounds.

Prepare to be Amazed

For nearly half a century, Korg has set the standard for technical innovation, leadership, and superior sound. Korg has created entire categories of musical products, and has produced some of the top-selling synthesizers and keyboard instruments ever; the instruments favored by musicians around the globe. In 1988, Korg defined the workstation category with the revolutionary M1. Today, in 2011, Korg redefines and reimagines the music workstation, revolutionizing the capabilities of the hardware instrument and exceeding the demands of the modern player: introducing the KRONOS Music Workstation.

Key Features:

• 9 Sound engines: SGX-1 Premium Piano, EP-1 MDS Electric Piano, CX-3 Tonewheel Organ, HD-1 High-Def Synthesizer, AL-1 Analog Synthesizer, MS-20EX Legacy Analog Collection, PolysixEX Legacy Analog Collection, MOD-7 Waveshapping VPM Synthesizer, and STR-1 Plucked String Synthesizer. A 16-part Combis allows all engines to function together in harmony and Dynamic Voice Allocation keeps the polyphony high.
• KARMA technology generates infinitely varibale performance-driven phrases, musical effects and backing tracks to catalyze your creativity.
• Comprehensive interface, based around a large 8" TFT TouchView display
• Virtual Memory Technology, adided by a last Solid State Disk, provides high polyphony and ultra-long, 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 on an easy-to-select screen
• Use up to 16-premium effects at once (12 Insert effects, 2 Master effects, 2 Total effects)
• The built-in sequencer offers 16 MIDI tracks + 16 audio tracks (24-bit, 48kHz recording quality)
• Expanded Dum Track for play-along grooves and inspiration

Nine Engine Overview:

SGX-1 Premium Piano
You’ve never heard pianos like this on any workstation. 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, 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.

EP-1 MDS Electric Piano
The new 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. The MDS sounds respond smoothly to the subtleties of the player's keyboard touch. This technology also delivers an astounding dynamic range – far superior to what one might expect from digital technology – so that the energy of climactic passages is accurately preserved. 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. 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
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 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. 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
Starting with 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.

AL-1 Analog Synthesizer
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 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.

MS-20EX Legacy Analog Collection
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 real-time 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. And of course the KRONOS version is now majorly polyphonic.

PolysixEX Legacy Analog Collection
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. We’ve 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
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 a sound engine of the future, one that allows the synthesizer programmer to construct truly new sounds.

Korg Kronos 73 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

Korg Kronos 73 Specifications:

Tone Generator
Synthesis Types: 9
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*1*2:
SGX-1: 100 voices*3
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

*1 Maximum polyphony depends on the kind of synthesis engines and the number of effects being used
*2 Kronos dynamically allocates voices to multiple synthesis engines when they are used simultaneously
*3 100 dual-stereo notes (It corresponds to 400 voices in the maximum)

Number of Programs/Combinations/Drumkits:
1,664 user memory programs (1510 or more [760 or more HD-1+750 or more EXi] come preloaded)
1,792 user memory combinations (448 or more come preloaded)
152 user memory drumkits (77 or more come preloaded)
256 GM Level2 preset programs+ 9 GM Level2 drum preset programs

Specification	Detail
Sound Engine Type(s)	9 sound engines
Number of Keys	73
Type of Keys	RH3 weighted
Other Controllers	4-way joystick, vector joystick, ribbon controller, vector joystick, nine sliders, eight knobs, various switches
Polyphony	Variable per engine, w/ dynamic allocation (eg: SGX-1 = 400 voices)
Wave Memory	Variable
Number of Presets	Preloaded: 1,536 programs, 480 combis, 78 drumkits, 265 GM
Expansion	9 (ROM, SGX-1, various instruments)
Number of Effects	185
Effects Types	Various
Arpeggiator	Yes
Sampling	Yes
Audio Playback	16-track playback
MIDI Sequencer	16
USB	2 x Type A (for connection to ext USB devices), 1 x Type B (MIDI)
Number of Audio Inputs	2
Audio Input Types	2 x TRS
Number of Audio Outputs	6
Audio Output Types	6 x TRS
Number of Digital Inputs	2
Digital Input Types	1 x S/PDIF, 1 x USB (both 2-channel)
Number of Digital Outputs	2
Digital Output Types	1 x S/PDIF, 1 x USB (both 2-channel)
MIDI I/O	In, Out, Thru, USB
Pedal Inputs	1 x damper (half-damper supported), 1 x assignable switch, 1 x assignable pedal
Height	5.71”
Width	48.94”
Depth	16.18”
Weight	44.75 lbs.
Power Supply	120V, int
Notes	8” color TouchView display
Manufacturer Part Number	KRONOS73