KORG KRONOS 3 88-Key Workstation

Since its debut in 2011, the groundbreaking KRONOS has earned complete admiration from musicians worldwide, evolving through model updates and innovations shaped by the feedback from so many professional musicians using KRONOS on the biggest stages and studios around the world. Revered as the definitive keyboard for professionals and discerning amateurs, the KRONOS has consistently set the gold standard in performance, power and versatility. Now, by popular demand, the Korg KRONOS 3 is back—refreshed, refined, and ready to reclaim its place in the spotlight. With intuitive controls, access to over 300 premium Sound Libraries, and a suite of exclusive features, the newest KRONOS is designed to redefine what’s possible on any stage and in any studio.

NEW SOUNDS, UNMATCHED EXPRESSION

In addition to the thousands of included sound programs and combinations, the new KRONOS introduces 256 additional programs, carefully crafted to elevate your musical creativity. Central to this update are 128 brand-new sound programs, including a stunning Italian piano with gorgeous, transparent resonance, and the Tine EP I Early, an electric piano tone that authentically replicates the earthy, vintage sound of metal rod (tine) mechanisms. These additions, alongside FM electric pianos, versatile synth pads, lush leads, and more, give you a broad palette of truly useful sounds spanning every genre—from timeless classics to modern chart-toppers.

Complementing these are 128 expertly curated sounds from the KRONOS Sound Libraries. Developed in collaboration with 12 world-class sound designers, these sound programs include the best of their creations, handpicked to inspire and expand your sonic palette. This selection also features new piano voices ensuring KRONOS remains your ultimate go-to keyboard.

STREAMLINED CONTROL, UNPARALLELED INTUITIVENESS

The KRONOS control system has been meticulously refined over generations to deliver a performance interface as intuitive as it is powerful. Its layout—featuring eight real-time knobs, nine sliders, and a suite of performance controls—remains comfortably familiar, empowering musicians to focus on their craft and perform intuitively. At the heart of the interface lies the large, responsive TouchView display, now faster and more responsive than ever and offering at-a-glance access to vital information and settings. This seamless design ensures anyone familiar with previous KRONOS models can effortlessly dive in.

ENHANCED DESIGN FOR MODERN PERFORMANCE

While the hallmark features of KRONOS remain unchanged, its fourth-generation design introduces subtle yet striking updates. The powder-coated metal body offers exceptional durability and a premium tactile feel, while the refined black wood side panels add a sophisticated edge. These enhancements ensure KRONOS not only performs impeccably but also commands attention from any audience.

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 additional KRONOS Sound Libraries. These optional 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.

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 to create custom edits or to empower the ambitious sound designer

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 adds a dedicated nine-band graphic EQ, allowing the overall tone to be tweaked to match the venue. 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.

COLOR TOUCHVIEW DISPLAY

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 opening height of a grand piano lid to connecting patch cables 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.

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. Then you can 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.

FLAGSHIP RH3 WEIGHTED HAMMER ACTION

Both the 88- and 73-key KRONOS models use KORG’s finest RH-3 Real Weighted Hammer Action made in Japan. Offering an authentic and accurate piano feel, there are four zones, ranging from heavier to lighter, to provide a more true piano playing experience. Even the 88 key model is slim enough to place on a standard keyboard stand. The KRONOS achieves the perfect balance of functionality and design.

ADVANCED CONTROL SURFACE

In addition to the parameters accessible directly from the TouchView display, KRONOS also offers a wealth of realtime controllers to enhance any performance and to aid navigation. A four-way joystick, ribbon controller, and two assignable switches are located to the left of the keyboard. An additional Vector joystick is Ideally positioned for easy access. Above the keyboard, nine sliders, eight knobs and a number of switches provide real-time interaction with features at the heart of the KRONOS’ impressive sound. The damper pedal input jack supports half-damping, providing yet another level of piano realism. In addition to the damper pedal jack, there are also two assignable pedal inputs, one footpedal type and one footswitch style.

NINE SYNTHESIZER ENGINES, UNITED IN ONE INSTRUMENT

KRONOS harnesses nine distinct synthesizer/sound engines 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.

FEATURES:

• Nine Distinct Sound Engines including SGX-2 for premium piano sounds, EP-1 for electric pianos, and MOD-7 for FM synthesis, among others
• Enhanced SGX-2 Piano Engine features new Italian Grand and Berlin Grand sounds for realistic expression
• Large, 8-inch color touchscreen with touch-drag capability and parameter search with improved touch response
• Streamlined live performance with color-coded presets, real-time performance notes, and built-in EQ
• Seamless Sound Transitions (SST) eliminates audio dropouts when switching sounds
• Built-in 16-Track MIDI and audio recorder provide high-quality 48 kHz audio recording with integrated editing tools
• Real-time performance controls, including sliders, knobs, and joysticks