Korg Kronos MK3 (61 keys)

The KRONOS is the ideal stage and studio instrument for anyone who needs maximum flexibility, but does not want to compromise on sound quality, reliability and features. With no fewer than nine different sound engines, the KRONOS delivers high-quality sounds from all musical areas - and thanks to the huge and constantly growing number of additional sound libraries, it can be expanded again and again and tailored to individual needs. The SGX-2 engine specializes in authentic concert grand and upright piano sounds, including the typical mechanical background noises and resonances that acoustic instruments inevitably bring with them. In total, there are four different, high-resolution concert grand pianos of German, Japanese and Italian origin available ex works, each with 12 dynamic levels and with unlooped samples per Key for an outstanding sounding piano experience. The EP-1 engine is dedicated to the distinctive sound of classic vintage electric pianos with electromechanical sound generators such as reed plates or reeds. In addition to the typical background noises, suitable effect and amplifier models are also included, with which the most legendary electric piano sounds in music history can be effortlessly recreated. The CX-3 engine provides the player with an impressive reproduction of the KORG CX-3 tonewheel organ, whose drawbars can be operated intuitively using the nine faders of the KRONOS. Of course, suitable chorus, vibrato, drive and rotary effects are also included to complete the authentic organ experience. The Polysix EX Engine is a detailed reproduction of the KORG Polysix analog synthesizer, whose warm, full sound is ideal for musical genres from the 1980s and early 1990s, as well as for more modern synthwave productions. The same applies to the MS-20 EX Engine, which is a detailed adaptation of the iconic MS-20 analog synthesizer from the 1970s, whose unique and aggressive sound is still an integral part of countless legendary electronic music productions today. The KRONOS' large TouchView display even allows you to create virtual plug connections on the MS-20's patch panel, allowing you to design the signal path according to your own ideas. The AL-1 engine is also available for additional virtual analog sounds. With its complex options and authentic-sounding oscillators and filters, it creates velvety-soft pads, assertive leads and powerful basses. With the STR-1 engine, the KRONOS offers comprehensive physical modeling sound generation, in which the sounds are generated and modulated in real time using physical models. This type of synthesis is particularly suitable for creating plucked and bowed instruments whose virtual strings can be plucked, struck or bowed. The MOD-7 engine, on the other hand, specializes entirely in VPM/FM synthesis, which was particularly dominant in the music world of the 1980s, but has also recently experienced a true renaissance in the EDM area. In addition to brilliant bells and legendary electric piano sounds, it can also be used to generate dynamic pads and ultra-deep basses. In addition, it is possible to equip the engine's six operators with waveshaping or ring modulation oscillators as well as PCM samples, which guarantees almost infinite freedom when designing new sounds. "Last but not least," The HD-1 engine is a powerful sampling sound generator that can be used to create complex multisamples and play them over different keyboard and velocity ranges. This engine contains all sample-based sounds such as natural instruments, drums, percussion, choirs, etc. and can also be used to play your own samples. The latter can either be loaded into the instrument via USB stick or created yourself using the comprehensive internal sampler function. Separate audio and microphone inputs as well as an integrated USB audio interface are available for this purpose. The HD-1 engine also offers the option of wave sequencing, which is known from the classic KORG WAVESTATION from the 1990s and can generate rhythmic phrases and constantly changing pad sounds. All sounds generated with these nine engines can be combined with one another within the Combi mode, optionally as dynamically playable layer or split sounds with up to 16 individual instances. Such extensive combinations can then be organized in clear, color-coded set lists just like individual sound programs, and can even be called up using a foot switch if desired. Thanks to the practical "Smooth Sound Transition" function, sounds played do not break off when the sound program is changed, but rather fade out naturally, even if the new sound is already being played. The powerful on-board sequencer offers 16 MIDI and 16 audio tracks and is therefore also ideal as a practical player of click and backing tracks on stage. An extensive and flexibly adaptable effect section with a total of 16 effect slots (12 insert, 2 master and 2 total effects + 3-band EQ) is available for all areas, which can use a pool of 197 different effect types. The inspiring KARMA function, which is also on board the KRONOS, creates complex musical accompaniment phrases in real time, which can be controlled and adjusted intuitively using the faders and buttons in the controller section . For particularly expressive playing, the KRONOS provides a variety of playing aids and real-time modulation sources, including a velocity-sensitive keyboard with Aftertouch, freely programmable faders, knobs and buttons, an X/Y joystick, an additional vector joystick and an intuitive ribbon controller. Thanks to its optimized system architecture, the third generation works faster than ever before, which is noticeable in a significant reduction in start-up time, among other things. The TouchView display also reacts even faster to inputs, making the entire workflow feel noticeably smoother and more natural. The already extensive collection of ready-to-play preset sounds that has always distinguished the KRONOS has been expanded for this model to include hundreds of additional sounds from every imaginable musical style, so that the instrument is ready for use as soon as it is switched on for the first time - regardless of whether it is for studio productions, for band use or for rousing solo performances.