Offering full-length, unlooped samples of every key for a spectacular piano sound, this keyboard redefines your expectations for an instrument in this class. Taking its name from the Greek word meaning "color," Korg's Krome is the standard for sonic excellence in a gigging musician's keyboard, providing a limitless palette of sound to bring vivid inspiration to your music.
In addition to Korg's well-proven workstation features, Krome features a carefully chosen selection of the top sounds available today for bread-and-butter keyboard instruments such as piano and electric piano, as well as vital and dynamic drum kits, giving you the best of the basics. These highly usable piano, electric piano, and drum sounds by themselves set Krome apart from any other keyboard in its class. With sound quality and features normally found in much more expensive instruments, Krome aspires to set a whole new value standard, and become a unique and irreplaceable partner for real-world musicians.
Hear the Krome's Kronos-derived sounds in this video from Korg:
Spectacular Grand Piano Sounds
Piano sounds are critically important for nearly every keyboard instrument. Krome borrows the impressive "German D Grand" that was created for the Kronos flagship. In addition to the rich sound of 88 full-length unlooped stereo samples, damper resonance is also included. In fact, the PCM memory used for just this "German D Grand" alone occupies several times -- even several tens of times -- more memory capacity than the entire PCM memory used in a typical workstation or PCM synthesizer. Unless the original sound is impeccable, no amount of parameter editing can create an enjoyable playing experience. The Krome's piano is an example of Korg's passion for every musician to enjoy great sounds played on great instruments. This resonant, authentic, and realistic piano represents a major increase in quality for this class of keyboard.
Electric pianos offering expressive warmth and realism
For many keyboardists, the electric piano sound is just as critical as the acoustic piano sound. Krome features three types of electric pianos. Eight velocity levels have been used to ensure faithful response to the player's expression. Lavish amounts of PCM memory have been used for this purpose, to the extent that just one of these electric piano types contains more sample data than the entire sound memory of a typical PCM synthesizer. In addition, the vintage amps, cabinets, and classic effects so important to these timeless sounds have been realistically modeled, ensuring that everything from the touch to the final sound will be utterly enjoyable.
Studio-quality drum sounds
The built-in drum kits play a major role in song production on any music workstation. Krome contains the same "Jazz Ambience Drums" that can be found on the Korg Kronos. Taking advantage of the high-capacity PCM memory, these sounds capture a dramatically high level of response and realism. Adjusting the mix balance between the direct sound (a mic placed near the head or cymbal) and the ambient sound (recorded from a distant mic to capture the resonance of the room), allows you to create a rich drum sound that has exactly the balance and character that you want.
Colorful palette of sounds
In addition to piano, electric piano, and drums, Krome has a plentiful array of sounds to cover a broad range of styles that will meet a wide variety of needs. Stimulate your creativity by selecting any of the 640 Programs or 288 Combinations. Each one has been carefully created by professional studio and performing musicians to provide exceptional real-world use for both rich clean backing parts or soaring solos. Plus you can tweak, customize, create, and save your own sounds as well.
Realistic Drum Track Grooves
Simply pressing a single button turns on the Drum Track feature, providing realistic grooves played by professionals using the Krome's studio-quality drum sounds. Play along or incorporate them into your music production. In addition to more than 600 preset patterns inherited from Kronos, there's plenty of space for saving user patterns as well. Drum patterns can be created and used with the sequencer, as well as providing a rhythm guide while you play, or they can be used creatively in your live performances.
Dual Polyphonic Arpeggiators
In Combination mode or Sequencer mode, two arpeggiators can be running simultaneously. In addition to standard arpeggio patterns, these arpeggiators can generate guitar or bass riffs, drum patterns, or they can even be used as building blocks for sound design, to create pads, synth sounds, and sound effects that include subtle motion. You're also free to edit any of the patterns to create your own custom originals.
Workstation Wonderland
Krome has a full complement of the features you've come to expect from a Korg workstation, starting with the 16-track sequencer. But there's much, much more. Krome comes complete with a rich suite of tools to jumpstart your creative urges. There's the convenient Auto Song Setup function; if inspiration strikes while you're playing a program or combination, simply press the REC switch to start recording immediately. Each Template Song assigns popular sounds to sequencer tracks through pre-routed effects to match a specific musical genre. Achieve lightning-fast arrangements using Korg's Cue List, and build an armada of instant-access patterns using the RPPR (Realtime Pattern/Play Recording) feature. Go back and you can make any changes using the convenient piano-roll editing.
Awesome Effects
The all-important effect section provides up to five Insert effects, two Master effects, and one Total effect. In addition to great choruses, flangers, phasers, delays, and reverbs, the 193 effect types include dynamic processing effects such as compressor and limiter, evocative effects like the Grain Shifter and Talking Modulator, as well as amp modeling and speaker simulation effects using Korg's proprietary "REMS" modeling technology.
Natural Expression
The Krome 61 features a semi-weighted natural-touch keyboard; the great feel and response are ideal for playing everything from any style of piano, to dynamic organ performance, to pyrotechnic synthesizer solos.
Distinctive design
The dramatic dark colored body provides Krome with an elegantly curved profile. The top control panel is made using two aluminum panels of differing design. The result is a distinctive appearance that projects an unmistakable presence, even on a cluttered stage. In both looks and sound, Krome will make a strong impression on the audience.
Intuitive TouchView Interface
Krome's huge 800 x 480 pixel TouchView Color display can show numerous parameters at once, ensuring great visibility. Simply touch the screen to change sounds or edit parameters. Finger-drag editing is also supported, allowing you to use the on-screen sliders and knobs directly. Numerous functions take advantage of the TouchView interface, such as the piano roll editor, a stopwatch that's convenient for keeping track of a live performance, and a calculator keypad that is convenient for entering numerical values.
USB and SD Storage
You can connect Krome to your computer via USB to easily transfer MIDI data. You can also use an SD card (commercially available) to manage the Krome's data files.
Stand-alone and Krome Plug-in Editing Software
The Krome Editor and Krome Plug-In Editor allow you to edit your Krome from your computer while viewing large numbers of parameters simultaneously, or to use Krome in your DAW as if it were a software synthesizer.
Features:
- The Korg workstation ideal for any style of piano playing
- Kronos-derived full-length, unlooped piano and drum sounds, plus electric pianos designed to shine on stage
- Electric pianos with eight-level velocity switching for unmatched expressive power
- Clear, intuitive control with Korg's exclusive 7-inch color TouchView(TM) display
- Drums offering separately mixable direct and ambient sounds for studio-grade quality
- Drum Track plays back realistic, inspiring grooves at the touch of a button
- Expertly created, in-demand sounds including 640 Programs and 288 Combinations
- Powerful Effects with 5 Inserts, 2 Master, and 1 Total FX, plus per track/timbre EQ
- Distinctive aluminum panel design exudes a sense of quality
- USB connection to your computer, plus an SD Card slot for data storage
- You can use the Krome editor to edit sounds on your computer
zZounds is an authorized dealer of
Korg products.
Keyboard: - Krome 61: Natural Touch keyboard, semi-weighted, velocity-sensitive (C2-C7, transposable from C1-C6 to C3-C8)
PC System Requirements for Krome Editor/Plug-In Editor
Windows: - OS: Windows Vista SP2 and later (32- and 64-bit, all editions), Windows 7 (all editions, including 64-bit) - Computer: USB port required
Macintosh: - OS: Mac OS X 10.4.11 or later - Computer: USB port required
PC System Requirements for Krome Editor/Plug-In Editor Windows: - OS: Windows Vista SP2 and later (32- and 64-bit, all editions), Windows 7 (all editions, including 64-bit) - CPU: Intel Pentium III / 1 gHz or faster, Pentium D or later Core Duo recommended. - Memory: More than 512MB (Greater than 1 GB recommended) - Monitor: 1,024x768, at least 16-bit color - Others: Computer with USB port, running Windows 7, Windows XP, or Windows Vista
Macintosh: - OS: Mac OS X 10.4.11 or later (32-bit and 64-bit kernel modes supported) CPU: Late Apple G4 800MHz (Intel Mac supported); G5 or greater than Core Duo recommended - Memory: More than 512MB (at least 1 GB recommended) - Monitor: 1,024x768, at least 32,000 colors - Others: Apple Macintosh computer with USB port, running Mac OS X.
* Krome Plug-In Editor supports VST/RTAS in Windows, VST/ Audio Unit/RTAS in Macintosh. * Only a single instance of the Krome Editor or Krome Plug-In Editor can be used at once. * All other product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. * Specifications and appearance are subject to change without notice for improvement.
What Our Customers Are Saying About zZounds
"This is the first time I've shopped with zZounds and I couldn't have had a better experience. I was able to find what I was looking for easily, and the processing was simple and fast." - customer on May 7, 2013
zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
"Great Keyboard "
Overall:
For a while I've been wanting to add a synth action workstation to pair up with my sv-1. I considered the Kronos, but was held back due to the price. I tried a roland juno gi. While it had a great keybed and seemed to be built well, its functionality left me feeling I'd be done with it in a month. I promptly returned and decided to wait it out. The Krome was announced and I was pretty excited. We get the great piano and e-pianos from the Kronos mixed with the likes of an m50 with a better display. All this for a great price. While this certainly isn't a Kronos (still the edsx engine and not a sampler) it inspires me. When you tune into that perfect sound and hit the drum track or arp, you can really get caught in a great amount of creativity. This is exactly what I needed, and what the Juno couldn't quite deliver.
With that said, there are some cons. The keybed is not as good as the gi or the kronos in my opinion, but still good enough to get feel and not feel like you're going to break it. I wish the synth sounds were a little bigger. They are good, but after hearing what the Kronos can do, I'll always be wanting that.
The boot time is slow, so if you're a live performer keep this in mind. I understand this thing is just a computer anyway, so using it my apartment, this is not a con.
Lack of extraneous outputs like xlr or additional inputs.
Power button feels cheap
Has an external power supply (may be a pro for some).
No live set view (software update or upgrade Korg? I know this is possible).
With that said, this purchase was well worth it. Highly recommended for someone needing a entry level to mid level workstation.
Style of Music: classical, jazz, funk, pop.
6 of 7 people
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"Krome vs. MOX8"
Overall:
A lot of interest out there on which one to buy. I'm forturnate now to have both. The 61 Krome and the 88 key MOX8. This is my opinion. Not really a fanboy of either Yahama nor Korg, and mainly a guitarist wanting to refresh his keyboarding and songwriting/recording skills. Haven't got into the deep aspects of each board, which both seem extensive. So going on sounds alone...the Yamaha wins easily. It has a lot more to offer (over 1000 vs. 640?, greater variety, and the combo modes are very inspiring and downright cool in some cases. The Korg combos seem like quick layering and are mainly piano and something else. While I was expecting to be blown away by the much touted Korg uncompressed unlooped piano, that was the biggest dissapointment of all. There's still something about it that sounds artificial even compared to the Yamaha. Ya maybe its a little robust due to those aspects, but the phony sounding attack gets me. Yamaha does it much better, just wish they offered more piano varieties like the Korg. Korg's touch screen is great compared to the yamaha, but there's also a minute boot up time vs the 10 secs or so for the Yahama. I think no one minds the boot up time if the sound delivers, but I was left underwhelmed going through the Korg the first time. I control the Korg via the MOXs 88 weighted keyboard, which is obviously better, as the Korg's 61 keyboard does feel cheap, but understandable I guess giving all the features offered. I read where yamaha wins vs the 88 version of the Krome, but I can't comment. The yamaha controls it well, with no noticable difference in sound between the Korgs keys, which sometimes happens. As a side note, its interesting to note to my ear the IKmedia Piano Ipad app has a great a piano that gives both Yamaha and Korg a run for the money in realism...and theres a free version. To rap up the Korg is a nice board, and for what I paid for the 61 version I'm content. But having purchased the MOX8 a week earlier, I am very glad I bought it and did so in the 88 key version. I still look forward to spending more time with the Krome and will keep it. It does have some great patches that yamaha doesn't. But if I had to have just one, it would definitely be the Yamaha. Hope that helps...
Style of Music: all
10 of 13 people
(76.92%) found this review helpful. Did you?
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