Korg Kronos X 88 Keyboard Synthesizer Workstation (88-Key)

No longer available at zZounds
Play an expanding universe of detailed Korg sounds from nine synthesis engines on the Kronos X's superbly playable, 88-key weighted hammer-action RH3 keybed.

The Korg Kronos X 88 features unparalleled Korg performance. Kronos X is a milestone in synthesis and workstation evolution; one that embodies fresh ideas and breakthrough technologies. Kronos X brings together multiple sound engines working in harmony and interactive performance features that reflect the way musicians play. Most importantly, Kronos X provides a seemingly inexhaustible supply of breathtaking, spectacular sounds.

SGX-1 piano includes eight stereo unlooped samples for each key; EP-1 electric pianos and the enhanced CX-3 organ; Korg's Waveshaping and VPM synthesis; HD-1 High Definition PCM; STR-1 Plucked String modeling; and three analog models. Kronos X includes 16 MIDI and 16 audio tracks, powerful sampling, KARMA, Drum Tracks, extensive effects, and more. Performance features include Smooth Sound Transitions and the powerful Set List mode! The updated Kronos X features a larger 62GB solid state hard drive, plus an additional GB of sampling RAM, many large sample libraries to be loaded simultaneously.

A peerless synthesizer packed with nine sound engines including realistic piano, richly expressive electric piano, tonewheel organ, digital synthesis, and powerful analog/physical modeling, all in a single unit. The Kronos X Music Workstation is the ultimate instrument for live performing musicians, for artists creating in a studio or computer-based production environment, and for musicians and sound designers seeking the ultimate synthesizer.

Live
Kronos X read more provides the absolute finest in keyboard sounds; accurate and responsive to the player's technique. The expansive control surface offers joysticks, sliders, knobs, switches, a ribbon controller, assignable pedal inputs, and of course Korg's high-resolution color TouchView(TM) display. Performance-oriented additions include their easy-to-use Set List mode for song-specific and gig-ready sound selection, and the Smooth Sound Transition feature. Plus, Korg has included their finest RH3 keybed on both the 73 and 88 key models for a solid performance; the 61 key enjoys the responsive action shared with the Korg M3-61.

Production
For many, the studio is where the work gets done; from laying down tracks, to building up grooves for an on-stage extravaganza, to delivering the soundtrack for today's media rich world. For these creative leaders, Korg has equipped the Kronos X Music Workstation's sequencer with 16-track MIDI tracks plus 16 audio tracks, their Open Sampling System, dazzling hi-fidelity effects, as well as flawless plug-in integration with many popular DAW platforms. Of course, Kronos X is equipped with phenomenal sound, dynamic drums, and an impressive array of premium sound effects. Add to that the ability to use KARMA, the Drum Track, and the sequencer's RPPR to greatly speed up and enrich the music creation process.

Synthesis
Simple, intuitive programming for the enthusiast and sound designer. In addition to being Korg' premier workstation, Kronos X has it in its blood to satisfy the programmer, sound designer, and synthesizer enthusiast; the musician who dreams of turning visions of the cosmos into sound, of tweaking parameters to conjure invisible sounds from the ether. Kronos X rekindles KORG's founding dream that is at the core of synthesis: the exhilaration and enjoyment of creating sounds, sounds never before heard! A variety of exclusive Korg technologies drive the synth engines to provide astounding results - CMT (Component Modeling Technology); Physical Modeling, Digital Synthesis, Wave Sequencing, MDS (Multi-Dimensional Synthesis); KARMA(R) and more!

Room to Expand

Since the Kronos appeared, Kronos Sound Library expansions have continued to be released. In order to let you take full advantage of these libraries, which offer selections with a different flavor than the preloaded programs and combis, the Kronos X doubles both the available RAM capacity to approximately 2GB and the SSD capacity to 62GB. Starting in March 2012, the KARO Sound Libraries from the German company KARO Sound Development have joined the list with twenty titles already available, further enhancing the value of the Kronos X. The Kronos X also contains the EXs 10 - 13 expansion sample series of Kronos Sound Libraries pre-installed in demo mode. After you've tried them out, you can obtain these rich sounds for yourself by simply purchasing a license key.

User Sample Banks

User Sample Banks let you create your own high-capacity sample libraries. Added in Kronos OS v2.0, User Sample Banks bring the benefits of KORG's EXs to your own custom sample libraries. You can load and play many gigabytes of your custom or converted samples at once, using the internal SSD. Disk and memory management is also improved: you can create subsets of User Sample Banks, and mix and match parts of different banks, without duplicating samples on disk. It's also easy to share sounds with friends and collaborators, since Programs, Wave Sequences, and Drum Kits maintain links to User Sample Banks even when samples are moved on disk or loaded onto a different Kronos instrument. Create your own samples, or import Akai and SoundFont 2.0 libraries using improved conversion features.

KORG's Rock-Solid Workstation Integration Puts it all Together

Packed with unlimited sound potential, Kronos X is much more than a synthesizer. Kronos X comes complete with all of the extras required of a modern workstation, plus so much more. From music production to live performance, the Kronos X Music Workstation integrates a world-class list of tools into a single, reliable instrument. Under the hood, all nine engines share the same hardware, with no separate cards to manage or polyphony barriers between them--and no "CPU overs" to worry about. Kronos X dynamically allocates power between the engines as you play, automatically and in real time, providing an integrated experience no PC can match. In addition, Kronos X smoothly functions as a plug-in with many popular DAWs, providing your studio with native, unprecedented sonic power.

KARMA
First appearing on KORG's Karma Music Workstation in 2001, this revolutionary algorithmic music technology instantly produces sophisticated phrases, drum grooves and full-blown backing tracks. Based on the notes and chords you play and the intuitive operations you perform with the knobs, sliders, and switches, you'll easily produce musical effects that exceed anything you imagined. Now in its greatly-enhanced second generation and offering features like KARMA Wave-Sequencing, Note Mapping and 8 scenes per layer, KARMA is standard equipment on your Kronos X. It will expand your conception of a song, and will be an enormous asset to your live performances.

*KARMA(R)Kay Algorithmic Real-time Music Architecture and the KARMA Logo are registered trademarks representing patented technology licensed from Stephen Kay, Karma Lab LLC.

Drum Tracks
Kronos X also borrows the Drum Track feature from the M3 and M50 Music Workstations. Drum Tracks can create everything from a simple reference beat to an outline rhythm track on up to a full-blown drum track for your music productions. Kronos X now includes professional drum performances from artists such as Ricky Lawson, able to generate grooves reproducing the distinctive feel of a pro drummer. Applications and extras have been unstintingly poured into this single feature. The Drum Track can go beyond rhythm machines, and is fully capable of standing on its own.

Open Sampling System
No matter whether you're in Program, Combination, or Sequencer mode, you can always use Kronos X to sample an external audio source, or to resample the performance of the Kronos X itself. User samples can be edited using operations such as truncate, normalize, time stretch, or time slice. Edited samples can also be exported in AIFF or WAVE format. You can also load external samples in AIFF, WAVE, SoundFont 2.0, and AKAI S1000/3000 formats via USB memory. By loading samples that you've previously created on other instruments or on a PC, you can set up your music production system on the Kronos X - no additional equipment required.

16-track MIDI sequencer / 16-track audio recorder
Kronos X 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 X itself and place the resampled WAVE 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. Plug in a USB CD-burner and assemble your album right from the TouchView display!

Premium-quality effects suite - use up to 16 simultaneously
Kronos X 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. Each effect offers 185 distinct effect types, covering every possible sound-shaping need. Examples include a high-resolution reverb, chorus, delay, guitar amp and cabinet modeling, even vocoding. Each effect provides up to 72 adjustable parameters, as well as numerous realtime modulation possibilities, delivering outstanding versatility. 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.

Performance Power!

In creating Kronos X, Korg listened to many musicians from around the world. Their goal was to change the way musicians interacted with their instrument to provide a more fluid, expressive, and natural experience. At one level, this meant providing a comprehensive yet intuitive control surface. But with Kronos X, they wanted to take these ideas even further, creating an instrument ideally suited to the way musicians play.

Set List screen provides single-touch selection, regardless of mode
The Set List screen lets you instantly recall your favorite programs, combinations, or song data with a single touch, regardless of mode. There are 128 Set List locations, and each one can have 128 slots. Sixteen of these slots appear at a time as buttons in the TouchView display, color-coded to ensure easy visibility even in dim lighting. This is a great convenience during a live performance or in the production workplace. You can also leave notes for yourself using the Set List page, to remember the key of a song, for example. The Set List also provides a stereo graphic EQ at the final stage of the main audio output, which can be used to compensate for the acoustical character of the performance venue.

Smooth Sound Transition eliminates dropouts when changing sounds
Kronos X features the Smooth Sound Transition technology. This powerful addition is designed to maintain any currently held, played, or sustaining notes (with their effects), helping to prevent drop-outs from occurring when you switch sounds or change from Program mode to Combi mode. A high level of technology has been applied to finally bring this sought-after ability to reality, fulfilling the requests of many musicians.

Enhanced, color TouchView display
KORG's TouchView graphical user interface is based on a large, color 8-inch (800 x 600 pixel) touch screen. The TouchView display is the centerpiece of KORG's intuitive design, providing easy-to-view information and simple touch control. In developing Kronos X, they also incorporated numerous images of actual instruments and their respective controls into the display, to ensure that the musician enjoys the feeling of playing an instrument - rather than controlling a machine.

Comprehensive Control
In addition to the parameters accessible directly from the TouchView display, Kronos X 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 nearby. Above the keyboard, nine sliders, eight knobs and a number of switches provide realtime interaction with features at the heart of the Kronos X's impressive sound. The damper pedal input supports half-damping, providing another level of piano realism. In addition to the damper pedal jack, there are also two assignable pedal inputs, one foot pedal type and one footswitch style.

KORG's Finest Keyboard Actions

The 61-key version features the same great-feeling, responsive semi-weighted keybed found in the M3-61 Music Workstation. Acclaimed for their solid feel and tactile response, these keys provide a seamless, expressive connection to the many forms of synthesis Kronos X provides. The 88-key model of the Kronos X features the same RH3 real weighted hammer action keyboard used on KORG's upper-end piano models and on the SV-1. The hammer weighting is graded, providing a heavier feel in the lower register and a lighter feel in the upper register, just as on a grand piano, offering superb playability. Boldly, the 73-key model also features this same RH3 keyboard, creating a more compact and transportable instrument that still provides superior piano and electric piano sounds teamed with an authentic piano touch. Kronos X is notable for its slim design, showing an integration of function and design.

Support for USB MIDI and Korg USB pad controllers
Kronos X supports connecting USB MIDI class-compliant controllers directly to it. For instance, you can use a Korg microKEY as an auxiliary synth-action keyboard for a Kronos X-73 or 88. Even better, KORG USB MIDI controllers with pads-including the nanoPAD, nanoPAD2, and padKONTROL-are automatically mapped to the Kronos chord pads, for playing and programming drums, triggering chords, and selecting and assigning chords for Chord Mode.

Kronos Editor and Plug-In Editor
Kronos X supports for the Kronos Editor and Plug-In Editor*, lets you edit and organize sounds from a Mac OS X or Windows computer. Plug-in operation allows you to save settings as part of your project with any VST-compatible Windows software, or any VST- or AU-compatible software on Mac OS X. The Kronos Editor and Plug-In Editor are available for free download at Korg's Kronos website.

*Please use Version 2.0 or later

High Speed Data Communication
This USB Ethernet functionality lets you use a commercially available USB Ethernet adaptor to transmit files and data easily and at high speed between the Kronos X and your computer. You can create backup files on your computer, send sample data at high speed from your computer to the Kronos X, and use your computer to manage data that's on the Kronos X's internal disk. By enhancing the integration with your computer it's now even easier to get your musical projects completed. By attaching a commercially available USB Ethernet adapter to the Kronos X, you'll be able to exchange data with your computer via a LAN cable. Standard FTP software for each operating system can be used.

Operation has been verified with the following USB Ethernet adapters:
- Apple MC704ZM/A
- CISCO Linksys USB300M
- TRENDnet TU-ET100C
- BUFFALO LUA3-U2-ATX
- BUFFALO LUA-U2-KTX
- BUFFALO LUA3-U2-AGT
- Planex UE-100TX-G3
- Logitec LAN-TX/U2B
- Logitec LAN-TX/U2H3
- I-O DATA ETX3-US2
- Logitec LAN-TX/U2H3
- I-O DATA ETX3-US2

Computer Connectivity
Kronos X can send MIDI signals to and from your computer via USB. Using the Kronos Editor software Version 2.0, or later (free download), sounds and settings can be edited directly from your computer. The Kronos Plug-in Editor (free download) lets you use Kronos X from within many popular DAW systems, as if it were a plug-in instrument. Kronos X can also be used as an audio I/O for your computer, sending and receiving two channels of audio via USB. In a music production system using your Kronos X and a computer, there is no need to purchase any additional hardware, creating the simplest possible set-up.

Versatile Array of Audio Inputs and Outputs
The Kronos X provides a total of six channels of audio input: 2 analog channels, 2 digital channels (S/P DIF optical, 48 kHz/24-bit), and 2 USB channels. As audio outputs, you have the 2 main channels (L/MONO, R) as well as four independent audio outputs, 2 digital channels (S/P DIF optical, 48 kHz/24-bit), and 2 USB channels (note: the 2 digital channels and 2 USB channels output the same signal as the main L/R output). All analog inputs and outputs support TRS balanced connections. The analog inputs provide a MIC/LINE select switch and an independent level control for each channel, offering the flexibility to meet any situation. In addition to the type-B USB connector used for communicating with your computer, there are two type-A USB 2.0 ports for use with external storage media such as flash memory, hard drives, or CD-R/RW and DVD drives. The output of the Kronos X can be resampled to a USB storage device such as a hard drive, or connected to USB CD-R/RW drive to create audio CDs.

Features

- 88 RH3 Graded Hammer Action keys with velocity and aftertouch
- Upgraded 62GB SSD, 2GB available RAM
- Easy-to-use interface with clear, intuitive control surface, 8 in. TFT color TouchView display
- 9 Synth engines sharing a stable, unified platform
- Sampling
- 16 Audio & 16 MIDI tracks
- KARMA
- Smooth Sound Transition prevents dropouts and effect anomalies as you switch between sounds
- Set List Mode places Programs, Combis, & Songs in a single screen for easy selection, even add text
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For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 631-390-6800
Web: https://www.korgusa.com/support

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars. (4 ratings)
Submitted January 14, 2014 by Anthony D in Rochester, NY

"Way to Go ZZ and Korg!"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I was 12 pay all the way....I mean after all this board is 4g's. Thanks to ZZ they set me up on the plan.... Kronos X is beyond any keyboard ever made....The content alone will keep you satisfied and busy for years to come. Especially if you like to program Synth's. Features: 2000+ sounds, over 180 effects types, 9 sound engines +Karma and Wave Sequencing. Sampling from optical or analog inputs, and one heck of a Audio/Midi Sequencer. Quality: Korg hits the mark for sure with this instrument. Sound: Impeccable! Ease of Use: 8" Color Touch Screen and nothing can permanently change your programs, combi's or setlists, or global settings unless you intentionally write to them. Value: Once you have in your hands you wont even question it. Manufacturer Support: Korg reps on the phone are not there to shoot the breeze, they like to get to the point. Which is understandable yet maybe a little cold.....lol Wow Factor: Lets just say, on delivery day. I stood outside for nearly 2 hours waiting for FedEx in NewYork, during the cold of Hercules and it was worth every min.

Musical Background:

Been playing board, since 1988...I play all styles, mostly without lyrics, because I enjoy music more than ranting about bs.

Musical Style:

Just about everything but country.
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