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Description
Unleash your creative potential with the Korg Kronos 88 - 1st Edition, a powerhouse synthesizer designed for both the studio and the stage. This flagship workstation is a tribute to Korg's legacy of innovation, boasting nine distinct synthesis engines that offer an expansive palette of sounds—from lush acoustic pianos to gritty analog synths. The Kronos 88 is engineered with RH-3 Graded Hammer Action keys, providing an authentic piano feel that enhances playability, whether you're performing delicate classical pieces or energetic rock anthems.
At the heart of the Kronos is its intuitive 8" TouchView color display, which simplifies navigation and sound selection, complemented by a robust control surface with knobs, sliders, and joysticks for real-time sound manipulation. The workstation is not just about performance; it’s a complete music production hub, featuring a 16-track MIDI sequencer and a 16-track audio recorder, allowing for seamless creation and integration of complex compositions. With advanced KARMA technology and a comprehensive library of effects, the Kronos 88 enables musicians to craft unique soundscapes and textures.
Whether you're in the studio or on stage, the Kronos ensures smooth transitions between sounds and modes, thanks to its Smooth Sound Transition feature. Connectivity is a breeze with multiple audio and MIDI options, including USB compatibility for easy integration into any digital audio workstation.
Key Features:
- 88 RH-3 Graded Hammer Action keys for authentic piano performance
- Nine synthesis engines, including SGX-1 and EP-1 piano engines
- 16-track MIDI sequencer and 16-track audio recorder
- 8" TouchView color display and extensive control surface
- Smooth Sound Transition feature for seamless sound changes
- Advanced KARMA phrase-generating technology
- Comprehensive connectivity with USB, MIDI, and audio I/O options
Product specs
| Number of keys | 88 Weighted |
| Key size | Full |
| Aftertouch / Velocity | Both |
| Polyphony (max) | 200 |
| VCO | 2 low aliasing |
| VCF | 2 (HP and LP) I/O |
| Envelope Generator (EG) | 2 |
| Included presets | 2000 + |
| User preset slots | 2000 + |
| Output | ¼ in. L/R, 4 x ind. out |
| MIDI Connectivity | MIDI In/Out |
| Line input | ¼ in. TRS |
| USB Connectivity | Yes |
| Headphone out | Yes |
| Other | S/P DIF |
| Sequencer | 16 track |
| Arpeggiator | Yes |
| Display | 8 in. color touch screen |
| Effects | 12 Insert, 700 + presets |
| Pitch bend/Modulation | Both |
| Width | 56.4 in. |
| Height | 5.3 in. |
| Depth | 14.6 in. |
| Weight | 53 lb. |
FAQs
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Is the Korg Kronos 88 - 1st Edition suitable for live performances?
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Yes, the Korg Kronos 88 is highly suitable for live performances due to its 88-key weighted hammer action keyboard, robust synthesizer engine, and extensive audio I/O options, making it versatile for various musical settings.
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What type of connectivity options does the Korg Kronos 88 offer?
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The Korg Kronos 88 provides MIDI In/Out, USB connectivity, ¼ inch line inputs and outputs, and S/P DIF, allowing for comprehensive integration with other audio equipment and digital workstations.
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How many sounds and presets are available on the Korg Kronos 88?
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The Korg Kronos 88 comes with over 2000 included presets and offers more than 2000 user preset slots, providing a wide array of sounds for creative exploration.
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Does the Korg Kronos 88 have a built-in sequencer?
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Yes, the Korg Kronos 88 features a 16-track sequencer, enabling complex compositions and arrangements directly on the workstation.
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What are the standout features of the Korg Kronos 88's sound engine?
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The Korg Kronos 88 boasts a massive synthesizer engine with 200-note polyphony and multiple synthesis types, offering rich and diverse soundscapes for any genre.
Videos
Korg
Korg Kronos Music Workstation- Official Product Introduction
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Korg Kronos 88 - 1st Edition.
Features and functionality
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Kronos excels as a MIDI controller with extensive routing and splitting options, making it ideal for integrating external instruments.
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Roland Fantom 0 offers 90+ FX effects, including Juno 106 chorus and SRV-2000 reverb, with each zone having an individual effect slot.
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The Roland Fantom 0 includes 16 zones per scene, allowing extensive splits and layers, with drum pads enabling zone switching.
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The Roland Fantom 0 allows scene chains for managing setlists, with 100 chains and 512 scenes each, offering practical options for gigging musicians.
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Users report difficulty with the interface; settings like MIDI channel adjustments for sustain pedal are not intuitively organized.
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Use cases and applications
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The Roland Fantom 0 is noted for being lightweight, with the 88-note version weighing 30 lbs, enhancing portability for live gigs.
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The Kronos is favored by musicians who sample its pad sounds into software like Kontakt for ongoing use in digital setups.
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The Kronos is particularly suited for performers who prefer to prepare custom presets instead of making adjustments onstage, appealing to meticulous musicians.
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Owners suggest maxing out RAM and adding SATA disks for enhanced performance if sound design is a priority.
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Comparisons
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The Korg Nautilus is considered a simplified version of the Kronos, with reduced physical controls but retaining essential features.
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The Nord Stage 4 offers fully-weighted keys with real instrument samples and multiple synth layers, while the Nord Wave 2 provides semi-weighted keys with dedicated volume faders.
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Kronos pianos are praised for features like sympathetic resonance and progressive damping, enhancing realism for classically trained pianists.
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A Roland RD-2000 or Nord offers more versatile pianos and organs, despite having limited synth sections compared to the Kronos.
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User experience
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Kronos has a boot-up time of several minutes, which can be inconvenient during live shows if power outages occur.
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Users note the Kronos may sound thin through PA systems, suggesting it might be optimized for headphone use rather than live performance.
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Some users sell due to stiff action, preferring semi-weighted versions or alternative setups for organ and synth work.
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Build quality
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Some find the action too springy despite being weighted like a grand, making it feel heavy and awkward to play.
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Value and pricing
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Used Korg Kronos 88 models can be found around $2,000, often with additional sound libraries influencing price perception.
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5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 2 Ratings
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Korg Kronos 88 - 1st Edition, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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