Launched in 2011, the Korg Kronos set a new benchmark for keyboard workstation performance. Kronos 2, introduced in 2014, further raised the performance bar and became the workstation of choice for A-list artists like Jordan Rudess and Derek Sherinian. But technology marches on, and now the third-generation Korg Kronos 3 leverages the latest cutting-edge tech to deliver a level of stunning sound quality and seamless operability unimaginable only a few years ago. Music Experience is excited to present to you the state of the art in keyboard workstations: Kronos 3.
To suit a range of keyboardist preferences, Korg offers Kronos 3 with your choice of three keybeds. The 88- and 73-key models are fitted with Korg’s flagship Japan-crafted RH3 (Real Weighted Hammer Action 3) keybed, whereas the 61-key model features Korg’s smooth Natural Touch semi-weighted action with aftertouch. Whichever you select, you can be assured of flawless playability. While the classic features of Kronos carry forward, this next-generation design incorporates subtle yet striking updates. Its powder coated metal chassis boasts tour-tough durability and an upscale tactile feel, while the elegant black wooden end panels add a sophisticated touch. These enhancements ensure Kronos not only performs like a champ but also commands instant attention from your audience!
Kronos set the standard for modern technology-laden keyboard workstations, and each successive generation has upped the ante in this regard. Like its forbears, Kronos 3 packs the awesome power of nine separate sound engines — each driven by a distinct synthesis type — to serve up a staggering range of sounds spanning virtually all instrument categories, from vintage to modern. But the latest developments in the technology underpinning each of these synthesis types allow Kronos 3 to deliver its immense soundset with a sonic verisimilitude and sophistication heretofore unheard.
From acoustic instruments to gritty analog synths, the nine synthesis engines powering Kronos 3 can provide every sound you need. Simply put, if you took any of these individual synth engines and loaded them into an independent keyboard, you'd have a perfectly legitimate instrument most professional performers would be happy to play. All put together, however, this multifaceted synthesis environment lets you access thousands of sounds and layer them into rich and engaging music beds. This allows for deep and complex sounds and full instrumental arrangements, all without the need to switch presets or pre-recorded backing tracks. Check out these spectacular synthesis engines!.
SGX-2 Premium Piano sound engine captures every nuance of real German and Japanese grand pianos. Even the most discerning pianist can appreciate the level of detail Korg put into these pianos, which include breathtaking string resonance modeling that responds flawlessly to the way you use the damper pedal and provides true sympathetic harmonics. Another astonishing thing about the SGX-2 engine is its una corda soft pedal response. Literally meaning “one string,” the soft pedal on Kronos lets you completely shift the piano action to access a whole additional range of timbres you rarely find on even dedicated digital pianos.
Love the sound of classic electric pianos? Whether you're looking for the bark and bell-like sound of steel reeds and electrostatic pickups or the hard and percussive sounds of hammers on tines, Korg's EP-1 captures every vintage EP sound you crave. The key to this astonishing realism is Korg’s proprietary Multi-dimensional Synthesis (MDS) technology, which eliminates the unnatural sound of looped samples to provide seamlessly smooth dynamics that respond naturally to your touch. In addition to six distinct electronic piano models, the EP-1 engine includes a collection of amp, cabinet, speaker, and effects models you can use to completely define your sound.
Of course, you can't have amazing electronic pianos and forget to include a collection of classic organs. That's why Korg had to include their CX-3 tonewheel organ sound engine. If you're already familiar with Korg's popular digital organs, then you won't be surprised to hear this sound engine in action ... or maybe you will be, since it comes coupled with all of the advanced processing Kronos has to offer. To quickly craft iconic tonewheel sound, pull out all the stops (or just some of them to taste) using the nine top-panel sliders, add vacuum-tube-amp warmth, toss in some essential vintage effects, and top it off with must-have rotary speaker modeling, and you're off to a good start. And that's not taking into account the interactive percussion, instability, fold-back, leakage, and minutia modeled in obsessive detail that delivers a level of realism that's simply jaw-dropping.
Few companies have produced PCM-based synthesis engines for nearly as long as Korg, which is why it's no surprise that their HD-1 PCM-based synthesizer engine is such an astonishingly powerful sound generator. The natural successor in a lineage going back to the original M1, this sound engine includes a legacy of popular Korg instruments, including many programs left out of previous keyboards due to memory constraints that are no longer an issue. At the same time, this collection of sounds isn't just a history lesson in Korg classics; it benefits from modern technologies such as low-aliasing sample playback oscillators, high-res filters, and many other synthesis components that will redefine the way you think about traditional digital synthesis.
It hardly gets more classic than the Korg MS-20 analog synthesizer, so when we heard the Kronos's MS-20EX analog modeling sound engine in action, the synth nuts here at Music Experience were gobsmacked. Korg has since gone on to re-create the MS-20 in multiple other guises, including an iOS version. Nonetheless, the impressive power of Korg's Component Modeling Technology (CMT) delivers a level of detail that reproduces this favorite mini modular synth more faithfully than ever. What's more, there are no limits to this sound engine, which allows you to go so far as to use external audio as the oscillator source, if you want. There are millions of creative ways to but the MS-20EX engine to work in your rig!
When Korg goes big, they go WAY big, like when they introduced the OASYS (Open Architecture Synthesis Studio) in 2005. Considered by many to be the Korg's concept car, the OASYS introduced many new technologies that were way ahead of their time — so far ahead, in fact, that they're still being explored and developed two decades later! One of the sound engines introduced by this beast and leveraged to the max by Kronos 3 is AL-1, a high-fidelity analog-modeling synth that harnesses modern computer processing to combine complex waveforms, routing, and modulation, with filter morphing and creamy-smooth oscillator performance to let you build deliciously analog-sounding programs that go leaps and bounds beyond the capabilities of real analog circuitry.
Variable Phase Modulation (VPM) hit the keyboard world in 1995 with the introduction of Korg's Prophecy and gained even more popularity when their Z1 followed a couple of years later. This fusion of PCM cross modulation, semi-modular subtractive synthesis, and extensive waveshaping all comes together in the MOD-7 sound engine, which uses the Kronos's powerful graphic interface and hands-on controls to make constructing patches easy. Whether you're after the ping and chime of classic FM electric piano sounds or want to create your own energizing soundscapes or rhythmic pads, there's a ton of sonic real estate to explore in the MOD-7.
These aren't your typical synth strings. Rather than using old-school synthesis, the STR-1 plucked strings sound engine employs physical modeling — a high-tech form of sound generation that calculates the specific behavior of strings in motion to generate realistic guitar, harp, harpsichord, and ethnic stringed instruments in ways PCM/sample-based synths can't quite manage. What's more, this sound engine lets you dig in deep to create unique sounds entirely of your own. It's the perfect tool for anyone who loves getting tweaky and diving into sound design.
How much time do you enjoy putting into getting great sounds from your keyboard that fit your playing style? If you're like most of us, then the answer is none. That's why keyboardist and composers here at Music Experience love Kronos. This fantastic keyboard workstation features sounds that respond naturally not only to playing dynamics, but to many other factors as well. From the first time you fire it up, sit down, and play, you'll be in love with this system. All of this is only possible thanks to powerful synthesis technologies, many of which were developed specifically for Kronos. One of these is Korg's Virtual Memory Technology, a flexible system that provides you with high polyphony as well as incredible un-looped samples. It also allows Kronos to perform smooth sound transitions, so you can hold sustained notes while switching sounds or modes — just what you need for seamless transitions from one passage to the next.
More than just a superb performance keyboard, the Korg Kronos is a complete 32-track music creation workstation. In addition to a robust 16-track sequencer, Korg gave Kronos the capacity to record up to 16 audio tracks as well. That means you get a complete multitrack recording system right inside your workstation! Want to spice up your tracks? No problem! Your Kronos comes with entire racks packed with premium studio-grade effects, each of which more than rivals dedicated standalone effects units. Since you can run multiple effects at once, it's easy to finesse entire arrangements into finished masterpieces. And thanks to the Kronos's Open Sampling System, you can even sample and resample any sounds you create. Talk about a great way to come up with amazing and unique new sounds!
Long known for their easy-to-use workstation environments, Korg raised the bar again by loading Kronos with abundant hands-on controls. Starting with the large 8-inch color TouchView display, you'll find navigating through the Kronos environment to be refreshingly simple. Each contextual menu puts all of the most important controls at your fingertips, so you never have to dive in deep to get the results you want. A complete set of sliders, knobs, and buttons lets you adjust a wide range of parameters on the fly. Whether you're tweaking tones or mixing a complete song, you're sure to appreciate these extensive controls. On that note, there's a touch-activated ribbon and Korg's fantastic vector joystick onboard, providing you with a massive amount of expression. What's more, your Kronos includes Korg's next-gen KARMA technology, so you don't even need to touch any controls to get realistic real-time accompaniments that let you focus on your own performance.
Whether you’re a professional keyboardist or aspire to be one, Kronos 3 is the definitive instrument for ultimate musical expression, both onstage and in the studio. With its intuitive, hands-on control set and instant access to over 300 premium sound libraries, plus a suite of exclusive features, Kronos 3 completely redefines the concept of the keyboard workstation — an instrument category Korg created nearly four decades ago with the legendary M1 in 1988. Since then, evolving through updates and new innovative models, Korg workstations have been fixtures in world-class studios and are heard on countless iconic recordings. Revered as the gold standard by professional keyboards and aspiring amateurs alike, Kronos has consistently set standards for sound quality, versatility, and sheer power.
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 KRONOS 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.
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.
KRONOS comes preloaded with a treasure trove of iconic sounds from the KRONOS Sound Libraries.
Additionally, KRS-06 and KRS-06B CX-3 Signature Sounds—a joint collaboration between KORG and some specially chosen top-tier organists—bring 256 CX-3 organ programs to your fingertips, preloaded and ready to play. This collection of timeless sounds ensure every performer, from soloists to ensemble players, has access to the best KRONOS has to offer.
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.
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.
KRONOS takes performance efficiency to new heights with its significantly improved startup process. Thanks to a reengineered system architecture, startup time is now 60% faster than previous models, drastically reducing downtime. Coupled with an enhanced TouchView interface, KRONOS provides unmatched responsiveness, ensuring every interaction feels instantaneous and intuitive.
KRONOS is more than an instrument—it’s a commitment. Since its inception in 2011, every mode of KRONOS has received substantial updates while ensuring compatibility and continuity across generations. KORG’s dedication to long-term support ensures all KRONOS systems can utilize the many and varied KRONOS Sound Libraries, preserving your investment and enabling seamless upgrades when hardware is refreshed. For previous KRONOS and NAUTILUS owners, KORG will release a Soundpack in the second half of 2025 that brings the latest KRONOS sounds to earlier models, ensuring every musician can benefit from KORG’s ongoing innovations. *Two types of preloaded data are available for the new model to support both KRONOS 1/X and KRONOS 2, in either program order. **Austrian Piano, Italian Piano, etc., which are not included in early models, can be used by purchasing Sound Libraries.
The KRONOS Sound Libraries, a library of extended sound samples and programs has been released steadily since the first KRONOS was introduced, and boasts a lineup of more than 300 titles, each with a unique selection that is different from the preloaded programs in the main unit. These titles can be purchased separately and used with all KRONOS products. The KRONOS Sound engine is designed to accommodate any genre of music, and to be used in a variety of situations by any user. The KRONOS Sound Libraries allow you to find and purchase your preferred sounds and genres that are not included in the main unit, and change your KRONOS to your liking. The KORG Shop, which sells these libraries, allows you to search for your favorite titles by instrument category (Piano, Strings, Bass, etc.), year of release, price range, and developer name. There are two types of libraries: the EXs library, which includes PCM, and the KRS library, which includes only program data. Each of these libraries also include demo sounds and demo videos, so you can find the sound you are looking for. For users who own multiple KRONOS units, this library is also attractive because each unit can be registered with a KORG ID so that a license for one title can be shared by up to three KRONOS** units.
The KRONOS piano engine has always offered the highest quality non-looped/natural decay stereo samples, recorded for every key, with additional unique tools to customize the piano to your needs. Inheriting all of this SGX-1 functionality, the new enhanced SGX-2 Grand Piano engine introduces the new Berlin Grand piano to the existing deep German Grand and lively Japanese Grand. The Berlin Grand offers resonant piano sound with a striking sense of depth. In addition to these three pianos, it is equipped with a gorgeous and transparent Italian Grand - four very different Grand Pianos to choose from. Other enhancements to the SGX-2 engine included Sympathetic String Resonance and newly-recorded Una Corda (soft pedal – literally “one-string”) samples.
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 120*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.
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!
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.
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.
In addition to MIDI and Audio tracks, the onboard sequencer is loaded with valuable tools to transform your musical ideas into a complete composition, using realtime and interactive techniques that are unavailable or cumbersome to use on a computer-based system.
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—KARMA can create 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 new KRONOS. It will expand your conception of a song, and will be an enormously inspiring creative asset for all composing.
First introduced in the highly acclaimed M3 music workstation/synthesizer that launched in 2007,Drum Tracks is now featured in the new KRONOS. Drum Tracks can create everything from a simple reference beat or outline rhythm track up to a full-blown drum track. Expanded for use in the KRONOS, Drum Tracks now includes professional drum performances, and generates grooves that capture the distinctive feel of a pro drummer, challenging the capabilities of stand-alone drum machines.
Using KORG’s Open Sampling System, KRONOS can quickly sample an external audio source, regardless of whether KRONOS is in the Program, Combination, or Sequencer modes. The Open Sampling Mode can even resample the performance of the KRONOS itself. The user sample bank, which extends the convenience of the EXs sample library to user samples, allows custom samples to be loaded and played, taking advantage of the large SSD capacity. AIFF, WAV, SoundFont 2.0, and AKAI S1000/3000 format samples can be loaded into memory via USB memory. Additionally, you can use a USB Ethernet adapter to exchange large amounts of sample data with your computer at high speed. Instruments or samples that you've previously created on your PC can be used to construct a music production setup based on just the KRONOS.
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!
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.
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 modeI
When you switch program sounds during a performance to get ready for the next section, or when you switch from Program mode to Combi mode, the sound that's currently being output is always given priority and its effects are maintained during the program change, ensuring a seamless transition with no dropouts, something that has also earned extremely high praise from pro musicians.
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.
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.
| Type |
Synthesizer Workstation |
|---|---|
| Sound Engine Type(s) | 9 x Tone Generators: SGX-2, EP-1, HD-1, CX-3, STR-1, MOD-7, MS-20EX, PolysixEX |
| Analog/Digital | Digital |
| Number of Keys | 88 |
| Type of Keys | Real Weighted Hammer Action 3 (RH3) |
| Other Controllers | Vector Joystick, Joystick, Ribbon Controller, Switches 1/2 |
| Polyphony | Up to 200-voice (CX-3) |
| Number of Presets | 1792 memory programs, 78 drum kits |
| Oscillators | 2 x VCOs (saw, pulse, PWM), Ring Mod, Pink |
| Envelope Generator | 1 x ADSR, 2 x Multi-stage |
| Effects Types | 3-band EQ, Phaser, Chorus, Flanger, Red Comp, VOX Wah |
| Arpeggiator | Yes, MIDI-synced |
| Sampling | 24-bit/48kHz |
| Audio Playback | 16-track, 200 Songs |
| Sequencer | 16-track, MIDI |
| Audio Inputs | 2 x 1/4" TRS (mic/line) |
| Audio Outputs | 2 x 1/4" TRS (L/mono, R), 4 x 1/4" TRS (individual 1-4) |
| Digital Inputs | 1 x Optical Toslink (S/PDIF) |
| Digital Outputs | 1 x Optical Toslink (S/PDIF) |
| USB | 1 x Type B (audio/MIDI), 2 x Type A (device/memory) |
| MIDI I/O | In/Out/Thru/USB |
| Pedal Inputs | 1 x 1/4" (damper), 1 x 1/4" (switch/assignable), 1 x 1/4" (pedal/assignable) |
| Power Supply | Standard IEC AC cable |
| Height | 5.27" |
| Width | 41.88" |
| Depth | 14.56" |
| Weight | 31.30 lbs |
| Manufacturer Part Number | KRONOS361 4959112244436 |
