KORG Kronos Specification

KRONOS Music Workstation Specifications

Operating temperature: +5 – +35 °C (no condensation)

System: Kronos

Keyboard:
88-key RH3 (Real Weighted Hammer Action 3)*1
73-key RH3 (Real Weighted Hammer Action 3)*1
61-key Natural Touch Semi Weighted
*1: The key weight of the RH3 keyboard differs in four stages across the pitch range (with low
notes being heavier, and high notes being lighter), delivering a playing feel similar to that of a
grand piano.

[Tone Generator]

Synthesis Types:
9 HD-1 High Definition Synthesizer (PCM) HD-1
AL-1 Analog Synthesizer (Analog Modeling) EXi (Expansion Instruments)
CX-3 Tonewheel Organ (Tonewheel Organ Modeling)
STR-1 Plucked String (Physical Modeling)
MS-20EX Component Modeling Technology (Analog Modeling)
PolysixEX Component Modeling Technology (Analog Modeling)
MOD-7 Waveshaping VPM Synthesizer (VPM Synthesis)
SGX-1 Premium Piano (Acoustic Piano)
EP-1 MDS Electric Piano (Electric Piano)

Maximum Polyphony: (*2 *3)
HD-1 140 voices
AL-1 80 voices
CX-3 200 voices
STR-1 40 voices
MS-20EX 40 voices
PolysixEX 180 voices
MOD-7 52 voices
SGX-1 100 voices*4
EP-1 104 voices
*2: In rare cases, when a large number of processor-intensive effects are active simultaneously
(for instance, more than 14 O-Verbs), polyphony may be slightly reduced.
*3: A portion of the multicore processor in KRONOS is devoted to generating voices, and a
separate portion is devoted to generating effects. KRONOS dynamically allocates the voice
processing power between the engines as necessary. The quoted maximum numbers of voices
apply when 100% of the voice processing power is devoted to a single engine.
*4: 100 dual-stereo notes (equivalent to 400 mono voices)

Preset PCM: 314 MB (ROM 1,505 multisamples, 1,388 drum samples)

Build-in Expansion PCM Libraries:
EXs1 ROM Expansion
EXs2 Concert Grand Piano
EXs3 Brass & Woodwinds
EXs4 Vintage Keyboards
EXs5 ROM Expansion 2
EXs6 SGX-1 German D Piano
EXs7 SGX-1 Japanese C Piano
EXs8 Rock Ambience Drums
EXs9 Jazz Ambience Drums

Capacity of PCM RAM:
About 1GB, expandable to about 2GB*5
*5: The memory available for RAM samples will change based on the use of Expansion PCM
libraries.

Wave Sequences:
Preload: 165 Wave Sequences
User Memory 598 Wave Sequences
Support for stereo multisamples, synchronization of individual notes, and tempo-based settings.

[HD-1 Program]

Advanced Vector Synthesis:
Control oscillator volumes and synthesis & effects parameters via the Vector Joystick and the
tempo-synchronized Vector Envelope.

Structure:
Single: only OSC1, Double: OSC1 and OSC2.
Double mode lets you layer two completely separate synth voices, each with their own velocityswitched
oscillator, dual filter, EGs, LFOs, etc.
Drums: One drum kit, Double Drums: Two drum kits.

Oscillator:
Virtual Memory Technology (VMT) plays large samples directly from the internal SSD.
8 velocity zones per oscillator, with switching, crossfades and layering.
Each zone can play mono or stereo Multisamples or Wave Sequences.

Filters:
Two multi-mode filters per voices (low-pass, high-pass, band-pass and band- reject),
Four-mode filter routings (single, serial, parallel and 24dB mode).

Driver:
Per voice non-linear driver and low boost circuit.

EQ:
Three bands, with sweepable mid.

Modulation:
Three envelope generators, two LFOs per voice, common LFO, four key tracking generators,
AMS (Alternate Modulation Source), two AMS mixers.

[EXi Program Common]

Advanced Vector Synthesis:
Control oscillator volumes and synthesis & effects parameters via the Vector Joystick and the
tempo-synchronized Vector Envelope.

Modulation:
Common Step Sequencer, AMS (Alternate Modulation Source), Common LFO, 2 Key Tracking
Generators.

EQ:
Three bands, with sweep-able mid

[AL-1 Program]

Oscillators:
Ultra-low-aliasing oscillators
OSC1, OSC2, Sub-oscillator and noise generator; ring modulation, FM and Sync.

Audio Input:
External audio can be processed through the ring modulator, filter, driver, amp, and EQ.

Filters:
Two multi-mode filter (low-pass, high-pass, band-pass and band-reject) with four types of filter
routings (single, serial, parallel and 24dB mode), MultiFilter mode (only Filter-A; modulatable mix
of Low Pass, High Pass, Band Pass, and dry input, for creating a wide variety of unique filter types
and effects).

Driver:
Per-voice non-linear driver and low boost circuit.

Modulation:
Five Envelope generators, four per-voice LFOs, two Key Track generators, two AMS Mixers,
Per-voice Step Sequencer.

[CX-3 Program]

Tonewheel Organ Modeling:
Phase-synchronous tonewheels (clean and vintage modes), percussion, key click, wheel brake.

EX Mode:
Four additional, user-specified drawbars, and expanded percussion.

Internal Effects:
Rotary speaker, vibrato/chorus, amp modeling with overdrive, 3-band EQ.

Drawbar Control:
Controlled via nine front-panel sliders (via Tone Adjust).

Split:
Upper, Lower

Modulation:
Two AMS mixers.

[STR-1 Program]

Physically Modeled String:
Includes physically modeled damping, decay, dispersion, nonlinearity, harmonics, dual pickups,
and more. Most string parameters can be controlled in realtime.

String Excitation:
Three independent excitation sources can be used simultaneously: Pluck, Noise, and PCM.
16 preset “pluck” types, with modulatable width and randomization.
Noise generator with saturation and dedicated lowpass filter.

PCM Oscillator:
- Korg’s ultra-low-aliasing technology, as introduced in the HD-1.
- 4 velocity zones per oscillator.
- Uses any mono ROM, EXs, or RAM multisamples. Supports VMT.
- PCM can either be used as an excitation signal, or layered with the output
of the string.

Excitation Filter:
- Dedicated 2-pole multimode filter for shaping the string excitation.
- Filter can be enabled/disabled separately for each excitation source.
- Low Pass, High Pass, Band Pass, and Band Reject modes.

Audio Input and Feedback:
Run real-time audio through the string, including feedback through effects.
Modeled feedback includes modulate-able instrument-to-amp distance and orientation.

Filters:
Dual multi-mode filters per voice; Single, Serial, Parallel (with split stereo output), and 24dB (4-
pole) configurations. Low Pass, High Pass, and Band Reject modes.
Multi Filter mode (Filter A only).
Modulatable mix of Low Pass, High Pass, Band Pass, and dry input, for creating a wide variety of
unique filter types and effects.

Modulation:
5 Envelopes, 4 per-voice LFOs, 2 Key Track generators, String Tracking generators, 4 AMS
Mixers.

[MS-20EX Program]

Oscillators:
Ultra-low-aliasing oscillators.
VCO1, VCO2, Ring Mod, Pink and White Noise Generator.

Audio Input:
Run real-time audio through the synthesis engine and ESP (External Signal Processor).
Filters 12dB/octave High Pass and Low Pass self-resonant filters.
ESP section: 24dB/octave Low Cut and High Cut filters, available per voice.

Patch Panel:
Patchable audio and modulation, at audio rates.

Patch Points:
* New patch points not provided
on the original MS-20.
Keyboard: Keyboard CV Out, Keyboard Trigger Out, VCO1+VCO2 CV In, VCO2 CV In
VCO: VCO1+VCO2 External Frequency Control In, VCO1 Out*, VCO2 Out*
VCF: External Signal In, External HP Filter Cutoff Frequency Control In, External LP Filter Cutoff
Frequency Control In, HPF Out*, LPF In*, LPF Out*
VCO+VCF: Total External Modulation In
VCA: External Initial Gain Control In, VCA In*
EG: EG1 Envelope Signal Normal Out, EG1 Envelope Signal Reverse Out, EG1+EG2 Trigger In,
EG1 Trigger In, EG2 Envelope Signal Reverse Out
MG: Triangle Out, Rectangle Out
Noise Generator: Pink Noise Out, White Noise Out
Sample and Hold: Clock Trigger In, Sample Signal In, S/H Out
Modulation VCA: Control Voltage In, Signal In, Signal Out
Manual Controller: Control Wheel Out, Momentary Switch
ESP: Signal In, AMP Out, BPF In, BPF Out, F-V CV Out, Envelope Out, Trigger Out
Others: EXi Audio In*, Mixer 1 In*, Mixer 1 Out*, Mixer 2 In*, Mixer 2 Out*

ESP (External Signal Processor):
Use incoming audio as a trigger and/or CV source.

Modulation:
MS-20: Original DAR and HADSR EGs 1 & 2, original MG (with MIDI sync), Sample-and-Hold,
MVCA.
KRONOS: 4 additional multi-stage Envelopes, 4 additional per-voice LFOs, and 4 AMS Mixers.

[PolysixEX Program]

Oscillators:
VCO: Saw, Pulse, PWM
Sub Oscillator: Off, 1 octave below, 2 octaves below
Filter 24dB (4-Pole) Low Pass self-resonant filter

Effects:
Integrated Polysix Chorus, Phase, and Ensemble.

Arpeggiator:
Integrated MIDI-synced arpeggiator, with adjustable Range, Mode, and Latch.

Modulation:
Polysix: Original ADSR EG and MG (with MIDI sync).
KRONOS: 2 additional multi-stage Envelopes, 2 additional per-voice LFOs, and 4 AMS Mixers.

[MOD-7 Program]

Waveshaping VPM Synthesizer:
Combines Variable Phase Modulation (VPM), waveshaping ring modulation, PCM sample
playback, and subtractive synthesis.
Able to convert-load SYX files.

Oscillators:
6 VPM/Waveshaper/ Ring Modulation Oscillators
- Phase and modulatable pitch per oscillator.
- 101 Waveshaper tables plus modulatable Drive and Offset.
- Use as oscillators, or as Waveshapers or Ring Modulators for other signals.
PCM Oscillator
- Korg’s ultra-low-aliasing technology, as introduced in the HD-1.
- 4 velocity zones per oscillator.
- Uses any mono ROM, EXs, or RAM multisamples. Supports VMT.
- PCM can be used as an FM modulator and/or layered with the VPM Oscillators.
Noise generator with saturation and dedicated low pass filter.

Audio input:
Run real-time audio through the VPM Oscillators and filters.

Filters:
Dual multi-mode filters per voice (Low Pass, High Pass, Band Pass, and Band Reject modes).
Two types of filter routing (parallel, 24 dB (4-pole)).
Multi Filter mode (Filter A only):
Modulatable mix of Low Pass, High Pass, Band Pass, and dry input, for creating a wide variety of
unique filter types and effects.

Patch Panel:
Supports both algorithm (78 types) selection and free patching.
Three 2-in, 1- out mixers for scaling and merging audio, fully modulatable, with phase inversion.
Main 6-input stereo mixer, with modulatable pan and volume, plus phase inversion.

Modulation:
10 Envelopes, 4 per-voice LFOs, 9 Key Tracking generators, Per-voice Step Sequencer, 4 standard
AMS Mixers plus 4 simple AMS Mixers.

[SGX-1 Program]

Premium Piano:
Virtual Memory Technology (VMT) plays large samples directly from the internal SSD.
Chromatically sampled at eight velocity levels, no looping.
Damper resonance and mechanical noise.

PCM:
EXs6 - SGX-1 German D Piano; EXs7 - SGX-1 Japanese C Piano

Piano Type:
32 or more

Oscillator Control:
Damper Resonance, Damper Noise, Mechanical Noise, Note Release

[EP-1 Program]

MDS Electric Piano:
Tine-type and reed-type electric pianos powered by Multi-Dimensional Synthesis (MDS), and
vintage effects.

Electric Piano Model Types: 6
Tine EP I, Tine EP II, Tone EP V, Tine EP DMP, Reed EP200, Reed EP200A

Oscillator Control:
Harmonic Sound Level, Attack Noise Level, Release Noise Level, Attack Brightness, Hammer
Width

Panel Control:
Tine Type Preamp Volume, Tone (Treble, Bass), Vibrate (On/Off, Intensity, Speed),
Amp/Cabinet (On/Off, Drive)
Reed Type Preamp Volume, Tone (Treble, Bass), Vibrate (Intensity, Speed),
Amp/Cabinet (On/Off, Drive)

Effect Types: 9
Small Phase, Orange Phase, Clack Phase, Vintage Chorus, Black Chorus, EP Chorus, Vintage
Flanger, Red Comp, VOX Wah

[Combination]

Number of Timbres:
16 Maximum

Master Keyboard Functionality:
Keyboard and velocity splits, layers, and crossfades of up to 16 Programs and/or external MIDI
devices.

Advanced Vector Synthesis:
Control oscillator volumes and synthesis & effects parameters via the Vector Joystick and the
tempo-synchronized Vector Envelope.

[Drum kit]

Assignable stereo/mono samples with 8 velocity zones per oscillator (with crossfade functions).

[Number of Programs/Combinations/Drum kits]

User memory programs:
2,560 (1,536 or more preloaded [768 or more HD-1+768 or more EXi])

User memory combinations:
1,792 (480 or more preloaded)

User memory drum kits:
264 (78 or more preloaded)

256 GM Level2 preset programs+ 9 GM Level 2 drum preset programs

[Set lists]

Number of set lists/slots:
128 set lists, 128 slots per set list

Each set list provides a 9-band graphic EQ, and a Tone Adjust function that allows program settings to be adjusted.

Hold Time setting of Smooth Sound Transition (SST) supported for each slot.

[Sampling]

System:
Open Sampling System (resampling, In-Track sampling)

Bit/Frequency:
RAM: 16bit/48kHz Stereo/Mono Sampling
Disk: 16 or 24 bit/48kHz

Sampling time:
RAM: Depends on the amount of available PCM RAM
DISK: Maximum of 80 minutes stereo (879 MB: 16bit)

Samples:
16,000 samples/4,000 multisamples (128 indexes per multisample)

Ripping:
Direct sampling (ripping) from audio CD (CD-DA)

Formats:
Korg format, AKAI S1000/S3000 data (with advanced Program parameter conversion);
SoundFont 2.0, AIFF, and WAVE formats

Editing:
Time Stretch, Time Slice, Crossfade Loop, and other standard editing features.

[Effects]

Insert Effects:
12, Stereo in / stereo out

Master Effects:
2, Stereo in / stereo out

Total Effects:
2, Stereo in / stereo out

Timbre/Track EQ:
One 3-band EQ for each timbre/track

Effect Types:
185 different Effects types (Any Effect type may be used for Insert, Master, or Total Effects.)

Modulation:
Dynamic Modulation and Common LFO

Effects Control Busses:
Stereo side-chaining for compressors, gates, vocoders, etc.

Effect Presets:
783, Maximum 32 per 1 effect (Preset User)

[KARMA]

KARMA Modules:
One module in Program mode, four modules in Combination and Sequencer modes.

Generated Effects:
(GE) 2,048 presets, 1,536 Users (96 come Preload)

Controllers:
On/Off, Latch, Chord, Assign, Module, Control
KARMA Realtime Control Sliders [1]–[8], KARMA Scene [1]–[8], KARMA Switches [1]–[8],
KARMA Wave-Sequencing, GE Sub Category, Freeze Randomize, Time Signature Control, Tempo
Synchronize
Auto RTC (Real Time Control) setup

[Drum Track]

Preset patterns:
697 preset (common with the preset patterns of the MIDI sequencer)

User patterns:
1,000 patterns
Patterns created in Sequencer mode can be converted to drum track user patterns.
Trigger Mode/Sync/Zone settings can be specified.

[Sequencer/HDR]

Tracks:
16-track MIDI sequencer + 16-track hard disk recorder + master track.

Number of Songs:
200 songs

Resolution:
quater note/480

Tempo:
40.00–300.00 (1/100 BPM resolution)

Maximum memory:
400,000 MIDI events (with MIDI data only) or 300,000 Audio events (with Audio data only)

MIDI Tracks:
16 tracks plus the master track
697 preset/100 user patterns (per song)
18 preset/16 user template songs
Format: Korg (KRONOS, OASYS) format, SMF formats 0 and 1

Audio Tracks:
16-track playback, 4-track simultaneous recording, WAV file format 16bit/24bit
Automation: Volume, Pan, EQ, and Send1/2
10,000 regions (max.), Event Anchors, BPM Adjust

Other Functions:
RPPR (Realtime Pattern Play and Record): 1 Pattern set per song.
Auto Song Setup function

[General]

Disk Mode:
Load, save, utility, audio CD burning, audio CD playback, data filer function (save/load MIDI
System Exclusive data), CD-R/RW (UDF format read/write), ISO9660 Level 1

Controllers:
Vector joystick, joystick, ribbon controller, switches 1 & 2

Control Surface:
Control Assign Switches: Assigns the Control Surface to Timber/Track,
Audio, External, Realtime Knobs/KARMA, Tone Adjust/EQ
Mixer Knobs Switch: Assigns the Mixer Knobs to either Channel Strip or
Individual Pan, Reset Control Switch, Solo Switch, Knobs 1-8, Switches 1-8
(Upper Row), Switches 1-8 (Lower Row), Sliders 1-8, Master Slider
KARMA Control: On/Off, Latch, Chord Assign, Module Control

KARMA Controller Section:
Switches = ON/OFF, LATCH, MODULE CONTROL

DRUM TRACK Controller Section:
Switches = ON/OFF

Display:
TouchView graphical user interface, 8 inch TFT, SVGA (800x600 dots), adjustable brightness.

Principal specifications:

Frequency response 20 Hz–22 kHz ±1.0 dB, 10 kΩ load
THD+N 20 Hz–22 kHz 0.01 %, 10 kΩ load (typical)
Signal to noise ratio 95 dB (typical)
Dynamic range 95 dB (typical)
Crosstalk 95 dB, at 1 kHz (typical)

Audio Outputs (Analog):

AUDIO OUTPUT (MAIN) L/MONO, R AUDIO OUTPUT (INDIVIDUAL) 1–4:
- 1/4” TRS balanced
- Output Impedance: 170 Ω stereo; 85 Ω mono (L/Mono only)
- Nominal Level: +4.0 dBu
- Maximum Level: +16.0 dBu
- Load Impedance: 600 Ω or greater
- MAIN VOLUME knob controls only AUDIO OUTPUT (MAIN) L/MONO and R

Headphones:
- 1/4” stereo phone jack
- Output Impedance: 33 Ω
- Maximum Level: 60+60 mW @33 Ω
- MAIN VOLUME knob (link with AUDIO OUTPUT (MAIN)

Audio Outputs (Digital):

Optical S/P DIF:
- Format: 24 bit, S/P DIF IEC60958 EIAJCP-1201
- Sample Rate: 48 kHz
- Digital output of the same signals as AUDIO OUTPUT (MAIN) L/MONO
and R

USB B:
- Format: 24 bit
- Sample Rate: 48 kHz
- 2 channels (Digital output of the same signals as AUDIO OUTPUT (MAIN)
L/MONO and R)

Audio Inputs (Analog):

Audio inputs 1, 2:
- 1/4” TRS balanced
- MIC/LINE input level switches, LEVEL knobs
- Input Impedance: 10 kΩ
- Nominal Level: LINE +4 dBu (LEVEL knob = min), –36 dBu (LEVEL knob = max)
- Nominal Level: MIC –22 dBu (LEVEL knob = min), –62 dBu (LEVEL knob = max)
- Maximum Level: LINE +16 dBu (LEVEL knob = min), –24 dBu (LEVEL knob = max)
- Maximum Level: MIC –10 dBu (LEVEL knob = min), –50 dBu (LEVEL knob = max)
- Source Impedance: 600 Ω
- Signal to noise ratio: 95 dB (typical)
- Dynamic range: 95 dB (typical)
- Crosstalk: 95 dB, at 1 kHz (typical)

Audio Inputs (Digital):

Optical S/P DIF:
- Format: 24 bit, S/P DIF IEC60958 EIAJCP-1201
- Sample Rate: 48 kHz

USB B:
- Format: 24 bit
- Sample Rate: 48 kHz
- 2 channels

Control Inputs:
- DAMPER (half damper supported)
- ASSIGNABLE SWITCH, ASSIGNABLE PEDAL

MIDI:
IN, OUT, THRU

USB:
USB A (TYPE A) x 2 For connection to external USB MIDI and storage devices

USB B (TYPE B) x 1
- MIDI/audio interface
- MIDI: 1 (16 channel) input / 1 (16 channel) output
- Audio: 2 channel input / 2 channel output

2 USB 2.0 High-Speed ports (supports 480 Mbps)

Disk Drive:
30 GB SSD (2.5")

Power:
AC Power Supply terminal, POWER On/Off switch

Dimensions:
(W x D x H)
88-key: 57.28" x 16.18" x 5.71" / 1,455 x 411 x 145 mm
73-key: 48.94" x 16.18" x 5.71" / 1,243 x 411 x 145 mm
61-key: 41.42" x 14.25" x 5.28" / 1,052 x 362 x 134 mm

Weight:
88-key: 50.71 lbs. / 23.0 kg
73-key: 44.75 lbs. / 20.3 kg
61-key: 27.56 lbs. / 12.5 kg

Power Consumption:
60W

Accessories:
AC cord, Quick Start Guide, Accessory DVD Disc 1, 2 (DVDs include KRONOS Operation Guide,
Parameter Guide, and Voice Name List PDF files; Video Manual; KORG USB-MIDI Driver; System
Restore Data, etc.)

[ OPTIONS ]
Hardware Expression/Volume Pedal XVP-10
Foot Controller EXP-2
Damper Pedal DS-1H
Pedal Switch PS-1, PS-3
Other MIDI Cable
Software EXs Expansion Samples:Expansion PCM library

*Sound processed with INFINITY.
*Developed under license of physical modeling patents (listed in http://www.sondius-xg.com) owned by Stanford University, USA, and by Yamaha Corporation.
*Appearance and specifications of this product are subject to change without notice.