Korg NAUTILUS vs KRONOS. Differences and similarities

GregC · Post by **GregC** » Tue Dec 15, 2020 6:16 pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nkw0nladyLI&t=2210s

Korg NAUTILUS vs KRONOS. Differences and similarities

- An objective view of what's been added, what's been removed, what are the trade-offs, etc
-Tutorial exploring the new arp and drum sequencers

Post by **Sharp** » Fri Dec 18, 2020 10:54 am

To me this keyboard is a KORG M50 replacement. A really good replacement at that too. Not targeted at people like me, or anyone who already has a KRONOS.

In short, it's a baby KRONOS on a budget.

Regards
Sharp.

GregC · Post by **GregC** » Fri Dec 18, 2020 3:31 pm

yes, thats a fair and brief assessment.

the Nautilus owner base should increase in 2021, as it arrives in the retail channel , gets distributed starting in February.

And IMO, Kronos will go EOL, while that is not abundantly clear, it will happen when Korg decides.

That would leave Nautilus by itself as the factory new w/s.

For those reasons, I thought it was proactive and organized, to have a Nautilus forum. Plus keep all the beginnings posts, Nautilus videos in one place for faster access.

Maxfpt · Post by **Maxfpt** » Wed Dec 23, 2020 4:36 pm

I'm a Kronos user from 8 years, and there are a couple of differences that I've noticed:

1) I mainly use Kronos live, usually switching sounds in the same combi by Karma scenes and/or using knobs, slides, vector, aftertouch, etc. in realtime: this is not possible with Nautilus.

2) Increasing the sounds quality/number, more ram should be occupied by factory sounds and less for user samples / EXs.

It's not clear to me the meaning of this product, especially when we all (logically) asked for e.g. an updated 64bit system, more ram available and a bigger storage for sounds......nothing so expensive or innovative, but "evolution" only, competitors are still far away, but not so much as 10 years ago.

It seems that, while competitors are doing steps forward to compete with Kronos concept, Korg has done a step rearward with Naultilus.

What we've to expect for the future? a new expensive flagship SuperKronos or nothing else?

GregC · Post by **GregC** » Wed Jan 06, 2021 1:33 am

Maxfpt wrote:I'm a Kronos user from 8 years, and there are a couple of differences that I've noticed:

1) I mainly use Kronos live, usually switching sounds in the same combi by Karma scenes and/or using knobs, slides, vector, aftertouch, etc. in realtime: this is not possible with Nautilus.

2) Increasing the sounds quality/number, more ram should be occupied by factory sounds and less for user samples / EXs.

It's not clear to me the meaning of this product, especially when we all (logically) asked for e.g. an updated 64bit system, more ram available and a bigger storage for sounds......nothing so expensive or innovative, but "evolution" only, competitors are still far away, but not so much as 10 years ago.

yes, its very clear, Kronos owners look at Nautilus and say " huh ? what ? why ?"

which is understandable since Nautilus is not pointed at Kronos owners where owners completely rely on many of Kronos features.

Nautilus is $600 less, too. Thats an indication it lacks features Kronos has.

Bottom line, Nautilus does not seem to be the answer to what almost all Kronos owners want from Korg.

The problem I have with Korg is captain obvious, they have been ignoring the Kronos community for +3 years. But that is a totallty separate topic from Nautilus.

Geoff Flynn · Post by **Geoff Flynn** » Fri Jan 08, 2021 10:30 am

GregC wrote:
The problem I have with Korg is captain obvious, they have been ignoring the Kronos community for +3 years. But that is a totallty separate topic from Nautilus.

You shouldn't be surprised though GregC.....given that Korg abandoned the future proofed "Open Architecture" Oasys despite its hefty price tag.

Even though Korg generally make my favourite keyboards, I said I would never buy a new Korg again. I have a Kronos 2 which I bought second hand.

Cheers.

Narioso · Post by **Narioso** » Fri Jan 08, 2021 10:52 am

Geoff Flynn wrote:....given that Korg abandoned the future proofed "Open Architecture" Oasys despite its hefty price tag.

Looking at Oasys recently due to nice tilt screen wiki said about 3000 sold.
I hardly think that is much.

Does anybody have sales numbers for Kronos?
I have not found any searching.

voip · Post by **voip** » Fri Jan 08, 2021 2:18 pm

The Kronos highest serial numbers and therefore deduced numbers manufactured were dealt with here:

http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/ ... p?t=116904

Total Kronos sales are probably in the 40k-50k range. Not as many as the iconic M1 which, in its day, was relatively more expensive than the Kronos.

.

Narioso · Post by **Narioso** » Fri Jan 08, 2021 2:39 pm

That was a neat way of doing it, thanks.

Sounds like worth the trouble for Korg then.

GregC · Post by **GregC** » Fri Jan 08, 2021 3:50 pm

Geoff Flynn wrote:
GregC wrote:
The problem I have with Korg is captain obvious, they have been ignoring the Kronos community for +3 years. But that is a totallty separate topic from Nautilus.
You shouldn't be surprised though GregC.....given that Korg abandoned the future proofed "Open Architecture" Oasys despite its hefty price tag.

Even though Korg generally make my favourite keyboards, I said I would never buy a new Korg again. I have a Kronos 2 which I bought second hand.

Cheers.

hi Geoff, I am a realist.

I/we attempted to put formal pressure on Korg inc to not only 'communicate ' but to tangilbly do the most obvious enhancements to Kronos.

It was a worthwhile experiment IMO. It was also an object lesson for potential Kronos owners.

Geoff Flynn · Post by **Geoff Flynn** » Fri Jan 08, 2021 7:32 pm

GregC wrote:
Geoff Flynn wrote:
GregC wrote:
The problem I have with Korg is captain obvious, they have been ignoring the Kronos community for +3 years. But that is a totallty separate topic from Nautilus.
You shouldn't be surprised though GregC.....given that Korg abandoned the future proofed "Open Architecture" Oasys despite its hefty price tag.

Even though Korg generally make my favourite keyboards, I said I would never buy a new Korg again. I have a Kronos 2 which I bought second hand.

Cheers.
hi Geoff, I am a realist.

I/we attempted to put formal pressure on Korg inc to not only 'communicate ' but to tangilbly do the most obvious enhancements to Kronos.

It was a worthwhile experiment IMO. It was also an object lesson for potential Kronos owners.

Lots of us Oasys owners tried the same way back when. Korg had the "nerve" to bring out updates for the M3 sequencer (piano roll) but declined to do the same for the flagship. We did manage to get some additional sound packs (which was something if you hadn't already purchased them) but they basically ignored our pleas for upgrades which is rather sad. I still love the Oasys btw, but the way Korg ditched all interest after promising future proofing etc etc left a bitter taste. Once bitten twice shy.....

GregC · Post by **GregC** » Fri Jan 08, 2021 7:47 pm

Geoff Flynn wrote:[quo.

Lots of us Oasys owners tried the same way back when. Korg had the "nerve" to bring out updates for the M3 sequencer (piano roll) but declined to do the same for the flagship. We did manage to get some additional sound packs (which was something if you hadn't already purchased them) but they basically ignored our pleas for upgrades which is rather sad. I still love the Oasys btw, but the way Korg ditched all interest after promising future proofing etc etc left a bitter taste. Once bitten twice shy.....[/quote]

I agree, what Korg Inc did to Oasys owners was outragous.

I compartmentalize[differentiate] ' keyboard love ' from how a co like Korg [ or Roland, etc] treats a customer, esp with a + $3000 keyboard.

I think we have seen 3 substantial changes in Korgs management and their 'priorities ' .

Most keyboard customers do not scrutinize the company over decades but I make an attempt to based on their decisions on products.

Geoff Flynn · Post by **Geoff Flynn** » Mon Jan 11, 2021 4:19 pm

GregC wrote: I agree, what Korg Inc did to Oasys owners was outragous.

I compartmentalize[differentiate] ' keyboard love ' from how a co like Korg [ or Roland, etc] treats a customer, esp with a + $3000 keyboard.

I think we have seen 3 substantial changes in Korgs management and their 'priorities ' .

Most keyboard customers do not scrutinize the company over decades but I make an attempt to based on their decisions on products.

I have a very long memory and remain unhappy with the way I (as an Oasys owner) was treated. As I said I will never buy new from Korg again and I'm happy to stick with that. Judging by the disquiet amongst Kronos owners regarding updates it sounds like I'm not wrong.

TBH most of my purchases are for software these days anyway so it is highly unlikely that I will be making a major keyboard purchase soon no matter what company we're talking about. Cheers.

jeremykeys · Post by **jeremykeys** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 12:46 am

I think Sharp hit the nail on the head there! It's not intended to replace the Kronos but as for the big flagship, who knows.

kronoskarma · Post by **kronoskarma** » Tue Jan 26, 2021 3:40 am

I pre-ordered the Nautilus 3 months ago and it will be over a month or two before I receive it if I do not cancel the order 1st.

I bought a brand new Korg Kronos 2 Titanium 61 key for $600 less than the Nautilus this past week. That should tell you something. I installed a 2TB SSD into it without problems. It has 4GB of RAM though can only use 3GB of it.

Overall, the Nautilus seems to be a gigging keyboard player's keyboard. he Kronos is a workstation synth best used in the studio.

I am a project/studio composer so I do not gig or play live. I prefer the knobs and sliders of the Kronos and the bigger screen (though crowded as it is). I bought the iPad app that allows some usage of the Kronos (but not serious editing).

I am on the fence about the Nautilus. I'll likely dump the pre-order soon.

Mike