Upgrading Kronos SSD and memory using Korg UK

[Peter1960]

I own a Kronos 88 key model which I purchased in 2013. All of the banks are now full of programs.

I recently attempted to sample some of my software synths to save as programs and had difficulty due to the amount of memory available. I have therefore decided it is time to upgrade my Kronos, by installing a second SSD and increased memory.

I have noted various users on this forum who have done such upgrades themselves; however, I don’t want to try it myself. Instead, I am intending to ask Korg UK to carry out the upgrade.

I have a few queries, the first of which is aimed at UK based forum users :

1. I could send my Kronos to Korg UK in Milton Keynes and ask them to carry out the work; however, due to the cost, potential damage in transit and inconvenience of not having it for a number of days, I am considering driving to Korg UK with the Kronos and asking them to carry out the work the same day.

Have any UK users done this ? Obviously I will need to book a specific date to take the Kronos in for the upgrade, rather than just turning up unannounced; however, if I book a timeslot in advance, can I turn up at their HQ at the specified time, leave the instrument with them and then collect it, say, a couple of hours later ? Will they allow me to do this ?

2. As mentioned, all my current banks are full. If I go into program mode and select a bank (INT A-F, USER A-G and USER AA-GG) all the slots are filled.

If I install a second SSD, how will I be able to see the banks and slots on this drive, so that I can save programs to those slots and banks, as opposed to my current banks ?

3. Is there a maximum amount of memory that can be added to the Kronos ? I want to be able to add samples of some software synths from my collection to allow me to be able to use them live, so what is the maximum (or recommended maximum) memory that I can install ?

Thanks in advance for your help

Peter

[tunaman]

Hello. Not a UK user, so can’t speak to bullet point #1.

However, I can address questions #2 and 3.

Due to the 32 bit limitation, you can only install 4GB of RAM - the Kronos can only use ~3GB. K1 units were configured with 2GB, so it is preferable for some to add an additional 2GB to allow for more sampling memory.

As far as additional bank space, that is a fixed limitation and adding or increasing the SSD capacity does nothing to address, unfortunately - the number of Program and Combi banks is fixed.

The additional disk space helps with physical storage for things like backup files, user samples, created songs and samples, etc.

A creative user could save multiple PCG files containing differing sets of data, and load them on demand based on their objectives; they could also selectively load specific KSC file collections in support of those sets. It is a bit cumbersome and requires a fairly substantial level of familiarity with the data management and content, and it is not a quick and simple process due to load times and menu navigation.

However, if done correctly at least Kong made it simple enough to load a collection of PCG/KSC/SNG data in one operation.

Hope this helps?

[KK]

There are a few simple things you can check to see what is installed on your Kronos.

One is to check the remaining free size of the SSD (Disk Mode, Media Info tab). This will also tell you the size of the SSD (the K2 comes with a 60 GB but earlier models had smaller ones).

Another is to find out the RAM installed in your unit. Do the sum of what is shown in the memory usage three colored boxes (Global Mode, KSC Auto-Load tab). If your Kronos has 4 GB of RAM, that sum should be around 1960 MB (the rest is used by the OS and other things). If the sum gives quite a bit less, you might have only 2 GB of RAM and the tech will top it to reach the 4 GB max.

About an additional SSD, as mentioned it serves to permanently save and access your new sample libraries. But the 1960 MB limit (when your unit has maximum RAM) stays the same even it you install a 10 TB disk, so you have to decide what will be available and what will be loaded at other times.

The best way to free many programs and combis is simply to take the time to replace those you will probably never use. I personally started trying each of them and deciding which are useless and/or will be only once every 5 blue moons. In any case, nobody needs 100 variations of acoustic pianos, organs, strings and so on available at all times. Several freeware like the Kronos Editor, PCG Tools and TidyKronos are available to reorganize your progs/combis/etc. So as mentioned previously, you can then create different sets to maximize RAM usage. This will also make you gradually master the Korg file system, which is actually not complicated at all with some basic practice.

[Peter1960]

Thanks for your comments.

Firstly, the total size of my hard drive is 27Gb, with 5Gb free.

The total sum of the 3 coloured boxes is 982Mb, although the installed RAM is shown as 2Gb.

If I was to install an additional 2Gb of RAM, would this allow me to then load a significant number of user created samples ?

I realise that I could get rid of a number of programs that I never use, and I intend to do some "tidying up" at some point, freeing up some spare slots. I am not sure if it is worth installing a second SSD - what are the benefits of doing this ?

Thanks again

[tunaman]

The benefits are many to some, not so much to others… it really depends upon how you use your Kronos.

For me, I don’t do any sequencing/recording - others do a lot. They reap the benefits of having plenty of free disk space to store their works.

I do, however, create quite a few user samples and can use the additional disk space to store them.

I am also very judicious with taking backups, and have a whole directory structure dedicated to storing and managing my various backup versions. I also have a secondary hard drive which I use, in part, to replicate the backups and sample data from the first for redundancy.

Some folks interface external instruments - again, the additional disk space is handy (even necessary in the case of the K1) in order to accommodate Song and Sequence data.

As far as the installed RAM goes, the additional RAM would expand your memory as KK stated. Whether it is a little or a lot depends on the data you intend to load into it. Likely you would find a tremendous benefit, IMHO, based on my experiences.

There are several other techniques one can use to help free up RAM (memory). You’ll have to search to locate some, but I’ll point you in the right direction and maybe even dig up a really useful link for you - it is referenced here on this site in at least one thread, and is pretty easy to find with an Internet search.

The KSC files are actually text files, and they can be edited with a text editor. The original Preload file is filled with pointers to the samples to be loaded, including a ton of drum kits. If you are like me and don’t use the drums, or don’t use many, they can be edited out and you can create a copy of Preload which excludes the drums and saves a lot of RAM upon startup. It also shortens the time it takes for the Kronos to start up.

Best suggestions I can give is to read the Operations and Parameter guides cover to cover a couple of times, reference them often, and spend a ton of time searching the Internet and YouTube for Kronos information… it is amazing how much there is out there if someone spends the time looking.

[KK]

Definitely go ahead with both. From your numbers, you obviously have only 2 MB of RAM and your SSD is already more than 80 % full. Since you plan to add several new sample sets and given the fact that SSDs slow down when too full, you also need a second SSD (or a bigger one than would replace the old small one).

To clarify RAM vs SSD in Kronos context, a simple analogy could be that you have a big container/reservoir in your backyard (the Kronos SSD) filled with many objects of different colours and shapes (the sounds/samples) and a small pool (RAM) to fill so that kids can play. Every time you start the Kronos, the sounds checked in the KSC Auto-Load tab become the objects that you decide to place in the kids pool. So your large container can be as big as you want so to save all your current and future sample sets. On the other hand, the small pool for kids to play will always stay the same size, but you can fill it every time with objects of totally different colours and shapes to keep them happy. And what's more, that playing pool in your Kronos is currently half-sized (2 GB). So with your RAM update, you will double its size so more sounds can be available to play each time. Sorry if this sounds oversimplified, but hopefully this fun analogy can help.

[Peter1960]

Thanks again for your comments , which were really helpful

Peter

[studio429]

To answer your first question, I was able to do this with Korg UK a few years ago. We booked a slot to drop the Kronos at the start of the working day and collected it at the end of the day. Now, covid restrictions etc may make this not possible but back in 2014 / 2015 they were very helpful to upgrade my K1 88.

[Peter1960]

Korg UK have actually directed me to two service engineers in my area as it appears they don't do on site repairs anymore. However, thanks for your reply.

[Space Girl]

I had run out of space too and was considering a new SSD etc but thanks to Tunaman's previous help with my questions, I have now managed to get a few custom KFC/ PCG's I have made in order to use my samples that I have no room for.

It's easy enough to go back and forth pre-loading a custom KFC in Global but it messes with your combi's/ changes names in set lists etc...You need a better memory than mine to do it really.

You may need to remove some samples too, I usually remove all Japanese Piano samples in Global and that gives me some extra RAM I think.
I also removed some Jazz, Hip Hop etc. progs as I don't need Jazz and replaced them with new progs I purchased.

I wish Korg would do an update so we could all have a new SSD with extra banks space on it! We need a Kronos with enough space to add all the wonderful K'apro sounds.

Watch out for removing unwanted progs when making space, as some can be linked in your combi's, so if you remove a few drums or bass etc... you may find they are missing in combi's and you'll need to replace them with a similar bass / drum etc you still have installed.

Not sure if I am much help, but thought I'd reply anyway since I had same issues which are sort of fixed. I am as years go by, I will not remember what a PCG or KFC is or what to do with it
but for now I can manage and hope you can too.