KRONOS Relaunched!

[narf]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRBnWQklEeQ&t=4s

https://www.korg.com/au/products/synthesizers/kronos3/

[aron]

Why does it have the same polyphony? Aren't the processors faster now? The good news is when ours breaks, we can buy another.

[Mike Conway]

From THIS video:

60% faster boot up.

Same 9 sound engines.

More multisamples, showcased in 256 new programs

Italian Grand

Same KARMA as predecessors.

Backward compatible with previous Kronos keyboards.

61 key non-weighted, 73 & 88 key fully weighted RH3 piano action.

[D575]

The reintroduction of the Kronos line benefits significant Kronos investors; however, the product's trajectory warrants further analysis. The discontinuation of the flagship Kronos line, its replacement by Nautilus (excluding AT functionality), subsequent add-on AT kits for Nautilus, and the eventual return of a smaller-scale Kronos iteration present a complex product evolution. A true successor to the original Kronos line may still be under development, and the underperformance of Nautilus sales may indicate significant customer resistance among existing Kronos users. Nevertheless, the interim return of the Kronos line prior to a complete product overhaul is a positive development.

[lcmorley]

I feel like the workstation as a concept is pretty much dead. The fact that this is branded as Kronos 3 is ridiculous because it basically has a few extra samples and programs. The fact that they can only come up with this new update is proof of it. I feel like these are a bit like smart phones that now have a slightly improved camera, or slightly better performance each year. There is never any real revolution in the industry. The Oasys was the last true revolution and that was 20 years ago now. The Kronos has only ever been an Oasys lite. In my opinion, a workstation will never compete with a laptop, DAW, plugins and a midi keyboard. They are too clunky to use, the UI is just outdated now and they are far too expensive. You cannot expand them beyond what Korg want to give you. I used to love my Triton/Kronos/Oasys etc, but since I started using a DAW and plugins I have never looked back. I suspect that if they released the Kronos as a plugin they would make far more money from it. Just my opinions though.

[ArminH]

I like it - both the additional features snd the fact thst we can also upgrade our existing models.

Existing users of older Kronos and Nautilus devices can look forward. Korg will release in the second half of 2025 a soundpack that brings the latest Kronos sounds to early models.

[Purgatory]

I feel like the workstation as a concept is pretty much dead. The fact that this is branded as Kronos 3 is ridiculous because it basically has a few extra samples and programs. The fact that they can only come up with this new update is proof of it. I feel like these are a bit like smart phones that now have a slightly improved camera, or slightly better performance each year. There is never any real revolution in the industry. The Oasys was the last true revolution and that was 20 years ago now. The Kronos has only ever been an Oasys lite. In my opinion, a workstation will never compete with a laptop, DAW, plugins and a midi keyboard. They are too clunky to use, the UI is just outdated now and they are far too expensive. You cannot expand them beyond what Korg want to give you. I used to love my Triton/Kronos/Oasys etc, but since I started using a DAW and plugins I have never looked back. I suspect that if they released the Kronos as a plugin they would make far more money from it. Just my opinions though.

The workstation "concept" is not dead at all, it is only dead to people buying the wrong keyboard and don't need a workstation or can't/not willing to figure out how it works.

The market now has turned into toys or arm based devices pretending to be keyboards, that can easily also be run on a laptop with a controller.

Workstation keyboards have been the most important keyboards to me and to many I know, the only reason some "workstation" keyboards are failing or not selling well is they are not true workstations and a half hearted effort was put into many of the workstation aspects.

Korg has had true workstations even in the midrange devices, I'm personally really happy to see the Kronos back and yes doesn't look like a huge update but I bet you most owners have not even scratched the surface of what it can really do and I find it is these users that complain workstations are dead because they can't be bothered to learn to use it or willing to find out what it can really do.

The Nautilus was always to me a mid-high-end workstation as the control surfaces were downgraded and other aspects of the kronos/Oasys which are true high-end workstations. Krome is a midrange and the Kross is a low-end/beginner workstation.

https://www.korg.co.uk/collections/workstations


Kronos 3 and other workstations from korg and their prices listed too for the new kronos 3 and its full specs. (120 GB SSD (2.5”)..


KRONOS 61
Sale price£2,649.00

KRONOS 73
Sale price£2,949.00

KRONOS 88
Sale price£3,199.00

Full specifications are on the bottom of the 88 key Kronos 3 version, couldn't see it on the 73 version or 61 key :- https://www.korg.co.uk/products/kronos-88


Oasys video from other day, just to remind people where it started (in a keyboard form as Oasys was also an add-on pc card at start and pc software)..

Workstations at their best.. This to me was the start of what I was dreaming about when Oasys came out and was a dream for a good while as the price as we know was scary. Kronos 2 is when I dipped in to this dream as to me it was finally complete with great Pianos and the quirks worked out of the Kronos Original and X models.

My Kronos 2 has been rock solid since I got it from new and even updated the hard drive and added an extra drive too since getting it and never failed me once (knock on the wood side panels )

https://youtu.be/WAKsRkeSFIA?si=97VY5gpazYNyPiSN

[drvenom]

Hell no, I’m not buying another Kronos lol. I do really like the kronos, but I’ve had nothing but quality control issues with Korg flagships. My Korg m3 had screen issues, my first korg kronos x had keybed issues and failure to start issues. My second kronos x had keyboard issues that I was finally able to fix. Meanwhile my motif xs8 is going strong for nearly 20 years. My Roland fantom 8 has also been fantastic. Again, I like the kronos, but the issues are just none stop. Korg produces cool products and I’m tempted, but the quality control leaves a lot to be desired. Once my current Kronos x dies, I’m sticking to yamaha and Roland workstations.

[Dan Stesco]

From THIS video:

60% faster boot up.

Same 9 sound engines.

More multisamples, showcased in 256 new programs

Italian Grand

Same KARMA as predecessors.

Backward compatible with previous Kronos keyboards.

61 key non-weighted, 73 & 88 key fully weighted RH3 piano action.

EP engine update with Tine EP I Earl Model type.

[D575]

I am surprised they did not include a few more bells and whistles, especially as a NAMM release, considering the time since the release of Kronos in its various forms.

I still think a genuine Kronos replacement is quite possibly under development and perhaps delayed; hence, we are seeing this re-release of Kronos almost as damage control, where Nautilus cannot quite fill Kronos's shoes in what must still be an important segment of the Korg market.

[pranaearth]

I’m waiting to see if they have updated the motherboard with more modern components first, before I purchase another one. I’m also wondering if it can host a second SSD. I am excited that Karma is still included.

[ChrisDuncan]

The couple of videos up at the moment are understandably light on details since the "big reveal" won't be until NAMM. That said, from what I can see, it doesn't seem substantially different from the Kronos 2. It mostly seems like a "patch release." Address a few things like startup time, but otherwise it seems like it's a Kronos 2 with a new coat of paint. Sure, new sound packs, but we can already do that with the Kronos 2. So, unless NAMM reveals a few new whiz-bang features that they were keeping under wraps (which I doubt), I have no motivation to sell my K2 and buy a K3.

I am nonetheless very happy to see that they haven't discontinued the Kronos line, since that's what it's looked like ever since the Nautilus was released. As others have said, if my Kronos dies, I can now buy another one.

But beyond that, it seems like the main news is not so much that there's a new Kronos on the block, but rather that the Kronos isn't dead. I'll count that as good news and just be happy that it's still alive.

[PCFREE]

From THIS video:

60% faster boot up.

Same 9 sound engines.

More multisamples, showcased in 256 new programs

Italian Grand

Same KARMA as predecessors.

Backward compatible with previous Kronos keyboards.

61 key non-weighted, 73 & 88 key fully weighted RH3 piano action.

EP engine update with Tine EP I Earl Model type.

…and a more responsive touch screen!

[Drummond]

I’m waiting to see if they have updated the motherboard with more modern components first, before I purchase another one. I’m also wondering if it can host a second SSD. I am excited that Karma is still included.

The polyphony in the specifications is the same as in the older kronos. So, the processor doesn't seem to have been updated, at least in terms of final processing power.

[KK]

Personally, I am glad Korg finally woke up to ensure previous Kronos owners like me to be able to buy a new one when our older machines might become defective, but at the same time I don't see anything in their 2025 version worth of interest to update. Of course, it was all easily predictable. As we say here, L'éléphant a accouché d'une souris.

At least, Korg should remain modest and omit superlative annoyances such as "Italian grand piano to die for" (it's certainly good, but come on) and "enormous 800 x 600 screen that is more responsive" (well, it is still the same size and my older Kronos screen doesn't lag), etc.

Oh well, hopefully later this year they will offer some software/sound updates that, who knows, might be compatible with earlier Kronos versions.