Kronos 3 sounds for older models

[geoelectro]

Am I understanding that owners of older Kronos' will receive updated sounds being shipped with the K3? Anyone know how and when?

Thanks
Geo

[voip]

Yes, it's true. From the Kronos 3 webpage on the Korg website, there's a section dealing with legacy support, which states:

".... 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."

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[voip]

There's an excellent video, released today, of the Kronos 3, featuring Luke from Korg, with Jack from Andertons Music, just to whet your appetite

https://youtube.com/watch?v=4ORRSZAh4Sc

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[KK]

Don't expect this to be a free gift. Let's see...

K1/KX update to K2 sound pack = 249 US $
Kronos for Nautilus sound pack = 399 US $

[Gargamel314]

Don't expect this to be a free gift. Let's see...

K1/KX update to K2 sound pack = 249 US $
Kronos for Nautilus sound pack = 399 US $

That would follow previous patterns, but Luciano did say it WOULD BE FREE at NAMM. So the possibility is there. I guess we will find out in the coming months.

[BlackForest]

https://korg.shop/sound-libraries/krono ... korg3.html

Looks like it's available now...but far from "for free"...

[voip]

Also worth noting that OS 3.2.1 or later is required for the Kronos 3 sounds update:

Note (from Korg): Please make sure that your system is updated to v3.2.1 or later before using this sound library. If you are not using v3.2.1 or later, your KRONOS might crash or the sounds might not play correctly.

I've updated the EXs Expansion Libraries spreadsheet for the Kronos and Nautilus to reflect the K3 update sounds and the other new expansion libraries announced today:
https://app.box.com/s/n6nkurvh9dh3i0mrp8jygmb1od2yay5e

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[geoelectro]

This is disappointing. I already purchased the Italian Grand years ago which seems to be the biggest benefit of this package. In fact, I bought it twice to use on two Kronos' before they started allowing sharing.

Not worth it for me...

[KK]

This is disappointing. I already purchased the Italian Grand years ago which seems to be the biggest benefit of this package. In fact, I bought it twice to use on two Kronos' before they started allowing sharing.

Not worth it for me...

Yep, I agree this is pretty ridiculous. Maybe they will wake up and offer the new sound pack EXs separately later. It's like they think all K1/KX/K2 users were nicely waiting forever for this, without buying new libraries like the Italian Grand EXs21 (more below) or creating custom ones in the mean time.

I also don't like the warnings such as "If blablabla, your KRONOS might crash, etc." or "If you have EXs21 and you install the new EXs22 Italian Grand (that does NOT have una corda samples), the EXs21 piano data will be overwritten with the EXs22 data.". Nice, an upgrade that also downgrades some of the stuff you already paid Korg big money for. But MUCH WORSE, there is the lovely "After the 3.2.1 update, you cannot downgrade the system to 3.1.4 or below. If you force a downgrade, the system will not boot.". Wow. Upgrading to a new version that might crash but then I cannot go back ? No thanks.

[voip]

It's not unusual for an operating software upgrade to preclude future (re)installation of earlier versions. It happened with Kronos sub system firmware updates, for example, and in a whole bunch of other non-Korg systems. An OS upgrade may mean that things like internal data structures may change, as a result of bug fixes, and the like, and the addition of the Tine EP I Early model to the EP-1 sound engine in Kronos OS 3.2.1, will have a knock on effect. The Kronos not booting at all, following a downgrade attempt, does seem like a harsh consequence, however.

Compared to the New Kronos Sound Pack, which could be used to upgrade the original Kronos and Kronos X to Kronos 2, the New Kronos Sound Pack Vol 2 upgrade, that provides Kronos 3 spec, does seem overly complex, requiring the download, installation, and authorisation of no less than 15 EXs expansion sample libraries. However, at least this allows the user the choice of not installing EXs22, if EXs21 is already installed, though I don't know the likely impact of such an omission.

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[timg11]

Hmm - $300 seems a bit high. At least for me, most of the 3rd party content of interest I have already purchased over the years.
In reality, the financial cost is the smaller issue compared to the time cost. My program memory was full years ago, so anytime I add anything new, I have to spend hours reviewing programs and all the dependencies from Combis and Setlists to find what can be safely be deleted to open up program slots.
(I'm assuming OS 3.2.1 does not add any program storage for Kronos 1 and 2 owners? )

[Gargamel314]

This is disappointing. I already purchased the Italian Grand years ago which seems to be the biggest benefit of this package. In fact, I bought it twice to use on two Kronos' before they started allowing sharing.

Not worth it for me...

I didn't inventory everything on Korg's page there, but it looks like you can purchase the smaller EXs's separately. They looked like they were $10 or $20 each (USD). Anywho, knowing how these things work, if you did buy the sound pack, you just install each EXs one at a time, just don't install EXs22. I have no issue for yet another SGX piano library, I will probably buy these separately. I have a Nautilus, I'm not that crazy about the Italian piano.

[robbie50]

Yes, an update...what now?

Buying €300 worth of sounds is absolutely unacceptable...and I'm not looking forward to an Italian piano sound either.
Was this the update we've been waiting for so long? I'm disappointed!

And when will the Kronos Editor work normally again with Windows 11?

In short, it's all a bit disappointing...

[Gargamel314]

Yes, an update...what now?

Buying €300 worth of sounds is absolutely unacceptable...and I'm not looking forward to an Italian piano sound either.
Was this the update we've been waiting for so long? I'm disappointed!

And when will the Kronos Editor work normally again with Windows 11?

In short, it's all a bit disappointing...

So i looked at the korg page - you can buy JUST the other sounds for like $120 if you buy them separately. I really don't need yet another piano sound for my Kronos, after living for decades with just the 01/W's piano sound I feel like what's preset into the K2 is more than enough. They are listed at $10 each, and they are EXs 206-218. I think all the programs come along with too. I didn't see the pianos listed separately, though. Also, they usually have their 33% off sale the end of November. I may wait for that. I was more interested in any software improvements in the 3.2.1 patch, but I really haven't seen any except for the minor improvements listed in the release notes.

[alamo]

I didn't inventory everything on Korg's page there, but it looks like you can purchase the smaller EXs's separately. They looked like they were $10 or $20 each (USD). Anywho, knowing how these things work, if you did buy the sound pack, you just install each EXs one at a time, just don't install EXs22. I have no issue for yet another SGX piano library, I will probably buy these separately. I have a Nautilus, I'm not that crazy about the Italian piano.

I think is great these selections are available for ~10USD... but it seems they are only for the Nautilus