RAM Limitation in New Kronos

Equalizer23 · Post by **Equalizer23** » Sat Apr 23, 2016 1:35 pm

Currently I'm working on patches for gigs I have abroad
Last time the backline got me a Kronos, it had less RAM than on my unit and the files didn't load, so they had to upgrade it
Now for my upcoming gigs I don't know if they'll have the money/time to upgrade the RAM in case of a problem, so I want to use less RAM in the PCG file
How do I do it? It's pretty urgent since I'm flying tomorrow morning

GregC · Post by **GregC** » Sat Apr 23, 2016 1:49 pm

you will have to ' subtract the ram " # from your Kronos then test load your
( Samples ? ) files on your USB . Disk will tell you the total on your USB.

If that total exceeds ( and it appears that it will) the minimal RAM required, you would have to downsize the sample ( ? ) files on your USB. And the factory preload KSC will always occupy RAM in a Kronos.

Its a doable math exercise, IMO

SanderXpander · Post by **SanderXpander** » Sat Apr 23, 2016 2:02 pm

That's a little confusing, GregC. The Preload PCG doesn't occupy any RAM, or not any RAM that you can use otherwise in any way. The Preload KSC does occupy potentially usable RAM but you can clear that completely if you don't use any factory pianos or other sample based sounds. Also, because of sample streaming, it doesn't matter if the total size of all the samples is larger than the amount of free RAM, because generally the Kronos will only load a small portion of the sample and stream the rest of the sample from the SSD.

The original Kronos, with no RAM expansion, had around 180 MB of free sample RAM. Check the KSC Autoload screen in your global menu and see if your samples are using virtual memory or RAM. If they are using RAM, unload the KSC version and load the _Userbank.KSC version instead. Add up the amount of RAM that your custom sample sets use and you'll know more. If you don't use any/many factory sounds it's always an option to unload some. Alternatively, you could request a Kronos X or Kronos 2 (new Kronos), as they come with the RAM already maxed out.

GregC · Post by **GregC** » Sat Apr 23, 2016 4:52 pm

SanderXpander wrote:That's a little confusing, GregC. The Preload PCG doesn't occupy any RAM, or not any RAM that you can use otherwise in any way. The Preload KSC does occupy potentially usable RAM but you can clear that completely if you don't use any factory pianos or other sample based sounds. Also, because of sample streaming, it doesn't matter if the total size of all the samples is larger than the amount of free RAM, because generally the Kronos will only load a small portion of the sample and stream the rest of the sample from the SSD.

The original Kronos, with no RAM expansion, had around 180 MB of free sample RAM. Check the KSC Autoload screen in your global menu and see if your samples are using virtual memory or RAM. If they are using RAM, unload the KSC version and load the _Userbank.KSC version instead. Add up the amount of RAM that your custom sample sets use and you'll know more. If you don't use any/many factory sounds it's always an option to unload some. Alternatively, you could request a Kronos X or Kronos 2 (new Kronos), as they come with the RAM already maxed out.

Yes, I think there is a clearer explanation of RAM in the Kronos. I will see if I can dig it up and post it.

ErnstDabest · Post by **ErnstDabest** » Sat Apr 23, 2016 9:33 pm

Due to the limitation, it would seems more practical to bring your own KB.

OR instead,

of loading your sample/combi/PCG files in one go try loading them per song

GregC · Post by **GregC** » Sat Apr 23, 2016 11:38 pm

I have searched several posts on the topic. Here is ' best of ' IMO:

As shipped, the 1st gen (from 5 yrs ago) Kronos comes with 2GB of RAM, but only 148MB is free when all the factory EXs libraries are loaded.

You could unload the Rock and Jazz drums (EXs8 & 9) or German/Japanese grands (EXs 6 & 7). Assuming you are not using them.

The factory based samples are located in the Preload.KSC file which is currently autoloaded. * I am not clear how much RAM you will gain by unloading EXs 6,7,8,9.

I also read that the OS occupies 1 GB of RAM space which I think makes sense.

* From the fabulous William Bush Kronos blog:
FREEING UP RAM BY CHANGING PRELOAD.KSC

When the Kronos boots, it loads 320MB of base "ROM" and a large file called PRELOAD.KSC. PRELOAD.KSC contains the large piano and drum libraries, the EXs3 Brass/Winds, etc. On disk it takes up 12GB and 814MB of RAM. You can mange this file and remove libraries and even specific samples from loading.

As an example, if you primarily use your Kronos for gigging and never use the large stereo drum libraries, why not just remove them from PRELOAD.KSC? You can use the RAM you recovered for something more useful.

Do the following:

Go to GLOBAL==>BASIC==>SAMPLE MANAGE.
Click on the drop-down menu (very top right corner) and select UNLOAD ALL IN BANK...
In the dialog box change the selection to EXs8 (these are the Rock Ambience Drums) and click OK
Repeat these steps but change the selection to EXs9 (Jazz Ambience Drums)
If you were paying attention to the Memory use scale at the top you should find yourself with more available RAM

A few more steps:

Go to DISK==>FILE==SAVE.
Click on the drop-down menu (again very top right corner) and select SAVE SAMPLING DATA
In the text box at the top give it a name, e.g. "PRELOAD (no drums)"
Make sure LINKS TO EXs & USER SAMPLE BAKS is selected (this creates a small pointer file vs. re-saving 11GB of samples)
Make sure ALL is selected (in the Sampling Mode Data Options section) and click on OK.
Now go to GLOBAL==>BASIC==KSC/AUTOLOAD.
Near the bottom-left click on the ADD KSC button.
Find the file you just saved (PRELOAD (no drums)) and click on ADD.
Now click on the red button next to PRELOAD.KSC in order to deselect it and click on the same button next to PRELOAD (no drums).KSC to select it.
Click on the AUTO-LOAD NOW button near the bottom-right

Now you've freed up RAM for more user samples and your Kronos will boot without the drums until you change it back.