I’d like to see Korg turn Kronos into more of a platform.

[lcceo22]

I’m not talking about a platform for third party sound designers like we already have, but to either open things up for third party applications or add new applications.

If not Kronos I’d like to see that as the direction of the next flagship.
Just as Cubase created the VST protocol and helped usher in a period of astonishing creativity and growth for software instruments, I think Kronos can lead a similar wave for hardware synths. We’ve seen expansion cards, plug out systems and what have you but I don’t believe we’ve seen a keyboard workstation that functions as a platform.

I’d gladly pay for, say, an updated/specialized fx suite and maybe an additional 6 insert slots, for example. Adding an SSL EQ/Compressor suite or, say, a company like Izotope creating a specialized version of Ozone would be incredible, or a special version of NI Guitar Rig. Yes, I can and do simply use such products in Cubase, but I’d really love to work entirely in Kronos.

Ideally I’d like to see some sort of hybrid between a DAW and Reaktor. Yes, we all want a piano roll, something I’d also pay for, but what about adding a true percussion sampler like Battery? A sequencer GUI that rivals Cubase or, at least, Cubasis? Can you imagine Spectrasonics having a reason to dive into the Kronos business?

This isn’t a post that laments perceived lack or weakness in the Kronos, but to ponder the grander possibilities it could create.

[JimH]

It's a good idea. And not to sound negative but I think here is a problem. I think Kronos is amazing in that all of its sound generation is done on a single Intel Atom processor. To do this the software is obviously very optimized and very integrated. I'd guess that this optimization and integration is part of their crown jewels and they wouldn't be so quick to reveal some of it by making it more open. You can't so easily drop in modules or engines. I believe they would have to be more hand-crafted to fit in. Adding things like expansion slots increases costs and is no doubt the reason Yamaha dropped the expansion slots on Montage. I expect Korg probably makes a nice profit on Kronos because they have invested so much in optimizing the software over the years that the hardware---at least the computer part of it---is inexpensive.

[GregC]

It's a good idea. And not to sound negative but I think here is a problem. I think Kronos is amazing in that all of its sound generation is done on a single Intel Atom processor. To do this the software is obviously very optimized and very integrated. I'd guess that this optimization and integration is part of their crown jewels and they wouldn't be so quick to reveal some of it by making it more open. You can't so easily drop in modules or engines. I believe they would have to be more hand-crafted to fit in. Adding things like expansion slots increases costs and is no doubt the reason Yamaha dropped the expansion slots on Montage. I expect Korg probably makes a nice profit on Kronos because they have invested so much in optimizing the software over the years that the hardware---at least the computer part of it---is inexpensive.

I agree with all your points.

computer parts are a commodity- generally inexpensive in the scheme of things.

Software development on the other hand is very expensive. But Korg has spread that over many years starting with the Oasys. I think Korg is very smart in their approach.

[Geoff Flynn]

I’m not talking about a platform for third party sound designers like we already have, but to either open things up for third party applications or add new applications.

If not Kronos I’d like to see that as the direction of the next flagship.
Just as Cubase created the VST protocol and helped usher in a period of astonishing creativity and growth for software instruments, I think Kronos can lead a similar wave for hardware synths. We’ve seen expansion cards, plug out systems and what have you but I don’t believe we’ve seen a keyboard workstation that functions as a platform.

I’d gladly pay for, say, an updated/specialized fx suite and maybe an additional 6 insert slots, for example. Adding an SSL EQ/Compressor suite or, say, a company like Izotope creating a specialized version of Ozone would be incredible, or a special version of NI Guitar Rig. Yes, I can and do simply use such products in Cubase, but I’d really love to work entirely in Kronos.

Ideally I’d like to see some sort of hybrid between a DAW and Reaktor. Yes, we all want a piano roll, something I’d also pay for, but what about adding a true percussion sampler like Battery? A sequencer GUI that rivals Cubase or, at least, Cubasis? Can you imagine Spectrasonics having a reason to dive into the Kronos business?

This isn’t a post that laments perceived lack or weakness in the Kronos, but to ponder the grander possibilities it could create.

Would be great, but can't see it happening.

I am one of the original Oasys purchasers who cried foul when Korg reneged on their 3rd Party Open Architecture lure to buy their product at a very high end price. I still wonder at the mysterious "function" button and wonder what it was ever supposed to do......

And we all expected sequencer piano roll in some subsequent OS update which never came.

Of course the Kronos is much less expensive in comparison, so from that perspective it's good value even without 3rd party intervention.

[PCFREE]

That would indeed be great !

I have no understanding of software development but I'd guess there could potentially be problems whenever Korg issued updates ??

Imagine the complaints from Kronos users if updates caused a problem with third party software. It would mean third parties having to work closely with Korg.

Just guessing !

[timg11]

I totally agree.

I think Korg could make the Kronos into a much more successful platform by splitting the software into two virtual machines. VM 1 retains the proprietary sound generating engine we now have. VM 2 runs everything else with open source code - all the user interface, display, keyboard, network interfaces, MIDI/USB, control surfaces, etc.

VM 2 could run the user's choice of operating systems: Linux, Windows, maybe even macOS or iOS, if Apple would be willing to cooperate. Korg would just have to write the interface component to talk to VM 1 for each OS. VM 2 could host VSTs or other virtual instrument plug-ins. It could host a variety of editors (open source or commercial). It could host sequencers, sample editors, etc.

The instrument could ship with a basic Linux environment for VM 1 that provided similar functions to today's K. But the user could choose to buy Windows or Apple upgrades if they want. Even with the base Linux environment on VM 1, as open source, we could see various customization and modifications that users need but Korg is unwilling to do (see the "Wish List" thread - currently at 736 posts!)

As I think about it, maybe it would need three VMs. VM 1 and 2 as above for the core Kronos functions, and VM 3 would host a guest operating system with plugins and other add-ons. That would ensure that VM1 and VM2 would be stable and reliable for performance, which is one of the big reasons why we choose the Kronos over a notebook computer with a bunch of soft-synths.

It should be no problem to provide adequate computing power for multiple VMs - just use a full-scale x86 motherboard. The Atom was underpowered when the K was introduced, and now there are higher performing and lower power options.

[timg11]

The Intel Compute Card was just introduced at CES 2017.

This is an example of how a future Kronos "platform" could have a flexible, field upgradable CPU.

Remember how the Triton Studio had a "hatch" for sample expansion DIMMs? Maybe the future Kronos platform could have a hatch with a slot for a compute card, and a slot for a SATA drive?

It would be nice to be able to buy the latest compute card after a few years, and get 50% more polyphony and IFX capacity (for example).

[GregC]

The Intel Compute Card was just introduced at CES 2017.

This is an example of how a future Kronos "platform" could have a flexible, field upgradable CPU.

Remember how the Triton Studio had a "hatch" for sample expansion DIMMs? Maybe the future Kronos platform could have a hatch with a slot for a compute card, and a slot for a SATA drive?

It would be nice to be able to buy the latest compute card after a few years, and get 50% more polyphony and IFX capacity (for example).

"There’s no word on pricing, and Intel stresses that although anyone can buy a Compute Card when they’re available, you will still need to build the dock to power the device and cool it, and that will likely be outside the realm of possibilities for your average tinkerer."