NAMM 2025 Rumor - New flagship incoming?

[fomalhaut]

The rumor is out now:

https://sandsoftwaresound.net/namm-2025 ... ew-kronos/

This blog by Paul J. Drongowski is not exactly a clickbait oriented news site, and the author is all about Yamaha synth internals, he has to have some industry knowledge. Not sure if this is going to be true and not much info is being revealed but hey, can we dream?

My prediction, if this comes true, is that it will be based on the Raspberry platform and will include capabilities from ModWave/OpSix/WaveState plus a revamped sampling engine.

[SeedyLee]

I’ve been following that site for years and agree that it’s not a mainstream, click bait oriented site. It’s usually filled with interesting insights that he’s verified himself. I’d say it’s credible if it appears there.

My bet would be that it will be a minimal reworking, with the same main board, screen and UI as the nautilus, but the IO of the original Kronos.

TBH, I probably would have bought a Nautilus if it at least had a numeric keypad, sequencer transport buttons and value slider as the Kronos. Their omission was enough to stop me buying one. The other physical controls are nice, but not a deal breaker.

I’d be very surprised if it moved to Arm, but it would be a pleasant surprise.

[drama1]

God I hope so. I doubt KARMA would be included though.

[Mike Conway]

My prediction, if this comes true, is that it will be based on the Raspberry platform and will include capabilities from ModWave/OpSix/WaveState plus a revamped sampling engine.

Maybe the Rasberry part, but I doubt the engines and sampling part, because it would have to be compatible with previous Kronos programs. Aside from some wave folding, isn't MOD-7 more advanced than OpSix? I don't know if they would update the wavesequencing, but it's currently only 2 screens, so possible. I think Korg would still want you to buy the dedicated synths for their unique set of parameters. I've always wanted more filter types though, perhaps some digital models from the Multi Poly?

My bet would be that it will be a minimal reworking, with the same main board, screen and UI as the nautilus, but the IO of the original Kronos.

If I'm not mistaken, that picture shows the same size screen as the old Kronos.

God I hope so. I doubt KARMA would be included though.

I hope so, too. I'm also wondering if it would still be KARMA????? This has got me so damn curious!

What I do see is that the disk drive is twice the size of Kronos. Does that mean more RAM, also? I'm thinking some minimal upgrades, like the program capacity of the Nautilus (6,400 slots), more sounds in ROM/EXs, and faster processor for bootup. Maybe, some more polyphony. Interesting days ahead.

[BlackForest]

i could imagine the flagship matches or exceeds for example some of the things found in the PA5x, like round robins, a tiltable (?) display, motorized faders with display, pads, lots of inputs and outputs, Fatar keybed?

[D575]

Intriguingly, as NAMM approaches, the Oasys has resurfaced on Andertons' YouTube channel, coinciding with speculation regarding a new or updated Kronos model. Given Korg's Luke involvement, this could be considered a prelude to a significant announcement perhaps... you got me, fellers...

I am keeping an eye on this one with everyone else.

https://youtu.be/WAKsRkeSFIA?si=OzNWN7e5rflYJI69

[RC-IA]

Andertons UK playing an OASYS on YT after 20 years is not a coincidence

[Jan1]

The OASYS still is such a beautiful magnificent workstation, even today, an achievement KORG can be proud of.

[BlackForest]

...
My prediction, if this comes true, is that it will be based on the Raspberry platform and will include capabilities from ModWave/OpSix/WaveState plus a revamped sampling engine.

I doubt the picture is real since according to comments from Stephen Kay in the past that there was no contact from Korg regarding further KARMA development. Hence at least one of the left hand buttons should be gone which was used to access Karma control panel.

I hope the Kronos will be more than just a collection of the recent synth engines like WaveState, poly multi etc. but come up with something completely new like a virtual piano like Pianoteq. Something groundbreaking, nothing less is appropiate for a flagship.
It also would not make sense to slightly upgrade the Kronos seeing it was out of production already? And now revive it?

Agreeing that it should be based on a Rasberry system since this seems the way to go.

[bpoodoo]

My bet would be that it will be a minimal reworking, with the same main board, screen and UI as the nautilus, but the IO of the original Kronos.

TBH, I probably would have bought a Nautilus if it at least had a numeric keypad, sequencer transport buttons and value slider as the Kronos. Their omission was enough to stop me buying one. The other physical controls are nice, but not a deal breaker.

I agree. These extra front panel physical controls would make a huge difference, and they are the most commonly used.

I doubt Korg has the software know-how to completely rewrite the workstation OS. It's been reused for decades with minor changes, so yes, I too would expect minimal reworking of the software and hardware.

BUT if they did, and if along with the Korg sound engines they added a VST host capability and the processing power and real-time software design to run it all, then they would have a real winner on their hands.

[thethirdapple]

I doubt the picture is real since according to comments from Stephen Kay in the past that there was no contact from Korg regarding further KARMA development. Hence at least one of the left hand buttons should be gone which was used to access Karma control panel.

REALLY ???

One might suppose that KORG, Yamaha or any other could license KARMA...

lots_to_discover.jpg (95.38 KiB) Viewed 2974 times

PEACE
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[jackh]

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

[BlackForest]

EDIT...just check the link above. Rumors ended

[StephenKay]

I doubt the picture is real since according to comments from Stephen Kay in the past that there was no contact from Korg regarding further KARMA development. Hence at least one of the left hand buttons should be gone which was used to access Karma control panel.

It's true I said this in the past, awhile ago, but I could not comment on recent developments - until now. There's no "further development" on the version of KARMA in it - but it's the same KARMA that's always been in there. Which I'm happy about. I had the new one here, to put a new remix of my Challenger demo in it, and it's a beauty.

[Mike Conway]

There's no "further development" on the version of KARMA in it - but it's the same KARMA that's always been in there. Which I'm happy about. I had the new one here, to put a new remix of my Challenger demo in it, and it's a beauty.

Nice, Stephen.

Same engines, same KARMA. From THIS video:

60% faster boot up.

Same 9 sound engines.

More multisamples, showcased in 256 new programs

Italian Grand

Still has KARMA

Backward compatible with previous Kronos keyboards.

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