KRONOS Successor?

[Hector Space]

The price:
1. Technology has raced ahead of where the Kronos is. This has made systems with twice the performance affordable, their screens clear, bright and accurately touch responsive.
2. Korg has already climbed the mountain with the Kronos and Oasis. It has multi platform engines that run circles round some of the older Kronos stuff. So it’s a matter of refinement and improvement not the huge cost of new.
The Market:
1. The big issue here is just who is Korg aiming the K3 at? Seems to me there’s the DAW/Studio market, the Stage/Mainstage market and the ‘My Kronos does everything I need market’ I’m in the latter camp. I don’t give a monkeys about DAW interfaces or taking a laptop on stage. For me the Kronos is king because it does everything in one box. But I accept I’m not in the majority. This makes the future for the Kronos 3 far less certain. We've reached a point where even the IOS GarageBand B3 has less aliasing than the CX3! The market case for a K3 is less than clear.
2. It’s also become clear to me that most keyboard players are not technical. They have little stomach for the detail of what is involved in programming a monster like the K. The biggest issue on the Kronos FB groups is help! I’ve just trashed my K trying to load an EXs I paid for. This is why they buy Nords and why Yamaha and Roland are following Nord’’s lead..

So expect dumbed down products from Korg. Expect DAW interface keyboards, expect high quality apps. But I really doubt we’ll see a new K flagship for some time to come.

[Jan1]

Not interested in arrangers. Even with stellar acoustic sounds, I am not interested.
I am convinced that VST's are the best way to deliver specialized acoustic instruments, thus the need for a DAW.

I don't see/hear stellar acoustic instruments in Fantom. MODX/Montage is the best at this, IMO. But I hesitate to spend $2000 just to get 'very good'.

That's why the arrival of SN Acoustic instruments in the Fantom is important since it offers some really great sounding emulations (besides some dubious ones).
Usually manufacturers reserve good acoustic instrument emulations for the high end arrangers where playability comes first, but Roland also does something like articulation modeling in combination with some physical modeling in the SN acoustics in their synth/workstation range.

It IS possible to achieve much better results than with the usual standard ROM which dates back to the first workstations, just look at the Prophet X, it's made with synthesis first and foremost in mind, but nevertheless it features great sounding emulations straight out of the box.

Having said that, when it comes to realism and sonic accuracy there's no substitute for dedicated sample libraries, especially when it comes to orchestral music.
Some of the libraries have recorded pre-orchestrated ensembles in order to further increase the realism.
The Kronos features sample streaming and offers a platform where this also could be achieved, but unfortunately everything you buy is tied to your instrument.

So, for best sounding result there's no way around the DAW platform, and then I haven't even mentioned the production process and al the (essential) tools available for the various DAWs.

[GregC]

I don't see/hear stellar acoustic instruments in Fantom. MODX/Montage is the best at this, IMO. But I hesitate to spend $2000 just to get ' very good '.

Hi Greg,

In the US, I think you can get the Yamaha MODX 6 for about $ 1,400 : https://www.guitarcenter.com/Yamaha/MOD ... x6&index=1

thanks ! eventually, I might get the 88 model. And the used MODX market in the US is growing.

I am holding off until summer on a potential purchase to explore VST's/software to give what I need for music production. E guitars + amp modeling for example.

[GregC]

The price:
1. Technology has raced ahead of where the Kronos is. This has made systems with twice the performance affordable, their screens clear, bright and accurately touch responsive.
2. Korg has already climbed the mountain with the Kronos and Oasis. It has multi platform engines that run circles round some of the older Kronos stuff. So it’s a matter of refinement and improvement not the huge cost of new.
The Market:
1. The big issue here is just who is Korg aiming the K3 at? Seems to me there’s the DAW/Studio market, the Stage/Mainstage market and the ‘My Kronos does everything I need market’ I’m in the latter camp. I don’t give a monkeys about DAW interfaces or taking a laptop on stage. For me the Kronos is king because it does everything in one box. But I accept I’m not in the majority. This makes the future for the Kronos 3 far less certain. We've reached a point where even the IOS GarageBand B3 has less aliasing than the CX3! The market case for a K3 is less than clear.
2. It’s also become clear to me that most keyboard players are not technical. They have little stomach for the detail of what is involved in programming a monster like the K. The biggest issue on the Kronos FB groups is help! I’ve just trashed my K trying to load an EXs I paid for. This is why they buy Nords and why Yamaha and Roland are following Nord’’s lead..

So expect dumbed down products from Korg. Expect DAW interface keyboards, expect high quality apps. But I really doubt we’ll see a new K flagship for some time to come.

All true.

and its fair to speculate that a new K3 at $4000 or $3500 is wishful thinking. I say its 50/50 on Korg doing this. Its a high price point for Korg and they have not played in the over $3000 niche since Kronos. I accept that Korg might never do a K3. I go by the #'s.

all their keyboard products for some years [ for get about Kronos color iterations or LS ] are under $2200.

The new products that Korg launches year after year does reflect their strategy of the market niches they want to pursue. and they are not over $3000. Feel free to correct me.

I think the SV2 at $2200 is an example of the highest price for Korg. I also think its over priced, but thats another debate.

[Kevbo]

To be honest, I would be willing to spend upwards of $5,000 on a new flagship KRONOS successor, assuming it is a true successor, and not leaving people miss things from the KRONOS that were already done right.

I've always thought of quality when I heard the name Korg. If part of that $5,000 is paying for the Korg label on it, then so be it. But really, if $5,000 got me some of the best processing speeds, storage, beautiful instruments, etc, I'd drop that money right now for one! And I'm all about future proofing. Not gonna lie, I would prefer 2 TB of storage.

[ITguy54]

The new products that Korg launches year after year does reflect their strategy of the market niches they want to pursue. and they are not over $3000. Feel free to correct me.

The recently released Korg ARP 2600 FS was priced at almost $3900. And it is sold out already.

[GregC]

Kronos, all versions are practically bottomless for creativity and variety.

I am going on 9 years and I am still loving the he!! out of my Kronos every day.
I am a throwback, using the SEQ for every song.

There are some limits here and there but they can be dealt with.

If Korg ever solves the limits [ as I experience them] and adds/improves on a few sound engines that would be an insane w/s keyboard.

[GregC]

The new products that Korg launches year after year does reflect their strategy of the market niches they want to pursue. and they are not over $3000. Feel free to correct me.

The recently released Korg ARP 2600 FS was priced at almost $3900. And it is sold out already.

good point, thanks. There is definitely the demand for it, even if its limited production.

Behringer promises to be there for the budget musician:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nnUyBRcbY4

[blazerunner]

The new products that Korg launches year after year does reflect their strategy of the market niches they want to pursue. and they are not over $3000. Feel free to correct me.

The recently released Korg ARP 2600 FS was priced at almost $3900. And it is sold out already.

good point, thanks. There is definitely the demand for it, even if its limited production.

Behringer promises to be there for the budget musician:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nnUyBRcbY4

Behringer and their synths lack quality in both sound and in the product itself. I couldn't get rid of the Deepmind 12 I had fast enough. Korg without a doubt will release a budget friendly ARP I will wait for a proper version from them.

[Liviou2004]

I don't see/hear stellar acoustic instruments in Fantom. MODX/Montage is the best at this, IMO. But I hesitate to spend $2000 just to get ' very good '.

Hi Greg,

In the US, I think you can get the Yamaha MODX 6 for about $ 1,400 : https://www.guitarcenter.com/Yamaha/MOD ... x6&index=1

thanks ! eventually, I might get the 88 model. And the used MODX market in the US is growing.

I am holding off until summer on a potential purchase to explore VST's/software to give what I need for music production. E guitars + amp modeling for example.

Yes Greg. Don't forget to explore the Roli Keyboard with its dedicated software :
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Re533ZOX-P0
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSko8vHOf8g
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLZCWmLy0l8

[kronoSphere]

2011 -2021 Ten years to what ??? There is absolutely no contradiction to separate the DAW market, the "Stage/live" market and the "All in one that makes all" workstation market. The hypothetic K3 will no other choice that to integrate these 3 options. But the problem and the hardest thing for Korg will be to abandon the ridiculous idea to make a new thing from the old one...

[kronoSphere]

2011 -2021 Ten years to what ??? One must not separate the DAW market, the "Stage/live" market and the "All in one that makes all" workstation market. The hypothetic K3 will no other choice that to integrate these 3 options. But the problem and the hardest thing for Korg will be to abandon the ridiculous idea to make a new thing from the old one...

[GregC]

I am holding off until summer on a potential purchase to explore VST's/software to give what I need for music production. E guitars + amp modeling for example.

Yes Greg. Don't forget to explore the Roli Keyboard with its dedicated software :
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Re533ZOX-P0
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSko8vHOf8g
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLZCWmLy0l8

Thanks ! I enjoyed Kashyap's demo. It was perfect for the Gilmore guitar part.

What I read is the the Roli doesn't play well with VST's or adds layers of complexity [ don't have the details].

Thus I am relying mostly on Equator. If Equator has the variety of guitar sims, that would be a direct hit. I don't mind solving for amp modeling separately.

Thanks for reminding me on the Equator research.

[tunaman]

Kronos, all versions are practically bottomless for creativity and variety.

I am going on 9 years and I am still loving the he!! out of my Kronos every day. .

I agree, and would bet that few actually approach mastering all of the available features and functions available for their particular tastes and needs. I’m new to the Kronos, but am amazed nearly every time I energize it.

I bought my TE used several years after it was released, and it was a capable and feature-rich workhorse at that time. The jump to the Kronos was a significant advancement which capitalized on the great features incorporated into the Triton line and advanced them significantly, while bundling in new capabilities (especially the 9 separate engines under the hood) allowing it to perform to levels only limited by one’s imagination.

I myself do not suffer from G A S. I expect at some point Korg will design a successor, be it a Kronos or some other branding (much like they retired Triton), which will incorporate the features and functions in the current Kronos and build on additional capabilities and ease-of-use elements. I do believe that there is a viable market and purpose for this form factor and functionality.

I do believe that Korg is savvy enough to wait until there are compelling differences and advancements to merit a new replacement, not just design a slightly more powerful equivalent with minor window dressing.

[GregC]

good post.

If I were Pres/CEO of Korg Japan, I would support a totally new/advanced replacement first before an incremental Kronos or Kronos 3.

For me, that would be more exciting.

I have a different tact on " mastering all of the available features and functions " of Kronos.

I simply do not have the time or talent to program new sounds from scratch. However, if someone does some Korg level quality, I would buy them.

My interests/approach is music/new song production. Thats enough to fill my coffee cup for several decades.