Korg today announced that they are expanding their Kross workstation line with the introduction of the Kross2.
The Kross2’s upgrades include more PCM, more sounds (1075 programs), more polyphony (120), user sampling, audio recording, audio and MIDI over USB, and 16 sample trigger pads.
Intro Video:
The synthesizer comes with Korg’s Enhanced Definition Synthesis-integrated sound engine. EDS-i allows for the use of five insert and two master effects to be used simultaneously.
Extensive sampling and sample editing has also been added, along with a new bank of 16 illuminated trigger pads, allowing users to play back samples as well as audio tracks. Kross2 has incorporated a new USB audio/MIDI interface functionality.
Features:
- More than 1,000 presets
- 128MB of expansion PCM memory is built-in, and option libraries are supported
- EDS-i sound engine, and a rich selection of effects with 134 types
- Sampling functionality and 16 sampler pads
- Realtime control section for quick parameter editing
- Favorite function lets you register and instantly recall up to 128 frequently-used sounds
- Quick layer/split can be specified by a single button
- Lightweight compact body; the 61-key model weighs only 3.8 kg, the lightest in its class
- Long operating life, with six AA batteries allowing up to seven hours of use
- Audio player/recorder that can be triggered by the pads
- Sequencer, drum track, and arpeggiator to support song production
- Rich array of input jacks for singer-instrumentalists or vocoder performance, without requiring additional equipment
- Also functions as a USB audio interface
Pricing and Availability
Available in September 2017 for $1049.99, Kross2-88 key is available in three different color finishes. A 61-key version will also be available. See the Korg site for more info.
But where’s the Krome 2!? It should have become first!!!
Hurry up with it, and make it play iPads too!
And why not put an after touch in it as well.
I love Korgs best keybeds, but their affordable ones are the worst! M50 was unplayable!
And I have played some Casios.
I’m sure it will come out after the new Kronos, and will still be the same “EDS engine with perks” keyboard (pseudo-Kronos pianos, maybe something else this time but do not expect more, otherwise it would end up cannibalising the new Grandpiano and Vox Continental). We should expect it for late 2018 imho.
i guess jd-xi, juno-ds and fa-06 are killing korg´s low budget workstations krome and kross.
I believe that the FA-06 has only the advantage of being newer and somewhat more intuitive. Synths are just different, pianos are worse and organs are way better, pretty similar workhorses. But yes, as of now there’s no reason to choose a Krome over the Roland, unless Korg really improves the new Krome. But, as I always say, it’s still the Triton’s smart grandson, so we cannot expect miracles.
i want an electribe keys w/ decent song mode (cue list would be okay) and at least 64-part polyphony.
Try to write this 64 times in different posts ))).
Are the sampling capabilities only for percussion sounds? Can they be looped and mapped to different sections of the keyboard? Is it stereo sampling? Doesn’t sound like it.