2025 NAMM Show: Korg has officially introduced the KRONOS, a new version of the workstation keyboard that originally debuted in 2011.

It will be available with three keyboard designs: 88 keys, 73 keys & 61-keys.

The new KRONOS introduces 256 additional programs. Central to this update are 128 brand new sound programs, including a Italian piano with transparent resonance, and the Tine EP I Early, an electric piano tone that authentically replicates the vintage sound of metal tine mechanisms. These additions, alongside FM electric pianos, versatile synth pads, lush leads, and more, give you a broad palette of useful sounds, in a single keyboard. Complementing these are 128 sounds from the KRONOS Sound Libraries.

Here’s the official Korg KRONOS intro video:

Exclusive Programs and Combinations

KRONOS comes preloaded with sounds from the KRONOS Sound Libraries.

• KRS-08 Best of TRITON: A brilliant and inspiring collection of 128 programs from one of the biggest selling synthesizers of all time and included here as a preloaded gift.
• KRS-04 Pro Splits and Layers: Essential keyboard splits and layers optimized for real-time performance.
• KRS-05 Ensemble Combinations: Band-friendly ensembles featuring brass, strings, and synths.

Additionally, KRS-06 and KRS-06B CX-3 Signature Sounds offers 256 CX-3 organ programs.

Intuitive Controls

The KRONOS control system has been refined over several generations to deliver a performance interface that Korg says is as intuitive as it is powerful. Its layout features eight real-time knobs, nine sliders, and a suite of performance controls.

At the heart of the interface lies the TouchView display, now faster and more responsive than ever and offering at-a-glance access to vital information and settings.

Enhanced Performance

KRONOS features significantly improved startup process. Thanks to a reengineered system architecture, startup time is now 60% faster than previous models.

Legacy Support, Built to Last

Since its inception in 2011, every mode of KRONOS has received substantial updates, while ensuring compatibility and continuity across generations. All KRONOS systems can utilize the many and varied KRONOS Sound Libraries, preserving your investment.

For previous KRONOS and NAUTILUS owners, KORG will release a Soundpack in the second half of 2025 that brings the latest KRONOS sounds to earlier models.

Enhanced SGX-2 Grand Piano Sound Engine

The KRONOS piano engine has always offered non-looped/natural decay stereo samples, recorded for every key, with additional tools to customize the piano to your needs.

Inheriting all of this SGX-1 functionality, the new enhanced SGX-2 Grand Piano engine introduces the new Berlin Grand piano to the existing deep German Grand and lively Japanese Grand. The Berlin Grand offers resonant piano sound with a striking sense of depth. In addition to these three pianos, it is equipped with a gorgeous and transparent Italian Grand – giving you four very different Grand Pianos to choose from.

Other enhancements to the SGX-2 engine included Sympathetic String Resonance and newly-recorded Una Corda (soft pedal – literally “one-string”) samples.

Massive Sound Selection

KRONOS comes equipped with thousands of sounds, created using various synthesis modes and calling upon over approximately 21 GB of preset waveform data, covering a variety of genres.

The internal SSD offers a generous 62 GB capacity, providing enormous space for user sampling or downloading additional KRONOS Sound Libraries.

Nine Distinct Sound Engines

Each of the individual KRONOS sound engines offers unique programming parameters, real-time controllers, integrated effects, and assignable modulation routings, giving you 9 sound engines in a single keyboard.

Set List Mode

KRONOS can organize all of the resources you need to get through a song—or a set—using the Set List mode.

Using the Set List mode, the TouchView display can host 16 color-coded touch-screen buttons; each one can instantly call up the appropriate Preset, Combination, or Sequence—regardless of mode.

You can even add handy performance notes (“Sing on Chorus;” “Transpose Down;” “Wait for Sax Solo;” etc.) to each one.

The Set List mode adds a dedicated nine-band graphic EQ, allowing the overall tone to be tweaked to match the venue. Set List mode now allows for deeper customization with many slot color options, text size variations, and a full-screen text editor. Connecting a USB computer keyboard makes it simple to enter text and numeric values.

Color TouchView Display

The KRONOS features an eight-inch (800 x 600 pixel) SVGA color TouchView display.

In addition to simply selecting a sound or choosing a parameter with the touch of a finger, the enhanced Touch-Drag ability allows more detailed control of parameter values. Interactive instruments and panel graphics provide the ability to do everything from adjusting the opening height of a grand piano lid to connecting patch cables on a semi-modular synthesizer model.

The TouchView display also hosts a convenient new Search Function, allowing you to search for (and preview) sounds based on their titles.

Sequencer Composition Tools

In addition to MIDI and Audio tracks, the onboard sequencer is loaded with tools to transform your musical ideas into a complete composition, using realtime and interactive techniques.

KARMA – First appearing on KORG’s Karma Music Workstation in 2001, this algorithmic music technology produces phrases, drum grooves and full-blown backing tracks.  KARMA creates musical effects, based on the notes and chords you play, and the operations you perform with the instrument’s knobs, sliders, and switched.

The second generation adds features like KARMA Wave-Sequencing, Note Mapping and 8 scenes per layer.

Drum Tracks – First introduced in the M3 music workstation/synthesizer that launched in 2007, Drum Tracks is now featured in the new KRONOS. Drum Tracks can create everything from a simple reference beat or outline rhythm track up to a full-blown drum track.

Expanded for use in the KRONOS, Drum Tracks now includes professional drum performances, and generates grooves that capture the distinctive feel of a pro drummer.

Open Sampling System

Using KORG’s Open Sampling System, KRONOS can sample an external audio source, regardless of whether KRONOS is in the Program, Combination, or Sequencer modes. The Open Sampling Mode can even resample the performance of the KRONOS itself.

The user sample bank, which extends the convenience of the EXs sample library to user samples, allows custom samples to be loaded and played, taking advantage of the large SSD capacity.

AIFF, WAV, SoundFont 2.0, and AKAI S1000/3000 format samples can be loaded into memory via USB memory. Additionally, you can use a USB Ethernet adapter to exchange large amounts of sample data with your computer at high speed. Instruments or samples that you’ve previously created on your PC can be used to construct a music production setup based on just the KRONOS.

16-Track MIDI Sequencer / 16-Track Audio Recorder

KRONOS features a sequencer/recording section that lets you create complete arrangements, with both 16 MIDI tracks and 16 audio tracks. The 16-track audio recorder simultaneously captures up to four tracks of 16-bit/24-bit uncompressed data at a sampling rate of 48 kHz.

6 Onboard Effect Processors

KRONOS provides 16 internal effects. Each of the 12 Insert effects can be applied to individual or multiple timbres in a combination, or to individual or multiple tracks of the sequencer. Two Master effects can be applied to sends 1/2, and two Total effects can be applied to all tracks at the final stage of the sound.

A separate three-band EQ is provided for every timbre, for every sequencer track, and for every audio track for adjusting subtle tonal balances or for creatively modifying the overall sound.

USB/MIDI Host Ports Accommodate MIDI Control Surfaces

Any class-compliant USB-MIDI controller can be connected directly to the KRONOS. If you connect a KORG pad-equipped USB MIDI controller (nanoPAD, nanoPAD2, padKONTROL), pads 1 through 8 of the controller are automatically mapped to the virtual chord pad function of the KRONOS, allowing them to be used to play drums, trigger chords, or to switch chords in chord mode.

Smooth Sound Transitions

When you switch program sounds during a performance to get ready for the next section, or when you switch from Program mode to Combi mode, the sound that’s currently being output is always given priority and its effects are maintained during the program change, ensuring a seamless transition with no dropouts.

Advanced Control Surface

In addition to the parameters accessible directly from the TouchView display, KRONOS also offers a wealth of realtime controllers to enhance any performance and to aid navigation. A four-way joystick, ribbon controller, and two assignable switches are located to the left of the keyboard. An additional Vector joystick is positioned for easy access.

Above the keyboard, nine sliders, eight knobs and a number of switches provide additional real-time control. The damper pedal input jack supports half-damping, providing yet another level of piano realism. In addition to the damper pedal jack, there are also two assignable pedal inputs, one footpedal type and one footswitch style.

Flagship RH3 Weighted Hammer Action

Both the 88- and 73-key KRONOS models use KORG’s finest RH-3 Real Weighted Hammer Action. Offering an authentic and accurate piano feel, there are four zones, ranging from heavier to lighter, to provide a more true piano playing experience.

Natural Touch Semi-Weighted Action

For those who prefer the quick response of a synthesizer or organ keyboard, the KRONOS 61-key model is equipped with a lightweight semi-weighted synthesizer action with aftertouch.

See the Korg site for details.