KROME EX - Overview

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Carefully selected sounds with immediate usability

Keeping up with a worldwide music scene that evolves daily is a challenge for any instrument designer that Korg is excited to take on. KROME EX answers the question "What sounds should be provided by today’s go-to workstation synth?" First we focus on EDM (Electronic Dance Music) that has conquered the world. Rich, effect-laden polyphonic sounds that evoke massive rooms, clear and crisp synth leads, and punchy drum kits that get listeners moving are some of the new staple sounds that we've added. Ethnic instruments such as steel pan, kalimba, and kokyu, as well as Hollywood-type sound effects frequently used in movie trailers or commercials are also newly provided. KROME EX features a musical catalog for today, where users can simply select a program and immediately begin composing fresh-sounding tracks.

The best of the basics

Having bread-and-butter sounds that are always usable is a top priority for our sound designers. The KROME EX is equipped with sounds that are intended for longevity, such as the piano and electric piano that are the foundation of any keyboard, as well as drums that are indispensable for a workstation.

KROME EX’s piano sounds are crucial

Piano sounds are critically important for nearly every keyboard instrument. The KROME EX is equipped with new grand piano sounds. These sounds were recorded under the supervision of Seigen Ono, the authority on DSD recording and mastering, and provide a beautifully clear sound that builds on the success of the "German D Grand" that exemplifies the original KROME, further expanding the range of piano sounds. An upright piano frequently used in pop is also newly included.

Electric pianos with beautiful warmth and realism

For many keyboardists, a realistic electric piano sound is just as critical as an artisanal acoustic piano sound. KROME features three types of electric pianos. Eight velocity levels have been used to ensure faithful expression response. Lavish amounts of PCM memory have been used for this purpose, to the extent that just one of these electric piano types contains more sample data than the entire sound memory of a typical PCM synthesizer. In addition, the vintage amps, cabinets, and classic effects so important to these timeless sounds have been painstakingly modeled, offering a fully immersive electric piano experience.

Drum sounds with fine-tune control over resonance

When producing on a music workstation, the built-in drum kits play a major role. The KROME EX provides a massive collection of more than 2,500 drum samples to power its 48 preload kits. One of the notable kits is "Jazz Ambience Drums." Its generous sound takes advantage of KROME EX’s high-capacity PCM memory to deliver a completely new level of clarity and realism. Adjusting the mix balance between the direct sound (a mic placed near the head or cymbal) and the ambient sound (recorded from a distant mic to capture the resonance of the room), allows you to create a rich drum sound that has exactly the balance and character that you want.

Drum Tracks deliver realistic grooves

Simply pressing a single button turns on the Drum Track feature, providing realistic grooves played by professionals using the KROME EX’s studio-quality drum sounds. Play along or incorporate them into your music production. In addition to more than 600 preset patterns inherited from KRONOS, there's plenty of space for saving user patterns as well. Drum patterns can be created and used with the sequencer, as well as providing a rhythm guide while you play, or they can be used creatively in your live performances.

Expertly created, in-demand sounds including 896 Programs and 512 Preload Combinations

In addition to piano, electric piano, and drums, KROME EX has a plentiful array of sounds to cover a broad range of styles that will meet a wide variety of needs. Stimulate your creativity by selecting any of the 896 Programs or 512 Combinations. Each one has been carefully created by professional studio and performing musicians to provide exceptional real-world use for both rich clean backing parts or soaring solos. Plus you can tweak, customize, create, and save your own sounds as well.

Dual polyphonic arpeggiators

In Combination mode or Sequencer mode, two arpeggiators can be run simultaneously. In addition to standard arpeggio patterns, these arpeggiators can generate guitar or bass riffs, drum patterns, or they can even be used as building blocks for sound design, to create pads, synth sounds, and sound effects that include subtle motion. You're also free to edit any of the patterns to create your own custom originals.

Workstation Wonderland

KROME EX has a full complement of the features you’ve come to expect from a KORG Music Workstation, starting with the 16-track sequencer. But there’s much, much more. KROME EX comes complete with a rich suite of tools to jumpstart your creativity. There's the convenient Auto Song Setup function; if inspiration strikes while you're playing a program or combination, simply press the REC switch to start recording immediately. Each Template Song assigns popular sounds to sequencer tracks through pre-routed effects to match a specific musical genre. Achieve lightning-fast arrangements using KORG’s Cue List, and build an armada of instant-access patterns using the RPPR (Realtime Pattern/Play Recording) feature. Go back and you can make any changes using the convenient piano-roll editing.

Natural Expression

73 Key Model

KROME EX 61 and 73 models feature a semi-weighted keyboard; with great feel and response that are ideal for playing any style of piano, to dynamic organ performance, to pyrotechnic synthesizer solos. KROME EX 88 is equipped with KORG’s NH (Natural Weighted Hammer Action) keyboard, ensuring that every nuance of your playing dynamics will be expressively reflected when playing sounds such as piano or electric piano.

An aluminum panel that stands out on stage, and design that feels substantial and solid

Wrapped in dark colors, the body of KROME EX features flowing lines that utilize curves on the sides and a lustrous aluminum front panel surface. This distinctive design will stand out even on a crowded stage, leaving a strong impression on the audience for its appearance as well as its clear sound.

Intuitive TouchView™ interface

KROME EX’s huge 800 x 480 pixel TouchView Color display can show numerous parameters at once, ensuring great visibility. Simply touch the screen to change sounds or edit parameters. Finger-drag editing is also supported, allowing you to use the on-screen sliders and knobs directly. Numerous functions take advantage of the TouchView interface, such as the piano roll editor, a stopwatch that’s convenient for keeping track of a live performance, and a calculator keypad that is convenient for entering numerical values.

USB and SD Storage

SPECIFICATIONS

Keyboard

• KROME EX-61: Semi Weighted Keyboard. Velocity sensitive is supported, after touch is not supported. Standard C2 - C7 (transposable in the range [C1...C6]-[C3...C8])
• KROME EX-73: Semi Weighted Keyboard. Velocity sensitive is supported, after touch is not supported. Standard C1 - C7 (transposable in the range [C0...C6]-[C2...C8])
• KROME EX-88: NH (Natural Weighted Hammer Action) keyboard. Velocity sensitive is supported, after touch is not supported. Standard A0 - C8 (transposable in the range [A-1...C7]-[A1...C9]) *The NH keyboard reproduces the touch of an acoustic piano, with a heavier feel in the low register and a lighter feel in the upper register.

System

• EDS-X（Enhanced Definition Synthesis - eXpanded）

Sounds

• Maximum Polyphony: 120 voices (120 Oscillators) / Single Mode, 60 voices (120 Oscillators) / Double Mode *The maximum simultaneous voice polyphony will vary depending on oscillator settings, velocity crossfading and whether you are using mono or stereo multisamples.
• PCM Memory: 4 GB (In case of 48 kHz, 16-bit Linear PCM converted) 728 multisamples (including 44 Stereo multi-samples) 2,502 drumsamples (including 574 Stereo Drumsamples )
• Program
  • Oscillator: OSC1 (Single); OSC1 + 2 (Double): Stereo multisamples are supported 8 velocity zones per oscillator with switching, crossfades and layers
  • Filters: Four types of filter routing (single, serial, parallel, 24 dB). Two multi-mode filters per oscillator (low pass, high pass, band pass, band reject)
  • Driver: Per-voice nonlinear driver and low boost
  • EQ: Three bands, with sweepable mid
  • Modulation: For each oscillator, two envelope generators (Filter & Amp), two LFOs, two key tracking generators (Filter & Amp), two AMS mixers, Pitch EG, Common LFO, two common key tracking generators
• Combination
  • Timbre Number: Max 16. For each Timbre, keyboard and velocity split/layer/crossfades. Modifications to the program settings via the Tone Adjust function.

Drum Kit

• Stereo and mono drum samples. 8 velocity zones switch (crossfades and layers)
• The number of Combination / Program / Drum Kit
  • User Combination: 768 Combination (512 Preload)
  • User Program: 1536 Program (896 Preload)
  • User Drum Kit: 80 Drum Kit (48 Preload)
  • Preset Program: 256 GM2 Program + 9 GM2 Drums Program

Effects

• Insert Effects: 5 Insert Effects (stereo in/out)
• Master Effects: 2 Master Effects (stereo in/out)
• Total Effect: 1 Total Effect (stereo in/out)
• Timbre / Track EQ: 3-band EQ per in 1 Timbre / in 1 Track
• Effect Types: 193 types (Usable as insert, master, or total effects. However, double-size effects cannot be used as a total effect.)
• Modulation: Dynamic Modulation, 2 Common LFO
• Effects Control Busses: Stereo side chain (Limiter, Gate, Vocoder etc.)
• Effect Preset: 32 preset per effect

Polyphonic Arpeggiator

• Program Mode: 1 unit
• Combination, Sequencer Mode: 2 units are available
• Number of pattern: 5 preset Arpeggio pattern, 1,088 User Arpeggio pattern (960 Preload)

Drum Track

• Preset Patterns: 710 patterns (Common with the preset pattern of the Sequencer mode)
• User Patterns: 1,000 patterns (Pattern created in Sequencer mode can be converted to drum track user pattern)
• Others: Configurable “Trigger Mode / Sync / Zone”

Sequencer

• Tracks: 16-track + 1 master track
• Number of Songs: 128 Songs
• Resolution: ♩=1／480
• Tempo: 40.00 - 300.00 (1/100 BPM resolution)
• Maximum memory: 210,000 MIDI events
• Template Songs: 16 preset / 16 user template songs
• Cue List function: 20 Cue List Songs can be arranged consecutively or repeatedly in up to 99 steps, a cue list can be converted back into a song.
• Pattern / RPPR (Realtime Pattern Play and Recording): 710 Preset / 100 User pattern (Per song). 1 pattern set per song
• Format: KORG (KROME) format, SMF format 0 and 1

Media

• Load, Save, Utility, Data filer functionality (Save and Load MIDI System Exclusive Data)

Controllers

• Controllers: Joystick, SW [1], SW [2]
• Realtime Control
  • [SELECT] Switch: TONE, USER, ARP
  • 4 Knobs: Modulation, User, Arpeggio control
• Drum Track: [DRUM TRACK] Switch: On/Off
• Arpeggiator: [ARP] Switch: On/OfF

User Interface

• Display: Touch view graphical User Interface, 7 -inch Color TFT LCD, 800 x 480 pixel, Onboard LCD brightness control
• Mode Switches: [COMBI], [PROG], [SEQ], [GLOBAL], [MEDIA] Switch
• VALUE controllers: [VALUE] Dial, [INC], [DEC] Switches, 10 key block ([0] - [9], [-], [.], [ENTER], [COMPARE])
• BANK Switches: [A], [B], [C], [D], [E], [F] switches (in Combination mode, [A], [B], [C], [D] switches are available)
• SEQUENCER switches: [PAUSE]、[REW]、[FF]、[LOCATE]、[REC]、[START／STOP]
• TEMPO: TEMPO
• Others: [PAGE] switch, [WRITE] switch, [EXIT] switch, [VOLUME] knob, Contrast knob

Outputs

• AUDIO OUTPUT, L／MONO, R: 6.3mm (Mono) Phone jack, Unbalanced. Output Impedance: 1.1[kΩ] (L / Mono terminal: in case of Mono output, = 550[Ω]). Maximum level: +16.0 [dBu], Load Impedance: more than 10 [kΩ].
• Headphone Output: 3.5mmStereo phone jack. Output Impedance: 33[Ω]. Maximum level: 60 + 60 [mW] (In case of 33[Ω] Loaded)

Control Input

• DAMPER (Half Damper supported), ASSIGNABLE SWITCH, ASSIGNABLE PEDAL

Others

• MIDI: IN, OUT
• USB: USB-MIDI Interface (TYPE B) x 1
• SD Card Slot: Max 2 GB / SD Memory Card is supported Max: 32 GB/ SDHC Memory Card is supported (SDXC Memory Card is not supported)

Principle Specifications

• Power: Power supply (DC12V 3.5A), POWER switch
• Power Consumption: 13W
• Dimensions (W x D x H): KROME EX-61: 1,027 mm × 313 mm × 93 mm / 40.43 x 12.32 x 3.66 inches KROME EX-73: 1,191 mm × 313 mm × 93 mm / 46.89 x 12.32 x 3.66 inches KROME EX-88: 1,448 mm × 383 mm × 131 mm / 57.01 x 15.08 x 5.16 inches
• Weight: KROME EX-61: 7.2 kg / 15.87 lbs. KROME EX-73: 8.2kg / 18.08 lbs. KROME EX-88: 14.7kg / 32.41 lbs.
• Included Items: AC Adapter,

Accessories (sold separately)

• Keyboard stand: Standard-S-ABK (for 61 key model) Standard-M-SV (for 73 key model) Standard-L-SV、L-ABK (for 88 key model)
• Soft shell cases: SC-KINGKORG/KROME (for 61 key model) SC-KROME 73 (for 73 key model) SC-KROSS2 88/KROME 88 (for 88 key model)
• Expression/volume pedal: XVP-20
• Foot controller: EXP-2
• Damper pedal: DS-1H
• Pedal switch: PS-1 PS-3