Korg kronos streaming from SSD technology

[Muziksculp]

Hi,

I wanted to bring to your attention the new sample streaming technology that the latest KORG KRONOS Workstation keyboard has on offer.

Streaming directly from SSD has enabled them to achieve a quite remarkable breakthrough in bringing large sized sampled instruments into hardware workstations, which were stuck in the MBs domain for decades. I feel that KORG has began the new revolution in bringing HW-Workstations closer to what Software samplers have been able to do via streaming from disc technology.

I Congratulate KORG on this quite important breakthrough, and feel that HW-Workstations will begin closing in on VST/AU samplers, which had a sort of monopoly as far as streaming from disc technology is concerned.

It will be very interesting to see how this technology develops in the future ! The gap between HW-based workstations, and Software instruments is surely going to become narrower, and narrower, as we head into the future.

Your comments on this topic would be exciting, and fun to read.

Cheers,

Muziksulp

[Dead Man]

That's interesting, thanks for the heads up!

The gap between HW-based workstations, and Software instruments is surely going to become narrower, and narrower, as we head into the future.
And that's just coming back normal, because, to be honest, I don't care that you call a computer: hardware, and then you call the way it functions: software. If a computer looks like a keyboard, you may call it: hardware workstation, but it's still a computer. Or, if a keyboard looks like a computer, you may call it: computer, but it's still a hardware workstation. Does it matter what is called what? As long as it helps getting the job done, I personally don't care what it's called, hardware or software. What gap, come again?

I can call my computer: Undie, because I keep it under my desk. If I want, I can call it: Bo-X, because it looks like one. Or I can call it: Wall-E, because it compacts garbage and collects oddities. But I don't bother calling it anything, because, really, what would that change?

[nikolas]

I did notice the Kronos, but I still remain questioning the following: For live performance (as it's the VPiano) it seems amazing. But for us home/studio composers it seems that the software we have is much much better in terms of... well everything. Can we still compare the pianos in Kronos with QL Pianos? and so on...

[LMG]

I did notice the Kronos, but I still remain questioning the following: For live performance (as it's the VPiano) it seems amazing. But for us home/studio composers it seems that the software we have is much much better in terms of... well everything. Can we still compare the pianos in Kronos with QL Pianos? and so on...

Totally agree.

I'm suscribed to KORG's website and I also received the e-mail last week regarding this new workstation.
I'm a HUGE fan of KORG (which I consider better by far than Roland). However, now I'm into VSTs I guess I'll never buy a synthesizer again (at least not in the short time).
I enjoy composing more than playing live. So, yes, for me is better the VSTs.

This is like videogames. PC games will always be ahead the Playstation, Xbox (which it's also a computer but with its limits). Every game is first programemed in PC. So, there's no way a Playstation game can be superior to a PC game.

Many pro musicians are using MIDI keyboard controllers connected to a laptop for live performances, triggering samples.
It also depends on what music style you play.

I guess synthesizers (which I LOVE them all, by the way) will never reach the capabilities of a PC with VSTs.
However, 2 thumbs up for KORG for this new product. Standing ovation.

Hey, Nikolas, CONGRATULATIONS....you reached 2,800 posts !!! :)

[Oldfield]

I've just read that the SSD is only 30GB.... which doesn't seem to be that huge, (although for a workstation, it is)...4.7Gb of that is the main Piano samples.

I wonder how much one is. I won't be buying it as I have an M3.

[LMG]

I won't be buying it as I have an M3.

I have a KORG Trinity and I wouldn't change it for anything in the world. :cool:

[Muziksculp]

I have a KORG Trinity and I wouldn't change it for anything in the world. :cool:

Smart decision. I used to own the Trinity TR-Rack version, sold it years ago, I remember how great it sounded, I still regret selling it. imho, It's the best sounding unit KORG has produced.

[LMG]

Smart decision. I used to own the Trinity TR-Rack version, sold it years ago, I remember how great it sounded, I still regret selling it. imho, It's the best sounding unit KORG has produced.

Yes. It's amazing. Can't believe it was developed in 1996/97.

It still remains as the main synthesizers (together with the Triton) that keyboardists from the most famous bands and artists play. I haven't seen anyone playing an M3 live. They still prefer the Trinity and the Triton.

[Muziksculp]

KORG should have just continued evolving the Trinity line. They had a winner on their hands, but for some odd reason they did not.

I'm currently considering the new KRONOS, but have not been able to evaluate it yet as far as its acoustic sounds are concerned.

I guess I will have to wait a while, and try one out myself before deciding. I'm also looking into the new Korg PA3X arranger keyboard, it has lots of interesting features, and for some reason KORG arrangers have some great acoustic sounds. The arranger can add some instant fun, and arranging ideas, offering contrast to using DAWs and Software Instruments.

[sacrenouille]

This is like videogames. PC games will always be ahead the Playstation, Xbox (which it's also a computer but with its limits). Every game is first programemed in PC. So, there's no way a Playstation game can be superior to a PC game.

Pay attention to that. Buy a plastation and play games that will become better and better for 6-7 years. Buy a PC and be prepared to buy a new one in 2-3 years if you want to keep the same quality of framerate. Game console are designed for video game so they are much more efficient at it with slower hardware (in ratio comparison).

I think think what Korg does is pretty awesome if you compare the power of the cpu inside the hardware VS the huge CPU/RAM needed to have PLAY run smoothly.

Anyway, I am more a composer than a player too and still prefer VST, but you can't compare what's not comparable. Hardware designed for one speficifc purpose will be far more optimized than anything else, in regards for its overall power.

[LMG]

Pay attention to that. Buy a plastation and play games that will become better and better for 6-7 years. Buy a PC and be prepared to buy a new one in 2-3 years if you want to keep the same quality of framerate. Game console are designed for video game so they are much more efficient at it with slower hardware (in ratio comparison).

Yes, you'll have to buy a new computer every two years in order to be able to play the latest PC games, which, by the way, will have much better quality than a Playstation that evolves every 7 years. During 7 years, Sony is tied to the limits of its console. On the contrary, every year a PC game is designed and tells you "hey, you need 4GB more RAM, go upgrade your computer". Yes, it's a pain in the wallet, but you'll get better quality games every year compared to a console game.

Anyway, we are going off the main topic here. Let's go back to KRONOS.

[Muziksculp]

I wonder if anyone on this forum had a chance to hear the new Korg KRONOS at the NAMM 2011 Winter Show ?

If Yes, What was your first impression regarding the KRONOS's Sounds, and capabilities ? What did it shine at ? Synths ? Drums ? Pads ? Acoustic Instruments ? Leads ? Basses ? ....etc .

Comments ?

Thanks

[LMG]

I wonder if anyone on this forum had a chance to hear the new Korg KRONOS at the NAMM 2011 Winter Show ?

If Yes, What was your first impression regarding the KRONOS's Sounds, and capabilities ? What did it shine at ? Synths ? Drums ? Pads ? Acoustic Instruments ? Leads ? Basses ? ....etc .

Comments ?

Thanks

There's like a 50 minute video in YouTube of the official presentation of KRONOS. However, it's not the same as being there (and I guess that's what you are looking for).

[Muziksculp]

I watched most of the NAMM videos of KRONOS, but... It seems like they keep focusing on showing off the Pianos, more than the rest of the capabilities of the KRONOS engines. They spend very little time demoing the acoustic instruments, the various drum kits, and synth engines.

Not much is demonstrated about the sampling engine, and other important details that they seem to just brush upon in a rush. (given the time slot for the presentation, I guess it's hard to show off a lot of the various features in a bit of a more in-depth style at NAMM.)

Hopefully KORG will upload some new videos on their website, that go more in-depth, and have a healthy doze of new audio demos, showcasing the new acoustic instruments in KRONOS.

I think if KORG has done their homework well, and put some great samples of acoustic instruments, in addition to all the Synth modeling, and Pianos, Organs, Perc/Drum Kits, ...etc. They will have a winner workstation on their hands, and quite honestly, I think their SSD streaming on a HW Workstation, is a game changer, the future of HW is beginning to look brighter now that KORG has taken the first step. I have to give them credit, and applaud them for taking a big step in the right direction :headbang:

[LMG]

I watched most of the NAMM videos of KRONOS, but... It seems like they keep focusing on showing off the Pianos, more than the rest of the capabilities of the KRONOS engines. They spend very little time demoing the acoustic instruments, the various drum kits, and synth engines.

Not much is demonstrated about the sampling engine, and other important details that they seem to just brush upon in a rush. (given the time slot for the presentation, I guess it's hard to show off a lot of the various features in a bit of a more in-depth style at NAMM.)

Hopefully KORG will upload some new videos on their website, that go more in-depth, and have a healthy doze of new audio demos, showcasing the new acoustic instruments in KRONOS.

I think if KORG has done their homework well, and put some great samples of acoustic instruments, in addition to all the Synth modeling, and Pianos, Organs, Perc/Drum Kits, ...etc. They will have a winner workstation on their hands, and quite honestly, I think their SSD streaming on a HW Workstation, is a game changer, the future of HW is beginning to look brighter now that KORG has taken the first step. I have to give them credit, and applaud them for taking a big step in the right direction :headbang:

+1 KORG :cool:

[Maestro AL]

Hmm, yeah. 30GB hd seems small, but then again - in our Play instruments, EVERYTHING is samples - including the electronic/synth sounds. Whereas in the case of Kronos, besides some specific acousitc instruments that as of today still cannot be recreated believably with math, all other sounds will come from its computational power - needing only preset data. And you can store thousands of preset files in a few megs of space. So that seems like a smart combination.

Now, if only it's mixing engine is as spacious and 3-d as the OASYS' was, then its my next dream machine.

[chest]

No need to buy the Kronos ... just wait 15-20 years and it'll be available as a VSTi in Korg's Legacy Collection. :)

VST2, of course -- it's Korg, not Steinberg. :D

(My old Atari-Cubase sequences that played my Korg T1 can now work in PC Cubase, playing the "M1" VSTi.)