Korg Kronos
Korg Kronos is a flagship music workstation synthesizer combining multiple synthesis engines, sequencing, sampling, audio recording, effects and performance control in one keyboard instrument.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Korg Kronos is a family of professional music workstations introduced by Korg at the Winter NAMM Show in January 2011. It was developed as the successor to Korg's OASYS workstation and continued that instrument's software-based architecture, while adding a broader set of integrated acoustic-piano, electric-piano, organ, analog-synthesis, sample-based and physical-modeling technologies. Rather than functioning as a conventional single-engine synthesizer, Kronos is a computer-like performance instrument built around an Intel processor, a Linux-based operating system and a collection of specialized sound engines. The workstation's main attraction is its breadth. Depending on the model and operating-system generation, Kronos provides nine principal engines: SGX premium acoustic piano, EP electric piano, CX-3 tonewheel organ, HD-1 high-definition sample synthesis, MS-20EX and PolysixEX analog modeling, AL-1 analog synthesis, MOD-7 waveshaping and phase-modulation synthesis, and STR-1 physical modeling for plucked or struck strings. These engines allow one instrument to cover acoustic piano, vintage electric piano, tonewheel organ, orchestral and band sounds, analog leads and basses, FM-style timbres, evolving pads, mallet instruments and experimental textures. Korg's Virtual Memory Technology streams large piano samples from internal solid-state storage, reducing the need to keep the entire sample set in conventional memory. Kronos also combines a 16-track MIDI sequencer with a 16-track, 24-bit digital audio recorder. The audio recorder can capture up to four tracks at once, while the workstation supports sampling, sample editing and import or export of formats including Korg, Akai, SoundFont, WAV and AIFF. Its effects section provides a large library of effects that can be arranged as insert, master and total effects, with track-level equalization. Korg's KARMA system, developed by Stephen Kay, generates complex musical phrases and rhythmic or melodic patterns in real time in response to a performer. A color touchscreen provides access to sound selection, mixing, sequencing, editing and system functions, and computer-based editor software can connect Kronos to a digital audio workstation. The range has been sold in 61-key, 73-key and 88-key configurations. The 61-key model uses a semi-weighted synth action, while the standard 73-key and 88-key versions use weighted graded-hammer actions aimed at piano-oriented players. The Kronos LS, introduced in 2017, offered a lighter-touch 88-key action and reduced the weight of the instrument. Over its life, Korg also released visually distinctive and software-enhanced editions, including platinum, gold, special, titanium and other limited finishes. The original Kronos was followed by the Kronos X in 2012, which increased internal memory and storage. The redesigned Kronos 2, marketed as the new Kronos, appeared in late 2014 and introduced a newer processor generation, additional memory, new factory content and operating system version 3. The SGX-2 piano engine replaced SGX-1, adding features such as modeled string resonance, soft-pedal samples and support for a Berlin Grand sound set. Earlier Kronos units could receive selected software and sound updates, allowing some of the platform's improvements to reach existing owners. Korg treated the platform as an end-of-life product from 2022 until announcing its return in January 2025. The Kronos 3 update retained the workstation concept while adding a newer processor, expanded 3 GB memory, a 128 GB internal storage capacity, revised firmware, additional EXs sound libraries and a new black exterior. The product is used by touring keyboardists, studio musicians, composers, producers and performers who need a broad palette and workstation workflow without carrying multiple dedicated keyboards.
History
Korg Kronos emerged from the development of Korg's OASYS workstation, but was designed as a more broadly accessible flagship platform. Announced at the Winter NAMM Show in Anaheim in January 2011, it combined a keyboard, a software-driven synthesizer architecture, a sequencer, a digital audio recorder, sampling, effects and a color touchscreen. Its internal design used an Intel x86 processor and a Linux-based operating system with real-time extensions. This allowed Korg to bring several distinct synthesis approaches into a single instrument rather than relying on one conventional hardware voice architecture. The initial Kronos platform supported nine major sound engines. SGX-1 handled premium acoustic piano using multisamples streamed from solid-state storage. EP-1 modeled classic Rhodes and Wurlitzer electric pianos, including mechanical and amplifier characteristics. CX-3 reproduced tonewheel-organ behavior and rotary-speaker effects. HD-1 supplied sample-based synthesis and wave sequencing. MS-20EX and PolysixEX modeled historic Korg analog instruments, while AL-1 provided a broader virtual-analog environment. MOD-7 combined phase-modulation, waveshaping, sampling and modular signal routing, and STR-1 used physical modeling to create plucked- and struck-string sounds. The result was a workstation intended to cover both realistic instrumental duties and advanced synthesis. The instrument's workstation features were equally important. Kronos provided 16 MIDI tracks, a 16-track 24-bit audio recorder, simultaneous recording of up to four audio tracks, sampling and sample editing, and a substantial effects system. Korg's KARMA technology generated responsive musical phrases and patterns, giving performers a way to create movement and accompaniment from played notes. The instrument could also be edited through computer software and integrated into a digital audio workstation, making it useful in live performance, composition and studio production. Korg expanded the line with the Kronos X in July 2012. The X version increased internal memory and solid-state storage while preserving the basic hardware and software concept. In November 2014, Korg announced the Kronos 2, marketed as the new Kronos. It received a physical redesign, a newer Intel processor generation, increased memory, new factory content and operating-system version 3. The SGX-2 piano engine replaced SGX-1 and added modeled string resonance, soft-pedal samples, more velocity layers and the Berlin Grand sound set. Some earlier instruments could receive operating-system and sound-bank upgrades, extending the useful life of the original platform. The product family continued through several configurations and special editions. Standard models used 61, 73 or 88 keys, with the longer versions generally using graded hammer actions. The Kronos LS, launched in 2017, used a lighter-touch 88-key mechanism and reduced the instrument's weight. Korg also issued platinum and gold limited editions, a red-and-black Special Edition, and a titanium edition with a brushed-metal appearance and wooden end cheeks. These variants largely retained the Kronos 2 feature set while differentiating the physical presentation and, in some cases, bundling additional sound libraries. The Kronos operating system continued to receive maintenance and feature updates, including version 3.1.4 in February 2022. At the same time, the platform attracted criticism from security and open-source observers. Because the operating system incorporated the Linux kernel, researchers questioned whether Korg's use of a shim between proprietary components and GPL-licensed kernel symbols complied with the GNU General Public License. Researchers also described a cryptographic implementation issue involving truncation of an AES key. These concerns related to software licensing and security architecture rather than the instrument's musical capabilities. Kronos was treated as an end-of-life product from 2022, but Korg revived the line in January 2025 with Kronos 3. The new version retained the central workstation workflow and multi-engine design while adding an updated processor, 3 GB of RAM, 128 GB of storage, newer firmware and additional EXs sound libraries. Across its generations, Kronos has occupied Korg's professional flagship workstation segment, serving keyboardists, touring acts, composers, producers and sound designers who value a large integrated sound palette and deep editing in one instrument.
- 2025
Kronos 3 reintroduced
[1]Korg returned the platform with a newer processor, 3 GB RAM, 128 GB storage, updated firmware and additional sound libraries.
- 2022
Operating system 3.1.4 released
[1]Korg issued a later Kronos operating-system update during the platform's end-of-life period.
- 2020
Kronos Titanium Limited Edition released
[1]The titanium editions used a brushed-metal finish, maple end cheeks and bundled sound content.
- 2019
Kronos Special Edition released
[1]The Special Edition used a red-and-black finish and included additional sound libraries.
- 2017
Kronos LS released
[1]The LS variant introduced a lighter-touch 88-key action and reduced weight.
- 2016
Kronos 88 Platinum Limited Edition released
[1]Korg released a platinum-finish edition based on the Kronos 2.
- 2014
Kronos 2 announced
[1]The redesigned Kronos 2 added revised hardware, operating system version 3, more memory and the SGX-2 piano engine.
- 2013
CX-3 engine improved
[1]Operating system 2.1 enhanced the organ and Leslie simulations and added organ programs.
- 2012
Kronos X introduced
[1]The Kronos X increased internal memory and solid-state storage.
- 2011
Kronos announced
[1]Korg announced the Kronos at the Winter NAMM Show as a flagship workstation with nine sound engines, sequencing, sampling, recording, effects and a touchscreen.
Products and positioning
A premium, all-in-one professional keyboard workstation for stage and studio use, positioned around sonic range, deep synthesis, realistic piano and organ sounds, integrated sequencing, sampling, KARMA phrase generation and extensive performance control.
Music workstation synthesizer · 2011
Kronos
The original Kronos introduced Korg's nine-engine workstation concept. It combined acoustic and electric piano, tonewheel organ, sample-based, analog-modeling, waveshaping and physical-modeling engines with a 16-track MIDI sequencer, 16-track audio recorder, sampling, effects, KARMA phrase generation and a touchscreen interface. Standard versions were offered with 61, 73 and 88 keys.
Music workstation synthesizer · 2012
Kronos X
The Kronos X retained the original workstation architecture while increasing internal memory and solid-state storage. It was aimed at users needing a larger onboard environment for sounds and system data without moving to a fundamentally different platform.
Music workstation synthesizer · 2014
Kronos 2
Marketed as the new Kronos, Kronos 2 brought a redesigned exterior, newer processor generation, more memory, additional factory content and operating system version 3. Its SGX-2 piano engine added modeled string resonance, soft-pedal samples and support for the Berlin Grand sound set. It remained available in 61-, 73- and 88-key formats.
Lightweight music workstation synthesizer · 2017
Kronos LS
The Kronos LS was a Kronos 2 variant with a lighter-touch 88-key action rather than the heavier standard hammer action. Its reduced weight was intended to make transport easier for performers while preserving the Kronos sound engines, sequencing, sampling, effects and workstation workflow.
Music workstation synthesizer · 2025
Kronos 3
Kronos 3 reintroduced the family in 2025 with a black exterior, updated processor, revised firmware, 3 GB of RAM, 128 GB of internal storage and additional EXs sound libraries. It continues the multi-engine workstation approach for stage and studio musicians.
Controversies
Questions over GPL compliance and firmware security
Security and open-source researchers criticized the Kronos firmware architecture, alleging that a shim connected proprietary software with GPL-licensed Linux kernel symbols in a way that could raise GPL-compliance concerns. Researchers also reported a cryptographic implementation weakness involving truncation of an AES encryption key. The available reference material does not establish a legal judgment or regulatory finding.
Brand decisions
2025
Reintroduce the platform as Kronos 3Product launchBackground
Kronos had been treated as an end-of-life product from 2022, despite continued recognition of the platform among professional keyboard users.
Action taken
Korg revived the family with an updated processor, more memory and storage, new firmware, additional EXs libraries and a revised black design.
Aftermath
The reintroduction restored Kronos to Korg's current flagship-workstation lineup.
2017
Offer a lighter-touch 88-key modelStrategyBackground
The standard 88-key Kronos provided piano-style weighted action but was comparatively heavy for transport.
Action taken
Korg released the Kronos LS with a lighter-touch keyboard and reduced overall weight.
Aftermath
The LS broadened the range for touring and mobile performers while preserving the flagship workstation feature set.
2014
Redesign the flagship as Kronos 2Generation changeBackground
Korg sought to refresh its flagship workstation and improve piano realism and factory content.
Action taken
Korg introduced revised hardware, a newer processor, more memory, operating system version 3 and the SGX-2 piano engine.
Aftermath
The Kronos 2 became the principal form of the platform and served as the basis for later special editions and the LS variant.
2012
Expand the platform as Kronos XGeneration changeBackground
The original Kronos established a broad workstation architecture but had finite internal memory and storage.
Action taken
Korg introduced Kronos X with increased memory and solid-state storage while retaining the core design.
Aftermath
The update extended the platform's capacity without requiring a complete change of synthesis architecture.
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