When Korg released the OASYS in 2005, it was way ahead of its time.

I was in music heaven with the HD-1, AL-1, CX-3, EXs-1, EXs-2, EXs-3, LAC-1, MOD-7 sound engines, 10.4 inch Color Touch Screen, and all of Stephen Kay’s KARMA OASYS Software.

The OASYS became the center piece of my studio.

While the OASYS was Korg’s most ambitious project, it was not a commercial success having sold just around 2000 units. The price was too steep.

Korg replaced the OASYS with the Kronos at a much more affordable price point. Compromises had to be made. The build quality did not match the OASYS and I was never tempted to upgrade.

After the Kronos came the Nautilus. I never viewed them as a replacement for the OASYS.

Now after 20 years, Korg has the opportunity to leapfrog the Yamaha Montage M8x and the Roland Fantom-8EX with a next generation OASYS.

I was surprised to see Jack at Andertons Synth upload a YouTube video showcasing a Korg OASYS and Wavedrum. Is this a sign that Korg is about to release a successor?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAKsRkeSFIA


Much of the cutting edge technology on the OASYS found its way to the Kronos and the Nautilus. Now that the price of hardware has come down so much, Korg may be poised to surprise the synth world once again.

I love everything on the original OASYS. I combined a Korg Pa2X Pro to get the arranger functions.

The OASYS performs flawlessly after so many years. Can’t thank enough the brilliant developers that worked on this project.

The OASYS was Korg’s masterpiece.

Sorry to disappoint, that's not happening

Hi Frank

Great to hear from you! Will you be at NAMM next week?

What about this website talking about a new KRONOS from Korg?


https://sandsoftwaresound.net/namm-2025-korg-new-kronos/


One reason why Korg stopped making the Kronos was because of the chip shortage.
This is no longer an issue.

Korg Forums is discussing this.


http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=131426


Here are the predictions for NAMM 2025.


https://sandsoftwaresound.net/



I was hoping KAWAI to release a successor to their KAWAI MP11SE flagship stage piano.
This comes with the original Kawai Grand Feel Wooden-key Action.


https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MP11SE--kawai-mp11se-88-key-professional-stage-piano


I would like the successor to have the Kawai Grand Feel III Action that comes in the Kawai CA901.


https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/CA901Blk--kawai-ca901-digital-concert-piano-satin-black


This is the closest rocking/lever action balanced over a pin that mimics a concert grand.

This is very different from the hinged/folded action that comes on the Roland RD-2000, Korg Grandstage X, Yamaha CP88 and the Nord Grand 2.

Good News!!

Bonners Pianos & Keyboards in the UK just released the specs on the New Korg KRONOS 3 workstation.
They are taking pre-orders for its expected release in June.

These are the highlights:

Enhanced 8" (800 x 600) TouchView Display
All black styling with black powdered coated metal body with solid black end panels
60% faster boot up time
9 sound engines: HD-1, MX-20EX, STR-1, SGX-2, PolysixEX, AL-1, EP-1, CX-3, MOD-7
KRS-08: Best of Triton
KRS-04: Essential Keyboards Splits & Layers
KRS-05: Ensemble Combinations
KRS-06: CX-3 Signature sounds
More multi-samples
256 brand new programs showcasing the new multi-samples
Italian (FAZIOLI) Grand Piano Sample (EXs21 SGX-2 Italian F Piano)
Integrated KARMA and Drum Tracks Engines
Complete backward compatibility with older KRONOS models
62GB Solid State Drive - size may change
16 onboard Effect Processors and EQs
12 Insert Effects
2 Master Effects
2 Total Effects
197 Effect Types
783 Effect Presets
16-track MIDI Sequencer
16-track Audio Recorder
3 band EQ for every track
USB/MIDI Host Ports
SST - Smooth Sound Transitions
3GB of RAM
KRONOS OS Version 3.2


The KRONOS 3 will be available in 3 versions:

61 Key Semi-Weighted Action.
73 Key RH-3 Real Weighted Hammer Action made in Japan.
88 Key RH-3 Real Weighted Hammer Action made in Japan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=948aJjXZzf0


Promo video just released from Korg:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRBnWQklEeQ


Details on the KRONOS 3 Workstation:


https://www.korg.com/us/products/synthesizers/kronos3/


Listen to the 2nd KRONOS 3 demo song by Stephen Kay, creator of KARMA. It is a tribute to the 1986 Challenger Space Shuttle disaster. It uses a vocal track.

The 8th demo song Interstices by Jordan Rudess showcases the gorgeous solo FAZIOLI F308 Concert Grand piano sample.


I am thoroughly impressed.
I want one!


Korg is at the top of their game. They have a winner on the 20th anniversary of the original OASYS.

Pricing on the KORG KRONOS 3 has been revealed.


MSRP for 61-key version = $2,999

https://kraftmusic.com/collections/synthesizers/products/korg-kronos-3-61-key-music-workstation


MSRP for 76-key version = $3,299

https://kraftmusic.com/collections/synthesizers/products/korg-kronos-3-73-key-music-workstation


MSRP for 88-key version = $3,599

https://kraftmusic.com/collections/synthesizers/products/korg-kronos-3-88-key-music-workstation

Anyone who pre-orders one of these is taking a HUGE risk given Korg’s completely botched PA5x launch. It has taken over two YEARS for Korg to get around to fixing only a small part of the huge laundry list of issues, much of the stuff missing from the PA4x’s OS Korg promised was coming ’soon’ is still missing, most pros are still gigging with their 4x because of poor forward migration…

If any of these problems continue with the new Kronos, it’s a risky upgrade.

Hi Diki,

Excellent point.

However, I feel the KRONOS 3 launch has a better chance of going smoothly because this is the 4th iteration of the same architecture if you consider the progression:


KRONOS, released in 2011
KRONOS X, released in 2012
KRONOS 2, released in 2015, discontinued in 2022
KRONOS 3, released in 2025


The OS version on the KRONOS 3 is 3.2.
This looks like a minor update to the last KRONOS 2 OS version 3.1.3

Korg engineers have had 14 years to hammer down the bugs.
KRONOS 3 still has the same 9 sound engines.
There is nothing major that is new to the KRONOS 3 to cause unexpected surprises.

Keeping my fingers crossed.

I’m not worried about legacy bugs. I’m worried about new bugs and Korg understaffed to fix them. Not to mention, completely unwilling to communicate with their customers.

In the arranger field, Korg have gone from a company willing to communicate with its victims (I mean ’customers’!) to completely stonewalling them. Not a good sign for the future, IMO.

I wish Behringer would start making arrangers. There’s a company that gets stuff done openly and quickly. And unafraid to copy a great idea..!

I look forward to seeing you on Thursday Frank. Disappointed that Roland will be missing. Hoping AJ will be there to discuss Ketron's direction.