New keyboard offers workstation features such as a wide variety of rich and unique sounds and effects, a MIDI sequencer and audio recording, plus powerful aesthetic appeal

Musikmesse, Frankfurt, Germany – Korg announces the new KROSS keyboard. Kross is a mobile, affordable, keyboard workstation with audio/MIDI recording capabilities, AC or battery operation (6xAA), and a vast selection of cutting-edge sounds. Available with 61 keys or 88 fully-weighted keys, it’s the first battery-powered, full-featured Korg keyboard workstation. With rich sounds that are top of its class, and practical features such as analog-style step sequencing and built-in audio recorder, all in a lightweight and portable package, Kross offers specs and style that will exceed people’s expectation of a keyboard at this price point.

The piano, electric piano, and drum sounds have been taken from some of Korg’s flagship instruments, offering a set of sounds that surpasses other instruments in its class. The grand piano features intricately-sampled decays with three levels of velocity, and also reproduces the noises made by the damper pedal. The five classic electric piano sounds include effect settings. In addition, careful attention has been paid to the drum sounds for song creation.

Kross contains approximately twice as much sound sample data as preceding Korg models such as the X50 and the PS60. Essential sounds like rock/jazz organ, strings, brass, and synth sounds have all been upgraded and enhanced. Also included are instruments such as toy piano, accordion, combo organ, church organ, and even vintage instruments such as a tape sampler. Unique to a keyboard of its class are sounds for today’s EDM dance music and electronica.

Effect types include delay, reverb, chorus, flanger, and rotary speaker, as well as Korg’s proprietary amp modeling, and even a vocoder. In total, 134 high-quality effects are available (seven simultaneous).

Kross includes a full-featured, 16-track MIDI sequencer as well as an analog-style step sequencer. The easy-to-use sequencer design features sixteen buttons that are used to turn individual notes on or off for quickly and easily creating original rhythm patterns. SMF-format data can easily be exchanged with a computer via an optional SC card. A full set of workstation and production tools include a stereo audio recorder with overdubbing capabilities, a one-touch Drum Track function, and an arpeggiator to animate any type of sound.

The Kross’ unmistakable color and design project a powerful and unique aesthetic appeal. The top panel is a sleek black color, while the rear and side panels feature a bold red color scheme. The 61-key model, with its distinctive carrying handle, is amazingly light; at only 4.3 kg/9.5 lb, it’s the most portable in its category. The 88-key model packs a piano-touch hammer action keyboard into a mere 12.4 kg/27.3 lbs. Both models can operate on an AC adapter or on six AA alkaline or nickel-metal hydride batteries.

The Korg Kross keyboard workstation will be available in August 2013 with U.S.

Street prices as follows: 61-key: $699 and 88-key: $999.

KROSS Features:

  • Contains approximately twice as much sound sample data as preceding Korg models
  • Also includes instruments such as toy piano, accordion, combo organ, church organ, and a tape sampler
  • Effect types include delay, reverb, chorus, flanger, and rotary speaker, as well as amp modeling
  • Includes a full-featured, 16-track MIDI sequencer
  • SMF-format data can easily be exchanged with a computer via an optional SC card
  • Weighs only 4.3 kg/9.5 lb, the most portable in its category
  • Operates on an AC adapter or on six AA alkaline or nickel-metal hydride batteries

 

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