Korg unveils KROSS 2 workstation

Korg has unveiled the long-awaited successor to its KROSS synthesizer workstation – The KROSS 2.

While maintaining its identity as ultra-lightweight, compact and portable, the new model features enhancements including more than a thousand preset sounds and PCM memory . Also new is a pad sampler that allows full-fledged sampling, and USB audio/MIDI interface functionality.

Features include 16 sampler pads, realtime control section for quick parameter editing, ‘favourite’ function (letting you register and instantly recall up to 128 frequently-used sounds), quick layer/split, and an ultra-lightweight compact body weighing only 3.8 kg.

Six AA batteries allow up to seven hours of use, and it comes with a number of input jacks for singer-instrumentalists or vocoder performance without requiring additional equipment.

It is available now with prices starting at £689.

Korg also introduced the new C1 Air concert series digital piano, featuring a slim-line cabinet, 30 realistic instrument sounds, on-board recording and Bluetooth audio streaming.

It boasts digital recreation of true grand piano resonance, an RH3 keyboard that accurately simulates acoustic piano touch and response, a newly developed amplification and speaker system, and three colour options.

The C1 Air concert series digital piano has an SRP of £969 and will be available in September 2017.

Also new from KORG is the Pa700 and Pa1000 Professional Arrangers.

The Pa700 sound engine uses four times the PCM memory of the best-selling Pa600 and extends the amount of User PCM memory to 256MB using compression. The number of user Style locations has also expanded to a maximum of 1,152, which will cover almost every style imaginable.

The improved built-in speaker system produces a full-bodied sound and the video output is standardised, so the audience can sing along to the onscreen lyrics.

It comes in either Standard and Oriental versions. Oriental version is preloaded with musical resources from Middle East countries.

The Pa1000 sound engine uses four times the PCM memory of the best-selling Pa900 and extends the amount of User PCM memory to 600MB using compression. The built-in speaker system is enhanced by standard features such as the TC Helicon Vocal Harmonizer, a Dual MP3 player and recorder, and the Dual Crossfade Sequencer.

The Pa700 (£1,149) is available from September 2017, the Pa700 Oriental (£1,239) will be available in October, and you can get your hands on the Pa1000 (£1,769) in November.