The Kross 2 in 61-key form is a light synthesizer workstation for players who move between rehearsal room, stage and a desk at home. Over a thousand preset sounds, a 16-track sequencer and a full effects rack sit behind the dark blue casing. Velocity-sensitive keys cover C2 to C7, and that range shifts if a part needs it.
Sounds and engine
Korg's EDS-i engine drives 1,075 programs, taking in layered acoustic and electric pianos, thick string patches and drum kits built for current dance styles. Up from 80 on the first Kross, polyphony now reaches 120 voices. Preset PCM runs to roughly 128 MB, while a second 128 MB of expansion memory waits for optional libraries when the stock material runs short.
Effects
Run seven processors at once: five as inserts and two on the master buses. The library holds 134 types, covering delay and reverb alongside amp models, vintage units and a vocoder. Dynamic modulation lets a source such as an LFO move a parameter while you play. Side-chaining is supported too.
Getting to sounds quickly
A category dial narrows the list by type, so piano or organ patches are two moves away rather than ten. Favourites hold 128 entries across eight banks, twice what the first generation managed. Press the quick layer or split button and two voices stack, or divide left and right across the keyboard. Knobs in the realtime control section reach the main parameters without a menu.
Sequencing and arpeggios
The 16-track sequencer records your playing and controller moves as MIDI data, which makes it a sketchpad rather than a studio. Pad performances go down too. Arpeggiators are available in every mode, one in program mode and a pair in combination and sequencer modes.
See it in action
Specifications
| Keyboard | 61 keys (velocity sensitive; aftertouch not supported) Normally C2-C7(adjustable in the range [C1…C6]-[C3…C8] |
|---|---|
| Maximum Polyphony | 120 voices, single mode 60 voices, single mode * The actual maximum polyphony will vary depending on oscillator settings such as stereo multisamples and velocity crossfading. |
| Preset PCM Memory | Approximately 128 MB (calculated as 48 kHz / 16-bit linear PCM data equivalent) 496 multisamples (including seven stereo), 1014 drumsamples (including 49 stereo) |
| Expansion PCM Memory | Approximately 128MB (*when converted to 48 kHz 16-bit linear PCM * Used when loading option PCM |
| Program Oscillator | OSC1 (Single), OSC1+2 (Double): Stereo multisamples are supported 4 velocity zones per oscillator, with switching, crossfades and layers. |
| Filters | Four types of filter routing (single, serial, parallel, 24 dB) Two multi-mode filters per voice (low pass, high pass, band pass, band reject) |
| Modulation | For each voice, two envelope generators (Filter & Amp), two LFOs, two key tracking generators (Filter & Amp), and two AMS mixers. In addition, pitch EG, common LFO, and two common key tracking generators |
| Combination Timbres | Up to 16 timbres, switchable via key zone or velocity zone, layer and crossfade supported, Tone Adjust function allows program settings to be offset |
| Drumkits | Stereo and mono drumsamples. 4-way velocity switches with crossfades and adjustable crossfade shapes (Linear, Power, Layer). |
| The Number of Combinations/Programs/Drum Kits User Combinations | 896 Combinations (384 Preload) |
| User Programs | 1280 Programs (768 Preload) |
| User Drum Kits | 58 Drum Kits (42 Preload) |
| Preset Programs | 265 Programs (256 GM2 Programs + 9 GM2 Drum Programs) |
| Number of memories | 128 (16 favorites × 8 banks) |
| Insert effects | 5 Insert Effects In-line processing; stereo in - stereo out. |
| Master effects | 2 Master Effects Two effects sends; stereo in - stereo out. |
| Effects types | Total of 134 types (select from 74 types for insert effects, 101 types of master effect 1, and 120 types for master effect 2) |
| Effects Control Bus | Stereo side-chaining for limiter, gates, vocoders, etc. |
| Program mode | One arpeggiator |
| Combination mode | Two arpeggiators |
| Preset arpeggio patterns | UP, DOWN, ALT1, ALT2, RANDOM |
| User arpeggio patterns | Number of arpeggio patterns: 1280 (1024 preload) Number of tones: 12 tones, Number of steps: up to 64 steps |
| Tracks | 16MIDI Tracks |
Specifications from Korg. Appearance and specifications are subject to change without notice.