Jack’s Synth Soul-Searching with AndertonsKeyboardDept

Once upon a time, Korg unleashed the Kronos upon the world, and, folks, it’s back and bolder than ever. The AndertonsKeyboardDept got their hands on this digital marvel, and, my man Jack Duxbury is diving deep to see what’s cooking under the hood. Teaming up with Luke from Korg, they’ve set the stage to showcase what makes the third iteration of the Kronos tick. It’s been a while since we’ve seen this beast, originally announced at NAMM, but having hit stores in July, the excitement is palpable. They’re prepping to go to sonic war with this workstation, and the stakes are high.

Buckle up, synth heads, because the Kronos is packing not one, not two, but nine sound engines. It’s like your musical genie, granting those well-worn synth wishes with a twist of innovation. Jack highlights how users can delve into the program mode with heaven-like visualization, touching everything from pianos to dynamic synthesis magic. It’s like programming but with plugins in hardware style, bringing massive sample libraries to your fingertips. Sample size? We’re talking about Italian grands, Berlin pianos, and a load more, all stored without compromising on quality. It’s like a high-end buffet where there’s plenty for everyone.

Flashy interfaces might be all the rage, but the Kronos manages to deliver functionality without the headaches. As Jack dives into the MIDI depths, we see how the touchscreen redefines what it means to have direct control over your music. The clunky days of retox buttons are over—this touch control is zippy, fast, and smoother than a well-aged whiskey. With the draw bars ready for those organ sounds and a new EP1 sound engine, this baby is driven for the modern gigging artist. It’s versatile to the max, offering sheer simplicity even as you combine multiple sound engines. It’s all about that practical streetwise power.

And does the Kronos ever deliver on the sound front! Jack walks us through the signal magic under the hood – it’s got sonic muscles to flex. The STR-1 for string physical modeling and a host of vintage goodness like the Polysix serve up sounds that could rekindle the spirit of Herbie Hancock himself. The sound libraries, from those nostalgic noughties to today, make music makers drool. Want dense orchestral layers? You got it, layered with effects sweet as candy. Jack shows how the juxtaposition of familiar Korg castle sounds with modern-day engines creates a palette that’s as varied as street food at a festival.