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Korg has revived its beloved Kronos workstation, unveiling an updated model that promises to be faster and more flexible then previous incarnations, as well as being packed with fresh sounds.

2025 NAMM Show: Korg has officially introduced the KRONOS, a new version of the workstation keyboard that originally debuted in 2011.

The new KRONOS arrives with a reengineered system architecture that will, according to Korg, result in 60% faster start up time. The central touch screen interface has been redesigned too, promising to be faster, more responsive and more intuitive in use.

Under-the-hood, however, the overall design is very similar to that of previous incarnations. The sounds themselves are provided via nine independent sound engines, each of which is essentially its own self-contained synthesizer.

These include piano, organ and EP emulations, along with virtual analogue synths based on Korg classics, PCM sampling synthesis, FM, physical modelling and more. The Kronos also features Korg’s Drum Tracks engine, which can be used to generate accompanying rhythm parts

This latest KRONOS contains the full existing library of sounds, giving users access to over 300 full libraries. The new KRONOS expands on these classic sounds too though, adding 256 additional programs including a new Italian Grand Piano, a new vintage tine electric piano and expanded range of FM-based piano sounds.

The KRONOS is also expandable, with a 62GB SSD allowing for user sampling – using the Open Sampling System – and sound library expansion. The keyboard also features 16 audio and 16 MIDI tracks for sequencing and recording, as well as extensive Set List capabilities.

Reading between the lines of this talk of backwards compatibility and classic sounds, however, lies the fact that this new Korg KRONOS’s OS itself is listed as Kronos System Version 3.2, indicating it’s likely only a minor update to the 3.1.3 OS last seen in the discontinued models.

KRONOS comes preloaded with sounds from the KRONOS Sound Libraries.

• KRS-08 Best of TRITON: A brilliant and inspiring collection of 128 programs from one of the biggest selling synthesizers of all time and included here as a preloaded gift.
• KRS-04 Pro Splits and Layers: Essential keyboard splits and layers optimized for real-time performance.
• KRS-05 Ensemble Combinations: Band-friendly ensembles featuring brass, strings, and synths.

Additionally, KRS-06 and KRS-06B CX-3 Signature Sounds offers 256 CX-3 organ programs.

Chronology

The original Kronos arrived in 2011. An updated Kronos X model followed in 2012, which was then superseded by the Kronos 2 in 2014. Korg released various OS updates and new sounds across the course of the decade, before finally discontinuing the Kronos in 2022.

While the popularity of workstation keyboards has peaked and dipped over the years, the concept has had something of a resurgence recently, with the likes of Roland’s Fantom range, Yamaha’s Montage and Akai’s MPC Keys all putting a modernised spin on the format.

The Kronos proved to be one of the most popular workstations of the 2010s, seen on-stage or in the studios with a broad range of artists from Chick Corea to Mark Ronson, Vangelis, and even The Roots.

New KRONOS intro video:

Hardware wise, the new Kronos boasts a powder-coated metal body with black wooden side panels. It comes in 61, 73 and 88 key iterations, the first with a Natural Touch semi-weighted keyboard, the larger two with RH3 hammer-action keys (which, again, appear to be the same as older versions).
Korg KRONOS Demo Songs:

Prices are set to start at £2649, but we’re still awaiting full price and release date information. Visit Korg site for more.

Ahead of the 2025 NAMM Show, Korg has introduced the multi/poly module, a new version of the multi/poly that can be used as a desktop or rackmount synth.

Korg Multi/Poly was one of our favourite new synth of last year. Loosely inspired by the company’s classic Mono/Poly analogue synth, the Multi/Poly is a multi-timbral digital polysynth that Korg describes as an analogue modelling synth.

The original Multi/Poly landed in a 37-key unit matching the design of Korg’s Modwave, Opsix and Wavestate. Like those synths before it, it’s now available in a rack-mountable module version too, and perfect for modern studio setups.

The Multi/Poly features four timbral layers, each with four oscillators. These oscillators can make use of virtual analogue waves – complimented by dual analogue modelling filters and envelopes – as well as a flexible wavetable and waveshaping modes. While it’s certainly possible to create some convincing faux-analogue sounds, these various modes can do far more besides this, including rich atmospheric textures, oddball FX and multi-timbral sequences.

The official multi/poly module intro video:

Its best feature is its Layer Rotate function, which allows the four synth timbres to be triggered in a round-robin manner inspired by the original Mono/Poly. Other feature highlights include an X/Y pad with a fun virtual physics engine, which can be used for creative modulation, a multitude of modelled filter types, flexible effects and a deep multi-lane sequencer.

The Multi/Poly module is 60 voice polyphonic and equipped with MIDI 2.0 capabilities. In terms of I/O, it has balanced stereo outputs, MIDI connectivity and USB, which allows the synth to make use of Korg’s desktop editor/librarian application.

The Korg Multi/Poly Module will arrive with RRP of £709/$850 at Amazon site. Visit Korg website for more.

With mobile music-making only ever in the ascendancy and all the big money to be made in live performance, products that enable you to take your skills and your sounds out into the open are similarly on the rise.

Mackie has announced a new addition to their ProFX line, the battery-powered ProFX10 GO. The new ProFX10 GO mixer is the latest offering from the company that’s been making high-quality, great sounding mixers and associated audio gear for decades. But this mini miracle goes one step further, working its familiar Mackie magic without the need for a power cable.

In fact, it’s not only a 10-channel audio mixer but also a 24-bit/192 kHz, 2×4 USB-C audio interface. Plus, there are additional luxuries such as Mackie’s own GigFX+ effects engine – offering reverbs, delays, choruses and more – and a full-colour LCD display for editing and saving presets.

And – as is increasingly becoming a must – there’s full Bluetooth on board, so you can send and receive audio to and from your audience’s devices without the need for a pesky cable.

And all this without the need for a power connection, as the unit’s built-in but swappable battery keeps the whole gig going for up to eight hours. And when you’re running low, just drop in another GB-10 battery (available separately) to keep the party going.

When you do come across a power outlet, simply plug in the ProFX10 GO and continue your jam while the GO’s battery dutifully recharges in the background.

Via Bluetooth you can stream in songs from phones, tablets and laptops and even use them as backing for your band or DJ who can play on the top. Alternatively, turn your phone into your own remote broadcast studio and stream your performance on the ProFX10 GO to your phone and onwards to Twitch, YouTube, Instagram and more.

Spec hunters will be pleased to note that, despite all the new wireless bells and whistles, Mackie hasn’t skimped on the ProFX10 GO’s capacity to sound great.

The new mixer carries four of Mackie’s famous Onyx mic preamps with up to 60 dB of gain on channels 1 through 4. Channels 1 and 2 carry Hi-Z switches for DI injection of guitars and more, and all channels feature Mackie’s famous musically-optimised three-band EQ.

There’s even a built-in ‘one-knob’ compressor built into channels 1 and 2.

A spokesperson told us, “Now you really can mix anything from anywhere and never miss a beat. Dial in legendary Mackie professional sound wherever you are, no matter how remote.”

In essence, the new GO formulation is everything you loved from Mackie’s existing ProFX10V3 and (plus the effects) ProFX10V+ mixers, plus that all important ability to play in a desert, car park or warehouse and everywhere in between.

Features:

• Battery-powered 10-channel mixer allows you to mix anything, anywhere
• 4 Onyx mic preamps with +60dB of gain and ultra-low noise performance
• 3-band EQ on all channels; 1-knob compression on channels 1–2
• hi-Z switches supply easy instrument DI-ing
• 100Hz low-cut filter and +48V phantom power on each mic channel
• Stereo 1/8-in. input on channel 9/10
• High-resolution GigFX+ effects engine delivers 24 studio-quality effects
• Full-color LCD screen permits editing and saving presets on the fly
• Built-in 2-in/4-out USB-C audio interface yields dead-simple computer recording
• 3 recording modes: Standard, Loopback, and Interface
• Effortless latency-free monitoring
• Bidirectional Bluetooth functionality makes integrating calls and streaming audio a breeze
• Swappable rechargeable battery provides up to 8 hours of use

The GO comes as part of Mackie’s new line-up and will be fully revealed at 2025 NAMM Show. The Mackie ProFX10 GO will be available soon, priced at RRP $399.99. Find out more on Mackie website.