The Essentials to Know About the Korg Kross 2 Workstation
- EDS-i engine derived from Korg's professional line, featuring 1,417 sounds and 134 effect types including amp simulations and vocoder
- True workstation for composing and arranging: 16-track MIDI sequencer, multipiste audio recorder on SD card, dual arpeggiator, and drum track
- 16 sampling pads for sampling, triggering loops, and importing WAV files, with automatic saving
- Ultra-portable format (61 or 88 NH keys), powered by AA batteries or AC adapter, USB audio/MIDI interface, and software editors
A Korg Workstation Designed for Mobility Without Sacrificing Sound Palette
With the Kross 2, Korg emphasizes a balance sought by many keyboardists: "ready-to-play" sounds inspired by the brand's DNA, a
EDS-i engine renowned for its musicality, and a chassis built to move between rehearsals, stage, and home studio. The sound bank covers essentials (pianos, EPs, organs, strings) as well as modern textures, while the
multilayer piano with pedal resonance enhances expressiveness for more acoustic parts.
For Which Keyboardists and Styles?
The Kross 2 targets
beginner to advanced musicians seeking a versatile workstation that is quick to learn and reliable live. The
Quick Layer and
Quick Split functions simplify left/right hand splits and tone stacking for pop, funk, rock, worship, or variety styles. In production, it becomes an excellent composition keyboard for electro, synthwave, ambient, and scoring, thanks to multitimbrality, arpeggios, and audio/MIDI recording.
Features and Innovations
At the heart of the Kross 2, the
PCM subtractive synthesis relies on a
2-oscillator architecture with stereo multisample management and velocity zones for subtle nuances (layers, crossfades). Sound shaping is done via
multimode filters, dedicated envelopes, and LFOs, while the effects section (inserts, master, and sends) allows anything from subtle polish to more pronounced treatments, including the
vocoder and dynamics with sidechain. For groove and arrangement, the workstation combines a
16-track MIDI sequencer, rhythm track,
step sequencer, and dual arpeggiator to build a track from sketch to structure. The
sampling pads add a performance dimension: triggering vocals, jingles, one-shots, or loops, WAV import and simple editing, ideal for a lightweight live setup. Finally, the
USB audio/MIDI simplifies integration with a DAW while maintaining portability thanks to battery power.
Technical Specifications
Keyboards
- 61 velocity-sensitive keys, adjustable range C1-C8 (normally C2-C7)
- Or 88 NH (Natural Weighted Hammer Action) keys, adjustable range A1-C9 (normally A0-C8)
- No aftertouch
Sound Engine
Polyphony
- 60/120 voices/oscillators depending on settings (stereo multisamples, velocity crossfading)
Memory
- 128 MB PCM, 496 multisamples (including 7 stereo) and 1,014 drum samples (including 49 stereo)
- PCM expansion memory: 128 MB
Oscillators
- 2 oscillators, stereo multisample support
- 4 velocity zones per oscillator (switching, crossfade, layers)
Filters
- 2 multimode filters per voice: low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, notch
- 4 routings: single, series, parallel, 24 dB
Envelopes and Modulations
- 2 envelope generators (filter, amp) per voice, 2 LFOs
- Keyboard tracking generators (filter, amp), 2 AMS mixers
- Pitch generator, common LFO and 2 common keyboard trackers
Multitimbrality
- Combis up to 16 switchable timbres
Rhythm Kits
- Kits based on stereo and mono samples, adjustable crossfade shapes (linear, power, layer)
Sounds and Banks
- 1,280 user Programs (768 preloaded)
- 896 user Combis (384 preloaded)
- 58 user rhythm kits (42 preloaded)
- 265 preset Programs (256 GM2 and 9 GM2 drum)
- 8 banks of 16 favorites (128 total)
Effects
- 5 inserts (75 types), 2 sends and 2 masters (101 for Master 1, 120 for Master 2)
- 134 effect types total, dynamic modulation, stereo sidechain (limiters, gates, vocoders)
Arpeggiator
- Polyphonic for Programs, dual for Combi and Sequencer
- Directions: up, down, alt1, alt2, random
- 1,280 patterns over 12 keys, up to 64 steps
Sequencer and Pads
- Step sequencer: 64 steps, 12 keys, 1 accent
- Rhythm track: 772 patterns, Trigger and Sync modes, zone parameters
- 16-track MIDI sequencer: up to 128 Songs, ~210,000 MIDI events
- 8 banks of 16 sampling pads, auto-save on SD card
- PCM playback/sampling 16-bit / 48 kHz (~14 s stereo per pad), waveform display, editing (start, loop, normalization)
Audio Recorder
- PCM 16-bit / 48 kHz, up to 3 hours (depending on SD card)
- Up to 200 Songs
Controls and Interface
- Pitch bend and modulation wheels, 2 switches, Select button, 2 real-time control knobs
- 240 x 64 pixel LCD screen with adjustable contrast
- Layer/Split button, mute pedal/footswitch input
Connectivity
- Audio outputs L/Mono and R on 6.35 mm jacks
- Headphone output mini-jack 3.5 mm
- Line input mini-jack 3.5 mm
- Microphone input 6.35 mm jack
- MIDI In/Out
- USB Type-B (audio and MIDI interface)
- SD card slot
Power Supply
- 9 V DC adapter or 6 AA batteries
Dimensions / Weight (61-key)
- 935 x 269 x 88 mm / 3.8 kg
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