The Korg Krome is theoretically just more advanced than Kross, but in reality, it is more complicated. We’ve evaluated a number of instruments with a performance focus over the past year or so, from stage pianos like the Roland RD-2000 to some entry-level workstations like the Yamaha MX88 and the Korg Kross 2. The average musician will never need more than a sizable sound library and some customizability.
By going one step further, these tools give consumers access to almost everything. A workstation keyboard is required if you want comprehensive sound editing and complete music arrangement capabilities. The Korg Kross 2, an entry-level workstation with a focus on synthesizers, was the subject of one of our most recent Korg Krome reviews.
The Kronos is their most sophisticated workstation, and the Krome is one level above the Kross. The fact that the Krome existed before the Kross complicates that straightforward comparison.
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Korg Krome EX 61-key Synthesizer Workstation
The Korg Krome 61 of the latest generation since its creation, hasn’t changed significantly in design. Although the Korg Krome body is mostly made of plastic, it is nonetheless well-made and ought to last you for quite some time. This is amply demonstrated by a large number of mint-condition Korg Kromes currently for sale.
The updated color palette of the Krome is its primary distinction. The 2012 Korg krome features a divided silver and black appearance as opposed to the previous model’s all-black exterior. If you want a more colorful appearance, you should think about the limited Copper edition of the Korg Krome. The Korg Krome’s overall design adheres to the traditional workstation paradigm. You receive a sizable touchscreen that is surrounded on both sides by buttons and knobs.
First, let’s discuss the touchscreen. This touchscreen is resistive, which is older than the capacitive touchscreen technology found in modern smartphones. This indicates that the screen detects pressure rather than a conductive material, such as your fingertips. Since almost everyone uses capacitive smartphones on a daily basis, resistive screens are typically less accurate and require some getting used to.
| Features | Rating |
| Performance and sounds | 9.4 |
| Connectivity | 9.4 |
| Build Quality | 9.2 |
| Value for money | 9.3 |
Despite the inherent issues with resistive screens, Korg is able to get around the majority of them by using high-quality parts. The Korg Krome touchscreen feels great in contrast to most resistive touchscreens, which tend to feel inaccurate and unresponsive. By accidentally pressing controls with a fat finger during the Korg Krome review process, we can confidently assert that we never once made a mistake. Excellent hardware is used to power the controllers. It’s terrible that the Krome still has the same operating system as the original Korg Krome from 2012 (that’s nine years ago!). It’s not really horrible; it just seems out-of-date.
The menus on the Korg Krome EX just don’t make it in 2024 when compared to the slick, organized UI of Roland’s FA series and Korg’s own Kronos workstations. It was mentioned in our recent Kross 2 review how Korg’s menu system made navigating simple and accessible. Every lesson Korg has acquired over the years is inexplicably disregarded by the Krome. Muscle memory developed over years of smartphone and tablet use is one issue.
Do you know how we frequently use our fingers to swipe up and down to navigate menus? Since it isn’t possible in this situation, you must use a scrollbar to move the page. Additionally, a lot of the functionality feels a little flimsy. For instance, to access more sophisticated transport controls (like the Play, Record, and Stop buttons), you must manually drag the controls out on the Korg Krome.
- 61-key Synth Workstation with Semi-weighted Keys
- Dual Polyphonic Arpeggiators
- 512 Combination Patches
This initially feels cool but quickly becomes annoying. Even the calculator on the Korg Krome is essentially worthless save from timing your delays. Strangely, the huge, full-color touch display of the Krome feels more welcoming and contemporary than the cramped, tiny monochrome screen on the Kross 2.
There are several sounds available on the Korg Krome 61-Key Music Workstation. Any type of piano playing can be done on the 61-key semi-weighted natural touch keyboard because of its feel and response. A large number of sounds, including piano, electric piano, dynamic drum kits, 640 programs, and 288 combinations, are available on the black Krome 61-Key Music Workstation by Korg.
The “German D Grand” patch of the Korg Krome’s onboard sounds includes 88 full-length unlooped stereo samples and damper resonance. Eight velocity settings are available on each of the three varieties of electric pianos to guarantee a true response to the subtleties of your playing. Vintage amps, cabinets, and effects have been modeled to enhance the realism of your performance.
By letting you blend the direct sound and ambient room sound, the “Jazz Ambience Drums” in Krome convey a sense of dramatic realism. Additionally, Krome comes with 640 programs, or 288 permutations, each of which was written by a professional musician to deliver both pristine backing tracks and soaring solos.
Additionally, the sequencer’s Drum Track feature, which has more than 600 preset patterns, enables the creation and use of drum patterns.
Korg Krome has a 16-track sequencer built in. By pressing a button, the Auto Song Setup feature immediately begins recording. With pre-routed effects, each Template Song distributes genre-appropriate sounds to sequencer tracks. Realtime Pattern/Play Recording with Korg’s Cue List provides rapid arrangement.
Piano-roll editing is a handy tool for making any necessary tweaks or modifications. Krome uses a USB connection to make it simple to transfer MIDI data to your computer. You can also manage Korg Krome’s data files by using the SD card slot. You can modify your Krome settings from a computer and/or incorporate it as a software synthesizer in your DAW using the Korg Krome Editor and Krome Plug-In Editor. Flexible Keyboard.
The 61-key semi-weighted natural touch keyboard offers a touch-sensitive, responsive, and organic feel. Polyphonic dual arpeggiators Two arpeggiators can operate simultaneously in Combination or Sequencer mode. Drum patterns and guitar or bass riffs can be produced using these onboard arpeggiators. They can also be used to create pads, synth sounds, and sound effects for sound design.
Also Read: Best Digital Pianos for Intermediate Players
Create your own patterns by editing the default ones. There are up to five Insert effects, two Master effects, and one Total effect included in the digital effects area. There are 193 different effect types, including limiter, chorus, flanger, phaser, delay, reverb, and compressor. There are also more effects including Grain Shifter, Talking Modulator, amp modeling, and speaker simulation.
Unique Display and Design. Korg Krome’s TouchView Color 800 x 480-pixel display can show multiple parameters at once. To modify parameters or alter sounds, just touch the screen. Additionally, finger-drag editing is available, allowing you to interact directly with the sliders and knobs on the screen. The piano roll editor, timer, and calculator keypad are just a few of the features that make use of the TouchView interface.
Features
- 61-Key Semi-Weighted Keyboard for Korg Krome.
- A German D grand piano is what it is.
- Electric piano patches come in three different varieties.
- The Vintage Amp, Cabinet, and Effect Modeling are noteworthy.
- It is a semi-weighted 61-key synth workstation.
- Dual Polyphonic Arpeggiators are available.
- There are 512 Combination Patches on the Korg.
- There are 896 programs and a 16-track sequencer available.
Specifications
- The various key sizes offered by Korg are 61 (semi-weighted) keys for the KROME EX-61, 73 (semi-weighted) keys for the KROME EX-73, and 88 (NH hammer action) keys for the KROME EX-88.
- It features 60 voices and 120 voices of polyphony (in single mode and double mode).
- There is 4 GB Preset PCM Memory.
- 1536 internal programs are available (Tones).
- The accessible oscillators are OSC1, and OSC1+2 (double).
- There are 193 varieties of effects, each with 32 presets.
- The Korg Krome keyboard’s sequencer has 16 MIDI tracks, 128 songs, and 16 user-created songs.
- There are 1088 user arpeggio patterns in addition to the 5 preset ones (960 preload).
- Layer and Split are the modes (up to 16 timbres, velocity zones, and crossfade supported).
- There are Line outputs, a Headphone jack, and a USB available for connections.
Pros
- A 61-key synthesizer workstation with semi-weighted keys is available.
- Excellent is the Dual Polyphonic Arpeggiators.
- 512 Combination Patches are provided.
- A 16-track Sequencer is available.
- There are 896 programs available on the Korg Krome.
Cons
- It isn’t particularly user-friendly.
- Programming is challenging and somewhat expensive.
Korg Krome EX 88-key Synthesizer Workstation
The Korg Krome EX 88 is of the newest generation. A large number of sounds, including piano, electric piano, dynamic drum kits, 640 programs, and 288 combinations, are available on the black Krome 88-Key Music Workstation from Korg. Any type of piano playing will sound great on the 88-key Natural Weighted Hammer Action keyboard because of its feel and response.
The “German D Grand” patch of the Korg Krome’s onboard sounds includes 88 full-length unlooped stereo samples and damper resonance. Eight velocity settings are available on each of the three varieties of electric pianos to guarantee a true response to the subtleties of your playing. Vintage amps, cabinets, and effects have been modeled to enhance the realism of your performance.
| Features | Rating |
| Performance and sounds | 9.2 |
| Connectivity | 9.3 |
| Build Quality | 9.3 |
| Value for money | 9.2 |
By letting you blend the direct sound and ambient room sound, the “Jazz Ambience Drums” in Krome convey a sense of dramatic realism. Additionally, Korg Krome comes with 640 programs, or 288 permutations, each of which was written by a professional musician to deliver both pristine backing tracks and soaring solos. Additionally, the sequencer’s Drum Track feature, which has more than 600 preset patterns, enables the creation and use of drum patterns.
Korg Krome has a 16-track sequencer built in. When the Auto Song Setup button is pressed, the recording immediately starts. With pre-routed effects, each Template Song distributes genre-appropriate sounds to sequencer tracks. Realtime Pattern/Play Recording with Korg’s Cue List provides rapid arrangement. Piano-roll editing is a handy tool for making any necessary tweaks or modifications.
Korg Krome uses a USB connection to make it simple to transport MIDI data to your computer. You can also handle Krome’s data files by using the SD card port. You can modify your Korg Krome settings from a computer and/or incorporate it as a software synthesizer in your DAW using the Korg Krome Editor and Krome Plug-In Editor. Flexible Keyboard.
- 88-key Synth Workstation with NH (Natural Weighted Hammer Action) Keyboard
- Dual Polyphonic Arpeggiators
- 512 Combination Patches
The 88-key Natural Weighted Hammer Action keyboard offers a touch-sensitive, responsive, and natural feel. Polyphonic dual arpeggiators Two arpeggiators can operate simultaneously in Combination or Sequencer mode. Drum patterns and guitar or bass riffs can be produced using these onboard arpeggiators. They can also be used to create pads, synth sounds, and sound effects for sound design. Create your own patterns by editing the default ones.
The Digital effects built-in are up to five Insert effects, two Master effects, and one Total effect are included in the effects area. There are 193 different effects kinds, including limiter, chorus, flanger, phaser, delay, reverb, and compressor. There are also more effects including Grain Shifter, Talking Modulator, amp modeling, and speaker simulation. Unique Display and Design.
Krome’s TouchView Color 800 x 480-pixel display can show multiple parameters at once. To modify parameters or alter sounds, just touch the screen. Additionally, finger-drag editing is available, allowing you to interact directly with the sliders and knobs on the screen.
Features
- It has an NH (Natural Weighted Hammer Action) keyboard with an 88-key synthesizer.
- Dual Polyphonic Arpeggiators are available.
- There is a German D Grand Piano Patch.
- There are three different kinds of electric piano patches.
- You receive modeling for a vintage amp, cabinet, and effect.
- There are 512 Combination Patches included.
- A 16-track Sequencer is available.
- Eighty-six programs total.
Specifications
- There are unlooped full-length piano and percussion sounds on the Korg Krome keyboard.
- Eight-level velocity switching is available on three electric pianos, and there are drums that can mix direct and ambient sounds.
- At the stroke of a button, Drum Track starts playing backing grooves on the Korg Krome ex.
- There are 288 combinations and 640 programs for you to experience.
- MIDI, USB, and an SD Card slot are all included for data storage.
- On your computer, Krome Editor allows you to edit sounds. It is compatible with Mac and Windows.
Pros
- It features uninterrupted, full-length piano and drum sounds.
- Eight-level velocity switching is available on three electric pianos, and there are drums that can mix direct and ambient sounds on the Korg Krome.
- At the stroke of a button, Drum Track starts playing backing grooves.
- There are 288 combinations and 640 programs.
- MIDI, USB, and an SD Card slot are all included for data storage on the piano.
- On your computer, you can edit sounds using Krome Editor.
- Windows and Mac are both compatible with the Korg keyboard.
- It is responsive to the action.
Cons
- It’s immobile.
- The Korg Krome price in India is high.
Korg Krome 73-key Synthesizer Workstation
The Korg Krome EX 73 of the next generation. A large number of sounds, including piano, electric piano, dynamic drum kits, 640 programs, and 288 combinations, are available on the black Krome 73-Key Music Workstation from Korg. Any type of piano playing can be done on the 73-key semi-weighted natural touch keyboard because of its feel and reaction.
The “German D Grand” patch of the Korg Krome’s onboard sounds includes 88 full-length unlooped stereo samples and damper resonance. Eight velocity settings are available on each of the three varieties of electric pianos to guarantee a true response to the subtleties of your playing. Vintage amps, cabinets, and effects have been modeled to enhance the realism of your performance.
| Features | Rating |
| Performance and sounds | 9.3 |
| Connectivity | 9.1 |
| Build Quality | 9.2 |
| Value for money | 9.2 |
Krome has “Jazz Ambience Drums,” which let you change the volume to create a dramatic reality. Additionally, Krome comes with 640 programs, or 288 permutations, each of which was written by a professional musician to deliver both pristine backing tracks and soaring solos. Additionally, the sequencer’s Drum Track feature, which has more than 600 preset patterns, enables the creation and use of drum patterns.
Krome has a 16-track sequencer built in. By pressing a button, the Auto Song Setup feature immediately begins recording. With pre-routed effects, each Template Song distributes genre-appropriate sounds to sequencer tracks. Realtime Pattern/Play Recording with Korg’s Cue List provides rapid arrangement. Piano-roll editing is a handy tool for making any necessary tweaks or modifications.
Korg Krome uses a USB connection to make it simple to transport MIDI data to your computer. You can also handle Krome’s data files by using the SD card port. You can modify your Korg Krome settings from a computer and/or incorporate it as a software synthesizer in your DAW using the Krome Editor and Krome Plug-In Editor. The 73-key semi-weighted natural touch keyboard offers a sensitive, responsive, and organic feel.
- 73-key Synth Workstation with Semi-weighted Keys
- Dual Polyphonic Arpeggiators
- 512 Combination Patches
Two arpeggiators can operate simultaneously in Combination or Sequencer mode. Drum patterns and guitar or bass riffs can be produced using these onboard arpeggiators. They can also be used to create pads, synth sounds, and sound effects for sound design. Create your own patterns by editing the default ones.
On the integrated Digital Effects there are up to five Insert effects, two Master effects, and one Total effect included in the effects area. There are 193 different effects kinds, including limiter, chorus, flanger, phaser, delay, reverb, and compressor. There are also more effects including Grain Shifter, Talking Modulator, amp modeling, and speaker simulation.
On the individualistic Design and Display on Korg Krome’s TouchView Color 800 x 480-pixel display, can show multiple parameters at once. To modify parameters or alter sounds, just touch the screen. Additionally, finger-drag editing is available, allowing you to interact directly with the sliders and knobs on the screen. The piano roll editor, timer, and calculator keypad are just a few of the features that make use of the TouchView interface.
Check Out: Best Synths for Ambient Music
Features
- The Korg Krome is a semi-weighted Keyboard Workstation with 73 Keys.
- The Korg keyboard has a pair of polyphonic arpeggiators with 512 combinations.
- There are 896 programs with a 16-track sequencer on the Korg Krome.
Specifications
- It has a 73-Key German D Grand Piano Patch Semi-Weighted Keyboard.
- The Korg krome has the modeling of an old amplifier, cabinet, and effect.
- It includes 600 Preset Drum Patterns and Ambience Digital Effects Built-In To The 16-Track Sequencer.
Pros
- There is MIDI, USB, and SD Card connectivity on the keyboard.
- Korg Chrome is Mac and Windows Compatible.
- The Korg Krome has a pair of polyphonic arpeggiators.
Cons
- It is pricey.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is the Korg Krome Worth It?
The Korg Krome EX is perhaps the most reasonably priced workstation. It is reduced down to a good and cheap price and contains everything you would want in a workstation. They have mostly concentrated on using sound selection to appeal to EDM musicians.
Korg Krome includes a wide variety of sounds to cover a wide range of styles and satisfy a wide range of purposes, in addition to piano, electric piano, and drums. Choose from any of the 640 Programs or 288 Combinations to spark your imagination.
2. Is Korg Krome Touch Screen?
Great visibility is guaranteed by KROME’s enormous 800 x 480-pixel TouchView Color display, which can show multiple parameters at once. To modify parameters or alter sounds, just touch the screen. Additionally, finger-drag editing is available, allowing you to interact directly with the sliders and knobs on the screen.
3. Does the Korg Krome Have a Sequencer?
Starting with the 16-track sequencer, KROME has all the features you’ve come to expect from a Korg workstation. But there is still a ton more. KROME includes a comprehensive set of tools to spark your creative urges.
4. What is the Difference Between Korg Krome and Krome Ex?
The updated color palette of the Krome EX is its primary distinction. Unlike the 2012 Krome’s initial design, which was entirely black, the EX model has a divided silver and black appearance. Although it’s a personal preference, the original solid black color is rated higher.
5. Is Korg Krome a Good Keyboard?
Excellent service and a great keyboard. We bought our Krome ex-88 at the beginning of 2021, and we’ve since utilized it for live performances, recordings, and a lot of improvisation. We’re delighted with this workstation, which is the first. The keys feel like they would on an acoustic piano.
