Korg Kronos LS Review

We rated the Korg Kronos LS a 10/10. The Kronos LS is an 88-key workstation keyboard and synthesizer. Like the regular Korg Kronos, it has a brilliant organ sound engine, along with 8 other engines. Here at BestPianoKeyboards, we especially love this redesigned Korg Kronos, because it is so much more portable than its predecessor.

Korg Kronos LS Overview

Last week, we took a look at the Korg Kronos (2). This week, we are going to peek at it’s lighter-than-air sibling: The LS. While there are only a handful of differences between the LS and the Korg Kronos 2, we decided to give the newest member of the Kronos family its own review.

(In this article, we will delve deeper into the 9 sound engines that you can find in both the Korg LS and the Korg 2, so be sure to keep reading!).

According to the maker and Amazon.com, the LS includes the following: 

KRONOS with New Light Touch 88-Note Action and Lighter Body. The Korg KRONOS has established itself as a premier performance and recording keyboard instrument, and serves as the chief controller and sound source hub for countless musicians and studios all over the world.

With its position in the marketplace firmly established, the Korg KRONOS development team has been designing refinements that will appeal to specific musicians and producers. This latest iteration of the KRONOS differs in a few primary ways; first, the playing action is lighter than the original.

This newly designed light-touch keyboard results in effortless, nimble playing from rapid organ licks to synth phrases to glissandi. Additionally, the lighter keybed makes it easier to transport, as it is 14 lbs. lighter than the KRONOS2-88.

Other changes include a new look to complement its new feel. With its luxurious dark umber aluminium body and beautifully crafted sunburst wood side panels, KRONOS LS is designed to present as beautifully as it plays.

KRONOS LS offers an elegant look that’s perfect for home, stage or studio. Even the mechanism of the keyboard itself has been redesigned so that the velocity is easier to control than on existing light-touch keyboards, even when playing complex chords or difficult phrases.

The box-shaped keys share their look with KORG’s premium RH3 action, while providing the faster playing feel of a synth keyboard.

Since the keyboard is semi-weighted, it’s also perfect for playing piano and electric piano in any style. New OS v3.1 includes Quick Layer and Quick Split functions right at users’ fingertips. Effortlessly create layers such as piano and strings, or splits such as electric piano and bass.

Numerous additional OS refinements have also been made to further ensure stability and a stress-free performance environment. Apart from all of these changes, the KRONOS LS remains true to its predecessor’s nine versatile sound engines, with up to 16 simultaneous effects, 16-parameters. “ -Amazon.com / Korg

This short Sweetwater review does a nice job introducing us to the LS.

According to Sweetwater piano expert Erskine, the Kronos LS is really smooth to play. The light-touch keyboard makes it easy to play fast, and you have a full 88-key range at your fingertips. In his opinion, it is a professional-level workstation- And I agree! He also mentions that the keyboard handles “Any and every style of music” very well. Sounds promising to me…Let’s delve in deeper! 

Features

Light Touch

This keyboard is perfect for those who want a light-as-air instrument. It has box-shaped keys, and the feel has been entirely redesigned. In addition to this, it has the maker’s signature RH3 action. This semi-weighted keyboard is lovely! Many pro players report that the lighter key feel allows them to play licks faster than before. 

OS 3.1 

This OS update actually applies to all Korg Kronos’s, not just the new ones. This technology update adds the features quick layer, and quick split, which are really handy! 

Quick Layer

The quick layer tool makes it really simple to stack sounds. On the main screen, there is a button titled quick layer. After it is selected, you can add layers, and adjust the volume with the on screen slider. 

Quick Split 

In order to split the keyboard up quickly, you just need to pop into the Program Sound section of the main screen. I really like how the screen shows what sections are selected for which instruments. Like the quick layer tool, there is an option to adjust each instrument’s level with the on-screen volume slider. 

9 Sound Engines

Just like the Korg Kronos 2, this lighter sibling still holds all 9 sound engines:

• Organ Sound Engine
• Korg Kronos Sounds: PCM Sound Engine
• SGX-2 Premium Piano Sound Engine
• EP-1 MDS Electric Piano Sound Engine
• MS-20 EX Analog Sound Engine
• AL-1 Analog Synthesizer Modeling Sound Engine
• MOD-7 Waveshaping VMP/FM Synthesis Sound Engine
• STR-1 Strings Physical Model Sound Engine  

Organ Sound Engine

This organ sound engine is stunning. If you know me, you know I’m picky about organ sounds…But these blow it out of the water. 

Korg Kronos Sounds: PCM Sound Engine

This high-definition sound engine took a lot of time for Korg’s sound technicians to perfect- And it shows! According to Korgs’ Nine Engines page, the PCM data that Korg didn’t have room for in the instruments before the LS and Korg 2, has now been recalled, and added back in. 

SGX-2 Premium Piano Sound Engine

The samples for this sound engine have been recorded for every key, and they are non-looped. Between the natural decay, and sheer quality of this sound engine, this is nothing short of drool-worthy. This sound engine has actually been enhanced for the LS specifically. 

EP-1 MDS Electric Piano Sound Engine

This engine imitates 6 of the most popular electric pianos. It has great simulations for its sounds and speakers, such as cabinets. 

MS-20 EX Analog Sound Engine

This sound engine is also known as the Legacy Analog Collection. There are loads of envelope filters, and modulators. The company self-describes this engine as ‘a tweakers dream.’

AL-1 Analog Synthesizer Modeling Sound Engine

This analog modeling engine is a bit of a throw-back. It is the same engine used in one of the Korgs that came out in 2005. It has unique technology that allows users to make sounds that were never heard before the early 200’s. 

MOD-7 Waveshaping VMP/FM Synthesis Sound Engine

This sound engine uses VMP from an instrument made back in 1995- Yet nother throw-back! From keys to basses, there’s a lot to choose from here. 

STR-1 Strings Physical Model Sound Engine 

Lastly, the STR is an engine that both replicates strings authentically, as well as creates new string sounds. 

On the Big Screen

When we compare the Korg Kronos LS’s touch screen to that of other workstations, they pale in comparison. The Touchview screen is 8 inches across, making it one of the biggest ones on the market right now. As a far-sighted musician, I say, the bigger the touch-screen, the better! 

197 Total Effects, 16 Simultaneous Effects 

With many electronic instruments, you can only add one effect at a time- But not this one! Of the 197 effects, you can combine up to 16 at a time. 

Built to be Portable 

The LS is built to be portable. With its new light-weight design, it is actually 14 pounds lighter than its predecessor! This is the main selling point of the new model.

A New Look

This gorgeous instrument has an amber body, with wood and aluminum siding. The warm sunburst pattern gives us a taste of the past, while still keeping it modern due to the sleek new shape. 

Korg Kronos LS Specs

• Weight: 49.6 pounds
• Dimensions: 62 x 18.75 x 9.5
• Keyboard Type: Workstation keyboard / synthesizer 

Who Is The Korg Kronos LS 88 Suitable For?

The Korg Kronos LS 88 is most suitable for professional musicians who are taking their music on the go, though I believe that most adult keyboardists will enjoy this instrument.

While the buttons and countless features can be a lot to handle, it is also a beautiful instrument to get if you are at an intermediate, and are looking for something to grow into. 

If you’d like to see the instrument in action, you can check out the LS in action with Erskine Hawkins in this Sweetwater Review Here.

Who Play on a Korg Kronos/ First Impressions

The Korg Kronos has never gone under the radar. Musician and keyboardist Jordan Rudess from the renowned band Dream Theater plays on a Korg Kronos LS. 

Musicians who play on other models of the Korg Kronos are extremely impressed with the quality of the instrument. Keyboardist Adam Wakeman tries out the LS for the first time here in the Firm Impressions Korg series: 

Korg Kronos LS: Amazon Reviews

The LS has been rated 5 of 5 stars on Amazon. Here is what the customers who purchased the LS liked about it:

• It is the perfect workstation 
• It is the best on the market- Better than the Avante Garde brand 

While the musicians who reviewed this keyboard on Amazon seemed to love it, one customer on Musicians Friend only gave it one star. Here’s why: 

• The instrument does not have aftertouch, and they did not like the action 

Aftertouch has been huge for a while now. Honestly, it is surprising that the instrument doesn’t include it. It may be a dealbreaker for some. 

The Korg Kronos is rated 4 out of 5 stars on Sweetwater.com. Here’s what their customers had to say: 

• It is lightning fast and has a lighter touch
• One customer loved it and said it was similar to the Stage 3 Compact Nord 
• The build quality is above the rest
• It is very expressive for a light keyboard
• It has everything you could need or want in a workstation
• One customer even said “It can do anything!” 

Comparing anything to a Nord instrument is a huge compliment in my book. In many keyboards and workstations that I have been checking out recently, I have been seeing consistent complaints about the stands, and build-quality of the instruments. It’s refreshing to hear that the people purchasing the Korg Kronos are finding it sturdy. 

Despite complaints about it lacking aftertouch, there are still many reviews out there saying the Korg Kronos is expressive. 

Overall, it’s hard to deny that this is a monster of a keyboard. Try her out for yourself to make sure you like the keyfeel. I can’t try it out for you, but I can tell you that it seems to be a love-it or hate-it sort of feel based on what I’ve heard!

Everything else on the instrument is irrefutably beautiful- From it’s quick features to its many sounds. It is gorgeous. 

Korg Kronos LS Pros and Cons

Pros

• This instrument is easy to take on-the-go
• It is a full-size instrument
• It has RH3 keys
• There are 9 sound engines in total, making it more like 9 keyboard instruments rather than one! 
• The USB to host and internal recording options make this a very versatile instrument for producers and songwriters 
• This instrument has the capability of 16 simultaneous effects
• Korg boasts the Kronos LS as :”The most powerful synthesizer ever”. It’s clearly the company’s favorite, to say the least! 

Cons

• The Korg Kronos LS is not fully weighted 
• It is velocity-sensitive, which will be a con for players who are looking for full weight 
• Like many workstations, the Korg Kronos LS doesn’t have internal speakers 

Korg Kronos LS 88 Quick View 

Comparable Instruments

The other versions of Korg Kronos are most comparable with the LS. The Korg Kronos (2), which we reviewed last week, has many of the same features as this model. The main difference being that the LS has been rebuilt to be lighter, making it more ideal for travel. 

Stage 3 Compact Nord 

$3,799

The Stage 3 Compact Nord is another lightweight workstation keyboard this is compared to the Korg Kronos KS. 

This 73-key instrument is an octave short when we compare it to the Korg Kronos LS. The C2D Organ Engine that is inside of this instrument is stellar to say the least. 

Another option, for those who are looking for an instrument in the Kronos family is the Korg Kronos Titanium, which has a new look, but very similar features. You can learn more about it next week, when we will review it here in detail! 

Korg Kronos LS: Conclusion

We hope you have enjoyed this Korg Kronos LS review. In conclusion, this iteration of the Korg Kronos is not very different from the Korg Kronos we reviewed last week- But that is not a bad thing, at all! It is a little bit lighter, and has a new look that is vintage and jaw-dropping.

If you are looking for a professional workstation keyboard, the Korg Kronos LS is an excellent choice, especially if you are looking to take your keys to the stage. 

Music quote of the week: 

“I was never worried that synthesizers would replace musicians. First of all, you have to be a musician in order to make music with a synthesizer.”

— Robert Moog

10Expert Score

We rated the Korg Kronos LS a 10/10. The Kronos LS is an 88-key workstation keyboard and synthesizer. Like the regular Korg Kronos, it has a brilliant organ sound engine, along with 8 other engines. Here at BestPianoKeyboards, we especially love this redesigned Korg Kronos, because it is so much more portable than its predecessor.

PROS

• This instrument is easy to take on-the-go
• It is a full-size instrument
• It has RH3 keys
• There are 9 sound engines in total, making it more like 9 keyboard instruments rather than one!
• The USB to host and internal recording options make this a very versatile instrument for producers and songwriters
• This instrument has the capability of 16 simultaneous effects
• Korg boasts the Kronos LS as :”The most powerful synthesizer ever”. It’s clearly the company’s favorite, to say the least!

CONS

• The Korg Kronos LS is not fully weighted
• It is velocity-sensitive, which will be a con for players who are looking for full weight
• Like many workstations, the Korg Kronos LS doesn’t have internal speakers