Loading Yamaha DX-7 patches into your Kronos

YamahaDX7Wouldn’t it be nice to load the classic Yamaha DX-7 patches into your Kronos? Well you can and here’s how:

Loading DX sounds 

Overview 
The MOD‐7 can load sounds created for the vintage DX7. There are thousands of these sounds available on the internet, providing a massive pre‐existing library of timbres (in addition to the many sounds created exclusively for the MOD‐7!). Try searching for “DX7 SysEx download.”
Once loaded, you can bring these vintage sounds up to date using all of the MOD‐7’s unique features, layer them with other EXi, and process them with KARMA and the KRONOS effects.
The conversion works by reading .SYX format System Exclusive files. This format is supported by programs on all major computer operating systems.

Supported file types 

In order to load a file, it must meet the following requirements:
• The file must contain a complete bank of 32 DX7 sounds. Files with only a single sound cannot be loaded.
• The file may contain multiple System Exclusive messages, but only if the main DX7 bank dump is the first of these messages. All subsequent messages in the file will be ignored.
Note: some instruments, such as the DX7II, may transmit multiple System Exclusive messages when doing their program data dump, with the main DX7 bank dump coming last. If this set of messages is stored into a single .SYX file, the KRONOS will not be able to load the file.
• The System Exclusive must be in the original, first‐ generation DX7 format, which was supported by all of the classic 6‐operator FM synths as well as the DX9. System Exclusive files from later‐generation FM instruments, such as 4‐operator “baby DX” synths and the TX81Z, SY77, etc., cannot be loaded.

Loading a single bank of DX7 sounds 

To load a bank of DX7 sounds:
1. Transfer the DX7 .SYX file to KRONOS‐readable media, such as a USB flash drive.
2. Connect the media to the KRONOS.
3. Press the front‐panel DISK button to enter Disk mode.
4. Go to the Load page.
5. In the Drive Select parameter, select the media from step 2, above.
6. Select the DX7 .SYX file.
7. Press the LOAD button.
A dialog box will appear, allowing you to select a bank into which to load the sounds. Since DX7 banks contain 32 sounds, while a KRONOS bank contains 128, you can also select where to place the DX7 sounds within the KRONOS bank: into Programs 0‐31, 32‐63, 64‐95, or 96‐127.
8. Select the bank and Program range into which to load the sounds.
Important: If you select an HD‐1 bank, it will be changed to an EXi bank, and all of the banks’s HD‐1 Programs will be erased.
9. Press OK to load the sounds.
The sounds will be loaded into the KRONOS as MOD‐ 7 Programs.

Loading multiple banks of DX7 sounds 

If you like, you can load multiple .SYX files at once. To do so:
1. Follow steps 1 through 4 under “Loading a single bank of DX7 sounds,” above.
2. Enable the Multiple Select check‐box.
3. Select the desired DX7 .SYX files.
4. Press the LOAD button.
An “Are you sure?” dialog will appear.
5. Press OK.
6. For each .SYX file, select the bank and Program range to load into.
For more information, see steps 8 and 9 under “Loading a single bank of DX7 sounds,” above.

Error messages 

If the KRONOS can’t read the file, it will show one of two error messages:
There is no readable data will appear if the file is shorter than 4104 bytes, or if the SysEx header indicates something other than DX7 Program Bank format.
File contains unsupported data will appear if the header is correct, but the data is damaged; for instance, if the fileʹs checksum doesnʹt match, or if the trailing F7 is missing.

Velocity response 

Converted sounds will respond to MIDI velocity in the same way as did the original instruments. In other words, if you play both the original and converted sounds from an external MIDI controller, they should sound the same.
However, the local keyboards on some of the original DX instruments were not capable of producing very high velocities; instead, they might max out around 105 or so. The KRONOS’s keyboard, on the other hand, can produce velocities over the full MIDI range, up to 127.
This means that some sounds may be brighter when played from the KRONOS’s keyboard, as compared to the original instrument’s keyboard. If you like, you can use the Brightness Vel. Sens. parameter to reduce the velocity sensitivity to taste.

Where to find DX-7 patches?

Here you can find 200.000 patches :)
http://korgpatches.com/patches/kronos/dx7_200k_collection

 

Nothing can beat the Techno-Beat Electronic Keyboard ;)

Not even the Korg Kronos!

Matt Griffo - Korg Kronos vs Techno-Beat Electronic Keyboard - Kronoshaven.com

Maybe some of you already seen this one, but still want to share it with you guys and dolls who just bought a Korg Kronos :) Have fun watching it!

Matt Griffo won the Korg Kronos Keyboard and this was his thank you video to Korg USA for choosing his video.

it’s there: V2 of the KRONOS Editor and Plug-In Editor

Dear KRONOS user,

Korg is pleased to announce the release of version 2 of the KRONOS Editor and Plug-In Editor. New features include:

* Support for KRONOS software version 2.0.2
* Fast determination of KRONOS-Editor synchronization, in many cases avoiding the need for lengthy data transfers
* Midnam name file export for Pro Tools and Digital Performer
* Support for User Sample Banks, so that you can select all your custom sample data by name, and not simply by number

To download the new KRONOS Editor and Plug-In Editor software, go to http://www.korg.com/kronos/support and click on the Software section.

—-
Thanks to Dirk Hermans for the tip

NEW: the Korg Krome workstation

Korg has released a new workstation (some call it light edition of Kronos, but it hasn’t very much resemblance to the Kronos).

It’s called the Korg Krome:

It’s a nice workstation with one synthengine (Kronos has 9) with a great grand piano that’s almost like the one in the Korg Kronos. A great new sequencer with piano roll editing and drag & drop features. The drumkit is also a big improvement. And important for some: it’s very lightweighted.

It doesn’t have Karma, but it uses an arpeggiator just like the Korg M50 (or korg Triton). It’s a great synth that has no competitors in its range and great for musicians who can’t afford a Kronos (yet).

Check it out on Korg.com: http://korg.com/krome

Major update on Kronoshaven

Hi there,
My vacation has begun and that means I now have time to update Kronoshaven. By looking around at various forums, Google and Youtube I found a lot of nice things.
Since the update of Kronos OS to version 2.02, a lot is happening in the Kronos scene. Many sound designers are porting their favorite sounds from other synths (and synthengines) to the Kronos. Because they can. Kronos is now capable of streaming samples directly from the internal solid state drive, which means that the samples don’t have to be preloaded into the main memory of the Kronos. The most important example is the standard grand piano you find in your Kronos.

Check out some of the great sample banks I found for you to try here

New Korg Kronos X and OS 2.0.2 update

korg kronos xKorg has released a new Korg Kronos: the Korg Kronos X.

Basically it’s the original Kronos with:

  • 1 extra GB ram (still expandable to 3GB like the standard Kronos)
  • a larger SSD (Solid State Disk) allows support for gigantic sound library expansions, such as the KRONOS Sound Libraries and the KARO Sound Libraries.
  • a nice red “X” together with the Kronos logo :-)
  • the new OS update 2.0.2

So if you have a (wow, is it already to be called “classic”?) standard Kronos, you can have all the specs as the X. You can buy extra ram, you can install a second SSD and you can update your Operating System. You only miss the X logo ;)

New operating system

The OS 2.0.2 has some nice cool features (beside some bug-fixes). Here’s the announcement of Korg with the highlights:

Korg is pleased to announce the release of KRONOS software version 2.0.2!

For the original KRONOS, software version 2.0.2 adds a number of new features, including User Sample Banks, support for installing a second internal SSD, improved Akai and SoundFont 2.0 import, and support for USB ethernet adapters for transferring files between the KRONOS and your computer.

For both the KRONOS X and the original KRONOS, software version 2.0.2 also includes various improvements and resolutions to specific operational issues.

User Sample Banks

User Sample Banks bring the benefits of Korg’s EXs to your own custom sample libraries:
* Load & play gigabytes of your custom or converted samples, using Virtual Memory
* Create subsets of banks, and mix and match parts of different banks, without duplicating samples on disk
* Easily share sounds with friends and collaborators

Second Internal SSD support

The KRONOS now supports installation of a second internal SSD, for more storage of samples, audio tracks, and program data.
* Supports blazing-fast, road-ready SATA SSDs
* Installation by authorized service centers only
* Contact your Korg Distributor for details on purchase and installation

USB Ethernet support

The KRONOS now supports USB Ethernet adapters for fast, easy file transfer with personal computers.
* Back up files to your computer, transfer samples to the KRONOS, and organize and re-name files and directories on the KRONOS internal disks
* Connect via off-the-shelf USB Ethernet adapters (see manuals for list of supported devices)
* Uses industry-standard ftp, for universal support of all modern operating systems

Improved Akai and SoundFont 2.0 import

Import of Akai and SoundFont 2.0 libraries has been improved in various ways. Most notably:
* Up to 16 stereo velocity zones are now supported within a single HD-1 Program
* Increased compatibility with variations in SoundFont 2.0 formatting and naming
* Enhanced support for SoundFont 2.0 synthesis parameters

KRONOS v2 Editor and Plug-In Editor

KRONOS System Version 2.0.2 will be supported via the upcoming KRONOS v2 Editor and Plug-In Editor software, which will be available for free download at www.korg.com/kronos/Support at the end of August 2012. The previous versions of the Editor and Plug-In Editor are not compatible.

For more information on the new features, please see the updated PDF manuals and the onboard Help system.

In addition to new features, the update includes various improvements and resolutions to specific operational issues.

The new software is free for all registered users, and will be available for download at 9PM (EST) on Aug 8 from http://www.korg.com/kronos.

We hope that you enjoy these additions to the KRONOS as much as we enjoyed creating them!

Best regards,

KORG
—-

About 103 registered users here!

I was just checking how many people actually registered here on Kronoshaven.com. And it’s nice to see that more than 103 users registered. Also we already have more than 50 likes on Facebook, check it out:

https://www.facebook.com/Kronoshaven

I think Kronoshaven on Facebook can get really large because that’s the modern way people interact with eachother; sharing pictures, videos and asking question to eachother. Hope to see you there!

cheers, Angelo

New OS (Operating System)1.6 + Editor available!

We like to quote Rich Formidori on Korg Forums:


Hi folks,

Thanks for your patience. The Editor/Plug-In Editor software for the Kronos is now available for download at www.korg.com/kronos/support . Click on “Software” for the editor, and please make sure you also visit the “Drivers” section to download the latest USB-MIDI driver.

We’ve also released OS v1.6, which is required to run the Editor/Plug-In Editor. It can be downloaded right from the “OS” section of the support page. In addition to various bug fixes, this update also adds an “Uninstall EXs” command, which will completely remove selected EXs data from the internal SSD.

Enjoy.

Thanks,
-Rich
_________________
Richard Formidoni
Technology Product Manager
Korg USA, Inc.