The built-in sampler is executed quite well. Yes, Kross 2 can do it all, but you’ll never figure out ‘how’ on your own. Things like programming drum sequences, splitting the keyboard, and mapping samples to pads. Paying attention to the manual is a must if you want to access the synth’s considerable power. Menus can be cryptic, several functions are accessed through ‘Shift +’ button combinations, and the screen readouts aren’t always self-explanatory.

Kross 2’s breadth of capabilities means it’s not always user-friendly. Additionally, the keyboard can act as an interface to both send and receive audio over USB. There’s a sampler with 16 pads and you can even record your own samples straight into the Kross 2. The arpeggiator is great fun with synth tones and very simple to use. The EDS-i (Enhanced Definition Synthesis – integrated) engine comes with seven effects units - five insert and two master - for spicing up those presets. In the left corner are pitch and mod wheels with two user-assignable buttons above.ġ28MB of PCM memory lets you expand the internal sound libraries. These knobs give you some expressive control, though you’re locked into the pairings dictated by the switches there’s no way to have knob 1 control cutoff and knob 2 control release time. Switches cycle through the knob functions in pairs like cutoff and resonance, attack and release, etc.

The two knobs in the dedicated Realtime Controls section let you tweak sounds.

You can recall your Favourites via the 16 pads, and the Bank Select button multiplies this by eight - plenty of space to save your go-to patches. You zone into the preset ballpark using the Category dial. What exactly can this thing do? Over 1000 presets fill Kross 2’s menus - from synth basses to acoustic pianos to distorted guitars - that range from inspiring to tolerable. You can get it in grey, black or a luxurious red marble look. The keyboard is available in both 61- and 88-key versions, with the latter having a fully-weighted keybed. The backlit Korg logo makes a scene when it flashes all colours of the rainbow and thankfully you can switch this off. Lightweight and portable, Kross 2 can run on six AA batteries for up to seven hours. It’s an extremely capable instrument with a surprisingly affordable asking price. Trying to do a hundred things well isn’t easy, especially on the cheap, but that hasn’t kept Korg from turning Kross 2 into basically everything but a hairdryer.

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