Managing Sample RAM and Program Banks on the KRONOS 3
- Narf
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 23 hours ago
How to unload the Factory KSC, reclaim RAM, and restore your KRONOS 1 or 2 program layout
The KRONOS 3 comes loaded with expanded sample data and new programs, but that power comes at a cost: RAM. If you’re a longtime KRONOS user—or plan to load custom or third-party samples—you’ll likely need to free up memory.
This guide walks you through how to unload the KRONOS 3 Factory KSC and load only the EXs you actually need. It also shows you how to restore the original Program order from a KRONOS 1 or KRONOS 2 if you want a more familiar layout.
Start with a Day-One Backup
Before making changes, save a backup of your KRONOS 3’s factory state. This gives you a restore point you can always return to.
To save your Day-One PCG on the internal drive:
Press the Disk button
Drive Select: choose HDD: INTERNAL HD
Go to the Save tab
From the dropdown, choose Save PCG
Name your file: KRONOS 3 Day One
Press OK
Why Unload the Factory Preload?
The full factory preload uses up most of the available sample RAM, leaving only about 73 MB free.
If you’re loading:
Your own user sample sets
EXs libraries purchased from Korg
3rd-party libraries
…you’ll need more room.
Unload the Factory KSC and Add Only What You Need
Here’s how to unload the full factory preload and selectively add back only the EXs you want.
Steps:
Go to Global Mode > KSC AutoLoad
Uncheck the box for PRELOAD.KSC to unload all factory sample data
Press Add KSC
Navigate to:
Factory > Preload_Individual_KSC
Select only the EXs you want using Multiple Select
Press Do AutoLoad Now
This lets you free up RAM while keeping only the factory sounds you actually use.
What EXs Do You Actually Need?
Here are the EXs found in earlier KRONOS models:
EXs1–9 – Native to KRONOS 1 and 2
EXs17–18 – Added in KRONOS 2
EXs22 – Italian Grand (KRONOS SE)
EXs206–218 – New to KRONOS 3, supports expanded Programs in banks U-CC and U-DD
If your Combis or custom Programs don’t use the newer content, you don’t need to load it.
Optional: Restore Original KRONOS 1 or 2 Program Order
Want your Program layout to feel just like your old board? Here’s how to clear the newer banks and bring back the legacy Program structure.
Steps:
In Program Mode, press I-C and U-C together
Go to Program 000: Italian F Piano
Open the Dropdown Menu, select Initialize Program
Tick All Programs in Current Bank
Repeat this for U-DD and U-EE banks
This clears out the newer KRONOS 3-specific banks.
Now load the older program orders:
For KRONOS X (KRONOS 2):
Go to: Factory > Extra Sound Data > Preload_KronosX
Open (don’t load) the PRELOAD_KRONOSX.PCG
Open the Programs folder
Multiple Select banks I-A through U-BB
For KRONOS 1:
Do the same, but select banks I-A through U-F only
Final Notes
The KRONOS 3 is powerful—but it’s not infinite.
You’ll need to decide which sounds matter most, and plan your RAM and Program Bank usage accordingly.
Treat each setup—whether for a gig, a band, or a studio session—as its own session, with its own PCG file.
That’s how professional users get the most out of their KRONOS.
Not by loading everything, but by loading smart.
Need Help?
If you’re running into:
Broken multisample links
Combis pointing to the wrong Programs
Missing drum kits
RAM overloads
Or KSC Autoload confusion…
Please don’t DM or email me.
Instead, book a one-on-one session at
I’ll walk you through it properly so you can get the most out of your Kronos 3—without the guesswork.
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