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Managing Sample RAM and Program Banks on the KRONOS 3

  • Writer: Narf
    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:


  1. Press the Disk button

  2. Drive Select: choose HDD: INTERNAL HD

  3. Go to the Save tab

  4. From the dropdown, choose Save PCG

  5. Name your file: KRONOS 3 Day One

  6. 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:


  1. Go to Global Mode > KSC AutoLoad

  2. Uncheck the box for PRELOAD.KSC to unload all factory sample data

  3. Press Add KSC

  4. Navigate to:

    Factory > Preload_Individual_KSC

  5. Select only the EXs you want using Multiple Select

  6. 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:


  1. In Program Mode, press I-C and U-C together

  2. Go to Program 000: Italian F Piano

  3. Open the Dropdown Menu, select Initialize Program

  4. Tick All Programs in Current Bank

  5. 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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