NAUTILUS. The ultimate keyboard flagship
NAUTILUS pushes the boundaries of what a performance synth and workstation can do. With nine different engines, you have access to analog modeling, physical modeling, sampling, audio recording and a myriad of effects, there is simply no other synth that delivers more sonic versatility. The workflow is optimized to get you to the results you want faster than ever. KORG has spent years refining all of its digital, analog, processing and hardware technologies and making them accessible in a way that blurs the line between musician and instrument. The result is the extremely powerful, and truly unique NAUTILUS.
Nine different sound engines
NAUTILUS features nine dedicated engines that realistically reproduce sounds such as pianos, electric pianos, organs, analog synthesizers, digital synthesizers, and more. The enhanced SGX-2 piano sound engine delivers all the nuances of the acoustic piano with delicate expressiveness, and NAUTILUS is equipped with more piano libraries than any other product - all with 12 velocity layers, string resonance, and more. The EP-1 electric piano sound engine realistically reproduces seven different famous electric piano sounds. The CX-3 engine - the heart of KORG's highly sought-after CX-3 emulation - captures the distinct sound of classic tonewheel organs with perfection. Add to that the MOD-7 VPM/FM synthesis, PolysixEX and MS-20EX for analog modeling, and STR-1 for physical modeling, and you literally have an engine for every type of sound you can imagine. Use them solo in Program mode or build complex layers in Combi mode and create completely new timbres.
New approach to sound categories
The approach to the sound banks on NAUTILUS began with KORG setting aside typical conventions for how sound should be accessed on a modern workstation, and instead focused on pushing the boundaries of sampling and programming to create a completely new classification of programs, divided into three groups:
1. Unique (unique sounds)
NAUTILUS gives you distinctive sounds, including phrase loops, prepared pianos, found percussion, and many rare musical instruments from around the world, including phrasings characteristic of these instruments. NAUTILUS contains sounds that have been sampled for the first time just for this instrument. For example, the prepared piano sounds are created by placing various objects between piano strings and recording samples, just as several "found percussion" sounds are made by transforming ordinary objects into percussion instruments. Not only can these new and mysterious sounds add surprising colors to your songs, they also offer wide possibilities for sound design for the film and television composer.
2. Current (current sounds)
NAUTILUS also offers the freshest sounds that fit well into today's music scene, including synths, drum kits, special effects and more. If you're looking for synths, be sure to check out the EDM, electro and chiptune sound categories. NAUTILUS offers more than 50 drum kits - sound sets that strongly reflect the evolution of music over time, with a special focus on modern sound design.
3. Standard
KORG has brought together all the essential sounds a workstation needs, including piano, electric piano, guitar, bass guitar, etc., covering all genres, in one place. The newly sampled piano sound is flanked by the comfortable space in which it was recorded, and you can freely mix the direct piano sound and the room sound to achieve the perfect mix for the task. A new electric piano model has been added with a distinctively thick sound that works great for funky styles. Many phrasings have also been added, letting you play back actual recordings of guitar and bass techniques that are adapted to keyboard playing.
DYNAMICS button
The DYNAMICS knob lets you instantly control the changes in volume and tone as a function of how hard you play the keys (velocity); and you can adjust this knob in real time to match the required keyboard playing feel for each style and song. Even when playing the same sound, you can experiment with this knob and get the feel of playing a completely different sound. By finding the right setting for your playing style, you will be able to adapt your NAUTILUS to any task.
When you activate the DYNAMICS knob and turn it to the left, the keyboard responds more softly to your playing, giving you a wide range of dynamics. This allows for delicate, expressive playing when accompanying a piano solo or vocal, which directly reflects the dynamics of your performance. On the other hand, turning the knob to the right produces a stronger, flatter dynamic response. This often forces the sound forward in the soundscape, which can be a great help when playing in a band or ensemble.
The realtime buttons
The six RT (Real Time) buttons at the top left of the panel give you direct control over changes to the PROG and COMBI sounds. A variety of functions are assigned to each button, allowing you to make changes to the sound, such as filter cutoff or effect depth, gate time, tempo and arpeggiator swing, even the type of snare drum, and much more. In COMBI mode, you can group timbres and control their levels with the buttons. Additionally, you can press these buttons down to lock them and prevent parameters from being accidentally changed while you play. For example, you can use it to keep the buttons you use frequently on stage active, and push in those you don't need.
Easy navigation
KORG has completely rethought the user interface of the NAUTILUS. More features often mean more buttons, and thus more clutter. The simplified interface of the NAUTILUS lets users define and assign exactly the parameters and functions they are looking for and need, once the principles are understood. The MODE button lets you see what you have selected in each mode on a single screen, from PROG and COMBI to Setlist, Sampling, Sequencer and Global mode. Each mode has tabs for each function, and the PAGE buttons offer more detailed editing with consistent operation. You can press the MODE button at any time to return to the start if you get lost. The screen can be set to "Dark Mode" to reduce eye fatigue, or provide better contrast on stage. Six Quick Access buttons are also available as shortcut buttons. You can set up up to four sets as direct shortcuts for selecting modes such as PROG and COMBI, as transport buttons for sequencer playback and recording, and so on. You can freely assign functions you use frequently and save them in one of four sets.
Arpeggiator and drum tracks
Four scenes with arpeggio patterns and drum track sets for each PROG and COMBI sound are provided. These allow you to switch between scenes while they are playing, for use when improvising during performance or for inspiration when composing music based on a sound.
Setlists
NAUTILUS can organize all the settings you need during a song – or a set – using the Set List. In Set List mode, the TouchView screen can host 16 color-coded touchscreen buttons; each one can instantly activate the desired preset, combination or sequence – regardless of the mode! You can define the colors of the buttons yourself, for quick and precise control. Set List mode has its own nine-band graphic EQ, allowing you to adjust the overall sound to match the venue.
Color TouchView display
The nerve center of the NAUTILUS is KORG's huge 8" (800 x 480 pixel) WVGA color TouchView display. In addition to allowing you to select sounds or parameters with a tap directly on the screen, the enhanced Touch-Drag functionality provides more detailed control of parameter values. Interactive instruments and panel graphics allow you to do everything from adjusting the lid of a grand piano to connecting patch cables on a semi-modular synthesizer model. The TouchView display also features a convenient new search function that lets you search for (and preview) sounds based on their titles.
Open Sampling System
With KORG's Open Sampling System, NAUTILUS can quickly sample an external sound source, regardless of whether NAUTILUS is in PROGRAM, COMBI or SEQUENCER mode. Open Sampling Mode can even re-sample the NAUTILUS' outputs. The user sample bank allows you to load and play your own (multi)samples, and there's plenty of storage space thanks to the built-in SSD. AIFF, WAV, SoundFont 2.0 and AKAI S1000/3000 formats can be loaded into memory via USB drive. In addition, you can use a USB Ethernet adapter to exchange large amounts of sample data with your computer at high speed. Instruments or samples that you have previously created on your PC can be sent to NAUTILUS and then function 100% stand-alone.
16-track MIDI sequencer / 16-track audio recorder
NAUTILUS features a sequencer/recording section that offers both 16 MIDI tracks and 16 audio tracks; a fantastic resource for composing and playing everything from ideas and backing tracks to full productions. The MIDI sequencer makes it easy to capture ideas, inspiration and phrases in professional quality using direct recording, Drum Track or RPPR (Realtime Pattern Play/Recording). The 16-track audio recorder simultaneously records up to four tracks in 16-bit/24-bit at 48 kHz. Play to backing tracks, add effects, use re-sampling and place the re-sampled WAV files directly on a track - you decide. You have both mixer automation and editing functions such as copy, paste and normalize, etc. at your disposal. NAUTILUS gives computer-based DAWs a hard time.
16 effects machines
NATILUS has a total of 16 internal effects engines. There are 12 Insert effect points that can be freely assigned to individual or multiple sounds in a combination, or to individual or multiple tracks in the sequencer. In addition, two Master effects can be used as Send 1 and 2, and two Total effects can be used as the last "master" link in the chain. Each Program, sequencer track and audio track has a separate three-band EQ for adjusting tonal balance.
USB/MIDI
Any Class-Compliant USB-MIDI controller can be connected directly to the NAUTILUS via the standard USB-A port. For example, assign functions to a KORG USB MIDI controller with pads (nanoPAD, nanoPAD2, padKONTROL) and play drums or switch between chords with chord triggers or when in chord mode. Or add an additional USB/MIDI keyboard and get two manuals on your CX-3 organ!
Seamless audio transitions
When you switch program sounds during a performance, or when you switch from program mode to combo mode, the sound that is playing is always prioritized and its effects are maintained during the program change, ensuring a seamless transition without dropouts or clicking sounds.
88, 73 or 61 keys? The choice is yours!
The keyboard on the 88-key version of the NAUTILUS is KORG's famous RH-3 keyboard, with four sensors and balanced weighting. The feel is heavier on the lower notes and lighter on the higher notes, emulating acoustic grand pianos to perfection. The 73-key model has a delicious synth keyboard with fast response from C to C, just like the 61-key model. The 88-key model is equipped with luxurious wooden side panels, and the 73 and 61 models feature a completely new design with elegant curves, inspired by the NAUTILUS' namesakes: the Nautilus submarine and the mythological octopus. All of these elements make the NAUTILUS a distinctive instrument that oozes personality.
NOTE! If you need Aftertouch, there are now also "AT" versions of the KORG NAUTILUS, which in addition to this feature also have updated factory sounds to take advantage of this. If you already own a NAUTILUS, you can even upgrade it to AT! Contact us for details and prices.
Free software
NAUTILUS comes with a wide range of music software from iZotope, including "Ozone Elements", "Skoove" subscription to help you improve your keyboard playing skills, "Reason Lite" DAW software, as well as software synths from KORG and other brands.
Apps for iPad/iPhone
- KORG Gadget 2 Le (music production studio DAW app)
- KORG Module (piano/keyboard sound module app)
Software for Mac/Windows
- KORG Collection - M1 Le (synthesizer sound module)
- UVI Digital Synsations (synthesizer sound module)
- AAS Ultra Analog Session (synthesizer sound module)
- AAS Strum Session (acoustic guitar sound module)
- AAS Lounge Lizard Session (electric piano sound module)
- Reason Studios Reason Lite (DAW music production software)
- Skoove free 3 month trial of Skoove Premium (online piano lessons)
- KORG Gadget 2 Le for Mac (DAW music production software)
- iZotope Ozone Elements (Audio Mastering Plug-in Software)
Dimensions
- 88 keys: 1,437 x 387 x 139 mm
- 73 keys: 1,227 x 386 x 116 mm
- 61 keys: 1,062 x 386 x 116 mm
Weight:
- 88 keys: 23.1 kg
- 73 keys: 14.6 kg
- 61 keys: 3.0 kg
