Korg has released Nautilus AT, an update for its flagship keyboard synth workstation now with an aftertouch keybed.
At the end of 2020, Korg introduced the Nautilus, the little brother of the popular Kronos synth workstation. An instrument that you see on many live stages. The prominent critics were the fewer hardware controls and no aftertouch keybed.
In 2022 Korg then quietly discontinued the Kronos after 11 years on the market, and thus the Nautilus followed in the giant footsteps. Today Korg responds to the most significant criticism of the community and launches two new Nautilus AT versions with aftertouch.
Korg Nautilus AT
After the wavestate SE and opsix SE, the Japanese-made Nautilus synth workstation now also gets an aftertouch upgrade in the form of two new versions.
The Nautilus AT 61 is a lightweight premium keyboard with 61 keys, touch dynamics, and aftertouch while the Nautilus AT 88 is the graduated weighted RH-3 keyboard version with 88 keys and hammer action as well as touch dynamics and aftertouch. In this way, the possibilities of the nine sound engines can be explored even more diversely, and your own playing can be made even more expressive.
According to Korg, all factory sounds of the Nautilus AT have also been optimized for the aftertouch addon. The rest stays the same: 9 sound engines, 16-track audio recording, real-time sampling, and more.
Key Features
- 9 specialized sound engines for different sound categories
- modern operating concept with mode and quick access buttons
- real-time controls (retractable) for sound editing
- polyphonic arpeggiator, drum track, and step sequencer (4 scenes each)
- set list mode for perfect live performances
- search and preview function for sounds and combinations
- favorite Sound feature to set favorite sounds
- 3-band EQ for each individual track (midi and audio)
- smooth sound transition – prevents dropouts when changing sounds
- dynamics controls for expressive sound settings
- sampling function for your own sound creation
- 16-track audio recording (24-bit, 48kHz)
- 16 effects processors, 2 master effects loops, and 2 total effects
- USB type A for MIDI controller and keyboard connection
- USB Type B for USB MIDI and Audio
- dimensions (W x D x H): 1,062 mm x 386 mm x 116 mm (NAUTILUS AT 61) or 1,437 mm x 387 mm x 139 mm (NAUTILUS AT 88)
- weight: 13.0 kg (NAUTILUS AT 61) or 23.1 kg (NAUTILUS AT 88)
- free software bundle included
- made in Japan
First Impression
Good to see that Korg now also offers the Nautilus with aftertouch. Wondering if Korg will replace the initial Nautilus without the aftertouch or if they will continue selling both versions.
More important for me: why didn’t Korg directly equip the Nautilus with an aftertouch keybed. Why only this move after two years? Also, the price + is pretty hefty for this upgrade: 1799€ (Thomann) vs 2399€ and 2499€ (Thomann) vs 3199€.
Korg Nautilus AT 61 will be available for 2399€ and Nautilus AT 88 for 3199€ in September 2023. Existing Nautilus users can hard/soft upgrade the unit for £429, respectively £599. This includes collection and return.
More information here: Korg
Available for pre-order at my partners
Keyboards are just way to expensive anymore. This is a nice feature but not for the price especially for the rest of us who already have the original.