Is the Nautilus 88 good for live gigs?

Yes. Set list mode and the color touchscreen make patch changes quick on stage. The trade-off is its weight, so plan for a sturdy stand and a case with wheels.

How does it compare with the Korg Kronos?

It shares the Kronos sound engines and sampling but drops KARMA and simplifies the workflow. It is easier to learn and still deep, but less generative for evolving parts.

Does it have weighted keys?

Yes. The 88-key model uses a weighted, piano-style action, so it works as a stage piano as well as a synth.

Can it record audio and MIDI?

Yes. It has a 16-track MIDI sequencer and a 16-track audio recorder, plus open sampling and 16 effect processors.

The keyboard, a power cable and a printed quick start guide. A sustain pedal and stand are not included, so budget for those separately.

Is it worth it over a mid-range workstation?

If you need nine engines, sampling and audio recording in one board, yes. If you mainly play piano sounds, a simpler stage piano covers that for less.

Korg Nautilus 88-Key Performance Synth/Workstation Keyboard

Q: Where is the Korg Nautilus 88-Key Performance Synth/Workstation Keyboard cheapest?

At Adorama, for $1,999.99, 20% under what the other stores charge, as of our latest check.

Q: Where can I buy the Korg Nautilus 88-Key Performance Synth/Workstation Keyboard?

14 stores we checked sell it, including Musician's Friend, Walmart, Sweetwater, B&H Photo-Video Audio, zZounds.

Best price now

$1,999.99at AdoramaChecked 1 h ago

20% under what the other stores charge

Compared across 14 stores. Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when.

Visit Adorama

What reviewers say

Owners and reviewers rate the Nautilus 88 highly for its sound quality and live workflow, calling it a Kronos-class instrument with a friendlier interface. Most criticism centers on its weight, the learning curve and the missing KARMA features.

What people mention

Sound enginesPraisedPlayers say the nine engines give a wider palette than most workstations in its class.
KeybedPraisedThe weighted 88-key action is described as expressive and piano-like.
WeightCriticisedOwners complain it is heavy and awkward to move for live gigs.
Learning curveMixedThe interface is friendlier than the Kronos, but deep editing still takes study.
KARMACriticisedSome Kronos users miss the generative KARMA features that were dropped.
Set list modePraisedLive players rely on set list mode to switch patches and sequences quickly.

About the Korg Nautilus 88-Key Performance Synth/Workstation Keyboard

The Korg Nautilus is a performance synthesizer and workstation that combines nine distinct synthesizer and sound engines in one instrument. Dynamic voice allocation and new technologies let all the engines share one hardware platform. Sounds change smoothly, without dropouts, in any mode.

It has a color TouchView display and a user interface designed for easy operation. A Dynamics knob allows delicate expression, and Realtime knobs make quick changes to sounds. It also includes an arpeggiator and drum track functions, and a set list mode for live performance.

For recording and production, the Nautilus has an open sampling system, a 16-track MIDI sequencer and a 16-track audio recorder. It has 16 onboard effect processors. USB and MIDI host ports accommodate MIDI control surfaces. This 88-key model has piano touch.

Keys

88 keys with piano touch

Sound engines

9 engines, with new sounds in 3 broad categories

Display

Color TouchView display

Controls

Dynamics knob, Realtime knobs

Sequencer

16-track MIDI sequencer

Recorder

16-track audio recorder