Kurzweil Synthesizers

raisindot | 2 Nov 2010 23:27

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Hi, new member and soon-to-be Kurzweil PC3 owner here.

Hello!

Just thought I'd join the group since I just ordered a new PC3. A totally irrational purchase, but I've been
thinking about getting rid of some of my sound modules and my present controller, an Alesis 8.2, and the
reviews and audio samples of the PC3 (and its current price) just made it impossible to resist. 

I'm currently the moderator of the Yahoo Roland XV group, but I've got a strong feeling that I'm going to end
up also selling my XV-5080 to finance the purchase of the PC3 (I've got a Sonic Cell which I use much more than
the 5080 these days). 

Anyway, I was able to bargain with the dealer and knock off quite a bit from the $1699 price most of the online
dealers are charging, and it comes with an extra 2-year warranty. And it was in stock. 

My only slight issue is that no one in my area (outside of Boston) has any PC models in stock, so I'll
essentially be stuck with it (unless I decide to return it). But I'm hoping I'll love it so much I'll keep it. 

Anyway, cheers!

Jeff in Boston  

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Jon Stubbs | 3 Nov 2010 01:40

Re: Hi, new member and soon-to-be Kurzweil PC3 owner here.

Congrats! Folks really love their PC3's.
(I'm a crusty old K2661 user).

There's quite a community of support and shared
enthusiasm out there for Kurzweil (and especially, now,
the PC3).

The Roland XV's have their charm, but I expect the PC3 will
be an ear-opener (as in "eye" not "can")

Jon
On Nov 2, 2010, at 4:27 PM, raisindot wrote:

> Hello!
> 
> Just thought I'd join the group since I just ordered a new PC3. A totally irrational purchase, but I've been
thinking about getting rid of some of my sound modules and my present controller, an Alesis 8.2, and the
reviews and audio samples of the PC3 (and its current price) just made it impossible to resist. 
> 
> I'm currently the moderator of the Yahoo Roland XV group, but I've got a strong feeling that I'm going to end
up also selling my XV-5080 to finance the purchase of the PC3 (I've got a Sonic Cell which I use much more than
the 5080 these days). 
> 
> Anyway, I was able to bargain with the dealer and knock off quite a bit from the $1699 price most of the online
dealers are charging, and it comes with an extra 2-year warranty. And it was in stock. 
> 
> My only slight issue is that no one in my area (outside of Boston) has any PC models in stock, so I'll
essentially be stuck with it (unless I decide to return it). But I'm hoping I'll love it so much I'll keep it. 
> 
> Anyway, cheers!

(Continue reading)

raisindot | 11 Nov 2010 16:48

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Re: Hi, new member and soon-to-be Kurzweil PC3 owner here.

Got my PC3 last week (took only two days shipping!).

My overall reactions is that this is one sweet keyboard. I was worried that moving from the full-weighted
keyboard action of my Alesis QS8.2 to the semi-weighted KB of the PC3 would be problemmatic, but it isn't.
The action, while certainly not that of truly weighted KBs, is still excellent. It feels strudy, nice and
responsive, and not 'plasticy,' stiff and cheap as most non-fully weighted KBs.

In terms of the sounds, I'd rank thusly:

Excellent:

The dedicated organ emulations. The B3 emulations are great, and the sheer variety of them is greater than
I've seen on any other KB. The ability to use the sliders as drawbars is incredibly crucial. I may end up
selling my Nord Electro 2 rack because these nearly give me a complete match. The only thing I don't like is
that I can't turn the rotary effect on and off or move from fast to slow without digging into the effects
setup--or, at least, if there's a way to do it, I haven't figured it out yet. If you know, please let me know. 

Strings/orchestral sounds. The strings are great--not quite as good as those on the my Roland SRX-4
expansion card, but very usable. I'm also very surprised at the quality of the brass, particularly the
horns and trumpets. Usually, these sounds are afterthoughts, but here they are actually quite good. 

Mellotron sounds: Until now, I've never been satisfied with the variety or quality of Mellotron
emulations. On the PC3 they've got a wide variety and some of them are just great. the Strawberry Fields
flutes, in particular, are spot on. 

Very Good:

EPs are great, but not outstanding. I think the Electro 3 and my Motif XS rack do a better job on all of them. 

Good:

(Continue reading)

Laurence Payne | 12 Nov 2010 02:09

RE: Re: Hi, new member and soon-to-be Kurzweil PC3 owner here.

>Things I don't like so much:

>The 'blue light" for the expansion card being on all the time. If there is
a way to turn it off I'd like to know. 

Short of opening it up and attempting surgery I'm afraid you're stuck with
it.   I think most of us have applied strategic gaffer tape 

On the SonikMatter forum, we're reliably informed the card readers came as a
job lot at a good price and the blue ray of death just happened to be
included.

Another good story is about the centre-detent faders on early Mackie mixers.
Although they were touted as a "feature", the real story is that Greg Mackie
got hold of a load of surplus faders intended for graphic equalizers.

Both are excellent stories.  I hope they're true 

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Tom G Eckenrode | 12 Nov 2010 14:11

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RE: Re: Hi, new member and soon-to-be Kurzweil PC3 owner here.

." The only thing I don't like is that I can't turn the rotary effect on and
off or move from fast to slow without digging into the effects setup--or, at
least, if there's a way to do it, I haven't figured it out yet. If you know,
please let me know."

I don't own a PC3, just a K2600.  In the K2600, for most of the organ
programs, the rotary on/off is programmed into footswitch #3.  Perhaps they
did the same (or something similar) for the PC3.  Also, the button above
your sliders on the left hand side.actually, all those buttons should
perform KB3 functions when you're in KB3 mode.

Tom

From: KurzList <at> yahoogroups.com [mailto:KurzList <at> yahoogroups.com] On Behalf
Of raisindot
Sent: Thursday, November 11, 2010 10:49 AM
To: KurzList <at> yahoogroups.com
Subject: [KL] Re: Hi, new member and soon-to-be Kurzweil PC3 owner here.

Got my PC3 last week (took only two days shipping!).

Excellent:

The dedicated organ emulations. The B3 emulations are great, and the sheer
variety of them is greater than I've seen on any other KB. The ability to
use the sliders as drawbars is incredibly crucial. I may end up selling my
Nord Electro 2 rack because these nearly give me a complete match. The only
thing I don't like is that I can't turn the rotary effect on and off or move
from fast to slow without digging into the effects setup--or, at least, if
there's a way to do it, I haven't figured it out yet. If you know, please

(Continue reading)

Josh Glover | 12 Nov 2010 15:47

Picon

Re: Re: Hi, new member and soon-to-be Kurzweil PC3 owner here.

On the PC3, Leslie speed is controlled by the sustain pedal. You can also use the first switch above the
sliders. 

On Nov 12, 2010, at 8:11 AM, Tom G Eckenrode <tgeckenrode <at> hotmail.com> wrote:

> ." The only thing I don't like is that I can't turn the rotary effect on and
> off or move from fast to slow without digging into the effects setup--or, at
> least, if there's a way to do it, I haven't figured it out yet. If you know,
> please let me know."
> 
> I don't own a PC3, just a K2600. In the K2600, for most of the organ
> programs, the rotary on/off is programmed into footswitch #3. Perhaps they
> did the same (or something similar) for the PC3. Also, the button above
> your sliders on the left hand side.actually, all those buttons should
> perform KB3 functions when you're in KB3 mode.
> 
> Tom
> 
> From: KurzList <at> yahoogroups.com [mailto:KurzList <at> yahoogroups.com] On Behalf
> Of raisindot
> Sent: Thursday, November 11, 2010 10:49 AM
> To: KurzList <at> yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [KL] Re: Hi, new member and soon-to-be Kurzweil PC3 owner here.
> 
> Got my PC3 last week (took only two days shipping!).
> 
> Excellent:
> 
> The dedicated organ emulations. The B3 emulations are great, and the sheer
> variety of them is greater than I've seen on any other KB. The ability to

(Continue reading)

Jim Fettgather | 13 Nov 2010 16:46

Picon

Suggestions for a Second Keyboard

I hope no one minds an elementary question.

I have a Kurzweil SP 2 88 key stage piano that works great. It has 64 
voices that are fine.

The nature of my shows and performances dictate that I get a second 
keyboard with as many sounds and instruments as possible.
I'm hoping to get suggestions for a reasonably priced Kurzweil keyboard, 
perhaps a 76 key, that would be a good supplement to the stage piano 
that would have lots of great on-board sounds.

Thanks a lot.

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raisindot | 14 Nov 2010 17:34

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Re: Suggestions for a Second Keyboard

I'm a new PC3 owner, and, so far, I really like it.

But, I were looking for another keyboard to share space with it, I'd think of something different. Not
because the PC3 isn't great, but because having two of the same keyboard duplicates a lot of the sounds. I'd
think you might be better of trying a different brand to get a bettery variety of "different sounding"
sounds. 

That said, what you want depends on your budget and what kinds of founds you're looking for. 

Personally, if I were in your situation I'd look for either a Yamaha Motif XS or a Roland Fantom X or G. I'd lean
more to the X because it can use Roland's SRX expansion cards, which are the best sounding ROMpler based
cards on the market. Only the Fantom X8 has a weighted 88-key board, however. The X7 and X6 have more
synth-weighted keyboards that are not nearly as excellent as the PC3's. 

If you were learning more toward needing excellent pianos, drums, and maximum expandability via both
sample RAM and SRX cards, I'd go for the Fantom. 

If you're looking for superior EPs, guitars, basses and an outstanding selection of arpeggios, I'd go for
the Motif. 

Just my .02.

Jeff in Boston 

--- In KurzList <at> yahoogroups.com, Jim Fettgather <jimfettgather <at> ...> wrote:
>
> I hope no one minds an elementary question.
> 
> I have a Kurzweil SP 2 88 key stage piano that works great. It has 64 
> voices that are fine.

(Continue reading)

Greg Hurst | 14 Nov 2010 22:08

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Re: Re: Suggestions for a Second Keyboard

What kind of music are you playing - that would make it better for us all to offer up hopefully good advice.

g

--- On Sun, 11/14/10, raisindot <raisindot <at> yahoo.com> wrote:

From: raisindot <raisindot <at> yahoo.com>
Subject: [KL] Re: Suggestions for a Second Keyboard
To: KurzList <at> yahoogroups.com
Received: Sunday, November 14, 2010, 11:34 AM

      I'm a new PC3 owner, and, so far, I really like it.

But, I were looking for another keyboard to share space with it, I'd think of something different. Not
because the PC3 isn't great, but because having two of the same keyboard duplicates a lot of the sounds. I'd
think you might be better of trying a different brand to get a bettery variety of "different sounding"
sounds. 

That said, what you want depends on your budget and what kinds of founds you're looking for. 

Personally, if I were in your situation I'd look for either a Yamaha Motif XS or a Roland Fantom X or G. I'd lean
more to the X because it can use Roland's SRX expansion cards, which are the best sounding ROMpler based
cards on the market. Only the Fantom X8 has a weighted 88-key board, however. The X7 and X6 have more
synth-weighted keyboards that are not nearly as excellent as the PC3's.

(Continue reading)

Jim Fettgather | 15 Nov 2010 00:40

Picon

Re: Re: Suggestions for a Second Keyboard

Hi.
I'm hoping to spend about the same amount (around$1000) that I paid
for the SP 2 stage piano, and hopefully find a device, either a
keyboard, or perhaps something that utilizes a MIDI interface, that
has a lot more voices.
I'm playing pop, country, all fairly contemporary music, so anything
that offers modern samples or sounds would be great.

Thanks to all for the feedback.

On 11/14/10, Greg Hurst <gdhurst <at> yahoo.com> wrote:
> What kind of music are you playing - that would make it better for us all to
> offer up hopefully good advice.
>
> g
>
> --- On Sun, 11/14/10, raisindot <raisindot <at> yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> From: raisindot <raisindot <at> yahoo.com>
> Subject: [KL] Re: Suggestions for a Second Keyboard
> To: KurzList <at> yahoogroups.com
> Received: Sunday, November 14, 2010, 11:34 AM
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

(Continue reading)

Jon Stubbs | 15 Nov 2010 02:42

Re: Re: Suggestions for a Second Keyboard

I wonder if you might consider a used laptop,
a MIDI interface, and perhaps Kontakt 4?
Or a library that meets your needs that includes
the Free Kontakt player?

It would open up your pallet considerably for not much
dough. But you may have to work out unexpected kinks
that you don't get with a hardware rig. 

But if you need another physical keyboard, I guess
that won't be what you need.

On Nov 14, 2010, at 4:40 PM, Jim Fettgather wrote:

> Hi.
> I'm hoping to spend about the same amount (around$1000) that I paid
> for the SP 2 stage piano, and hopefully find a device, either a
> keyboard, or perhaps something that utilizes a MIDI interface, that
> has a lot more voices.
> I'm playing pop, country, all fairly contemporary music, so anything
> that offers modern samples or sounds would be great.
> 
> Thanks to all for the feedback.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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raisindot | 15 Nov 2010 04:39

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Re: Suggestions for a Second Keyboard

Do you want another keyboard, or just more voices?

If you just want the voices, you might want to think about a sound module instead of the whole separate
keyboard. It'll take up less space and cost less.  

If you're looking for country, I'd recommend looking around for a Fantom X rack. It has the same 128-voice
engine as the Fantox X keyboard, but not the sampling capability. However, it does have at least three or
four Roland SRX expansion slots open. One of them you could devote for use with the SRX-"World" card, which
contains a whole set of great banjos, mandolins, harmonicas and guitars from the excellent legacy Roland
SR/JV "Country" card, along with many great 'world' sounds from Asia and Africa. I've never heard better
country-sounding samples than those on this card. Plus, you've got 12 other cards you can choose from
ranging from symphonic sounds to pop and hip to brass, so nearly everything is covered. Combine the cards
and the Fantom's excellent pianos with with the great organs,
  excellent strings and very good classic keyboards of the PC3, and you really have a combination that can do
just about anything. 

Jeff

--- In KurzList <at> yahoogroups.com, Jim Fettgather <jimfettgather <at> ...> wrote:
>
> Hi.
> I'm hoping to spend about the same amount (around$1000) that I paid
> for the SP 2 stage piano, and hopefully find a device, either a
> keyboard, or perhaps something that utilizes a MIDI interface, that
> has a lot more voices.
> I'm playing pop, country, all fairly contemporary music, so anything
> that offers modern samples or sounds would be great.
> 
> Thanks to all for the feedback.
>

(Continue reading)

Jon Stubbs | 11 Nov 2010 17:22

Re: Re: Hi, new member and soon-to-be Kurzweil PC3 owner here.

> The 'blue light" for the expansion card being on all the time. If there is a way to turn it off I'd like to know. 
> 
Piece of foil tape or gaffers?

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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