![]() ![]() K1, K3, K4, K5, K5000 are all additive synths at heart with different approaches. What makes the kawai unusual compared to other makes, and what unites them all is the emphasis on additive resynthesis waveforms. The k4 sounds a bit ghostier and creepier that the jd990. I also had the k4r at the same time as a jd990 and I didn't really find the use for it. However I like the joystick and form factor of the k1m. The K4 is a good synth, ultimately it's a better synth than the k1. The K4 is essentially the same with more waveforms and a resonant low pass filter, but it is 16 bit, vs 8 bit, and for whatever reason I never got the same vibey sound out of a k4 as I did with the k1. The waveforms in the k1 are mostly single cycle waves derived from additive resynthesis of real instruments, a bunch of variations of basic analog waveforms and some samples. The architecture of the k1 k4 and xd-5 are essentially 4 oscillators with individual VCAs that can be ring modulated. The kawais are edited via sysex, which means that parameters won't change during a sustained note, but changes are playable between notes. They're also kind of noisy.Įxcellent info! Are you mean g to say that the patches become more easy to edit with sysex devices or are you saying that the parameters become playable? The former would be good the latter really something else.īoth. KAWAI K4 EDITOR MODThe outputs are kind of weak, but there is a pretty easy mod to fix this (it involves replacing a few resistors). At least on the K5m the display is easier to get to than on the keyboard K5, which requires removing the panel board. I haven't attempted to do anything more with it since then. It worked for a while, but then the display itself went blank. I managed to retrofit a new transformer and EL panel, and got it working again. A few years ago, the display backlight died. The K5/K5m machines have a lot of display issues. And you have to understand the basic harmonic sequence for the concept of additive synthesis to make any sense. ![]() The UI is complex and rather difficult to learn - you have to remember what all of of those little individual dots on the screen represent. it's an additive synthesis machine, that gives you control over the individual partials. ![]() The K5 is a completely different architecture from the others. Kawai made their own editor that does the K1, K4, and XD-5 ( I can't remember if has a K3 preset) but any device that can be programmed to send basic sysex will do the kawais, they don't require long complicated messages. K1, k3, k4 all are editible remotely by sysex only, but they respond well to sysex and don't choke. Outside of the resynthesis, it does stuff that is reminiscent of FM or a D50 but it typically sounds a lot edgier than either. There are other modern options that for most uses might be preferable, but they are more expensive. KAWAI K4 EDITOR SOFTWAREThe resynthesis options it can do if you have the proper software are interesting. I've had a K5000 for a long time, and it is a unique and challenging synth. The K5 - some people have a preference to it over the K5000 I cannot comment I've used the K5000, but I've never understood the arguements in the K5's favor. The keyboard is huge, so unless you want to use it as a table I suggest looking for the rack. If you can get a microwave I, that's better and probably replaces the K3, but otherwise I think it has a space in most any studio. Bass is really good, but infinite harmonics, it does not have. The filters never really get the chance to do that high harmonic sweep type sounds that you get from a real analog sawtooth, but doesn't mean that sweeps aren't interesting, in fact they are pretty unique, in it's cold/warm/thin deep way. It sounds less like it's trying to be a pseudo analog synth (ala the korg DWs) and more fully embracing a core digital sound with very nice analog filters and BBD chorus. K3 is my favorite inexpensive hybrid of the 80s. I don't think it's really a synth that begs to be circuitbent, but you do want to have some kind of slider box sending it sysex as programming it that way brings out some really unexpected sounds. The K1, however sounds special in a way that the K4 did not. The K4 is pretty cool, but didn't draw me more than other rom based synths. I've bought and sold K4r and X5-dr rack twice. ![]()
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