Novi Kurzweil na NAMM-u

[Moritz]

Building on Kurzweil's reputation as one of the best feeling keyboard controllers with great internal sounds, the 88-note Fatar keyboard PC3 is the ultimate in performance and preset collections.
In addition to Kurzweil's renowned Triple Strike Grand Piano, the PC3 features hundreds of new basses, drums, guitars, and synths sounds. Many features of the PC3 were inherited from the K Series--you might recognize the pop up style menu help screens. You also get a collection of flawless vintage keyboard emulations, the KB3 Mode and over 250 professional sounding orchestral and string section programs.
The PC3 has 128-note polyphony, a 16-track sequencer, 4 independent arpeggiators and more effects processing power than Kurzweil's standalone KSP8 processor. There is an USB connector and flash card port for import/export of data plus an angled display to view it all. The nine sliders/drawbar controllers and a newly designed keyboard action are all Kurzweil.
Priced at $2,599 MSRP, the PC3 will be available in the Spring of 2007
Mislim da je KURZWEIL ovog puta ozbiljnije shvatio vaznost CENA/MOGUCNOSTI odnos.....

[slowstar]

Jesu li se postovana gospoda iz Kurzweila udostojila da nesto preduzmu povodom polifonije, novih samplova, novog OS-a, smanjenja tezine, vece multitimbralnosti,
i jos mnogih stvari za koje je odavno bilo krajnje vreme da se menjaju?
Veoma sam cenio, i izvesno vreme posedovao, i dolazio u dodir sa tim sintovima i semplerima, ali ih je vreme izgleda nepovratno pregazilo, izuzev onih jeftinijih modela koji se koriste za zivu svirku, mislim da je pc 161 ili slicno, ikoji za te pare zvuci pristojno, ali su svi zvuci do bola "reciklirani" iako su poneki BILI jako dobri u svoje vreme...
Licno mi je zao sto je tako, jer sam firmu vrlo cenio...

[Goran]

Pridruzujem se cijenjenom kolezi u zapazanju....
Mislim da oni uopste nisu normalni! Ili tamo radi troje ljudi u firmi (jedan smislja, drugi dizajnira a treci sastavlja) ili nesto jeste ali mi to ne mirise! Meni je K2000 oduzeo pola zivota sa (ne)kompatibilnostima, memorijama i qrcima-palcima...slobodno mogu sve svoje rupe u muzickom znanju da pripisem vremenu izgubljenom u naporima da od K2000 napravim sint sa kojim mogu da izadjem i odsviram pristojnu klubsku svirku (o vecim eventima da ne pomisljam) .......

[MHz]

Originally Posted by Goran

slobodno mogu sve svoje rupe u muzickom znanju da pripisem vremenu izgubljenom u naporima da od K2000 napravim sint sa kojim mogu da izadjem i odsviram pristojnu klubsku svirku (o vecim eventima da ne pomisljam) .......

Pretpostavljam da isto tako misle i Peter Gabriel, Jordan Rudess, Robert Miles, Pink Floyd, Jean Michael Jarre, Depeche Mode, Hardfloor, Tori Amos, Stevie Wonder, Nick Rhodes (Duran Duran), Bon Harris (Nitzer Ebb), Front Line Assembly, KMFDM, LTJ Bukem, Nine Inch Nails, Massive Attack, Tangerine Dream, Laurent Garnier, and Luther Vandross.
--------------------
Kada bi izashla 76 verzija, kupio bih ga bez razmishljanja

[MHz]

Ako se vec odluchite da prichate o nekoj kompaniji, ne bi bilo loshe pratiti situaciju na trzishtu. Molio bih vas da prochitate neshto o novom modelu (PC3) iz prve ruke. Ovo je post jednog od chlanova http://sonikmatter.com/ foruma:

OK guys and gals, here you go. Direct from the horse's mouth (that'd be Mr. Dave Weiser of Kurzweil R&D in Boston)

With a sleek new look on the outside, and an arsenal of Kurzweil's latest cutting edge chip technology under its hood, the 88-note PC3 delivers 128 voices of incredible sound quality along with a host of powerful, easy to use features. The PC3 is Kurzweil's ultimate performance controller keyboard, with an enormous collection of stunning sounds combined with comprehensive real-time controller functions.

In addition to our renowned Triple Strike Grand Piano, the PC3 features hundreds of new sounds; basses, drums, guitars, and synths suited for every style and taste, along with a collection of flawless vintage keyboard emulations, KB3 Mode and over 250 orchestral and string section programs. For good measure we included a 16-track sequencer and more effects processing power than our acclaimed KSP8 processor, making the PC3 a full blown music production workstation. Add in USB, flash card port, a newly designed keyboard action, and a new intuitive user interface, and you've got the next generation of Kurzweil instruments.

What's Inside

One thing which clearly sets Kurzweil apart from the competition is the fact that we design our own chips (called ASICs) for all Kurzweil products. Simply put, our chips are customized for optimum audio performance. Our competitors use general purpose DSP chips commonly found in cell phones, watches and televisions. What does this mean for the end user? It means that all of the processing power in a Kurzweil chip is devoted exclusively to sound. It means no latency - the performance is lightning fast. And most importantly, it translates into that rich, full, glitch-free sound for which Kurzweil has become famous. Yes it is more expensive and more time consuming for us to do it this way. We think it is well worth it. Once you've heard the PC3, we think you'll agree.

The Kurzweil Sound

The PC3 offers an enormous sound set of over 800 programs, raising the bar once again for both audio quality and variety. With the best samples in the industry, and a powerful, responsive synth engine breathing life into them, you'll feel like you're playing an actual instrument, not just playing samples. Of course there's the famous Kurzweil Triple Strike Piano, with dozens of variations to accommodate every kind of player. All of the basic sounds - basses, guitars, drums, horns and synths - have been painstakingly programmed to reflect the needs of today's professional players, representing a broad selection of styles and flavors from the '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s and today.

Also included is our Classic Keys ROM, which puts an impossibly large vintage keyboard rig at your fingertips. The recognizable sounds of those classic electromechanical instruments, with all of their characteristic imperfections, have been faithfully re-created, along with pedals, amps and speakers. Lush Mellotrons, growling electric pianos, and funky Clavinets are all there at the touch of a button, programmed to sound just like those classic albums.

For more vintage firepower, the PC3 is equipped with the most advanced version of Kurzweil's widely lauded KB3 Mode tonewheel organ simulator, which screams, sputters and sizzles just like the original. In addition to newly developed Leslie effects, and a new bank of B3 programs, we've also included sounds from the classic Vox and Farfisa combo organs. The PC3's 9 sliders provide real-time drawbar control.

The PC3 offers a full range of world class orchestral sounds, including our new String Section ROM bank, making it ideal for film-scoring and soundtrack projects. Every type of articulation, every nuance has been captured, with samples of full and divisi sections of violins, violas, cellos, and double bass. The details, the warm swells, animated pizzicatos and the sound of scraping rosin all add to the breathtaking effect of these string sections. You can plug and play with sounds worthy of a finished production - instant gratification with uncompromising sound quality.

User Interface

While the PC3's user interface may look familiar to veteran Kurzweil users, major improvements have been made, allowing for a much more user friendly experience. Expanding upon our VAST architecture, the PC3's new UI delivers all the power of a Kurzweil, combined with unprecedented ease of use. The PC3's backlit 240 x 64 display conveys all the information you'll need, when you need it, in an elegant, easy to navigate environment.

All programs and setups will be accompanied by help messages which can be accessed by pressing an "Info" soft button. These help messages may contain controller assignments, or any other relevant information; for example, if the sound was derived from a classic song or album. Programs can be selected by scrolling or by using bank and program select buttons for easy one touch access.

Move a controller while holding the Cancel button, and the display will let you know what that controller is doing. Whether it's a wah effect, tremolo control, a filter sweep, or something less obvious, the PC3 will let you know what is happening, in musician's terms. This system allows us to maintain the flexibility of not having to silkscreen permanent labels on the front panel sliders, as is the case with the competition. Every sound can have its own set of controller assignments which can be viewed at the touch of a button.


Effects

With up to 16 insert effects plus two auxiliary sends, the PC3 offers more than twice the processing power of our acclaimed KDFX engine. Effects can be chained together in series, or distributed among the PC3's 16 multitimbral channels. And these are simply the best effects in the business - burning distortions, transparent compressors, warm phaser and chorus effects, perfect reverbs - everything from flawless vintage emulations to concert halls which decay into complete silence. All parameters are assignable to any of the PC3's real time controllers - sliders, pedals, wheels, etc.

Sequencer

The PC3 will feature a 16 track sequencer based on our K2 Series sequencer. Combining a set of powerful song editing functions like step editing, swing, and controller scaling with a new friendlier interface, the PC3 can easily double as a workstation, ideal for music production on the fly. Chasing controls and a global "set song length" function are just a couple of the features we've added.

Also included are four independent arpeggiators as well as hundreds of pre-recorded beats and musical phrases.


Specifications

VAST Architecture: Crystal clear samples, rich, warm filters and the power and flexibility of a variable architecture paradigm. VAST also includes Kurzweil's unique shaper and distortion algorithms, which can add a little heat or all out digital mayhem.

128 voice polyphony: Lightning fast performance, no latency.

16 multitimbral parts

800+ programs: 256 base programs (bass, drums, guitar, synth, etc.), Triple Strike Grand Piano, Classic Keys ROM, General MIDI, Orchestral ROM, String Sections ROM and 64 KB3 programs.

GM Compatible: The best sounding General MIDI sound set in the industry.

2 Sound ROM Expansion Slots: For future ROM expansion blocks.

Effects Section: Up to 16 insert effects with 2 aux sends assignable across 16 busses. All parameters assignable to real-time controllers.

Effects Presets: Over 300 of our award winning effects - reverbs, delays, chorus, flange, phaser, EQs, distortions, Leslie simulators, compressors, and more.

Global EQ: User controllable master EQ section for quick adjustments during live performance.

OS Updates: Can be updated via USB or flash memory card. New OS updates will be released in the near future with new features and new sounds.


Physical Specifications

Next Generation Hammer Weighted Action: With 88 velocity and aftertouch sensitive keys, the PC3's action feels like a piano, but is easier to play. Unlike most of its competitors, the PC3's action features a quick release spring, striking an ideal balance of playability between piano type parts and synth/organ parts.

9 Assignable MIDI Sliders/Drawbar Controllers: Mixing board type sliders for real-time control of synth and effects parameters. In KB3 Mode, the sliders act as drawbars.

16 Bank Select and 8 Program Select Buttons: One touch access for all sound selections.

New Pitch and Modwheel Designs: With added weight and rubberized surfaces, the PC3's wheels are both responsive and comfortable to use.

External Controllers: Inputs for 3 switch pedals, 2 cc pedals, super ribbon and breath controller.

Flash Memory Port: Store and load programs, OS updates, and sequences.

Angled Display: Optimum viewing angle with brightness and contrast controls.

Internal AC Power Supply: Selectable 120/240V AC Operation.

Dimensions: 1380mm (54 5/16") x 355mm (14") x 110mm (4 5/16")

Weight: 25 Kg (55lb)

I/O

4 Analog outs: 2 Main and 2 Aux balanced outs plus assignable stereo headphone jack, using patented Kurzweil circuitry and 24-bit D/A conversion.

24-Bit Digital Output: Stereo S/PDIF with pristine audio quality. Features both 48kHz and 96kHz modes.

USB: MIDI over USB. Also allows the PC3 to load and save data directly to and from a computer.

MIDI: In, Out and Thru

All specifications subject to change without notice.

So as you can see, this product is not simply just another keyboard. This is new technology fueled by new, massively powerful DSP that will take Kurzweil's sound generation to the next level. This is going to be one GREAT board.

[Goran]

Ja pokusah da se nasalim ali ...

Mislim da se nismo razumjeli. Moj najmiliji sint do sada je K2000. Nijedan sint tog tipa ne moze da da toliko prostora za kreativnost i ideje, cak i najludje moguce. Cak je tako i koncipiran da te navodi da zaboravis na svu "kupovnu" muziku i pokrenes mozak. Upravo zbog tih razlika ga uveliko i koristi i Peter Gabriel (koji btw svira klavir i ostale boje sa njega kroz stari Korg G4 Leslie simulator da bi dobio taj darkness koji zeli) i vecina pravih umjetnika danas. Upravo zbog toga i nije pogodan za svirke tzv "Mile, idemo, shurenje" kod kojih okrenes wheel na Rolandu JV2080 i imas sve sto ti treba u tom momentu.
Iskreno, dosta sam razmisljao o kupovini K2661 (to Bitch najbolje zna). Mislim da ce ovaj proizvod ipak malo da uzdrma kompletnu postojecu situaciju.
I pored toga, mislim da su se na ovaj thread javili ljudi koji nisu htjeli da blate ovu firmu i proizvod, vec da izraze zaljenje zbog nekih stvari koje bi bilo super da se dese a nisu se desile (@SlowStar je itekako kompetentan da o tome prica)

Jedva cekam da probam spravu. Treba natjerati Idzija da dotjera to u Artist.

[MHz]

Izvini, nisam video ni jednog funny smile-a ili poshalicu, pa mi se tvoj post uchinio krajnje ozbiljnim.. a uglavnom sam odgovorio zbog ono dela o vecim eventima..

[Goran]

Pm....

[slowstar]

Dakle, ne mislim ja da je bilo sta lose,
moj post je bio samo jedna "jadikovka" zbog cinjenice, da inace jedan od najboljih sintova, po osnovnim zvucima, operabilnosti, prenosu dinamike sa klavijature na semplove, samom "feelingu" dirki, sigurno prvom S&S sintu ciji su gudaci mogli da se profesionalno iskoriste, ITD ITD ITD da ne hvalim vise nesto sto se samo po sebi razume - dakle u vise od jedne decenije nisu SKORO NISTA preduzeli da naprave nesto ZAISTA NOVO, u smislu potpuno drugog sound banka, a ne dopunjavanja starog, do skora su ti instrumenti imali 48 glasnu polifoniju sto je potpuno nedopustivo danas, kada je standard 128 glasova...zelim samo da kazem da je krajnje vreme da cenjena firma nesto preduzme, jer danas se od stare slave te vrste ne moze jos dugo ziveti...
Samo toliko, inace ja sam jedan od VEEELIKIH fanova te marke bio, i jos uvek ostao, dok nisam uvelicao svoj "arsenal" jos jednim ROLANDom (Fantom X7)
iza koga stojim svim srcem, pored jos bar desetak modula i klavijatura koje posedujem...
Pozdrav, jedva cekam da probam taj sint!!!!

[clusterchord]

uh pa ne treba sad da se pravimo super fini, 2600 je fantastican sint, to stoji.. ali cinjenice su cinjenice. slazem se sa Slowstarom, zapeli su u vremenu, i ako nesto ne promjene gotovi su..

nabrajati ko koristi Kurz ima mali znacaj u odnosu na cinjenicu da oni ne mogu prezivjeti od Petera Gabriela, niti od sto Gabriela, ukoliko ne naprave spravu koja je ponovo konkurentna. i dopadne se trzistu sa stotinama tisuca profija, poluprofesionalaca pa i home studio ownera. to su realnosti trzista muzickih instrumenata.

mozes raditi "boutique" audio opremu ako radis hi end audio, ili neki moog voyager, ili modular, gdje je vise manje tehnologija poznata vec 30 40 godina. i ne kosta te ni izrada ni razvoj toliko puno. i radis po komadu. ali tesko je biti "boutique" u svijetu digitalnih workstationa gdje se stvari brzo mjenjaju. to je Kurz pokusao , ali ne ide.. evo i Waldorf se namucio.. i jos je neizvjesno..

moj daljnji prigovor njima, a mislim da ih je to dugorocno gledano kostalo kupaca, je sistem dodatnih (skupih) upgrade-a, roma, efekata , samplinga...

danas, ako izdaju nekakav novi K3000 (sa znatnim skokom u polifoniji i dspu) bolje im je da ne kalkuliraju sa naknadnim dodacima, vec da odmah na njega stave sve sto su mislili. zna se sto su danas standardi.. odmah sampling, odmah dovoljno ROM-a i (of-the-shelf) RAM-a, sa slotovima da mozes otic u lokalni kompjuter shop i kupiti jos..



to sto PC3 izgleda ima novu generaciju CPU i DSP, zvuci obecavajuce. nadam se da nekakav "K3000" stoji iza ugla i da ce biti ono sto treba biti.


sto bi bilo super:

ako su razvili nekakav ubitacan VA kod za VA-1 (koji nece nikad izaci), mozda bi to eventualno mogli ponuditi kao add-on card... to vec mozes posebno naplatiti (kao sto je korg imao MOSS, ili Yamaha PL karte..)