The K1ii was the first major update to Kawai's popular K1 digital PCM-waveform synthesizers. The K1ii has the same synthesis architecture as the original K1. There are 256 digital samples of waveforms, 50 of which are from acoustic instruments. You combine up to four wave shapes to create very new and unique sounds. They are capable of very good acoustic recreation, excellent unique synth sounds, or at times completely noisy walls of complex sound.

The new and improved K1ii added on-board reverb effects and better drum sounds to the original K1. The multitimbrality is up to 8 parts, which is great for sequencing in the studio since you can have (up to 8) multiple patches playing simultaneously. The K1ii is also available in a rackmount module, known as the K1iir. The rack version is identical to the keyboard version except for the effects. The K1iir has no effects processor built-in as does the keyboard version.

Deckard Replicant

March 13, 2013 @ 8:07 pm

Got this last month for 90 bucks. So easy to program and it sounds brilliant. It is a much appreciated addition to my lineup. The build could be a little better (lots of plastic) but the sounds and program-ability are stellar!

Coffe1970

October 6, 2012 @ 7:29 am

Pretty cool little synth. Just got mine off eBay for $80.00. Capable of some very nice complex sounds. Keys feel great as well. Worth picking up if you can find one.

Andy

June 1, 2012 @ 11:28 am

I am still using the Kawai K1 II. It was the first synth I bought, when I was 18 (over 20 years ago) and I am still using it - Kawai has done a great job!

Joseph Boyden

April 28, 2012 @ 1:01 pm

Can anyone tell me how to the timbre off in multi mode? I want to use it as a controller but have had no luck.

gridsleep

September 26, 2011 @ 4:26 am

Lame! Not the synth. That's pretty good. But they just recycled the K1 video. Is there no showcase for the K1 II with its reverb and better drums? Too lazy to look, were we, chappies? Pfah, what a pough.

Well, I found a simply stunning video at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdx8aFv6Vyk. The musician used an MS-DOS sequencer and all sounds came from the K1 II. All the reverb and new percussion you could want. Really marvelous. Come on, SysOp. Swap out that tired old video link for this one. There's a good chap.

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