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.

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.

vitalx

January 20, 2011 @ 2:41 am

I have always used it as a master keyboard. I think is pretty descent (at least for my needs) and definitely best value for money if you buy it today. I stack some older hardware to use as external sound sources (normaly I use VSTs). I knew that K1 was an 8-bit synth, so outdated even compared to some other h/w synths I use, but when I plugged its audio out in my patchbay to play with its sounds I was amazed how good it sounded considering. I had totally forgotten. What is indisputable though, I believe is its construction. KAWAI did a great job on that area for sure!

justinrobert

December 30, 2010 @ 5:59 pm

I had the k1m originally that I bought at goodwill for $5 because it was untested and didn't have the ac adapter. I got it home, it worked, and I loved it. Then I picked up a K1 ii from CL for $50 with an anvil case and really love it. The keyboard is top notch and has beem my primary midi controller ever since. I use the sounds on the synth itself allot as well. It's well made, looks cool, and for very little money is an awesome piece of gear

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