The K4 from Kawai can be thought of as a warm and fuzzy digital synthesizer. A sample-based digital synth, its sounds are those typically weird industrial type sounds that can still be useful in lo-fi, big-beat and trip hop music styles. The sounds are 16-bit preset PCM samples of acoustic instruments. However, unlike its predecessor the K1, the K4 adds a welcomed digital filter section. This truly makes the K4 more flexible, fun and useful for today's filter tweaking music effects!

(click to enlarge)

The K4r is the eight output rackmount version which has all the same features except for the effects processor. Both feature 8-part multitimbrality which is great for stacking, splitting and layering sounds. The K4 will give you strange, new and unique sounds with plenty of flexibility and analog-style sound shaping and control at an affordable price. It is used by The Chemical Brothers and ATB.

35 VISITOR COMMENTS

Bill Craig

January 16, 2012 @ 4:11 pm

I bought the K4 in the late 80's when it first came out, and the K4r later. I've accumulated a lot of synths since then, but I still use the K4 as one of my controller keyboards. The velocity and release are more sensitive and unique than other keyboards I have, and is very useful in many situations. It's true some of the sounds are dated, but what synth from the 80's isn't? Some sounds are very different and distinctive - D-15 KlavXpress for example - and can't be duplicated.

Ken

November 3, 2011 @ 3:02 pm

I have one of these. Awesome synth, although I haven´t used it much lately.
Thinking about seeling it about selling it.
k4@glxn.net

Svean

November 3, 2011 @ 11:44 am

Hi, I like the K4 very much. About a year ago I planned to buy a Midi keyboard controller for 150 Euros with only Velocity key feature then a friend pointed me in the direction of a K4 for 150 euros. The K4 hast a great keyboard with Velocity, Aftertouch, Release Velocity and "PRESSURE" Sensor. (very Rare feature). Forget the new midi usb keyboard on the market - get a K4 with great masterkeyboard Features and a fantastic key features (velocity, aftertouch, release vel. and pressure sensivity). I love it and it is better build than modern Midi keyboards. Svean

vivolator

October 9, 2011 @ 1:26 am

Thought I'd follow up with a couple of sound demos:

http://soundcloud.com/vivolator/soundbank-demo/s-ubO5H

and

http://soundcloud.com/vivolator/soundbank-demo-2/s-UOhQg

( All the sounds are coming off my K4, the only external effect is a limiter on the mix.)

vivolator

September 2, 2011 @ 11:59 am

Just dusted off my K4 last month. Fixed a broken key, put in a new battery (Kawai had the foresight to not solder it to the board - thank you!), and got the last ROM upgrade (1.4). Then I spent a month programming some trance, house and electro patches into it. Sounds like a completely different synth now. (Heck, I've even managed to fake PWM with this thing.) The distortion works wonders for the TB-303-type patches I made. And with 4 oscillators, you can pull of some decent supersaw trance patches if you want. Not bad for a synth that's older than today's college freshmen.

<7654321>

 

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