Vintage Synth Explorer

Kawai • K4

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!

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.

VISITOR COMMENTS (17)

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Chris

Posted 7 days ago

I bought my K4 in '91 and still have it. i have all factory sounds on an editor CD and recently added a K4r to my setup. I will never sell my K4 cause it's the best £499 I ever spent for a new synth. Chris.

Rob

Posted 10 days ago

I bought my K4 when it came out and I still have it. It has been through ProgRock bands, Rock Bands, Pop Bands and most recently it served in a Drum and Bass band for 6 years.

It's not an all-purpose synthesizer, it's not a workstation. But what it does it does brilliantly.

I.Am.Never.Going.To.Sell.It.And.Neither.Should.Y ou

Alex

Posted 78 days ago

It has very good semi-weighted keys.

Doc

Posted 108 days ago

Hi, I have a mint K4 keyboard and have never really put it to full use. I use it years ago for my corporate videos and occasionally play live thru a QSC 850RMX rig. Its pretty lush in the string section and I'm happy with a Fender Rhodes sound I get for piano. But I need to max out the sounds available for the K4. I love the sound and action and simplicity of this keyboard and always have a blast exploring new sounds and creating my own. Any leads or links to cards, Mac software, arpeggiators that may work w/ the K4, or tips you'd share are very appreciated. Kawai makes great acoustic grands, btw.

Bryan

Posted 109 days ago

This might be the first digital synthesizer with the capability of driving rom-samples (not just simple, digital waveforms like the D-50) through a resonant (unlike the M1), digital filter.

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