Vintage Synth Explorer

Kurzweil • K2000

It's not vintage, but since it's such an amazing synth it gets a page here. The K2000 uses V.A.S.T. (Variable Architecture Synthesis Technology) which allows you to take any multi-sample, noise or waveform and process it using just about any synthesis technique. The source of these multi-samples are from the 8MB of ROM which hold tons of authentic and superb quality samples. The internal processing is 32-bit with 18-bit DACs. The K2000 uses 31 sound-shaping algorithms to provide a variety of resonant filters, EQs, continuous panning, amplitude modulation, crossfade, distortion, digital wrap, waveshaper, pulse width modulation, high frequency enhancement, low frequency oscillators, hard sync oscillators and mixing oscillators, all with real-time MIDI control.

It's a beautiful synth with an elegant and organized layout and very high quality pitch and mod wheels! Not to mention a 61-note velocity & aftertouch sensitive keyboard with a quality feel and response to playing. The K2000s (pictured above) adds a quality sampler with standard 2MB RAM that can be expanded to 64MB. Sample in stereo or mono, via analog or digital inputs and you have all the sample edit functions you'll need to create some of your own sounds. Use the built-in 3.5" disk drive or connect an external drive to the SCSI port for limitless sample storage.

Other professional features include stereo multi-effects capable of four simultaneous effects including reverb, chorus, delay, multi-tap delay, flange, rotary simulation and more. Up to six polyphonic audio outputs. There's also the 32-Track sequencer, fully editable, with features like 768 ppq resolution and nondestructive track editing and groove quantizing.

The K2000rs (pictured below) is the rack-mount version of the K2000s. Offering all of the same great sounds, power and features as the keyboard version. The K2000's keyboard is excellent and feels great to play, but if you don't need the extra keys the 3-space rack-module is an excellent instrument. The K2000's have been used by Robert Miles, Pink Floyd, Jean Michel 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, Vangelis, Tangerine Dream, Laurent Garnier, and Luther Vandross.

Upgrades include the Orchestral Expansion Board (8 Mb) and Contemporary Expansion Board (8 Mb). A full 16-bit sampler with analog/digital sampling options (SMP-K) and AES/EBU and S/PDIF digital I/O ports. The 2MB sampler RAM is expandable to 64 MB for upwards of 19 minutes of sampling time. Sequencer's capacity is expandable from 30,000 events to 190,000. The operating systems can easily be upgraded too.

VISITOR COMMENTS

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Posting Rules: Please keep your comments relevant! Do not post requests for help, do not use for sales, do not post unless you have something interesting to say about this instrument, or we may delete your post.

 

Thomas

Posted 257 days ago

Hi there!

I have this type of synth... I turned it on the other day and the display is absolutely black... How do I fix this error?

please help me! I have search a lot for an answer...

Cheers
T

K2K Koos

Posted 260 days ago

This is my all time favorite digital synth. There are synths out there now, that will sound 'better' than this one as of course technology advances and have caught up with this classic in some respects, but if you want flexibility in programming unique sounds that can still stand their ground today, and do some stuff that others (still) can't or chose not to do, this is your machine (with exceptions of the newer versions of this and other Kurzweil synths of course)
I love it so much, I've talked other people into getting one, and hence my signature :-)

Leon Mattice

Posted 268 days ago

I have worked with many synths. Recently I purchased a Kurzweil K2VX. I agree with most, this is truly all one needs. It's worth the learning curve and it did take me a few weeks to get my head wrapped around Kurzweil's VAST and the programming. Once that was said and done...I sold my other keyboards, and purchased a loaded Kurzweil K2000 as my second keyboard. Both are version 3.54J. After years of searching, I now have achieved total Bliss and the cost for both was less than $650.00 through E-Bay including S&H. These are going for a great price right now, and I highly recommend them.

tommy

Posted 283 days ago

Benny I would tend to agree in principle though the yamaha ex5 and most modern synths ( synths made since the year 2000 approx) also give you that hi fi sound most synths just have to play catch up but as far as programming this you need a college level course in synthesis technique, wish I was joking.

Joshua T.

Posted 284 days ago

Hey, If i were you i would add Dntel onto the famous users list.

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