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Kurzweil

Description

The Kurzweil PC4 88-Note Keyboard features 256 Voices of V.A.S.T. Polyphony, more polyphony from the acclaimed V.A.S.T. engine than any product in Kurzweil history.
 

Kurzweil PC4 Sounds

2 Gigabytes of Factory Sounds
Over 1000 hand-selected factory presets organized into 13 Categories of Programs (Piano, E. Piano, Clav, Organ, Strings, Pad, Synth, Brass/Wind, Ensemble, Hybrid, Guitar/Bass, Drum/Perc, Misc) and featuring the optimized German 9 ft. and vintage Japanese 7 ft. concert grand pianos.
 
Patented FlashPlay Technology
Flash-Play provides the PC4 with a staggering amount of horse-power; 2 GB sample content with zero-loading time, and ultrafast performance.
 
2 Gigabytes User Sample Memory
Load up to 2 GB of your own custom samples into non-volatile flash memory. Supported sample formats: .WAV, .AIF (up to 16 bit / 96kHz) and Kurzweil formats (.P3K, .KRZ, .K25, .K26).
 
V.A.S.T. Editing
Deep native editing? Look no further. The PC4 grants full access to Kurzweil's legendary Variable Architecture Synthesis Technology directly from the front panel. With 32-layers per program, each offering its own signal path and a host of modular DSP tools, the PC4 offers a wealth of sound creation and modification that is truly immense.
 
6-Operator FM Engine
6 Operator FM Engine with the ability to load original FM SysEx files.
 
CC Sequencers
Add sonic animation to your sounds via 16 simultaneous MIDI CC Step Sequencers for modulation sequencing.
 
KB3 ToneReal Organs
Modeled after classic organs. A full compliment of tonewheel controls are immediately accessible including 9 realistic drawbars, rotary speed, chorus/vibrato, brake, percussion and more.
 
Powerful FX Engine
Award-winning Reverbs, Delays, Choruses, Flangers, Phasers, Distortions, Rotary Amplifiers, Compressors and more - all fully editable from the user-interface. The PC4 also offers a global Master FX section featuring 3-band EQ and Compression.
 
K.S.R. - Kurzweil String Resonance
Piano string resonance modeling for enhanced acoustic piano performance

Kurzweil PC4 Performance

88-Note Hammer-Action Keyboard
Every sound within the PC4 is perfectly matched to its 88-note fully-weighted hammer-action keyboard with aftertouch.
 
16-Zone Multi Controller Mode
Construct massive sonic combinations via Kurzweil's renowned Multi mode (aka Setup mode) offering 16 zones of unparalleled MIDI controller capabilities.
 
16-Track Sequencer
The PC4 features a 16-track internal sequencer to record/edit/mix/produce your own tracks - all in the box. Import MIDI (.mid) files as well as Kurzweil PC3-family songs.
 
16 Simultaneous RIFF Generators
Trigger and manipulate up to 16 simultaneous MIDI sequences on the fly. Select from an internal library of patterns or record/import your own!
 
16 Simultaneous Note Arpeggiators
Looking for a pulse? Activate up to 16 independent Arps (1 per program, 16 per Multi) and discover the new 'Step Sequencer' environment!
 
Live Audio Input w/ FX
Plug in and jam along with your favorite music player via 1/4" pair and/or 1/8" (3.5mm) audio input. The input bus sports its own dedicated real-time FX. Sweeten your backing tracks for live performance and internally mix the signal with the PC4's own output.

Kurzweil PC4 Controls

Front Panel Master Transport Controls
Use the buttons in the TRANSPORT section to control recording and playback of the on-board 16-track sequencer.
 
36 Programmable Physical Controllers
9 Sliders, 9 Knobs, 10 Switches, 2 Wheels, 2 Switch Pedal* Inputs (which support half-damper for pianos), 2 Continuous Control Pedal Inputs, Aftertouch and Ribbon controller input**. 


*1 sustain/switch pedal is included; half-damper pedal sold separately
**ribbon controller sold separately.
 
Easy Access Transpose Controls
Dedicated -/+ transpose controls conveniently located right above the LED backlit pitch/modulation wheels (LED lights can be disabled).

Kurzweil PC4 User Interface

Widescreen Color Display
Navigate the PC4 with a 4.3” 480x272 widescreen color LCD display.
 
Categorized Sound Selection
Easy Category and Program/Multi selection featuring customizable category defaults.
Kurzweil PC4 88-Note Keyboard
Kurzweil PC4 88-Note Keyboard
Kurzweil PC4 88-Note Keyboard

Specs

  • 256 voices of polyphony
  • 2 GB of factory sample content + 2 GB of user-loadable space
  • 1000+ factory programs
  • 6-operator FM Engine with the ability to import '80s/'90s FM SysEx files
  • 9 sets of programmable knobs+sliders+buttons
  • 88 note fully-weighted hammer-action with velocity sensitive keys with aftertouch
  • Full native V.A.S.T. editing capabilities
  • 16 track Sequencer with dedicated front-panel transport buttons
  • 16 arpeggiators (Classic or Step sequencers) with dedicated front-panel controls
  • 16 MIDI CC Step Sequencers
  • 16 Riff Generators
  • Dedicated front-panel transposition and tempo controls
  • Ribbon connector input
  • (2) 1/4 inch audio input connectors
  • (1) stereo 1/8" audio input jack with FX
  • (2) pairs of stereo outputs
  • (4) switch pedals (via 2 stereo jacks)
  • (2) CC pedal inputs

Reviews

4.5

4 Reviews

75%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

Filters
Best Uses
  1. Accompaniment2
  2. Concerts2
  3. Classic rock keys player, and church music.1
  4. Electronic Music1
  5. MIDI1
Cons
  1. Poor Instructions2
  2. Difficult to Use1
  3. No Speakers1
Describe Yourself
  1. Experienced2
  2. Professional Musician2
Pros
  1. Responsive / Good Action3
  2. Easy to Use2
  3. Good Audio2
  4. Touch Sensitive Keys2
  5. Portable1

Reviewed by 4 customers

  • Surprised by how good this keyboard / controller is

    5

    submitted2 years ago

    bySteve from Camas WA

    fromCamas WA

    I teach private music lessons. I wanted to upgrade to 88 keys. I needed great piano, EP's, Organs, and ambient synth patches. The keyboard frame is plastic, but weighs in at 39 lbs. Great keyboard action. Also, great effects that are easy to use. Screen is large enough to see.

  • Where's the support?

    3

    submitted2 years ago

    byCraig

    fromMarshall, mn

    There are things I like about this unit - Piano, keyboard feel - and things I don't like. The things I don't like are beginning to outweigh the good stuff: It's glitchy. Changing patches, turning on variation sometimes makes the unit go silent. Programming is not at all intuitive (I have had Roland, Korg, Yamaha, Moog, Alesis... this PC4 is baffling. I'm sure it's just me. But there is ZILCH on Youtube in terms of tutorials. Every other board has at least some manufacturer support - but not this. The few that are out there are not very helpful. Come on, Kurzweil - put some tutorials out there - for as much as this board cost, I think you can afford it.

  • Could not wait to get this home and play

    5

    Verified Buyer

    submitted4 years ago

    byLaurence M

    fromLos Angeles

    Outstanding sounds !! Great Keyboard !! I'm very happy with my purchase.

  • The keyboard I've been waiting for

    5

    submitted6 years ago

    bywildbill

    frommidwest USA

    I'm not going to go over all the specs as they're already listed in the product description. The keyboard itself has velocity, release velocity, and aftertouch. The keyboard is quick and light for a fully weighted hammer action style. I found the aftertouch to require a bit more pressure than previous Kurzweils I've had, but I'm getting used to it. It comes with only a quick start manual for documentation, but all the manuals are online. A pedal, audio cables, and usb cable are included. 9 each of sliders, switches and knobs. It's got pedal inputs, audio inputs that can be run through Kurzweil's great souding fx, transpose, alternate, arp and latch switches, a sequencer, arps, riffs,and a CC sequencer for that trippy kind of stuff you normally need a DAW for. If you're into using a keyboard to control soft synths, there aren't many controllers that can come close to the PC4's capabilities. There are a lot of sounds available on their site, and you can also load the large library of FM/DX sounds into it, and then run them through Kurzweil's VAST system to get sounds that no other FM synth can do. If you play gigs and need traditional sounds, those are covered quite well, and the KB3 organ holds up to many boards dedicated to organ sounds. It's a programmer's dream if you like to make your own sounds. Doing that can be a little time consuming, and there's a bit of a learning curve also, but the end results can be worth it. The PC4 is worth every penny to me, and although I've been playing keyboards for a long time, and have gone through a lot of them, I'm still very excited about having the PC4.

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Q&A

Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

  • submitted3 years ago

    asked byNY Louie

    fromAlbuquerque, NM

    What is the weight of the Kurzweil PC4 88-Note Keyboard? Is there any "How to instructional video on the operation of the PC-4 88-Note Keyboard?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    Please see "https://kurzweil.com/pc4/"

  • submitted4 years ago

    asked byJR Prof

    fromDallas, TX

    I want to try out a Kurzweil pc4 88 (or 76 if not the 88) in the DFW area. Does any guitar center in North TX carry this?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    I’m very sorry, this is not available for store pick up. Please give us a call to better help you out – 855-770-3373

  • submitted6 years ago

    asked byBill

    fromTX

    How much does the PC4 weigh? I have the PC3 (and love it) but it's very heavy to gig with. Did Kurzweil make this new one any lighter?

    Open Reply - Ronald
    40 lbs.