Kurzweil PC3K8 88-Key Fully-Weighted Hammer Action Performance Controller

The PC3 introduced the world to a new generation of ground-breaking Kurzweil technology, having a synthesis architecture that remains unparalleled in depth and flexibility, combined with a staggering amount of effects processing power. The PC3 sound set, which encompasses everything from the traditional to the cutting edge, has been widely acknowledged as second to none. And now the PC3's successor has arrived. The Kurzweil PC3K is the pinnacle of their PC3 line, bridging the gap between Kurzweil's past successes and present innovations. An Old Friend The PC3K, already loaded up with the many impressive features and sounds of the PC3, allows users to tap into the massive wealth of samples and programs developed for their legendary K Series over the past two decades. Capable of loading .KRZ/25/26 sample files, WAVE and AIFF files, as well as most of the K Series programs and setups, the PC3K presents a whole new world of choices to players and once again underscores their commitment to the concept of non-obsolescence by design. You can choose to delve into the extensive libraries of existing K Series samples or decide to fill the PC3K's flash memory with your own signature samples. In either case, you'll have the most powerful version of Kurzweil's V.A.S.T technology ever developed at your fingertips to help sculpt your sounds and attain a level of detail and expressiveness truly worthy of your music. Sample files can be loaded via USB from a thumb-drive or directly from a computer. Esto Immortalis "Let it be lasting, immortal" (Latin) User samples that do not "go away" when a keyboard is powered off - this is a feature that's been requested by keyboardists since the introduction of digital sampling in the early '80s. Clearly demonstrating the virtue of enduring quality, the PC3K offers 128 megabytes of user sample memory and compatibility with K Series files, while also taking an enormous leap forward by allowing user samples to remain intact while power is off. Once samples are loaded into the PC3K's flash memory, there is zero load time for those samples when powering on the instrument. Advanced program, keymap and sample editing features allow you to customize your sounds with surgical precision. You're able to map any sample to any key, tune individual samples, change the start, alt start, loop point and end point of samples and even assign a controller to adjust sample start point in real-time. Light Years Ahead Under the hood of the PC3K is simply the most powerful synthesis engine ever created by Kurzweil. Dynamic V.A.S.T. picks up where the K series left off. Having up to 32 layers per program means that emulations of real instruments can be extremely detailed and accurate, while the synthesized sounds can be extraordinarily large and complex. Expanding upon their V.A.S.T. architecture, the PC3K's new architecture delivers more power and flexibility combined with unprecedented ease of use. Users can now create and store their own DSP algorithms, with nearly limitless possibilities for routing. In another huge development, they have resurrected the VA-1 Virtual Analog Synthesizer, having built its synthesis engine right into the new system. Hear the VA-1's power-shaped, anti-aliasing oscillators (including supersaw, triplesaw and hard sync oscillators) combined with a newer, larger set of V.A.S.T. filters (like the classic-style 4pole low pass with resonance) and non-linear processors and you'll understand why the internet is buzzing about this feature. It's The Sound The PC3 Series' advanced synthesis architecture, along with its painstakingly-edited sample ROM, allowed them to create a sound set that is both broad and deep, with no compromises on sound quality. Referred to by some in the music industry as "the solid gold Swiss army knife", the PC3 line has become well known for having covered all the bases when it comes to presets. Whether it's the famous Kurzweil grand piano, the wide array of deadly-accurate vintage keys emulations, KB3 Mode, VA virtual analog sounds or the hundreds of world-class orchestral and string section programs, the PC3K provides over 900 presets that let you know that it does everything and does it well. Plug And Play Saving, loading and updating the OS are all made easy on the PC3K with the inclusion of both USB Host and Device ports. You can save your user programs, setups and songs to a USB thumb-drive or directly to a computer. Samples and OS updates can be loaded from a thumb-drive or directly from your computer and of course the PC3K sends and receives MIDI over USB. Finishing Touch In a nod to the design of classic synths and keyboard instruments from years past, the PC3K, the top of their PC3 line, has been fitted with handsomely crafted wooden end-caps, adding an element of luxury and refinement that beautifully complements the awesome technology at the heart of every Kurzweil keyboard. K2 Series Compatibility Load legacy .K2 Series Programs/Setups from the legendary K2 Series keyboards. Flash Memory Load up to 128 MB of user samples that will remain in memory even while the power is off. MIDI Controller 16 user-configurable zones with 29 customizable MIDI controllers PER zone! KDFX 16 insert effects - 2 auxiliary sends - Global Master FX The best effects in the business. KORE 64 Give your PC3/K a sonic injection with the optional KORE 64 ROM expansion featuring over 300 new programs. 32-Layer Architecture Sound Programs can be up to 32 layers deep, with each layer supporting its own DSP tools. Cascade Mode Program layers can be routed through the DSP of any other layer, in series or blended together. Kurzweil Virtual Analog The VA-1 Virtual Analog Synthesizer, synthesis engine built right into the V.A.S.T. signal path. KB3 Tonewheel Emulation 9 sliders provide real-time drawbar control over classic B-3, Vox and Farfisa combo organs. World Class String Section Articulations abound, every nuance captured, with samples of full and divisi sections. RIFFs Trigger MIDI phrases, beats or even full multi-track songs via any built-in physical controller. Software Editors Get deeper into editing. Take control from your Mac/PC or iPad.