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!
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As a prominent user of the PC3x and a former Electro 2 user I could tell you that the Nord's B3 is WAY more convincing. Especially the Leslie sim, but also the low end (you can't play LH bass on the PC3, forget it) the Vib/Cho scanner and even the PERC.
Not to mention a 61-note velocity & aftertouch sensitive keyboard with a quality feel and response to playing. The K2000s 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 (an internal SCSI connection also allows for a hard disk drive inside). 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 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.Related Forum Topics.
The K2661 was not very good, the PC2 is a bit better, the PC3 is considerably better. Leslie emulation is still not quite up to par for someone that really is into organ. However, the next OS release may make improvements.PC3 into a Neo Ventilator - I don't have the Vent, but have considered it - edit the PC3 voices to remove the internal sim.
Kurzweil has actually programmed close to 80 different Leslie emulations in the PC3. I do think it is a good bit ahead of the other brand romplers that I have heard/played.Comparison wise, the Hammond sounds on my PC3 and my Electro 3 do not sound at all the same, the PC3 is darker sounding. However, based on servicing MANY Hammond tonewheel organs over a 30 year period - both are valid expressions.I do sometimes use both boards together, with the Electro providing upper manual, and the PC3 running a KB3 organ for the lower manual (but the two Leslie emulations don't switch together, I could probably make MIDI arrangements to have that occur, but have not done so.Comments on the forum have generally favored the Nord more, but this is my personal opinion. I added the Nord partly for the organs, but a lot of it was having a very light weight board to use.The true purists will very likely prefer the latest Hammond. True drawbars, a large amount of adjustability.
But it weighs a good bit more than the Electro. You pays yer money, you takes yer choice. I'm not sure if the SP4 will include KB3 mode at all - the PC1 had the sounds of PC2, but not as much editing, and no KB3 - PC3LE or PC3 might be a better choice.BTW - my avatar shows the Electro over the PC3X (I have both 76 and 88 key PC3's). This is correct.(Of course KC is part of my forum crawl!)There a few KB3 presets in the SP4-7 that are exactly the same as the ones in the PC3.And you can set the drawbars and other KB3 settings like perc, with a sequencer or external controller.All of the 128 presets are taken directly from the PC3.Which means that even if you can't see the 30 + velocity switched layers in the Rhodes programs or the release squeaks and thumps in the clavs or the huge effect chains. You will definitely hear them.I've started using my SP4-7 as a top board devoted exclusively to B3 parts - so far so good.You guys can always feel free to email with questions if you're unable to find answers here or on [email protected]. As a prominent user of the PC3x and a former Electro 2 user I could tell you that the Nord's B3 is WAY more convincing.
Especially the Leslie sim, but also the low end (you can't play LH bass on the PC3, forget it) the Vib/Cho scanner and even the PERC.I'd say though that the biggest thing that bothers me about the PC3 organ is that it almost feels like there's a latency between key down and sound on. I don't know if this is because KB3 is CPU intensive, but it's definitely noticeable.Having said all that, I still use KB3 quite often. Mainly at single keyboard gigs and at rehearsals.
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In fact, I'm writing this after coming back from a Pink Floyd rehearsal where I only brought my PC3x. I used KB3 in almost every song.For a non-dedicated clonewheel, the PC3 is probably the best organ sound out there. Just the fact that it's an actual model with drawbar control, vib/chorus, perc and a leslie sim already makes it a better organ option than most keyboards in it's category. In a band mix it does an admirable job at covering the B3 thing. Solo, you'll definitely start to hear things that are unrealistic and the latency thing certainly makes it difficult to play idiomatic techniques such as palm smears, single note sputtering, and LH bass.If you're on Facebook, a friend of mine posted a video on my wall of my cover band doing Oye Como Va just the organ solo. If you could get around my questionable playing you'll get a decent idea of what KB3 sounds like live, through a PA over a full band. Comparison wise, the Hammond sounds on my PC3 and my Electro 3 do not sound at all the same, the PC3 is darker sounding.
However, based on servicing MANY Hammond tonewheel organs over a 30 year period - both are valid expressions.I do sometimes use both boards together, with the Electro providing upper manual, and the PC3 running a KB3 organ for the lower manual (but the two Leslie emulations don't switch together, I could probably make MIDI arrangements to have that occur, but have not done so.Comments on the forum have generally favored the Nord more, but this is my personal opinion. I added the Nord partly for the organs, but a lot of it was having a very light weight board to use.my experience has been very similar. KB3 with the onboard Leslie effect sounds great if you listen to it by itself, but as soon as I start to a/b with the Electro 3, there's no comparison. The E3 just has a lot more of the subtle nuances and little sonic variations of a real Hammond. When you listen to them side by side, the PC3 sounds too consistent between notes.
It sounds a little like one recorded note that's been pitch-shifted each time instead of several independent notes sounding at once.I've never used Ventilator but there have been several very positive, even glowing, reviews here and elsewhere. As good as the E3 is, Ventilator is supposed to make it even better than the onboard Leslie sim.Re: Kurzweil's KBR B3 sim10/08/10 10:29 AM.
I have a PC3, PC3X, a ventilator, an EL3, C1 and two Leslies (Pro 145 and 3300), and have spent hours A-B- ing them in various combinations. (Yes I know it's total overkill but.)Conclusions:I love the PC3/PC3X. So much so that I somehow can't bring myself to selling/trading either.
(I was supposed to trade one for the the other but, then I'd have no weighted board at home/be unwilling to gig with it as the PC3X is too heavy IMO. I take comfort in the fact that I am not alone in this dilemma.)The PC3's organ and built-in Leslie is decent.
The parameters can be tweaked much more so than the Nords. But adding the ventilator makes it much better, almost as good as the Nord. The Leslie sims become virtually identical.So yes the ventilator is necessary IMO, at least until that long awaited PC3 OS update comes along.Once the ventilator is added, the PC3 instantly becomes the best all in one board IMO.Admittedly, the PC3 organs are still a little weak on the low end and it doesn't seem as organic/gritty as the Nords tonewise.
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That said, I agree that both are realistic expressions of the instrument and cranking the gain function on the Ventilator comes even closer. I suspect that tweaking the PC3 further might generate a perfect match. Perhaps not ideal for jazz organ trios but then that's what the C1/ other dedicated dual manual clones are for.The EL3/C1 simply does not need the Ventilator. The Nord's internal sim is that good. But the Ventilator's gain is better than the Nord's so I think that there is value in adding it even to the Nord.But all of them sound awesome/much better with a real Leslie, as there's no comparison to being in a room/on stage pushing real air, and never will be as long as we are governed by the laws of physics IMO.Re: Kurzweil's KBR B3 sim10/08/10 01:28 PM.
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