The Kawai K4 is a 61 key synthesizer manufactured in 1989 by Kawai. It contains several features beyond those offered on Kawai K1, adding resonant filters and a DAC PCM wavetable. The K4 incorporated a new type of synthesis called Digital Multi Spectrum.
| K4 | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Kawai |
| Dates | 1989[1] |
| Price | K4 £895 GBP K4r £695 GBP[2] |
| Technical specifications | |
| Polyphony | 16 voices |
| Timbrality | 8 part |
| Oscillator | 2 |
| LFO | 1 - Sample & Hold, Saw Up, Square, Triangle |
| Synthesis type | PCM ROMpler |
| Filter | 2 - 12dB Slope (2-pole), Low Pass, Resonance |
| Attenuator | ADSR |
| Aftertouch expression | Yes |
| Velocity expression | Yes |
| Storage memory | 64 RAM slots |
| Effects | 32 types including: Reverb, Reverse Gate, Normal Delay, Stereo Pan Delay, Chorus, Flanger,Over Drive. |
| Hardware | 8-bit UPD 78310G CPU |
| Input/output | |
| Keyboard | 61 keys |
| Left-hand control | Mod - Wheel, Pitch -Wheel |
| External control | MIDI [Pedal - Sustain, Velocity, Pedal - Volume |
Features
edit- 2 line LCD screen
- 256 16 bit, 32 kHz internal waveforms (96 Digital Cyclic waveforms and 160 PCM samples)
- Drum section (61 drum patches)[3]
Interestingly, the K4 uses a system that splits 16 bit samples between two read only memory (ROM) chips, while reserving a third chip for 8 bit sound samples that naturally have more noise (such as cymbals, snares, and other noisier percussion) in order to have more functionality for a cheaper manufacturing cost.[4]
Kawai K4R
editA 2U rack mounted module was also produced by Kawai.[5][6] It has six separate audio outputs in addition to standard left/right stereo outs and a headphone socket. The effects are removed in the rack mounted version as it is presumed outboard effects will be used with the unit.
References
edit- ^ "Kawai K4 Digital Multi Spectrum Synthesizer". Encyclotronic. Retrieved 2018-08-02.
- ^ "Kawai K4 & K4R (MT Dec 89)". www.muzines.co.uk. Retrieved 2018-08-02.
- ^ "Kawai K4 & K4R (MT Dec 89)". www.muzines.co.uk. Retrieved 2018-08-02.
- ^ "Kawai K4: Really a 16 bit synthesizer? Only partially!". Retrieved 2021-06-05.
- ^ "Kawai K4r". Encyclotronic. Retrieved 2018-08-02.
- ^ "Kawai K4R". www.polynominal.com. Retrieved 2018-08-02.
Further reading
editExternal links
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