Reactie van kurzweil forum:
I bought a PC3 about 4 months ago, and it is my very first Kurzweil. Prior, I was a loyal Roland/Korg user. I agree- for a first time V.A.S.T. user the learning curve is daunting- EVERYTHING about this machine is COMPLETELY different than the boards I've used. Now pile the KB3 and VA engines on top of it, and it is even more puzzling. In my first couple of weeks with the machine, I had some of the same questions- why is the sequencer controlled by the Set-ups? etc. It is definitely more complicated than I am used to, but in return the potential is that much greater.
If it helps, here are some of the reasons I went with Kurzweil for the first time:
1) The sounds. The sounds on this board are VERY, VERY deep and have a LOT of character. The sounds are well thought out and well engineered. A good example are the pianos on the PC3- a lot of people don't like the piano sounds. In my opinion, however, the pianos are simply more complex than what people are used to. There is a lot of nuance. For example, a western saloon/ragtime style on the PC3 goes beyond layering two identical pianos and detuning them- the attack is authentic, the harmonics are authentic, the quality of the pinned, stale felt is authentic. At first, I thought the pianos were weak until I recorded with them, and I couldn't believe what I was hearing!
Another good example are the mellowtron sounds- this goes beyond just adjusting the attack and decay of a string patch- this thing actually sounds like a real mellotron.
2) Having the KB3 and VA under one roof. Now- don't expect an actual Hammond B3 and a Virus rolled into one, but for 99.999% of the gigging/recording people out there- I believe it is MORE than adequate.
3) Honestly, I just got sick of what the other companies were doing. Roland and Korg seemed to just be treading water... backwards. I got sick of awaiting new products only to find that they were merely stripped down or reorganized versions of what they were doing 10 years ago. With the exception of the OASYS (which I would never fork over the $$$$ for) Korg has shown ZERO reasons for me to update from my 01/Wfd, which I've had since 1993. As for Roland, I'm a little more forgiving, but unless they wow me with their big product release on 9/1, I will be lost on them as well. I know it's a bit late, but here is my hint to Roland- the world doesn't need another arranger/workstation. Believe me.
4) Flexibility and growth. Kurzweil always seems to have the most active online communities... for the K series, there are hundreds if not thousands of sites with support, advice and awesome sounds for the taking. It is only a matter of time before the same exists for the PC3.
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Roland and Korg are history for me, only Yamaha gets my vote still cos the Motif XS sounds are just brilliant and with the new technology coming to make these even better I may add a future Yamaha workstation to my rig eventually.
I also have my trusty 01WFD which served me good for years but I got tired of its digital sound and restricted programming options.
When I checked out the fantom G by Roland and the M3 by Korg I only felt disappointment. The sounds were not all that great and programming was ok but not really nice.
And the Motif was great but not at all easy to use. I also have a Yamaha SY99 but a Motif XS has so much more options and features its even more complex and daunting!
Yeah I also checked out the famous Oasys but it was just also too much $$$ and complex.. well complex, I just didnt do it for me.
I then SO LONG hesitated to jump ship for a Kurzweil after reading and reading and reading all forums, specs and so forth.. until I finally gave in and ordered a K2661S and extra vintage keys ROM for the EPs.
When I got it, I did not get it.
32 layers per program ?? How is this all linked up and organized ??... I was completely confused and turned away from it after a short time. But the sound quality was there: going only through the presets was like "wow, nice big authentic sounding patches... cool VA sounds, great EPs! ..."
OK, its not real VA in the K2600 series but the samples are great anyway.
And its not real analog either, but seriously, who would care if your track sounds great ?
And the sounds, man: the Moog sounds are quite nice, the brasses are quite crispy and all and if you program somewhat you get the sounds there for like 90% or more, and thats good enough no?
Right so, so I got back at it and started digging in, using the manual almost always at first and later on just once in a while. Then some months later... BAM: it clicked and I just got it.
Now I am just in awe with this machine and in full lust for the next K-workstation.
I have been programming like crazy for hours on making the best tracks and sounds I EVER DID in 15 years!
Now turning the Kurz on just means: ok, forget everything in this world cos you wont stop making sounds and music for the next 12 hours... even forgetting to eat or drink for that matter sometimes. Can you believe that ?
Its an addiction I tell you !
I just cannot believe the fun I am having now. And I cant believe how great it is to actually mix music on it before it even hits the computer. The filters are great sounding!
What I do resent though is the fixed algos to work with, I need Dynamic VAST in fact to have the freedom I need for programming custom sounds.
But I just LOVE to have 32 layers per sound, its nuts!
16 tracks yeah but per program 32 layers is like 16x32 sounds and control layers.... amazing, especially since you can just edit and edit and go on WHILE the sequencer keeps running, RECORD on, RECORD off, select next sound, hit EDIT, add a layer, detune... and your track keeps playing so you just hear all happening in REALTIME all the time!.... My creative juices go wild like that, and on top of it all it just keeps sounding GREAT and FULL, not collapsed like on Roland or Korg workstations.
And all because the stock samples are super and full sounding even without FX...
And get this: I dont use the FX even.
I just try to make as much as possible creative use of the arp, filters, the envelopes, layer delays, pitch env's, and with all layers combined you can do crazy stuff like small wavesequences, phazed sounds, detuned full basses etc etc.
And it works like a charm... if you understand how VAST works. I still dont know half of it but its so much fun I dont consider it a learning curve any more !
I firmly believe that you need to practice your programming and arranging skills first and then add FX.
If you succeed in making a great track in raw form, the FX will take it to the next level i.e. the sound topping and basic mixing.
Now I have come to a level that I feel so confident using the Kurz for about any style of music and that it will always sound great. Because I think to have a good feel for where is the Kurz's sound sweetspot.
What is still missing (xcept for the FX) is an analog stage to give me the needed tube/transformer/saturation harmonics to really gel the mix or sounds more together and give them more weight and fullness, cos I still find it the output still a tad too digital for my taste.
OK, I will stop now.
Anyhow, its clear that Kurzweil is now really my thing when it comes to making music.
That PC3K is now what I am considering as a step up from my K2661 now with Dynamic VAST and its VA engine and limitless track sequencer.
Its not yet available but I will check it out ASAP !
Finally I hope for these things:
- to have a ROM also available for the K2661 with those new drum sounds with hopefully some stunning acoustic drums!
- that K-and PC-users start programming much more sounds in like every style there is and share patches now that Kurzweil is back on track
- And last that the next K-workstation wont be too long away.... ! !
