Kurzweil SP88X 88-Key Stage Piano (Fully Weighted)

High-quality sounds. 2 external MIDI zones. One internal MIDI zone.

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customer reviews

Rate and Review This Product:

238 People rated this product : * * * * * * * * * * 8 out of 10

15 People wrote reviews

* * * * * * * * * * 8 out of 10

"Good value, good buy."

Feature:
I have owned this keyboard for 5 years and I still have not been able to figure out all of the features. The user interface to get things done is very difficult-- you have to press certain combinations of keys but there is no display to tell you that you're doing it correctly. The sustain pedal that I got with it is great-- very nice quality.

Quality:
I have had an issue with a key sticking for the past year. Also I had to replace the power supply after about a year of use. The power supply was somewhat difficult and required splicing a new power supply onto my old chord because the right sized input for the keyboard is hard to find. This keyboard has taken some abuse, though, and keeps on going so I can't really complain too much.

Value:
I got this on clearance so I got this at a great price for what it is. I have not regretted my purchase.

Desirability:
I love the color-- it is purple which is awesome. How many purple keyboards are out there? Not many. It is very streamlined, sleek, and nice looking. It feels great to play and was the main reason I bought it. I am looking to upgrade this instrument but I am too attached to it to get rid of it just yet.

Sound:
This keyboard has the classic Kurzweil sound which I used to be more fond of, but now the sound of the keyboard in the mid-range sounds a bit too synthesized for my taste. I don't use many of the sound options, I usually stick with the sustain piano. I wish it had a better organ sound! I use this at my church for worship and it definitely does the job. I get lots of compliments on the sound.

Ease of Use:
Very clearly marked for where to plug in what. The interface, as I stated under features, is difficult because the display only tells you what sound setting you're using. If you want a stage piano-- something you can plug into an amp or sound system and use as a piano, then this is a great buy.

Support:
It is difficult to find replacement parts for this keyboard (such as a power supply) since you have to find an authorized dealer and a lot of music stores are phasing out Kurzweil.

Overall:
I have kept this for 5 years and have been very happy with it. I would love to upgrade but in order to get anything better I have to spend quite a large sum of money. This is not just a beginner instrument-- it gets you through to an intermediate and I would say advanced intermediate and meets all your needs. The only thing is now I have started paying attention to the actual sound of keyboards now and want something that sounds a little more like a real piano and less synthesized, particularly in the mid-range. I have found that I can tell if an artist is using a Kurzweil without even seeing it because of the distinct sound. If you love that Kurzweil sound then this is the keyboard for you!

Submitted: 2/14/2008

Style of Music: Modern worship

* * * * * * * * * * 7 out of 10

"Nice board, but you might want to wait until the summer."

Feature:
For a stage piano, this baby does pack in more features than the competition. It's a great MIDI controller, and can do splits and you can program the sliders. That's about it. I was hoping for more patches, but the SP2 will offer all of that and more.

Quality:
I've had this instrument for just about 3 years now, and it has held up quite well. It has taken a few tumbles but it keeps on going. I was having a problem with one of the keys about 2 years ago, but the problem gradually went away. I'm thinking maybe something fell into the keybed.

Value:
Kurzweil has a high list price for their products, but most resellers lower it considerably. Considering the age of the product and the upcoming release of the SP2, it's still a bit pricey.

Desirability:
It's a nice looking product. I'm proud to have it on stage or in the pit with me.

Sound:
I bought this instrument on brand name alone, which I thought I would never do, but I wasn't necessarily let down. It's a good sounding instrument, but it's getting on in the years. Kurzweil is finally offering a SP2 this summer. The SP88/76 came out in 1999/2000, and the sounds from it come from a module from the mid-90's. Considering all that, this instrument sounds great. Many of the voices sound very similar, but they are solid. Contrary to what some may say, there is an EP that does sound a good deal like a Rhodes, but once you hear what say the PC2 has to offer, you'll believe the voices in this instrument a lot less.

Ease of Use:
For many users, this would be an easy piano to use. Plug it in. Turn it on. Select a patch, and play (with an amp, of course). The advanced features of this unit require some manual reading to decipher what everything on the 2 character LED mean.

Support:
I've never had to contact Kurzweil about this particular instrument, but I have emailed them before about another product, and they were prompt and helpful.

Overall:
I've been lusting for a PC2 since I bought this keyboard, but its powerful MIDI features allowed for me to control a Kurzweil ME1, and now a PC2R for less of a cost of buying a new board. If it were lost or stolen, I would probably buy a PC2 or PC3.

Submitted: 3/11/2007

Style of Music: Musical Theatre, Rock, Classical

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About This Product!
Description
Multimedia
The New Lightweight Performance Piano for the Next Century
The new SP Series Stage Pianos are the performance keyboards you've been waiting for. Well-constructed and affordable, these stage pianos have everything you need. The SP Series comes in lightweight 76- and 88-key semi-weighted action models, plus an 88-note fully weighted action model. The Stage Pianos have the award-winning Kurzweil sounds and transmit on 2 user-selectable, independent MIDI channels. Put your music on stage with this new model of performance piano from Kurzweil, the leader in sound technology.

32 programs and 32 factory setups are provided which offer a variety of splits and layered combinations with useful controller assignments. Grand Piano offers stretched and non-stretched tuned versions, and programs with different EQ. Dual-Hardness Tine Electric Piano offers soft and hard strike samples arranged in many program variations, FM Electric Piano is provided in a variety of programs. Programs based on the Ensemble Strings include selections with different EQs and envelope response. Tone Wheel Organ programs include organ with percussion, ballad organ, jazzy organ, and more.

The SP Series keyboards also offer many MIDI controller features. Two Ribbons (used instead of traditional wheels) provide flexible control. The Pitch ribbon has user programmable software "spring," allowing the pitch to jump back to center or remain at the value where the finger lifts off the surface. The Mod Ribbon also has the programmable "spring," and in addition, allows for different functions (software destinations) to be programmed for the 'up' position separately from the 'down' position.

Features
88-note fully weighted action keyboard
High-quality, award-winning built-in sounds
2 independent external MIDI zones + 1 internal MIDI zone
Transmits on 2 independent user selectable MIDI channels and receives on MIDI channel 1 only
Accepts remote setup change on any MIDI channel
Lightweight design for easy transportation

Sounds
Award-winning Grand Piano
Dual-Hardness Tine Electric Piano
FM Electric Piano
Ensemble Strings
Tone Wheel Organ

Technical Info

Keyboard: 88-note fully weighted action

Controllers: Pitch ribbon, modulation ribbon, front panel control slider, continuous control pedal input, 1 dual footswitch input (for 2 pedals)

MIDI: Transmits on 2 channels, Receives on 1 channel. In & Out

Polyphony: 32-voice

Internal Programs: 32
1 Grand Piano 1 (Solo, beat tuned)
2 Grand Piano 2 (Ensemble tuned)
3 Stage Piano 1 (Solo, beat tuned)
4 Stage Piano 2 (Ensemble tuned)
5 Bright Piano
6 Sustain Piano
7 Piano and Strings 1
8 Piano and Strings 2
9 Tack Piano
10 Tight Electric Grand
11 Bright Electric Grand
12 Warm Electric Grand
13 Classic Electric Piano
14 Digital Electric Grand
15 Dyno Electric Piano
16 Hard Dyno Electric Piano
17 Tremolo Digital E. Piano
18 Stereo Hard E. Piano
19 Digital Electric Piano
20 Digital E. Piano & String Pad
21 Rock Organ 1
22 Rock Organ 2
23 Ballad Organ 1
24 Ballad Organ 2
25 Percussion Organ
26 Organ and Piano
27 Fast Strings 1
28 Fast Strings 2
29 Touch Strings
30 Stereo Slow Strings
31 Stereo Slow String Pad
32 Slow Digital Pad

Effects: 9 preset effects, featuring 8 different reverbs, plus chorus, with separate controllable wet/dry levels for reverb and chorus components.

Outputs: 2 Outputs (1/4 in. jack Left/Mono and Right), Stereo headphone out

MIDI Setups: 32 user programmable MIDI setups, each with 2 independent zones

Power: 12V DC external power supply

Includes a single switch sustain pedal

Dimensions: 54.8 x 14 x 4.8 in. (138 x 36 x 11 cm)

Weight: 52 lbs. (23.6 kg)

Audio Samples

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