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Kurzweil PC161 61-Key MIDI Controller

61 velocity and aftertouch sensitive keys. 64 voice polyphony. 512 programs: base 256 + Orchestra 128 + GM 128.

Overall User Ratings

Overall:
          9 out of 10
Features:
          9 out of 10
Quality:
          10 out of 10
Value:
          10 out of 10
I Want It:
          10 out of 10
Sound:
          9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
          9 out of 10
Support:
          5 out of 10
 
 

"The little 'board that can do........"

Overall:
          9 out of 10
Features:
          9 out of 10
Quality:
          10 out of 10
Value:
          10 out of 10
Sound:
          9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
          9 out of 10
Support:
          5 out of 10
User: a customer from bellatlantic.net
Submitted: 8/19/2006
Style of Music: Traditional Mainstream Jazz.
Musical Experience: Active professional musician and educator.
Location: Northern New Jersey

 

 
zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
Feature:
The keyboard has a nice feel even though it's not weighted. The control panel is clear and well laid out. Mod and Pitch wheels feel right. You even get a simulated piano sustain pedal, not a square switchbox.....nice touch.

Quality:
No rattles, no loose pots or switches, everything works. Power supply has a nice long cord. The endcaps have ridges underneath to make it easy to grip when setting up or taking down. Weight is about 22 lbs., so transport is no problem. The display is straightforward and easy to read. Powering up looks like a pinball machine; LED's galore, but it's all good.

Value:
For it's intended use I would say this board is a great value. I know that Kurzweil is attempting to restructure and you can't find this board in any store near North Jersey, so I took a chance and ordered it without ever playing it first. I'm not disappointed - it's everything I thought it would be.

Desirability:
If you're looking for a sample playback machine that sounds great, looks good, and is easy on the back and wallet the PC161 is worth considering. It's easy to get great sounds, you can run it in mono if you only have a keyboard amp, and the effects are rich and full sounding and compliment the patches well.

Sound:
The Kurzweil sound still lives on. The accoustic pianos sound authentic, the Take 6 vocals are outstanding, plus great strings, percussion, etc. The brasses are usable, reeds and horns OK, but the organs are weak, and the rotary simulation is lame at best.....then again I also own a Nord Electro 2, so I have the Hammond/Leslie sound nailed.

Ease of Use:
Voice selection is simple: two or three button presses get you to any sound in the board. Storing user presets is easy, but modifying them takes some getting used to. I still haven't figured out how to store volume changes for each patch, but I'm reasonably sure it's in there.

Support:
Hope I never need it. You do have to mail back the warranty card - no online registration.

Overall:
This is a keeper: even though it's a budget keyboard I still get a kick out of seeing Ray's last name on the back panel.

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