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Kurzweil PC2X 88-Note Weighted Performance Controller
64 polyphony. 128 user programmable MIDI setups. 144 internal voice programs. 128 regular programs.
"Excellent quality sounds and super controller features"
zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
I've owned a PC2-X for about 8 months and have used it extensively on recording and live projects. the feel of the weighted keys is excellent and the MIDI options are extensive.the grand piano samples are some of the best available and the drawbar organ is killer.
My only wish is that it had more orchestal sounds and the promised sound expansion module would be released soon.
"The best instrument for solo piano work!"
I play jazz piano and own a Kurzweil 1000PX rack, a Kurzweil K2000, and now the PC2X. I've been sold on Kurzweil products for many years because of the sound quality of their programs, their customer support, and their expandability.
The action of this fully-weighted keyboard is so close to playing an acoustic piano - it doesn't get in the way of my improvisation efforts. Kurzweil specs the keyboard assembly and Fatar manufactures it. I can't say enough about how pleased I am with the action of these 88 keys.
The triple-strike piano programs are beautiful and invite one to play for extended periods.
Rhodes, Wurlitzer, B3, and Take-Six vocal programs are all excellent; however, the piano programs are addictive & I haven't spent nearly the time on other programs because of this. Simply said, the quality of Kurzweil's acoustic instrument programs just can't be beat - except perhaps by a dedicated sampler loaded with memory playing back huge amounts of data.
The PC2x, with its outstanding piano programs, should only be used with an amplifier/speaker combination that does it justice. Played through headphones or studio monitors, the 'board really shines. However, it's unfortunate that most keyboard amps on the market today just won't offer the listener a true recreation of an acoustic piano. Although the piano programs in the PC2x are extraodinary, playing them through most keyboard amps produces a 'honk' in the horn-loaded tweeter (or worse, piezo-tweeters on some amps). If you purchase the PC2X, be sure to consider an amplifier that will make it sound its best. In performance I use a pair of EAW FR153 3-way speakers and a Hafler amp.
For solo jazz piano work, I haven't heard anything that offers the quality and quantity of useful sounds that the PC2x has. If you play jazz or classical music and need a keyboard that will provide you with honest piano sounds that come extremely close to an acoustic piano, be sure to audition the Kurzweil PC2x (with a good pair of loudspeakers).
The action of this fully-weighted keyboard is so close to playing an acoustic piano - it doesn't get in the way of my improvisation efforts. Kurzweil specs the keyboard assembly and Fatar manufactures it. I can't say enough about how pleased I am with the action of these 88 keys.
The triple-strike piano programs are beautiful and invite one to play for extended periods.
Rhodes, Wurlitzer, B3, and Take-Six vocal programs are all excellent; however, the piano programs are addictive & I haven't spent nearly the time on other programs because of this. Simply said, the quality of Kurzweil's acoustic instrument programs just can't be beat - except perhaps by a dedicated sampler loaded with memory playing back huge amounts of data.
The PC2x, with its outstanding piano programs, should only be used with an amplifier/speaker combination that does it justice. Played through headphones or studio monitors, the 'board really shines. However, it's unfortunate that most keyboard amps on the market today just won't offer the listener a true recreation of an acoustic piano. Although the piano programs in the PC2x are extraodinary, playing them through most keyboard amps produces a 'honk' in the horn-loaded tweeter (or worse, piezo-tweeters on some amps). If you purchase the PC2X, be sure to consider an amplifier that will make it sound its best. In performance I use a pair of EAW FR153 3-way speakers and a Hafler amp.
For solo jazz piano work, I haven't heard anything that offers the quality and quantity of useful sounds that the PC2x has. If you play jazz or classical music and need a keyboard that will provide you with honest piano sounds that come extremely close to an acoustic piano, be sure to audition the Kurzweil PC2x (with a good pair of loudspeakers).
"Be prepared for some headaches."
zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
This is my 3rd Kurzweil. Too my ears, the piano and vibes sounds are not nearly as present, natural, full as the sounds on the K1000, an earlier keyboard made in Japan. Consequently, I'm not sure I want to spend more hours, days, months programming it into a "dedicated," "real-time" instrument with bass in the left hand and another voice in the right. I've downloaded the 3rd OS from Kurzweil, and the instrument is still buggy. On the job, I have trouble reading the LED (forget it out of doors), making the EQ's stick, keeping the unwanted reverb effects out of the sound. I've also had the arpeggiator go off on me in the middle of solos, and the OS crash when switching quickly from a piano sound to memory-hungry rotary organ sounds. In short, Kurzweil could have done a lot better by the performing musician. I was excited when I read about all of the features, but after playing it for a year, I'm still in the market for a more dependable keyboard, one that lets me concentrate on playing the music and forget about all the technological busy-ness. I've gotten far more use out of the SP-76, which even sounds better to me than these supposedly revolutionary, "triple strike" sounds. Also, if you add the weight of the external power supply, the instrument's total weight is right up there with the other hernia-producing keyboards.
"Nice board, but truly unreliable!!!"
Had several Kurzweil boards. Thought this one would be different, but was jerked back to reality. Love the sounds, but hate the dependablity!! Why can't Kurzweil make a dependable board? My complaints:
1. Key clunk--Why can't Kurzweil make an 88 note board that doesn't clunk when on a stand? Their tech support told me I had to use a piece of plywood under it when on a stand! Roland, Korg and Yamaha don't have this problem!
2. Operating system--They tell me that my 'Low battery' alert during power up is a glitch that will be rectified with the new O.S. NOT SO! Be sure to power it up!!
3. Lack of Servicing facilities that know anything about this board! If it breaks, be prepared to have your local repair shop perform 'exploratory surgery' on your unit. Mine was gone for almost 8 weeks while I waited on a part to be shipped from the factory! My repair guys said that they are pooly trained from Kurzweil...
4. Slow, Slow, Slow!! Be prepared to wait good and long for expansion boards! Then be prepared to pay for them dearly!!!
To sum up, I'd definately replace when the first opportunity comes up. I mean definately replace it with SOMETHING ELSE! Sorry Kurzweil, you surely missed the boat AGAIN!! I suppose I'd keep it if I were only a stay at home musician with unlimited financial resources and lots of time and another board for times when getting fixed.
One good thing~~ they're now shipping black!!
1. Key clunk--Why can't Kurzweil make an 88 note board that doesn't clunk when on a stand? Their tech support told me I had to use a piece of plywood under it when on a stand! Roland, Korg and Yamaha don't have this problem!
2. Operating system--They tell me that my 'Low battery' alert during power up is a glitch that will be rectified with the new O.S. NOT SO! Be sure to power it up!!
3. Lack of Servicing facilities that know anything about this board! If it breaks, be prepared to have your local repair shop perform 'exploratory surgery' on your unit. Mine was gone for almost 8 weeks while I waited on a part to be shipped from the factory! My repair guys said that they are pooly trained from Kurzweil...
4. Slow, Slow, Slow!! Be prepared to wait good and long for expansion boards! Then be prepared to pay for them dearly!!!
To sum up, I'd definately replace when the first opportunity comes up. I mean definately replace it with SOMETHING ELSE! Sorry Kurzweil, you surely missed the boat AGAIN!! I suppose I'd keep it if I were only a stay at home musician with unlimited financial resources and lots of time and another board for times when getting fixed.
One good thing~~ they're now shipping black!!
"Unreliable"
zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
Quality:I have to agree with the reviewer from Milwaukee. I have owned this keyboard for 4 years now and it is the most unreliable piece of garbage. I use it to perform live and it has cut out on me on numerous ocassions during songs. Turn it off then back on to get sound again. The mechanics of the action are horrible. I think the keyboard actually warps a little while on a stand, affecting the action in the middle range of the keyboard. Yes, the keys click in the middle register (broken action) and the touch sensitive sticks on certain presets (vibrato on synths especially). I was told by a repair shop the broken action is a common problem with these keyboards and ($75 per hour)it would cost around $400 to $500 to fix as the action is difficult and time consuming to repair and would be very hard to do on your own. The power supply lasted three years and had to be replaced for $60. I could go on and on but I'm just getting pissed off while typing these problems.
Value:
I don't care what the cost is. What good is it if it's unreliable to perform live
Sound:
Most sounds are excellent. I don't care for the Hammond sounds, though...too synthetic. Plus the overdrive is horrible and useless. The pianos, strings, and brass are great
Ease of Use:
Its factory settings are easy to use. Forget setting up programs. The keyboard seems to have a mind of its own regarding this.
Support:
They're pretty much useless. That's all I can say.
Overall:
The prices of performance workstations is the only thing preventing me from replacing it. A Korg or Yamaha would do just fine, but the prices for 88 key keyboards are insane. The mark-up on these boards is ridiculous. I just have to make do with this board until prices on others drop. Don't buy it if you plan on using it for live performance.
"The PC2x is the best keyboard I've had so far."
Feature:
This is a standard do it all keyboard plus the big feature of the KB3 setup.
Quality:
The negative reviews here is the reason I decided to put mine in. I bought my PC2x used 6 years ago. It's the original purple model and I gig a lot and have had no problems whatsoever with it including the infamous power supply. I live in LA and you see them all over the place so how bad can it be? Of course, I'm very careful with my stuff so I don't know about the problems others have had. As for me, it's been perfect, just turn it on and play.
Value:
Absolutely.
Desirability:
Don't care too much about this. A keyboard is a tool to do the job and the sound is all I really care about.
Sound:
The sound is overall very good. I do about 70% jazz and the rest classic rock/r&b/country. The main reason I bought it was for the pianos and the KB3 organ. I hauled around a real B3 with 2 leslies for over 25 years so I know what a B3 should sound like and this is decent, certainly not real but still decent. One of the reasons for the sound I get is I know how to set it up and what amps to use with it. The Take 6 vocals are awesome and I use those a lot on my jazz gigs.
Ease of Use:
No problem, hit the button and play.
Support:
Don't know, no need for it.
Overall:
When it dies and can't be repaired, then I'll think about it but another PC2x would be at the top of the list.
This is a standard do it all keyboard plus the big feature of the KB3 setup.
Quality:
The negative reviews here is the reason I decided to put mine in. I bought my PC2x used 6 years ago. It's the original purple model and I gig a lot and have had no problems whatsoever with it including the infamous power supply. I live in LA and you see them all over the place so how bad can it be? Of course, I'm very careful with my stuff so I don't know about the problems others have had. As for me, it's been perfect, just turn it on and play.
Value:
Absolutely.
Desirability:
Don't care too much about this. A keyboard is a tool to do the job and the sound is all I really care about.
Sound:
The sound is overall very good. I do about 70% jazz and the rest classic rock/r&b/country. The main reason I bought it was for the pianos and the KB3 organ. I hauled around a real B3 with 2 leslies for over 25 years so I know what a B3 should sound like and this is decent, certainly not real but still decent. One of the reasons for the sound I get is I know how to set it up and what amps to use with it. The Take 6 vocals are awesome and I use those a lot on my jazz gigs.
Ease of Use:
No problem, hit the button and play.
Support:
Don't know, no need for it.
Overall:
When it dies and can't be repaired, then I'll think about it but another PC2x would be at the top of the list.
Kurzweil PC2X Customer Review
Sound:
Kurzweil has taken it upon themselves to determine just how long a string sound (i.e.) sound sustain befor it decays. In my work, I want to have sounds sustain until I determine that should fade. My biggest complaint, however, is one that could be easily addressed. When you switch patches, yes the system waits for you t o lift you fingers off (or the pedal, depending on what you choose), but no matter what, the effects switch over right in the middle of what you are doing. Th solution? Save all your patches in the "user bank" and set them all to the same effects. What a squirelly, stupid solution! This problem should have been addressed long ago by a system update. But Kurzweil these days is almost inpenetrable and by-and-large useless
Ease of Use:
This keyboard has some major faults. I mostly use synths as "one-man-bands" and this keyboard dissapoints on many levels.
Kurzweil has taken it upon themselves to determine just how long a string sound (i.e.) sound sustain befor it decays. In my work, I want to have sounds sustain until I determine that should fade. My biggest complaint, however, is one that could be easily addressed. When you switch patches, yes the system waits for you t o lift you fingers off (or the pedal, depending on what you choose), but no matter what, the effects switch over right in the middle of what you are doing. Th solution? Save all your patches in the "user bank" and set them all to the same effects. What a squirelly, stupid solution! This problem should have been addressed long ago by a system update. But Kurzweil these days is almost inpenetrable and by-and-large useless
Ease of Use:
This keyboard has some major faults. I mostly use synths as "one-man-bands" and this keyboard dissapoints on many levels.
"PC88 REBOOTS CONSTANTLY (but only when you use it)."
zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
Feature:Pretty good WHEN IT WORKS........
Quality:
Apparently NOT GOOD, because it would work RELIABLY
Value:
I paid WAY to much for this POS, I just hope I have better luck with the replacement board (either a Yamaha or Roland)
Desirability:
Well, this may be a bad reading if you want some musical "decor" in your living room, basement, etc. But if you plan to USE it, you don't want it.
Sound:
Pretty good WHEN IT WORKS.............
Ease of Use:
Fair, WHEN IT WORKS...........
Support:
I can't seem to find any help
Overall:
I've said enough
"Needs to be more friendly to external devices...."
The one thing that I would say about this keyboard is that the colour is awesome!!!! Unfortunately, there is not much else I can say about it. I have used the PC2 in a variety of forums, including studio and live rooms (Sydney Entertainment Centre, auditoriums). The one thing that has really bugged me about it is that I couldn't find the menus for controlling MIDI volume for external devices, and the internal sounds in general were not that fantastic (I had to do a fair bit of tweaking in the algorithims). One thing I will say is that the organ sounds totally kick butt (ie - GREAT!!!!)
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