Synthesizers | Kurzweil K2661

Kurzweil K2661 is a DSP based, 127 algorithm, 48-voice polyphonic synthesizer/sampler workstation. It is the upgraded version of the famous K2000/2500 synthesizers with a completely redesigned circuit board and with the incredibly powerful Triple Modular Processing.

The synthesis, this instrument uses, is called V.A.S.T., which stands for Variable Architecture Synthesis Technology. It is a unique system of pre-defined algorithms with a number of variables, individually editable DSP functions and digital oscillators, combined with the internal or external PCM samples.

There are 32 MB of onboard ROM (including the previously optional 4 MB Stereo Grand Piano, 8 MB Orchestral, 8 MB Contemporary and 8 MB General MIDI boards) + 2 optional sample ROM boards - 8 MB Stereo Dynamic Piano and 8 MB Vintage Electric Piano) + max of 128 MB sample RAM.

With optional SMP-61 advanced sampling expansion boards, which add analog and digital sample inputs, K2661 works as a full sampler. Without SMP-61 installed, K2661 works as a fully functioning sample player.

The external RAM sample can be fully edited using the following functions; Sample Start, Attack, End, Cut/Copy/Paste; loop forward, backward, bi-directional looping and loop bypass; truncate, fade in, fade out, reverse, cross-fade looping with selectable curves and many other. Some of the above mentioned functions can be used with internal ROM samples as well.

PCM samples or digital oscillators (digitally generated waveforms like sine, sine+,LF sine, saw, saw+, LF saw, square, square+, LF square) can work together within any one of the total of 127 DSP algorithms. The new synthesizer processing engine expands the number of DSPs from 31 (on previous K2500) to 127. Algorithms can be combined in groups of three Layers connected in a serial manner. This feature is called Triple Mode Processing There are 30 new algorithms available for Layer 1, 38 for Layer 2 and 26 for Layer 3 of Triple Layer. The algorithms for Layer 2 include a block that combines the output of Layer 1 with the sample assigned to Layer 2, and the algorithms in Layer 3 further process output of Layer 2. You can even combine a Triple Layer with normal Layers. Unfortunately, triple Layer uses the same polyphony as a normal three-layer Program.

As mentioned above, algorithms have variable segments, or in other words, individual DSP units. The algorithms are not rigidly defined as is the case with the Roland JD/JV and XV series but the types of DSP units in an algorithm can be changed. Each DSP is fully editable. K2661 can thus emulate several types of synthesis. This feature makes it really unique among other sample-based instruments.

Internal or external samples can be filtered (HPF, LPF, 12db/oct, 24db/oct, BPF, notch, peak, all pass, steep resonance), equalized (several EQ types), mixed with digital oscillators (digitally generated waveforms like sine, sine+, LF sine, saw, saw+, LF saw, square, square+, LF square), distorted and cross modulated.

Other DSPs available are shaper, high freq. stimulator, digital wrap, noise generator, PWM, X-Fade, amplitude modulation, panner, etc.

All individual parameters are fully editable (Hz, cent, dB, sec, msec settings, which offers significant advantages over the usual 1-127 convention).

There are 3 very fast envelope generators (AMPENV - amplitude envelope / ENV2, ENV3 user definable - 8 segments, looping), ENCTL (envelope control) for dynamic or continuous ADR parameters control, 2 LFOs (generators with many cyclic waveforms and adjustable phase angle between 0 – 270 degrees), 2 ASR envelopes for start and attack of user definable modulation functions, FUN (mathematical functions - formulas full of sin, cos, tg etc., for modulation of individual parameters of DSP algorithms e.g. pitch, filter, amplitude, pan, or direct control of LFO waveforms).

The modulation matrix is very complex. "Everything can be modulated by everything" (you can use functions for modulation source control as mixers, negators, invertors, sample and hold, quantization, ramp, shape, etc.).

KB-3 is now installed as a standard. It provides a powerful tone-wheel organ synth model, fully polyphonic over the keyboard. Each single voice contains nine harmonics that may be blended in real time using the sliders. There are 4 organ maps available with rotary speaker emulation, vibrato/chorus, percussion, key click, parametric EQ, etc.

K2661 is a 16 channel multi-timbral synthesizer with a sophisticated "invisible" multi mode. Each preset or user program in Program Mode can simultaneously work on a different MIDI channel (1-16). This means that no complicated Multi or Performance mode is used for multi-timbral operations. There are two dedicated buttons on the panel to browse between individual channels/programs.

However, for those who use the “Performances” and “Multis” the Setups are available as well.

There are several differences between programs and setups. Program can include several layers but plays only in one Zone on one MIDI channel. A setup enables user to utilise up to eight keyboard zones, each of which can have its own MIDI channel, program and control assignments. There can be up to 100 setups saved in each memory bank.

The K2661 internal sequencer is one of the best hardware sequencer ever made. It includes 32 fully editable tracks, 16 song and 16 arrangement tracks, 768 ppqn resolution and sequencer functions which include: Linear, Pattern and Step Drum Machine Record Modes, Reference Quantize, Non-destructive Track Editing, Cut, Copy and Paste facilities. Sequences can be triggered in real time from the keyboard (Advanced Auto Arranger functions). Another feature, called RAM Tracks, enables the sequencer to record audio signal along with the MIDI tracks. The audio data is saved in sample RAM rather than to hard disk. MIDI data is stored in Program RAM, however, this means that it uses your expensive and limited P-RAM capacity.

Program/ Sequence RAM

1.5 MB user-programmable battery-backed RAM. Equivalent to over 360,000 sequencer events.

Unlike with the previous models, K2661 offers the KDFX effect board as a standard. KDFX is an advanced digital reverb and effect unit with digital I/O and superb sonic possibilities. It is based on Kurzweil´s VLSI chip. Available effects include 15 reverbs, 7 delays, 11 modulation algorithms (chorus/flange/phaser), 9 distortions, 5 tonewheel organ effects, 14 special effects (filters, shapers, etc.), 24 multi-effects, and 21 studio/mixdown effects (compressors, expanders, gates, and Eqs, tremolo, enhancers, autopanners, stereo image manipulators, and SRS simulated 3D). VLSI DSP chips can be upgraded with new software. There are 5, full bandwidth, stereo buses, 8 outputs and 8 inputs from ADAT digital I/O or analog sampling I/O and flexible routing scheme.

With the optional sampling SMP-61 upgrade, the K2661 can also work as a vocoder. Vocoder reduces the polyphony in proportion to the number of used filter bands (up to 24, two notes are used per filter band). The vocoder may be combined with the Live mode.

There are 17 pre-programmed intonation tables all of them are freely user editable.

The polyphony is 48 voices (together with a maximum of 192 oscilators - 48 sample playback and 144 synthesizer waveforms). Special voice allocation system, first patented for K250, is used. This system analyses the most frequently used sounds in multi-timbral mode so the "voice stealing" effect is nowhere near as obvious as with other synthesizers. Each program can consist of up to 32 layers.

A tired programmer can play the computer game called "Pong" on the K2661 display.

To play Pong press the "Master" button, then select Utility and press the second function button under the display from the right hand side (or fifth from left hand side) – it is the blank position on the display, then press the setup button and here we go! (Max Score of 168 pongs was achieved by a "tired" Art of Sound programmer.)

Basic sample ROM: the basic 32 MB of ROM is expandable to 48 MB with the 8 MB Stereo Dynamic Piano and 8 MB Vintage Electric Piano ROM boards. Most of the previously optional boards are already factory pre-installed.

Program ROM: 400 presets/200 setups

Program RAM: factory fully expanded to 1.5 MB. The program memory is addressed untraditionally for synthesizer. The addressing is done much like in a sampler. The sounds consist of objects (asound program, keymap, sequencer data, DSP settings, etc.). Each object has certain size in bytes. Generally the more complicated sound is the more memory occupies.

SMP-61 sampling option adds stereo analog I/O (two balanced XLR inputs and one stereo unbalanced analog input (jack), AES/EBU and S/PDIF digital IN/OUT (optical and co-axial sockets) and sample-while-play capability. The sampling option module is necessary for the Vocoder and the Live Mode. The Live mode can be used for processing any incoming signal via the optical, analog or digital inputs with VAST or KDFX.

Keyboard: 61-note keyboard with velocity sensitive and monophonic aftertouch.

Controllers: Pitch Wheel (with a spring return), Modulation Wheel, 8 sliders, 2 button switches, 4 switch pedal inputs, 2 continuous controller inputs, breath controller input, ribbon controller input - all assignable to any MIDI controller number.

Analog I/O: 4 balanced audio outs with 24-bit converters and mix stereo pair (can also be used as unbalanced). Stereo headphone out.

Digital I/O: 8 channels of 24-bit ADAT input and output (or 2 channels of AES/EBU or S/PDIF output).

Data terminals: MIDI IN/OUT/THRU , 1x 25 pin SCSI (+ internal SCSI connector for HDD)

Compatibility: MS-DOS ( Smart Media cards, external Hard drives, ZIP, CD-ROM) Akai S-1000, S-1100, S-3000, Ensoniq EPS and ASR, Roland S-7xx series, PC Wav, Mac Aiff, reads and writes SMF 0, writes SMF 1

The instruments has a unique and "fat" sound, and is excellent in multitimbral settings. It is not necessary to "sweeten" the sound with reverbs. The rich editing functions expanded by the awesome Triple Mode offer immense sound possibilities for analog emulations. The instrument offers superb acoustic sounds, excellent pads, as well as extreme non-harmonic digital colors. K2661 is useful for all music styles and is excellent for electronic and techno music. With the right soundware, K2661 can easily outperform all VA synthesizers. To evaluate the instrument's capability, please listen to our K:Works Modern Synth demo here, and K:Works Gold demo here.

K:Works™ and K:Works Gold™ are trademarks of Art of Sound. Kurzweil® is a product line of Young Chang Co., Ltd. Kurzweil®, V.A.S.T.®, KDFX®, K2661™, K2600™, K2500™ and K2000™ are trademarks or registered trademarks of Young Chang Co., Ltd. All other products and brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.