Kawai K3 user reviews and comments @ Synth Site

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Average rating: 4.5 out of 5

Thomas Weiss a hobbyist user from Chicago Area - USA writes:

I remember playing this synth in a store and at a NAMM show in about 1987. I was impressed. Based on that, I bought one on eBay for $200 and plugged it in. Wow! It's got great analog-type sounds that make great basses, leads, and pads. Organs aren't bad, either. Even though it has membrane buttons and the display looks like your alarm clock, it is still pretty easy to program. The Kawai K3 was underrated when it came out, and I think it still is today. I bought this as a compliment to my Roland XP-80 workstation. In this role, it shines.

Rating: 4 out of 5 posted Wednesday-Nov-08-2000 at 14:54

Geronimo Longoria a professional user from Bryan, TX writes:

The K-3. I used this keyboard in the early 90's. Recorded my first album with it. Used it in 96% of the songs. I used it especially for an organ sound I made that emulated the Hammond B-200. But now I'm not emulating because I have somehow collected 4 B-200's. But whenever I come across another one I'm definately going to get it and use it as back-up for these unreliable Hammond B-200's.

Rating: 5 out of 5 posted Sunday-Nov-05-2000 at 23:26

rez a hobbyist user from USA writes:

This synth changed the course of my musical life and opened the doors to my understanding of synthesis in general. I parted with it to upgrade to a more 'modern' synth, for which I will no divulge the name (I'm too ashamed). More often than not I wish I hadn't parted with it, but rather simply added to my collection. It sounded heavenly in all the right ways.

Rating: 5 out of 5 posted Monday-Oct-09-2000 at 16:08

Chad Gould a part-time user from USA writes:

Caveat: The rating below of 5/5 is considering the 2000 price which is usually $200 - $300...

First, the negatives for this analog hybrid. The oscillators are digital and do sound rather static on their own. While they do sound quite nice through the filters, they sound rather static, with no snap or bite. There's no PWM, of course (duh, its sample-based) which further limits the bite. The resonance has only one setting which self-oscillates.

Now, the positives. :)

The filters are of the old SSM variety and are very, very sweet sounding. That and a delicious analog chorus, plus a fair amount of modulation, make for terrific ambient and other, less rough patches - including great strings and great pads.

Editing is very simple. The membrane-pad-over-buttons design can sometimes break but the buttons will still work. Parameters are simple, with limited modulation but enough to get the job done. No knobs except for a data wheel (alpha Juno style) but still quite easy to get around.

For $200, this is terrific. I've found myself able to create the sweetest string sounds and pad fills; sweeping the filter brings a joy that is tough to bring out of a DX-7. :)

If priced originally, I'd rate it a 3 out of 5 but these things are a good bargain in the world of overpriced Rolands and Moogs..

One note: the additive section is a bit tricky for my taste, but it can create some interesting tines. Too bad only one oscillator "wave" can be edited. This is the only *common* additive "analog" polysynth I know of...

Rating: 5 out of 5 posted Wednesday-Aug-23-2000 at 23:19

Michael Barocca a hobbyist user from USA writes:

I just purchased this synth for $200. The K3 is one of the best synths that i have ever used. The user has extensive control over the sound peramiters. Great for makeing any cool analog sounds. Midi interface is very versatile. Many options Sysex dump and load. 50 pesets. jog wheel pitchbend and aftertouch. well made. really nice synth.very versatile

Rating: 5 out of 5 posted Tuesday-Jul-04-2000 at 17:21

Joe S. a professional user from The States writes:

Recently just aquired the k3 for the third time. I guess things do happen in threes. More to the point this synth has great bass capabililty. The analog filters warm up the sound as well if not better than most current VA's. Any box you buy can add sqwuelch and resonance until it squeeels your ears off. This adds warmth. Take note: because there is a difference. The leads that can be created are very good as well. They are cheap. Pick one up.

Rating: 5 out of 5 posted Tuesday-May-02-2000 at 19:42

Jason Johnson a part-time user from USA writes:

I don't know about the rest of you, but this synth really reminds me of a Korg DW8000, except without the digital delay or arpegiator. It has that thick warm, but dark feel; it has multiple "acoustic" waveforms; and also comes with a velocity sensitive keyboard with aftertouch. Nice! I personally find the keyboard not to feel as cheap as say something like my alpha juno. But it does have a membrane panel and basically an alpha dial for realtime control like the juno, very cool! This synth is very underrated.

Rating: 5 out of 5 posted Monday-Mar-27-2000 at 17:33

Troy Micheal Stultz a part-timer user from U.S.A. writes:

I just bought a Kawai K3 used at a music store about a month ago... It doesn't have the cartridge that it's supposed to come with when it was new...Anyone know how I can retrieve one ??? I love the sparatic randomness of the modulation that it gives off in the patch sounds onboard...The strings, organ, and brass sounds really have a good anologue feel to them... This board has Character... Definetly worth the price if you're looking for sounds that don't fall into the factory set patterns of the cheesy cheap keyboards that at the same price you might find at a K-mart...PS: The body of this sythn is made very nicely (no plastic crap all around it) Great all around Anologue Hybrid...

Rating: 4 out of 5 posted Tuesday-Nov-17-1998 at 02:23

Dan Ieh a professional user from Uruguay writes:

Hey you Reviewer Billy Spiropoulos! The K3 didn't have any sample on it!

It have the early implementetion of Kawai's additive synthesis with 32 time-fixed amplitud partials (sine waves) to create single-cycle waveforms.You get several of this harmonic configurations in the preset waveforms and a memory space for edit your own additive waveform by adding sine waves of user definable amplitude.

Rating: 3 out of 5 posted Wednesday-Aug-05-1998 at 23:41

paul david a professional user from canada writes:

the author is completely accurate in his descriptions of the K3 no more need be said! personally...i would add that the K3 has played an extremely important role in my musical life... it has influenced my entire outlook on sound as a whole and radically changed the music i write!!!

Rating: 5 out of 5 posted Wednesday-Aug-05-1998 at 23:41

AnalogKid a part time user from USA writes:

Great sounding hybrid synth. Billed as a "Digital Wave Synthesizer" (read "additive"). Simple DCO design to me. Sounds very analog in the sawtooth and strings dept. Sounds very DX7ish in the piano and percussion dept. Lousy single wheel controller, though. Highly underrated...A great buy if you can find one.

Rating: 3 out of 5 posted Wednesday-Aug-05-1998 at 23:41

Jonathan K. Huckabee a professional user from Perth, Australia writes:

A truly overlooked mid 80's synth. Not many around here..... The best

thing is the ease of sound tweaking/creation! Great fun! The real

time wave edits make it cool for those unkown / undiscovered territories

within trance tunes...... Over-all an excellent & easy to use/program/sound

experiments synth! I like it! O yeah - Dan Ieh's right about it not being

a sample synth.......

Rating: 4 out of 5 posted Wednesday-Aug-05-1998 at 23:41

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