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Here we go:
Synthesis - the additive synthesis feature of the K5000s is, of course, what makes it what it is. That being a facinating, mysterious piece of technology that seems to afford more programmability everytime you go into edit mode. Yes, it's complex, so do your self a favour and grab the Wizoo book on the K5000s. The manual doesn't do it justice and you'll never learn how to exploit the true powers of the K5000 line until you read it. That being said, what really boggles my mind about this board is the versatility. From biting quare leads to screeching pulse rez filter techno filler, to lush, evolving mind bending pads, this synth really works best in an electronic ambient/dance/idm type environment. If you take the time, you can make some really Aphex-Twin like analogue beeps and bells. Definately not for preset kiddies, though some of the presets ain't too bad. You won't get anything sounding like anything acoustic here. Forget flutes, clarinets, pianos, etc. This board isn't designed for that, and about the only recognizable sounds you can get are EPs and Organs. But this is a Good Thing (tm) cause who really needs more boring PCM based synthesizers. The K5000 contains about 100 PCM samples which you can add to patches, but the PCMs are all sounds you can't reproduce under additive synthesis, such as clicks, hits, and other non-harmonic based sounds. They add character and are the icing on the cake of your patches. You might find the polyphony a little tight, but it's not meant to be the foundation of your productions. 4 part multi, so you can see its meant to be used with other gear. Do so.
OS/user interface - I find programming and moving about on the K5000 extremely intuative. Buttons along the side of the LCD are labeled 'on the fly' on the LCD, and it's rarely a challenge to figure out where you are and where you need to go within the interface. For some reason the system preferences get erased every time I turn the board off. I'm not sure if I'm missing something, but I've yet to investigate as to why. Over all though, the best interface I've used so far.
Effects - Some say the reverbs are cold, and I might agree, but I don't think it's a bad thing. This board sounds very very crisp and digital, but I think it's great. The effects offered range from reverb/flange/chorus/delay to wahwah, phaser, 3x and 4x choruses, and the gratuatous and always useless distortion.
Filters - 24db filter. Send the rez into feedback mode. Be a rock star. There's not much you can say about the filters except for that they rock. There is some small stair stepping on the cutoff, but it suits the board. Like I said, you'll use this board as an /instrument/. Not for making sounds of other instruments. This is the K5000s baby - make some noize. By the way, all the knobs for the most useful patch parameters are right on the board. Record them over MIDI. Play them live. And this synth was out there before this whole realtime control fad even started.
Keys - It feels great. Some people have mentionned the black keys are too skinny (ie not full width). This may be true, but I have no problems playing the board. Then again, I'm not a performer - I'm studio based. Check it out, it's probably a personal taste thing.
Summary: I got it for 550$. It serves perfectly as a master controller. It rocks. A few little personality issues, but nothing major. There's too much power here not to like the board. Just don't come with expectations - the K5000 isn't about meeting a specific need of yours. It's about hearing it and going 'man, I've never heard a sound like that. Gimme two.'
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