Trend price : 100€
Cult lo-fidelity synthesizer based on 8-bits short-cycled waveforms.
There are 3 versions:
- K1: 61 keys keyboard (8kg)
- K1M: module version
- K1R: rackmount version
Updated K1 version are: K1 II and K1R II.
Company: Kawai
Model: K1 / K1R / K1M
Dates: 1988
Synthesis: PCM rompler
N.waves: 256 PCM
Resolution: 8 bits
Oscillator: 4
Polyphony: 16 voices
Multitimbric: 8 parts
LFO: 1
Demo: 1
Video: 1
Review
K1 Overview
KEYBOARD 61 keys with velocity and aftertouch.
Main panel features a 16 x 2 lines display, 26 buttons, a data slider, a vector joystick (rackmount lacks it) and 2 wheels for pitch bending and modulation.
Back panel terminal connectors:
-
Midi interface
-
main out
-
AUX out
-
footswitch pedal input
Voice Synthesis
engine manages up to 16 digital oscillators or voices polyphony.
Each K1 voice is composed by a maxium of 4 assigned waves or SOURCES.
Wavetable
ROM contains 256 PCM waves at 8-bits resolution, organized in 2 families:
- 204 VM: cyclic waveforms generated by additive synthesis process out of 128 harmonics
- 52 ACOUSTIC:shots sampled from true percussions & drums
VM synthesis
cyclic wave groups is composed by 2 categories:
- BASIC classic basic waveforms such as square, saw and sinewave.
- FREQUENCY RANGE are spectral transients e.g piano, strings, brass, lead, bell and organ.
Performance
Multitimbric machine handles up to 8 individual parts.
LFO
a single oscillator modulates pitch or amplitude with 4 shapes: triangle, saw, square and random.
Envelope
a 4-segments + 1 time EG DADSR for each source.
The vector joystick controls a global mix amplitude EG moving between 4 oscillators.
Memory
-
64 RAM standard patches
-
32 RAM multitimbral
K1 Review
OK: price / raw sound
NOT : no filter / edit
"The k1 is one of a kind for noisy textures. Don't be fooled by presets and give a good edit! "
Text , review, special demos copyright polynominal.com / Eric Pochesci
