Kawai K1R
Digital Synthesizer Module (1988)

 

Rackmount module version of synthesizer Kawai K1 based on 8-bits short cycled digital waves.

The K1R lacks the original Vector joystick.

RACKMOUNT single unit.
Main panel features a simple 16 x 2 lines LCD and 20 buttons.

Back panel terminal connectors:
- Midi interface
- main signal out
Front panel terminal connectors:
- headphonses
- data card slot.

Power supply is external with 12V DC 500mA.

 

TECH a 8-bits cpu NEC D78310G manages up to 16 oscillators or voices polyphony- relative DAC is a uPD-6355G. Each K1 voice is composed by a maxium of 4 assigned waves or SOURCES with a simple ringmodulator ( fixed depth) which modules the sources

hear ringmodulator

 

WAVETABLE ROM contains 256 waves at 8-bits resolution organized in 2 families:
- PCM acoustics: 52 waves sampled from true percussions & drums.
- VM cyclic waveforms 204 waves: generated by additive synthesis process out of 128 harmonics
composed by 2 sub-categories:

* BASIC classic basic waveforms e.g square, saw and sine. * FREQUENCY RANGE are spectral transients e.g piano, strings, brass, lead, bell and organ. hear all PCM waves / some VM waves

 

PERFORMANCE machine manages up to 8 parts with individual parameters:

- zone assign - voices reserve (priority) - mix gain level - Midi channel assign - semitone transpose - pitch tune.

ENVELOPE a 4-segments + 1 time EG DADSR for each source.
There are 18 preset velocities curves but no possible edit.

The K1r lacks the vector joystick, there are some free sotware that emulates the stick using exclusive systems.

LFO a single modulatr (4 shapes: triangle, sawtooth, square and random) and 2 destinations:

- LFO to pitch - LFO to amplitude HEAR all lfo WAVES

MIDI standard implementation with just a few CC# but full compliant to Midi Exclusives data for both edit and backup.

 

MEMORY:
- 64 RAM standard patches
- 32 RAM multitimbral
RAM is doubled with memory card model DC8, also compatible with DC16 and DC32.

- LEFT - Battery replacement soldered lithium battery 3V Cr-2032

to determine OS firmware version, hold the SYSTEM button while turning on the power ->latest O/S firmware released for the K1r is V1.4.

 

 

EDIT there are some editors like:

- soundquest (mac/pc) PIC - soundiver (mac/pc) - soundlib (pc) - caged artist (Atari ST) PIC - K1 edit (Atari ST) shareware) PIC - Kawai K1 editor (Commodore Amiga) PIC

 

K1 related models:

K1 keyboard version K1M laptop version   K1 II:reverb and new drum waveforms K1 rII rackount version of K1 II minus joystick and effect DSP

 

VST PLUGIN / SAMPLED VERSION there are some free and commercial samples set:

kungrille

free (cycled waves)

 

 

 

VIDEO SELECTION DEMO 2012 demo demo polynominal

DEMO: full track: only K1 full track: by J.Noyce full track: Multi mode 1 ambient: 1 - 2 Vector: strings Synth: 1 - 2 - 3 Noise: 1 - 2 piano: midi - rhodes organ: farfisa like brass: saturday night percussion: Klendathu XP: all PCM waves XP: first VM waves XP: ringmod s1>s2 XP: all LFO waves

MANUAL

FACTORY PATCH

SERVICE MANUAL / SCHEMATICS

original brochure

original brochure

original brochure