New Kurzweil PC3K to offer 128M of User Sample Memory

This one in via Gregory Shiff. First the official press release:

"New Kurzweil PC3K Combines Game-Changing Technology with K Series Sample Library

Waltham MA - Kurzweil Music Systems proudly announces the release of the PC3K keyboard, expanding the PC3 line to include key new features along with backwards compatibility with the legendary K Series product line.

In addition to all of the innovative features that made the PC3 a major success, the PC3K features 128 MB of non-volatile user sample memory. Utilizing a breakthrough in sample flash technology, the PC3K allows user samples to remain intact after a power-cycle, with zero load time upon powering back on. The PC3K can load .WAV files, but more importantly, it can load legacy Kurzweil .K files from the K2000, K2500 and K2600 keyboards. This opens up a whole new world of sonic possibilities; users can now combine the PC3K's unmatched Dynamic V.A.S.T. synthesis engine with the staggering library of K Series samples generated by users and developers alike for over 15 years.

Along with K Series samples, the PC3K will support the importing of most K Series keymaps, programs and setups, providing seamless integration for existing K series customers and an enticingly large collection of sounds for new Kurzweil users to explore. From Broadway performers and high profile pop stars to working players, the PC3K will allow musicians who've relied on Kurzweil for years to continue using their sounds with the next generation of our technology, without having to start over from scratch.

Mike Papa, Kurzweil National Sales Manager for American Music and Sound, couldn't be more thrilled. "This is the breakthrough the industry has been waiting for - the added value of 18 years' worth of K Series sound development is simply immeasurable. It's mind-blowing to think that artists can continue to build upon the body of work they've been creating for just under two decades, when most other manufacturers require users to re-invent the wheel each time a new platform is introduced."

In addition to the ability to load samples, the PC3K offers basic sample editing and full keymap editing. Of course, all of the features and presets that made the PC3 so popular are present as well; anti-aliasing VA oscillators, improved KB3 Mode, Classic Keys, Orchestral and String Sections sound sets, the renowned Kurzweil Grand Piano, Cascade Mode, 16 independent Riffs and arpeggiators, Song Mode and QA mode, unparalleled MIDI control, and the list goes on.

Another major improvement added to the PC3K is the inclusion of a USB host port to support the use of thumb-drives for data loading and storage as well as OS updates."

------- END of Press Release -------

You might be wondering why only 128M. Gregory wrote in with a link to a post by a Dave Weiser of Kurzweil on the sonikmatter forum here. After a little joking on page 3 Dave replies to someone asking the question with the following:

"It's much easier to provide larger sample memory in a system that's less complex than ours.

Consider this - as Keyboard Magazine described, the impetus for this product (or at least a major part of it) was the request from Andrew Lloyd Weber's group for a K26 replacement for their upcoming sequel to Phantom.

Their keyboard guy/orchestrator told me that they TRIED to use other products - the Fantom, the Motif, the Receptor.... but nothing provided the depth and flexibility of features found in the K26 and PC3K. You just can't do the same kind of detailed programming on those other products that you can do on a Kurz. Weber's request proves this more than anything I can say.

The point of this product was to get a K26 replacement out the door as quickly as possible, without causing delays to the other projects that we have coming in the next 1-2 years.

Note that I refer to other projects that are coming next year and the year after, and so on...

The PC3K is not the last board we [will] ever make.

For now, just try to think of our sample memory vs our competitors' like human years vs dog years! :P

And remember... ours is non-volatile - that was more of a priority for this product than memory size."

You can see the thread via the link above for a relatively positive reaction to this decision. Some additional notes from Dave on the thread:

"Some more info.....

No upgrade for the PC3 unfortunately.
The PC3 and its hardware are two years old - the PC3K required some changes.
That's just how it had to be.

Like I had said many times before, the PC3 was not the last keyboard we were going to make.

Compatibility with K samples will be %100.
Compatibility with K programs will be more like 80%, since there are some DSP algs and samples in the K that the PC3 doesn't have.

We will be recommending the Chicken Systems translator to allow the use of other formats.

The PC3K will have wooden end-caps - our distributors are thrilled about this.

We're hoping that the non-volatile aspect of the flash memory will really be a plus for live players.

And like I've said about the PC3..... the PC3K will not be the last keyboard we develop.
We've got a long range plan in place now with more cool products coming over the next few years in a number of different price ranges. The PC3K is just the latest step as we continue to grow."

followed by:

"Hoping to have this released by March.
Could be sooner, could be later.... I'll post when I have better info.

PC3K will be 100% compatible with PC3 files.

I believe that .K26 programs loaded into a PC3K can be saved as a .PC3 file and loaded into a PC3 - but you will not be able to load samples EVER into a PC3, just programs.

MSRP for the 88 should be around $4K US - the street price will be a good bit lower, probably mid 3's.

Actions - same as PC3 line:
61 note TP9
76 note TP8 semi-weighted
88 note TP40L hammer-weighted"