Archive for January, 2021

Kurzweil K2700 Synthesizer Workstation

 

Kurzweil has officially introduced the K2700 synthesizer workstation.

 

Kurzweil goes beyond the K2 workstations with the mighty K2700. Is there anything it does not do?

 

The new K2700 is an evolution of Kurzweil’s popular K2 series workstations, and appears to pack a whole lot of functionality into its considerable frame.

 

The K2700 features an 88-note fully-weighted keyboard with aftertouch, along with a 4×4 bank of velocity-sensitive pad triggers, nine sliders, nine knobs and 10 buttons. There is a built-in ribbon controller and widescreen colour display, along with a 16-track internal sequencer, 4.5GB of factory sounds – more than 1,500 factory programs, 700 multi combinations and 13 instrument categories – and 3.5GB of user sample memory. With 256 notes of polyphony, is more than five times that of the previous K2 series model.

 

Powered by an expanded version of the V.A.S.T. (Variable Architecture Synthesis Technology) engine that made its debut in the K2 series, the K2700 offers virtual analogue and FM synthesis, along with organs, pianos and more. Variable Architecture Synthesis Technology (V.A.S.T.) has for decades been recognized as one of the most powerful and flexible platforms for synthesis.

 

The new K2700 has a built-in USB audio interface – you plug in line, instrument and mic sources via the XLR combo inputs. There are balanced audio outputs, and you can also plug in a class-compliant MIDI controller.

 

The Kurzweil K2700 first available date  2nd. June 2021.

 

Kurzweil K2700 88-Note Italian Hammer-Action Keyboard Synthesizer

 

You can find further details on the Kurzweil website.

 

 

 

 

Korg Modwave Wavetable Synthesizer

 

The Korg DW-8000 has returns in the form of the Modwave hybrid wavetable synthesizer and the Kaoss pad is back with new functionality.

Korg has revived yet another classic from its illustrious history and given it the hybrid treatment, with the new Modwave wavetable synthesizer that promises to take the DW legacy and create a  synth with a little help from Motion Sequencing 2.0 and the brand new Kaoss pad modulation.

It is not mind-blowing to see that this looks like it is the third instalment of forward-thinking hybrid synths from Korg that tap into models of yesteryear with modern features, all wrapped up in a now-familiar 37-key chassis.

The Modwave seems to also take on the same ethos as the Wavestate and opsix with plenty of hands-on control and combining deep synthesis with plenty of filtering options and a whole heap of modulation options with the ability to assign four modulation signals with the Kaoss pad, utilising the new Kaoss physics function. In addition, the Modwave synthesis engine seems to be rather deep with 200 wavetables, each containing up to 64 waveforms. The structure allows you to utilise 30+ Modifiers to change the character and 13 Morph Types for realtime processing. Combined with the A/B Blend function, all of this adds up to a dizzying number of wavetable variations, over 230 million to be exact.

Modulation takes up a large part of Modwave architecture with the return of an old friend to help you get more creative results out of the synth. The Kaoss pad is back and Korg has deployed its fabled XY pad controller as a new modulation source. The pad is part of Korg’s new Kaoss Physics feature which models a ball rolling on a surface and/or bouncing off walls. Using the pad you can control the ball, or have it automatically triggered via a Gate + Damper.

If that does not blow your mind enough, you can add more by loading your own custom wavetables in Serum or WaveEdit formats via the Editor/Librarian software. Additionally, the virtual environment allows to either have the walls slow down the movement of the ball, like a cushion or bounce off the walls, accelerating the ball’s movement much like a pinball machine.

The Kaoss Physics alongside Motion Sequencing 2.0 from the Wavestate, make for some very interesting modulation possibilities, especially with a choice of four envelopes and five LFOs onboard.

For more info and full specs check out the Korg website.

The Modwave price and release date are still to be confirmed but, considering the opsix launched with a £799 price tag, we can assume this synth would not differ greatly on that score.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Korg miniKorg 700FS Synthesizer

 

Korg has announced a new synthesizer, the miniKorg 700FS that is a modern nod to past innovation.

 

Korg goes back to its roots (miniKorg 700) with the miniKorg 700FS, a new version of its first analogue synth. The miniKorg 700 released in 1973 was Korg’s first mass-produced analogue synth, and now after almost 50 years later, it is back. The new miniKorg 700FS is actually a revival of the MiniKorg 700S, which was launched in 1974 and added more functionality, but make no mistake, this is Korg going right back to its synth roots.

 

Unique ‘sub keyboard’ can be used for phat leads and basses.

 

Looking back, the miniKorg 700 was a simple and slightly unusual instrument, and the same could be said of this new version, which was designed in collaboration with Fumio Mieda, the creator of the original. A good number of the controls are positioned below the keyboard on the front panel, the theory being that this makes them easy to access when the synth is positioned on top of a main keyboard such as an organ or electric piano. This is because the miniKorg 700 was originally conceived as a sub keyboard – one that might be used for additional lead or bass sounds during a performance. The FS can be used in the same way. While the original miniKorg 700 was a single oscillator monosynth, the S model added a second oscillator, and this is included in the FS version as well. As such, you can create even phatter, detuned sounds. Like the S, the FS has a ring modulator, too.

 

The miniKorg 700FS features that are completely new include a spring reverb effect, a joystick for pitchbend and modulation, and aftertouch on the 37-note keyboard, an arpeggiator, while connectivity includes a USB port, MIDI IN and a CV/Gate In jack. A memory button enables you to store your favourite patches.

 

Perhaps, you are already be familiar with the filter circuit from the miniKorg 700, as it was included in the Volca Keys and Volca Bass. The filter can be tweaked using the unique Traveler controller; this consists of two sliders sitting below the keyboard for adjusting the cut-off frequency. The upper one controls the low-pass filter and the lower one takes care of the high-pass filter.

 

Befitting the vintage feel and look, the miniKorg 700FS comes with a luxurious looking hard case, to enable you to keep it safe when it is out on the road.

 

Find out more on the Korg website. A price and release date are still to be confirmed.