The Great Synth Hunt: The Kurzweil K2000 Synthesizer

I'm so excited to share this new video with you! This time I go on a van trip through the city in search of a very special synthesizer, the revered Kurzweil K2000 which I used to own many years ago. When I finally get it in my studio I give it a proper demo ❤️
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#synthesizers
#KurzweilK2000
#electronicmusic

[@Doctormix]

❤ Unlock the secrets of successful music production with the Music Producer Gold Guide! 👉 GoldGuide.uk

[@BrunoBizarro]

Already there!

[@couchcamperTM]

please do a part two. 🙂

[@davehyper7835]

@@BrunoBizarro Same here! and just got onto the mixing sections and already have learned so much.

[@davehyper7835]

Already half way through it. Wonderful.

[@sophiebride8433]

When the Kurzweil K2000 synthesizers is release Doctor mix ?

[@jasonakagecko]

Definitely reconstruct Robert Miles Children.

[@flyingfrogofdeath9616]

YES!!!!

[@lundsweden]

Lol why are we all thinking the same thing?!

[@halpehalpe]

Yesss do ittt

[@anttiviitamaki6999]

Second that! 😊

[@utr2-h6u]

The bass synth and the other sounds from Kurzweil K2000 such as organ,guitar and pads used in the Children as well

[@Manmademadman]

I'm the (nerd) guy who in 1992 or so learned the VAST architecture and programmed so many sounds (over 5000) for the K2x00 series that I started a monthly subscription for them. It's an embarrassing world record. But the K2000 is perhaps the most capable DSP based synthesizer ever made.

[@wackerburg]

That's very interesting! What about the most recent Waldorf machines, such as the Iridium and Quantum? They seem to have a lot of horsepower.

[@Manmademadman]

@@wackerburg It likely has MORE DSP power, but I know of no modern synths that have the capability of freely stacking DSP blocks in a series to make a whole new synthesizer architecture. The Waldorfs are great synths on their own for their own reasons (like putting digital waveforms into various filter topologies)

[@d.g.f.7056]

I can definitely second this, I am a fairly new hardware synth nerd guy, like started a year or two ago now, and ended up getting two k2000r synths somehow for fairly cheap considering the more recent prices, like $500 for both them. They are by far the most powerful synths I think I've used probably only matched by my E6400 ultra. The amount of flexibility it gives you is unmatched, and to think that later on with the K2600r they gave you algorithms that had three layers and every preset could have upto 32 layers...you can't match that kinda power and that not even mentioning it's a sampler you really can't go wrong with these machines.

[@wackerburg]

@@d.g.f.7056 Thank you for this input! I think one really has to dive into this VAST synthesis model and would be rewarded 🙂 Maybe I will in the future.

[@otisobl]

@@Manmademadman "but I know of no modern synths that have the capability of freely stacking DSP blocks in a series to make a whole new synthesizer architecture." That would be the Nord Modular series. I had the K2000, much prefer the NMG2 for such endeavors.

[@piotrwyrw]

It was great! Please do a part 2!

[@slash196]

It doesn't matter if the piano sound is convincing at this point. It's such an incredibly 90s sound. It's perfect for creating that mood.

[@DouglasRosser]

Please do a part 2! And then loan it to Alex Ball so he can do a deep-dive into the history and heritage of Kurzweil synths!

[@Zwopper]

Yes PLEASE lend it to Alex!!! ❤️

[@gunark]

I think even Alex might have a big task doing a deep dive that involves Ray Kurzweil.

[@pixelee3890]

That would be amazing

[@АлександрЛапченко-н4е]

Well all Kurzweil‘s synths are timeless und fine.

[@ChristianFernandoPerucchi]

we want a part 2!

[@thejollyjoker187]

Three thoughts about this video: 1. When the first note from "Acoustic piano" hit my ears, all of Rick Wright's piano work on the Division Bell album passed before my psyche. 2. I think I would speak for everyone if I'd request that you put more footage from your early days.. the snippets in here were amazing to behold. 3. The rabbit hole of deconstructing oldies with the original synth sounds may consume your existence.. it is a very dangerous path, tread carefully.

[@_OopsieDaisies]

The act of toning down your weird wackiness when meeting someone to buy stuff then immediately geeking out once you're in the van is SO recognizable and relatable

[@michaelsmithers177]

Please do a part 2. This brings back memories for me. In 1993 took a $6k bank loan to buy a K2000 w sampling options, sold it ~10 years later and I now I'm buying Kurzweil's again; I've repaired and fully loaded two K1000's and added a new K2700! I think I have a K problem. :-)

[@panageo121]

So many famous sounds among those presets. The guitar sound of "Till I Come" by ATB and the lead sound of "I feel you" by Schiller are some examples.

[@volfinko]

Older synthesizers had a much nicer design than today's. It was very nice not only for the ears but also for the eyes.

[@SPAZZOID100]

Except in this case as the K2000 interface was awful.

[@byteborg]

The K2000 and K2500 were outstanding instruments in their time and still are today.

[@RWPproject]

and K2600 with KDFX. Sounds a lot expensiver tha with the old Digiteck chipe the used in the K2000 and K2500 ;)

[@byteborg]

@@RWPproject I never had the chance to play a K2600, but I used external effects with the K2500 (Fireworks and such)

[@torbenanschau6641]

@@RWPproject The KDFX was available for the 25 already but extremely hard to come by. Cheaper to get a 26.

[@hassejansson]

now we're talking, the best live synth workstation ever....

[@zannakrivuneca4270]

Yes sir, definitely need to recreate one of the most popular tracks of the 2000's - Children.

[@Hugues1961]

Doctor Mix, my favorite KZbin channel with my favorite keyboard brand The dream team!

[@zombieman81]

PLEASE DO A PART 2 :) Children would be interesting - I really loved Fable, the follow-up...

[@DiegoooTech]

This unit is cold and warm at the same time. Pretty peculiar. Unique for sure. You can' t really obtain that in a plugin. It's something about converters, amplification and preamplification. Very beautifull. And yeah deconstruct it and do a part 2. This k2000 worth it imho.

[@Mind-your-own-beeswax]

It’s funny how certain sounds take you back to an era. I had the M1 and that piano sound was everywhere in the 90s

[@keithbroughton4476]

It's so great to watch someone have such enthusiasm and fun finding a connection with an "old friend".

[@zamdee]

K2000 is definitely in my bucket list! I heard it on a music store when I was young and fell in love instantly!

[@mykindom666]

I'm glad I have a k2600. Seeing this instrument really makes me appreciate how far along kurzweil has come

[@svenjonsson4275]

Please do a part 2, you still have so many wonderful sounds left to explore.

[@flyingfrogofdeath9616]

Seriously, there's only one channel that makes me smile when I see an upload notification. Its Doctor Mix

[@Doctormix]

👏🎉🙏

[@madness8556]

I absolutely loved playing the K2000S in my university's recording studio when I was studying my music degree in the early 90s. I had a Korg T3EX and the Kurzweil and Korg mixed together was truly magical. The acoustic instrument programs in the Kurzweil left everything for dead at that time such as the piano, EPs, solo trumpet, acoustic and electric guitar programs etc. It was a very deep synth to program and its effects architecture was a bit limiting but Kurzweil improved them in newer generations of their instruments. Keep up the great work and you're a fabulous player with a great personality and charisma!

[@lo-firobotboy7112]

As a Pink Floyd fan, I remember the K2000 being heavily promoted/linked with the Division Bell tour.

[@Peter_S_]

Good enough for Rick, good enough for my wildest dreams.

[@SamLowryDZ-015]

That was also down to the On the Run patch created for it - where it plays the whole piece from a single key press - and it's not sequenced but all using the VAST engine envelopes and lfos

[@lo-firobotboy7112]

@@SamLowryDZ-015 Someone at Kurzweil must have been friends with someone from the Pink Floyd camp.

[@SamLowryDZ-015]

@@lo-firobotboy7112 I believe the patch was created by Sweetwater employee Daniel Fisher - you can still find it on-line although it doesn't work properly on anything after the K2661 as the internal architecture was changed and the I never managed to get the backward compatibility function to load it correctly.

[@lo-firobotboy7112]

@@SamLowryDZ-015 Bummer. It's always fun to recreate that song in the studio whenever I get a new vintage synth. I have the sequence stored on a couple hardware sequencers and will use it to test gear or just run it for fun while I tweak knobs.

[@pixelee3890]

PLEASE DO A PART 2!!! I recently was gifted a K2000 as my first keyboard and i’m in love with it. Seeing you play it makes me so happy!

[@Megab00b00]

Please do a Part 2, as always, thanks for another great video.

[@johnharris1846]

loved when you asked the seller if he'd been making music for a long time and his reply was "I just love sound" that was perfect!

[@CesarPantoja0]

I believe the entire (or certainly most) of Children and the whole Dreamland album, was composed and/or produced in the K2000 by Robert Miles. Definitely try to recreate it 😁

[@agodeo]

Please make a part 2 and this time please don't forget the controller fader all the way down. It does all the great tricks!! I still have my K2000, since 1994. Loved the video!!

[@k5v1nv]

Absolutely awesome, just love your enthusiasm. Please do a part 2.

[@guidoseifert5679]

Sold my K2000 years ago - good luck i saved the 500 mb(!) harddisk. Last year a broken k2000 passed in here, after cleaning and restoring i upgraded it with SCSI2SD and refilled it with my old backups. Fantastic machine, fantastic video.

[@Adam-Y-Trancer]

This was just the right video to start out my dang afternoon!!! That enthusiasm and joy that was brought, by the synth/workstation: PRICELESS!!! I too agree, even for today's standard, the sounds are still pretty incredible!!! I'm down to see what good music you will create this synth, once more!!

[@Jose_T131]

7:33 just back to memories . Great video Claudio. DECONSTRUCT IT

[@andrewblackburn1426]

Used a K1000 in the early 1990s in college, mostly for the piano tone. Sounded really good for the time.

[@jeremymoyse]

I think one of the great fun tricks on Kurzweils back then was using a Sostenuto pedal, holding a sound and then changin patch and building layers in real time

[@EDMclassics]

PLEASE DO A PART 2 - smash that like button everyone 👍👍👍😀❤️

[@germanshepherdlover2613]

Doctor Mix, your love of life and music is infectious....we need more people like you on this planet. Love the Kurzweil stuff. Had K1000, PC2x and PC3x

[@dwaynejperry]

Please please... Do a part 2. This thing sounds amazing!

[@matthewgiven3482]

Still have my K2VX. Will never give it up. Glad you got yours back.😄

[@Grooveboxin]

I didn’t even know I wanted a synth until I started watching your videos, so thanks!

[@GJSolo]

I actually f#@$ing love that piano sound!!!!!

[@JeromeSkorzec]

It's always a good day when we get a Dr.Mix Vlog of buying gear! And the sounds of this are iconic, I would deconstruct everything😂 Maybe even something from After Hours Ritual?👀

[@Doctormix]

ha! Maybe one day

[@j.stribling2565]

You zeroed in on the same word I have always applied to this instrument over several decades: USEABLE! Yes! That is why I still treasure my K2000R. I can't begin to describe the number of pieces of commercial work I've done where it was the sole sound source.

[@larsuk9578]

Great video! As you said, there is more to just the sound and it’s the experience and the connection to the instrument. Kurzweil are classy instruments and deserve more credit! More please! 😀

[@larsuk9578]

And btw (shameless plug 😊), I did a tutorial video recently for the K2000/K2500: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5mviGCfjtBkfbc

[@mistergrooveman1018]

Was in l.A in 95 in music institut !! Amazing !! I Saw pattettucci with chico rea in catalina !! Chicko was so smart élégant and gentleman !! 😢 I was lucky ! Always good vibes from you thanks BROs !! The k2000 and the asr10 ensoniq !! Best d’ampleurs ever !! 👌👌👌

[@SpamMouse]

"Doctor Mix On The Road" - damn this is a whole new channel in the making, talking about music and to music people outside the studio, in the car, in a café and the synth-factory-floor. A possible rebranding/rebirth of your Vlog-Sunlightsquare Channel ? Marching boldly into 2023 with a pounding beat & funky rhythm. 🎹+ 🎹+ 🎹= 😎

[@hansjanssen3364]

Great episode, and cool to see you played with Pattituci and Weckl! Please do a part 2.

[@ABC-rh7zc]

I was also curius about that and then discovered that the album seems to have been pulled from Spotify, Qobuz and Tidal but it still on Apple Music

[@hansjanssen3364]

@@ABC-rh7zc Maybe Discogs?

[@ABC-rh7zc]

@@angelog.spicolaiii8021 It's Patitucci. Have a look at the CD cover next time before spouting nonsense :)

[@GS-uy4xo]

I had to sell my beloved K2000RS in 2017 to move abroad, it was quite a workhorse with the 10 outputs - truly awesome gear!!

[@leaningtower73]

Please do a part 2! K2000 was also used a lot by Rick Wright from Pink Floyd

[@ismail_uysal]

I have a Kurzweil K2500X with 88 heavy keys and using it since 1997 (now 26 years) and never changed. Created a lot of music with the internal sounds. Currently not using the internal sounds anymore only as MIDI Keyboard in my modern studio. Never seen this kind of 88 heavy keys in other MIDI devices. I have 100% Piano feeling. Love my Kurzweil 🙂

[@juliebabygirl]

I have this keyboard in my studio, but haven't used it for years...? It's an amazing piece of gear! And it just sounds sooo warm! Gotta hook it up again :)

[@patkelly8309]

Get it hooked up man!

[@juliebabygirl]

@@patkelly8309 Yes sir, will do! :P

[@patkelly8309]

@@juliebabygirl Thats it Good soldier

[@BoStarWizard]

I always Went to the Guitar Center in Covina (out side of LA) and drool over the K2000 But the price was out of Reach. Then I got a New K2vx in 2001. Damm Took so Long!!! I still love it Today!!!

[@ponchostoybox]

You should do a live stream or set of you jamming in your studio using various synths. I'd listen too that for sure

[@notuern]

I have a Kurzweil K2000 v3 SMP-K with a functioning CD-drive and sample CD's. It's a beautiful piece of equipment for sure!

[@KurzweilMusicSystems-]

Kurzweil K2700 also very Cool!

[@getitcaptured]

Would be really interesting to hear him play the K2700... Kurzweil has a rich history, Love the sound of the K2000

[@robertbyrne522]

Thank you for a really cool video I'm so glad you found your K2000. I have a K2000 that I bought back in 1995 and I converted it to a K2VX myself. I love that keyboard unfortunately mine is a little sick right now. I did buy a K2661 as well. I've done many gigs with my K2000 and I'm in the process of restoring mine. I remember when I got my first Kurzweil K2000, I was telling everybody even people I didn't know "I got a new keyboard!" Thank you again for this really cool video and please make a part 2. 😊

[@barlypop]

Playing the original instrument gives you a vibe no plugin could ever give. Great video and deconstructed it 👍

[@Zebulon94]

What's amazing about this machine is what they managed to do with so little internal PCM memory (8MB). I have owned this machine several times (K2000, K2000VP, K2000R, K2500R, ...) and still have a K2600R full option today. The synthesis possibilities are enormous and he was really ahead of his time. It does not cost much on the second-hand market and yet it remains a very complete machine and still interesting today. Great buy Claudio 😉

[@righteouswhippingstick]

K2VX. never stopped wanting this beast. used one of twenty of these in a lab at Indiana University. A complete BEAST

[@nicholasoreilly3176]

Please do a Part 2! :-)

[@thegrindlab]

I was a member of the Kurzweil IRC channel in the early 90s. We had a K2000 patch exchange and even had patch creation challenges. I really miss my old K2.

[@jeffevansmusic]

New banks of sounds are coming out now for the K2000 by the way. People are pushing the depth and power of VAST way further now than ever before. These new sounds are sublime and seriously amazing. Sounds like a completely new synth. There is something almost spiritual about the K2000. Only very few synths make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up and the K2000 is one of them. There is something very special about it. The K2500 also has the magic but the K2600 moved away from the sound a bit. They changed the OS. The K2600 wont load a lot of K2000 patches either. I have compared all three models by the way and the K2000 wins hands down.

[@DonnieSmooth]

Can you link to any of those mentioned?

[@MrSmithUK]

Having owed a few k2000s over the years, I finally settled on the k2500 because it was compatible with k2000 sound libraries. Love it!

[@cosmosynthesizer]

Just bought a K2000r V3 with SD card (again, I had the K2000 Keyboard and sold it years ago). I’ll never never ever sell it again! It’s a warm, magic full sound Maschine and the Presets I have are the best I’ve ever had and heard (analog Synthesizers, Pianos, Leads, full Oberheim Pads). And I had a lot of synths! Nothing comes close to the Kurzweil. This is a keeper like the TG77, DX7, Emu Sampler and Pro2.

[@v8nagrom]

I don't know if you are into rave or not but an RMB - Spring deconstruction would be flawless. That's a tough one.

[@Doctormix]

I do rave 🕺🤣

[@patkelly8309]

@@Doctormix got any salmon? Sorted ;

[@petertakacs3180]

Yes, great idea. also it could be easy, s Rolf himself "de"- and reconstructed it 2 years ago on his YT channel :) But it it was already taken, the second best RMB song, Experience is also must with those massive piano sounds

[@v8nagrom]

@@petertakacs3180 I can't find any reconstruction of Spring. Could you provide a link, please? :)

[@petertakacs3180]

@@v8nagrom Probably not a full reconstruct, but try this one :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5mXl4l5a8d0eNU

[@ruaraidhmcdonald-walker9524]

Kurts VILE. Epic LA hair Claudio!!!! Definitely recreate Children! 90s FAVE!

[@svenjonsson4275]

This synrh had a place in my synth rig for SO long, I love It and It brings so many memories alive! THANK YOU CLAUDIO

[@WayneMusicianUK]

Can’t believe how amazing it sounds !! Part 2 please!! Sounds so clean and not like a 30 + year old board!

[@Maxxarcade]

I'm currently rebuilding one of these. New capacitors, new modern LCD, and an SD card reader in place of the floppy. It's impressively powerful for it's age! But mine has a very brittle case, and several of the internal screw anchor points have needed to be glued back on. My next experiment will be NVRAM to try eliminating the need for batteries.

[@pavadmin2436]

Please, Claudio, part2, 3 and for the rest of our lives sounds, gigs and your amazing improvisations!!! We love you for this, loving to ENJOY YOR JOY! And please REconsrtruct "Children"! Happy Kurzweil to You! :)

[@keyboard11111]

i have a kurzweil k 2600s for almost 20 years and i love it !!!

[@MattiasHolmgren]

OMG, yeah I always wanted the K2000 since Jordan Rudess of DT was using it.Great video and playthrough of some lovely themes we all recall!😄

[@j.stribling2565]

Jordan Rudess will make you want to buy whatever he's playing! 🤣

[@mabillama]

He auctioned his k2vx back in 2003 or 2004. Fully loaded. I had it for 4 or 5 years and then I sold it. I was young and it was my first synth ever and up until today, I regret getting rid of it... VAST is such a powerful engine.

[@MattiasHolmgren]

@@mabillama looking at the latest Kurzweil and getting GAS. 😂😄🤘

[@TheAtomstrike]

I saw this synthesizer at the Informatics in Life USA exhibition in Moscow in 1988. K2000 blew my mind

[@lllecky1974]

Love it. I still got my K2000R

[@jonhollandjazz]

Please do a part 2. Playing random things whilst preset cycling is one of life's pleasures

[@balazsbarabas3514]

Man it is so moving to see your joy when redescovering old stuff. And Dave was such a warm dude too!

[@rannygramonstudios153]

The k2000 is spectacular. I would also like to mention the ensoniq MR 61/76

[@velikuparin483]

Yes go for it‼️😄 You may reconstruct.

[@nutROn77]

you've really hit a mark with this one ol buddy ol pal. great work ! and big YES to recreating any music by Mr Miles .. I'll prepare myself to cry once again and again and again and again and again .

[@danafiorucci83]

My live rig in the 90's was one of these and a Korg 01/WFD. Much like you I sold them both at one point and a couple years ago bought rack mount versions of both.

[@ShrKhAan]

Always a Joy to hear you, Do de 2nd part Kurzweil allover, cheers !

[@jemkeystv5717]

My favorite synth of all time, bought one in “91” and gigged with it 14 years until it stopped working, still own it and am always looking for another one in good shape, most keyboard players have no idea what kurzweils are capable of when it comes to sound creation

[@davidg7136]

Dr Mix! OMG I haven't seen a video from you in a while, it's so to see you on my TV today. Even my wife loves to watch your videos with me lol she's not a musian. Cheers from Chicago, IL

[@denergodok]

Ahhh, yess! I got a Kurzweil K2661 and a PC3K-8 at my home and I love them both! They're really versatile and able to give you sooo many ideas when playing around with them. I've spent countless hours doing so and I have so much fun each time! So I'm just gonna say it, please do a part 2 and DECONSTRUCT IT!!

[@rektagon1547]

Amazing delicate quality to the piano sound in the higher register. Evokes a different emotion than a real piano, which is the best thing about samplers.

[@enochroot9438]

looking forward to seeing part two where Hainbach turns up to buy all those analog tape reels from Dave...

[@DJ-ALIXX]

have the K2000R ; still an awesome sampler today ! Ps : there is a secret pong game on it ! 🤫

[@JulianRequejo]

this was a nice trip back in time. Thanks Claudio! And definitely DECONSTRUCT IT!

[@blacktempo77]

Whoa....Dave and John!!! Much respect to You and Them 🙂👍

[@yanngascard6199]

Reconstruct it and part 2 definitely! 😍

[@EmilSaks]

Oh Yeah! Proud owner since 1998. Amazing synth still!

[@evertmeurs]

Awesome! I love the piano sound of the k2000. Brings back many memories.

[@leebenningfield]

So cool that you played with Dave Weckl on your first album! I've only been watching your videos recently but never checked out your older music.

[@suehunt622]

yes yes yes and yes.............. decontstruct it....... pretty please , do a part 2 as well, pretty please again. love you

[@OldTooly]

PLLLLLEEEEEAAASSSEEE do part2. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@calmmusicforsleep]

Great review! Awesome Kurzweil! Amazing sounds! Thanks for sharing! Have a great weekend

[@karlvincent]

amazing sounds!!

[@onemanwent4059]

Pure joy seeing you reunited with your Kurzweil. Definitely deconstruct Robert Miles - Children Claudio please 🙏

[@ChrisOBrien666]

The K-2000 was a great machine, I had the rack mount version and remember having to order the SCSI interface so I could install an internal drive.

[@evan_ack]

Part 2!!! Similar to the D50 video. I still go back and watch that one sometimes

[@Rose_Arcana]

We all love your playing... BUT what this synth needs is a deep sound dive. I think it would be cool if you did some programming and show off some of your own sounds. I have the Kurzweil K2000VP and the K2vx and now I know not to sell them, Thank You for that!

[@travisguide4516]

I’ve always craved one of these just to feel a quality piece of music history it screams nostalgia