KAWAI K1: Filthy Vintage Digital Tones From The 80's

The Kawai K1 is a filthy gorgeous vintage synth from 1988 that was designed to compete with the digital synths at the time, but come in at a lower price point.
As such it sounds dirty AF in the best way possible and I can't wait to try this synth live on the channel for the first time in front of you guys!
Invite vapor wave bae's 👾
►SYNTH PLAYLIST: • SYNTHESIZERS - Vintage...
►Vintage Digital Pad Sample Pack: vultureculture...

[@bluesness]

I cant believe noone mentioned how some of these sounds would be right at home on Talk Talk's first two albums...Also there's some Kate Bush moodiness with some of these patches.... awesome, dramatic 80s cheese to be had here. Sleeper synth where, while not every sound is perfect, theres more than enough very usable patches to pull off Dark Wave, Goth Pop, EDM, Lo Fi beats, 80's throwback Pop, 8 Bit, Chip Tune, Glitch Pop, Soundtracks for 80's style programming, Video Game music etc ...just picked one up at a steal for $80. I can see these synth gaining in value in the next 10-15 years.

[@VultureCulture]

It's a totally underated synth with such a unique sound!

[@GeorgeL909]

So many of these patches just scream "Make dungeon synth with me!!!" then scurries off into the forest with your loot making you have to go on an annoying side quest to retrieve it.

[@VultureCulture]

Hahahahahahha I've never heard a more accurate description

[@Rsonixtunes]

This comment is awesome lol

[@BRAVETHECOLD]

Wanted to add: If you can find some of the SOUND SOURCE UNLIMITED sounds. That Platinum collection was crazy good. Transformed my K1 back in the day. Unreal programming.

[@vjreimedia]

There is a free VST of the K1 with all those sounds.

[@davelordy]

Cheers ! Sounds great.

[@starspark3151]

All of those sounds are available with the K1 plugin emulator by Nils Schneider, endorsed by Kawai.

[@VultureCulture]

Really awesome plugin

[@TheJesterboy1969]

And you can transfer patches from the plug in to your k1!

[@VultureCulture]

@TheJesterboy1969 that's so awesome

[@starspark3151]

Nils Schneidar is behind the first developments of Motorola DSP56300 emulators (Virus, MicroQ, VirusTi...). He's an awesome guy.

[@jamesdavis8945]

Weird lol. So yesterday I posted on your DW-8000 Blade Runner because I finally got one back in my possession. But, along with that purchase she offered me a K1 for $75 and a Randall bass amp for another $75. So here I am again watching your videos. The K1 never interested me but after this video it may be worth playing with. Anyway. I'm a new subscriber... Synthwave baddass rocking a stellar beard with Giger artwork in the studio warrants my respect. Awesome videos my friend 🖤🖤🖤

[@VultureCulture]

The Dw-8000 and K1 is such a sick vintage combo! I'm glad my videos are useful to you! Thanks for subscribing to the channel and watching, it really helps 🙏

[@AlineKiler123321]

Thanx Culture Vulture i haven't been able to take out my synths out of the closet for 5 month, just pure lazy but as I first watched you tested the polysix vs AkaiX60 and now this video about the gritty lowfi but sometimes magic/spooky pad type vocal multi sound pads plus more I gonna sit down with my proteus 2000 korg minilogue plus some effectpedals and just search for make some new ones just play and enjoy once again. Thanx once more fore your fun and inspiring videos. TAO FROM SWEDEN

[@VultureCulture]

You're very welcome 🙏🙏 what a great setup you have

[@CKT1138]

"Visitors" sounds really good when the stick is disabled. It's gimmicky still but pretty good

[@lundsweden]

I think the K1 was my 2nd digital, after my CS1X. I remember they couldn't give these things away in the late 90s/early 2000s. The manager of the pawn shop just about begged me to take it, was it around $100? Seems about right. I thought it wasn't too bad for the price, a very compact little keyboard too.

[@VultureCulture]

They still go for only about $200

[@mightyV444]

I reckon the CS-1x is far superior, though. Also for the fact that sounds are way easier to edit and also to modify via twiddling with knobs while playing 😊

[@DeliriumElectric]

I have the K1mk II. I love sending it through my Xone92 mixer and using some of the filters. Sequenced from my drum machine and you can get some really fun things happening. I've been listening to Korg WaveState demos and there's some K1'esque vibes on there.

[@VultureCulture]

That's awesome! It really does benefit from an analog filter!

[@theaudioeng]

Yeah me too, have a Mk2 in the garage I think still ..... after VC's demo drop here, I'm gonna fish that beauty out now to dig back in from the end 80's!! (Does it have a coin battery though...?! 😬💀).

[@bionicbeatz1]

Great buy at $200. My first synth. Lots of 3rd party patches out there that really make it shine . These days I’m using the Nils plugin as well as a K1rIi.

[@VultureCulture]

How do you think the plugin compares?

[@bionicbeatz1]

Hey VultureCulture. I really do like the plugin. In a mix, it's really solid. Plus, you get all of the factory cards too. Pretty much a no-brainer. There are some slight differences on some of the patches but nothing has come as close, in my opinion.

[@vjreimedia]

I had that synth in early 90s, late 80s. Amazing! There was this line of synths for those who couldn't afford the expensive ones. So this was the one when you were not able to get a DX7 or D50 or M1. You get a K1 or Roland D5. One band that used this synth all over is The Dream Academy. This keyboard just needs an effect processor and then you will see. It works in the mix. Is weak but the sounds are very very helpful. I got mine back in the day for $400 I think. And I used to see them for $120. I would never pay $400 for it.

[@VultureCulture]

That's awesome! I love the shit out of this synthesizer. Any other underated gems from that era?

[@magusreaver]

I wish they were still in the buisness. The K1 was my first synth, and I got a K5000-S around 99 then nothing ever again. :( I made so much industrial madness with that k1 in the mid90s. I wish I still had one.

[@VultureCulture]

I love that brittle, grainy sound! I have a k5000s too but it doesn't give me that character I love (plus I have no idea how to program it lol)

[@magusreaver]

@@VultureCulture emagic sounddiver used to be the golden ticket. I still haven't forgiven Apple for that.

[@CKT1138]

I want a K5000 so bad but it's pretty hard to get a deal on one I'm comfortable with

[@VultureCulture]

They're still a mystery to me mostly. Hard to recommend one way or the other

[@CKT1138]

@@VultureCulture essentially it's Kawai's additive wavetable synthesis on steroids, plus resonant filters and a bunch of other insane engine features, mated to a high quality chassis, screen, and keybed.

[@BRAVETHECOLD]

God I miss my K1. Dad bought it for me at Kawai in Columbus Oh (no longer there). I really got into editing it. I was 13? Maybe 1990? The K4 had just came out but it was too much to afford for him.

[@VultureCulture]

The K1 is an amazing synth! And if you can program it that is quite impressive!

[@Triplechorus2]

Good Daddy! It was also my first synth in 1988, but I was 18/19 then. Those sounds are burnt deeply into my brain…😂 I sold it in 1992, but missed it and bought a K1r in mint condition from eBay in 2005 which I have until today. Greetings from Germany!🇩🇪🤝

[@VultureCulture]

@Triplechorus2 cheers 🇩🇪🇩🇪🇩🇪

[@lundsweden]

My Dad just gave me a dirty look when I asked for a synth! 😅

[@Rsonixtunes]

This is a blast. Man, you should test drive a K3. I love mine, and they are still inexpensive- $400 for a nice one. Have the K1m too - identical patches to the board version w the joystick.

[@VultureCulture]

I absolutely love the Kawai K3, one of my favorite synths! We did a livestream on it a couple weeks after the K1: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYGbhZuKZpaincU

[@natevizzi2901]

I have a K11 .... if you have patience you can really get some great stuff out of the Kawai synths its a pity they don't make them anymore

[@VultureCulture]

Agreed!

[@kaivrock]

I had one in the 90s. I got some very unique sounds that I’d use for R&B. I heard Herbie Hancock used one in the 80s

[@VultureCulture]

I didn't know that!

[@lundsweden]

Herbie with a K1? Possible I guess, but I've never seen a photo of him with it. But he probably had a lot of gear back then!

[@vjreimedia]

Is not by timbral, you can have 8! Layers/ sounds at the same time. In Multi mode, you have splits and some sounds just via midi from the sequencer. The problem is having just 8 notes polyphony.

[@jennoscura2381]

I just ordered one of these on EBay. For $156.29 with shipping and tax I couldn't resist. I love digital synths from the 80s. I currently have a Yamaha: DX7, FB-01, PSS-680; Roland: D-5 and D-110. Now I will add Kawai to my collection. I also want a Korg M1 at some point. I want all the major flavors of digital synthesis from the 80s.

[@VultureCulture]

That's so awesome! I too am a huge fan of that vintage digital sound, and none sounds more nostalgic than the K1 to me!

[@jennoscura2381]

@@VultureCulture I love working with "crappy" Lo-Fi instruments. The 8 bit grit of the K1 should work great for industrial type EDM. Now I just that Kawai 50e industrial drum machine to go with it. It would be a fun challenge to make an industrial track with just those two instruments.

[@VultureCulture]

I just released a 249 one shot sample pack created from the R-50 for free for members of this channel if you want it 🤘

[@jennoscura2381]

@@VultureCulture Groovy! However I prefer hardware rather than samples. In general I prefer working with hardware. I have some nice free VST synths like Vital. But I rarely use them. I prefer my hardware synths and romplers. So I am going to dig around for an R-50e. I am kicking myself in the ass for not getting that 50 III as soon as I found it on eBay while watching your vid on it. Oh well.

[@VultureCulture]

You can always load those samples into whatever hardware you get in the future! Just a thought 😉

[@kevinhartmann7887]

In the old Days it's called "Poor Mans Fairlight"

[@VultureCulture]

And it can really sound great!

[@lundsweden]

Saarrrrahhh

[@jeremiahstraker1523]

Sweet channel aye, Kia Ora from Aotearoa - very pleased with the review/demo. Quite a personality and ear, infectious ruckus . Just scored this synth for a $100NZ. Bonus right. Is your K1 a 10V adapter, have you tried a standard 9v by chance? Many thanks & looking forward to subscribing and having a squiz at your other work/content.

[@VultureCulture]

I actually believe I have the original 12 volt adapter

[@johndominick67]

I had the K1 II and just loved it. I'd like to find another, but I can't. Actually, there were a couple selling from Japan on Ebay, but are now about 3x what I paid for mine way back when, lol!

[@VultureCulture]

I've heard the K1 ii is even better!

[@madcommodore]

Reminds me of the ambient music in The X-Files towards the start of the vid

[@VultureCulture]

I'm obsessed with the X-files, have you check out my stream on the Proteus Plus Orchestral Mark Snow used to score the show? kzbin.infoAMq7JTK89ps?si=0D-C3_7uCYQNonSK

[@jfracine_composition]

Do you like the K4 with filter and 16bit, or the 8bit of the K1 is key to the magic ?

[@VultureCulture]

I haven't had the chance to check out the K4 yet! I have a feeling I would like it too, I love that early 90's rompler sound. No doubt what makes the K1 special is that 8 bit low fi sound trying to sound like a D-50

[@pauloyoshizaki2103]

KAWAI : K1 - VINTAGE : SINTESYZER - DIGITAL : TOP - SINTESYZER - KAWAI : 2023 .

[@vincebu6441]

Just grabbed the k1!

[@VultureCulture]

Nice! what do you think so far?

[@michelkasday]

Sadly I didn't get to see this live. One question, when you left stick mode, did you keep it enabled? I bring it up because you can keep it enabled and browse thru sounds and if the stick is not perfectly centered all the sounds will be level balanced to the stick position. Thank you, love the K1 been a user of it since it was new. Great Channel!

[@VultureCulture]

I am not sure honestly. I think it wasn't? Lol

[@forestlittle]

Your remarks about that piano sound and a few others, missed the mark completely IMO. Allow me te explain I used to have a K1(m) : desktop version and I remember that most of the presets use the joystick as a mixer between different sound layers. As soon as you touch that joystick, the balance is off. The piano preset uses a couple of layered samples and one of them is the sound of just the piano hammer that is supposed to get more in your face in the upper notes and in the background for lower notes. But if you touch the joystick, you hear the hammer way to loud all the time and it is almost impossible to put the joystick back where the sound is as it was intended. Anyway. I loved your review of my childhood friend the K1. Some criticism was just a bit unfair.

[@VultureCulture]

Thank you for the info! 🙏 I inevitably get things wrong from time to time and this is a good thing for someone new to the K1 to know.

[@nicolaaszeven]

Visitors for 1:48h please! high as a kite 🙂

[@jsebastian9547]

I just ordered one of these yesterday.. presets are definitely really good when they're good, and terrible when they're bad. The question is; is there a user bank for storing your own patches ?

[@VultureCulture]

I actually don't know lol

[@jsebastian9547]

Just got it today... dude... after editing some patches today, it's making me wanna go into nin broken territory. The presets are blah.. but you can do a lot with it, and the editing is pretty easy.

[@VultureCulture]

It's a really cool, highly underated synth

[@CKT1138]

Yes, all preset slots can be overwritten

[@CKT1138]

Also the K1v VST plugin from Nils Schneider can edit, organize, and load/save SysEx data for the synth

[@mistercheetah9717]

How close does this come to the free plug in?

[@VultureCulture]

I haven't tried out the free plugin - however, I've heard it's good and there's nothing, not even a digital filter, getting in the way of it sounding spot fucking on - design wise anyways.

[@BigMuff75]

I am pretty Sure that many early Black Metal albums Featured this keyboard.

[@VultureCulture]

That's awesome!

[@this_connor_guy]

Ok, so here I am after the K5000 comments, haha. Yeah, I do not remember any of those wild wave sequency/massive gong type sounds at all. Those crunchy bass sounds. I'm an industrial guy too so that and the wave sequency sounds are incredible.

[@VultureCulture]

Yeah it's actually pretty glorious and has the gritty, low rez character of early industrial records 🤘

[@this_connor_guy]

@@VultureCulture oh absolutely. Definitely think I should go with that over the K5000, haha! You should check out the Alesis QS6/QS7. That has some wild patches.

[@VultureCulture]

I'll keep my eye out for one!

[@this_connor_guy]

@@VultureCulture both are on reverb with the average price of $400, so it's not too bad.

[@jennoscura2381]

I tend to make EDM. I want to shift more towards industrial. I am a goth and industrial has a connection to goth. Industrial would give me a dance music vibe that fits with my goth esthetic and musical tastes. I have a K1 arriving on Friday. I want to pick up a Kawai R-50e. Those two together seem like great foundations for industrial. I would also throw in some FM as well. I love FM synths for bass. I have three. A DX7, an FB-01, and a PSS-680. 6 op, 4 op, and 2 op.

[@RundFyrkant]

El..Eff..Ohh.. 1:20:21

[@VultureCulture]

So goodd

[@christhedemocrat]

Now That'sHorrible sounding synth

[@alex.a]

your mind is bad.. not that sound.. that is great.. but you don't see it's value.. where to use it.. that is a quality sound but it has to be used in a certain way.. in a certain place..