KAWAI K4R + Cheap Roland D-50 + VHxRR (new album is BONKERS!)

KAWAI released the K4 and K4R synthesizers in 1989.
At the time, Roland's flagship was the Roland D-50 (using what they called Linear Synthesis) and KAWAI's new synths had what they called Digital Multi Spectrum... or whatever this means...
The K4 was my main synth around 1994 and back then I used it on everything I was producing.
I part ways with it around 1997 but, in 2016, I found a K4R. It's just until recently that I decided to work with it again, in a more serious way.
More infos about this synthesizer :
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawai_K4
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About VHxRR :
vhxrr.bandcamp.com
soundtracksscoresandmore.com/2...
vonhertzog.bandcamp.com
whitewaits.bandcamp.com
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Website: www.stephanerichard.work
Bandcamp (SAINT-SAMUEL)
www.saint-samuel.bandcamp.com
Bandcamp (Meaningless Data)
www.meaninglessdata.bandcamp.com
*If you like my work, you can support me with a donation or a purchase of my albums on Bandcamp.
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www.paypal.me/stefrich11

[@anonymous_friend]

Nice editing!

[@mark12011972]

Your explanation about artifacts gave me flash of insight that I've sold off everything without artifacts in the studio. Also I came to the same realization on the low pass filter. The K4s separate buttons for each layer encourages quick creation of complex 4 layer sounds that would not be possible through a different type of interface.

[@krachzentrumspotify]

Nice performance! And such a beautiful videoʕ⁠ ⁠ꈍ⁠ᴥ⁠ꈍ⁠ʔ!

[@keyboardkingpin]

Love that vintage Kawai! Had to sub :)

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

Awesome! 👍

[@keyboardkingpin]

@StephaneRichard1 I did a video on 80s kawai budget to midrange gear. One of my first videos it really is a budget friendly Rompler ! Great video.

[@_P_M_]

Nice work. There used to be a program on Chicago television in the 80's which showcased independent art films. This video reminded me a lot of that show.

[@fuzzywarblez1010]

Amazing video mate. I've just bought a K4, can't wait to have a play with it. As an Aussie I appreciate the Patrick poster too!

[@Oakenshield69]

I bought a K4 a few years ago very cheap, and absolutely love it. Very underrated. So nice to play too, the feel of the keybed is wonderful. Thumbs up on a nice video!

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

Thanks man ! Yes, I do miss my K4 with its awesome digital effects - though I’m still having a blast with the K4R. Thanks for watching !

[@erickborling1302]

I wish I still had mine. I remember it always sounded cool.

[@martenkanda1433]

i owned a K4 in the past and i liked the filter very much.

[@m.a.freund3332]

Man, I really wanna copy of Facade!

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

Hi! Thanks for watching!! Here’s a couple tracks from Façade and more: saint-samuel.bandcamp.com/album/1992-1994

[@ldp2212]

Damm really cool.

[@davidcogan9936]

Great help for me this

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

Thanks David ! Thank you for watching.

[@dessiplaer]

i still have my K1r and my K42. I also like the sound they produce.

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

Awesome Jon ! Me, i’d like to still have the K4 keyboard version. It had a whole lot of weird digital effects in it ! Thanks for watching !

[@IRONSILVER22]

Great Explanation! Thanks for showcasing the K4r! If you need the latest firmware rom, I have a bunch of them.

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

Thanks ! - about the firmware, i’m good but thanks for the offer.

[@ShallRemainUnknown]

I need the newest firmware ROM. I made fantastic synth bass patch on my K4r about 20 years ago, but there was a clicking noise often when notes triggered. Kawai service department said I needed updated firmware, but I had to either pull ROMs and mail to them to burn/update , or else mail entire unit to them. The service was free (even in year 2000!) Never did it, but would love to have the update now!

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

Hi Jeffrey - Have a look at the first comment, ChipperSwitch seems to have some left !

[@ShallRemainUnknown]

@@StephanesCreativeBasement Hello Stephane! Thanks for the interesting video, and yes, I hope ChipperSwitch sees my post and is able to assist me with the firmware ROM.

[@IRONSILVER22]

@@ShallRemainUnknown Hello there! I have a bunch of them! Email me at: Evan(AT)ChipperSwitch.com

[@cometpingpong8976]

I’d love to buy Facade. It sounds like Proto-Vaporwave, but the funny thing is that you created it during a time for which Vaporwave artists are nostalgic, with a synth that sounds tailor-made for that genre. Side note; I have numerous windows open on my phone, all of which have different K4s that are for sale.

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

Haha ! Hope you found one not too far from your place. It's a very cool synth to work with. Thanks for watching !

[@Katmat87]

Thanks for the great video! love the music. I managed to pick one of these up and was wondering if there is a way of applying the filter over a whole patch, rather than just on an individual sound source within a single patch? maybe its not possible.

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

Hi ! Yes, it’s over each “samples” which then makes a patch. I don’t think you can apply it a second time.

[@l8bloomer]

I couldn't find 'Facade' on discogs. Obscure release :) Sounds cool - and still very relevant now in the era of synth/vapor wave nostalgia.

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

l8bloomer thanks !

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

Maybe I’ll remaster “Façade” est re-release it !!

[@l8bloomer]

@@StephanesCreativeBasement Sure why not put it up on bandcamp? I like how the old cassette sounds - for me it doesn't even need a remaster ;) There are many people making music now that sounds a lot like this - I guess it has some crossover with vaporwave sounds .

[@66outsider99]

@@StephanesCreativeBasement Consider two versions: as-is and remastered. Bandcamp awaits!

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

Funny thing: tomorrow I’ll post a new vid and the old tracks will be release on Bandcamp (as is) ! Synchronicity !

[@Triplechorus2]

Nice Songs! Do you still have the original recordings? What about a re-release? 😊 Greetings from Germany!🇩🇪🤝

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

I'll think about it and will keep you in the loop! Thanks for watching!

[@Triplechorus2]

@@StephanesCreativeBasement My first synth was a K1 in 1988. I then was fascinated of the K4 but never bought one. In 2021 I got a pristine K4r from it‘s first owner after watching several K4-videos. Your video is one of the best about this instrument. I have programmed several nice and atmosphäric sounds with this special Kawai-flavour. Synthesizing is the hobby i love most as recreation from my work as teacher at school😵‍💫. Greetings from Germany! 😃🇩🇪🤝

[@analoguesynths]

Congrats! Very good music, I have a K4r too, but I haven't used it too much. After listening to your work I'm gonna study the synth more deeply and use it. A question: What software/app or technique did you use to edit your video and write/put words in it? Love its vintage style. It's wonderful too. Thank You!

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

Hi ! I’m glad you have the intention to use this synth more ! It’s a very weird/good one to work with ! Also, thanks for watching ! // Mostly, I use Final Cut Pro X and Pixelmator (a cheap Photoshop). I tweek things a lot (presets in FCPX) and it works for me. I also use real VHS and High-8 camcorders so it helps for the vintage feel ! :-)

[@analoguesynths]

@@StephanesCreativeBasement Thank You. Great Sounds, Songs, pieces of electronic music, art, extraordinary visuals.

[@ZeNN-Music]

Great to hear the Kawai K4(R) again! I made an entire album with the Kawai K4 (the keyboard version, not the rack version you used), and a Yamaha TX16W Sampler you may be interested in listening to: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYumoqGFrrl6i6c I have always found it to be a very easy synth to learn how to program sounds. I love the nasty resonance filters it can produce, (Blew up speakers with it 😆). I've made tons of tracks with this gem, maybe I'll release them somtime in the future. Are you still actively using your unit?

[@davidcogan9936]

Sysex files will send, but they do not come onto machine..?

[@StephanesCreativeBasement]

Sysex is a MIDI protocol you can use to send and receive data (presets, sequences, songs…) - NOT audio. Back in the days, it was mostly use to store on floppy discs though now you can use your computer. Check your MIDI settings on your machine. Sometimes it’s under “send” or “dump” data.

[@ZeNN-Music]

@@StephanesCreativeBasement And on the K4(R) make sure you program the right SEND and RECEIVE channel(s) for sysex!