Kurzweil PC4 Features Part I: Splits, Layers, Basic Editing

[@BlisterHiker]

Thanks for tutorial, and big thanks to Kurzweil engineers for creating such an open and flexible system! PC4 means business!

[@rayderrich]

I just received my PC4 and am thrilled to learn more about it, thank you very much!

[@Hugues1961]

Thank you for give us interest for the PC4!

[@TheBigGuppy]

Thanks A lot Jim!

[@paul_ward_music]

Very useful, but where are parts 2, 3, 4...?

[@alancummings5651]

Very easy. Does it have scenes to set up with different sounds? Also does it have seamless sound switching when going from one sound to another or from one layered scene to another?

[@sglynn]

Can organ sound be assigned to a layer and volume slider along with other sounds?

[@rustyyates421]

Is it possible to split/ layer simultaneously? Example bass/ piano split with a pad under the piano.

[@davidstroup3]

Can you hear the key thump noise when recording like on this video or is that just from his mic?

[@mauricebrown9183]

Great question .

[@TD-iz2tb]

That’s the mic picking up the key thump.

[@gasolineandwine]

It's from the voice mic. Kurzweil's keybeds are really nice, but noisy at times.

[@thecoolestdad]

Question: I am seriously contemplating on getting the Kurzweil K2700. Does the K2700 do everything that the PC4 does, plus a lot more? I know the price is higher, and there are a few features I prefer over the PC4; such as, the metal housing body as opposed to a plastic body. A detachable three prong power cord, as opposed to a DC adapter with the cheesy thin cord. The audio interface on the left side to accommodate outside instruments to be plugged into keyboard. Other than those, I know the K2700 does a lot, as a workstation. I have also recently been told by an older friend that Kurzweil is not as good a product as it used to be. I personally disagree with him. I have done some extensive research on keyboard web sites and I have watched a lot of video reviews on several keyboard brands. I keep coming back to the Kurzweil. I feel like over the last few recent years, that Yamaha and even Roland, has dropped the ball in their higher end keyboards. I have a Roland XP 80 workstation from 1997 and it's not playable right now, but I love it. But I am not terribly thrilled with the Fantom nor the FA series. As far as the Yamaha Montage goes, way too expensive. Plus the screen appears to be way too busy and in your face. Just too much to digest, as far as I'm concerned. Plus I am not crazy about that silly blue knob either. Korg, what can I say? Just not thrilled with them at all. As I stated, I find myself continuing to come back to the Kurzweil. I know the K2700 is $3000 but it appears to be a well built keyboard. The sounds are amazing. The pianos sound authentic. I also know the Yamaha Montage is over $4000 and the Genos is over $6000. Way out of my league and I cannot justify paying that kind of money for a keyboard. I could save it up out of my SS checks for several months, but why should I? I can do $3000 a lot easier and quicker for the K2700. So please, to all that read this, if you have more knowledge about the K2700 and can answer my questions, please reply. I can't understand why my friend doesn't speak well of Kurzweil. But whether I agree with him or not, I would like to know more, because even spending $3000 is a nice chunk of change not to be just thrown in the wind. Thanks for all replies and info.

[@rickdwyer8466]

Which instrument did you decide upon and why?

[@thecoolestdad]

@@rickdwyer8466 Funny you ask since this post was 5 months ago. After doing more research, at least 5 months ago or so, I found out that these K2700s are on back order and only so many would be shipped to the states this year. I didn't want to wait months on end for a keyboard. I researched even further and started watching vids on the Korg Nautilus and yes even on the Roland Fantom. I liked what I saw from both. Now keep in mind, this was happening even before the new Fantom O series came out. Even with the price of the Fantom 88 key being $4000, I was willing to save up and get one. Now here's the kicker: I called my local Guitar Center that has a Roland section with a Roland rep that works out of that store. They have all current and some older Rolands on display. But when I called they also told me they had one Korg Nautilus 88 key in stock, in the box. So I drive up there to play on the Fantom, and much to my surprise, the 88 key action was way too heavy for me. The keys are wooden and overlaid with some sort of ivory or something to that effect. Dummy me, never even played on the 76 key version to feel the keys. So I played on the Nautilus on the display and loved it. So yes, I bought the Nautilus. Then a bout a month or two later, the new Fantom O series came out, which is a step down from the full Fantom series. I have been watching many vids on this O series. Ed Diez from Roland does some great vids. Yes there are some features in this O series that are less than the Fantom series, but by in large, they are almost identical in their operation. I mean you can't produce a step down version of a keyboard and it still have all the functions and sound engines and all the sounds that the full version has. What would be the purpose? For me, I prefer a metal chassis body for my keyboards. They are heavier, but more durable. Costs more but usually the top of the line series. This Fantom O series is a plastic chassis body, with a DC adapter power source. I am not happy about these two features. But I don't take my keyboards out anywhere, so the plastic type won't be a problem. Yes there are two less sound engines and less sounds than the full fantom, but most of them can be downloaded for a price. There is a trade off for a less expensive series over the more expensive ones. I get it. So saying all that, I am planning on getting this new Fantom O series, hopefully in an 88 key version, but 76 will be ok too. My Roland XP80 is a 76 key. As far as the Kurzweil K2700, I won't be getting one, nor the PC4. There is so much that can be done with either fantom series and my Nautilus can do plenty as well. I know this is long, but I love to share my thoughts about what I love.

[@rickdwyer8466]

@@thecoolestdad Thank you for the quick reply, it is very much appreciated. Most important to me is a single piano sound, my current keyboards are a Roland RD-700NX and the grand piano is good but not great, and it too bright. I also have a Roland RD-300GX. Its Superior grand piano is better but still not great. To my ear the sounds in both the 300 and 700 are thin, lack depth, and warmth. I keep watching the web sites for new products and the Kurzweil Bristol piano when listened to on a computer seems to have the characteristics I am searching for. The problem is that here in the Orlando area I cannot find a K2700 in any store to play and hear in-person. Following a great piano sound is the ability to split and layer, quickly and easily in live performances. There are times in a live performance that I want to deviate from my plan, and get creative in response to the audience. The RD-700 gives me four layers, the RD-300 only three. The Fantom and the O exceeds that, but neither have a satisfactory piano. The K2700 makes up for the Roland limitations. I use Sonar to make backup tracks for use with the RD300, but would prefer to abandon the software route, and do everything within the keyboard. The Fantom, O, and Kurzweil K2700, and the PC4 satisfy those requirements. I had not given consideration to the plastic versus metal, but you make a good point, metal is better. I travel with the plastic RD-300 and it shows. Please let me know your thoughts and recommendations after you have some time with the O.

[@thecoolestdad]

@@rickdwyer8466 Thanks for replying. I know it's very hard to find a store that has any Kurzweils on display. Roland, Yamaha and Korg are the most popular brands, so most stores have some version of those. I am not familiar with any of the RD series of Roland. I am not gonna allow the fact that the Fantom O series is made out of plastic rather than metal. Like I said, I don't take them anywhere, they stay here at home. Plus I am not hard on my equipment. Hope you are pleased with your choice decision.

[@rustyyates421]

I just bought the pc4 I followed your directions on splitting and saving the split point. I held enter and pressed the key I wanted the split point at. It didn't work. The split point stays where it was when I pressed the split button to start . I tried the alternative method by using the navigation buttons, but when I turn the wheel to set the spilt point, it doesn't do it. Instead it moves me on to the next program or says active . Not sure why this is so complicated. It seemed very simple when you did it on the video

[@andresbarahona1782]

Thanyou for this tutorial

[@seguidoseguido4741]

I have not been able to find the banks setting to save and change my favorite sinidos you can help me

[@Charlyaraya]

Can anybody tell me how is the action on the 7 version ?

[@silahits]

Como adquirir um dessa aqui no Brasil tem alguma revenda?

[@michaelclunemusic4809]

Once a split is defined with 2 voices how do you transpose or change the octave on a voice? Why wouldn’t you address list for your viewers?

[@michaelclunemusic4809]

After making a split how does one transpose or change the octave on a voice in the split?.

[@KurzweilMusicSystems-]

HI Michael. Thank you for your question. Once you have made and saved this new multi, proceed to the Edit mode MAIN page and you will find a Transpose parameter in the top left corner. Each zone has this same page/parameter (manual ref. pg 7-5). I hope this info helps.

[@kopanotempleton8414]

The pc4 is so easy to use but the pc3x is nonsensically hard to use, for what? We'll just never know.

[@AlexLaptschenko]

Well American balalaika has nothing to do with a real Piano 😂