Kurzweil PC4 Performance Controller Keyboard | Better Music

[@JukkaTarvonen]

1) Acoustic piano program/patche/sound 0:00 2) Overview 0:49 3) Electric piano programs/patches/sounds 2:57 4) Tone wheel organ modeling KB3 ToneReal Organs Mode 6:29 5) String programs/patches/sounds 9:11 6) Synth programs/patches/sounds 14:37 7) Orchestral programs/patches/sounds (brass, reeds, strings, harpsichords, percussion etc.) 15:20 8) Guitar programs/patches/sounds 17:32 9) Bass programs/patches/sounds 18:21

[@rustyyates421]

Thank you for going to the effort of sharing the various highlighted times. While I did hear him talk about patches., layers, splits and the pc4 's ability to do these functions, I didn't hear or see him specifically talking about " splitting the keyboard with a layered sound" Bass on the left and two sounds layerd on the right. Example a simple bass sound on the left and a simple piano with a pad on the right. I have watched just about every available video available for the pc 4 and Sp6, and no one in any of the videos has specifically demonstrated or talked about that specific procedure. I have had a couple of people reach out to me from Sweetwater music and inform me that it is possible to do what I asked about with some limitations on the sp6 and entirely possible with the Pc 4. Thanks again.

[@raycherry7074]

The split that you want is already a MULTI. Just push the MULTI button, scroll down, click and enjoy. You can easily change the split. I use Bass+Organ all the time.

[@nezkeys79]

Damn those double octave bass notes on the piano ❤ felt those right in the bottom of my soul

[@rayderrich]

I walked in looking for an upgrade to my K2000 but this time for piano playing. I walked out lying to myself that the piano action is less important than the awesome Kurzweil sounds. Thank you for allowing me to do this :)

[@prof.dr.thomaskolb5130]

Hi Rudi, thank you so much again for all these wonderful reviews - especially for this one!

[@ДионисийШех]

Уже третий день пропускаю слова и слушаю Ваши великолепные импровизации!

[@canyoubelievethis220]

Yep, you are sick. Very interesting video and you played a lot of the sounds. Awesome. The "lush" sounds were totally, totally awesome. I have a Yamaha Montage 8 and a Yamaha MODX7 and have spent maybe 3 hours on both of them. With me off from work now (complements of the beer virus), I will definitely delve into them more and hope to get some neat sounds like you. As always, thank you so much for your time. So much appreciated!

[@bettermusic]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@garycitro1674]

The way you played that lead guitar (and just about everything else) was just SICK! Props and envy to you!

[@DaveintheD-p4s]

Absolutely. That guitar was crazy.

[@garycitro1674]

@@DaveintheD-p4s It's that combination of knowing what notes to play (he doesn't just play a blues scale, he seems to know exactly what grace notes or "side notes" work on an electric guitar) added to the dead-on subtleties of pitch bend and modulation that he does with his left hand. I can't even touch it!

[@nezkeys79]

These synth sounds are fantastic

[@raycherry7074]

Thanks for a nice review of a very nice synth. Your demonstration show what a talented person can do with the PC4. Everyone has their own personal preferences, opinions, likes and dislikes. This review should help lots of folks looking for their next synth. Regarding keyboard feel: When I need to play Beethoven, nothing feels as good as my Steinway. When I want to work on a song idea, I like my PC4. If it is covered with laundry, or if we are having a beauty contest, I prefer my PC3. If I want to play some Hammond - Oops, I will use the PC4, and grumble about the piano like keys. Serious production means DAW. Thanks again for your review - wish that I was back in AU to meet you.

[@DaveintheD-p4s]

Thank God for this. The last PC4 "demo" I saw didn't do this keyboard any justice. This was amazing and now has me interested in checking it out firsthand. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any stores in the Detroit area that carry this or the Forte. wth, Kurz?

[@Wulfcry]

This sounds good its like these are no fuss studio sounds.

[@dirkkeersmaekers4343]

Of course,that sounds good.Kurzweil!

[@XENONEZZ2]

Beautiful playing...and sound !!..🎶🎹👍

[@mastermelodia4646]

i was searching one workstation like PC4 with power and quality and now its ok, i ordered something on web site ^^ thx for demo :)

[@GestattenWinnetou]

I believe it features a Medeli (K6?) action, no Fatar, unfortunately.

[@uhoh007]

my impression also, but many are liking the action

[@GestattenWinnetou]

uhoh007 : yeah, maybe it’s quite nice, who knows. I’ve yet to try one of these bad boys... not everything China’s bad, no? ;)

[@kevink.7074]

It is WAY netter than their previous actions. Score one for Midelli.

[@marvinkmooneyoz]

@@kevink.7074 many people are voicing the opposite feeling. How would you describe each keyboards action?

[@kevinkrohn6916]

@@marvinkmooneyoz I found several of the previous Kurzweil models to either be rickety or too stiff. For my hands, the PC4 is just right. Nice weight, solidly built, but not too sluggish. I have been able to play everything from piano to organ to lead on it quite nicely. Your mileage may vary. :-)

[@markquavertune2003]

Thank you .The function of the instrument edit really appeals .If I would like to do sharp and bend ,up ,down articulations for strings .And solo string categories as well .Would I do that in a sequence or by editing the instrument part ?Or either ? Much like I would do with Native Instruments Session Strings Pro 2 .

[@dirkkeersmaekers4343]

Very important that the 4 has a good keybed!

[@moncsicsika]

The keybed might be good but definitely not Fatar as was said in the video but rather a Medeli K6 action.

[@dirkkeersmaekers4343]

@@moncsicsika Yes,but I like it more, it is not so heavy

[@moncsicsika]

@@dirkkeersmaekers4343 Yes, I read on different forums that some like the Medeli more, some the Fatar.

[@hodshonf]

@@moncsicsika i prefer the Medeli - can't stand Fatar.

[@Todd63790]

This is a brilliant review of this great synth /keyboard 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@madness8556]

Rudy you're a fabulous demonstrator and phenomenal player. Thanks for the reply great presentation. What a shame the PC4 doesn't have an internal power supply. Sorry but I can't stand power adaptors on supposedly 'professional' keyboards. Keep up the great work mate.

[@XENONEZZ2]

Beautiful playing...!!

[@doctorsynth1]

I’m troubled by the lack of a MIDI Thru jack. I use it for layering synths in my live rig, which I try to keep simple. Really like the placement of the pitch and mod wheels to keep the PC4 shorter / easier to fit in my Corolla.

[@jackevans2386]

What a great demo ! It's uploaded in stereo would you believe ? So many Kurzweil demos on KZbin in mono.

[@dylanaguilar6545]

Jack Evans what does that mean

[@iann8733]

@@dylanaguilar6545 Stereo = you hear the sound and effects through both sides of headphones/earbuds/speakers. Mono = you only hear everything through one (usually the left side). Instruments like this are typically meant to be heard/recorded in stereo

[@rustyyates421]

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

[@EvilDragon666]

Yes, there's up to 16 zones you can have and you can split/layer them however you want.

[@rustyyates421]

@@EvilDragon666 thank you

[@ahojahojish]

So I played this today at my local music store. Played this and the nord stage 3 side by side. I have to say....I was BLOWN AWAY!! By the synths, strings, orchestral and pads. If I was making movie soundtracks or commercial music, this would be my instrument. I have played pretty much all the latest and greatest stage pianos and I can say no one beats kurzweil in those categories of sound. Its so cinematic! But there are drawbacks as well, at least for me. The acoustic piano sounds I think lacks behind some of the newer instruments in this category. Its good, its just not that great, there are better offerings on the market in the piano category. The electric pianos I am not a fan of as well. They are not thick, rich and warm like Yamaha e pianos are. The guitar sounds dont resemble a real guitar by any means. especialy the acoustic guitar sounds. The bass sounds are good and the synth bass sounds in here are really something else! WOW! But you may have a different opinion. I think its a wonderfull instrument all around just abit lacking in some sounds.

[@yyr995]

Greetings Ahojajhojish, what other keyboards do you feel have higher quality acoustic piano sounds ?

[@ahojahojish]

@@yyr995 Well it depends on your budget. If you want the absolute best of the best, then the nord grand piano is unbeatable. Just played it today and I was sn a total trans :D I mean the ep. and acoustic piano sounds are absolutely unbelievable. Rich, thick, expressive, its the only digital piano I played so far, that gave me the feeling like the piano was playing me instead of me playing the piano. I have only experienced this on a real acoustic grand piano. Never with digital piano. Pretty much every sound in that instrument is out of this world. If you dont have the budget for that like me. Then I would go with kawai, roland or yamaha. You know, the kawai es8, roland fp 60-90, yamaha p515 all of them are head and shoulders above in the piano category then the kurzweil. The kurzweil was alwas known for their acoustic piano sounds, but the time has moved on since then and now they are lacking behind.

[@yyr995]

@@ahojahojishthank you. what are your feelings on the kawai mp11se ;Real all wooden keys, 256 note polyphony ?

[@ahojahojish]

@@yyr995 Yeah thats another top tier digital piano. Although I would rather buy the mp7 se - The only difference to me is the keyboard action. Mp11 is better but both are pretty solid.

[@yyr995]

@@ahojahojish Thank you for your replies. I ABed the kawai mp7se vs the mp 11se vs es8 . It sounded as though the mp11se sounded better. The shop owner said kawai told him that the mp11se has more algorithms than the mp7se. My order of liking was mp11se then es8 than mp7se. Comparing the kurzweil pc4 vs the Roland fantom 8, what piano sounds better to your ears and touch ? Do you think the pads, strings , synth sounds and synthesis capabilities and creative capabilities are the same or better are as good as the roland or about the same.Thank you in advance for your answer . Have a Blessed day😊😊😊😊

[@dreytulin280]

how noisy the keyboard is for home use ?

[@cardiologiaemusicaparatodo4517]

Does this piano have keys that resemble a digital piano?

[@jeanmccullough1064]

Does it have all instruments plus organ?

[@jfcleanup]

I am especially interested in the kebyed; as in how noisy it is , how well the repetition is (probably not a 3 sensor keybed), and how well the aftertouch respons. Any thoughts on that ? Always hated the Fatars, hope this is better in some respects

[@GestattenWinnetou]

It apparently features a Medeli K6 action, unfortunately no Fatar, as wrongly stated by the reviewer.

[@hodshonf]

@@GestattenWinnetou fortunately.

[@ArkadiiTymonenko]

@@hodshonf Why "fortunately" ? Medeli K6 is better then Fatar ?

[@mazurnagrywa5998]

Can MIDI OUT be used as MIDI THRU? How to set it in the instrument? Regards ;)

[@sk8rdad]

I read that it has a medelli keybed, not a fatar...

[@markinnes4264]

Yes, it's a different action than the older units from Kurzweil... I need to try it for myself to see if I can play piano on it with it being too mushy, synth-like.

[@DaraM73]

The problem with all these keyboards is very few make it to shop floor for customer demo, because music stores have been closing in favour of warehousing and customer return. I wouldn’t trust I’d like an unknown keybed.

[@DaraM73]

Fatar keybed’s are woeful. Hope the change is positive

[@kevink.7074]

I can verify this feels NOTHING like any Kurzweil keyboard action to date, and that is a very good thing! The Fatar’s were awful. This Midelli action is very nice.

[@realJonSpringer]

Might have to pre-order this from Sweetwater.

[@silahits]

Onde conseguir desse aqui no Brasil qual revendedoro?

[@samiam9059]

If you like to program sounds. V.A.S.T. is over top with its abilities.

[@Paul-by5kv]

Can you tell me if there is a dead spot when switching between sounds /programs or is it silky smooth if for example you have a string sound held on the sustain pedal and then switch on a brass sound. I'm going to check a PC4 out in a couple of weeks and hopefully it will be what I'm looking for. One more question. How smooth and responsive is the after touch? I have a Fantom X8 and the after touch is too extreme and lacks subtlety for expressive strings. Would you say the PC4 is a lot better. Thanks for the excellent review.

[@St_Modler]

The Kurzweil's can generally do smooth transitions between sounds, but there are som limitations. For example when switching between KB3 (organ) programs or very effect-heavy programs and multis.

[@BlisterHiker]

9:24 ... Am I in heaven?... Nah, it's KZbin, owned by Google, but thank you for a beautiful demo!

[@jemine5396]

that means you in hell. but heavenly keyboard that is.

[@BlisterHiker]

@@jemine5396 No, just because I'm not in heaven does not mean I'm in hell, but great playing by Rudi and amazing sound of PC4 definitely help.

[@BaymondRell]

Best demo early on....on the fence.....MODX or PC4? Nice to have quality choices in the portable gigging keys field.

[@thelantern9075]

STIG Zero Wipes the floor? Have you ever played with the Kurzweil VAST engine? It’s pretty impressive.

[@thelantern9075]

STIG Zero interesting. I’ve watched quite a few MODX videos and own a PC3. Do you have a link to a MODX video that you consider an impressive demo of the synth engine, or just sounds you find well done?

[@truthmanifestingtruth]

Modx doesn’t have a drawbar organ or all the live editing controls outside of a few sliders and the superknob but the super knob does makes smooth morphs between sounds similar to what one might does with multiple faders/sliders. Modx has better sounding presets. PC4 better live sound shaping and editing. You might make sounds ok the PC4 that are better than Modx.MOdx sounds good out of the box. You can’t lose either way, but if you know your not into deep diving then perhaps the Modx is better for a surface dweller...and that’s not an insult...plenty great musicians and producers that are surface dwellers as far as letting others design sounds while they’re inspired by those sounds.

[@dbefore7165]

@STIG Zero the modx doesn't even have a VA engine.. its not in the same ballpark as kurzweil, and thats from an ex montage and forte owner.

[@lordbachus]

Its not a fatar keybed, its a Medelli keybed.. same as in teh SP4

[@prof.dr.thomaskolb5130]

No, not the same, but a Medelli, that is right!

[@woeizme]

I think you mean like the SP6 keybed, except the pc4 has aftertouch.

[@doctorsynth1]

Is it better than the mushy Forte Keyboard? I’ve got a K2500XS and have owned a K2600x and they have a great weighted piano feel.

[@cordlesswire]

pc4 performace or fantom 0 series?

[@chrisking8379]

So what's the key action? Is the same as the PC3K8?

[@moncsicsika]

No, the PC3K8 has a Fatar TP/40L and the PC4 has a Medeli K6 action.

[@yyr995]

Greetings Rudy. Thank you for the pc4 video. What is your personal opinion on what hardware keyboard has the most accurate piano sound and feel ? Thank you in advance for your reply. Have a Blessed day 😊😊😊😊

[@marvinkmooneyoz]

Kawai, who make real pianos and digital pianos, seem to have the best reputation for the best piano style keyboard action. I havnt tried them myself. I remember Keyboard Chuck, a well known youtube reviewer, saying their very best digital keyboard action is better then many very expensive grand pianos actions. For realistic sound, both the Forte from Kurz, and the Montage from yamaha have great reputations.

[@yyr995]

@@marvinkmooneyoz I have spent time with the Kawai mp11se. The touch is exquisite for a digital piano, sounds are quite nice,etc,however,it weighs 73 lbs😊😊😊😊

[@yyr995]

@@marvinkmooneyoz do you have any experience with the kurzweil pc4 , if so, what are thoughts on it and the newest Roland fantom 8😊😊😊😊

[@musicaldracula2017]

I am not keen on those disturbing blue LEDs and wall wart type power supply... Otherthan that, it looks OK.

[@jeanmccullough1064]

Your playing is awesome and the sound is wonderful. I have a spinit Kurzweil and played it some but was in storage for 6 years and it is a Mark 12 and also in the Manuel it talks about the 152. I have had it about 25 years. I would love to trade it toward a newer one. Could you send prices and I could give you my address and phone number. I would appreciate it it. I love the keyboard you are playing. Thank you.

[@alecb9439]

Nice demo thanks. The pre-mapped controls for each sound seem very well integrated in this demo. Clearly Kurzweil offers an excellent Rompler library If you like that kind of 90s thing, but playing slushy string orchestras with slap bass and brass sections doesn't do it for me - never did really. For me its a great MIDI controller, piano, EP and hammond but the workflow is in the Mac and has been for for nearly 20 years!

[@marvinkmooneyoz]

this thing can control it in real time though. Live, many people are using computers for samples, or hosting an ableton live session, but deep synthesis is still risky, as for processing, hisses and pops, or crashing.

[@marvinkmooneyoz]

"not great for a particular style of music" I'd argue that its pretty great for broadway/musical theater stuff, having the 16 split and multi-timbrality, a keyboardist can substiute for a whole bunch of other instruments at once. Other then that, it doesnt seem to be best for classic rock, funk, RnB or soul, nor best for EDM and that side of modern pop. I'd be happy to have this board for any of those situations thoguh!

[@yyr995]

How is it for classical music ?

[@marvinkmooneyoz]

@@yyr995 well usually classical music performed doesnt have one keyboardist covering a large number of instruments. Kurzweil generally I think are considered to have the best orchestral samples as far as the hardware keyboards, and the broadway players use those sounds professionally, but they still are triggering samples, so its hard to be expressive with strings, horns, winds. all their mallet instruments sound great though. I dont think piano players whos MAIN gigs are classical chamber music or concert piano gigs go for anything with one of the "compromise" keybed actions, I think their priority is a keybed with as close to a piano feel as possible. But, if their main gigs are say wedding gigs, playing cocktail hour, or prelude while people are seating waiting the bride to get her hair JUSTTTT right, the kurzweil soundset might be quite enticing.

[@yyr995]

@@marvinkmooneyoz thankyou for your reply. what your thoughts on the pc4 piano sounds ? How do you think the medeli keybed compares to the Roland ds88,roland fa08 and Yamaha modx 8 ?

[@markom1976]

How long is the boot up time?

[@englishguy9680]

Still booting…..

[@bandungbusdriver5256]

is the price lower than modx8?

[@markinnes4264]

The PC4 seems to be selling for about $2,000. USD

[@LautaroDiazok]

Buenísimo! Que buen sonido

[@davidplatt5957]

Thanks for the video as always.. However, I can easily leave this one off my list... Waiting for big sale, modx8 or Roland fa 08....(Yamaha P515 or Roland fp90 also a maybe) I'm just not sure there's enough, extras in them, there's not much video on rhythms and 'Other' instruments like guitars and sax and synths?..

[@stephenlennartz3466]

Hi David. I went with the MODX back in October. Love it! Great for writing, recording and my 'go to' for live performance. Roland was a close second.

[@Pizdunchik]

MODx8 has awful keybed (GHS)... Too light, smooth, loud for piano player.

[@davidplatt5957]

@@stephenlennartz3466 thanks mate..good to hear it works in a live situation... The only thing that keeps drawing me to the Fa 08, is what seems like an incredibly easy loop, recording ability... But, I love touch screens 🙂

[@dylanaguilar6545]

Your an amazing player

[@YogeshSharma-nv5cb]

Awesome 👍👍👍

[@gpr4eva]

What's Kurzweil's beef with touch screens?

[@EverettDudgeon138]

Well since the Navy decided to ditch touch screens after a faulty one caused a fatal crash....

[@abohsukampret]

Touchscreens are easy to break.

[@gpr4eva]

@@EverettDudgeon138 So am I supposed to crash in a fatal sound studio session? Makes no sense dude lol

[@St_Modler]

A touch screen would probably have made the PC4 quite a bit more expensive and Kurzweil has always been great at making good user interfaces despite small screens. But it all comes down to proportioning the specs and features with the cost of the instrument. You could just as well ask what's Yamaha's beef with VA- and clonewheel-engines? What's Korg's beef with boot times of less than 2 minutes, and what's Roland's beef with properly implemented clonewheel engines and programs with more than 4 layers?

[@rickygarcia7400]

I'm surprised that rolands new fantom has one they were another that was not a fan of the touch screens except my roland va7 arranger but my fantom x6 and fa06 doint have thim.

[@KaeRZed]

Is this PC4 compatible with K2xxx programs (like the Pc3K series) ?

[@Screaming-Trees]

It is. Check out the feature comparison chart under the FAQ section of the PC4 product page. It gives you an overview of all the features across the product range.

[@coyotesynth]

Thanks for the effort. But this kind of demo, only showing the "ROMplayer" aspect of the PC4 is really a partial way of presenting the instrument. What I hear could be done with any Motif, Fantom...since 20 years or about. The brass, guitars...are really bad and way below any DAW can make. While the PC4 is a SUPER SYNTH, able to synthesize FM sounds, ring mod, a super modular synth with combinations between layers. Obviously, there is a life above presets...

[@paulyllow]

Somehow the output quality of PC4 seems lower than SP6. Lack clarity!

[@paulyllow]

Watch the KZbin in high quality on IPad with a good pair of headphone and compare with this. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nIjHfqulitp6mck

[@alicaramba7680]

@@paulyllow It depends on patches. Personally I found PC4 piano (near the end) better sounding with more body in its tone than SP6 (also near the end).

[@SuppositionalBox]

@@paulyllow Im wearing a pair of sennheiser stereo headphones on my PC with a dedicated soundcard running at 96Khz (24-bit) and I find them nearly equal in sound quality. I used 9:54 as an example to compare against your example. It can be hard to determine depth of sound with synth effects though, in my experience.

[@walcantor]

greaaaaaaattttttttttt soundsssssssss

[@persoundproducer]

Only advantages! How cool! How much they pay you? Or you advertise it just to play such perfect instrument? Don't trust such channels. Please write down someone who played and could compare this instrument feel with Juno ds88.

[@MaxThompsonMusic]

Roman Tselenko Well, they are a retailer. All such “demos” are this way. You have to find independent reviews or look on forums for info from end users. But these types of videos are good for judging the sounds themselves.

[@MaxThompsonMusic]

But he does make it clear that there are better actions out there, so there is that.

[@persoundproducer]

@@MaxThompsonMusic got it, I read that it has poor keys from Medeli as well.

[@MaxThompsonMusic]

Roman Tselenko Some people on the forums like the SP6 keys which are supposed to be similar. Others not so much. I’ve never seen an SP6 in person to try out but I would think it would would be comparable to the Yamaha GHS (MOXF8/MODX8) or Korg NH (Krome 88/Krome EX 88).

[@MaxThompsonMusic]

I actually am a fan of the DS88 action for piano considering it’s price point. I don’t like it in the FA-08 interestingly though.

[@dmcmusic2]

Ok, what's up with the ugly look on your newer keyboard Kurzweil??. I can tell you right now that this board is poorly built. The new key bed is crap and very noisy. The SP6 is built the same as this board. I returned mine. This so-call key bed will stress your fingers out is just a few minutes of playing. The pianos are 90's sounding like Korg's older piano samples.