| PC3 -
Performance Controller |
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The Ultimate Performance
Controller Keyboard
With a sleek new look on the outside, and
an arsenal of Kurzweil's latest cutting edge chip technology under its hood, the
88-note PC3 delivers 128 voices of incredible sound quality along with a
host of powerful, easy to use features. The PC3 is Kurzweil's ultimate
performance controller keyboard, with an enormous collection of stunning sounds
combined with comprehensive real-time controller functions.
In addition to our renowned Triple Strike
Grand Piano, the PC3 features hundreds of new sounds; basses, drums,
guitars, and synths suited for every style and taste, along with a collection of
flawless vintage keyboard emulations, KB3 Mode and over 250 orchestral and
string section programs. For good measure we included a 16-track sequencer and
more effects processing power than our acclaimed
KSP8 processor, making the PC3 a full blown music production
workstation. Add in USB, flash card port, a newly designed keyboard action, and
a new intuitive user interface, and you've got the next generation of Kurzweil
instruments.
What's Inside....
One thing which clearly sets Kurzweil
apart from the competition is the fact that we design our own chips (called
ASICs) for all Kurzweil products. Simply put, our chips are customized for
optimum audio performance. Many of our competitors use general purpose DSP chips
commonly found in cell phones, watches and televisions. What does this mean for
the end user? It means that all of the processing power in a Kurzweil chip is
devoted exclusively to sound. It means no latency - the performance is lightning
fast. And most importantly, it translates into that rich, full, glitch-free
sound for which Kurzweil has become famous. Yes it is more expensive and more
time consuming for us to do it this way. We think it is well worth it. Once
you've heard the PC3, we think you'll agree.
The Kurzweil Sound...
The PC3 offers an enormous sound
set of over 800 programs, raising the bar once again for both audio quality and
variety. With the best samples in the industry, and a powerful, responsive synth
engine breathing life into them, you'll feel like you're playing an actual
instrument, not just playing samples. Of course there's the famous Kurzweil
Triple Strike Piano, with dozens of variations to accommodate every kind of
player. All of the basic sounds - basses, guitars, drums, horns and synths -
have been painstakingly programmed to reflect the needs of today's professional
players, representing a broad selection of styles and flavors from the '60s,
'70s, '80s, '90s and today.
Also included is our
Classic Keys ROM, which puts an impossibly large vintage keyboard rig at
your fingertips. The recognizable sounds of those classic electromechanical
instruments, with all of their characteristic imperfections, have been
faithfully re-created, along with pedals, amps and speakers. Lush Mellotrons,
growling electric pianos, and funky Clavinets are all there at the touch of a
button, programmed to sound just like those classic albums.
For more vintage firepower, the PC3
is equipped with the most advanced version of Kurzweil's widely lauded KB3 Mode
tonewheel organ simulator, which screams, sputters and sizzles just like the
original. In addition to newly developed Leslie effects, and a new bank of B3
programs, we've also included sounds from the classic Vox and Farfisa combo
organs. The PC3's 9 sliders provide real-time drawbar control.
The PC3 offers a full range of
world class orchestral sounds, including our new String Section ROM bank,
making it ideal for film-scoring and soundtrack projects. Every type of
articulation, every nuance has been captured, with samples of full and divisi
sections of violins, violas, cellos, and double bass. The details, the warm
swells, animated pizzicatos and the sound of scraping rosin all add to the
breathtaking effect of these string sections. You can plug and play with sounds
worthy of a finished production - instant gratification with uncompromising
sound quality.
User Interface...
While the PC3's user interface may
look familiar to veteran Kurzweil users, major improvements have been made,
allowing for a much more user friendly experience. Expanding upon our V.A.S.T.
architecture, the PC3's new UI delivers all the power of a Kurzweil,
combined with unprecedented ease of use. The PC3's backlit 240 x 64
display conveys all the information you'll need, when you need it, in an
elegant, easy to navigate environment.
All programs and setups will be
accompanied by help messages which can be accessed by pressing an "Info" soft
button. These help messages may contain controller assignments, or any other
relevant information; for example, if the sound was derived from a classic song
or album. Programs can be selected by scrolling or by using bank and program
select buttons for easy one touch access.
Move a controller while holding the Cancel
button, and the display will let you know what that controller is doing. Whether
it's a wah effect, tremolo control, a filter sweep, or something less obvious,
the PC3 will let you know what is happening, in musician's terms.
This system allows us to maintain the flexibility of not having to silkscreen
permanent labels on the front panel sliders, as is the case with the
competition. Every sound can have its own set of controller assignments which
can be viewed at the touch of a button.
Effects...
With up to 12 insert effects plus two
auxiliary sends, the PC3 offers more than twice the processing power of
our acclaimed
KDFX engine. Effects can be chained together in series, or distributed among
the PC3's 16 multitimbral channels. And these are simply the best effects
in the business - burning distortions, transparent compressors, warm phaser and
chorus effects, perfect reverbs - everything from flawless vintage emulations to
concert halls which decay into complete silence. All parameters are assignable
to any of the PC3's real time controllers - sliders, pedals, wheels, etc.
Sequencer...
The PC3 will feature a 16 track sequencer
based on our K2 Series sequencer. Combining a set of powerful song editing
functions like step editing, swing, and controller scaling with a new friendlier
interface, the PC3 can easily double as a workstation, ideal for music
production on the fly. Chasing controls and a global "set song length" function
are just a couple of the features we've added.
Also included are four independent
arpeggiators as well as hundreds of pre-recorded beats and musical phrases.
FEATURES:
- Keyboard: Next generation,
88-note, fully-weighted hammer-action, with velocity and aftertouch
sensitive keys, featuring a quick release spring, striking an ideal balance
of playability between piano type parts and synth/organ parts.
- Display: 240 x 64 angled,
backlit LCD w/ dedicated back panel brightness and contrast controls.
- Polyphony: 128 Voice
Polyphony, dynamically allocated, lightning fast performance.
- Multitimbral: 16 parts (one
per MIDI channel).
- Factory Presets: 832 Factory
Programs- Includes complete PC2 Base Sound ROM, the
Orchestral,
Classic Keys, General MIDI set, 64 KB3 programs PLUS new String
Section ROM Bank.
- Factory MIDI Setups: 96
factory programmed MIDI setups. 128 user programmable MIDI setups, each with
8 independent zones, effects and arpeggiator settings.
- General MIDI: standard.
- User Memory: 128 locations for
user created preset programs. 128 locations for user created MIDI Setups.
- Sound ROM Expansion Slots: 2
- Effects : 12 insert effects
plus two auxiliary sends; featuring over 300 of our award winning effects -
reverbs, delays, chorus, flange, phaser, EQs, distortions, Leslie
simulators, compressors, and more.
- Global EQ: User controllable
master EQ section for quick adjustments during live performance.
- Controllers: Pitch wheel,
modulation wheel, 9 front panel sliders/drawbar controllers, 2 front panel
switches (momentary or toggle, software selectable), 3 switch pedal input, 2
continuous control pedal inputs, mono pressure, Super Ribbon input, breath
controller input.
- Arpeggiator: 4 full-featured
independent arpeggiators with multiple latch modes, selectable play order,
velocity, duration, tempo, and sync functions as well as hundreds of
pre-recorded beats and musical phrases.
- Analog Outputs: Four 1/4"
balanced TRS analog (48kHz, 24-bit DACs)
- Headphones: Rear panel 1/4"
headphone output
- Digital Outputs: 24-bit,
stereo S/PDIF featuring 44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192kHz modes. Syncable to
external clock.
- MIDI: In, Out, Thru (hardware
switchable to copy of MIDI Out).
- USB: Complete MIDI
functionality over USB, including data storage and OS updates
- Flash Memory Port: Store and
load programs, OS updates, and sequences.
- FREE OS Updates: Flash ROM
upgradeable via USB or flash memory card.
OPTIONS:
SPECIFICATIONS:
| Dimension |
PC3 |
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Height |
(4.33") (11.00 cm) |
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Depth |
(13.98") (35.50
cm) |
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Length |
(54.33") (138 cm) |
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Weight |
(55 lb.) (25 kg) |
Power: Internal AC power supply.
Selectable 120/240V AC operation.
Suggested Retail Price: $2999
Estimated Release Date : Winter
2007
All specifications subject to change without notice.
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