Kawai K-5m

[tk421 studio]

Hello-
Does anyone have any experience with a K-5 or K-5m?
Any tips on programing this thing?
I just bought the module and don't know where to start.

[DWBass]

I had one (K5m) many years ago that I bought used. Programming is very detailed to say the least. I never bothered. Also, I didn't find any useful sounds except a nice Electric Piano patch. The module is huge too but can be adjusted to either be rack mounted or to sit on a tabletop. I had to get rid of it. I found it worthless. Sorry................

[brzilian]

Originally posted by tk421 studio
Hello-
Does anyone have any experience with a K-5 or K-5m?
Any tips on programing this thing?
I just bought the module and don't know where to start.

It's an additive synthesis board, so basically you're looking at the same programming complexity found on the Yamaha DX-7 and probably the same quality of sound as well.

[tk421 studio]

I played with it a little bit this weekend but did not really find any sounds that jumped out at me.
How do I use the "Multi" sounds? I have been using single with one midi channel but can not get passed that.

From what I know about the DX-7 boards, they have good bass sounds, this one does not!

[crush]

The K 5 !
Man, That was my first big keyboard, I know you have the K5 module. It's true that it has a nice piano patch, that is what drew me to it. The main thing you have to remember, is you'll find the K5 on the "bright" and crisp sounding site sounding side. You won't be able to make "fat pad like" sounds on it, even the strtings and syth patchs sounds "digitally bright" It is not like the later made K1 or K1m, it is not a hybrid of additive synthesis and PCM sounds.
However you can beat the piano, brass, and rhodes sounds from the K5.

It's been a while, but Muti Mode is when you can select two or more differn't single sound patch's, I don't recall how, just that the keyboard is setup into 4 "zones", so you could have a bass patch sound on the left side of the keyboard and a piano patch sound on the right.

Maybe you can find a manual from someone here or on the internet. The last thing is, KEEP IT, don't trade it like I did, you'll regret it. I still have my K1m though. Nice!
good luck!
crush

[crush]

Sorry for my last post, very tired, tripping on the words and spelllllling.
crush

[tk421 studio]

Thanks for the info Crush-
I was hoping to use it for String sounds. They are o.k. very "digital" sounding. With enough effects I can make any thing sound good though, right?
Anyone know where I can get a manual?
Thanks,
Jason

[crush]

tk421 studio:

I was hoping to use it for String sounds. They are o.k. very "digital" sounding. With enough effects I can make any thing sound good though, right?

Yes, effects can make anything sound better.

I just did a quick look arouind google.com , I can't believe how many people want you to "pay" just for the manual.
Sorry man.
Later,
crush

[tk421 studio]

I called Kawai in California today and they were very helpful!
I have never owned a kawai but they have great customer support, even for a 15 year old synth! I had one of there technicians talk me through programming on the phone! Can you believe that? I bought a manual from them for $18.00 delivered also. The K5 does not sound as bad as I thought it did either. The person who owned it before me really loved brass sounds. Once I get into this thing, I should be able to get some cool sounds.