Kurzweil PC3 Page
Online Resources
- Kurzweil PC3 Editing Software
- Mastering V.A.S.T
- poserp's Channel - YouTube
- PCxx Series - Sonikmatter
- KnowledgeBase | Kurzweil Music Systems
- KurzweilTutorials's Channel - YouTube
- The K set list
Presets sorted by sound type:
| presets_sorted_by_type-table.pdf |
PC3 MIDI
1. Setting up MIDI channels (to work with a MIDI sequencer):
MIDI mode defaults to Multi mode (MIDI>RECV). In this state the PC3 is able to receive independently on all 16 chans. The last sound and transmit channel are remembered on startup (the channel shows at the top of the display). The channel/ layer buttons change the transmit channel. This will alter the Basic channel on the MIDI RECV page and the channel on the MIDI XMIT page too. MIDI data can be monitored in Master>UTILS>MIDI. Note: even with Local OFF the MIDI monitor will still show both the transmit and receive data (eg there will be two note-on, and two note commands appear on the display).
note: Local Off is set in two places: MIDI>XMIT-destination, and also in Setup (Edit)>CH/PRG-destination. The MIDI menu setting will over-ride the Setup menu setting.
To set for normal multi-timbral operation with a computer set Local OFF in the MIDI menu.
Any MIDI receive channels can be deactivated in MIDI>CHANLS.
MIDI mode defaults to Multi mode (MIDI>RECV). In this state the PC3 is able to receive independently on all 16 chans. The last sound and transmit channel are remembered on startup (the channel shows at the top of the display). The channel/ layer buttons change the transmit channel. This will alter the Basic channel on the MIDI RECV page and the channel on the MIDI XMIT page too. MIDI data can be monitored in Master>UTILS>MIDI. Note: even with Local OFF the MIDI monitor will still show both the transmit and receive data (eg there will be two note-on, and two note commands appear on the display).
note: Local Off is set in two places: MIDI>XMIT-destination, and also in Setup (Edit)>CH/PRG-destination. The MIDI menu setting will over-ride the Setup menu setting.
To set for normal multi-timbral operation with a computer set Local OFF in the MIDI menu.
Any MIDI receive channels can be deactivated in MIDI>CHANLS.
| default_xmit_messages.pdf |
2. setting up to control the PC3 from an external keyboard:
Here are five different ways the PC3 can be played remotely.
Here are five different ways the PC3 can be played remotely.
| getting_organised.pdf |
My PC3 notes
Everything about the PC3 is extensive, so I have started a file to act as a notebook:
| kurzy_file.docx |
First Impressions
I have had the PC3 for a week now, so I thought I would jot down my first impressions. In the shop I played a PC3x and it had a weighted action. A very nice weighted action too - quite light. I was surprised when I got my PC3 out of the box and played it for the first time because its semi-weighted action is quite firm. For a moment I wondered if I had made a mistake, but decided to persevere. After playing for a while I realised that the action is pretty good overall. The firmness of the springs is a plus for playing piano, E piano, clav etc. and it has the right octave span (ie 16.5cm, which is the size of a piano keyboard). The black keys have a matt finish just like on a real piano. After deliberating about the action for a couple of days I decided that the solution was to get a second keyboard with a softer action that will act as a keyboard controller, driving the PC3 by MIDI. So I have ordered a Miditech I2 Control 61 and this will be used to play organ and synth.
Having got past that, it was time to audition the sounds. There are over 1000 presets so I have only scratched the surface, but it has to be said that the sounds are very good. I have had some experience with Kurzweil keyboards before and this much I knew - they have quality samples. A large range of sounds are present, with orchestral sounds being especially well presented. A curious omission is the lack of ethnic sounds, apart from the GM ones. Selecting sounds is flexible, which I like. you can scroll with the wheel, + & - buttons, < & > cursor arrows, or up & down cursor arrows. There is also the ability to access via the bank switches or the category & 8 program switches. Then there is the Quick Access. I was most interested in the KB3 Organ engine and find the access to Leslie, vibrato, percussion, and drawbars give all the control I need. The acid test is Whiter Shade of Pale (settings are 6886, Perc: On, Soft, Slow, 2nd, if you're interested). The organ sounds great, but I was a bit disappointed with the Leslie - something just didn't sound quite right, and the speed changes were not to my liking. I did a bit of searching and here's the thing...the keyboard was running v1.32 software. Kurzweil supply updates free, and so I downloaded and installed version 2.03. This has a reworked Leslie effect (among other things the rotors are now CW and CCW) and it sounds great. I could swear I was listening to a 122 cabinet. But, not only is this fixed but there are lots of new sounds included in this update, including some great new B3 sounds.
While I was trying out sounds, I plugged in the ribbon controller. This is no toy - it is 57cm long and makes a huge difference to the control of lead synth, lead guitar, and bass. I really started to have some fun here. It can also be configured to be 3 separate ribbon zones. And speaking of accessories; I got out my old Yamaha breath controller and soon had it acting as a volume for a nice flute sound (with aftertouch adding tremolo). I have just reviewed a Yamaha MOX6 and there was no breath controller facility on it!
After a few days I had time to dig in a bit, and was surprised to find how deep this board is. For example I can adjust FX parameters to the extent of setting the mic position on the simulated Leslie speaker. Here are the specifications to give you an idea:
polyphony 128
keyboard zones 16
layers 32 (each layer can have 2 stereo multi-samples keymaps)
FX units 16
FX chains (presets) 1000
FX chains (user) 1560
FX types 12
Reverbs 150
FX inserts 11
FX aux 2
Arpeggiators 16 (one per zone)
continuous controllers 16
2 state controllers 13
LFO waveforms 44
user algorithms 1536
As you can see, there is a lot of fire power, and a lot of programmabilty (and assignabilty of controllers). The good thing is that there is a considerable amount of information available.
Last night I went through all the Setups (performances) and it shows what the instrument is capable of. There are lots with arpeggios and drum / bass riffs. Some are quite impressive. Only a few I will probably use, but of course I can set up my own Setups anyway. I just need one more thing - on the organ sounds the sustain pedal is assigned (by default) to switch the Leslie speed. This is a great idea, but I sometimes us a sustain on organ (yeah, cheating, I know). So I need another pedal, and guess what - Kurzweil do a dual pedal unit. That should do nicely.
Having got past that, it was time to audition the sounds. There are over 1000 presets so I have only scratched the surface, but it has to be said that the sounds are very good. I have had some experience with Kurzweil keyboards before and this much I knew - they have quality samples. A large range of sounds are present, with orchestral sounds being especially well presented. A curious omission is the lack of ethnic sounds, apart from the GM ones. Selecting sounds is flexible, which I like. you can scroll with the wheel, + & - buttons, < & > cursor arrows, or up & down cursor arrows. There is also the ability to access via the bank switches or the category & 8 program switches. Then there is the Quick Access. I was most interested in the KB3 Organ engine and find the access to Leslie, vibrato, percussion, and drawbars give all the control I need. The acid test is Whiter Shade of Pale (settings are 6886, Perc: On, Soft, Slow, 2nd, if you're interested). The organ sounds great, but I was a bit disappointed with the Leslie - something just didn't sound quite right, and the speed changes were not to my liking. I did a bit of searching and here's the thing...the keyboard was running v1.32 software. Kurzweil supply updates free, and so I downloaded and installed version 2.03. This has a reworked Leslie effect (among other things the rotors are now CW and CCW) and it sounds great. I could swear I was listening to a 122 cabinet. But, not only is this fixed but there are lots of new sounds included in this update, including some great new B3 sounds.
While I was trying out sounds, I plugged in the ribbon controller. This is no toy - it is 57cm long and makes a huge difference to the control of lead synth, lead guitar, and bass. I really started to have some fun here. It can also be configured to be 3 separate ribbon zones. And speaking of accessories; I got out my old Yamaha breath controller and soon had it acting as a volume for a nice flute sound (with aftertouch adding tremolo). I have just reviewed a Yamaha MOX6 and there was no breath controller facility on it!
After a few days I had time to dig in a bit, and was surprised to find how deep this board is. For example I can adjust FX parameters to the extent of setting the mic position on the simulated Leslie speaker. Here are the specifications to give you an idea:
polyphony 128
keyboard zones 16
layers 32 (each layer can have 2 stereo multi-samples keymaps)
FX units 16
FX chains (presets) 1000
FX chains (user) 1560
FX types 12
Reverbs 150
FX inserts 11
FX aux 2
Arpeggiators 16 (one per zone)
continuous controllers 16
2 state controllers 13
LFO waveforms 44
user algorithms 1536
As you can see, there is a lot of fire power, and a lot of programmabilty (and assignabilty of controllers). The good thing is that there is a considerable amount of information available.
Last night I went through all the Setups (performances) and it shows what the instrument is capable of. There are lots with arpeggios and drum / bass riffs. Some are quite impressive. Only a few I will probably use, but of course I can set up my own Setups anyway. I just need one more thing - on the organ sounds the sustain pedal is assigned (by default) to switch the Leslie speed. This is a great idea, but I sometimes us a sustain on organ (yeah, cheating, I know). So I need another pedal, and guess what - Kurzweil do a dual pedal unit. That should do nicely.