Kawai K4

The Kawai K4 is a 61 key synthesizer manufactured in 1989 by Kawai. It contains several features beyond those offered on Kawai K1, adding resonant filters and a DAC PCM wavetable. The K4 incorporated a new type of synthesis called Digital Multi Spectrum.

K4
ManufacturerKawai
Dates1989[1]
PriceK4 £895 GBP
K4r £695 GBP[2]
Technical specifications
Polyphony16 voices
Timbrality8 part
Oscillator2
LFO1 - Sample & Hold, Saw Up, Square, Triangle
Synthesis typePCM ROMpler
Filter2 - 12dB Slope (2-pole), Low Pass, Resonance
AttenuatorADSR
Aftertouch expressionYes
Velocity expressionYes
Storage memory64 RAM slots
Effects32 types including: Reverb, Reverse Gate, Normal Delay, Stereo Pan Delay, Chorus, Flanger,Over Drive.
Hardware8-bit UPD 78310G CPU
Input/output
Keyboard61 keys
Left-hand controlMod - Wheel, Pitch -Wheel
External controlMIDI [Pedal - Sustain, Velocity, Pedal - Volume

Features
  • 2 line LCD screen
  • 256 16 bit, 32 kHz internal waveforms (96 Digital Cyclic waveforms and 160 PCM samples)
  • Drum section (61 drum patches)[3]

Interestingly, the K4 uses a system that splits 16 bit samples between two read only memory (ROM) chips, while reserving a third chip for 8 bit sound samples that naturally have more noise (such as cymbals, snares, and other noisier percussion) in order to have more functionality for a cheaper manufacturing cost.[4]

Kawai K4R

A 2U rack mounted module was also produced by Kawai.[5][6] It has six separate audio outputs in addition to standard left/right stereo outs and a headphone socket. The effects are removed in the rack mounted version as it is presumed outboard effects will be used with the unit.

References
  1. "Kawai K4 Digital Multi Spectrum Synthesizer". Encyclotronic. Retrieved 2018-08-02.
  2. "Kawai K4 & K4R (MT Dec 89)". www.muzines.co.uk. Retrieved 2018-08-02.
  3. "Kawai K4 & K4R (MT Dec 89)". www.muzines.co.uk. Retrieved 2018-08-02.
  4. "Kawai K4: Really a 16 bit synthesizer? Only partially!". Retrieved 2021-06-05.
  5. "Kawai K4r". Encyclotronic. Retrieved 2018-08-02.
  6. "Kawai K4R". www.polynominal.com. Retrieved 2018-08-02.

Further reading
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