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 | |
---|---|
Manufacturer | Kawai |
Dates | 1989[1] |
Price | K4 £895 GBP K4r £695 GBP[2] |
Technical specifications | |
Polyphony | 16 voices |
Timbrality | 8 part |
Oscillator | 2 |
LFO | 1 - Sample & Hold, Saw Up, Square, Triangle |
Synthesis type | PCM ROMpler |
Filter | 2 - 12dB Slope (2-pole), Low Pass, Resonance |
Attenuator | ADSR |
Aftertouch expression | Yes |
Velocity expression | Yes |
Storage memory | 64 RAM slots |
Effects | 32 types including: Reverb, Reverse Gate, Normal Delay, Stereo Pan Delay, Chorus, Flanger,Over Drive. |
Hardware | 8-bit UPD 78310G CPU |
Input/output | |
Keyboard | 61 keys |
Left-hand control | Mod - Wheel, Pitch -Wheel |
External control | MIDI [Pedal - Sustain, Velocity, Pedal - Volume |
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]
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.