Boasts sleek new style, advanced action, and the latest sound engine technology from Kurzweil.

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 PC3X delivers 128 voices of incredible sound quality along with a host of powerful, easy to use features. The PC3X is Kurzweil's ultimate performance controller keyboard, with an enormous collection of stunning sounds combined with comprehensive real-time controller functions.

In addition to Kurzweils's renowned Triple Strike Grand Piano, the PC3X 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.

The PC3X Keyboard's Dynamic V.A.S.T. architecture is a huge step forward in synthesis, the fruit of several major strides they've made in improving processing power, flexibility and user-friendliness. Good news for synth enthusiasts - Kurzweil has seamlessly integrated the legendary VA-1 Virtual Analog Synthesizer into the new system!

For good measure Kurzweil included an unlimited-track sequencer with 1536 PPQ resolution and more effects processing power than the acclaimed KSP8 processor, making the PC3X a full blown music production workstation. Add in USB, flash xD card port, a newly designed keyboard action, and a new intuitive user interface, and you've got the next generation of Kurzweil instruments.

One thing which clearly sets Kurzweil apart from the competition is the fact that Kurzweil designed their own chips (called ASICs) for all their products. Simply put, Kurzweil's chips are customized for optimum audio performance. 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 noticeable latency - the performance is always lightning fast. And most importantly, it translates into that rich, full, glitch-free sound for which Kurzweil has become famous. Yes developing their own chips is more expensive and more time consuming. But they think it's well worth it. Once you've heard the PC3X, you'll agree.

The Kurzweil Sound
The PC3X Controller Keyboard 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 Kurzweil's Classic Keys ROM, which puts an impossibly large vintage keyboard rig at your fingertips. These are vintage emulations which actually sound like vintage instruments and classic recordings. 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 punchy Clavinets are all there at the touch of a button, programmed to sound just like those classic albums.

For more vintage firepower, the PC3X 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, they've also included sounds from the classic Vox and Farfisa combo organs. The PC3X's 9 sliders provide real-time drawbar control.

The PC3X keyboard offers a full range of world class orchestral sounds, including a 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.

Dynamic V.A.S.T.
Under the hood of the PC3X is simply the most powerful synthesis engine ever created by Kurzweil. Dynamic V.A.S.T. picks up where the K series left off. Having up to 32 layers per program means that emulations of real instruments can be extremely detailed and accurate, while the synthesized sounds can be extraordinarily large and complex.

Expanding upon V.A.S.T. architecture, the PC3X's architecture delivers more power and flexibility combined with unprecedented ease of use. Users can now create and store their own DSP algorithms, with nearly limitless possibilities for routing.

In another huge development, Kurzweil has resurrected the VA-1 Virtual Analog Synthesizer, having built it's synthesis engine right into the new system. Hear the VA-1's power-shaped, anti-aliasing oscillators combined with a newer, larger set of V.A.S.T. filters and non-linear processors and you'll understand why the internet is buzzing about this feature.

Cascade Mode
Every layer in a program can be routed through the DSP of any other layer, in series or blended together, with up to 32 layers. It's the same concept as Triple Mode on Kurzweils's K26 series, without the 3 layer limit. You can run your sound through literally dozens of filters (which can all move independently in real-time) in addition to Kurzweil's signature DSP processors like Shaper, Wrap and Distortion, allowing for some truly dazzling results. This is one more feature which makes the PC3X's synth engine so powerful and so different than anything else on the market.

User Interface.
While the PC3X's user interface may look familiar to veteran Kurzweil users, major improvements have been made, allowing for a much more user friendly experience. The PC3X'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 other relevant information. Programs can be selected by scrolling or by using bank and program select buttons for easy one touch access.

Complimenting the PC3X's killer soundset is the Easy Audition feature, where every one of the PC3X's presets is linked to a bank of "riffs", recorded sequences which demonstrate each sound in an appropriate context. Just hit the "play" button on the front panel and get a quick musical preview of the current selection. Program selection and navigation, fast and easy.

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 PC3X 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.

Also available will be a software-based PC3 Desktop Editor (for both Mac & PC) with comprehensive, easy to use features.

Effects.
With up to 16 insert effects plus two available auxiliary sends, the PC3X offers more than twice the processing power of Kurzweils's acclaimed KDFX engine. Effects can be chained together in series, or distributed among the PC3X'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 PC3X's real time controllers - sliders, pedals, wheels, etc. Sequencer...

The PC3X will feature a newly designed sequencer, with unlimited tracks and 1536 PPQ resolution. Combining a set of powerful song editing functions like step editing, swing, and controller scaling with a new friendlier interface, the PC3X Keyboard truly excels as a song writing/arranging workstation, ideal for music production on the fly. Chasing controls and a global "set song length" function are just a couple of the features Kurzweil has incorporated.

Also included are four independent arpeggiators as well as a collection of pre-recorded beats and musical phrases.

Kurzweil PC3X 88-Key Performance Controller Keyboard 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)
• Architecture: Dynamic VAST: Powerful new synthesis engine, with user programmable DSP algs and routing. More DSP power than even our K Series instruments. VA1 Inside: anti-aliasing, power-shaped oscillators and DSP processing from Kurzweil's VA1 prototype synth, capable of delivering authentic analog emulations as well as incredibly complex new sounds. (** VA-1 Synthesis Engine - included FREE for a limited time! A $599.00 value - offer ends 12/31/07.)
• Cascade Mode: lets the user route one layer through the DSP of any other layer within a program - up to 32 consecutive layers deep!
• Software Desktop Editor: Mac and PC platforms
• Factory Presets: Over 850 Stunning New Factory Presets, many of which use 10-20 layers, featuring samples from the PC2 Base Sound ROM, the Orchestral, Classic Keys, General MIDI set, PLUS new String Section ROM Bank. Also, 64 new KB3 programs.
• 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: 1024 locations for user created preset programs. 128 locations for user created MIDI Setups.
• Sound ROM Expansion Slots: 2
• Sequencer: Unlimited tracks; 1536 PPQ resolution; features pattern "Clips" that can be created within a track, and then easily stretched, compressed, copied, repeated and transposed. Song editing functions include step editing, swing, controller scaling and more. Controller chasing and a global "set song length" functions are also featured.
• Effects: 16 insert effects distributed over 11 busses, 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 and master compressor for quick adjustments during live performance. (These do not use up the insert effect resources.)
• 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. Controller values can be "captured" and stored as part of a program.
• Arpeggiator: 4 full-featured independent arpeggiators with multiple latch modes, selectable play order, velocity, duration, tempo, and sync functions as well as pre-recorded beats and musical phrases.
• Analog Outputs: Four 1/4" balanced TRS analog (24-bit DACs).
• Headphones: 1 rear panel 1/4" headphone output.
• Digital Outputs: 24-bit, stereo S/PDIF featuring both 48kHz and 96kHz modes.
• MIDI: In, Out, Thru (hardware switchable to copy of MIDI Out).
• USB: MIDI over USB. Also allows the PC3X to load and save data directly to and from a computer as well as perform OS updates.
• Flash Memory Port: xD card type. Store and load programs, OS updates, and sequences.
• FREE OS Updates: Flash ROM upgradeable via USB or flash memory card.

We guarantee your total satisfaction and lowest possible price for 45-days beyond your purchase!

Kurzweil PC3X 88-Key Performance Controller Keyboard

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Average of 4 User Ratings

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The most amazing kurzweil yet!

Posted by Gary Lerner from SF bay area on Nov 3, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Active musician

Reviewer's Play Style: Rock, Pop, Progressive work, Jazz,Blues

This is the most complete product out there. The only thing that might be missing for those who need it is a sampler. Still - 1000 sounds,infinite editing, the best combination of real world instruments and analog (an entire analog synth built in), a full B3 hardware simulation, comeon, who needs more?

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Simply Awesome

Posted by Anonymous Musician on Dec 4, 2008

Experience w/product: I have heard about it

Reviewer's Background: N/A

Reviewer's Play Style: N/A

Our first initial impression was that PC3X takes the best of two of their previous instruments and combines them into a single instrument that stands head and shoulders above anything else, and then adds even more on top. From the PC2X, the previous generation in the PC series of instruments, the PC3X takes its incredible sample set (which is a different, newer set than what is in the K2600 series and other previous instruments). These raw sounds form the basis of the keyboard's tonal palette. First and foremost, the standard by which all keyboards are judged: the piano. Kurzweil's Triple Strike grand piano is a multi-velocity layered set of piano samples consisting of hard, medium, and soft strikes for maximum realistic tonal difference as you play with varying dynamics. Combined with the PC3X's improved V.A.S.T synthesizer engine (more on that in a bit) and improved Fatar keyboard action, the Triple Strike piano becomes even more of a joy to play. Also included is a new String Section ROM, full of beautiful, lush string section samples as well as solo instruments. Kurzweil has always been famous for having beautiful string sounds and the new String Section bank ups that bar yet again. An entire bank of string programs is available for doing realistic orchestral scoring, as well as an entire bank of other orchestral programs. The Classic Keys ROM of the PC2X has also been borrowed for some of the best Rhodes, Wurlitzer, and other vintage keyboard instrument sounds that you can get in a digital hardware instrument today. The KB3 organ mode is also available here as well, complete with real-time drawbar control (on 9 hardware sliders!) and even more improved Leslie cabinet simulation. From the K2600 series, the PC3X takes most of its basic operating system paradigm, including Program and Setup Modes, Quick Access Mode (a must-have for live performance!), as well as a full 16-channel sequencer. Most of the interface will be very familiar and comfortable to previous K-series owners so you can sit down and start playing the instrument right away. Besides just the interface, the PC3X also takes the core of the K-series synthesizer, and then upgrades it to V.A.S.T 2.0. Where the K2600 had Triple Mod Processing, the PC3X takes that to another level with Cascade Mode by allowing you to use the output of any layer as the input of any other. But it goes even further than that: in the K2600 you could choose from over 30 different processing wiring schemes or algorithms. In the PC3X, you can actually create and save your own algorithm wiring. For the sound tweakers out there like me, this is a long-anticipated feature and shows that Kurzweil has definitely been listening. A new addition is Kurzweil's new VA-1 virtual analog synthesizer engine. The previous K-series instruments had the ability to create basic synthesizer waveforms using their DSP power, but these waveforms were static and also suffered from aliasing noise in the extreme upper registers. The new VA1 oscillators in the PC3X are anti-aliasing and are also "power-shaped", meaning you can smoothly adjust the partials of the waveform from sawtooth wave all the way down to sine wave without having to use up a DSP block for a filter. What all of this technical stuff means is that there's a ton of horsepower under the hood of this instrument to take those already incredible ROM samples and process them into some of the best sounds available in a keyboard today. While not technically a complete successor to the K-series line (there are no sampling loading or processing functions in the PC3X), it's close enough that I'm already seriously considering clearing some space in my studio for a new arrival.

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It's the sounds...!

Posted by Petri R. from Finland on Aug 15, 2008

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: hobbyist

Reviewer's Play Style: various

I tried to find the hardware synth with the best sounds, and in my humble opinion, I did. There are so many great and well programmed sounds in this thing that it's hard not to be amazed. Playing it is inspiring. This might sound very biased, but that's what I am after playing it. Navigation in the user interface is simple and intuitive and the screen does its job very well. The feel of the keyboard is truly nice. And its build is very sturdy + responsive sliders.

I can't say a lot about the sequencing functions because I use a DAW for that. But the sounds... the sounds ^_^!

Pros: Sounds(!), keyboard feel, user interface, build-quality, VA-1...

Cons: No sampler(?), there aren't every possible kind of sounds (surprise)

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Great investment

Posted by VanDoren from NY on May 2, 2008

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Active Musician, Recording business

Reviewer's Play Style: Rock, Blues, Jazz

Every aspect of the PC3X is top notch. Updates from the Kurzweil website have been great and looking forward to future updates. The Kurzweil team is very helpful through email and the SonikMatter website, like a small family operating things.

The keyboard is built like a tank, very well constructed, the key action is the best I ever played with. Navigating, creating layers, composing with the sequencer, etc are all pretty easy, learning curve hasn't been too bad.

My favorite sounds have been the KB3 and Rhodes along with the Wurly's and amazing piano's. There are A LOT of orchestral sounds. Then you have all these classic sounds heard from familiar albums - everything from "Jump" to Donald Fagan, too much to list. You can not go wrong with any sound with the fact that every aspect of a patch can be tweeked, layered, mixed, etc. Well, I certainly will be using this keyboard for many years to come, even teaching my children with it.

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Kurzweil PC3X 88-Key Performance Controller Keyboard

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