Kurzweil Music Systems K2600, K2600X, K2600R User's Manual
Introduction
Welcome!
Chapter 1
Introduction
Welcome!
Congratulations, and thanks for purchasing a Kurzweil/Young Chang K2600 Series instrument.
There are seven K2600 Series models, for a wide range of applications:
K2600
K2600S
K2600X
K2600Xs
K2600R
K2600Rs
K2600 AES Top-end model, with built-in sampler, digital I/O, DMTi, and sample libraries
Whichever model you have, youÕre looking at one of the most powerful music workstations
available. The K2600 Series instruments are packed with great acoustic, electric, and synth
soundsÑcombined with some of the most advanced synthesis features available, which you can
use to create almost any sound imaginable. The K2600 incorporates most of the features of the
award-winning K2000 and the K2500, and provides several new features as well.
This manual and the accompanying
you started with your new instrument. YouÕll deÞnitely want to keep the manuals handy as you
become an advanced user, too.
76 keys
K2600 with built-in sampler
88 keys
K2600X with built-in sampler
Rack-mount model
K2600R with built-in sampler
MusicianÕs Reference , as well as the video tutorial, will get
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Introduction
Overview of the K2600
For K2600R Owners
Throughout the MusicianÕs Guide and MusicianÕs Reference weÕve simpliÞed things by saying just
ÒK2600Ó any time weÕre referring to features that are common to all instruments in the K2600
Series. Obviously, though, there are some differences between the rack and keyboard models;
weÕll point them out where they occur and mark them with a handy K2600R margin symbol like
the one to the left of this paragraph. If you own a keyboard model of the K2600, you may want
to read the K2600R-speciÞc information anyway, since much of it also applies when your K2600
is a MIDI slave (when using a computer-based sequencer, for example).
Overview of the K2600
The K2600 has been designed to be a versatile instrument both for performance, and for multitimbral sequencing and recording. Its Variable Architecture Synthesis Technology lets you build
sounds from realistic instrumental samples and sampled synth waveformsÑthen modify the
nature of those sounds through a wide variety of digital signal-processing (DSP) functions. The
K2600 also generates its own synth waveforms, which can be combined with the samples or
used on their own. The K2600 packs 12 Megabytes of onboard sound ROM. You can add up to
four optional ROM sound blocks (there are two currently available), and you can load samples
from disk into optional sample RAM.
Before we get into explaining Variable Architecture Synthesis, here are a few of the features that
by themselves make the K2600 an impressive stage and studio machine. ItÕs fully multitimbralÑdifferent programs can be played on each MIDI channel. ItÕs 48-note polyphonic, for a
full sound no matter how many chords you play. ThereÕs an on-board digital effects processor,
providing up to Þve simultaneous effects, including real-time effects control, internally or via
MIDI.
In addition to the standard stereo audio output pair, there are eight separate outputs that can be
conÞgured as stereo pairs, or as individual mono outputs. These are balanced outputs, which
you can connect to either balanced or unbalanced inputs.
The K2600 offers two SIMM sockets (single, in-line memory modules) so you can add optional
Sample RAM, where you can store samples that youÕve loaded from disk. You can add up to 128
megabytes of Sample RAM. (Sample RAM is not battery-backed, so RAM samples are erased
from memory when you power down.)
For ofßine storage, thereÕs also a ßoppy drive and two
ßoppies or on an external hard disk or load them from a CD-ROM drive. The two SCSI ports
make it easy to chain multiple SCSI devices together. ThereÕs also provision for an internal SCSI
hard disk. YouÕll Þnd all this storage potential extremely useful for saving and loading samples,
which can be transferred to and from the K2600 using the standard MIDI sample transfer
format, or the faster, parallel SMDI sample transfer format (SCSI Musical Data Interchange). See
the MusicianÕs Reference for information about MIDI and SMDI sample transfers.
The K2600Õs battery-backed program RAM can store about 800 of your own programs, or about
60,000 notes recorded in the sequencer. This sequencer (Song mode) lets you play back MIDI
type 0 or 1 sequences, record and play back your own songs, and record multi-timbral
sequences received via MIDI. For more onboard storage you can add the P/RAM option, which
will increase your battery-backed RAM to about 1500K (1.5M), enough to store hundreds of
additional programs, setups, songs, and other objects . (Without the P/RAM option, the K2600
has about 500K of program RAM.)
SCSI ports, so you can store Þles on
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The Local Keyboard Channel feature enables you to use the K2600Õs multi-zone setups even if
youÕre using a MIDI controller that can transmit on only one channel. The K2600 will also
rechannelize incoming MIDI information and send it to its MIDI Out port, enabling you to
control additional synths on eight different channels.
An optional sampling feature is available, allowing you to make your own mono or stereo
samples using analog or digital inputs. With the sampling option, you can also use Live mode,
which enables you to take an input signal (at the analog sampling input), and route it through
the K2600Õs VAST algorithmsÑso you can apply Kurzweil DSP and effects to any sound The
sampling option also gives you digital audio output (stereo optical or unbalanced stereo XLR).
ThereÕs also the digital input/output (I/O) option, which provides eight channels for digital
audio input and output (as well as a stereo digital output).
And, of course, thereÕs the incomparable Kurzweil sound. The K2600 comes to you with over
400 programs (called patches, presets, voices, etc. on other synths)Ñ238 in ROM and 200 more
in RAM. There are also about 200 multi-zone performance setups. Many of these setups use note
triggers to play factory-recorded songs that provide grooves and arpeggiation that make great
templates for performance or recording.
VAST Synthesis
Variable Architecture Synthesis Technology gives the K2600 its unprecedented ßexibility. While
many other synthesizers offer a Þxed set of DSP tools (typically Þltering, pitch, and amplitude
modulation) the K2600Õs Variable Architecture lets you arrange a combination of any Þve DSP
functions from a long list of choices. The functions you choose deÞne the type of synthesis you
use.
Introduction
VAST Synthesis
Each layer of every program has its own DSP architecture, which we call an algorithm . Within
each algorithm, you can select from a variety of DSP functions. Each function can be
independently controlled by a variety of sources including LFOs, ASRs, envelopes, a set of
unique programmable functions (FUNs), as well as any MIDI control message. The many
different DSP functions and the wealth of independent control sources give you an extremely
ßexible, truly vast collection of tools for sound creation and modiÞcation. When youÕre ready to
jump in and start creating and editing programs, turn to Chapter 6.
Variable Architecture Synthesis Technology
KB3 T one Wheel Emulation
In addition to VAST synthesis, the K2600 offers many oscillator-based programs that give you
the classic sound of tone-wheel organs like the Hammond B 3ª. KB3 mode, as we call it, is
completely independent of VAST, and has its own set of editing procedures. YouÕll Þnd details in
Chapter 6.
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