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Kawai | Spectra KC20

Description

The KAWAI KC20 Synthesizer is designed to be compact and light in weight for easy portability, yet comes equipped with a full 61—key keyboard. Despite its affordable price, the KC20 delivery high- class sound quality.

And because it is MIDI-compatible, it also demonstrates solid power as a sound source for computer music and other applications. You can use the KC20 in a wide range of applications, from desktop music to live performances.

Features of the KC20

The KC20 is compatible with the GM (General MIDI) System, the new international standard for electronic musical instruments, and is a new generation of multi-timbre GM keyboard. The KC20 contains a high-quality sound source and such top-class specifications as digital reverb within its slim case, which means that it can meet the needs of a wide range of play— ers, from beginners to professionals.

Two Play Modes for Different Needs

The COMPOSE mode offers a variety of multi-timbre settings for composing and arranging, and the PERFORMANCE mode provides a variety of manual play settings for live performances. This ensures flexible support for a wide range of musical activities from desktop music production to live performances.

The COMPOSE Mode — 16-part Performances with MIDI IN

The COMPOSE mode has a maximum 28-voice polyphony, or 16 Sections (including drum Sections). A variable multi-timbre voice allocation system is used to allow independent play of up to 16 parts, allowing you to make full use of the KC20 without having to worry about the number of voices used by each part. 

The Performance Mode — True Real-time Operation for Live Play

The PERFORMANCE mode has 64 patches (8 banks x 8 patches) to store in memory the settings for splits, layers, and other tone combinations as well as for the keyboard, the two control wheels, reverb, and other effects. This lets you store frequently used set- tings in memory, and during live performances you can even call up settings for differ- ent songs with just the touch of a button.

A Full-sized Keyboard with a Lightweight and Compact Design

The depth of the keyboard measures a slim 20 cm, which means that it won't take up too much space even in small studios. And because the weight is only a light 4.1 kg, the KC20 can easily be carried to the performance site or the practice studio. Yet despite its small size, the KC20 features a full 61-key keyboard, allowing you to enjoy full-fledged keyboard play at any time, wherever you may be.

Dedicated Computer Interface

The KC20 is equipped with a serial interface that allows it to be connected directly to a Macintosh, IBM, or P098 computer without the need for any external MIDI interface or even MIDI cables! With just the KC20, you have a state-of-the-art DTM (desktop music) system.

Rich Tones and High Sound Quality

The KC20 has 160 high-quality tones and seven drum kits built in. Just select the tone you want, and you can enjoy stunning sound quality. A 18-bit digital/analog converter is also used for clear sound quality reproduction.

Create Natural Broadening of Sound

The KC20 comes with six kinds of digital reverb. With this you can recreate the presence and reverberation and natural spaciousness of a live venue like a concert hall.

Performance Data Compatibility

128 single patches and drum tones (seven drum kits) according to GM standards are built in. Therefore you can use virtually any commercially available GM computer performance data for play as-is.

On-board QUICK MIDI system

The KC20 features the QUICK MIDI system, which handles not only transmission of play data but also incorporates external MIDI equipment control functions. The master key- board functions bring real value to live performance and real-time recording applications.
BrandKawai
ModelSpectra KC20
DeviceSynth
TypeKeys
Engine TypeDigital
EnginePCM, Wave
Voices (max)28
Multitimbral16
Oscillators2
LFO1 Saw Up, Square, Triangle
Engine Detailed49 Digital Cyclic (DC) waves, 78 PCM percussion samples
Envelope (VCA)2 ADR
MemoryRom 160 patches. User: 64 patches, 64 performances
Drums7 drumkits
Keys61
Key typeKeys
VelocityY
AftertouchChannel
AudioStereo
MidiI-O-T
Produced:1993
Legend: Obvious Y: Yes, N: No, N/A: Not Applicable
VCO Voltage Controlled Oscillator DCO Digital Controlled Oscillator
LFO Low Frequency Oscillator Sub Sub Oscillator
VCF Voltage Controlled Filter VCA Voltage Controlled Amplifier
Velocity As with a piano, the harder you hit a key, the louder the sound, unlike most organs which always produce the same loudness no matter how hard you hit a key. Aftertouch Pressing a key after you activated it. Channel Aftertouch, no matter which key, it will send a Channel message. Poly Aftertouch, sends the pressure per key instead of the whole channel.
Values for OSC, LFO, Filter, Envelope are per voice unless stated otherwise.

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