Order by phone
Mon-Fri: 9:00AM-6:00PM 0844 815 0888

Select CurrencyYour Basket 0 items | £ 0.00 Checkout
Home » Keyboards » Keyboards » Workstations » Kurzweil PC3X

Kurzweil PC3X

Dolphin id:
35275
Product SKU:
PC3X

This product is currently not available for purchase.

The Ultimate Performance Controller Keyboard - 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.

Show full description »

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

For good measure we include an unlimited-track sequencer with 1536 PPQ resolution and more effects processing power than our 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.

It's a performance controller. It's a synthesizer. It's a workstation.

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 extended to Feb 15th 2008.)
  • 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 16 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 12 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: 16 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.

Specifications

  • Height: (4.33") (11.00 cm)
  • Depth: (13.98") (35.50 cm)
    Length: (54.33") (138 cm)
  • Weight: (55 lb.) (25 kg)
  • Power: Internal AC power supply.
  • Selectable 120/240V AC operation.
Image: Kurzweil PC3X

Save 17%

Free Delivery*

UK mainland standard delivery FREE.
More details on UK deliveries.
More details on International deliveries.

Kurzweil PC3X videos

If you are registered with us you may log in to add additional videos related to this product. You can also register an account to add a related video.

Kurzweil PC3X Reviews

9/10

Excellent master keys for live performance

— Ben Wiles May 25, 2009

I\'ve been a pro keys player in musical theatre for over 10 years. My old controller, a Roland A-90, was getting a little old and unreliable, so I bought a PC3X.

It\'s got a steep learning curve if you want to program, partly because of the limited manual, partly because of the power and complexity of the synth engine. There are a series of good video tutorials at the Kurzweil website which help much more than any manual (supplied or downloaded).

The sounds are glorious - when I got it set up I spent several evenings just playing the pianos. The keyboard instruments are all fabulous, though many of the KB3 organs do sound a bit too perfect; still it\'s nice to have the option of using the faders as drawbars. The sampled sounds and analogue emulations are very nice, though.

Other sounds are also excellent. The guitars sparkle, the trumpets blare and the tuned percussion breathes somehow. The woodwind are very useable but are not, I think, quite up to the rest of the orchestral sounds.

Like the strings. The strings on this keyboard would put some orchestral sample libraries to shame from the way they sound - but they also play beautifully. This is the best sounding keyboard I\'ve ever played for faking a string section in the orchestra pit, and I\'ve done that a lot.

In fact, the playability is the really great thing about this keyboard. It has a hammer action with quick release springs (I believe) which sounds odd, but is very easy on the fingers - like a grand piano adjusted for a player with a relatively light touch. The touch response can be varied in software should you wish to play some serious Beethoven, and it does somehow make the keys feel heavier. The aftertouch is firm but not Roland-vicelike-firm, and the programs are designed to take advantage of it in a very natural way.

Should you need other programs, you can set up each keyboard zone to independently address the external MIDI port. This might be particularly useful if you need samples...

So, all in all, a fantastic mother keyboard for live use. But here are the down sides:

(1) The manual is a bit rubbish. You have to make sure you\'ve downloaded an up-to-date manual off the net as the one in the box is a bit old. Even then, the manual explains what the keyboard can do, rather than how you can get it to do something or other. This is partly because it is such a powerful synth engine, but even so...

(2) No sample or even MP3 file playback. While I don\'t need to sample per se, I occasionally need to trigger a sound effect. I hope the ability to do this becomes available, even if it is simply triggering an MP3 to play back from the xD card. For now I can hook up my trusty ESI... but what if it dies? There are no hardware samplers any more (except for groove sampling, but that\'s a facility I don\'t need).

(3) The sequencer is basic compared to... Oh, come on! For a master keyboard it has an excellent sequencer. For a 10 year old workstation it would have a good sequencer. Compared with Logic / Cubase / Korg OASYS? Well, it\'s basic. I\'ve used it as a useful sketchpad, but I wouldn\'t dream of scoring a film on it, unless I was absolutely bonkers.

(4) xD cards are rather esoteric, and it only likes Type S (which are at least cheaper than Type M.

(5) It weighs a ton. But it\'s still a bit lighter (I think) than my A-90. Still, that\'s what roadies are for.

All in all, I would recommend the PC3X if you\'re looking for an adaptable master keyboard which is equally at home playing piano parts or something else. Try it out, try out a few others (I\'ll plug the Yamaha CP300 as a lovely stage piano, but less adaptable and heavier than the Kurzweil). For me, this was the best compromise and, Lord! does it sound good.

Add your review
Security code
Price Matching

Dolphin Music brings you the best music gear at the best price. We are committed to superior customer service and have extensive product knowledge. However, in today’s market we may not always be aware of all the price fluctuations of the products we sell. So, we offer competitive price matching.

Please fill in the following form to request a price match.

What prices we will match?

We will compare prices for new, direct from manufacturer items, excluding any add-ons, options, or other special features which may affect price.

The item must be new and must be the exact same make and model (ie, the same size, version, etc.).

Since our postage charges are lower than most of the shops, the comparison price must be a "delivered cost" to the consumer.

If we are unable to verify the previous condition, we will notify you that we require additional information to verify the Price Match request. Our goal is to make this policy simple and hassle-free. We are committed to responding to your requests quickly.

The price you have found must be the Internet Retailer's regular, advertised price for a current and available item. The price you found cannot be a closeout, discontinued, blemished, year-end, inventory reduction, or any other type of advertised sale price.

Price Matching requests may not be combined with any other promotional discounts, specials or other price incentives.

Prices and price sources you have found which do not meet the above criteria or in which incomplete or inaccurate information is provided to us, will not be approved for our Price Match.

Please select your country/region

Choose the region you are shopping from to view products in your currency.

We have temporarily suspended processing of EUR payments, all orders will be charged in GBP.