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Introduction
Keeping Current
Keeping Current
Check for new documentation and operating system upgrades before you start using your
instrument. When new software is available for the PC3K, it will be posted at
www.kurzweil.com. You'll use the PC3K's Boot Loader (described in this manual) to upgrade
your instrument to use the new software.
Pictured below is the 88‐key PC3K8.
Arp
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Overview of the PC3K
The PC3K's 800+ programs include the Orchestral and Contemporary sound blocks, General
MIDI (GM), Stereo Triple Strike Piano, Classic Keys for realistic vintage electric piano sounds,
and new String Sections. Multi‐zone performance setups are also provided; 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. An on‐board sequencer with front
panel transport buttons lets you record your ideas any time inspiration strikes. 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.
Before we get into explaining VAST, here are a few of the features that by themselves make the
PC3K an impressive stage and studio machine. It has 128‐voice polyphony and is fully multi‐
timbral, so that different programs can be played on each MIDI channel. There's an on‐board
digital effects processor providing multiple simultaneous effects, including real‐time effects
control, internally or via MIDI. In fact, the PC3K offers more effects processing power than
Kurzweil's much‐lauded KSP8 studio effects processor.
The PC3K offers 128 megabytes of user sample memory. Samples can be loaded via USB from a
thumb‐drive or directly from a computer, and samples remain loaded even while power is off.
Once samples are loaded into the PC3Kʹs flash memory, there is zero load time for those samples
when powering on the instrument. The PC3K is compatible with most K series object files (with
extensions .KRZ, .K25, or .K26,) including samples, keymaps, programs, and setups (see
Appendix E for details.) Additionally, the PC3K can load .PC3 files that were created with the
PC3. The PC3K can also load WAVE and AIFF files (see page 13‐7 for details.)
In addition to the standard stereo audio output pair, there are two additional balanced analog
outputs, as well as a digital output. All of the outputs are available to you simultaneously.
For backup, storage, and moving files, there's two types of USB ports on the back panel of the
PC3K. A USB storage port allows you to connect a USB device such as a thumb drive, and a
second USB Computer port lets you connect the PC3K to a computer for file transfer and MIDI
connectivity.
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