Pricing and availability
* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.
Description
The Kawai K3m is a noteworthy hybrid digital-analog synthesizer module that has captured the imagination of musicians and sound designers for decades. Originally released in the mid-1980s, this module is renowned for its ability to produce lush, rich soundscapes thanks to its unique combination of digital waveforms and analog filters. The K3m is the rack-mount version of the K3 synthesizer, offering the same sonic capabilities in a more compact form factor, perfect for studio setups where space is at a premium.
This synthesizer features a digital waveform generator with 32 waveforms, providing an extensive palette of sounds to explore. Its analog filter adds warmth and depth, making it a versatile tool for both classic and contemporary music production. The K3m also supports MIDI, allowing seamless integration into modern setups, while its programmability offers creative freedom to sculpt and save your own unique sounds.
Whether you're looking to recreate vintage tones or craft entirely new ones, the Kawai K3m delivers with its distinctive voice and robust feature set. Its intuitive interface ensures that both seasoned professionals and adventurous beginners can dive in and start creating right away.
Key Features:
- Hybrid digital-analog synthesizer module
- Digital waveform generator with 32 waveforms
- 6-voice polyphony for rich, layered sounds
- Programmable memory to store custom patches
- Analog filters for warm, expressive tones
- MIDI compatibility for easy integration with modern setups
- Compact rack-mount design ideal for studio environments
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Kawai K3m.
4.0 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 4 Ratings
186
One of Kawai's underrated gems
The Kawai K3 (and K3m) is a hybrid digital / analog synth that uses wavetable oscillators and an analog filter section using the legendary SSM2044 filter chips, which some say are the best sounding filter chip made.
Despite not having knobs, the front panel contains dedicated buttons for parameters and is fairly easy to edit. There are also software (and hardware) editors available for this synth.
In addition to standard waveforms, the K3 has several interesting waveforms oriented towards bells and traditional instruments. There is also a programmable additive waveform that is constructed using partials, a hint to their later forays into additive synthesis with the Kawai K5 and Kawai K5000.
This synth lacks some features like PWM, but it has a great bottom end and is a favorite of mine for pads and bass sounds. Overall, I think this is an underrated piece of gear; those who own it would rarely consider parting with it. The rack module is, in my opinion, the preferred (but more rare) synth, because the keyboard only has one wheel (as opposed to the pitch bend AND modulation.)
Kind of analog
It is analog but sounds a little more digital. Less analog sounding than a Juno 106 but more analog sounding than a D50, if that makes any sense.
40997
yes, yes it does actually
Artist usage
Add artistGenre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Kawai K3m, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
Show yoursMore Kawai Synthesizers
Similar
Gear Guides
Most Popular Synthesizers
Most Popular Brands
-
Added to Equipboard on by
triadexGear IQ 117
-