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Average Price: $550

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$1501+

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Description

Embark on a sonic journey with the Kawai K5000S, a synthesizer that bridges the gap between the warmth of analog and the precision of digital. This powerhouse instrument is renowned for its additive synthesis capabilities, providing musicians with an expansive palette to craft unique textures and sounds. Whether you're composing ambient soundscapes or punchy electronic tracks, the K5000S grants you the flexibility to explore and innovate.

The K5000S features a responsive 61-key velocity-sensitive keyboard with aftertouch, ensuring that your expressive playing is captured with nuance. Its robust sound engine, complemented by a vast array of presets, allows for deep customization, making it a favorite among synth enthusiasts. The onboard effects, including reverb, chorus, and delay, add an extra layer of depth to your creations, while the intuitive interface ensures seamless navigation through its myriad of options.

Designed with the performing musician in mind, the K5000S offers real-time control over filters, envelopes, and modulation. This makes it an ideal companion for live performances, where spontaneity and adaptability are key. Dive into its 128-voice polyphony and experience the full richness and detail of your compositions without compromise.

Key Features:

  • Additive synthesis engine for rich sound creation
  • 61-key velocity-sensitive keyboard with aftertouch
  • 128-voice polyphony for complex arrangements
  • Extensive onboard effects including reverb, chorus, and delay
  • Real-time control for dynamic live performances
  • User-friendly interface for easy navigation and sound editing
  • Comprehensive preset library for instant inspiration

Product specs

Brand Kawai
Model K5000S 61-Key Digital Synthesizer
Finish Silver / Black
Year 1996
Categories Digital Synthesizers, Keyboard Synths
Analog / Digital Digital
Key Size Full Size
Keyboard Action Semi-Weighted
MIDI I/O MIDI Input, MIDI Output, MIDI Through
Number of Keys 61 Keys
Polyphony 32 Voices

FAQs

Is the Kawai K5000S suitable for live performances?

Yes, the Kawai K5000S is well-suited for live performances due to its 61 full-size keys, semi-weighted action, and comprehensive MIDI capabilities, allowing for expressive play and seamless integration with other gear.

What type of synthesis does the Kawai K5000S use?

The Kawai K5000S utilizes additive synthesis, which allows for complex sound creation by combining multiple harmonics, offering a unique and rich sonic palette compared to traditional subtractive synthesizers.

How many voices of polyphony does the Kawai K5000S have?

The Kawai K5000S features 32 voices of polyphony, enabling it to handle complex passages and layered sounds without note dropouts.

Can the Kawai K5000S be integrated with a modern DAW?

Yes, the Kawai K5000S can be integrated with modern DAWs through its MIDI input, output, and through ports, allowing for easy connectivity and control within a digital audio workstation environment.

What are the standout features of the Kawai K5000S's sound engine?

The Kawai K5000S's sound engine stands out for its advanced additive synthesis capabilities, offering extensive harmonic control and sound design potential that is distinct from typical digital synthesizers.

SynthMania

SynthMania

Kawai K5000S demo

Video thumbnail for Kawai K5000S demo by SynthMania

Kawai K5000S demo

SynthMania

SynthMania

Video thumbnail for A few Kawai K5000S pads by SynthMania

A few Kawai K5000S pads

SynthMania

SynthMania

Video thumbnail for KAWAI K5000S - Sounds, Patches & Ambient Soundscapes | Synth Demo by synth4ever

KAWAI K5000S - Sounds, Patches & Ambient Soundscapes | Synth Demo

synth4ever

synth4ever

Video thumbnail for KAWAI K5000S Demo & Review by musictrackjp

KAWAI K5000S Demo & Review

musictrackjp

musictrackjp

Video thumbnail for KAWAI K5000S - The Vintage Synth That Killed Kawai (Scum Night) by Vulture Culture

KAWAI K5000S - The Vintage Synth That Killed Kawai (Scum Night)

Vulture Culture

Vulture Culture

Video thumbnail for KAWAI K5000S atmospheric soundscapes by synthlegends

KAWAI K5000S atmospheric soundscapes

synthlegends

synthlegends

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Kawai K5000S.

Comparisons

  • Owners have noted that the K5000S is a "pad monster" and excels in creating ambient/experimental pads and drones, as well as acid basses and techno sounds, which aren't possible with other synths.

    Source
  • DiscoDSP Vertigo, developed by Arguru, is noted for surpassing the K5000 with 512 fully editable partials and sound import capabilities.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The thick, unusual texture of the K5000S sound is particularly favored for creating alien and ethereal soundscapes.

    Source
  • Although not widely documented, Kraftwerk allegedly used four K5000S units on tour for their unique sound capabilities.

    Source

User experience

  • Adjusting partials in groups simplifies sound design, making the complex synthesis engine more accessible for users.

    Source
  • Owners find the K5000S keys narrower than typical synths, yet still report an excellent overall playing feel.

    Source
  • Some owners recall the K5000S as having one of the best keybeds ever made, contributing to its reputation as a desirable and high-quality synth.

    Source
  • Factory patches are largely considered ineffective, with users estimating about 80% as duds, prompting the creation of custom sounds.

    Source
  • Owners report that programming new patches without an editor is notably difficult, highlighting the K5000S's complex interface.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The K5000S is the only model in its series with dedicated knobs, allowing real-time control and live performance tweaking.

    Source
  • It offers a decently featured arpeggiator with 40 factory patterns and 8 user patterns, enhancing its versatility for music creation.

    Source
  • The K5000S includes a 128-band formant filter paired with resonant 24dB lowpass and highpass filters for unique sound shaping capabilities.

    Source
  • The Kawai K5000S is known for its complex programming, which can be simplified using the Sound Diver editor, although not without challenges.

    Source
  • The K5000S offers real-time controls on the left, enhancing its usability as an instrument and not just a programming tool, with a helpful preset display for macro control visualization.

    Source

Software and compatibility

  • It's important to check for the arp MIDI bug, which may cause the K5000S to send continuous garbage code, potentially affecting other connected synths.

    Source
  • Sound Diver software, downloadable from the internet archive, significantly eases the programming process compared to the onboard interface.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • There's an OS upgrade available, though installing it requires using a floppy disk with an older computer or an external floppy drive.

    Source

Build quality

  • The K5000S has been described as notably heavy, with its substantial weight attributed to its robust build and the heavy synth-style keybed that many find enjoyable to play.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Kawai K5000R & K5000S

soundonsound.com

The Kawai K5000S stands out with its unique additive synthesis capabilities and 16 real-time control knobs, making it an attractive choice for sound creators. Its sophisticated arpeggiator and macro controls offer inspiring creative possibilities. However, its four-part multitimbrality and halved polyphony might be limiting for some, and the manual lacks depth. Despite these drawbacks, the K5000S is a compelling option for those eager to explore additive synthesis at an accessible price.

positive

4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 6 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
koldunya

Queen Regent of additive synthesis

A powerful digital synthesizer from a time when synth makers were actually pushing the envelope and doing cool things. This was the era of the FS1R, VL7m, the FIZMO. There's a lot under the hood, but it's a rewarding synthesizer to get to know, and has a great digital filter.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Blush Response uses Kawai K5000S

Blush Response

Music Producer

...
Verified via 15questions

"Nowadays my setup consists of a giant eurorack modular (8 rows @104 hp, ever growing and changing), Waldorf Micro Q Keyboard, Kawai K5000s, Elektron Octatrack, Analog RYTM, and Digitakt, and a revolving door of other little things that come in and out."

E

Ethan Matthews

Guitarist

Echo Us

...
Verified via Photo

Main keyboard controller and (additive) synthesizer used by Ethan (2006-present)

Genre 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 K5000S, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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