Kenji Kawai

In this late 2025 promotional video for Arturia, we see inside Kenji Kawai's studio, where a pair of Korg M1Rs can be clearly seen @ 0:51. Kenji has been pictured in this studio with this rack several times over the years, indicating he's been using this rack for awhile now.

At 0:51 in this late 2025 video for Arturia, you can clearly see Kawai's SE Midimini rack in the background. According to Kenji's own website, he has two of these units. This site also confirms that these are indeed Midiminis and not the earlier MidiMoog units SE shipped.

At 0:51 in this 2025 Arturia promo video, you can clearly see Kawai's Mellotron M4000D rack in the background. At other points in the video, you can even see the word "Mellotron" in giant silver embossed letters on the unit, as if the color and layout weren't distinctive enough.

On his own website's equipment section, Kawai lists a "Roland MK-80", which is a glorious digital Rhodes-branded Roland stage piano from 1989. Kawai still uses this vintage beast as his main midi controller, as seen throughout this 2025 feature he did for Aruturia.

On his own website's equipment section, Kawai lists a "Korg M1REX". He's a big-time M1 user, as he also lists 3 of the non-EX M1Rs, 2 of which can still be seen throughout this 2025 feature he did for Aruturia... meaning we're still likely still hearing new game and film/TV scores from Kawai that utilize the M1 soundest.

In Episode 32 of "Toco Toco" featuring Kenji Kawai, at 6:03, a Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 is visibly present in his studio. The synthesizer is part of Kawai's core hardware setup, as he discusses his workflow and the process of composing, producing, and mixing music. The presence of the Prophet-5 underscores Kawai’s integration of classic analog gear into his production environment. This information is credited to the YouTube video provided by Archipel.

Kenji Kawai is confirmed to use the Yamaha FS1R synthesizer, as it is listed on his official website under his profile.

Kenji Kawai is confirmed to use the Korg T3 EX synthesizer, as it is listed on his official website under the "Profile" section.

Kenji Kawai uses the Kurzweil K2500R, as confirmed on his official website under the "Profile" section.

Kenji Kawai is confirmed to use a Roland U-110, as it is listed on his official website under the profile section.

Kenji Kawai is confirmed to use three Roland JV-2080 Synthesizer Modules, as listed on his official website.

Kenji Kawai is confirmed to use an E-Mu Planet Phatt, as it is listed on his official website under the profile section.

Kenji Kawai is confirmed to use the E-MU Orbit 2, as listed on his official website under the profile section.

Kenji Kawai uses the E-MU Carnaval synthesizer, as confirmed on his official website under the "Profile" section.

Kenji Kawai is confirmed to use two E-MU PROTEUS 3 ETHNIC SOUND modules, as listed on his official website.

Kenji Kawai is confirmed to use two E-Mu Proteus 2 Orchestral modules, as listed on his official website under the profile section.

According to his official website, Kenji Kawai owns two E-Mu Proteus 2000 sound modules.

Kenji Kawai is confirmed to use two Alesis D4 Drum and Percussion Sound Modules, as listed on his official website under the "Profile" section.

Kenji Kawai uses the Alesis DM Pro, as confirmed on his official website in the "Profile" section.

Kenji Kawai uses a Yamaha DX7-IIFD, as confirmed by a listing on his official website under the "Profile" section.

Kenji Kawai is confirmed to use a Roland JD-800, as stated on his official website under the "Profile" section.

In a promotional video by Arturia, a pair of Roland Integra 7 is visible in Kenji Kawai's studio, placed in the rack adjacent to his composing desk.