KAWAI K4
Related Models

K1

KAWAI K1 is an 8-bit additive-PCM hybrid synthesizer. The 4-oscillator/AM architecture was established with this model. K4 can be seen as the successor of K1 with 16-bit multi-point samples and digital resonant filter.

KAWAI K1
KAWAI K1 (1988)

K4 Series

K4r is the rackmount version of K4. It has no effect but has 6 individual outputs instead.
K4000 is the version with 88 hammer action keys. It was only planned and not released.
KAWAI XD-5 is the percussion synthesizer version. The sample ROM is replaced with rhythm waveforms.

KAWAI K4r
KAWAI K4r (1989)

KAWAI XD-5
KAWAI XD-5 (1990)

GMega / K11

KAWAI GMega and its keyboard version K11 are the successors of K4, and their synthesis engine is called DMS2.
The ROM waveform is extended to 6MB, the D/A became 18-bit.

KAWAI GMega
KAWAI GMega (1993)

K5000

KAWAI K5000W is a hybrid synthesizer of Advanced Additive and PCM synths. The PCM section can be seen as the successor of K4/Gmega with 4MB ROM and more layerability.

KAWAI K5000W
KAWAI K5000W (1997)

Roland synths

Roland released some models that is close to the architecture of KAWAI K4.
Roland D-70 is one of the earliest PCM synth with digital resonant filter, though the bit depth seems to be 12-bit. Like K4, it's a rare synth with release velocity.

Roland D-70
Roland D-70 (1990)

Roland Super JD JD-990, Super JV JV-1080 and later PCM synths line like XV are PCM synthesizers with ring modulator (a kind of AM). Roland and KAWAI are distinct PCM-synth manufacturers that releases PCM synth with such oscillator-to-oscillator nonlinear modulations.

Roland JV-1080
Roland JV-1080 (1994)




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6. 26. 2005