|
Kurzweil Music Systems is a company that produces electronic musical instruments for professionals and home users. Founded by Raymond Kurzweil, a developer of reading machines for the blind, the company made use of many of the technologies originally designed for reading machines and adapted them to musical purposes. They released their first instrument, the K250 in 1983, and have continued producing new instruments ever since. The company was acquired by Young Chang in 1990. Hyundai now has a stake in Young Chang and has appointed Raymond Kurzweil as Chief Strategy Officer of Kurzweil Music Systems[1]. An electronic musical instrument is a musical instrument that produces its sounds using electronics. ...
Raymond Kurzweil (pronounced: ) (born February 12, 1948) is a pioneer in the fields of optical character recognition (OCR), text-to-speech synthesis, speech recognition technology, and electronic keyboard instruments. ...
Optical character recognition, usually abbreviated to OCR, is a type of computer software designed to translate images of handwritten or typewritten text (usually captured by a scanner) into machine-editable text, or to translate pictures of characters into a standard encoding scheme representing them (e. ...
This article is about the visual condition. ...
A reading machine is a piece of Assistive Technology that allows blind people to access printed materials. ...
For other uses, see Music (disambiguation). ...
The Kurzweil 250 a. ...
Young Chang (including Bergmann, Pramberger, and Kurzweil Music System) is a famous Korean piano maker. ...
Kurzweil's products are widely regarded as high quality, but their high pricing in a competitive market has prevented Kurzweil from gaining widespread adoption.
Products
The company launched the K250 synthesizer in 1984: while rather limited by today's standards and quite expensive, it was considered to be the first really successful attempt to emulate the complex piano sound.
K2x synthesizers The company's flagship line of synthesizers, the K2x series, began to make real headway with the K2000, which introduced the company's acclaimed VAST (Variable Architecture Synthesis Technology) engine. Throughout the 1990s, updates and upgrades to the K2000 (and eventually its successors, the K2500 and K2600) ensured that the K2x series was regarded as one of the most powerful and best-sounding synthesizers/samplers available.
The K2000 was released in 1990 and was available in four versions, the K2000, K2000S, K2000R, and K2000RS. The S versions contain the hardware required for sampling, while the R versions are rack-mountable; the versions without an R feature 61 pressure-sensitive keys. The K2000 is capable of 24 voice polyphony, which is somewhat limited, although up to 4 oscillators per voice can be used and an intelligent voice stealing algorithm retires the playing notes which are estimated to be least audible rather than simply the oldest. Each voice of the K2000 is able to play a separate program, allowing for smooth transitions during live performance, this simple feature took Kurzweil's competitors more than a decade to match. The keyboard could be equipped with up to 64 megabytes of sample RAM for user loaded samples. The Kurzweil K2000 represents nothing less than the Perfect Electronic Instrument. ...
In signal processing, sampling is the reduction of a continuous signal to a discrete signal. ...
Polyphony is the property of an electronic musical instrument which describes how many notes it can sound at one time. ...
The K2500, released in 1996, was an incremental improvement to the K2000 which increased polyphony to 48 voices and made a number of other minor improvements. The K2500 was available in several versions, including a choice of 76 note semi-weighted, 88 note weighted action keyboard, or rack-mount without keyboard. It was also available with or without sample recording hardware. The K2500 also included a ribbon controller. A ribbon controller is a user interface used to control parameters of electronic musical instruments, primarily used with analog synthesizers. ...
The K2600, released in 1999, improved on the K2500 with the addition of a new effects engine called KDFX and an enhancement to the VAST engine called triple-mode. KDFX was also offered as an upgrade for the K2500 and later made available as a standalone product in the KSP8.
The Kurzweil K2661, released in 2004, is basically a full-featured K2600 with a 61-key keyboard.
PCx Series In the mid 90s, they introduced the PC88 keyboard which was advertised more as a MIDI controller. It was good for this purpose because it had 88 fully weighted keys and the ability to set four zones for controlling different instruments. It was also a bit smaller so it was more portable than the K series instruments. The instrument itself had over 300 internal sound patches and the ability to combine them together with different effects. It was common for performers to use this instrument in combination with a rack mount K series synth. In the late 90s, Kurzweil introduced the PC2 Series of keyboards. In Winter 2007, Kurzweil is launching the PC3 Performance Controller. MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is an industry-standard electronic communications protocol that enables electronic musical instruments, computers and other equipment to communicate, control and synchronize with each other in real time. ...
A device, real or virtual, which generates and transmits MIDI data for operating musical devices or other devices which are electronically enabled for MIDI operation. ...
SP Series The initial Kurzweil SP Series are Stage Pianos based on the popular Kurzweil Micro Piano half-rack module of the mid-90's. It provides 32 sounds including pianos, electric pianos, organs, strings and synths. The board is also a fairly capable midi controller, and features two ribbon controllers. In Summer of 2007, Kurzweil launched the SP2.
Midiboard The Kurzweil Midiboard, a dedicated MIDI controller, was conceived of and specified by Jeff Tripp, then president of Key Concepts. It was perhaps the first of the pure keyboard controllers, brought to market to complement Kurzweil's rack mounted synthesizers. 'Midiboard' was, in fact, a Key Concepts trademark, transferred to Kurzweil Music Systems as part of a licensing agreement.
Its novel sensing system, invented and patented by Tripp and Key Concepts co-founder, John Allen, provided velocity, individual aftertouch pressure, and release velocity information from a single sensor per key. Each sensor was shaped as an arch of conductive rubber which served as one plate of a capacitor and was designed to deform (change shape under pressure) in a scaled way . The sensors were nicknamed 'sushi sensors' because the first prototype was conductive rubber sheet (think 'nori') held in a barrel shape by a center of white silicone RTV (think 'the rice'). Released in 1988, the Midiboard's software and electronics were designed under contract to Key Concepts by Hal Chamberlin, then of Micro Technology Unlimited. Keyboard expression often shortened to expression is the ability of the keyboard of a keyboard instrument to respond to the dynamics of the music. ...
The Midiboard had its virtues and its drawbacks. It was reasonable to manufacture and relatively inexpensive for the range of input forces, both presses and impulse inputs, it could transduce. One of its drawbacks was that it was not well damped in very light playing, making touch uncertain. At some point, working for Kurzweil, Hal Chamberlin debounced this burble. A hardware fix was possible - splitting the sensors.
It contained a number of interesting innovations, some of which remain fairly uncommon. For example, most midi controllers provide aftertouch data, but the midiboard is capable of polyphonic aftertouch, a feature found on few other keyboards. The midiboard also provides comprehensive signal routing, layering, and transposition control. These advanced features are not without their cost: the Midiboard weighs approximately 100 lb and is fairly difficult to use.
Competition For comic book character, see Korg (comics). ...
Roland Corporation ) TYO: 7944 is a Japanese manufacturer of electronic musical instruments, electronic equipment and software. ...
Yamaha redirects here. ...
Kurzweil Users - Amanda Palmer of the duo The Dresden Dolls
- Richard Wright, of Pink Floyd on their 1994 Division Bell Tour (K2000s) - and on the album itself.
- Jon Carin, supporting Pink Floyd on their 1994 Division Bell Tour (K2000s)
- Duran Duran
- New Order
- Front Line Assembly
- Delerium
- Alicia Keys
- Mike Rowe (Sheryl Crow)
- Chris Kilmore Incubus (as of July, 2007)
- Lisa Brigantino (Lez Zeppelin)
- David Paich (Toto)
- Terry Lawless (U2)
- Jamie Orlando, Omnisoul
- David Innis, Restless Heart
- Geri Allen
- Tori Amos (on her albums From the Choirgirl Hotel and To Venus and Back)
- Lukas Wooller of Maxïmo Park
- Skinny Puppy and their adjuct projects aDuck and Download (band)
- Peter Gabriel
- John Novello
- David Bowie
- Jordan Rudess, Dream Theater
- Mike Garson
- Maurice Gibb
- Jean Michel Jarre
- The Postal Service
- Henrik Klingenberg
- Lucas, White & Edsey
- Brian M. Murphy
- Kate Laurel Smith
- Eva Kathryn
- Alex Tirrell, Shryne
- Flood (producer)
- Steve Walsh, Kansas
- Kerry Livgren, Kansas
- Stevie Wonder (he was already a user of Kurzweil reading machines)
- Billy Joel, usually only in concerts.
- Roy Bittan
- Brent Mydland (Grateful Dead) 1987 until death (1990)
- Dntel
This article is about the musician-artist-author. ...
The Dresden Dolls are an American musical duo from Boston, Massachusetts. ...
Richard William Rick Wright (born July 28, 1943 in Hatch End, London, England) is a self-taught pianist and keyboardist best known for his long career with Pink Floyd. ...
This article is about the Pink Floyd album. ...
This article does not cite any references or sources. ...
Pink Floyd are an English rock band that initially earned recognition for their psychedelic rock music, and, as they evolved, for their progressive rock music. ...
Duran Duran are an English pop group notable for a long series of popular singles and vivid music videos. ...
This article is about the alternative rock/electronic band New Order. ...
Front Line Assembly (also known by the acronym FLA) is a Canadian electro-industrial band formed in 1986 by Bill Leeb and Michael Balch after Leeb left Skinny Puppy. ...
Delerium is a band from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, formed in 1987, originally as a side project of the influential industrial music act, Front Line Assembly. ...
Alicia Keys (born Alicia J. Augello-Cook on January 25, 1980[1][2]) is an American R&B and soul singer, songwriter, pianist, record producer, actress, philanthropist, and author who has sold over twenty million albums worldwide and has won numerous awards, including nine Grammy Awards, eleven Billboard Music Awards...
For other persons named Mike Rowe, see Mike Rowe (disambiguation). ...
Sheryl Suzanne Crow (born February 11, 1962) is an American blues rock singer, guitarist, bassist, and songwriter. ...
Chris Kilmore (born 21 January 1973) is the turntablist of the rock band Incubus. ...
Incubus can refer to: Incubus (demon), a demon said to rape women while they slept Incubus (band), an American alternative rock band. ...
Lez Zeppelin are a New York City-based all-female tribute band, performing the work of Led Zeppelin. ...
David Paich during a live concert David Paich (born David Frank Paich on June 25, 1954 in Los Angeles, California) is a session musician from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, keyboard player, vocalist and main composer of the Los Angeles based rock/pop band Toto. ...
Toto (IPA pronunciation: ) is a Grammy Award winning American rock band founded in 1976[1] by some of the most popular and experienced session musicians of the era. ...
This article is about the Irish rock band. ...
Omnisoul is a pop-rock band on the record label Wind-Up Records. ...
Restless Heart is a country pop band originally formed as a studio band to record demos. ...
The cover of Geri Allens 2004 album The Life of a Song. ...
Tori Amos (born Myra Ellen Amos on August 22, 1963) is an American pianist and singer-songwriter. ...
From the Choirgirl Hotel, released in 1998, was the fifth major label album by singer and songwriter Tori Amos. ...
To Venus and Back is a two-disc album set released by singer and songwriter Tori Amos in 1999. ...
Maxïmo Park are an British indie rock band, signed to Warp Records, who formed in 2000. ...
Maxïmo Park are an British indie rock band, signed to Warp Records, who formed in 2000. ...
Skinny Puppy is a prominent industrial band, formed in Vancouver, BC, Canada in 1982. ...
Dwayne Rudolph Goettel (February 1, 1964 - August 23, 1995) was a member of the industrial band Skinny Puppy. ...
Download is an electronic music group formed by Dwayne Goettel and cEvin Key of Skinny Puppy during 1994. ...
Peter Brian Gabriel (born 13 February 1950, in Chobham,[1] Surrey, England) is an English musician. ...
David Bowie (IPA: []) (born David Robert Jones on 1947 January 8) is an English singer, songwriter, actor, multi-instrumentalist, producer, arranger and audio engineer. ...
Jordan Rudess (born Jordan Rudes on November 4, 1956) is a progressive rock keyboardist best known as a member of the progressive metal band Dream Theater. ...
Dream Theater is an American progressive metal band comprising James LaBrie, John Petrucci, Jordan Rudess, John Myung, and Mike Portnoy. ...
Mike Garson is a professional pianist, most notable for his work with Nine Inch Nails, David Bowie, Billy Corgan and The Smashing Pumpkins. ...
Maurice Ernest Gibb CBE (December 22, 1949 – January 12, 2003), was a musician and singer-songwriter. ...
Jean-Michel André Jarre (born August 24, 1948 in Lyon, France) is a French composer, performer and music producer. ...
This article is about the band. ...
Henrik Klingenberg (October 21, 1978) is the keyboardist from the band Sonata Arctica and Silent Voices. ...
Brian Murphy may refer to: A British actor most noted for his role as George Roper in the sitcom George and Mildred A former mayor of Moncton in New Brunswick, Canada A former captain of the Zimbabwean cricket team A mathematician An ice hockey player in the National Hockey League...
Mark Ellis a. ...
Steve Walsh (born June 15, 1951 in St. ...
For other uses, see Kansas (disambiguation). ...
Kerry Livgren (born September 18, 1949) is an American musician and songwriter, best known as one of the founding members and primary writers for the 1970s progressive rock band, Kansas. ...
For other uses, see Kansas (disambiguation). ...
Stevie Wonder (born Stevland Hardaway Judkins on May 13, 1950, name later changed to Stevland Hardaway Morris),[1] is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. ...
William Martin Billy Joel (born May 9, 1949) is an American singer, pianist, songwriter, composer and musician. ...
This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...
Brent Mydland (October 21, 1952 – July 26, 1990) was the fourth keyboardist to play for the United States rock band the Grateful Dead. ...
This article is about the band. ...
James Scott Tamborello, more commonly known as Dntel, is an electronic music artist. ...
References - ^ Hyundai names Kurzweil Chief Strategy Officer of Kurzweil Music Systems
External links |
Feeds |
Contact