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[nikki-k]

Hi!
Just posting to say hello; hoping to find some answers.
I won't bore everyone with a long, detailed story; suffice it to say that I am now a paraplegic for life, and due to other injuries, I have a bit of difficulty in most things. Music is one of my loves, and I have toured the US playing in bands, as well as running FOH (mostly A circuit, B circuit.. some dives though, lol).

I have owned a Kurzweil K2500XS (128M ram, SCSI CD, ZIP and Jaz; no other additions) for several years (about 8 ), but never got into programming it. I have tried to get my piano/synth chops back up, but I am actually still stuck at beginner ability once again. I also own several keyboards/modules, and sold several. I still have a DW8000, EX8000 and D20.. but they are broken. I have a TX7, and then a WX11 + WT11 that my Dad has "loaned" me as well. I recently bought an Axiom 61 to try and get my fingers working again. Truckload of soft synths/samplers (no room at the inn for an arsenal).

So much for short...
I am here to try and figure out if I even want to keep my K2500XS. I see new gear out there, and with money owed me, I have considered selling my Kurz and.. "upgrading"? The K2600XS looks really sweet.. but, I am back at square one with VAST again.. not to mention Kurzweil system learning. I am only writing at home; primarily prog rock (eeek!!! not THAT kind of music!!! noooo!!! hehehe). I thought about going for a Fantom G8, Korg M3-88, since I do like the joystick type bender, as well as the extra control goodies. But, I love the ribbons. I could add a KOASS or something.. But, it is mostly ye olde analogue-y types of anorakness I am after, but with nifty little modern-y quirkisms I figure I could always just find a nice 61-key joysticky bender heap for being stupid with once I get my chops back..

Hoping to find something here... not sure exactly what, but before I decide to give up on the complexities of my sweet old friend K2500XS, I have vowed to at least get as deep into the trenches as possible. I love videos, I love learning by watching over shoulders. This place looks like a gold mine for what I am after... so thank you in advance to those responsible!

[The Chuck]

Welcome, and you're welcome.    You'll get the most mileage out of any kurzweil if you know how to program them.   However, before you jump onto the K26 ship, realize that they are HEAVY!!!!!   Mine is like 70+ without the case.   Also, they are pretty dated sounding, though you can program them and make sounds that you could never make on another synth (except maybe omnisphere, but that's in a whole 'nother category).   

If I were you, but with my tastes, I would spend the cash on some sweet sweet analog outboard equipment, like some API preamps or SSL mixbus compressor, and have that stuff sit between my audio interface and my speakers somehow.   That'll really make whatever gear you connect sound the best.   

[nikki-k]

Hi!
Thx!
The only real reason I was considering selling the 2500xs and grabbing a 2600XS was because.. well, nothing else like it! But, I am also considering that I would be better served finding a nice 88-key controller for piano, and then grab a nice synth with synth action and other controls (sliders, knobs, joystick, etc). I prefer a joystick for leads, but I also love the two ribbons on the K2xx.

As far as pre's, outboard, etc...http://studio.nintheye.com/s_pics.html
That was my little piece of heaven in my home in FLorida; after my accident and stuff, lost most of my money, and had to sell some of the stuff in my studio. Since I do not plan to play out (not physically capable), weight is not an issue (luckily). I figure if I grab two keyboards, one 88 and one 61 or 76, I should be set. Want different feel. But, since most come with an onboard synth engine of some kind, I figure why not make that part worthwhile as well? Unfortunately, most of the synths I hear sound a bit thin, especially compared to real analog. BUT! Being a total little kid, I love the glitz of some of the modern stuff out there. For the synth action one, the V-Synth GT looks to fit the bill. Used, ~$2k. A little credit and I could probably do it. But for an 88-key, piano feel? THIS is where I want to learn VAST and al the FUN stuff and all. Unfortunately, I am missing KDFX, ROMs, PRAM. And the 2600 has the Rhodes stuff, which would be cool. So... V-Synth GT, and maybe Nord Electro rack, and then keep the K2500? Stupid Fantom G8 does look spiffy... even if there are those who are a bit unhappy with it..

Tower of Babble I am... 

[The Chuck]

You should keep your K25, and maybe look for a used K2661, then.     I found one with Rhodes(600s) and Piano(700s) roms included.      You can use the ADAT i/o to do LiveMode on it, so you don't really miss the sampling option.     But there is nothing wrong with looking at other mfg's especially if they sound better to you.    Otherwise I'd look for a KDFX set for your K25, and get it installed, because that opens a bunch of doors, programming wise.   


Holy crap, you have a lot of guitars..   Looks like a mini GuitarCenter in there.

[nikki-k]

Hehehe!!! Yeah, guitars and basses galore

For the KDFX on the 2500... no way is it an end user install? Tech'd most of my own gear over the years, especially on the road. Rebuilt tube amps, as well as mod them. Even done bad solder cleans on stuff, and did the battery swap on my DW8000 (before it finally went to sleep for good; battery was a solder in, replaced with a battery socket type). I have read that the 2500's have just enough variances to make it somewhere between easy to OMG!!! Shipping out a K2500XS for a KDFX install (and back) would be... wow. At the same time... if KDFX goes in, anything else that would be a "must have" while opened up?

Will dig deeper..

As for the K2661... looks really sweet, and it is something I have considered. In fact, I am seriously drooling over the PC3X + ribbon. After reading around in here, SERIOUSLY considering selling all my current synth gear to grab a PC3X + V-Synth GT (used for both would be ~$4k). The *new* VA-1 on the PC3(X) seems cool... and I do like Kurz piano action... so much to consider...

[The Chuck]

I know a few people on here have installed KDFX themselves.     perhaps they will chime in. 

[TangentCats]

My friend, get the K docs and use them. I agree, hang on to the K2500 (if you still have it).