Initial Impressions on the PC3X 
by Jim Cason from Eastern North Carolina, March 2008
Music Background:  reed player since H.S; bass guitar since 80's, Intermediate Keyboard player, member of Church Praise Band and College Jazz Ensemble.

I've had my PC3X (purchased from Sweetwater) almost a week now; time to share some first impressions. This is one of the first 65 shipped in North America, with pre-release software.

Very clean looking board. All of the functions that are working with the pre-release software have been totally reliable so far. Note: I also have a PC2X for comparison (and K2000VP, PC2, and K2661). I have only sold one of my Kurzweils - the SP88X, which was no longer needed after I got the PC2X as a higher end replacement.

I've never seen a keyboard from ANY company with such a large percentage of USABLE sounds. Whatever your musical tastes, there will be something in this board that matches.

Acoustic pianos: This is one main objective to me, my family uses the PC2X in the living room as a piano, and I wanted a good 88 key weighted controller in my shop/studio. The primary piano sounds are clearly descended from the Triple Strike Piano, but they sound cleaner, sharper, more resolution. The sustain in the couple of octaves above middle C (with sustain pedal operated) has been substantially increased, more like a real piano. I found that the PC2X would give me a good range from pp to a loud F; but this new board just keeps on going beyond FF to FFF when needed. There are also other piano sounds, like Japanese piano (should cut through a band well - lots of treble). Some of the sounds show attention to detail such as simulating the resonance of strings when the damper pedal is depressed.

Electric pianos: My PC2X had both ROMs, this one is way ahead in realism on Rhodes, Wurly, and CP80 type sounds.

Bass - My other primary instrument was electric bass. One reason I keep my old K2000VP around is that its bass sounds are "ballsy." Well - the PC3X has got good bass sounds nailed, way beyond either the PC2 or K2661.

VA-1 sounds - Haven't yet learned how to manipulate these well; but I won't need my computer running Native Instruments PRO52 any more. I had a real Prophet 600 back in the 80's, it died - now I have all the power of the 600 without the drift.

KB-3 sounds - These aren't fully complete yet; but just from the ones in the current software, I will also be able to stop using my computer with NI B4 software. Finally - a full 9 sliders so all the "drawbars" are lined up next to each other, and the mod wheel is still separate.

Orchestral - WOW - All the Strings have their OWN ROM now (128 sounds), so the rest of the Orchestral is also expanded. Sections as well as solo and ensembles. This keyboard is going to be a new standard on Broadway and in Hollywood.

Operations - I never did really like that my PC2 was so different in how things were done from my two K series instruments. The PC3 is much closer in the way things are done to the K series. No, it will not sample; there will be an instrument later that will do that (I have the 2661 and a DAW if I need to sample something).

I received the instrument 4 months and 2 days after placing the order. I have had direct contact with Kurzweil, emailed an updated set of software files (loaded in a total of a minute or so), and even people in the company who actually WANT my feedback on the instrument.

It has been worth the wait. NOTICE: I serviced electronic musical instruments for almost 30 years, including a few Kurzweil. My firm was an authorized service center for Yamaha and several organ companies. I have no financial connection whatsoever with Kurzweil (other than being a satisfied customer).

People have different tastes, this won't be the keyboard for absolutely everyone; but it will be for a LOT of musicians.

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