These are public domain sounds for the Kurzweil K2000/2500. They were collected from a variety of sources, including CompuServe, the University of Wisconsin ftp site, and the Bach.Nevada ftp site. We, of course, can take no responsibility for the quality of these sounds but invite you to give them a try; some of them are excellent. You’ll need to copy the .KRZ files to a K2000 (or ms-dos) formatted floppy disk using your PC or Mac. Sounds with .KR1 .KR2 extensions are multiple-disk sets and must be renamed with a .KRZ extension after they are on the floppy disk.
These are public domain programs for the Kurzweil K2000/2500. They were collected from a variety of sources, including CompuServe, the University of Wisconsin ftp site, and the Bach.Nevada ftp site. We, of course, can take no responsibility for the quality of these programs but invite you to give them a try; some of them are excellent.
This is the PC version of K2KList from Corrosive Software. It lists all objects stored in a K2000 disk file (floppy or hard drive), along with each object’s size and ID#.
This free utility will let you type, backspace, upper & lower case, to enter the names on a NAME page in any EDIT function of the K2000 just by typing on the computer keyboard.
This free utility will let you type, backspace, upper & lower case, to enter the names on a NAME page in any EDIT function of the K2000 just by typing on the computer keyboard.
This map has volume, panning, and bank/program controls for all 16 channels.
Kurzweil K2000 SCSI Drive Compatibility
Removable Media Drives
Software Version
Brand
Model
Size
Comments
1.3
2
3
Y
Y
Y
Various
Syquest
44, 88, 105, 135, 270MB
N
N
Y
Various
Syquest
88C, 200MB
Only writes native size cart
Y
Y
Y
Iomega
Bernoulli
90,105MB
Auto sleep locks system. Fix=eject disk.
?
?
Y
Iomega
Zip
100MB
Auto sleep locks system. Fix=eject disk.
?
?
Y
Iomega
Jaz
1GB
Auto sleep locks system. Fix=eject disk.
Industry Standard 3.5″ x 1″ Drives
Software Version
Brand
Model
Size
Comments
1.3
2
3
Y
Y
Y
Quantum
LPS, ELS, LT, MV
Var.
Y
Y
Y
Quantum
Trailblazer
Var.
Up to 840Mb
Y
Y
Y
Quantum
Fireball
Var.
Up to 730Mb
Y
Y
Y
Maxtor
7000 Series
Var.
?
?
Y
Fujitsu
M2682S
350MB
?
?
Y
Fujitsu
M2682SA
530MB
Y
Y
Y
Seagate
ST3600
500MB
Rack Module Only
Y
Y
Y
Seagate
ST3610
610MB
Rack Module Only
Y
Y
Y
Seagate
31200N
1.05GB
External Use Only
Y
Y
Y
Seagate
1.2
1.2GB
External Use Only
Y
Y
Y
DEC
DSP3105
1.05GB
External Use Only
?
?
Y
IBM
0662-S12
1GB
External Use Only
Magneto Optical Drives
Software Version
Brand
Model
Size
Comments
1.3
2
3
?
Y
Y
Sony
P301
128MB
N
N
Y
Sony
C501, E502
650MB
?
Y
Y
Sony
F521, F531
1.3GB
?
Y
Y
Sony
SMOF521
1.3GB
?
Y
Y
Sony
RMOS570
1.3GB
?
Y
Y
Most
128
128MB
N
N
Y
Fujitsu
M2511
128MB
N
N
Y
Fujitsu
M2512
230MB
?
Y
Y
Pinnacle
OHD130/Tahoe
128MB
?
Y
Y
Pinnacle
Sierra
1.3GB
May require special firmware
?
?
Y
Olympus
MOF300
128MB
?
?
Y
Olympus
230
230MB
?
Y
Y
Sharp
JY7000
650MB
N
N
Y
Ricoh
RO5031E
650MB
N
?
Y
Maxoptix
Tahiti T3-1300
1.3GB
CD-Rom Drives
Software Version
Brand
Model
Size
Comments
1.3
2
3
Y
Y
Y
Sony
6211, CDU-541,-546,-561
Apple CD300e uses 561
N
N
Y
Sony
CDU-55S
Reported problems w/ Akai Disks
Y
Y
Y
Toshiba
XM3401, 3501, 3601, 3701, 4101
N
N
Y
Chinon
CDS 435, 525, 535
?
?
Y
Plextor
PX-43CS
?
?
Y
Aiwa
?
?
Y
Sanyo
CDR254
?
?
Y
Pioneer
DRU-124X
Incompatible Drives
Software Version
Brand
Model
Size
Comments
1.3
2
3
N
N
N
NEC
ALL
N
N
N
Epson
ALL
N
N
N
Panasonic
ALL
N
N
N
Iomega
Floptical
ALL
N
N
N
Teac
128
128MB
N
N
N
Pinnacle
650
650MB
N
N
N
IBM
230
230MB
N
N
N
IBM
Spitfire
1GB
N
N
N
Fujitsu
FJ694SB
1GB
N
N
N
Quantum
Fireball
1GB
N
N
N
Quantum
Empire Series
ALL
N
N
N
Reno
CDROM
N
N
N
Apple
CD300i
N
N
N
Apple
CD600
Uses Matshita CR8005
Kurzweil K2000 FAQs
These questions were most frequently asked about the K2000 by Kurzweil users, dealers, artists and educators. Some of these questions concern comparisons with other products, and some concern features and benefits.
Why should I buy a K2000 rather than the other models on the market?
The K2000 represents a real breakthrough in sonic flexibility, hardware, software growth potential, and unparalleled ease of use. The high quality sounds: Kurzweil has spared no expense on the sonic fidelity and full bandwidth of the K2000.
The K2000 will expand as your needs require. The K2000 is the BEST sampler ever made. The K2000 contains the widest selection of instantly accessible sounds (ROM samples). You can also add 2 additional 8 MB sound blocks, or if you want to use other sample libraries, the K2000 reads Akai floppies and Akai, Ensoniq and Roland SCSI libraries. The K2000 can download your already-created sequences for live performance. The K2000’s programming capabilities are impressive: per voice DSP is revolutionary and 96 oscillators provide the richest, fattest sounds possible.
If you compare the sound, value, cost, and features of the K2000 with the competition, nothing can even come close.
What kinds of synthesis can the K2000 do?
The K2000 can create sounds using analog principals (Subtractive), or what Roland refers to as Linear Arithmetic (L/A: adding attack transients from acoustic instruments to digitally generated or PCM digital waveforms), Additive (up to 96 partials can build a monophonic voice which can be re-sampled into a polyphonic model), PCM ROM Sample Playback, User Sampling, Wave Shaping (using a sine wave to change the harmonic characteristics of PCM samples), and others yet to be named. The K2000 does not do FM synthesis (at Yamaha’s request) but can create timbres of a like nature using other synthesis techniques.
What are the main differences between the K2000R and the K2000?
OUTPUTS: The keyboard has 4 separate audio outputs plus the stereo master pair; the rack has 8 separate audio outputs plus the stereo master pair.
SAMPLE INPUTS: The rack has a pair of balanced XLR sample inputs.
SCSI BUSS: The rack has a second SCSI buss connector (acting as a SCSI through), allowing multiple K2000R’s to share the same hard drive.
INTERNAL HARD DRIVE: The keyboard can house a 540Mb internal hard drive; the rack can house a 1 Gig.
DAC’s: The rack contains two more stereo high quality DAC’s (digital to audio converters) than the keyboard for the additional audio outputs.
STEREO OUTPUTS/AUDIO JACKS: The rack contains 4 more stereo audio jacks than the keyboard (to allow the outputs to double as inserts).
FAN KIT: The basic keyboard does not contain a fan kit; the rack (and the units with the sampling option already added) comes standard with the fan kit.
PRICE: The cost between the two differs by only $100.00 retail because the cost of the K2000’s enclosure and keyboard are relatively inexpensive, and the rack contains the above features not included on the keyboard.
Why does the K2000 only have 24 voices when almost every competitor has 32?
The K2000’s variable architecture allows for up to 4 simultaneous sound sources (one of many DSP functions) to be ‘layered’ without using up voices. For a good example, see Program 136 “Oh Bee!!!”. Move the data slider to detune the oscillators …. remember that this is still a 24 voice program! Try layering 4 oscillators with an O1-W, JV 80 or whatever else exists and you’ll notice the dramatic reduction in the number of available voices. Most other synths must layer to get a decent fat sound, so do their 32 voices really give you 32 usable voices? As for channel stealing, see Program # 2, “Stereo Grand”. Strike a large chord on the bottom of the keyboard and do a gliss up and down while holding the sustain pedal. The original chord remains intact. Try that on other products and listen for channels (voices) dropping out. The K2000’s channel stealing scheme dances rings around most 32 voice synths.
What is an oscillator and what in the K2000 would be referred to as an oscillator?
An oscillator is, simply put, a tone source. In the K2000, an oscillator can be a PCM ROM based sample, a digitally generated wave form (one of the custom DSP functions), a noise generator, or a RAM sample. We have in ROM the ability to stack (in drum mode) up to 96 oscillators in unison (24 voices x 4 sound sources = 96 oscillators).
Does the K2000 have an onboard sequencer?
The K2000 V2 has a playback sequencer which plays back multi-timbral sequences. Sequences may be loaded into the K2000 by connecting any MIDI sequencer’s MIDI OUT (including software based computer sequence programs) to the K2000’s MIDI IN port. The K2000 can record all 16 MIDI channels of data (including notes, velocities, aftertouch, all controllers, tempo maps, etc.) in one pass. The K2000 can be a slave to an external MIDI clock, or act as the master MIDI clock.
Version 3 software adds a full featured 32 track sequencer. It has stop record, quantizing and input quantizing. You can cut, copy and paste from track to track. And you can reference quantize any track to any other track.
What upgrades will be available for the K2000/K2000R and how are these installed?
The K2000/K2000R can both be expanded in a number of ways which include:
Software revisions of the operating system (adding features as well as fixing any reported ‘bugs’) which can be updated by changing the instruments’ Eproms (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory). Such changes expand the functionality of the K2000 (V.1.3 adds new programs, SMDI functionality, streamlined operating system; V.2.0 adds visual sample editing and powerful editing functions, as well as capability to read new disk formats – Ensoniq, Akai, etc.). V.3.0 adds a powerful 32 track sequencer with full editing.
The P/RAM upgrade expands the battery backed memory of the K2000/K2000R (from its current 120K to 760K) so you can load more sequences/programs/setups/QA banks and effects programs. Up to 1000 programs can reside in permanent memory (not erased when the instrument is switched off).
SIMM’s (Sample Memory) may be installed into your K2000, which allows you to load samples into your instrument. SIMMs is available from a wide variety of sources.
SMP-k/r Sampling Options for keyboard and rack are now available. This is a hardware and software package that allows for user sampling from digital and analog sources as well as digital transmission.
Orchestral ROM and Contemporary ROM are two additional 8 Mb ROM sound blocks offering more Kurzweil high quality samples in permanent memory (these are in addition to the 8 Mb the units are shipped with). Orchestral ROM is the classical orchestra block and Contemporary ROM is the street/top 40/dance/ethnic percussion block.
Internal hard disk drives may be installed. Contact your local Kurzweil service center for a complete list of approved drives.
Kurzweil insists that all upgrades be done by a factory authorized service center, which many times is your local dealer. We have available a national/wordwide list of all authorized service centers.
When do I need a fan kit for my K2000?
Kurzweil recommends that end users install a fan kit if any options are installed, i.e. SIMMs sample memory, P/RAM, SMP-k or SMP-r, or an internal hard disk.
Do I need the sampling option to get samples into the K2000?
No, you can get samples into the K2000 from a variety of sources. You may load samples in from the floppy disk drive. Sample memory must first be installed in the form of Mac style SIMMs modules. The K2000 accepts 1Mb, 2Mb, 4Mb, 8Mb, and 16Mb SIMMs.
Kurzweil released a 40 disk library of high quality samples for the K2000, and the K2000 also reads Akai S1000(tm) HD, S900/950, Ensoniq EPS(tm), and EPS16Plus(tm) disks. Version 1.0 software just reads the samples while V2.0 reads the samples and keymaps and also constructs a playable program! V.3.0 adds Roland SCSI libraries to your palette.
Many third party companies produce high quality samples for the K2000 (Sweetwater Sound, Stratus Sound, Pro Rec, Eye and I, etc.).
The K2000 accepts the SDS (Sample Dump Standard) format allowing you to dump samples from other products into the K2000 via MIDI. The K2000 also supports the SMDI (Sample MIDI Data Interface) protocol allowing you to transfer samples to and from a computer over the SCSI port (additional software is required- Passport’s Alchemy(tm), Opcode’s Max(tm) etc.).
What can I do with the sampling option?
The SMP-k/r Sampling Option comes in a package containing software and hardware; however, the Version 3 software will be sold separately for those who want the editing functions and visual waveform display without the sampling hardware.
With the Sampling Option, you can record samples into the K2000 from analog sources (stereo or mono), i.e. other keyboards, guitars, etc. The keyboard offers unbalanced stereo 1/4″ analog inputs while the rack offers both unbalanced 1/4″ stereo and separate left and right XLR balanced analog inputs.
You can record samples into the K2000 from digital sources i.e. DAT recorders, CD players, digital mixers, etc. There is an XLR input for S/PDIF and AES/EBU and an optical input as well. You can also send samples out as digital information for mastering to DAT recorders or further processing through a digital mixer.
You can perform a wide variety of editing tasks with a very highly developed and precise visual graphic waveform display. Just a few of the editing functions include: fade in/out, cut/copy/paste, clear samples, delete samples, insert silence, time compression/expansion, pitch shifting, sample rate conversion, and many more.
Can I use different effects on different MIDI channels in a sequence or send different effects on separate outputs?
The K2000 has a stereo effects processor capable of up to 4 simultaneous effects. Only one global effect (containing up to 4 types of effects) may be selected for use during sequence playback. You can program a separate send level to the effects processor by re-programming the patches (programs) you are using in your sequence. To do this, you must edit your programs and select an algorithm that uses the panner, or mixed amps (alg#’s 2, 3, 13, 14, 15, 24, 25, 26, 31). You then select the OUTPUT page, set the panning indicators to the middle and set the lower output group to B(Dry). By adjusting the F3 and/or F4 controls (either panning position POS, or amplifiers AMP) you will control the wet/dry mix for that program. This configuration allows you to create sequences with programs that send different levels to the effects processor, and the end result is instruments that are wet, dry, or anywhere in between.
Also the separate outputs double as insert points allowing you to send a sound (on a per program or per MIDI channel basis) out a particular output to an external effects processor and return the effected signal back into the K2000 where it will be combined with the other internal sounds and passed together out the MIX outputs. Your owner’s manual contains more details.
The K2000 can also read type 0 MIDI files (provided they are saved to a DOS formatted floppy disk). Mac based sequences must be converted to DOS format, using software such as Access PC or Apple File Exchange, and named according to DOS protocol. (Prior to v2.07 the name must have the .KRZ suffix. Starting with 2.07, the 2000 will also recognize the .MID suffix).
The K2000’s sequencer can also be used as a real time scratch pad recorder. You may overdub or ‘track’ an infinite number of tracks. You can loop sequences and chain sequences together as well as adjust tempo. There is a user definable metronome. Songs can be up to 64K each, and memory is shared with the program battery backed memory (120K expandable up to 760K).
Can the K2000 access CD ROMs and can it read other manufacturers’ formats via SCSI?
Yes, there are several third parties releasing CD ROMs for the K2000, including East West (Denny Yeager string collection), Q Up Arts (who have a CD ROM version of their Heavy Hitters(tm) audio CD of famous drummers, including Alan White [of YES], Tommy Vee [of Motley Crue], and Jim Keltner [noted studio session drummer]), and Greyt Sounds to name a few. Sweetwater Sound has 5 CD-ROM’s created specifically for the K2000 and K2500 including Classical Instruments, American Standard Collection, Exotic Instruments, The Grand Piano CD-ROM Collection and the RSI CD-ROM Library.
Can the K2000 be used as a master MIDI controller, and is the Sys Ex implementation complete?
Yes, the K2000 can be used as a powerful MIDI controller and can send on 3 separate MIDI channels with overlapping keyboard ranges (zones). Each of the separate MIDI channels (zones) can send different assignments from the K2000’s controllers (footswitches, wheels, pedal slider, after touch, etc.), and each zone can enable/disable program changes, pitch bend and local control. Further, the K2000 can send or receive any button presses, controllers activated, or program/setup/QA bank selection via sys ex messages.
Why do I sometimes scroll to a program that has ( ) around the name and no sound plays?
The K2000 has a special ‘Drum Mode’ that allows the user to layer up to 24 sounds or split up to 32 sounds across the keyboard creating a program known as a ‘drum’ program. Drum Mode programs can use any sound, not just percussion! The user is limited to one drum program (programs using over 3 layers) set to one MIDI channel (user selectable) per multi MIDI configuration. If you select a different MIDI channel other than the one you’ve designated for the drum channel and scroll to a ‘drum’ program, you will notice a ( ) around the program name and no sound will play. This occurs because you have already designated another MIDI channel as the drum channel. To see the selected MIDI drum channel assignment press the Master button; you will see DRUMCHAN and the MIDI channel # that is currently selected. The new K2500 has 8 drum channels!
What is General MIDI and is the K2000 General MIDI compatible?
General MIDI is a defined set of programs organized in a prescribed order. Kurzweil has a General MIDI disk set available. There are two versions of this – one for units without the ROM-1 Orchestral Block, and one for units with the block. There is also a General MIDI drum map which can be used with any GM sequence or as a template for the user to follow to create different General MIDI mapped kits.
Does the K2000/K2000R have my favorite sounds from the K250 or K1000 series modules in internal ROM or on disk?
While the K2000’s internal ROM samples contain some samples from previously released Kurzweil instruments, there are many newly recorded instruments as well. The piano, electric piano, strings, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, trumpet, and trombone have been reprocessed for the K2000/K2000R from the K250 and/or the 1000 series modules. The choir, sax, flute, basses, drums, percussion, and digital waveforms are all new. We may release CD ROMs or Syquest formats of the ‘Best of the K250/1000 Series’ samples in the future. Currently, there is a disk library on floppy that offers many of the favorite K250/1000 series samples including the solo violin, solo cello, clarinet, acoustic bass, baritone horn, vibes, plucked harp, choir, harpsichord, bass guitar, etc.
Where can I get my K2000/K2000R serviced?
Kurzweil can provide a complete list of authorized service centers where service can be performed. It is not necessary to ship your instrument back to Young Chang America in Cerritos, California for service; however, you always have that option.
Can you program macros to make programming easier?
The data slider functions as a macro controller changing as many as 8 or 10 parameters at once (changing oscillator, tuning, effects wet/dry mix, various effects parameters, envelope response, amplitude, etc.). There are no limits to how many parameters a controller can control, and these assignments are done on a per patch basis. Once a program has been created it may be used as a template for future programs (programmable macro templates!).
There are many editing shortcuts so I will list only a few: you can search for any object (program, effect, keymap, control source, etc.) using any of 10 selectable search strings (these may be stored to disk as well). To select a search string, press and hold ENTER and strike one of the other numbered keypad buttons. Type a few characters from the name of what you are looking for, and then press ENTER a second time.
You can assign any controller or even assign keyboard ranges by holding down the ENTER button and activating the controller or striking keys on the keyboard. You can even scroll through the control source list (in edit mode only) by pressing and holding ENTER and playing up and down the keyboard!
Why do I sometimes get a message indicating not enough memory to load when I am only using a small amount of sample memory and have so much sample memory unused?
There are two forms of memory in the K2000/K2000R. The first type is battery-backed for continuous and permanent retention of objects such as programs (only internal ROM samples, not externally loaded RAM samples), setups, QA banks and sequences. The total memory allocated to all of these objects is 120K expandable to 760K.
The second type is RAM sample memory (SIMMs) that is NOT battery-backed. Programs, setups, QA banks and sequences cannot access this memory; it is reserved for only sample data! If you get a message saying not enough memory to load and have plenty of sample memory available, you have filled up your battery-backed internal memory. It is for this reason that we created the P/RAM option.
I notice many professionals endorsing Korg, Roland and Yamaha, but I am unaware of what professionals endorse Kurzweil. Could you list a few?
Sure. Rick Wakeman, legendary multi-keyboardist for YES, uses the K2000 extensively, as does Tower of Power. Stevie Wonder is using the K2000 for his upcoming projects. Many noted film composers including Fred Mollin (Friday the 13th series) as well as Frank Serafine (Hunt for Red October, Lawnmower Man), Michael Kamen (Robin Hood), and Jerry Goldsmith (Basic Instinct and Medicine Man) use the K2000. The list continues with Roger Powell (legendary keyboardist for Todd Rundgren’s Utopia), Wendy Carlos (Switched On Bach), Patrick Moraz (keyboardist for YES, Moody Blues, and solo projects), Bias Boshell (keyboardist for the Moody Blues), Ray Charles, Brian May (Queen), Kerry Lingren, William Bolcom (Pulitzer Prize-winning composer of the opera McTeague – the first to combine a synthesizer with the traditional orchestra where the synthesizer is treated as a musical instrument rather than a sound effects generator), and many others. Also, artists don’t always use what they endorse. Note that on the recent Genesis tour no O1-W was to be found. Also Chick Corea, who frequently endorses Yamaha, is a big Kurzweil user, as is Herbie Hancock!
Does Kurzweil plan to make the K2000 in a 76 or 88 note version?
The new K2500 keyboard will come in both a 76 and 88 note version.
Can you create and store multi-MIDI channel assignment setups?
Yes, you can assign each MIDI channel a program then save this configuration to disk by saving the Master parameters or saving as an EVERYTHING FILE. This is helpful when using a lot of sequences with no program changes assigned in the tracks. If asked to save dependent objects… press YES.
Some of the sounds in my K2000 have parentheses around them (Preview Drums, etc.) and they do not play. What’s going on?
These are special programs called Drum Programs and the K2000’s microprocessor is limited to playing one 32 layer program on one specific, predetermined channel at a time. This channel can be changed under the Master menu. Press the Master button and then change the Drum Program parameter’s channel assignment to the one on which you want to play the Drum Program (the factory default setting is channel 1.) FYI: a standard program in the K2000 can be up to 3 layers deep, but a drum program can be up to 32 layers deep. Drum Programs can also be created using more traditional sounds (in addition to or in place of drum sounds) in order to have more than 3 layers or splits on a program. The K2500 has 8 drum channels!
Last night I loaded my K2000 with some Sweetwater/RSI sounds (or any other sounds) and did some sequencing, but this morning I tried to play the sequence back and all the sounds are gone! All the program names are still there but the sounds don’t play at all, and some of them are not what they say they are. All I did was shut it off and then turned it back on! What’s wrong with my K2000?
There is nothing wrong with your Kurzweil. The sample RAM in the K2000 is volatile RAM; that is, when you turn off the power to your K2000, the sample data is lost. The reason that you can still see the names of the program or hear parts of the sounds is because that some information is stored in PRAM and is non-volatile (PRAM has battery back-up.) Let’s say that you loaded the RSI 16 Meg Yamaha C7 piano disk. There are several programs on that disk that use a RAM sample and a ROM sample to create a program (C7 and Strings for example.) When you turn off the K2000, the RAM samples for the C7 piano disappear (because the RAM is volatile), but the ROM samples for the strings are still present because they are stored in the computer chips inside the K2000.
I have a K2000 with 16 Meg of RAM. Why do I get a message that says “Not enough memory to complete this load ” when I am loading some sounds? I think I have plenty of RAM remaining… the display says “Samples: 4048K”.
The K2000 is telling you that you have run out of PRAM (Program RAM.) All programs in the K2000 use two types of RAM: Sample RAM and Program RAM. Sample RAM refers to any SIMM memory that was installed into your K2000 (in this case 16 Meg.) This RAM is used to store only the digital sample data and nothing else. Program RAM is where all other RAM objects such as programs, effect settings, setups, QA banks, songs, and keymaps are stored. The K2000 comes with about 120K of Program RAM from the factory, and if you plan to load a lot of programs or sequences into your K2000, then you might want to consider adding the PRAM expansion option as it will increase the K2000’s PRAM to 760K. Contact your Sweetwater sales representative and he/she will be glad to advise you of availability and price.
When I turn on my K2000 I get a message that says “Battery voltage is low”. I also have a Korg M1 and I was told that its battery would last for 5 years. My K2000 is only 10 months old, so why does the battery need to be replaced so soon?
The K2000 uses three AA batteries to preserve its internal memory (PRAM) when the power is turned off. The Korg M1 uses a special lithium battery for memory backup. Kurzweil chose to use the AA batteries instead of the lithium type because they are very easy to replace. If you need to replace the battery in your M1 you must take the instrument in to a Korg Service Center, but if you need to replace the batteries in the K2000, just turn it upside down and you will see a battery compartment on the bottom (in the case of a K2000R, there is a compartment on the rear panel.) Open the compartment with your fingernail or small screwdriver, remove the old batteries, and plug new ones in. The original batteries in your K2000 should last up to one year from the time they were installed at the factory. We recommend that you install high quality alkaline batteries such as Energizers, Duracells, or Kodak Superlife.
I would like to use my K2000 with my sequencer and I would like the K2000 to play more than one sound at a time (to function multitimbrally.) Is this possible?
Yes, and it is very easy to do. First you need to make sure that the K2000 is in MULTI mode. To check this, press the MIDI mode button and then press the soft key under the word “RECV”. MIDI mode will be the second parameter from the top on the left side of the LCD readout. If it is not set to “MULTI,” use the cursor keys to select its field and turn the alpha wheel to change its value until “MULTI” appears. Now press the Program mode button, and you are ready to start recording. In the upper right hand corner of the screen in program mode you will see “Channel: x ” (x being the number of the currently selected MIDI channel 1-l6). Use the Chan – and Chan + buttons to select MIDI channel 1, and then select the sound that you wish to play on that channel (for example: #2 “Stereo Grand”). Start your sequencer recording on channel 1 and play your piano part. When you are finished recording, stop your sequencer and rewind it to the beginning. Press the Chan + button on the K2000 to advance it to MIDI channel 2 and select a new sound (for our example we will use #6 “Dual Bass”). Select track 2 in your sequencer and begin recording the bass part. Once you are finished, stop your sequencer and rewind it to the beginning and play the tracks. You should hear the piano and bass parts on the different channels. You can continue adding sounds by selecting MIDI channels 3 through 16 using the Chan + button on the K2000 and then selecting the sounds you wish to play on those channels. You can have up to 16 different sounds playing back from the K2000 at the same time.
I am using my K2000 to play back sequenced parts during my live performances and I have to change all the MIDI channels to a new sound between songs. This takes too long when playing live, and I’m wondering if there is any way to get my K2000 to remember which sound l was using?
Yes, there are a couple of different ways. Your sequencer can record a MIDI Program Change from the K2000 and then tell the K2000 to select that sound when you play the sequence back. Here’s how: put your sequencer into record and then select a new sound on the K2000. A program change message (a MIDI message saying that you changed sounds) is automatically sent from the MIDI OUT port. (We recommend that you leave one bar of silence at the beginning of your sequence as a ‘set-up bar.’) When you play back the sequence it will automatically send the Program Change message back to the K2000 and the correct sound(s) will be selected before the music starts. The other 2 ways are too involved to go into the exact steps, but here is a starting point. You can save the Master settings to floppy disk (it will automatically save which sounds are on which channels) and then reload the Master file as needed. Finally, you can save and recall objects via MIDI sysex. The K2000 owner’s manual goes into more detail on all 3 methods.
I have a K2000 and a K2000R. When I turn on the K2000, there is a flickering in the startup screen that looks like a sound waveform, but my K2000R does not seem to have this flicker. Is there something wrong with my K2000?
No, there is nothing wrong with either of your K2000s. There is a soundwave that scrolls across the “Welcome to K2000!” screen that appears every time you power-up your K2000. If the contrast for the LCD is on a low setting, you may not see this soundwave. Try increasing the LCD contrast parameter’s value in Master mode on the K2000R to make it the same intensity as your K2000. Note: Due to tolerances in manufacturing, no two LCD displays that are used in the K2000 and K2000R are exactly the same, so your K2000’s contrast may be at a slightly different value than the contrast in the K2000R.
I have some 16 megabyte SIMMs that came out of my Megatronics Gravitation Flux computer after I upgraded it to new 1 gigabyte SIMMs. Will these work in my K2000?
Your 16 Meg SIMMs will probably not work. The K2000 requires SIMMs to be 30 pin, X bit, and have an access time of 120ns or faster*. The K2000 can use 256K, 1 Meg, 2 Meg, 4 Meg, 8 Meg, and 16 Meg SIMMs installed in groups of two. Most all 256K, 1 Meg, or 4 Meg SIMMs should work in the K2000. However, not all SlMMs are created equal, and we have run into problems with some manufacturer’s 4 Meg SIMMs. Also, the 8 and 16 Meg SIMMs are a little more difficult to work with because of power requirements and size limitations, so great care should be given to assure compatibility. Currently, there are only a few 8 Meg SIMMs and two 16 Meg SIMMs that are approved to work in the K2000. Sweetwater Sound stocks and installs only those SlMMs that have been approved by Young Chang and which have been successfully field-tested by our service department.
*even faster if you have the sampler option installed.
My K2000 is acting strange, it doesn’t work/sound the way it used to. What is wrong with it?
The K2000 is a very sophisticated computer, and like all computers it needs to be reset from time to time. Anytime your instrument is acting strangely, the first thing you should try to do is a Soft Reset. To do a Soft Reset, press the +/-, 0, and CLR buttons simultaneously with the K2000 on. This will reboot your K2000 and will not erase any RAM data. If a Soft Reset did not correct your problem, then you need to try a Hard Reset. NOTE: A Hard Reset will erase ALL RAM data and there is no way to recover it. Before you do a Hard Reset you need to save any important files to your floppy or hard disk. A Hard Reset is accomplished by turning your K2000 off, and then pressing and holding the 1, 2, and 3 buttons while simultaneously turning your machine on. Once you get characters on the screen you can release the buttons. With the alpha wheel select “HARD RESET’ and press Enter. The K2000 will instruct you to turn the power off and then it will reset itself the next time it is powered up. If your K2000 is still malfunctioning at this point, call the Sweetwater Sound Customer Support Department.
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