Loading Kurzweil K2000 files into the K2500 / K2600

Loading K2000 files into the K2500/K2600
The K2500/K2600 can load the .KRZ files created by the K2000 without any problems. However there are a few differences to be aware of:
ROM Drum samples. While most of the samples in the base ROM are compatible between the K2000 and the K2500/K2600, the drum samples are not. The K2500/K2600 drums are made from new recordings, and a slightly different selection of drums is offered (e.g., three ambient snares instead of four). Furthermore, all drums and percussion were grouped in one multi-root sample in the K2000 (Sample #20 Drums and Percussion), but in the K2500/K2600 they are available as separate samples addressed by number. For this reason, K2000 programs which use Drum keymaps will not normally work correctly on the K2500/K2600.
ROM Effects programs. The original K2000 effects were reprogrammed for greater s/n ratio, and reorganized for ease of use or even revoiced for the K2500. The Effect page in the program editor always points to an Effect program, and has several parameters for real-time control. Typically, programs developed for the 2000 series will use factory default effects. When these programs are loaded into a K2500, they will not call the correct effect. However, the K2vx and K2000VP feature the same preset effects as the K2500/K2600, so if the program was created on one of these instruments, the effects will sound identical on the K2500. The K2600 does not have the Digitech effects in it, so this is not an issue for the K2600. Instead when loading a file into the K2600 from a K2000 (or a K2500 without KDFX), the K2600 will automatically create KDFX settings to mimic the Digitech effects.
ROM Keymaps. An effort was made to keep instrument keymaps in the same order as in the K2000, because the keymap must be correct for a program to sound correct. Keymaps 20-30 and 173-176 have been replaced, and subtle improvements in volume have been made to others. Programs using these keymaps will either say Not Found or call up a different Keymap.
Sequencing Issues. If a Song was created on the original K2000 and it uses the ROM presets, it will of course not call up the correct programs. If the Song was created on a K2vx or K2000VP and you load it into a K2500, it should play the Song correctly, although you may find some differences with the drums. (Of course, if it requires any sounds from the optional ROM blocks and you do not have those blocks in your K2500/K2600, the Song will not be able to play those sounds.) The K2600 has all new programs so once again, any program changes calling up ROM programs will not call up the correct sounds.
For all of the above reasons, we have created a K2000 compatibility disk for the K2500/K2600 and it is included in the box with the other factory disks. The K2600 also has a K2500 compatibility file. Instructions on how to use it can be found in Appendix B of the K2500/K2600 Reference Manual. If for some reason you do not have that file and need it, you can download it here.

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