Kawai K3 - Hybrid Synthesizer W/ PPG Style Overlay & 2 RC-2 Memory Cartridges

Unit tests extremely well but it is purely sold as-is. I am not the original owner, but it has been handled carefully in my possession.

K3 synthesizer with a new PPG style touch button overlay, fully working keybed WITH AFTERTOUCH, and 2 RC-2 Memory Cartridges.

The voice cards are already loaded with some sounds and these generally run about $80 - $120 a piece, which I will include into the listed price.

There is a little upwards dimple (odd) on the front of the synth which can be seen in the pictures but that is really the only flaw I see other than common wear from use and age, although overall, this is in really fine condition.

I mainly used the mono output connected to a mixing board due to the onboard chorus effects sounding a bit cheesy, but the outputs sound clear.

It's a bit too heavy for me to ship, and I don't trust shipping services well enough to ship it, so local pickup will be the only option. I've been hurt in the past, and I'd rather not take the risk. Sorry in advanced...

The Kawai K3:

The Kawai K3 is a digital/analog hybrid synthesizer, released in 1986, that features a 6-voice polyphony and a 61-key keyboard with velocity and aftertouch sensitivity. It uses two oscillators, a low-pass resonant analog filter, a high-pass filter, and a VCA with ADSR envelopes for sound generation. The K3 also includes an LFO (low-frequency oscillator) with multiple waveforms and MIDI connectivity, and 50 user-programmable presets. 

The K3 uses the same technologies as the popular K1. Although it was among the first from Kawai, it is surpassed by the K1 and K5. The K3 is a wavetable synthesizer. It has 32 waveforms, some of which are samples of acoustic instruments like piano and percussion as well as some unique waveforms. By combining two of these waveforms you can create unique new sounds or add a twist to a traditional sound. Since there are only 32 of these waveforms, the K3 also features a programmable digital waveform where you can tweak the harmonic content of a waveform allowing for added flexibility and range of sounds.

What's really neat about the K3 is that (unlike the K1) it has analog filters and envelopes! So although the sound may be digital at first, it sure does get warmed going through the filter. The low pass resonant filter even has its own envelope generator. There's also a high pass filter and a highly flexible LFO. The K3 is an interesting synth, nicely bridging the gap between the analog and digital domain of vintage synthesizers.

Key Features:

• Hybrid Synthesis: The K3 combines digital oscillators (using 32 waveforms) with analog filtering and envelopes, offering a unique sonic palette. 
• 6-Voice Polyphony: This allows for the simultaneous playing of multiple notes. 
• 61-Key Keyboard: Velocity and aftertouch sensitive for expressive playing. 
• Analog Filter: A SSM 2044 analog filter provides warmth and shaping to the digital waveforms. 
• LFO: An LFO with multiple waveforms for modulating various parameters. 
• MIDI Connectivity: MIDI IN/THRU/OUT: Allows for integration with other electronic instruments and computers. 
• 50 Presets: Pre-programmed sounds for quick access and inspiration. 
• User-Programmable Waveforms: The K3 allows for creating unique digital waveforms through additive synthesis. 

Sound Capabilities:

The K3 is known for producing a variety of sounds, including:

• Dark, moody pads 
• Icy tones 
• PPG-style timbres (like the Polyphonix PPG Wave) 
• Bell sounds 
• Bass sounds