Coker

Toano88, have you actually figured how to put more than one sound in a program?

If you go to the Kurzweil /SP6 website, you can download the SP6 editor and play with it. You can do editing in it to the default programs and multis, but wont get to hear your result or save without an SP6 attached.

No, one program has only one zone, so a multi, whic( has up to four programs, can have four zones. Yes, you can edit programs using Kurzweils PC, Mac, or IOS based editor.

You can load programs from other Kurzweil boards. Im still unclear whether these are samples or settings for synthesized sounds. Regarding multis, you can set up only 4 zones at a time.

I dont see the capability of changing programs or multis via pedal except in Global mode.

Dave Weiser sometimes demos SP6s in the Boston area. Maybe enthusiastic current owners could open up their garage once in awhile.

Tuesday I set up my CP4 next to my SP6, and using 2 ZXA1 speakers did a little A-B ing. My overall impressions are: First, APs: the CP4 adds some overtones to notes when struck harder. The SP6 (using one of Dave Weisers programs) keeps a more even tone when struck harder. I am torn about which I prefer. Both sound great at normal velocities. Rhodes: the CP4 has a longer decay, and I thought a little richer sound. Keybed: I honestly kept trying to make the CP4 feel better to me, because of the investment, but the jury is still out on this one. Kurzweil / Medelli has done an amazing job on this keybed, even ignoring its lower weight and price. B3: I didnt bother with this comparison to the CP4, because I already knew the Kurzweil is in a different (superior) class. However, I happened to have a Nord Stage 2 HA76 nearby and compared their organs. First, control of organs is hugely easier on the Nord. Sound-wise, Id have to give it to the Kurzweil, though. As for keyboard control, the Nord is better; repeatedly playing the same note with rapidly alternating fingers 2 and 3 can be done without a missed note on the Nord, and not so much on the Kurzweil. So far I have continued to use the CP4 for small group jazz gigs, it have switched over to the Kurz for all others. It may only be psychological, but I think I improv better on the CP4. Time will tell. Sorry that I didnt do a more scientific test. Perhaps in the future...

Legatoboy, I dont detect an escapement bump. The key press resistance on mine is smooth all the way down to the bottom. Do you still detect escapement now that youve had the keyboard for awhile? If so, maybe they changed something in the design since I bought mine.

Im going to guess that the SP6 will be better than the PC3 for piano sound and feel. First, the PC3 uses a semi weighted keybed, while the SP6 uses a fully weighted hammer action, which will be better for piano. By the way, I have a CP4 as well, and its becoming less clear to me why I am keeping the Yamaha. As for piano sound, the SP6 has newer piano samples than the PC3, which I assume means they are better. The infamous Triple-Strike Piano is getting a little long in the tooth. That being said, Ive read that some prefer the older piano, and I think its even included as one of the SP6 programs. AND, the SP6 is certainly a lot lighter than the PC3. You will notice that the SP6 doesnt have nearly as many controls as the PC3, and you may miss, for example, full real-time control over organ sounds.

Ive been using the SP6 for a couple months now and have been using it in larger groups where I need compressed pianos and B3 sounds. For smaller jazz gigs, Im reluctant to drop the CP4 because of the expressiveness of its keybed. Im really liking the sound and portability of the SP6, but I cant get the dynamic range of the pianos where I like it yet. In particular, if I dig a louder passage, the piano sounds dont seem to fully react as they do on the CP4.

Scott, yes, the Nord allows you to tweak and build in real time, and I already feel nostalgic about that when I am setting up multis, as Kurzweil calls patches. The trade off for me is Kurzweil sounds, including multilevel samples, and I am warming to the action. Ill be nervously auditioning it at a trio jazz gig Sunday as a potential substitute for my CP4, too.

If you want a 76 note fully weighted action, a used Nord Stage 2 HA76 might fit the bill. Action is a TP40, and it can hold a useful number of updated pianos. That was the last year Nord put their best piano action in a shorter keyboard. (I own one, but recently acquired an SP6 as a potential replacement; the jury is still out.)

Has anyone used the sound editor (iOS or pc)? Mine doesnt seem to work very well when editing multis, and it wont let me access user multis. I have updated the SP6 to to the latest OS. (Oops! Got it working!)

If PC3 programs came in without the right effects, couldnt you just reassign them? The editor program Kurzweil provides looks pretty easy to use.

Programs {individual sounds) transition smoothly; play a note, hold it with damper pedal, switch programs and the held note still plays until you release it. Multis seem to change effects for everything immediately, so you hear the changed effect if holding a note during the change to a new multi.

Many thanks to Dave Weiser for sending me the excellent sound set!

+1

Has anyone compared the SP6 keybed to the Nord Stage 88 recently?

Thanks, Dave. Thoughtful response, as usual.

Can someone compare the SP6 action to a Nord Stage 88HA?

Very classy, Dave

HSS, regarding fitting an 88 in the back seat of your car, when I had a sedan I found that as long as I could get the keyboard above the armrests, there was room to fit it. I accomplished this by loading two speakers on the back seat and resting the keyboard on top of those. Might that work for you? Id hate for you to pass up the SP6 if you could accommodate its length.

How about having full real-time control panel functionality on a connected ipad?

Dave Weiser played the SP6 A couple days ago and posted a comment on Kurzweils Facebook page. I think he was impressed. No detailed review or demo yet.

I wonder if Kurzweil could set up a showroom at their HQ in Waltham just as a place to try their various keyboards out before buying them at a retailer.