surreal mccoy Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Anyone have a chance to play the latest stage piano from Kurz? I spent a little time with one yesterday. Although the voices are taken from the PC3,the SP3X sounded improved via clarity and definition. Even the brass voices sounded better.... FWIW....I compared side by side a PC3x thru the same mixer/ speakers. At $1895 list, it's a pretty impressive rompler..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana. Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 The voices are NOT taken from the PC3, they're taken from the PC2. I think anyone considering the SP3X should wait for the PC3LE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surreal mccoy Posted March 5, 2009 Author Share Posted March 5, 2009 The voices are NOT taken from the PC3, they're taken from the PC2. I think anyone considering the SP3X should wait for the PC3LE. I beg to differ. I used to own a PC2r. The SP3X is much more on par with the PC3.....only a bit better sonically IMO....just not the controller or programing engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana. Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 I'm not sure what you're begging to differ with. My point is that the money would be better spent on a Kurzweil board that has newer technology and better sounds. And if you don't want to wait, you should consider this: deal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surreal mccoy Posted March 5, 2009 Author Share Posted March 5, 2009 I'm not sure what you're begging to differ with. My point is that the money would be better spent on a Kurzweil board that has newer technology and better sounds. And if you don't want to wait, you should consider this: deal Thanks for the link. I was "begging to differ with" your statement that the SP3X voices were taken from the PC2. As I already stated, I compared with a PC3x + along with having owned a PC2r......I can safely say the SP3X is derived from the PC3.....which OTOH.... obviously rehashed many of their voices from the PC2......FWIW..... http://www.kurzweilmusicsystems.com/Product.php?product=194 Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfD Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 I think anyone considering the SP3X should wait for the PC3LE. While the price might be similar, I'm not sure that would reconcile the difference in the # of keys. PD "The greatest thing you'll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return."--E. Ahbez "Nature Boy" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burningbusch Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Don't know if it's of interest to the OP, but Music123.com has the PC1SE on sale for $1099. These Scratch&Dent sales seem to offer pretty good deals. Busch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surreal mccoy Posted March 5, 2009 Author Share Posted March 5, 2009 Well I might just be considering the SP3X as I don't require the deep programing synth engine nor the controller abilities of the PC3x. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana. Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 I think there's a misconception that the SP3X, because it has a 3 in its name, has sounds derived from the PC3. I don't believe that it does. I just compared the manuals for the two boards and it is clear that they do not share the same soundset. As far as I can tell, the SP3X's sounds are inferior to the PC3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surreal mccoy Posted March 5, 2009 Author Share Posted March 5, 2009 I think there's a misconception that the SP3X, because it has a 3 in its name, has sounds derived from the PC3. I don't believe that it does. I just compared the manuals for the two boards and it is clear that they do not share the same soundset. As far as I can tell, the SP3X's sounds are inferior to the PC3. I'm sorry, I wasn't aware that you actually played one.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana. Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Oh, I've played both and I stand by my statements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surreal mccoy Posted March 5, 2009 Author Share Posted March 5, 2009 The fact of the matter is....if you read reviews of the SP2, you'll see that that board's voices were derived from the PC2/PC88. Yesterday, when I was playing various boards, I ran across a SP2 that obviously sounded the same triple strike piano version as my old PC2r. Once again...the SP3X that I sampled along with the PC3x were not producing the same or similar voices to either the PC2 or SP2. I hope this makes sense.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ITGITC Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Don't know if it's of interest to OP... http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/14/First_Appearance_Opie_Taylor.JPG OP Ummmmm, regional humor. Sorry. "Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent." - Victor Hugo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverDragonSoun Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 If you're expecting PC3 quality out of the SP3X, you're probably going to be disappointed. This is what I heard from someone familiar with both boards whom I trust. Begin the day with a friendly voice A companion, unobtrusive - Rush Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverDragonSoun Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Don't know if it's of interest to OP... http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/14/First_Appearance_Opie_Taylor.JPG OP Ummmmm, regional humor. Sorry. Begin the day with a friendly voice A companion, unobtrusive - Rush Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfD Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Back in OP's days, they didn't have the benefit of a digital piano. The SP3X voices comes from the K and PC series. Not PC3X. Since the SP2X was good, I'm willing to bet the SP3X will suffice in Mayberry too. PD "The greatest thing you'll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return."--E. Ahbez "Nature Boy" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surreal mccoy Posted March 5, 2009 Author Share Posted March 5, 2009 If you're expecting PC3 quality out of the SP3X, you're probably going to be disappointed. This is what I heard from someone familiar with both boards whom I trust. When you say "quality"....are you referring to audio or to overall abilities? I wouldn't dare attempt to compare these two boards as being near equal in the programing or controller dept. But audio sounded pretty close yesterday when I compared.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana. Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 I understand what you're saying. And hey, if you liked what you heard, go for it. Personally, if I wanted PC3-quality sounds, I would spend the money on a PC3X or the forthcoming PC3LE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surreal mccoy Posted March 5, 2009 Author Share Posted March 5, 2009 Don't know if it's of interest to OP... http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/14/First_Appearance_Opie_Taylor.JPG OP Ummmmm, regional humor. Sorry. Hmmm.....my exact feeling after going in circles on this thread..... Oh well.....I guess folks will buy into anything they may read..... I'd just suggest you take the time to LISTEN before you make an evaluation/ judgement.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.J. Lewis Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Just to clarify, the SP3X's sound set is derived exclusively from the PC1/PC2 sound set. The difference you may be hearing is in the 24-bit reverb engine / FX in SP3 that doesn't appear in the PC1/PC2 series. C.J. Lewis U.S. Product Specialist, Kurzweil Music Systems ivorycj Main stuff: Yamaha CP88 | Korg Kronos 2 73 | Kurzweil Forte 7 | 1898 Steinway I Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surreal mccoy Posted March 6, 2009 Author Share Posted March 6, 2009 My apologies for being so insistent without having my facts straight. Yesterday, when I was making voice comparisons between the SP3X & PC3x....I wasn't the only one hearing the SP sound clearer, cleaner & more defined than the PC3X. And they were both thru the same mixer/ speaker combo. Kudos to Kurzweil for this new stage piano. I may end up buying it. It seemed to fix the shortcomings I experienced within the overall voices from my older PC2r. Although I hear the facts, I have a hard time believing the voices I heard weren't from the PC3 series. I'll gladly get down from my "high horse"....but I'd still love to hear from others that have played this board.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.J. Lewis Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 hey, no matter which way you look at it, the SP3X is a great sounding board! ivorycj Main stuff: Yamaha CP88 | Korg Kronos 2 73 | Kurzweil Forte 7 | 1898 Steinway I Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surreal mccoy Posted March 6, 2009 Author Share Posted March 6, 2009 hey, no matter which way you look at it, the SP3X is a great sounding board! So let me ask you. Aside from the obvious strength and power of the PC3x as a controller and programable synth. Are the actual triple strike pianos and lush string pads really different between the SP3X & PC3x? Thanks ahead as I don't program but really seek the highest quality of audible sounds/ voices... Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ITGITC Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 My apologies for being so insistent without having my facts straight. Happened to me this week. Must be something in the beer this place is serving. Happy Friday guys. "Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent." - Victor Hugo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoodyBluesKeys Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 So let me ask you. Aside from the obvious strength and power of the PC3x as a controller and programable synth. Are the actual triple strike pianos and lush string pads really different between the SP3X & PC3x? Alan Sounds from the SP3X are from the PC2 series. I own both a PC2X and a PC3X for over a year. Both the pianos and the strings are really different. The explanation given by one of Kurzweil's sound designers is that the actual Triple Strike sampling was done on 2" 30ips tape back in the day. That same original analog tape was used to produce the samples in the K2600, PC2, and PC3 series. However, the specific VAST synthesis in each model is different, so the results are different. The PC3 acoustic pianos have more layers, and more complex things can be done in each layer. On the strings - I've played my PC3X mostly in my shop/studio. A week ago, I bought a PC3 76 key for gigging (to replace my K 2661). Last Sunday was the first time in a rehearsal. The String ROM in the PC3 has not been in any Kurzweil model before, and it adds a very large number of different sectionals. I was using a solo cello in one part, and a sectional string part in another song - for the first time, I've got strings that do not sound electronic. The ease of playing just increased. I've used strings on the PC2 before, they work, but I find it difficult to get the right sounding attack and voicing. On the PC3 strings, it just flowed. So, yes, the extra money for the PC3 series does buy something besides a very comprehensive MIDI controller. You might wonder why I'm keeping the PC2: the 2X is in the living room acting as a family piano, it is paid for, and does that purpose well. The PC2 is at church, also paid for, much easier than loading in and out several times a week. I'll decide after a few more gigs whether or not to keep the 2661, it does have some good features, and I do like to use a 2 keyboard setup (but a 1 keyboard setup is easier to load in and out). Howard Grand|Hamm SK1-73|Kurz PC2|PC2X|PC3|PC3X|PC361; QSC K10's HP DAW|Epi Les Paul & LP 5-str bass|iPad mini2 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Davis Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 Don't know if it's of interest to OP... http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/14/First_Appearance_Opie_Taylor.JPG OP "Paw, is it true that I'll go blind if . . . Gomer says . . ." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadowcompany Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 I've actually played both the PC3 and SP3X. In my humble opinion the SP3X has a good piano and the other sounds are average compared to the other things out there. This is where the PC3 really outshines the SP3X. If all you need is the piano, you can probably get buy with the SP3X. If you need organs and other sounds, they are much better on the PC3 IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.