Kurzweil PC3 Operating System v 2.0.1 is now released

[MoodyBluesKeys]

The new OS is available on Kurzweil's web site now.

 

SoundTower editor ver 2 to run with this OS - right now, the first page indicates that it is ready, but the links are not yet operational (presumably this will be remedied quite soon) REV - editor is now out also. The free Editor runs on PC3 and PC3K models. The editor for PC3LE versions is NOT free (don't know how much it is at this point), there is a purchase link for the activation code US $69. The beta versions of this editor have worked better for me than the old version that worked with the 1.35 OS.

 

Figured this is news-worthy because of the number of PC3 users that hang out here. There is a new KB3 program (Hammond/Leslie) with a new "Double Leslie," which is an improvement - I gigged with it the last couple of weeks (while in beta), sounds better, cuts through the band well, and is adequate in my opinion to use without carrying my Electro 3, as long as Hammond sound is mostly along with the band. Dave W. has also stated that there would be a number of other KB3 programs released that feature this new effect setup. It is not intended to be used in splits or zones - since the Leslie uses 14 units of effects.

[Bucktunes]

Just thought I'd bump this for the sake of all the PC3 owners here who don't always visit here everyday. This is good news. Thanks, Moody!

[Bucktunes]

Finally found this thread - Google works much better than the search function here. But you already knew that...

 

Anyway, I just downloaded and installed version 2.02 for my PC3X. (It was originally version 1.3) It would probably be enough just to say I can't stop playing with the new sounds, but that would be a tease!

 

The improved Hammond sounds alone are worth the upgrade. IMO they're now up in the same league as a good clonewheel/Leslie sim - At least for gigging. Lots of good FM and VA type sounds and gorgeous piano/pad layers that are new, too. But it's the setups that knock the ball out of the park, over the wall, across the street and into the bleachers on top of the apartment building! So much cool stuff I can't stop playing with them. And I haven't even downloaded the ed/lib program for it yet. I'll do that as soon as I take a break from playing.

 

If you're a PC3 owner and haven't yet done so, go upgrade now! Just make sure you've given yourself plenty of time to play.

[MoodyBluesKeys]

Just wait till you hear the ten new KB3 patches based on the Double-Leslie that Dave has come up with - they should be available in a few days, I gigged with them last night.

 

I keep finding less reasons to need the Electro.

 

[Moonglow]

.....But it's the setups that knock the ball out of the park, over the wall, across the street and into the bleachers on top of the apartment building!.....

No, that would have been Glenallen Hill!

[Moonglow]

Just wait till you hear the ten new KB3 patches based on the Double-Leslie that Dave has come up with - they should be available in a few days, I gigged with them last night.

 

I keep finding less reasons to need the Electro.

Wiping slobber from mouth.....

[Bucktunes]

.....But it's the setups that knock the ball out of the park, over the wall, across the street and into the bleachers on top of the apartment building!.....

No, that would have been Glenallen Hill!

 

Thanks for getting my Wrigley field reference! And I'm not even a Cubs fan! That was just the most obvious analogy I could think of for an extreme home run.

 

Also, I really like what I'm hearing in those Moose Attack and Vortex collections. I'll probably be loading those in soon, so my GAS for a VA is dwindling...Sorry, Access!

[Analogaddict]

Yup, I sold My Virus Ti Polar... I could get the same kind of sounds from the PC3. of course, based on my personal preferences. The Paul Dillen FM sound bank (dlnSound.com) is great too, as well as the Alpha and Bravo sound sets.

[Al Coda]

Yup, I sold My Virus Ti Polar... I could get the same kind of sounds from the PC3. of course, based on my personal preferences. The Paul Dillen FM sound bank (dlnSound.com) is great too, as well as the Alpha and Bravo sound sets.

 

Where can I listen to Alpha & Bravo ?

Any links ?

 

A.C.

[MoodyBluesKeys]

I don't have them,but Alpha and Bravo can be bought through links on the Mastering VAST forum. http://www.cunka.com/forum/index.php

 

Supporters (members of the Mahogany Room) also get some pretty nice sounds and setups developed by Cowzar.

 

[Chris Link]

OK. I'm being dense here or something.

 

Finally went to do the upgrade and I'm screwing something up.

 

1. Downloaded upgrade.

2. Powered up (holding down exit button) to get to "boot loader"

3. Copy the PC3FT063.BIN to the PC3LE icon.

4. Select "file utility"

5. Now I'm supposed to select "EXEC from file" but it's not an option. The only thing there is "format flash" and "back".

 

What am I doing wrong?

 

 

[MoodyBluesKeys]

I've always done the updates using an xD card, instead of USB. Also, I have a PC3 instead of an LE, so there may be some differences. However, the principles should be similar.

 

Based on what you are seeing in step 5, I'd guess that the PC3 bootloader is not detecting the USB drive as holding any files or the xD card (xD card makes sense if there is no xD card inserted).

 

I don't know why - this might be a good question to ask either Dave or Jean with Kurzweil.

 

BTW - personal observation - locate and buy one or two small xD cards - for this purpose, they need to be type S (the original type). ALL 128 meg and smaller cards are type S, some 256 meg are S and others are not, anything larger then 256 is not a type S. Almost all the people that I've seen in the past several years that have had problems saving or OS updating have been using USB. EBay (under memory for cameras) is probably a good place to look. If you can't find any, I have 3 extra 64 meg and a couple of 128 meg extras that I'd sell reasonably. xd to USB adapters (for the computer end) are readily available.

 

Other things to check: Make sure that the PC3FT063.BIN file actually is in the virtual USB drive. If anything else wound up there and was deleted, Windows will leave it there and hide it in the drive's Recycle Bin - so smpty the Recycle Bin for that drive.

 

BTW - once you do get the EXEC from file message, you will still have to browse to the file using the PC3 - not as intuitive as browsing in Windows. However, when you do manage to execute the file, you will see another boot loader that has added capabilities. Among other things, it will make a larger virtual drive on the computer, and it will format the flash memory of the PC3 in a different format, that is needed for OS 2.00 and above.

 

It id definitely worth the effort to update. Right now, I'm running the first beta for OS 2.03 (won't be as many big changes, this one will be bug squishing and some editor interface issues).

 

Another thought: try a different USB cable, I've had some problems in the past with USB cables that kind of halfway worked, but didn't complete the job correctly.

 

[Al Coda]

I don't have them,but Alpha and Bravo can be bought through links on the Mastering VAST forum. http://www.cunka.com/forum/index.php

 

Supporters (members of the Mahogany Room) also get some pretty nice sounds and setups developed by Cowzar.

 

Thank you,- found it !

 

A.C.

[Chris Link]

I've always done the updates using an xD card, instead of USB. Also, I have a PC3 instead of an LE, so there may be some differences. However, the principles should be similar.

 

Based on what you are seeing in step 5, I'd guess that the PC3 bootloader is not detecting the USB drive as holding any files or the xD card (xD card makes sense if there is no xD card inserted).

 

I don't know why - this might be a good question to ask either Dave or Jean with Kurzweil.

 

BTW - personal observation - locate and buy one or two small xD cards - for this purpose, they need to be type S (the original type). ALL 128 meg and smaller cards are type S, some 256 meg are S and others are not, anything larger then 256 is not a type S. Almost all the people that I've seen in the past several years that have had problems saving or OS updating have been using USB. EBay (under memory for cameras) is probably a good place to look. If you can't find any, I have 3 extra 64 meg and a couple of 128 meg extras that I'd sell reasonably. xd to USB adapters (for the computer end) are readily available.

 

Other things to check: Make sure that the PC3FT063.BIN file actually is in the virtual USB drive. If anything else wound up there and was deleted, Windows will leave it there and hide it in the drive's Recycle Bin - so smpty the Recycle Bin for that drive.

 

BTW - once you do get the EXEC from file message, you will still have to browse to the file using the PC3 - not as intuitive as browsing in Windows. However, when you do manage to execute the file, you will see another boot loader that has added capabilities. Among other things, it will make a larger virtual drive on the computer, and it will format the flash memory of the PC3 in a different format, that is needed for OS 2.00 and above.

 

It id definitely worth the effort to update. Right now, I'm running the first beta for OS 2.03 (won't be as many big changes, this one will be bug squishing and some editor interface issues).

 

Another thought: try a different USB cable, I've had some problems in the past with USB cables that kind of halfway worked, but didn't complete the job correctly.

 

Thanks. I'm on a Mac, but the procedure seems to be the same. The file looks to be in the right place, but I will check that. Trying a different cable is a good idea as well.

 

Thanks again.

[Dglavko]

I've had no difficulty upgrading my PC3 OS by USB -> mac in the past, although I haven't upgraded to 2.02 yet.

[Chris Link]

OK. This is REALLY embarrassing. I was trying to install the PC3 V202 that I downloaded instead of the PC3LE V202.

 

 

What a dumbsh*t.

[MoodyBluesKeys]

Ooooopppppsssssiiiiieeeeee!

 

Might be a blessing that it did not install.

 

Once the LE 2.02 is installed, you'll probably disappear for a few hours just trying out some of the changes.

 

[Chris Link]

What's the best way to discover the new stuff?

[MoodyBluesKeys]

It will be a bit different on the LE (since it already had the 128 drum sets (located in EXP1 on the PC3) and (maybe??) the 64 new patches (located in the bottom 64 of the EXP2 bank on the PC3), including the Pro Piano, some new FM pianos that really cut through, and some other sounds. Almost any of the KB3 organ sounds are going to sound different - the Leslie emulation has been improved. Since I don't have an LE, I'm not sure of the exact differences. Just the KB3/Leslie differences have made enough improvement that I don't always carry my Electro 3 any more along with the PC3.

 

[Chris Link]

Thanks. I'll just dig in and start looking around.

[Dave Weiser]

Just wait till you hear the ten new KB3 patches based on the Double-Leslie that Dave has come up with - they should be available in a few days, I gigged with them last night.

 

I keep finding less reasons to need the Electro.

Wiping slobber from mouth.....

 

Still not ready to release the new KB3 sounds... but anyone who wants them now can just send me an email and I'll send 'em to you.

davew@ycrdi.com

 

A few important notes:

-The new fx chains use a lot of resources, which means that the programs won't work well in sequences or setup mode, unless you're willing to lose fx on all other channels.

-These will not work in an LE, just PC3 and Pc3K

-You'll need to be running the latest OS, v2.02

-For PC3 users, there is no need to change the file extension name. Load them and they should "just work".

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Chris Link]

-These will not work in an LE, just PC3 and Pc3K

 

 

No fair! Will they eventually be made for the LE?

[Dave Weiser]

-These will not work in an LE, just PC3 and Pc3K

 

 

No fair! Will they eventually be made for the LE?

 

Unfortunately, the LE doesn't have the FX resources required.

In fact the "big leslie" barely fits into the PC3/PC3K.

 

The new leslie uses 14 "units" worth of effects our of a total of 16 available on the PC3/PC3K. The LE only provides 10 units worth of effects.

 

Some time, months from now, we do hope that we'll be able to reduce the size of this and some of the other larger effect chains so that they will eventually work in an LE. But I can't make any promises until our DSP guys take a shot at it.

 

I'll do some experiments this week on what can be done to improve the LE Leslie effects. Shoot me an email later this week and I'll send you what I come up with. davew@ycrdi.com