jimmymio Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 I'm looking to add a 2nd KB to my Yam S90ES. I do a wide variety of stuff including a lot of corporate band type gigs where i need to cover brass, strings, polysynth stuff etc. I think the new Casio XW-P1 is not quite enough and the Kronos is too expensive. At $999 the Kurz seems like a great value. Is there anything else I should be looking at? Also, any recommendations for a hard case for this that won't weigh half a ton? Thanks, JP 1935 Mason & Hamlin Model A Korg Kronos 2 73 Nord Electro 6D 61 Yam S90ES Rhodes Stage 73 (1972) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJPatton Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 Nope, the PC3 wins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnotherScott Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 Yeah, at the current ridiculous pricing, in the rompler/synth/workstation world, nothing can touch the PC361. Maybe this is the best place for a shameless plug! Our now not-so-new new video at https://youtu.be/3ZRC3b4p4EI is a 40 minute adaptation of T. S. Eliot's "Prufrock" - check it out! And hopefully I'll have something new here this year. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Weiser Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 That is a VERY good price. https://www.theboywhowantedtorock.com http://www.weisersound.com https://www.facebook.com/weisersound Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synthoid Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 At $999 the Kurz seems like a great value. It is... I'd recommend making a decision soon, as they won't be around long at that price. When an eel hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's a Moray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Loving Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 Buy it before they change their mind! "Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stillplaying Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 $999 -we're still over £1200 in the UK (over $1900). Go for it. I'm the piano player "off of" Borrowed Books. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tusker Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 If you are willing to dive under the hood, there is nothing remotely close to the PC3 at that price point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeedMoreBass Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 There's quite a few of the PC361's on eBay as low as $969, so don't jump too quick just yet. The very few reviews that are out on the XW-P1 are mixed, so if I were you I'd wait a few days til some more reviews come in. OR go ahead and order the XW-P1 and try it out for yourself. It's half the money and half the weight of the PC361. What do you have to lose? You can always send it back. Frankly I'm not crazy about the sound of the PC361. Sounds dated to me, but it may still be a good deal for what you need. Casio PX-5S...StudioLogic VMK 161 Organ Plus... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e-keys Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 Do we actually know why the price is so low on the pc361s? I don't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeedMoreBass Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 Do we actually know why the price is so low on the pc361s? I don't. several dealers list them as closeouts, so it must being discontinued. btw, if you decide to go with the PC361 check proaudiostar.com. They will let you make an offer and you will get it MUCH cheaper. Casio PX-5S...StudioLogic VMK 161 Organ Plus... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoodyBluesKeys Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 All three of the PC3 models (3X, 3, 361) were discontinued some time ago; the LE models took over the low end, and the PC3K models took over the high end. The US distributor reduced prices to clear out stock. The 3X mostly sold out first, then the 3, and there were still some 361's. So the distributor again reduced the pricing. Gotta have room in the warehouse for the new models. I live in the US, and have no idea whether prices went down anywhere near the same amount in other parts of the world. It is still the SAME board that was MSRP around $2K, and was street priced around 1,800. At the price point, I bought a 361 although I already had both larger versions. Keeps getting better, too. OS version 2.10 was released generally a week or so ago - each OS version release has improved the instrument. BTW, I do NOT have a Vent to go with it, the Hammond/Leslie sim is good enough in the bands that I'm in. 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...
erikjamesmusic Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 I already own a pc3x and I was considering buying the 361 when I saw that deal online. The only other instrument that can compare at that price point is the Yamaha MOX6, which is somewhere around $1200. The only area that the MOX6 beats the Kurz is the weight of the actual instrument (kurz 30 lbs, yammy 15 lbs.). Go to youtube, and do a search for the comparison of these two models. Kurz wins, hands down. Make no mistake about it, the 361 is as professional a keyboard as money can buy. atomicfunkproject.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmymio Posted March 21, 2012 Author Share Posted March 21, 2012 Thanks for all the feedback. I was pretty much sold but always like to check here before pulling out the plastic. 1935 Mason & Hamlin Model A Korg Kronos 2 73 Nord Electro 6D 61 Yam S90ES Rhodes Stage 73 (1972) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingstonCrim Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 I got in on one of these closeout 361's too, just two weeks ago. This synth really packs the most bang for the buck at these ridiculous prices. You say you want brass, strings, polysynths etc. you need look no further. If you're into it, it's a programmer's paradise. If you're not into that and all you want to do is punch up the factory presets, I don't think you can go wrong there either. Pristine sound and very musically and logically organized. My only two nit-pick complaints are: 1) I found the front panel hard to read in low-light conditions. Nothing is backlit, other than the LCD screen. That and, 2) for my purposes anyway, I felt the factory programs have an over-abundance of drum kits to choose from. Way too many program slots taken up for too many drum kits that sound so much alike (to me), but the nice thing is you can save over them anyhow if you need additional program storage. But with 1000 user slots to fill up first, you won't be running short any time soon. Another nice surprise feature I hadn't realized it has until I got this home is the Quick Access feature where you can store your favorite sound Programs and Setups in little groupings of 10 so you can get to any favorite sound with a single press of a button. Now that's a nice live performance feature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Coda Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 I got in on one of these closeout 361's too, just two weeks ago. This synth really packs the most bang for the buck at these ridiculous prices. You say you want brass, strings, polysynths etc. you need look no further. If you're into it, it's a programmer's paradise. If you're not into that and all you want to do is punch up the factory presets, I don't think you can go wrong there either. Pristine sound and very musically and logically organized. I love mine too,- it was the bang for the buck already 1 year ago when I payed EUR 1.099.- incl. VAT. 2) for my purposes anyway, I felt the factory programs have an over-abundance of drum kits to choose from. Way too many program slots taken up for too many drum kits that sound so much alike (to me), but the nice thing is you can save over them anyhow if you need additional program storage. But with 1000 user slots to fill up first, you won't be running short any time soon. Well, that´s true. When KURZ released the OS 2.0, more drum kits (or better,- programs) came because customers asked for more drums. Have in mind,- category buttons work only for BASE 1 and BASE 2 ROM banks nad are useless for all the other ROMs and user banks. As long you won´t overwrite these BASE 1 & 2 program slots it´s all fine. If I edit programs from BASE 1 and BASE 2 ROMs,- I rename and store to the user locations above 1024. To get rid of the unwanted drum kits, it would be a idea 1st updating to OS 2.10,- just because the kits come back w/ the update,- then delete all unwanted programs if you want and use the free memory space for your own purposes, saving your own "Everything" file later. After the next upcoming OS update,- just play your file back then. Check the optins like "overwrite", "merge" and such in the latest Musicians Guide before playing back your file. There will come up more and different programs once the new ROM is released and there will be more drums too. Can be, lots of the drum-kits we actually find in the PC3 will be replaced then. Another nice surprise feature I hadn't realized it has until I got this home is the Quick Access feature where you can store your favorite sound Programs and Setups in little groupings of 10 so you can get to any favorite sound with a single press of a button. Now that's a nice live performance feature. In OS 2.10, the feature is more improved now. Use the category buttons to assign 16 out of 100 QA banks as your favourite QA banks,- these containing 10 favourite programs and/or setups each. Recall your favourite 16 QA banks by a push of a category button. There´s also the new display mode enlarging program/setup name you actually recalled for better visability on stage. A.C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeedMoreBass Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 Well I have to admit for this price it's hard to pass up, so I just ordered one. Casio PX-5S...StudioLogic VMK 161 Organ Plus... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockinroller Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 I researched the stage keyboard market pretty extensively and ended up with a PC361 after much consideration of value, logistics (weight/size, etc) and ease of use. I am more of a performer than a programmer and although I wanted something more than, say, a Yamaha DGX or YPG series board, I was threatened by some of the products (including Kurzweil) that seemed to require thorough knowledge of the 2" thick manual before you could do anything more than power it up and mess with presets. I am also a former B3/Hammond player, having carted that tandem around for years. I can tell you safely and without reservation: The PC3 series is the BEST all around performing keyboard you can buy. If the sound is not loaded from the factory that you are looking for, this board has the innards to create and store it. In addition (and most important for me), the Leslie effect(s) (there's a ton of different Leslies on board--and even they have adjustable parameters!) replaces any need for either the inherent issues associated with hauling and maintaining a "real" Leslie, or spending another $450-$500 for a Neo Ventilator. I also purchased the PC3 76 note version but returned it, after finding the keys to be a bit more weighty than my synthesizer-oriented fingers were used to. Plus the board was a bit more bulky to gig with. For under $1000 shipped, you cannot go wrong with a PC361. Kurzweil PC4-7 Kurzweil Artis 7 Alto TS312 Powered Speakers (2) Samson 6 channel mixer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Schmieder Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 What other company but Kurzweil would continue offering MAJOR OS updates for a synth they no longer make or sell? Of course, some of this (if not most) comes as a rub-off of development for the PC3K series, but still... Kurzweil's loyalty to their customers is pretty much top in the industry (though Yamaha is not far behind). Eugenio Upright, 60th Ann P-Bass, USA Geddy Lee J-Bass, Yamaha BBP35, D'angelico Bari, Dano Bari Select Strat/Tele, Am Pro Jazzmaster, LP 57 Gold, G5422DC-12, T486, T64, PM2, EXL1, XK4, Voyager Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Weiser Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 Thanks for the nice posts. We firmly believe in supporting products and customers in any way possible. A good many features in the PC3 were actually a direct result from requests from end users. Note - there are indeed a lot of drums in the PC3 sound set. We had them "lying around" from another project and decided to include them, figuring some people would put them to use. And yes there are more drums and percussion coming in the new ROM.... but man they are really, really fabulous. And they don't eat up a lot of memory. Anyone with feedback or input can always feel free to contact me directly. davew@ycrdi.com And anyone local to Boston is welcome to come by R&D for a visit. https://www.theboywhowantedtorock.com http://www.weisersound.com https://www.facebook.com/weisersound Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Coda Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 And yes there are more drums and percussion coming in the new ROM.... but man they are really, really fabulous. And they don't eat up a lot of memory. Whenever the new ROM will be available,- keep the BEST drums and ditch the others please ... It´s all about less scrolling thru endless chains of kits. A.C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.W.DIAS Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 Well I have to admit for this price it's hard to pass up, so I just ordered one. I bought mine two weeks ago.Solid,well built keyboard.Keys feel great.I found them very responsive when I set Velocity and Aftertouch to light. If you like FM synth sounds(I do), get the KFM sound set.$50 seems expensive, but it's like getting another synth.I spend more time playing them than the stock sounds. There's also the VA sound collection from Sonik Matter for free!Great sounds! Enjoy your new keyboard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEMcCut Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 I ordered one yesterday. I asked for the best deal they could give me. $965 free shipping and it was on the way by the afternoon. It should be here tomorrow. I am hoping to use it Saturday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeedMoreBass Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 $949 shipped for mine. Quite a deal. Casio PX-5S...StudioLogic VMK 161 Organ Plus... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Schmieder Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 Wow. Those are INCREDIBLE prices! Eugenio Upright, 60th Ann P-Bass, USA Geddy Lee J-Bass, Yamaha BBP35, D'angelico Bari, Dano Bari Select Strat/Tele, Am Pro Jazzmaster, LP 57 Gold, G5422DC-12, T486, T64, PM2, EXL1, XK4, Voyager Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEMcCut Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 Crap, Need I should have had you negotiate for me. Still a pretty good price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeedMoreBass Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 Crap, Need I should have had you negotiate for me. Still a pretty good price. I wouldn't lose sleep over $15, but I am excited about getting this at such a good price. Casio PX-5S...StudioLogic VMK 161 Organ Plus... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingstonCrim Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 You guys are going to absolutely love it. I am really happy with the PC361 so far. I came around here reading and lurking and actually just looking (at first) for something that would give me a good B3 tone. I found way more than I was hoping for in the Kurz. It was exactly the right thing I needed, at the right time. Serendipity or something like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Loving Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 well done! "Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmymio Posted March 22, 2012 Author Share Posted March 22, 2012 $949 shipped for mine. Quite a deal. where from if i may ask? 1935 Mason & Hamlin Model A Korg Kronos 2 73 Nord Electro 6D 61 Yam S90ES Rhodes Stage 73 (1972) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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