E4K Question and opinions.

[joegerardi]

Most of you know that I'm in the process of rebuilding my rig. For those of you that don't, all I currently have is a KX-76 controller, a QSR module, and an Obie DPX-1. I almost had a second KX, but apparently UPS decided I didn't really need it and trashed it on delivery. Anyway, I'm looking to add the next level, and I'm torn between 2 boards: A K2000 and an E4K. just for some background info, I'm looking only at used instruments. It's just for my living room setup, and I don't want to get into the buying frenzy of my youth. http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/smile.gif

 

The K2000 really appeals to me because I really like all its features, and playing a lot of Floyd, I can't deny that THEY used them on tour to get their sounds. That's not the only reasons, but I don't have to expound the abilities of the K2k: We all know what they're capable of.

 

But.

 

I have to admit it: I've always been attracted to Emu products. I've had an Emulator II+, an Emulator III, a Vintage Keys, and I believe that I still have a Drumulator around somewhere. (I think it's in my old house. Which brings up a point: I don't think I'm ever going to get married again: I think I'm just going to find a woman I really dislike, and GIVE her a house!) There's just something about the Emu line that works for me on a visceral level.

 

The next logical progression then would be the E4K. Problem is, I remember when they first came out, they were ballyhoo'd as the next great thing in keyboards. Then... Nothing. They kind of just disappeard into the background hiss like Cellos playing PPP on vinyl.

 

So does anybody out there have any opinion or critiques of the E4K that they'd be willing to share? Likes, dislikes, great things about it, terrible things about it, you know, the straight skinny from the musicians that really used them and can comment honestly about them.

 

Thanks folks.

 

Oh, one more thing: I'm looking at keyboard versions here because I need more physical 'boards. That's why I'm not asking about the E4 or the K2000r.

 

..Joe

[Dave Bryce]

Get the Kurz...

 

They are just way too much fun. The VAST architecture is still the most powerful and flexible engine ever designed. You can pretty much make 'em do anything. They are an excellent addition to any rig. Also, you should be able to find a K2000 for pretty cheap, considering what's gone on with the K2500/K2600 in the last few months - you might even be able to get it and an Emu rack, depending uopn what you want to spend.

 

The E-mu stuff is great, mind you - and I even think that they're slightly better sounding samplers than the Kurz (don't hurt me, Mike), but all in all, I believe that you'll get a bunch more out of the K2000. Plus, it makes sound immediately when you turn it on... http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/wink.gif

 

dB

[joegerardi]

Dave:

Thanks. Yeah, I know the Kurz has all those tremendous capabilities, which is why I'm considering it. But again, the E4K just has the same attraction that all that other Emu equipment does, which is why I'm considering it, too. Plus, it has 128-note polyphony; the HD is standard in it, loaded with sounds, so it can make noise as soon as you turn it on too; a 76-note keyboard; (Not that that makes a great deal of difference, but I've heard the Kurz's keyboard is less than, ah, shall we say... decent?) and is easily expandable using off the shelf memory.

 

That's not to say I'm leaning towards the E4K. I just want to explore the options before I spend and end up with something that won't completely fit my needs.

[Dave Bryce]

Originally posted by joegerardi:

(Not that that makes a great deal of difference, but I've heard the Kurz's keyboard is less than, ah, shall we say... decent?)

 

I'm inclined to agree with that, actually. Good point.

 

the HD is standard in it, loaded with sounds, so it can make noise as soon as you turn it on too

 

Well, you've still gotta load something, don't you? I'm not thoroughly familiar with the E4k - is that one of the ones that you can burn your own flash memory so you have your own bank of sounds immediately? I know that you can do that on some of the racks...

 

Maybe the E4k and a used K2000R, then. I hear they're sub-$500 if you look carefully.

 

dB

[joegerardi]

BRAIN FART ALERT! BRAIN FART ALERT!

 

Actually, the unit I'm considering is the E-synth, NOT the E4K. It has the ROM card in it with pre-programmed sounds, and is ALSO an E4 sampler.

 

This is what happens when you're away from music for any length of time.

[callengowanco.com]

Greetings,

 

Not to long ago I was looking for an all in one box, to make a long story short I ended up with two. I purchased both units off of ebay, one a totally maxxed out Esynth w/keys and the other a kurz PC2X. And I wouldn't have it any other way. The Esynth just has wonderful harmonics which you just don't find in most samplers, while the PC2X just kicks butt when it comes to simulating acoustic instruments. Its a toss up, one day the Esynth will sound better and the next day the PC2X will. I guess its based upon whats needed in a particular song. In my humble opinion a K2000 isn't even in the same class as the E4K or Esynth. Now if your your talking about a K2500/2600 versus an Esynth, now your talking apples and apples and this can be a tough decision. By the way the PC2X blows the 2600 away hands down, it doesnt sample ( you can edit it ), and additional roms will be coming out soon. But without a doubt the PC2 is the best sounding keyboard kurweil has on the market at this time!!!!!!