Kawai K1M
Digital Synthesizer Module (1988)

 

K1 Module version, classic budget digital synthesizer based on 8-bits short cycled waves.

SOUND MODULE The main panel features a 16 X 2 lines backlit display, 25 buttons, a slider edit for data entry and a vector joystick for volume mix.

Back panel terminal connectors:
- Midi Interface
- main signal out
- headphones out

Power supply is external with 12V DC / 500mA - any general PSU AC/DC 9/12V can work with correct polarity -)+

 

TECH a 8-bits cpu NEC D78310G manages up to 16 oscillators or voices polyphony- relative DAC is a uPD-6355G. Each K1 voice is composed by a maxium of 4 assigned waves or SOURCES with a simple ringmodulator (fixed depth) which modules the sources.

hear ringmodulator

 

WAVETABLE ROM contains 256 waves at 8-bits resolution organized in 2 families:
- PCM acoustics: 52 waves sampled from true percussions & drums.
- VM cyclic waveforms 204 waves: generated by additive synthesis process out of 128 harmonics
composed by 2 sub-categories:

* BASIC classic basic waveforms e.g square, saw and sine. * FREQUENCY RANGE are spectral transients e.g piano, strings, brass, lead, bell and organ. hear all PCM waves / some VM waves

 

 

PERFORMANCE machine manages up to 8 parts with individual parameters:

- keyboard zone assign - voices reserve (priority) - mix gain level - Midi channel assign - semitone transpose - pitch tune.

ENVELOPE a 4-segments + 1 time EG DADSR for each source.
There are 18 preset velocities curves but no possible edit.

LEFT - Vector joystick controls a global mix amplitude EG moving between 4 oscillators hear pad vector

LFO a single oscillator (4 shapes: triangle, sawtooth, square and random) modulates 2 destinations:

- LFO to pitch - LFO to amplitude HEAR all lfo WAVES

MIDI standard implementation with just a few CC# but full compliant to Midi Exclusives data for both edit and backup.

MEMORY:
- 64 RAM standard patches
- 32 RAM multitimbral
RAM is doubled with memory card model DC8, also compatible with DC16 and DC32.

- LEFT - Battery replacement: soldered lithium battery 3V Cr-2032 - click to enlarge pic -

MODIFICATION

K1m model has been mutilated and bent: sound is just crazy! hear a demo. Last modified K1m ha been sold. Time for another project, thanks :)

 

EDIT there are some editors like:

- soundquest (mac/pc) PIC - soundiver (mac/pc) - soundlib (pc) - caged artist (Atari ST) PIC - K1 edit (Atari ST) shareware) PIC - Kawai K1 editor (Commodore Amiga) PIC

 

K1 related models:

K1 original keyboard version. k1r rackmount version without joystick K1 II: reverb and new drum waveforms K1 rII: rackount version of K1 II minus joystick and effect DSP

 

VST PLUGIN / SAMPLED VERSION there are some free and commercial samples set:

kungrille

free (cycled waves)

n/a

ADVERT GALLERY:

catsynth :)	Hd bent prototype	advert	advert