Synths ⇝ Kawai ⇝ Kawai K1

The Kawai K1 is a sample-based synthesizer that uses 8-bit PCM waveforms. It functions similarly to the Roland D-series synthesizers and although it's not quite the same, it can be thought of as "budget LA synthesis". The patch memory can be doubled with a DC-8 memory card. A DC-16 and DC-32 can also be used. It uses a standard CR-2032 3V lithium battery for its memory.

Although some people may assume that the K1 is an additive synthesizer, it is not. It has some waveforms taken from the additive Kawai K5 synthesizer, but it synthesizes based on an 8-bit PCM waveform sample ROM. Up to four waveforms can be blended together in a single sound, so after a fashion, some rudimentary additive capabilities are available.

An updated version was released as the Kawai K1 II. It is also available in rackmount form as the K1r and in tabletop module form as the K1m.

It has a single card slot and can be expanded with a variety of expansion cards.

Specifications

Year Released: 1988

MSRP: 799.00 USD

Keyboard: 61 keys with velocity and aftertouch

Polyphony: 16 notes

Multitimbral: 8 parts

User Patches: 64

User Performances: 32

ROM: 256 8-bit PCM waveforms (204 additive waveforms, 52 acoustic samples)

Screen: 16x2 character backlit LCD

Power Consumption: 4 watts

Dimensions: 936 mm x 260 mm x 80 mm

Weight: 6.8 kg

This keyboard is MIDI-enabled.

MIDI Connections: Standard 5-Pin MIDI in, out, and thru connections.

User Demo Videos

Rating

Sound Samples

WAV samples are available on freewavesamples.com.

File Downloads

Kawai K1 and K1m Manual

Kawai K1 and K1m Wave List

Kawai K1 Sound Libraries

Items for Sale on Reverb

Kawai K1 II Digital Synthesizer ($250)

Kawai K1 1987 ($218.13)

kawai K1 1980 - Black ($272.08)

Alexander Publishing Kawai K1 Operations and Tweaking Sounds. manual 1980's ($20)

Greytsounds Kawai K1 Synth Patches • 6 Bank Set - Digital Download ($30)

Alexander Publishing Kawai K1 Operations and Tweaking Sounds. manual 1980's ($20)

E-Mu/Kawai/Korg/Rhodes Weighted Replacement SHARP/BLACK Key (ESK-8012 Keybeds) for E-Mu Emulator II, Kawai K1, K1 II, K4, K11, Korg DP-80, DS-8, Rhodes Chroma Polaris ($10.95)

E-Mu/Kawai/Korg/Rhodes Weighted Replacement G Key (ESK-8012 Keybeds) for E-Mu Emulator II, Kawai K1, K1 II, K4, K11, Korg DP-80, DS-8, Rhodes Chroma Polaris ($13.95)

E-Mu/Kawai/Korg/Rhodes Weighted Replacement D Key (ESK-8012 Keybeds) for E-Mu Emulator II, Kawai K1, K1 II, K4, K11, Korg DP-80, DS-8, Rhodes Chroma Polaris ($13.95)

E-Mu/Kawai/Korg/Rhodes Weighted Replacement G Key (ESK-8012 Keybeds) for E-Mu Emulator II, Kawai K1, K1 II, K4, K11, Korg DP-80, DS-8, Rhodes Chroma Polaris ($13.95)

E-Mu/Kawai/Korg/Rhodes Weighted Replacement G Key (ESK-8012 Keybeds) for E-Mu Emulator II, Kawai K1, K1 II, K4, K11, Korg DP-80, DS-8, Rhodes Chroma Polaris ($13.95)

E-Mu/Kawai/Korg/Rhodes Weighted Replacement A Key (ESK-8012 Keybeds) for E-Mu Emulator II, Kawai K1, K1 II, K4, K11, Korg DP-80, DS-8, Rhodes Chroma Polaris ($13.95)

E-Mu/Kawai/Korg/Rhodes Weighted Replacement C/F Key (ESK-8012 Keybeds) for E-Mu Emulator II, Kawai K1, K1 II, K4, K11, Korg DP-80, DS-8, Rhodes Chroma Polaris ($13.95)

E-Mu/Kawai/Korg/Rhodes Weighted Replacement SHARP/BLACK Key (ESK-8012 Keybeds) for E-Mu Emulator II, Kawai K1, K1 II, K4, K11, Korg DP-80, DS-8, Rhodes Chroma Polaris ($10.95)

E-Mu/Kawai/Korg/Rhodes Weighted Replacement E/B Key (ESK-8012 Keybeds) for E-Mu Emulator II, Kawai K1, K1 II, K4, K11, Korg DP-80, DS-8, Rhodes Chroma Polaris ($13.95)

E-Mu/Kawai/Korg/Rhodes Weighted Replacement E/B Key (ESK-8012 Keybeds) for E-Mu Emulator II, Kawai K1, K1 II, K4, K11, Korg DP-80, DS-8, Rhodes Chroma Polaris ($13.95)

E-Mu/Kawai/Korg/Rhodes Weighted Replacement C/F Key (ESK-8012 Keybeds) for E-Mu Emulator II, Kawai K1, K1 II, K4, K11, Korg DP-80, DS-8, Rhodes Chroma Polaris ($13.95)

E-Mu/Kawai/Korg/Rhodes Weighted Replacement G Key (ESK-8012 Keybeds) for E-Mu Emulator II, Kawai K1, K1 II, K4, K11, Korg DP-80, DS-8, Rhodes Chroma Polaris ($13.95)

E-Mu/Kawai/Korg/Rhodes Weighted Replacement D Key (ESK-8012 Keybeds) for E-Mu Emulator II, Kawai K1, K1 II, K4, K11, Korg DP-80, DS-8, Rhodes Chroma Polaris ($13.95)

E-Mu/Kawai/Korg/Rhodes Weighted Replacement C/F Key (ESK-8012 Keybeds) for E-Mu Emulator II, Kawai K1, K1 II, K4, K11, Korg DP-80, DS-8, Rhodes Chroma Polaris ($13.95)

E-Mu/Kawai/Korg/Rhodes Weighted Replacement E/B Key (ESK-8012 Keybeds) for E-Mu Emulator II, Kawai K1, K1 II, K4, K11, Korg DP-80, DS-8, Rhodes Chroma Polaris ($13.95)

E-Mu/Kawai/Korg/Rhodes Replacement Key Spring (ESK-8012 Keybeds) for E-Mu Emulator II, Kawai K1, K1 II, K4, K11, Korg DP-80, DS-8, Rhodes Chroma Polaris ($1.95)

E-Mu/Kawai/Korg/Rhodes Weighted Replacement G Key (ESK-8012 Keybeds) for E-Mu Emulator II, Kawai K1, K1 II, K4, K11, Korg DP-80, DS-8, Rhodes Chroma Polaris ($13.95)

E-Mu/Kawai/Korg/Rhodes Weighted Replacement SHARP/BLACK Key (ESK-8012 Keybeds) for E-Mu Emulator II, Kawai K1, K1 II, K4, K11, Korg DP-80, DS-8, Rhodes Chroma Polaris ($10.95)

E-Mu/Kawai/Korg/Rhodes Weighted Replacement SHARP/BLACK Key (ESK-8012 Keybeds) for E-Mu Emulator II, Kawai K1, K1 II, K4, K11, Korg DP-80, DS-8, Rhodes Chroma Polaris ($10.95)

E-Mu/Kawai/Korg/Rhodes Weighted Replacement D Key (ESK-8012 Keybeds) for E-Mu Emulator II, Kawai K1, K1 II, K4, K11, Korg DP-80, DS-8, Rhodes Chroma Polaris ($13.95)

E-Mu/Kawai/Korg/Rhodes Weighted Replacement A Key (ESK-8012 Keybeds) for E-Mu Emulator II, Kawai K1, K1 II, K4, K11, Korg DP-80, DS-8, Rhodes Chroma Polaris ($13.95)

E-Mu/Kawai/Korg/Rhodes Weighted Replacement C/F Key (ESK-8012 Keybeds) for E-Mu Emulator II, Kawai K1, K1 II, K4, K11, Korg DP-80, DS-8, Rhodes Chroma Polaris ($13.95)

E-Mu/Kawai/Korg/Rhodes Weighted Replacement E/B Key (ESK-8012 Keybeds) for E-Mu Emulator II, Kawai K1, K1 II, K4, K11, Korg DP-80, DS-8, Rhodes Chroma Polaris ($13.95)

E-Mu/Kawai/Korg/Rhodes Weighted Replacement SHARP/BLACK Key (ESK-8012 Keybeds) for E-Mu Emulator II, Kawai K1, K1 II, K4, K11, Korg DP-80, DS-8, Rhodes Chroma Polaris ($10.95)

E-Mu/Kawai/Korg/Rhodes Weighted Replacement D Key (ESK-8012 Keybeds) for E-Mu Emulator II, Kawai K1, K1 II, K4, K11, Korg DP-80, DS-8, Rhodes Chroma Polaris ($13.95)

E-Mu/Kawai/Korg/Rhodes Weighted Replacement A Key (ESK-8012 Keybeds) for E-Mu Emulator II, Kawai K1, K1 II, K4, K11, Korg DP-80, DS-8, Rhodes Chroma Polaris ($13.95)

E-Mu/Kawai/Korg/Rhodes Weighted Replacement D Key (ESK-8012 Keybeds) for E-Mu Emulator II, Kawai K1, K1 II, K4, K11, Korg DP-80, DS-8, Rhodes Chroma Polaris ($9.95)

E-Mu/Kawai/Korg/Rhodes Weighted Replacement C/F Key (ESK-8012 Keybeds) for E-Mu Emulator II, Kawai K1, K1 II, K4, K11, Korg DP-80, DS-8, Rhodes Chroma Polaris ($13.95)

E-Mu/Kawai/Korg/Rhodes Weighted Replacement E/B Key (ESK-8012 Keybeds) for E-Mu Emulator II, Kawai K1, K1 II, K4, K11, Korg DP-80, DS-8, Rhodes Chroma Polaris ($13.95)

E-Mu/Kawai/Korg/Rhodes Weighted Replacement A Key (ESK-8012 Keybeds) for E-Mu Emulator II, Kawai K1, K1 II, K4, K11, Korg DP-80, DS-8, Rhodes Chroma Polaris ($13.95)

E-Mu/Kawai/Korg/Rhodes Weighted Replacement A Key (ESK-8012 Keybeds) for E-Mu Emulator II, Kawai K1, K1 II, K4, K11, Korg DP-80, DS-8, Rhodes Chroma Polaris ($13.95)

Kawai K1 Synth Digital Synthesizer Vintage Rare Keyboard ($299.99)

Kawai K1 - working with adapter ($170)

Kawai K1 Synthesizer ($360)

Kawai K1 ($200)

Kawai K1 OS 1.5 EPROM Firmware Upgrade KIT ($19.99)

KAWAI K-1 Synthesizer Pitch Bend and Modulation Wheels Assembly. Works Great ! ($29)

Kawai K1 1988 - Negro ($282.96)

Rhodes Chroma Polaris Kawai K1 K11 K4 Original Keyboard Key ($7.95)

Rhodes Chroma Polaris, Kawai K1, K11, K4 7-Note Rubber Keyboard Contact Strip. ($9.99)

Rhodes Chroma Polaris, Kawai K1, K11, K4 5-Note Rubber Keyboard Contact Strip ($9.99)

Kawai K1M 1988 - Black ($424.45)

Kawai K1R Digital Synthesizer Module 1988 - Black ($223.42)

Kawai K1R Rackmount Digital Synthesizer Module 1988 - Black ($275.99)