Synths ⇝ Kawai ⇝ Kawai K3

The Kawai K3 is a hybrid synthesizer with two digital oscillators and analog filters. Its architecture and sound is similar to other hybrid synthesizers that it competed with, the Ensoniq ESQ-1 and the Korg DW-8000.

The K3 has a selection of 31 waveforms available plus one user-defined waveform that is built using additive synthesis with 32 harmonics that can be set at a level from 0 to 31. A second user-defined waveform can be stored on a memory cartridge. Kawai later created the K5, a synthesizer based entirely on additive synthesis.

It uses SSM2044 chips for its filters.

The K3 is available in rackmount form as the Kawai K3m.

Specifications

Year Released: 1986

MSRP: 1095.00 USD

Keyboard: 61 keys with velocity and aftertouch

Polyphony: 6 notes

User Patches: 50

ROM: 32 KB (31 8-bit waveforms)

Effects: chorus

Screen: 6-digit LED display

Power Consumption: 38 watts

Dimensions: 964 mm x 373 mm x 118 mm

Weight: 15 kg

Oscillator Waveforms: 32 plus one user-defined additive waveform.

User Demo Videos

Rating

Sound Samples

WAV samples are available on freewavesamples.com.

File Downloads

Kawai K3 Manual

Kawai K3 Service Manual

Items for Sale on Reverb

Kawai K3 - Oberheim Matrix 6 6R volume fader / slide potentiometer slider ($15.56)

1980s Kawai K3M Rackmount Wavetable Hybrid Synthesizer K3 ($499)

Kawai -K1 , K1 ii , K1R , K3 , K3m - New battery ($5.90)

Kawai K3 OS Update ($19.12)

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Kawai K3 Synthesizer ($669.20)

Kawai K3 Vintage Digital / Analog Hybrid Synthesizer Keyboard ($565)

Pushbuttons Tact Switches Full Set Of 58 for Kawai K3 K-3 Omron ($51.35)

Kawai K3 - Hybrid Synthesizer W/ PPG Style Overlay & 2 RC-2 Memory Cartridges ($700)

Pushbuttons Tact Switches Full Set Of 58 for Kawai K3 K-3 Micro Switch Tactile ($41.98)

Kawai -K1 , K1 ii , K1R , K3 , K3m - New battery ($7.15)

Slide potentiometer (Slider) - Oberheim Matrix-6 / 6R - Kawai K3 / B50KX2 / VOLUME ($15.62)

Kawai K3m transformer TSE-246U ($42.04)

Kawai K3m Classic Hybrid Synthesizer Analog Filters and Envelopes - 1986 ($599)

KAWAI K3M Firmware OS 6P-16 Upgrade ROM Latest version EPROM Rom Firmware K3-M ($21.56)

Kawai K-300 2023 - Polished Ebony ($9,999)

Kawai K3m - Power Switch ($10.75)

Kawai K3M Vintage Digital Synthesizer Module Rackmount w/ RC-2 ($499.99)

KAWAI K3m ($1,321.36)

Kawai K3_FULL replacement membrane_PPG Style inspired 2022 Blue ($68.26)

Kawai - K3m - New Power switch ($9.90)

1980s Kawai K-3M Rackmount Synthesizer Module ($695)

10 x Front panel pushbutton tact switch for AKAI AX-80 - S-612 - CASIO CZ-1000 - KAWAI K-3 OMRON ($11.83)

Akai and Kawai AKAI AX-80 - S-612 - CASIO CZ-1000 - KAWAI K-3 Set Of 10 switches ($9.49)

Kawai K300 Upright Piano White Polish ($8,403.97)

RARE - Kawai Hsin Mi (Teisco Spectrum 3 - K3L - copy) - 1969 - White ($959.79)

Piano KAWAI K-300 2014 - Noir ébène ($5,736.01)

SynthArk MSP-K3y (programmer for Kawai K3) ($448)