Eddy Roberts takes us through the K1-II synthesizer from Kawai

The Sequel

Recognising a hit when they make one, Kawai have added independent drum voices and a digital effects section to the popular K1 and called the result the K1 II. Kendall Wrightson plays spot the difference.

Kawai K1: the sequel - Kawai have added onboard effects and a new sound library to their popular K1 synth to produce the K1 II. Ian Waugh likes what he hears.

Before you try to win one in our competition, this preview of Kawai's latest synth (and rack-mount alternative) should help whet your appetite.

Just as it was about to fade from popular memory, Kawai's PCM/DC synthesis is revived in the new Spectra synth. Ian Waugh asks if it's been missed or simply missing.

Kawai's latest synthesiser combines samples with sounds created using additive synthesis. Simon Trask investigates what could be a new dimension in synthesiser technology.

Kawai's latest 16-voice multitimbral keyboard is packed with features and aimed fairly and squarely at D50/ESQ territory. Its PCM sampled waveforms include drums and percussion, a host of standard and exotic instruments, as well as the best of the additive synth waveforms gleaned from the K5. It also has one ace up its sleeve - its price. Ian Gilby tells it like it is.

How would you like to hear a filter sweep, or digital delay effects, coming from your Kawai K1? Greg Truckell looks at how to make a K1 do six impossible things before breakfast.

16-Bit Digital Synthesizer

Following on from the success of their extremely popular K1, Kawai have gone upmarket with the 16-bit K4. Tony Wride looks at the company's new flagship synth.

Kawai K11 Keyboard Synth

The ever-popular K1 has been the mainstay of many a hi-tech musician's keyboard armoury, but will this 32-note polysynth follow in its footsteps?

Steinberg & Soundbits

Tony Wride investigates the Steinberg and Soundbits Atari-based voice editing programs for the Kawai K1 multitimbral synthesizer.

Software for the Atari ST

Coupled with its success, the digital parameter access-editing of Kawai's K1 synthesiser has made it an obvious target for software editors - like these from Dr Ts, Soundbits, Drumware and Steinberg. Vic Lennard looks on.

Find out if you're the winner of our Akai S700 sampler competition. Plus the winner of our Kawai K1 competition puts in a VIP appearance at the British Music Fair.

A staff vacancy and a competition winner are only two items on another packed agenda for the music press' answer to Hill Street Blues. Sign in and check out the action.

Programmability has changed the way we make music; but should the music now make changes to programmability? Vic Lennard recalls happy memories.

A review of PA Decoder's D50 ROM Vol II joins patches for the Ensoniq ESQ1, Kawai K1 and Korg DW6000 in this months' selection of readers' sounds.

Once a recording studio was a large room lined with futuristic acoustic tiles and filled with impressive equipment; now it could be the corner of a bedroom - it's all a matter of size.

More news of forthcoming new products to tempt you to dig deeper into your pockets.

Music Software At The PC Show

David Hughes lends an ear to three well-priced CDs full of synthesizer and drum machine samples.

A colourful round-up of what's new in the hi-tech recording arena.

News of some products to be released at the coming APRS exhibition, Acorn's new low-cost Archimedes computer, Akai's digital multitrack, and more.

As Mr Fingers and Fingers Inc, Chicago-based Larry Heard was instrumental in creating the house music movement. Simon Trask talks tech with him on the release of his first LP on a major label.

Roland's D5 is the latest addition to their range of LA synthesizers. Paul Ireson takes a look at a budget keyboard with some great features.