Kurzweil PC3X 88-Key Weighted Production Station Keyboard

With 16 arpeggiators, over 800 programs with up to 32 layers each, and 88 fully weighted keys, the PC3X is Kurzweil's most advanced performance controller.

Overall User Ratings (based on 38 ratings)
  • Overall:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Sound:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Features:
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Ease of Use:
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Quality:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Value:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Manufacturer Support:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • The Wow Factor:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
(38) (see rating details)
Submitted September 26, 2008 by a customer from gmail.com

"Welcome your ears and fingers to something special"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
It's not a complete workstation since it lacks sampling, and it's not as "cool" as the Motif XS or M3 or G8. However, the sounds are _absolutely fantastic_ and there's a lot of control, and you can create your own patches from an abundant variety of sounds and effects. If you're out for a keyboard workstation, you definitely do not want to miss giving this one a try. Definitely the players choice. I highly recommend it.
Sound
Pianos: awesome, except I still crave very realistic solo piano dynamics. It's very easy to sound good with this one. E-Pianos: brilliant, I mean, if you want e-pianos, look no further. Organs: NEW KB3 is great, and there are many many different organ sounds. Should provide all one needs when it comes to organ sounds. Guitars: few, but those which are there are good. In this department, it maybe rivals the Motif XS, but doesn't beat it. Orchestrals: Fantastic. Not much to say about this. Drums: Good variation of different styles, very authentic sounding. Gets the job done very well. Percussion: Very very nice. You can get those ethnic sounds, jungle feelings and Chinese night guards ("12 o'clock and everything is fine, beware of robbers, beware of fire"). Basses: Great and expressive from virtual analog to electric to acoustic basses. All good. Synth sounds: Virtual analog sounds, and you can create your own from scratch with building blocks such as saws, sines and filters. Great pads, though I guess there could be more of them. Sounds quite different from the competition, in my opinion. It's quite impossible to find bad sounds. You probably won't find everything you want (such as some ethnic instruments), but the bread and butter sounds are great and the amount of usable sounds is beats the competition. The only thing I was left wanting was a good metal/rock comp guitar (for riffs), but this seems to be the case for every keyboard out there. I really love to play this, it's inspiring.
Features
Great control with 9 sliders and lots of control (many pedals, ribbon controller to come). Too bad it lacks its own ribbon at the moment. Works great as a master keyboard. Midi over USB. I haven't used the sequencer that much, since I use a DAW. Easy to make splits/setups, though maybe not as easy as some simpler keyboards, since there's so many options. Very powerful.
Ease of Use
There's always a learning curve, but I haven't really used the manual and can navigate through the system without problem. Things are logical and values are real life equivalents (dB, seconds, etc...).
Quality
Very solid, and heavy too. The feel of the keyboard is fantastic and the programming... WOW. It responds so well, it's like you're playing the instruments. I'd say this is an instrument in ITSELF.
Value
If you're out for great sounds and awesome keybed, you are hard-pressed to find a better deal. May not suit everyone's taste, but for someone who wants great keyboard (pianos, e-pianos, organs), this is something the thing to beat.
Manufacturer Support
The guys at Kurzweil will help you. Also there's a forum @ sonikmatter where they take requests and answer people who have some problems with the PC3. Also, good user base @ sonikmatter to give that help you need.
The Wow Factor
Not flashy at all. Looks great, looks pro. Doesn't rely on looks but the pure diamond insides. You have to play it to know what's so good about it.

Musical Background:

hobbyist

Musical Style:

game music, chilling music
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