Product: Kurzweil A-150
Price Paid: N/A
Submitted
02/15/1997
at
04:33pm
by
Thomas Clement
Ease of Use
:
4
It doesn't get much easier than this, as long as you don't want to program it!
If you DO want to program it, keep in mind that this is additive synthesis. Then just play the sounds and pretend that silly programming thought really never entered your mind.
Features
:
2
As synth modules go, the A-150 stands out. First, it's a whopping three rack spaces, complete with heavy-duty draw handles. There's a herd of push buttons in the center of the unit and a long, high display window running across the top. You might think this window would display a lot of information; instead, it shows very little info, but at least it shows it BIG. All patch names and editing parameters display in tall, quivering red letters. The shaking read-out is annoying, but at least you won't have to squint in the dark to see what you're doing - even at 20 paces!
You have 16 voices and only one sound at a time. MIDI In/Out/Thru is on hand, but the output is mono and you're staring at a the business end of a cassette interface if you want to dump your sounds.
Expressiveness/Sounds
:
8
The A-150 was sold as a piano module, and its piano sounds are good, especially when you consider that they aren't samples, but built via additive synthesis.
The A-150 also shines in creating shimmering electric pianos, vibes, marimbas, harpsichords, organs, basses, and bellish tones, not to mention exceptional six and twelve string guitars that put most sampled guitars to shame.
Reliability
:
5
I have no idea if these things ever go out. They're as big and boxy as anything Dirty Harry might want to use for target practice and I assume it would take several magnum rounds to get them to even skip a patch. I've often thought they would do quite well if put on wheels and given an 4-stroke Austin engine
Customer Support
:
2
Kurzweil, after being bought by Young Chang has forgotten virtually all its pre-YC children. Worse still, it pretty much forgot about the A-150 even before the YC purchase. If you do find someone at Kurzweil who has A) heard of the thing and B) doesn't laugh and then hang up, let me know.
Overall Rating
:
4
I've always been impressed with how this thing sounds. Yet I've never bought one. If you've ever driven a Saab and found it a tad foreign, that's the way you'd probably feel about the A-150.
However, as a play-back only synth that, even with only a mono output, can push enough air through the room to pop a door out of its frame, few boxes (and it is a BIG box) can compare.
If you're lucky enough to spot one for sale, a good price would be around $200. Most A-150 owners hold on to them, though, so the search will be a long one.
