Kurzweil K2500

I am using version 3.54. It is relatevely easy to and it has a great selection of stock sounds. You will nota have any problems unless you do sound programming. The software running this beast is dated but very reliable; in this case I guess less is more. The manuals are a little technical and boring. I prefer hands on learning anyway.

48 true voices is very good poliphony for the time when it debuted and it still is today. Mine has is loaded with the 3 expansion boards available and I would have to say that they are the best. The kayboard action leaves a lot to be desired but it is easily made up with the sounds that emanate from this beast. I only used the sequences once but it was relatevily easy to use. Also P-RAM is a must on this keyboard.

The instruments or patches are among the best I've heard. The pianos are unmatched even by my Yamaha Motif ES8. I have yet to install my KDFX unit in my keyboard but I have heard great things about it.

I bought my K2500S from ebay and decided to save money by passing up on insurance. Little did I know that the seller was only going to wrap it with a thin sheet of cardboard and mail it. The UPS driver dropped my keyboard from the back of the truck in front of me. It hit the pavement and rolled twice.....Aaaaaaaaaaarrrrrgh. I heard it crack and saw the ends get smashed. Although there was damage to the ends and bent the metal case, it only cost me $20 for the ends and the case is a little bent. The keyboard was built like a tank and it works flawlessly. i always use it without a backup.

I have not needed it.

I can not lose this keyboard. I would probably cry if I did but would try to replace it immediately. I own a Yamaha Motif ES8, a Yamaha EX5, a Roland RD-1000, a JV-1080 and a Korg X5Dr. My K2500S is the "sound" center of my studio and only use the weighted keys when I have to feel the piano.

Running OS 3.54. As far as presets go, i have found more
usable sounds here than in any other board I've owned. This is not
a beginner's keyboard by any means, sound prograamming is extensive,
and difficult if you're not at least an amateur techie. The manual
could REALLY use some work--it describes features well, but i'm missing
the how-to on several areas--like synching cutoff to an lfo.

Features have either already been stated, or you can find them
elsewhere. This feels like a real piano to me. Very nice action.
The built in effects are good. Really nice reverbs, the delay sounds
good--but it would be so much easier if it gave you note settings,
i.e. delay every 16th note. If you want effects you NEED KDFX. The
sequencer is very easy to use--I didn't even need to dig in to the
manual.

This board is designed to be a all-music synth. I play industrial/rock
and the board works very well with all dance styles i can think of.
This is a centerpiece if you want to do commercial work as well,
or soundtracks. You can actually hear the hammer strike the keys on
the first preset! Very nice.

Honestly, i'm too poor to gig w/ a backup on this baby. Generally,
the closer an item is to a pc, the more need for backup. After you
get all the options in this baby and load it up--it's like a music
supercomputer. It will take damn good abuse, mines even been dropped,
and it still works perfectly fine. (though i did bash the offender.)

This is now the centerpiece of my collection, and it will stay here for
years. I compared it to yamaha ex5, roland xp-80, korg triton/trinity
alesis qs8, and for sound quality, expressiveness, and overall playability
it's the ultimate keyboard.