Technics KN-6000

A great keyboard that I have enjoyed for 5 years. I am not technical & have not used any of the add-ons, but just enjoy the keyboard as it is. Solo and strings sounds are great; the trumpet solo to my ear sounds as realistic as an actual trumpet. The strings are also very realistic and if you compare the Technics to the string sounds on a high-spec Yamaha keyboard you will not want to play the Yamaha keyboard again! Totally reliable. Minus points only for the poor quality of the instruction manual.

A doddle to use, virtually idiot proof. I'm using software version 7, and the first 2 sound expansion boards.

Sound editing is easy, but why would you want to, with all those beautiful onboard sounds.

One minor critisicm, the maual leaves a lot to be desired, as do most makers manuals.

Effects section id brilliant, and so easy to use.

Only 2 expansion slots limits upgrade capabilities, as there are more boards available, than slots for them, it's a case of picking the 2 you like the best, otherwise, you'll be forever changing boards !!

Midi is flexible enough for most applications.

The sequencer is plenty large enough, and a doddle to use.

The instruments are the most realistic I've ever heard, and I've had several keyboards including Ensoniq, Technics, and Yamaha (HS8, and the mighty HX1, with all it's add-ons).

The keys are very responsive to both velocity, and aftertouch, wich makes this keyboard an absolute delight to play.

I've had my KN6000 virtually from UK launch day, and have gigged it many times, without ever thinking of taking a back-up machine.

I've had 2 Technics keyboards, and have NEVER had ANY problems with either.

To endorse a keyboard is sticking one's neck out quite a lot, but after playing electronic keyboard instruments for over 30 years, I can honestly say that the KN6000 is an outstanding instrument.

My Technics dealer (who also deals with all the other big names)has always been very dependable, and very professional.
I've been dealing with this company 'FOX'S Music' for many years, and have always received first class service.

If ever my KN6000 were stolen, I wouldn't hesitate to replace it with another KN6000, even though the KN7000 is now available.

Over the years, I have owned many organs and keyboards. I sold a Technics KN3000 to buy the KN6000.

I've been playing for moe than 30 years, and currently use my KN6000 in my recording studio, where I use it to create backing tracks for self-contained entertainers

Overall one of the best "one man band" keyboards on the market.
I owned psr-740 and psr-8000, they don't compare.
You can't get a better Spanish Guitar, Drawbars, Trumpet Soloist and Alto Sax on any other portable keyboard.
Very easy to use.

Expansion board also offers realistic sounds.
Midi capabilities are good.
The sequencer offers much more than I ever will need.
After two years, the key action is still great.

Sounds are very realistic and Styles with 4 variations work well for all types of music.

Very reliable. I even dropped it once, by accident. Had too many beers at a gig. Nothing happened!

People at Matsushita (Panasonic/Technics) really know what they're doing

Wouldn't trade it for the world. Well, maybe for kn-7000

I use the 7.0 version. The PRESETS are GREAT! I never tried editing a Patch! The manual could be just a little more specific ... it's better than most but highly lacking on the MIDI use! Otherwise, being the owner of many keyboards, Technics, in my opinion, has the nicest keyboards on the market.

I put in one expanison card (for sounds) and they are really good but it is almost impossible to be able to use all of them for normal playing, etc. I don't like the MIDI options because all you get out of it (at least to my experimentation and reading up on it) is the melody line; all the rest is dedicated to Technics format, which is totally okay with me because it is so much better. However, MIDI is a standard that is commerically used and it would be nice if Technics developed more in that area. The sequencer is very nice to use and more sophisicated than I care to get into. I try to be a musician and not a technician, but it's there for those that might want it.

Everything works great and sounds as realistic (except for breath control) as I imagine you can possible get. Great stuff!!!

Highly reliable machine! I did experience some problems in the beginning but it was a computer board problem. The board was changed and the machine operates as intended.

GREAT! I purchased my KN-6000 from Piano & Organ Center of Clay, NY (Syracuse)and they are always there to help if needed ... friendly and very sociable business ...

I would definitely purchase any new Technics made keyboards. For over 10 years I have purchased Technics organs, pianos (still have and use my PR-370), and recently the KN-6000 keyboard and I am about to trade it in for the KN-7000.

It is ok but there is a problem (Find out later)

No....I cant believe it i swaped from YAMAHA'S PSR9000Pro to the KN6000 Thinking i had alot more sounds (I was right) BUT The phonoply it CRAP The YAMAHA is 126 Ahhhhhh

Sounds OK but the PSR 9000PRO Has alot better sounds particually in the sweet section

I would use it if i had to

? dont realy know

BACK TO YAMAHA !!!!!!!1

Overall, this keyboard is incredibly easy to use. I have the latest software installed, and it runs great. The manual doesn't help much, they did a very poor job at it. Besides basic play, it is a bit confusing and tricky to program in advanced features or costumizations.

The effects on this keyboard are tricky to program if you're a newbie. Expansion capabilities are great but additions cost a lot. This keyboard allows you to create your own rhythms so that's great if you're a professional musician. Another cool feature that I find in this keyboard is its karoeke fuctions. The best I've seen yet.

The instrument sounds are impressive. They sound very realistic and expressive, especially the "Soloists" selections. The keyboard has awesome rhythms, the best I've heard from any manufacturer. The keyboard has initial/aftertouch that is very sensitive and responsive to your hands.

This keyboard is fairly reliable. Technics make their keyboards like tanks. It doesn't break. However, there are few glitches in the software and the colour screen can mess up over time.

Restoring the original software onto the keyboard is a bit tricky, but possible. You can also download software updates.

Technics has the best customer support in the world. I got 2 years parts/labor for free. If there's anything wrong, their service depot/office is very near and they take care of your instrument as if its their own.

(except for a KN 6500) I wont trade my KN 6000 for any other keyboard in the world. For its price, its simply DA BEST.

I like the interface, the screen is quite clear and easy to use. The navigation through the menus is accessible.
Presets sounds are realistics and the synthesis module is quite advanced.
This is an opened door to create our own sounds, sometimes, the prests sounds are knewn, heard and heard again and evrywhere, but the synthesis module gives an opportunity to transform it and gives the sounds a brandnew color.
The manual is a good guide for the biginning, but in fact, you don't really need it if you're involved in keyboard use since a long time.

polyphony permits a realistic rendering even with "too much sounds" at the same time.
Effects module is advanced and allows to assign a different effect on each channel. Everything is possible !
I don't have needed to extend capacities yet. That's enough to create professionnal performances.
MIDI module is a standard one. All of the used commands are possible.
The sequencer 16 tracks is very performing. The limits of maximum notes is very High and I haven't got the roof yet..
Step by step and note edit are very interesting tools and easy to use.

Instruments are really realistics. Brass sonorities are incredible, Voices effects, Guitar sonorities, strings, piano... synth... old sounds... world sounds...
Every kind of music can be worked. but the danse/techno Module is quite interesting thanx to the filter control, resonnance and brightness controled by the pitch molette !!!!
Aftertouch is impressive and parametrable very deeply.

I'm gonna connect my KN 6000 with a computer and an external sequencer and sampler to add sampling performances. That's the only missing use.
But basicly, you don't need anything else than your KN-6000

I don't have no contact with Technics but my seller is an angel.
The keyboard i received was bugging everytime (i think that the problem was during the transport. We all know that the transporters are not serious and they throw the stuffes in the vehicle with no care !! even if it's noticed "fragile"on it...)And my seller told me to forward the keyboard. The week after, I received a new keyboard which all the fonctions OK for not a dollar.

I sleep with my keyboard. I use it since december 2000. Before, I worked on a Yamaha PRS-SQ16. ANd there no comparing to do....
I love the realistic sounds and the synthesis module...
There's nothing that I hate.
I really wanted a possibility to import my own sounds and to record the voice with the mic. : a sampling use.
Creativity is huge with this tool. I can't stop creating !! all the nights !

ROM version 7.0
Preset sounds are very well sampled. Indeed very nice soloist sounds.
Editing is offered in easy mode or full mode, in which case you can make up a fantastic sound, totally different from the presets.
I find the (Dutch) manual too comprehensive and not very easy to read.

Polyphony is 64 voices and has a precise action behaviour.
There are numerous built in effects; almost anything you want is easily accessible, most of them have good presets.
There are 2 slots to fit sound expansion cards in.
The keyboard is equipped with all midi capabilities you need.
The keys are initial and after touch sensitive.
The on-board sequencer can store up to 40.000 events and is easy to use with all editing functions a software sequencer program has.

Most sounds are realistic and give the keyboard a very expressive overall sound. I like it best for jazz, big band, acoustic listening, ballroom and latin music.
Effects and playing caracteristics are top of the bill.

The keyboard has never let me down, not a single time.
There were some difficulties in accurate chord recognition with the earlier ROM versions.
I have used it on several gigs without any problem.

Never needed servicing from the company, but if I needed it, I would worry cause they are not easy to contact.
Downloaded all the updates from a dealersite on the internet.

I've played this keyboard for over a year and would certainly buy it again if I lost it. I love the sound and ease of play. It is the 7th Technics keyboard I bought.
I hate the fact that the optional harddisk it much too expensive.

Easy...

No sampling

0 (ZERO) in this area

Relyable

ZERO
Useless

Version 6. Plus expansion chip for additional sounds.
Presets are great.
Editing is fine.
Manual is OK, but only really helpful after you have learned about the machine!

keyboard action is great and built in effects fine. New expansion chip is Ok in everything except vocal products - limited to a single octave (but this is not obvious until you ask the help desk!)

Instuments are realistic enough and easy to use. Works well for all types of music - very good list of arrangments for eraa and music types.

Very dependable. Don't do gigs, but would have thought it OK without a backup.

Help desk fine but only working days 9 to 5.

Upgrade easy to get and insert yourself - simple plug in chip (but not cheap - #199)

Would buy it again or newer version - better than Yamaha 9000. Like the impressive sounds and ease of use. Wish it would record microphone on disk. Certainly helps to make music - even if you couldn't really play.

I have not yet updated the system from 4.0, but have noticed only
minor glitches (e.g., buttons getting stuck depending on the mode
you're in). As I am computer literate, I anticipate no difficulty
updating to 5.0. The instructions for updating the system are both
straightforward and complete. As for the presets, I am very
impressed. I had a KN-3000 until getting the KN-6000, and so I am
not necessarily in a position to adequately say how things compare.
However, I will note that the piano quality seems to be a little
less robust than what I got from my KN-3000, which surprised me.
Still, the editor is great; very 'friendly' and 'intuitive'. The
manual is decent, but more of an introduction to keyboards would
have been welcome.

64-key polyphony is quite enough for home/intermediate use. I'm not
doing high-end symphonic compositions, so I am not really in need of
more than 64 simultaneous notes! I can say that the weight of the
keys is nearly perfect for my tastes; not too heavy -- no pretending
to be a 'real piano', but no sense of 'hollow keys' either. I have
no idea how well Technics will fulfill users' need for expansion.
MIDI/NX capabilities are very good, but I need more of a reason to
use them explicitly before I can comment on them. The after-touch
key feature is very nice indeed. The sequencer is outstanding and
easy to use even for a newbie/novice like myself.

The sheer variety of instruments and settings is enough to justify
buying the KN-6000. After tinkering with other keyboards, I can say
that Technics really has their eye on the ball regarding the kind of
music being made out there in the real world today. I am very
demanding, and the KN-6000 is very friendly to me. From techno to
experimental music, I have had no problem configuring things the way
I want them to be, and the playability has been exquisite in
virtually ever aspect.

The KN-6000 is high quality, obviously. Considering the MSRP, it
would have to be! I would trust it to do the job in a live situation
as easily as in a 'home alone' scenario.

I have had no reason to contact customer support. There seems to be
a healthy online community with all the answers and downloads I can
handle.

If it were lost or stolen, well, I would just cry. I could not
afford another one. Yes: it would be the one I'd buy again. I have
a lot of trust in Technics. The KN-6000 has made me realize that my
dreams just might come true.

OS version 5.00 is presently loaded, upgraded by me. The procedure is very easy and does not require any acknowledgment in computer area.
The preset sound are in my opinion the very best available on the market.
The KN6000 is overall very userfriendly.
I'm french, and I get a french manual. It is a mix-up of french and english, also because the OS is translated in french only for the Help feature and not for the functions. Anyway, the manual assumes that you know everything about keyboard technology. It's greatly missing a tutorial manual for those like me who are not confident with electronical musical instrument.

Polyphony = 10/10
Keyboard action = 10/10
Built in effects = many digital and DSP effects available. All parameters can be modified to create a new effect. Very easy to use... when you know the meaning of the parameters !
Expansion = hard disk drive, but in owner format (= very expensive).
Pedals, micro, midi connection, host to PC, etc...
I couldn't find, even if I asked it to Techmusic (=french branch), the extension memory capabilities.
MIDI capabilities are great in read mode ; I have not yet tested in write mode.
The sequencer seems to be very ease of use. Nevertheless, I prefer to use a PC software like Cakewalk for this particular task.

Sounds are the best quality I never heard. I immediately falled in love of the KN6000 when I hear it from the first time. It remains in my opinion the best one.
200 stylist with 4 variation for each plus 2 fill-in/ending plus to "breaks". This is not the best choice on the market in term of numerous (Solton X1 has much more) but their quality is perfect and fullfit my use. The 4 variations allow a professional-look of the interpretation.
The onboard effects are very nice.
The reactivity is excellent : no wait. I never had any problem with the velocity. The aftertouch can me modified to fullfit your way of playing.

I will organize very soon a karaoke gig.
I'm very confident to depend on it.

Customer support is very reactive unless they have no solution.
I asked for a technical documentation. Perhaps they do not have it, I don't know, anyway I haven't got any answer until now. Except that, I asked for many, many items. I always obtained from the Technics team a correct answer and a solution to my problem.

I love this keyboard, and I can't imagine to do without it.
I'm using it from +/- one month. I already owned a Technics GN3 for years with no problem.
I love preset sounds and rythms. When I use this keyboard, I spend my time to have great fun playing and not wasting it with barbarian and abstract setup keys.

I am currently using rom v5 and most of the bugs have been taken care of. The manual is easy to read. And updating the rom is a piece of cake.Almost everything on this keyboard can be customised right down to the large colour LCD display. with over a 1000 sounds acceable via music stylist to make tings even easier. this keyboad excells at user frendlyness

Whilst the keyboard only comes with 64 note polyphony this will be more than enough for home users.The Keyboard comes with as DSP module which alow you to make load of changes to the overall sound and comes with both GM2 and technics own and better NX sound output through the standard midi port at the back of the keyboard. A HD is already avalable and rumours are flying about a new exp board with extra sounds / rhythms etc.
and in following with the keyboards user fredlyness the sequencer ( 16 track approx 40000 ) is a very easy to use but can do amazing things

The piano sounds are second to none as are the soloist sounds the strings are a bit weak but you can modify that. works really well with most types of music especially jazz with a nice feel to the keys with good aftertouch

I have not used my keyboard on gigs ( home player ). But I have not experenced any problems

Panasonic UK are not very helpfull and know little about the keyboard . ( they also tend to cut you off when transfering you to the technics dept 3* out of 3 ). But technote and other forums are very frendly and helpfull as is my local dealer Gamlins in Cardiff UK

Could not live without it now after 3 months. looked at Yamaha psr9000 nice keyboard but not a patch on the Kn6000