Kurzweil K2000RS
A rackmount digital sampler synthesizer from the 1990s with advanced preset capabilities and expandable storage.
Overview
The Kurzweil K2000RS is a rackmount sampler synthesizer made by Kurzweil. It was a flagship digital synth of its era, built for professional studio and stage use, with deep sampling functions and a big library of presets. It gets mentioned alongside the K2000 and K2000R. It shares their core architecture but has specific hardware revisions and enhancements. Users like the sound of the original preset library, which they describe as ethereal and musically expressive - qualities not fully replicated in later models.
Specifications
| K2000 OS version | 3.87 can load K2500 presets |
| File compatibility | Can read and write .wav files with OS 3.87 |
| Storage format | Supports reading and writing in FAT format |
| Preset count | Includes around 1,000 presets, with approximately 200 in ROM and the rest originally provided on floppy disk |
Design
Inside, the K2000RS has a motherboard, sub board, audio output board, sampling board, and a front panel with tact switches. It originally used an EL foil-based LCD display and a 90s-era floppy drive. Some units were later upgraded to a CF card through an ACARD SCSI-to-IDE adapter. The OS lives on EPROM chips. There is also a battery, a transformer, a mains connector with voltage selector, and a disk drive bay. The internal Digitech FX section has socketed RAM chips, so they are easy to replace. The original internal fan was loud, and some units now have a modern, silent one. The main audio potentiometer has been replaced in at least one known example.
Context
Known as "the Rolls Royce of digital synths in its time," the K2000RS sat at the top of Kurzweil's lineup. It was praised for its sonic character and high-end build. It was associated with Ray Kurzweil and Hal Chamberlin, and some users consider its original patches irreplaceable. Later models offered updated features, but the K2000's sound still has a dedicated following.
Market
The K2000RS carried an original price equivalent to around $24,000 in today's currency.
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