K2500R. Can i live without Contemp. rom & Orch Rom?

[jamnbread]

Hello!

And i'll need you guys help and advice again 8)

i'm just wondering..if i have a K2500R, without any expanion options installed, will I still be able to live with the preset sounds?

I got a pretty good deal on the Contemporary Rom and the Orchestral Rom right now, (around $199) and wondering if i should buy it or not..

I used to own a Korg Triton 61(and again, no expansion board or rom added) and I'm very very happy :P and satisfied with the sound that came w/ my triton.

Please kindly advise~
Thanks a bunch!! :D

[Luca_Capozzi]

do you'll believe me if I tell you that you can happy live also with base ROM sounds?

If you wait a while, I'll post some patches clip so you can evaluate, k?

[Over The Edge]

Absolutely not. You MUST have those Roms to
have a 'real' Kurz.


Maximum effect...maximum sonic damage! 8)





FL
www.franklucas.net

[Rexx]

The roms add more sounds to create with and they're always there when you turn on the K.
My K2500 was nice before I expanded it but it becomes a new synth with each upgrade (to me anyways)

By having those roms you have more QA's, Setup's, Prog's, Keymap's, Sample's...

Now for shipping you Rack across the pond, you should be aware that you can install the roms yourself very easily but you need the Piano Rom /Daughter board to be able to install Orchestral or Contemporary roms.

Pram isn't necessary for everyone but it allows you to do more with your presets, sequencer. - Easy install.

Ram - easy install

Sampler - Easy install. It's not that difficult to install.

KDFX - NOT EASY to install!! A Kurz Authorized tech that has installed dozens of KDFX units had to change IC chips in the power supply, audio board.. Highly not recommended as a Do it yourself project.


If I had the $$ I would buy a K2661 and control it with my K2500xs :)

[jamnbread]

do you'll believe me if I tell you that you can happy live also with base ROM sounds?

If you wait a while, I'll post some patches clip so you can evaluate, k?

thanks a bunch.
:wink:

[jamnbread]

The roms add more sounds to create with and they're always there when you turn on the K.
My K2500 was nice before I expanded it but it becomes a new synth with each upgrade (to me anyways)

By having those roms you have more QA's, Setup's, Prog's, Keymap's, Sample's...

Now for shipping you Rack across the pond, you should be aware that you can install the roms yourself very easily but you need the Piano Rom /Daughter board to be able to install Orchestral or Contemporary roms.

Pram isn't necessary for everyone but it allows you to do more with your presets, sequencer. - Easy install.

Ram - easy install

Sampler - Easy install. It's not that difficult to install.

KDFX - NOT EASY to install!! A Kurz Authorized tech that has installed dozens of KDFX units had to change IC chips in the power supply, audio board.. Highly not recommended as a Do it yourself project.


If I had the $$ I would buy a K2661 and control it with my K2500xs :)

wow thank you for your professional advice.
And by now, how much would these items cost?
1) daughter board
2) orch rom
3) contemp rom

I got an offer... that is 1) + 2) + 3) =US $534, no extra labor cost for installing.

Do you think this is a good deal?

:)
I"m wondering if the prices of the ROM will drop later. How likely is that? And how long is Kurz's average product cycle? hehehe I am absolutely a newbie to Kurz's system. :wink:

BTW, which Gig bag do you use...to fit in your K2500R? Will a hard shell case be a must?

Well I'm really dying for a K2661..it sounded really cool to me but anyway it's too costly...i'm just a student....haha.

Thanks again!! :)

[Rexx]

>I paid

1) daughter board $125
2) orch rom $225
3) contemp rom $225
about 2 years ago


I got an offer... that is 1) + 2) + 3) =US $534, no extra labor cost for installing. Do you think this is a good deal?
>It's a fair price.

I"m wondering if the prices of the ROM will drop later. How likely is that?
>Almost 100% certain they will drop. Let me put it this way, electronic realestate almost always depreciates.

[jamnbread]

>I paid

1) daughter board $125
2) orch rom $225
3) contemp rom $225
about 2 years ago


I got an offer... that is 1) + 2) + 3) =US $534, no extra labor cost for installing. Do you think this is a good deal?
>It's a fair price.

I"m wondering if the prices of the ROM will drop later. How likely is that?
>Almost 100% certain they will drop. Let me put it this way, electronic realestate almost always depreciates.

Thanks for your valuable opinion.
I will baragin for sure but do you think it's reasonable..to pay $ 400 for 1)+2)+ 3)? Would you think that is ridiculous, if you are the seller?
Considering CPUs and PC hardwares, prices drop tremendously in 2 years' time. 2 years is a time that PII evolves to the very late stage of PIII processors.

[jamnbread]

>I paid

1) daughter board $125
2) orch rom $225
3) contemp rom $225
about 2 years ago


I got an offer... that is 1) + 2) + 3) =US $534, no extra labor cost for installing. Do you think this is a good deal?
>It's a fair price.

I"m wondering if the prices of the ROM will drop later. How likely is that?
>Almost 100% certain they will drop. Let me put it this way, electronic realestate almost always depreciates.

Thanks for your valuable opinion.
I will baragin for sure but do you think it's reasonable..to pay $ 400 for 1)+2)+ 3)? Would you think that is ridiculous, if you are the seller?
Considering CPUs and PC hardwares, prices drop tremendously :shock: in 2 years' time. 2 years is a time that PII evolves to the very late stage of PIII processors. I know music hardwares evolves slightly slower than computer hardwares...but still do you think will my $400 attempt be successful?

Thanks!

[Luca_Capozzi]

I partially disagree what Over The Edge wrotes. Is true that adding extra ROMs brings more power to a Kurz, but is even true that without them you've already a great platform. A K2500 without those boards aren't a "useless" piece of electric components ;)

As proof, here are a small sample (http://axiom.6deex.net/goodies/umsolo.mp3) taken from my K2500R.

All sounds are created with base rom sounds. Liquid T Lead patch is provided by Enigma.

I will baragin for sure but do you think it's reasonable..to pay $ 400 for 1)+2)+ 3)?

Is a good offer.

See ya

[Rexx]

I think $400 is a great price, if you can get them for that price run don't walk. :P

[jamnbread]

Thanks everyone!!
Your comments and advice really helped me a lot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i got me rack w/ daughter board, orch rom, and contemp rom w/ me now. :D

BUT ANOTHER PRoblem arises....

Do you know how could i set the internal jumpers to 220V?

Since we use 220V here..the Rack is probably pre-configured to 110V because it's from the States. I checked the manual and it says "the voltage can only be changed by a service dealer" . As I said before the local dealer is Crap. I just called them and i spoke to a technician..n he has ABSOLUTELY no idea about K systems. What a JOKE! :lol:

[jamnbread]

I partially disagree what Over The Edge wrotes. Is true that adding extra ROMs brings more power to a Kurz, but is even true that without them you've already a great platform. A K2500 without those boards aren't a "useless" piece of electric components ;)

As proof, here are a small sample (http://axiom.6deex.net/goodies/umsolo.mp3) taken from my K2500R.

WOW this is kewl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks!

All sounds are created with base rom sounds. Liquid T Lead patch is provided by Enigma.

I will baragin for sure but do you think it's reasonable..to pay $ 400 for 1)+2)+ 3)?

Is a good offer.

See ya

[Enigma™]

As for the 110/220 thing YES there is a thing on the back of the power supply that you have to open with a screw driver and move one of these Jumpers - I have the keyboard itself, not the rack, so I don't know for certain if it's the exact same but I'm pretty sure they'd have support for this.
Best place to go for REAL specific questions about the Kurzweil is www.sonikmatter.com
They have some amazing kurz guys over there... Everything from "Prawg wrok" as Clif likes to call it, to techno, trance, classical piano... Everything. You have a question, they can help ya dude.

[Luca_Capozzi]

i've opened my K2500R for adding sample memory. I've noticed that you need to unmount cables from a slot and, then, reconnect them in the correct voltage slot. I don't think that can be a difficult operation, but if you doesn't have enought experienze in electronic assemblies, i suggest you to let do that to an expert.

See ya

[jamnbread]

As for the 110/220 thing YES there is a thing on the back of the power supply that you have to open with a screw driver and move one of these Jumpers - I have the keyboard itself, not the rack, so I don't know for certain if it's the exact same but I'm pretty sure they'd have support for this.
Best place to go for REAL specific questions about the Kurzweil is www.sonikmatter.com
They have some amazing kurz guys over there... Everything from "Prawg wrok" as Clif likes to call it, to techno, trance, classical piano... Everything. You have a question, they can help ya dude.

Thank you enigma !!!! :)
Anyway, i've done a page to demonstrate what kind of problem i've encountered:

http://infinity_hk.tripod.com/k2500.htm

Please kindly check if you gusy have time..thanks!!!

[Enigma™]

No problem dude.
Just a little note about the blue box:
It looks as though it's either soldered to the 240v or the lead out *from the other side of the board* so although I'm not entirely sure about that needing to be moved, It seems that it wasn't connected to the 120 volt connection so I'd have to say don't worry about it.
*Why would they glue it there if someone was going to move it?*

But don't take my word for it. It's just my opinion...

[jamnbread]

i've opened my K2500R for adding sample memory. I've noticed that you need to unmount cables from a slot and, then, reconnect them in the correct voltage slot. I don't think that can be a difficult operation, but if you doesn't have enought experienze in electronic assemblies, i suggest you to let do that to an expert.

See ya

Hi AxiomBass,

Yeah, I've done what you described. Thanks!
But do you think I'll still need to change the fuse itself--which is located in the inner part of the power cord inlet? Or the unit will work fine as long as i've unmouted the cables and reconnect thme to 220v (my country's voltage...)?

Thanks! :wink:

[Luca_Capozzi]

seems to be: yes, you should.

Here are a quote from a webpage about Voltage Change in a Kurz K2500RS (same as yours, but with sampling module inside):

Page Link: http://www.oliversampson.com/audio/


Changing the power supply voltage
Since I live in Germany, but have a studio running on North American voltage through a massive transformer, I had a bit of a problem when I bought a Kurzweil K2500RS intended for the European marketplace. I had to change the power supply voltage from 220V to 110V, even though I'm living Germany, to eliminate the ground loop hum that was present between my 220V equipment and my 110V equipment.

Inside the K2500RS, Kurzweil has made it wonderfully simple to change the voltage supply; it's just a matter of unplugging from the clearly labeled 220V transformer tap to the 110V transformer tap. (There're even 100V and 240V taps should you require them.) Then I changed the fuse from the1.0A/250V slo-blow to 2.0A/250V slo-blows. The choice for which fuse type to choose was clearly silk-screened on the back of the K2500RS.

Warning: Opening your Kurzweil will void your warranty, if it's still valid. Don't say I didn't tell ya so.

Interestingly enough, there are four voltage taps to choose from: 100V, 110V, 220V, and 240V. In case you're wondering: 100V is for Japan, 110V is for the US, 220V is for continental Europe, and 240V is for England. Of course other countries use these same voltage levels. For more information check out Voltage Valet. (No, I'm not making that up.)