One of the very few synthesizers ever built on true additive synthesis, and Kawai's top-of-the-line workstation when it landed in 1996. Instead of starting from samples, the K5000W builds every tone from up to 64 individual harmonics per source, then blends in PCM waves, runs it all through a notorious self-oscillating 24dB filter, and finishes with on-board effects, a 40-track sequencer and a disk drive. The result is a sound palette nothing else makes: glassy, metallic, evolving and gorgeously digital. Hard to find, and quietly appreciating as additive synthesis gets rediscovered.

FEATURES & PROS:

• True Additive Synthesis: build timbres from up to 64 harmonics per source, impossible on a sampler.
• Additive Plus PCM: blend harmonic sources with PCM waves for hybrid sounds.
• That Filter: a 24dB resonant filter famous for wild self-oscillation, plus a 128-band formant filter.
• Full Workstation: 40-track sequencer, floppy drive and multi-effects on board.
• Rare and Rising: a short three-year production run makes clean examples genuinely scarce.

GENRE / USE

• Ambient, soundtrack and experimental work, where additive builds textures no sampler can
• Evolving pads, bells, glassy leads and harmonically rich, metallic tones
• Sound design and scoring, with hands-on control over every harmonic
• A self-contained workstation with sequencer and effects for full productions

THE WORD: Synth guides single the K5000 out as one of the very few commercial synthesizers ever built on additive synthesis, prized by sound designers for timbres impossible on sample machines and for its notorious self-oscillating 24dB filter, with prices climbing as the format gets rediscovered. Read more in the K5000 guide.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Released: 1996
• Type: Advanced Additive (AIS) workstation, 61 keys
• Synthesis: additive (up to 64 harmonics per source, up to 6 sources) blended with PCM; GM compatible
• Polyphony: 32 voices
• Filter: 24dB resonant (self-oscillating) plus 128-band formant filter
• Effects: 4 algorithms (32 effects) plus reverb and graphic EQ
• Sequencer: 40-track MIDI sequencer with floppy drive
• Extras: Auto Phrase Generator, 100+ styles
• Mains: Japanese units are 100V; confirm voltage (a step-down may be required)
• Condition: used