General
To see where the Kurzweil K2 Series started, you have to go all the way back to 1984 when Kurzweil dropped one of the first ever samplers: the K250. Later, followed the K2000 in 1991 which, in the same breath, introduced the Kurzweil-acronym 'VAST'. Building on this decades-long dynasty, we get to the Kurzweil K2700: a mighty workstation with a polyphonic range of 256. Compare that to the 24 note polyphony of the K2000 and you get a good idea of how far things have come in the last 30 years. Of course, the K2700 has a lot more to offer than just increased polyphony. This immense instrument is home to a gargantuan sonic palette; from built-in samples and user-sample playback to six-operator FM synthesis - rendering the K2700 virtually limitless. Add that onto a virtual analogue engine, a tonewheel simulator, piano resonance simulation, and an extensive effects section, and you're faced with a fat monster of a workstation.
The Kurzweil K2700 Workstation
Even if you only use the K2700 as a synthesizer, you're treated to a powerful chunk of hardware backed up by a sixteen-track sequencer and fully prepped to weave entire tracks from scratch, all navigated via a clean and clear, full-colour display screen and all without the need for a computer. Basically, this machine is hermit-proofed: disconnect the router, shut down the computer and turn off your phone before retreating into your own workstation-bubble. The ultra-smooth workflow shows none of the limitations of thirty years ago, and places a mass of sound options and effects at your fingertips. The on-board libraries can be expanded with an extra 3.5GBs of custom samples which, once loaded in, are uninterrupted by loading times. So if you're not completely convinced by the 4.5GB of Kurzweil samples that come included, you can simply load in and work with your own bespoke material.
Further Features
At the core, sits a Fatar keybed loaded with piano keys with aftertouch and supported by a ribbon strip, a bank of sliders, a bank of encoders, a set of drum pads, and an integrated audio interface, so this workstation can be directly hooked up to a computer to record to DAW software. Two XLR and jack combo inputs fitted around the rear can be used to set the K2700 up to serve as a 2-in/2-out interface, complete with phantom power, Hi-Z support, and a set of balanced outputs. As such, this potent writing and recording tool is able to play a central role in the studio as well as on the stage.