Hey all,

Hope all is well out there.  Yes, my backlight & inverter are still going strong
on for all who remember me.

Anyway, I just posted a new song that uses my K5 at

http://www.soundclick.com/highpantsguys

Click on "One more for the Rodeo" - if you click on "full" there are lyrics and
the background about the song and what I did to the original version.

The K5 is panned on the left channel and is a bright/flanged sound that goes for
almost the entire song.  During the "guitar solo" (that is actually a keyboard
solo using my Alesis Ion) the K5 is panned to the center with a rotating effect.
Same goes for the extro-solo.

Anyway, thought some folks here might want to her it.

Hope all is well.  Anyone done any interesting K5 mods lately?

Hello everyone,

After last year's batch, I'm ready to burn ROM chips for the Kawai K5/K5m/K4/K4r
again. (The ROMs are on 28-pin socketed chips)

Here are the newest ROM versions:
Kawai K5 version 1.3
Kawai K5m version 1.2
Kawai K4 version 1.4
Kawai K4r version 1.4

To check the ROM version on the K5/K5m, it's simply displayed on the boot
screen. On the K4/K4r, you need to hold the SYSTEM button while you turn the
unit on.

The K5 and K5m ROMs make the synth a lot more stable than V1.0, which sometimes
starts to act erratically after a lot of SysEx transfers, and needs to be
manually reset.

The K4 and K4r ROMs remove a lot, if not all the lag when playing many notes
simultaneously.

To simplify the whole process on my side, I won't send PayPal invoices anymore.
Instead, I decided to setup an osCommerce during the weekend on my website.
Checkout is still done via PayPal, and you aren't sending me any money until I
authorize the payment when the chips are ready.

Here's the link: http://dmsaudio.ca/store/

ROMs are $7 CAD each, and with shipping, handling, PayPal fees, etc. so the cost
is around $10.58 shipped to Canada, about $11.50 CAD for one ROM sent to USA,
and about $13.65 elsewhere.

Shipping up to 3 ROMs doesn't increase the shipping costs, so the only extra
fees you get are the actual ROM cost and the PayPal 3.9% fees. No one has ever
ordered more than 3 ROMs so I can't tell. I'm sure that the weight isn't a
problem, but the envelope starts to get large.

I hope the waiting delay wasn't too long so far ;-)

Cheers,
Antoine

Hi folks, does anyone know anything about Dr.T's Atari program Pro Sample ST,
that according to Julian Colbeck's book Keyfax Omnibus Edition, converts Akai
sample data to K5 parameters?

Thanks in advance,
Dave.

KawaiUS has the inverter for $37.50 (pricey) or at least they did when I
contacted them several months ago. The contact form is on the
http://www.kawaius-tsd.com/index.html website.

--- In k5synth@yahoogroups.com, Antoine Deschênes <antdes45@...> wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> DigiKey part no. 289-1032-ND
>
> It used to cost $12, but it's now closer to $20.
>
> DigiKey has processing fees under a certain amount, and the inverter
> isn't pin-compatible, so the board has to be adapted for the new
> inverter. I -might- order inverters in bulk and make adapters if
> enough people need them, but I would do this only in a few months or
> even in a few years.
>
> -- Antoine Deschênes
>
>
>
> 2009/5/12 akai_guy <knarfrelos@...>:
> > The shop which is working on my K5 (CAE Sound in San Mateo, CA) is having
trouble locating an inverter for my keyboard.  Does anyone know a reliable
supplier?  Thanks in advance!
> > Frank
> >
> > --- In k5synth@yahoogroups.com, Antoine Deschênes <antdes45@> wrote:
> >>
> >> Hi,
> >>
> >> the backlight can be fixed, you need a new EL film and inverter.
> >> As for the keyboard, first check in the system menu if LOCAL option is
> >> set to ON. Is it outputting MIDI? Is there sound if you send MIDI?
> >>
> >> I could probably fix your synth, but I'm in Canada, and you probably
> >> don't want to ship it here ;-)
> >>
> >> 2009/2/11 akai_guy <knarfrelos@>:
> >> > I would appreciate any recommendations regarding who could revive my K5
> >> > synth.  With the years and various moves, its display no longer lights
> >> > up and the keyboard generates no sound.  It clearly needs a complete
> >> > diagnostic and perhaps major surgery to make it operational again.  I
> >> > am not knowledgeable in electronics repair so I need a reputable party
> >> > to take charge.  I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, so a local
> >> > recommendation would be great, but I am willing to ship the K5 anywhere
> >> > if it can be repaired.  Any advice and recommendations are gratefully
> >> > appreciated!
> >> > Frank
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------------
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
>

http://www.telesisgear.com/

Hi,

DigiKey part no. 289-1032-ND

It used to cost $12, but it's now closer to $20.

DigiKey has processing fees under a certain amount, and the inverter
isn't pin-compatible, so the board has to be adapted for the new
inverter. I -might- order inverters in bulk and make adapters if
enough people need them, but I would do this only in a few months or
even in a few years.

-- Antoine Deschênes



2009/5/12 akai_guy <knarfrelos@...>:
> The shop which is working on my K5 (CAE Sound in San Mateo, CA) is having
trouble locating an inverter for my keyboard.  Does anyone know a reliable
supplier?  Thanks in advance!
> Frank
>
> --- In k5synth@yahoogroups.com, Antoine Deschênes <antdes45@...> wrote:
>>
>> Hi,
>>
>> the backlight can be fixed, you need a new EL film and inverter.
>> As for the keyboard, first check in the system menu if LOCAL option is
>> set to ON. Is it outputting MIDI? Is there sound if you send MIDI?
>>
>> I could probably fix your synth, but I'm in Canada, and you probably
>> don't want to ship it here ;-)
>>
>> 2009/2/11 akai_guy <knarfrelos@...>:
>> > I would appreciate any recommendations regarding who could revive my K5
>> > synth.  With the years and various moves, its display no longer lights
>> > up and the keyboard generates no sound.  It clearly needs a complete
>> > diagnostic and perhaps major surgery to make it operational again.  I
>> > am not knowledgeable in electronics repair so I need a reputable party
>> > to take charge.  I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, so a local
>> > recommendation would be great, but I am willing to ship the K5 anywhere
>> > if it can be repaired.  Any advice and recommendations are gratefully
>> > appreciated!
>> > Frank
>>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>

The shop which is working on my K5 (CAE Sound in San Mateo, CA) is having
trouble locating an inverter for my keyboard.  Does anyone know a reliable
supplier?  Thanks in advance!
Frank

--- In k5synth@yahoogroups.com, Antoine Deschênes <antdes45@...> wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> the backlight can be fixed, you need a new EL film and inverter.
> As for the keyboard, first check in the system menu if LOCAL option is
> set to ON. Is it outputting MIDI? Is there sound if you send MIDI?
>
> I could probably fix your synth, but I'm in Canada, and you probably
> don't want to ship it here ;-)
>
> 2009/2/11 akai_guy <knarfrelos@...>:
> > I would appreciate any recommendations regarding who could revive my K5
> > synth.  With the years and various moves, its display no longer lights
> > up and the keyboard generates no sound.  It clearly needs a complete
> > diagnostic and perhaps major surgery to make it operational again.  I
> > am not knowledgeable in electronics repair so I need a reputable party
> > to take charge.  I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, so a local
> > recommendation would be great, but I am willing to ship the K5 anywhere
> > if it can be repaired.  Any advice and recommendations are gratefully
> > appreciated!
> > Frank
>

----- Original Message -----

From: Antoine Deschênes

To: k5synth@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Sunday, May 10, 2009 4:40 PM

Subject: Re: [k5synth] Is K5m OS 1.2 available here?

Hi, you can get them from Kawai for $50, burn your own EPROM from the
hex file in the files section of the group, or I can burn one for you
for about $6 + shipping. I'll probably start programming some chips in
a week or two, as my semester will then be finished.

Cheers,
Antoine

2009/5/10 dusanmihajlovic <dusanm@s-m-a.com>:
> Hi, I have two K5m modules which I an very happy with, but reading through the posts on this group I learned about 1.2 OS for K5m.
> Could anybody advice how to get the upgrade?
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>

Hi, you can get them from Kawai for $50, burn your own EPROM from the
hex file in the files section of the group, or I can burn one for you
for about $6 + shipping. I'll probably start programming some chips in
a week or two, as my semester will then be finished.

Cheers,
Antoine



2009/5/10 dusanmihajlovic <dusanm@...>:
> Hi, I have two K5m modules which I an very happy with, but reading through the
posts on this group I learned about 1.2 OS for K5m.
> Could anybody advice how to get the upgrade?
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>

Hi, I have two K5m modules which I an very happy with, but reading through the
posts on this group I learned about 1.2 OS for K5m.
Could anybody advice how to get the upgrade?

I still have many chips left. My semester ends in about 3-4 weeks, I'll
contact you (and all those still waiting for chips) then.

Le 2009-04-23 19:22, Dave Cornutt a écrit :
> Antoine, are you taking any more orders for OS upgrade ROMs?
>

Antoine, are you taking any more orders for OS upgrade ROMs?

If the card has nothing on it, either it was formatted, or it has a dead
battery. Better change it after all those years.
You can send presets through MIDI, it's quite simple in fact. (There are
SysEx files to send in the Files section of the group)

As for the buttons, I've always lived with them, but I bought many
DeoxIT products recently for various repairs, so I'll try to see if that
works and get back with instructions if it works. We've made some
instructions on http://kfuenf.org/ if I remember correctly, but it
involved a possible destruction of the button to be repaired (pulling
hard with pliers to disassemble it) so I'm not too sure it's the best
solution anymore.

If you haven't already, take a look at http://kfuenf.org/ , there a good
bit on information over there.



Le 2009-04-20 00:06, Emil a écrit :
> Hello, I've been a member of this group for a while, hoping that I would have
my own K5 again someday.  When I was in my mid teens in the late 80's I had an
absolute fascination with the Kawai K5.  It wasn't everywhere, but I idolized it
as a super-synthesizer from what I read about it, how it sounded in the store,
how "realistic" the piano was on the soundpage from my keyboard magazine and the
fact that my piano instructor played out on one once. He told me all about it
and I got jealous.
>
> So when they were being discounted towards the end of their product run, I
bought one mail ordered from Sam Ash Music.  I had it for nearly a month and
really had some awesome time programming it.  I especially liked messing around
with it's filters.  It did this weird thing with them linked to the lfo that I
would like to hear again someday.
>
> Anyways I was about 15 or 16 at the time and the new K1 line caught my eyes
and ears.  I returned the K5 for a K1m and then later sold that for a K1II.  I
wound up selling that for a new K4(of course).  Then I ditched digital
altogether for many years to focus on real pianos, B3's and many other heavy
keyboards, but alas I still have a place in my mind that tells me that the K5 is
magical.  So I've wanted one to replace the one I returned 19-20 years ago.  I
no longer get to do much with the heavy keyboards anymore anyways.  In fact I
mainly play a Kawai MP8 stage piano and that's it.
>
> So I found a K5 on ebay that was advertised as fully functional.  I paid $175
for it.  It turns on and the lcd is not too dim.  It even came with a ram card,
but the thing has zero presets or stored patches.  It makes a noise, but I'd
have to program every thing anew just to have some useful sounds.  Also, most of
the buttons don't function unless I press them hard.  What do I need to do with
this to restore it?  I don't want it to wind up in the basement collecting dust
with my collection of vintage keyboards that have issues that cost too much to
fix.  Am I going to be able to play this thing?  What do I need to do?
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>

Sounds like a flat inetrnal battery . . . not sure about the button being stiff,
though.

--- In k5synth@yahoogroups.com, "Emil" <educabilia@...> wrote:
>
> Hello, I've been a member of this group for a while, hoping that I would have
my own K5 again someday.  When I was in my mid teens in the late 80's I had an
absolute fascination with the Kawai K5.  It wasn't everywhere, but I idolized it
as a super-synthesizer from what I read about it, how it sounded in the store,
how "realistic" the piano was on the soundpage from my keyboard magazine and the
fact that my piano instructor played out on one once. He told me all about it
and I got jealous.
>
> So when they were being discounted towards the end of their product run, I
bought one mail ordered from Sam Ash Music.  I had it for nearly a month and
really had some awesome time programming it.  I especially liked messing around
with it's filters.  It did this weird thing with them linked to the lfo that I
would like to hear again someday.
>
> Anyways I was about 15 or 16 at the time and the new K1 line caught my eyes
and ears.  I returned the K5 for a K1m and then later sold that for a K1II.  I
wound up selling that for a new K4(of course).  Then I ditched digital
altogether for many years to focus on real pianos, B3's and many other heavy
keyboards, but alas I still have a place in my mind that tells me that the K5 is
magical.  So I've wanted one to replace the one I returned 19-20 years ago.  I
no longer get to do much with the heavy keyboards anymore anyways.  In fact I
mainly play a Kawai MP8 stage piano and that's it.
>
> So I found a K5 on ebay that was advertised as fully functional.  I paid $175
for it.  It turns on and the lcd is not too dim.  It even came with a ram card,
but the thing has zero presets or stored patches.  It makes a noise, but I'd
have to program every thing anew just to have some useful sounds.  Also, most of
the buttons don't function unless I press them hard.  What do I need to do with
this to restore it?  I don't want it to wind up in the basement collecting dust
with my collection of vintage keyboards that have issues that cost too much to
fix.  Am I going to be able to play this thing?  What do I need to do?
>

Hello, I've been a member of this group for a while, hoping that I would have my
own K5 again someday.  When I was in my mid teens in the late 80's I had an
absolute fascination with the Kawai K5.  It wasn't everywhere, but I idolized it
as a super-synthesizer from what I read about it, how it sounded in the store,
how "realistic" the piano was on the soundpage from my keyboard magazine and the
fact that my piano instructor played out on one once. He told me all about it
and I got jealous.

So when they were being discounted towards the end of their product run, I
bought one mail ordered from Sam Ash Music.  I had it for nearly a month and
really had some awesome time programming it.  I especially liked messing around
with it's filters.  It did this weird thing with them linked to the lfo that I
would like to hear again someday.

Anyways I was about 15 or 16 at the time and the new K1 line caught my eyes and
ears.  I returned the K5 for a K1m and then later sold that for a K1II.  I wound
up selling that for a new K4(of course).  Then I ditched digital altogether for
many years to focus on real pianos, B3's and many other heavy keyboards, but
alas I still have a place in my mind that tells me that the K5 is magical.  So
I've wanted one to replace the one I returned 19-20 years ago.  I no longer get
to do much with the heavy keyboards anymore anyways.  In fact I mainly play a
Kawai MP8 stage piano and that's it.

So I found a K5 on ebay that was advertised as fully functional.  I paid $175
for it.  It turns on and the lcd is not too dim.  It even came with a ram card,
but the thing has zero presets or stored patches.  It makes a noise, but I'd
have to program every thing anew just to have some useful sounds.  Also, most of
the buttons don't function unless I press them hard.  What do I need to do with
this to restore it?  I don't want it to wind up in the basement collecting dust
with my collection of vintage keyboards that have issues that cost too much to
fix.  Am I going to be able to play this thing?  What do I need to do?

--
-------------------------------------------------------------
Mike Youngberg: youngberg101 AT sanbrunocable DOT com
>>>  Check out my church at http://www.hillsidecommunity.net

Last time I used it (many years ago) it worked.

Hi,

I'll need to check again. Have you got the encoder working at least?

I don't have any K5 boards to send, I don't want to be stuck with a
possibly unfixable board, but you could send me your LCD module and
MI-003. I could at least compare if logic signals are similar with
another K5.

2009/2/9 bill bigrig <billbigrig@...>:
> Howdy,
>
>  Which components need to be replaced for the display unit? I mean All
> components that are used for the display. Or, is it possible to buy an M-030
> board on an exchange basis. I replaced some chips a while back, no luck. I'm
> going to try again but want to make sure I replace ALL display chips, not
> knowing what signals to look for at which pins of which components. Thank
> you.
> Rig
>
> --- On Wed, 5/23/07, Antoine Deschênes <antdes45@...> wrote:
>
> From: Antoine Deschênes <antdes45@...>
> Subject: Re: [k5synth] new k5
> To: k5synth@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Wednesday, May 23, 2007, 5:44 PM
>
>
>
> bill bigrig a écrit :
>> Howdy,
>>
>> When i power up the k5, It says in big letters
>> "K5SINGLE. When I push the int button, every number
>> comes up K5SINGLE.
> That's the default sound when the synth is reset. You need a computer to
> load a sound bank.
>> When I go to the midi page and try
>> to change channel or mode, the dial won't change
>> anything.
> Does it work in other places like the sound edit menu? Are you sure you
> select the good options with the arrows? If yes, it might be misconnected.
>> I think I need a new EPROM. I don't know.
>> Any ideas? I have done the on/off reset thingto no
>> avail.
> On off reset? The only way to reset I know is to open the synth, remove
> one of the PCBs, and unsolder and resolder the lithium battery. An other
> solution I could think of is shorting both battery terminals for a very
> short time.
>> This machine id locked up tighter than a $2
>> watch. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. By the
>> way, it's version 1.0. Thanx
>> Rig
>>
> It should not have *that* kind of problems. The bugs I know with my V1.0
> K5s are different(And the same with both units).
>> --- Antoine Deschênes <antdes45@yahoo. ca> wrote:
>>
>>> You'll find the 10 default patch banks in the Files
>>> section of the
>>> group, as well as the manual and many other things.
>>>
>>> I have no idea for the DS-250.
>>>
>>> The Kawai DC-32 cartridge allows you to have two
>>> times more sounds,
>>> but 48 singles and 48 multis is probaby good enough
>>> for you.
>>>
>
>
>
>



--
Antoine Deschênes

Hi,

the backlight can be fixed, you need a new EL film and inverter.
As for the keyboard, first check in the system menu if LOCAL option is
set to ON. Is it outputting MIDI? Is there sound if you send MIDI?

I could probably fix your synth, but I'm in Canada, and you probably
don't want to ship it here ;-)

2009/2/11 akai_guy <knarfrelos@...>:
> I would appreciate any recommendations regarding who could revive my K5
> synth.  With the years and various moves, its display no longer lights
> up and the keyboard generates no sound.  It clearly needs a complete
> diagnostic and perhaps major surgery to make it operational again.  I
> am not knowledgeable in electronics repair so I need a reputable party
> to take charge.  I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, so a local
> recommendation would be great, but I am willing to ship the K5 anywhere
> if it can be repaired.  Any advice and recommendations are gratefully
> appreciated!
> Frank

I would appreciate any recommendations regarding who could revive my K5
synth.  With the years and various moves, its display no longer lights
up and the keyboard generates no sound.  It clearly needs a complete
diagnostic and perhaps major surgery to make it operational again.  I
am not knowledgeable in electronics repair so I need a reputable party
to take charge.  I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, so a local
recommendation would be great, but I am willing to ship the K5 anywhere
if it can be repaired.  Any advice and recommendations are gratefully
appreciated!
Frank

Happy Festivus!  May your airing of grievance be well-taken and your
feats of strength be most strong.

For more Festivus info:

http://festivusweb.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festivus

its time to part with an old friend... ive had it for over 10 years
now, and used it in lots of recordings, but its time to move on as Im
trying to raise money to buy an rme audio interface...

Haven't figured out the fair price for it yet, but if you are
interested, lmk. Otherwise I'll end up listing it on ebay.

Hello,

This email message is a notification to let you know that
a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the k5synth
group.

   File        : /Patch Library/K5 Narf's Multis & Singles .zip
   Uploaded by : narfman96 <narfman96@...>
   Description : K5 Sysex Multis and Singles from the best of my MQ9 library.

You can access this file at the URL:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/k5synth/files/Patch%20Library/K5%20Narf%27s%20Mult\
is%20%26%20Singles%20.zip

To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit:
http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/groups/original/members/web/index.htmlfiles

Regards,

narfman96 <narfman96@...>