BACKGROUND
During the 80s it became popular with remote keyboards for keyboard players, and especial since midi came (Prophet 600 was the first Midi equipped product, released in December 1982). The most popular Midi Remote Controllers during the 80s was Yamaha KX1, Yamaha KX5, Roland Axis-1 and Korg RK-100.
DESCRIPTION
KX5 was one of the first lightweight remote-keyboard ("belly-synth") that allows the keyboard player to move around, such a guitar player. The KX5 was available in two colors: Black or silver-gray. KX5 is equipped with:
- 37 velocity sensitivity keys, with aftertouch
- Control switches for sustain, portamento, mode (mono/poly), transpose (oct up/down), Midi (ch1/ch2)
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Ribbon-controller for pitch.
- Wheels for modulation and volume
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Buttons for modulation and sustain, controlled by left hand, on the neck of the instrument.
- 32x2 programmable patches. By holding down the sustain button 32 more patches can be chosen. Number 1 will be 33, 2 will be 34 etc.
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Control terminal for Breath Control
- 1 Midi out
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Battery (6x1,5V), DC In
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Weight: 8,2lbs (3,7 kg)
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Size: 914mm x (W) x 191mm (D) x 80mm (H)
KX5 & KX1
The year before the KX5 was released (1984) Yamaha released the KX1 (1983) - similar as the KX5 but with 44 keys, a little bit larger and almost twice the weight (6kg - 13,2 lbs) and three times more expensive. The colors was bright red or gray. The functions are identical. So KX5 is basically a lighter KX1.
Analog Prophet (Toby at Sound Of Music) playing his KX5
BROCHURES
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Yamaha KX-5 Product info (japanese)
KX5 MANUAL
From Yamaha Manual Library (http://www2.yamaha.co.jp/manual/english/index.html)
- Yamaha KX5 Owners Manual
- The KX5 schematics are available here: The Vintage Store Around The Corner
LINKS