KME61 OVERVIEW

Discontinued Model
Downloads and support materials maintained here as a courtesy to owners.

Power, Portability, Affordability

The KME61 offers the power and versatility of the Micro Ensemble (ME-1) in a 61-note keyboard. This synth action keyboard features 256 sounds from the PC2 series, including Triple Strike Stereo Piano, electric pianos, award-winning Take 6 vocals and much more. The KME61 has thirty effect combinations, with a choice of reverbs, choruses, delays and flangers. Each effect has a wet/dry mix which can be controlled per channel. The synth action of the KME61 also includes aftertouch, for a realistic playing experience. Pitch and Mod wheels give expressive control for any musician. The KME61 allows for the creation and storage of 16 multi-timbral setups, as well as customization of effects for each of the 256 sounds.

SPECS

All specifications subject to change without notice.

KME61 Features

Keyboard: 61 note synth action, velocity and pressure sensitive
Display: 2×20 character LCD w/ rear panel contrast knob
Polyphony: 32 Voice Polyphony, dynamically allocated
Multitimbral: 16 parts (one per MIDI channel)
Factory Presets: 256 programs. Includes complete PC2 Base ROM Sound set
Factory MIDI Setups: 32 setups with up to 3 independent zones
User Memory: 16 locations for user created MIDI Setups.
Effects: 30 effects combinations, with a choice of reverbs, choruses, delays, and flangers. Each effects has a wet/dry mix, which can be controlled per channel. Change and store effects for each of the 256 presets.
MIDI: In, Out, Thru
Controllers: Pitch wheel, modulation wheel, 1 front panel slider, 1 continuous control pedal input, 1 footswitch input (pedal included), mono pressure
Outputs: Two 1/4″ unbalanced TS analog (24-bit DACs)
Headphones: Rear panel 1/4″ headphone output

KME61 Specifications

Height: (3.27″) (8.30 cm)
Depth: (12.01″) (30.50 cm)
Length: (37.17″) (94.40 cm)
Weight: (22.05 lb.) (10.00 kg)
Power: 9.5VAC / 2.0A external power supply

AUDIO

FAQs

Basic Concepts & User Interface

Question:
What combination of Bank/Pgm Msgs does the KME/ME respond to?

Answer:

  1. by default, the KME/61 and ME-1 use MIDI Bank message cc#32 (Bank LSB**) to send/receive bank info
  2. following the bank message a standard program change needs to be sent (0-127) depending on the patch in that bank you are after

    The KME/ME has 2 Banks (see pg. 11 in the manual):

    -MIDI Bank 0

    -MIDI Bank 6

    An example:
    You want to call up program 099 “Electric 12” (from bank 6)

    From your keyboard/DAW, on the desired channel, you send :

    -cc32=6

    -pchg=99

    Repeat for other channels as needed (up to 16).

**If your keyboard/DAW also forces you to send cc#0 (Bank MSB) simply enter value=0 (zero).

MIDI Controllers

Question:
What pedals can I use with my Kurzweil instrument?

Answer:

Switch Pedals

A foot switch pedal from any manufacturer is compatible with our keyboards. Japanese pedals are wired in reverse polarity from American pedals. But all our products check the pedal polarity on power up and reverse themselves if needed, so as long as the pedal is plugged in before you turn on the unit, any pedal will work (be certain to not step on the pedal during power up as this can interfere with the auto-calibration).

In addition, some keyboards use mono jacks for each switch pedal input, whereas other keyboards use a single stereo jack for two pedals.

The PC3 Series, K2 Series, K1 series, PC2 Series, SP2 Series, SP5, PC88, and KME61 use mono jacks for each pedal. The standard single pedal available from Kurzweil is the KP-1.

The SP4, SPS4-8, PC1, SP3X, SP76/88 Series, Rumour/Mangler, Mark ProOneiS, Mark ProTwoiS, RG Series, and Troubador use a single stereo jack for dual pedal units (not sold by Kurzweil). It is still possible to plug a single, mono plug pedal into these units but you will only have access to one of the pedals. If the pedal is plugged in all the way, it will be the Left pedal, and if the plug is pulled out slightly, it will be the right pedal. A stereo (M) to dual-mono (F) “Y” adapter can also be employed to permit the use of two, single pedals.


Continuous Controller Pedals

Our keyboards require a pedal with a TRS 1/4″ connector and 10k linear potentiometer. Most manufacturers EXCEPT Yamaha and Korg make pedals with the same specifications and should work. Yamaha and Korg pedals typically use an exponential potentiometer and therefore will not work correctly. The CC-1 pedal is available from Kurzweil. You can order a pedal through your local Kurzweil dealer.

CC-1 Wiring Spec

The Control Pedal must be wired to a single stereo (TRS) 1/4″ plug as follows:

  • Wiper to tip connection of 1/4″ plug
  • Top end of resistance element to Ring connection
  • Bottom end of resistance to Sleeve connection

CCpedal_Wiring.gif

Question:
What combination of Bank/Pgm Msgs does the KME/ME respond to?

Answer:

  1. by default, the KME/61 and ME-1 use MIDI Bank message cc#32 (Bank LSB**) to send/receive bank info
  2. following the bank message a standard program change needs to be sent (0-127) depending on the patch in that bank you are after

    The KME/ME has 2 Banks (see pg. 11 in the manual):

    -MIDI Bank 0

    -MIDI Bank 6

    An example:
    You want to call up program 099 “Electric 12” (from bank 6)

    From your keyboard/DAW, on the desired channel, you send :

    -cc32=6

    -pchg=99

    Repeat for other channels as needed (up to 16).

**If your keyboard/DAW also forces you to send cc#0 (Bank MSB) simply enter value=0 (zero).

Question:
How can I set the Pitch Bend Range for individual programs via MIDI?

Answer:

Pitch Bend Range can be set by sending MIDI controller messages. Specifically, you do it with Registered Parameters (cc# 100 and 101).

On the MIDI channel in question, you need to send:

MIDI cc101 = 0
MIDI cc100 = 0
MIDI cc6 = value of desired bend range (in semitones)

Example: Lets say you want to set the bend range to 2 semi-tones. First you send cc# 100 with a value of 0; then cc#101 with a value of 0. This turns on reception for setting pitch bend with the Data controller (#6). Then you send cc# 6 with a value of 2 (in semitones; this will give you a whole step up and a whole step down from the center).

Once you have set the bend range the way you want, then you send controller 100 or 101 with a value of 127 so that any further messages of controller 6 (which you might be using for other stuff) won’t change the bend range.

Internal Voices/ Program Mode

Question:
How can I set the Pitch Bend Range for individual programs via MIDI?

Answer:

Pitch Bend Range can be set by sending MIDI controller messages. Specifically, you do it with Registered Parameters (cc# 100 and 101).

On the MIDI channel in question, you need to send:

MIDI cc101 = 0
MIDI cc100 = 0
MIDI cc6 = value of desired bend range (in semitones)

Example: Lets say you want to set the bend range to 2 semi-tones. First you send cc# 100 with a value of 0; then cc#101 with a value of 0. This turns on reception for setting pitch bend with the Data controller (#6). Then you send cc# 6 with a value of 2 (in semitones; this will give you a whole step up and a whole step down from the center).

Once you have set the bend range the way you want, then you send controller 100 or 101 with a value of 127 so that any further messages of controller 6 (which you might be using for other stuff) won’t change the bend range.

Troubleshooting

Question:
How can I restore my KME61 to its factory defaults?

Answer:

Need be before proceeding, back up any custom data via sys-ex as hard resetting will clear all user memory/settings. See the KME61 User Guide for details.

  1. Start with the unit turned On
  2. Press MASTER
  3. Press UP menu till you see “System Hard Reset”
  4. Press soft button under “Reset”
  5. Press soft button under “Yes”
  6. Press soft button under “Yes”

DOWNLOADS

User Manuals

KME61 User’s Guide – 656 KB
Owner’s Manual
2000-01-01

KME61 v2 Addendum – 83.3 KB
Owner’s Manual Addendum
2000-01-01

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