Kurzweil K2500 Version 2.52 Operating System Information


This zipped archive contains the latest operating system for your Kurzweil K2500 Series Instrument. In keeping with our policy of continuously upgrading the performance and features of our products, this version includes a number of improvements that will enhance your instrument. The main feature of v2.52 is KB3 Mode, an astonishingly realistic tone wheel organ model.

Also included in this zipped archive is a .PDF file which contains the documentation for all the new features added in v2.52. A .PDF file can be viewed with Adobe Acrobat. You can download a free copy of the Adobe Acrobat Reader from the Adobe web site: http://www.adobe.com.


IMPORTANT - Installation of this new operating system also requires installation of a new Objects file, which includes the new KB3 mode Organ programs. You should be able to download the proper file from the same place that you downloaded this file. There are 5 different files, and the one you download will depend on what you have installed in your K2500:

OBJ302.ZIP		for a stock K2500
OBJP312.ZIP	for a K2500 with the Piano ROM block
OBJO322.ZIP	for a K2500 with the Piano and Orchestral ROM blocks
OBJC332.ZIP	for a K2500 with the Piano and Contemporary ROM blocks
OBJF342.ZIP	for a K2500 with all ROM blocks


KB3 Mode Sticker - For K2500 Keyboard owners, KB3 Mode includes an adhesive sticker which is placed above the 8 buttons and control sliders. This sticker defines special functions for those buttons when playing a KB3 program. The sticker is included when the entire KB3 package is purchased. (The package includes the OS disk, all 5 Objects disks, a printed manual, and the sticker. The cost is $65). Since you have downloaded the files and documentation for no charge, you can purchase the sticker by itself from our Accessories company at (800) 400-6658. The cost is $15. In addition, the last page of the .PDF file contains a full size black & white reproduction of the sticker which you can cut out and tape to the keyboard, if you do not wish to purchase the sticker.




The complete procedure for installing the operating system is included in Chapter 2 of the K2500 Performance Guide. For your convenience, here's a summary of the procedure:

1. Copy the file K25V231.KOS onto a DOS formatted floppy.

2. Start the K2500

3. Press and release the Exit key while the "Please wait..." message is displayed. This brings up the K2500 Boot Loader.

4. Insert the operating system floppy, then use "Install System" from the K2500 Boot Loader to install the new operating system.

5. Insert the objects floppy, then use "Install Objects" from the K2500 Boot Loader to install the new operating system.

6. When the installation is finished, choose "Run System" from the Boot Loader. 

While you won't normally need to reinstall the operating system, you should still put the disk in a safe place, just in case you may need it again.

Note: you can also install these files from a DOS or Kurzweil formatted SCSI disk. When the display asks which device you want to install from, change the parameter to the appropriate SCSI ID. You can only install files from a SCSI disk which is 1 gig or smaller.

We recommend performing a hard reset after installing and running the new system. Choose the Reset soft button from the Master page. (Save any RAM objects to disk before performing a reset.)


If you are upgrading from v2.08 or v2.13, below is a list of features previously added in v2.31. If you are upgrading from version 1 of the operating system, you will want to get the current version of the manual. You can download it from our FTP site (it is also in .PDF format) or purchase it through our Accessories company at (800) 400-6658.


Version 2.31 adds  support for the KDS Output Option, which enables you to connect your K2500 with a Digital Multi-Track interface (DMTi). (See below for more info on the KDS option.*)

 For units with sampling option plus the KDS Out or KDFX options: When you choose an Input of "Digital" on the Sample page, there are several new options. 

The "Src" parameter has three new options: "Ext," "Int," and "Rtn". "Ext" means that the source is coming through one of the external inputs, coaxial or optical, as in previous versions of the operating system. "Int" selects whatever is assigned to bus A, before going through the internal effects. "Rtn" lets you  sample through the return pair of the KDS Output; see the DMTi User's Guide for more information. 

The new "Out" parameter has two options: "A/D" and "Dir." The "A/D" parameter routes the output through the internal effects, as in previous versions of the K2500 operating system. "Dir" selects whatever is assigned to bus A, before going through the internal effects. Use "Src: Int" with "Out: Dir" for direct internal digital sampling.

The Out parameter and the new values for the Src parameter will only be seen if the sampling option plus the KDS Out or KDFX is installed.

 "Verify" has been added to the Disk page. This option, which is off by default, double-checks the data integrity of all your backup, copy, and save operations. Verification also, however, increases the time required for these operations; you may not need to use it if you have a stable SCSI setup.

 You can now copy multiple files with the Copy operation in Disk mode, instead of only a single file. As with other Disk mode operations, use the Select soft button to select multiple files to copy.

 On the Utilities Page in Disk Mode, there is a new utility labeled Info. This will display information about the currently selected drive.

 When formatting a floppy, when the formatting is done, the display will give you an option to insert another floppy and format it.

Additional enhancements:

 Enhanced CD-ROM drive support. V2.31 now supports a much greater variety of CD-ROM drives by supporting "2048 bytes per block". NEC CD-ROM drives are still not supported.

 Optimized SCSI driver logic for improved speed under certain circumstances.

 Intonation table changes now affect held notes in real-time.

 Improved Iomega JAZ and Zip drive compatibility - when the drive goes to sleep, you can now wake up the drive from the K2500.

 Improved voice stealing when using the stereo samples, including the stereo piano ROM block.




* KDS Out Option. The KDS out will give you 8 channels of Digital Audio, through a special jack which can be connected to the DMTi (Digital Multi-Track Interface). The KDFX option also contains a KDS out. However, a separate KDS Out option is also available, allowing access to the DMTi without having to add the KDFX.
