Kurzweil Flash Play PC4 User manual

1
®
It’s the
sound
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®
™
Part Number 910586-002
Rev. B
GETTING STARTED GUIDE

Features of the PC4
2
Features of the PC4
Sounds
• FlashPlay technology utilizing 2GB of instrument samples including:
• Optimized German D and Japanese C7 Pianos, Triple Strike Piano, 73 Electric Piano,
Clavinets, Harpsichords, Celeste, Bowed and Hit Crotales, Vector Synthesis Waveforms
• Updated Rock, Synth and Orchestral sounds from Kurzweil’s SP6, PC3, and KORE64
• 13 Categories of Programs (Piano, E. Piano, Clav, Organ, Strings, Pad, Synth, Brass/Wind,
Ensemble, Hybrid, Guitar/Bass, Drum/Perc, Misc)
• 2GB of user sample memory for loading samples from WAV, AIF, P3K, and K series les
• KB3 ToneReal ™ organ simulations with 9 sliders as drawbars
• FM: Classic 6 operator FM synthesis
• KSR: Kurzweil String Resonance (piano string resonance simulation)
• Half-Damper pedal support (for piano “half pedaling” sustain techniques)
• Kurzweil’s highly acclaimed VAST Synthesis and FX engine
• More than 1000 Factory Programs divided into 13 Categories
• More than 150 Factory Multis
• More than 4000 User IDs to save your own Programs and Multis
• Audio input jacks with FX (one 1/8” stereo line-in and 1/4” stereo line-in pair)
• 256 voices of polyphony
• 16 Zone MIDI controller in Multi Mode for Splits and Layers
• 16 MIDI Tracks in Song Mode
• Arpeggiator with dedicated front panel controls (up to 16 simultaneous in Multi Mode)
Keyboard and Controllers
e PC4 has an 88-key semi-weighted hammer action keyboard that provides you with a
piano-like feel. e array of physical controllers includes:
• 9 assignable sliders
• 9 assignable knobs
• 10 assignable buttons
• Pitch Wheel and assignable Modulation Wheel
• Tap tempo button and tempo knob
• 2 Transpose buttons
• Monopressure (Aftertouch)
• 2 assignable switch pedal jacks (supports up to 4 switch pedals with 2 pedals per jack)
• 2 assignable CC pedal jacks
• Assignable ribbon controller jack

Features of the PC4
3
Pedals (Optional)
e PC4 has four jacks on the rear panel for optional pedal controllers.
Two switch pedal jacks are typically used to control two-state (i.e., on / o) parameters such
as sustain, sostenuto, and soft pedal. A Half Damper pedal (also known as a continuous
switch pedal) can be used to allow for “half pedaling” sustain techniques when playing PC4
piano programs. Each jack also supports dual switch pedals, allowing up to 4 switch pedals to
be used.
Two continuous control (or CC) pedal jacks are typically used to control continuous
parameters such as volume and wah.
Your Kurzweil dealer stocks the following pedals:
• KP-1 Single piano-style switch pedal
• KP-1H Single piano-style Half Damper pedal
• CC-1 Continuous pedal

Software Updates
4
Software Updates
Be sure to check the Kurzweil website at www.kurzweil.com for new sounds, documentation
and software updates. See the Info page in Global mode to check the currently installed OS
version.
Quick Start
Setting Up the PC4
1. If your PC4 has been out in the cold during shipping, give it time to warm up to room
temperature before powering it on, since condensation may have formed inside.
2. Place the PC4 on a keyboard stand or on a hard, at, level surface.
3. Connect the DC power adaptor to the PC4 DC Power jack.
4. Make sure your power outlet is compatible with the included power adaptor, then plug
the power cable into the power outlet.
5. Plug the included Switch Pedal into the SW1 (SUSTAIN) jack on the PC4 rear panel.
6. If you have an additional switch pedal, plug it into the SW2 jack for Sostenuto control.
7. If you have a MIDI CC pedal (also known as a MIDI expression or volume pedal), plug
it into the CC1 (VOLUME) jack for volume control.
8. If you are using speakers, turn the master volume all the way down on your amplier
or mixer. Using standard (1/4-inch) audio cables, rst plug into the input jacks of your
amplier or mixer, then plug the other end of the cables into the PC4 AUDIO OUT A
jacks. (Connecting in this order minimizes the possibility of static discharge damage.)
For a mono signal, only use the LEFT (MONO) A jack, and leave the RIGHT A jack
unplugged. Balanced (“TRS” or “Stereo”) cables are recommended if your mixer or amp
supports balanced inputs.
9. If you are using headphones, connect stereo headphones to the headphone jack on the
rear panel.
10. Move the PC4 VOLUME slider (on the far left side of the front panel) to the minimum
(closer to the keys).

Quick Start
5
Powering On the PC4
1. Power on the PC4 by pressing the POWER button on the right rear panel.
2. If you are using speakers, turn up the volume on your amplier or mixer.
3. Slowly turn up the PC4 VOLUME Slider and play some notes to check the volume
level. (If you have a CC pedal plugged into the CC (VOLUME) jack, make sure it is set
to the maximum volume position).
4. If you are using speakers and the PC4 is not loud enough, turn up the volume on your
amplier or mixer.
5. If you are using a mixer and hear distortion, reduce the gain level on the mixer, or use
the mixer’s Pad button if it has one (a button that typically decreases the audio input level
by 20dB).
6. After using the PC4, if you are using speakers, turn the master volume all the way down
on your amplier or mixer before powering o the PC4.
Auditioning PC4 Sounds
1. e PC4 starts up in Program Mode. Use the PREVIOUS and NEXT buttons, Alpha
Wheel, or CATEGORY buttons to select a dierent Program. See PC4 Sounds on page
13 for more details on selecting Programs or Multis.
1. To hear a Program Demo song for the current Program, press the 0/MISC and ENTER
buttons simultaneously.
2. To hear the capabilities of the PC4, you can play the multi-channel demo songs. Press
the USER and 0/MISC buttons simultaneously to listen to a multi-channel demo song.
3. To switch between auditioning Programs or Multis, press the PROGRAM or MULTI
Mode button under the MODE label to the right of the display.
Automatic Power Saving
e PC4 has an automatic power saving feature (Auto Power O) that can automatically
power o the PC4 after a period of inactivity, in order to conserve electricity. e Auto
Power O feature is enabled by default. e default Power O Time is 8 hours, which will
cause the PC4 to power o after 8 hours of inactivity.
A count down timer warning will be shown in the display a few minutes before the PC4 is
powered o. At any time, touching any PC4 control or playing a note will cause the PC4 to
remain powered on, until the PC4 has been inactive for the set Power O Time.
Auto Power O can be disabled in Global Mode. e Power O Time can also be adjusted
in Global Mode.

The Front Panel
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The Front Panel
TRANSPOSE Buttons
VARIATION Button
CONTROL Section
CHANNEL/LAYER/ZONE/TRACK Buttons
Display
Navigation Buttons
Alpha Wheel
MODE Buttons
CATEGORY
Buttons
Soft Buttons
Pitch Wheel and Modulation Wheel
VOLUME Slider
SAVE Button and EDIT Button
EXIT Button
PREVIOUS/NEXT Buttons
ARPEGGIATOR
TEMPO
TRANSPORT
Sections
VOLUME Slider
e VOLUME Slider controls the volume level of the AUDIO OUT and HEADPHONE
jacks.
Display
e display is the main user interface for the PC4. Use the display to view Program and
Multi names, controller assignments, and editing functions.

The Front Panel
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Soft Buttons
e 6 buttons below the display are called soft buttons. Soft buttons change their functions
depending upon which page is being displayed. e functions of the soft buttons on each
page are described in the bottom row of the display.
Navigation Buttons
e Navigation buttons move the cursor in the display and allow you to select the current
parameter to be edited.
Alpha Wheel
In Program and Multi Mode, use the Alpha Wheel to navigate through the Program or Multi
list.
In Program Edit or Multi Edit Mode, use the Alpha Wheel to scroll through the list of values
for the currently selected parameter. Turn the Alpha Wheel counter-clockwise or clockwise
to select the previous or next value. Turn the Alpha Wheel slowly to change the value by one
increment, or turn it quickly to jump several increments.
PREVIOUS and NEXT Buttons
In Program and Multi Mode, use the PREVIOUS and NEXT buttons to navigate through
the Program or Multi list. In any mode, use the PREVIOUS and NEXT buttons to navigate
through the list of values for the currently selected parameter.
MODE Buttons
Press the MODE buttons to access PROGRAM, MULTI, SONG or GLOBAL Mode. See
Modes on page 15 for a description of each Mode.
CATEGORY Buttons
In Program Mode, the CATEGORY buttons allow you to select and browse Programs in 13
categories of instruments. Engaging the KEYPAD button allows you to use the CATEGORY
buttons as an alphanumeric keypad. e KEYPAD button is always on in Multi Mode, and
where needed for editing parameter values.

The Front Panel
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TRANSPOSE Buttons
e TRANSPOSE buttons can be used to change the tuning of notes played on the PC4
keyboard in semitones (also known as half steps). e current transpose amount is shown
in the display (for example, the default is “Xp:0st”). Press both TRANSPOSE buttons
simultaneously to reset the transposition to 0.
Pitch Wheel and Modulation Wheel
Use each wheel to respectively perform pitch bends or vary the modulation amount. e
Modulation Wheel will control modulation for each Program or Multi. e name of the
current modulation assignment is shown in the display when the wheel is moved.
VARIATION Button
Pressing the VARIATION button will perform an assigned variation for each Program
or Multi. e name of the current assignment is shown in the display when the button is
pressed.
e VARIATION button has two states, o (not lit) and on (lit). e VARIATION button
will typically modify the sound by adding an orchestral string section or synth pad layer, or
enabling an eect.
For KB3 Organ Programs, the VARIATION button controls the Rotary Speaker speed,
changing between fast and slow. e display shows “KB3” when a KB3 Program is selected.
CONTROL Section
e CONTROL section is used to control various Program and Multi parameters.
In Program Mode: e knobs, sliders, and buttons control synthesis and FX parameters
for the current Program. Controller assignments can be adjusted or set to user-assignable
parameters in Program Edit Mode.
In Multi Mode: e knobs, sliders, and buttons typically control Zone volume, synthesis
and FX parameters for the current Multi. Controller assignments can be adjusted or set to
user-assignable parameters in Multi Edit Mode.
In Program and Multi Mode: When a KB3 Organ Program is selected, some of the knobs,
sliders, and buttons may perform Organ functions labeled on the front panel. e display
shows “KB3” when a KB3 Program is selected.
ARPEGGIATOR Section
Use the ARP and LATCH buttons to control the PC4’s Arpeggiator.

The Rear Panel
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TEMPO Section
Use the TEMPO section to set the tempo of the Arpeggiator, the rate of tempo synced FX
(such as Delay), or the tempo of the current Multi or Song. To set the tempo press the TAP
button a few times at the desired rate, or use the TEMPO knob.
TRANSPORT Section
Use the buttons in the TRANSPORT section to control recording and playback in Song
mode.
SAVE Button and EDIT Button
ese buttons are used when editing Programs, Multis, or other User objects. In Program
Mode, press the SAVE button to save a User Program with the current controller settings.
EXIT Button
Press the EXIT button to exit the current editor. Press the EXIT button repeatedly to return
to Program Mode.
CHANNEL/LAYER/ZONE/TRACK Buttons
Use the CHANNEL/LAYER/ZONE/TRACK buttons to change the current MIDI Channel
in Program Mode, the current Layer in Program Edit Mode, the current Zone in Multi Edit
Mode, or the current Track in Song Mode.
The Rear Panel
POWER Button
Press the POWER button to power the PC4 on or o.
DC Power Jack
Plug the included power adaptor into the DC Power jack.

The Rear Panel
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MIDI IN and OUT Ports
Use the MIDI ports to communicate with other MIDI modules and controllers. e OUT
port is the MIDI transmitting port, and the IN port is the MIDI receiving port.
To use the PC4 as a MIDI controller for another sound module, use a MIDI cable to
connect the PC4’s MIDI OUT port to the MIDI input port of the module that you want to
control.
To control the PC4 using another MIDI controller, use a MIDI cable to connect the PC4’s
MIDI IN port to the MIDI output port of the controller that you will be using.
LCD Knob
Use the LCD knob to control the display brightness.
USB Ports
Use the USB ports to connect the PC4 to a computer/tablet or USB hard drive in order to
do the following:
• Use the PC4 as a MIDI controller to play software instruments on a computer/tablet.
• Use a computer/tablet to sequence multi-channel songs on the PC4.
• Backup and restore User Programs and Multis on a USB hard drive.
• Update the software and sounds of the PC4.
SW1 (SUSTAIN) and SW2 Jacks
Use the SW1 (SUSTAIN) and SW2 jacks to connect switch pedals. One switch pedal is
included with the PC4.
In Program Mode, SW1 (SUSTAIN) defaults to controlling Sustain, and SW2 defaults to
controlling Sostenuto. (For KB3 Organ Programs, SW1 (SUSTAIN) defaults to controlling
the Rotary Speaker speed, changing between fast and slow. is assignment can be changed
in Global Mode. e LCD display shows “KB3” when a KB3 Program is selected.)
In Multi Mode, pedal assignments can vary per Multi. Pedal assignments can be adjusted for
each Zone by using Multi Edit Mode.
Global Mode can be used to set pedal overrides, which can change the pedal assignments for
all Programs and Multis.
Note: Switch pedals must be plugged in before powering on the PC4. Do not to step on the
switch pedals when powering on the PC4, as the state of the pedals is detected as part of the
start up sequence.