Kurzweil PC361 - 61-Key Performance Controller, Synth, & Workstation Keyboard

Comments about Kurzweil PC361 - 61-Key Performance Controller, Synth, & Workstation Keyboard:

First off the sounds are amzaing. Pianos, EPs, Analog, everything you need is right there. The interface is easy to use, I'm saying that coming from a touch screen interface before hand. I love the Quick Axcess feature to be able to setup for your gig, easily call up what you need for that night. If there is a request the fact that there are buttons to get to sounds easily is something every keyboard should have. I've had for a while now, and loving every minute of it.

Comments about Kurzweil PC361 - 61-Key Performance Controller, Synth, & Workstation Keyboard:

I've had the Kurzweil PC361 for about three weeks. It came very well packed with a power cord, piano style foot pedal, usb cable. It has no speakers, but plenty of jacks to connect to headphones, recorders, amplifiers, etc.
I went to the Kurzweil web site to download an updated OS (operating system) with more sounds, and instructions on updating the OS through the usb connection to my computer. I also downloaded the revised 481 page manual, and a link to get the free sound editing software. I updated the OS wrong, but it just reverted back to the original OS. Then I re-read the instructions and did it right.
I believe the PC361 is essentially the same keyboard, with all the same sounds as the new PC3K6 which costs 2-1/2 times more, except the PC361 lacks sampling, and an updated memory card. The two keyboards look nearly identical. At this price the PC361 is an amazing value.
The Kurzweil sounds are incredibly like the real instruments. More so than any other keyboard brand I have heard at any price. There are more than a thousand pre-loaded instrument sounds (called programs), backing tracks (called songs) and setups (blended instrument sounds)and effects.
The first 40 pages of the 481 page manual describes the basics, then the rest goes into the complexities of how you can tweak sounds, blend them, trigger them, etc. for advanced users. The PC361 is a super computer that generates music, and you can control everything that it generates if you want to go that deep.
There are many Hammond organ programs and setups, with 9 sliders emulating drawbars, the Reggae Setup steel drums with arpeggiator on is amazing, there's every type of piano, and countless other instruments. I haven't found a bad one yet.
What's also amazing is their customer support. I ran into a problem trying to change the lead instrument the keyboard used with a setup (backing track). It used Rhodes piano and I wanted to use steel drum. I couldn't understand the manual so I contacted customer support. The next business day I got several emails from Kurzweil support and engineers telling me just what to do, (and how to do it in a minute or two the first time, and a few second from then on).
Before getting the PC361 I spoke to a pre-sales rep listed on their website who also owns a PC361, and told me it is no longer manufactured, but he also said the hardware was being used on other models (it looks identical to the new PC3K6) and Kurzweil would continue to support all the PC3 models for years. I also looked at the online manuals of the PC361 and newer models like the PCLE6 and PC3K6 which cost more, and they shared all the same sounds. I listened to the sound demos on the website and was blown away. After evaluating other brands, watching youtube videos, etc., I concluded the PC361 was an amazing value at this price, and the best keyboard I have heard at any price.

Comments about Kurzweil PC361 - 61-Key Performance Controller, Synth, & Workstation Keyboard:

I have had my PC361 for two weeks. I bought it here at B&H with a 3 year extended warranty. This is the same keyboard, with the same 128 note polyphony, as far as I can see as Kurzweil's new flagship model PC3K6 that costs more than twice as much. The PC3K6 only adds a better memory card and sampling, neither of which I need. The PC361 came with a power cord, piano style foot pedal, usb cable and manual. I downloaded the updated 481 page manual as a pdf file, and the updated operating system and instructions on their website and there's a link to download a free sound editor. When I couldn't understand the manual on how to change the program (instrument) I could use to play along with a song (backing track), I submitted a support request on their website and they emailed me detailed instructions in plain language to answer every question on the next business day. Their customer service support is fantastic. Even though the PC361 is no longer manufactured, a Kurzweil pre-sales rep told me they will support it for years to come because its parts are the same as used in the PC3K6. The Kurzweil sounds are beyond compare. Hammond B3 organs (complete with 9 sliders emulating Hammond drawbars), Every style piano, Reggae style Steel drums (great with the arpeggiator on), there's 800 plus instruments, 150 setups (blended instruments and effects), hundreds and hundreds of backing tracks called songs, on which you can change instruments, key, volume, pan, etc. There are no speakers but plenty of output jacks to connect to speakers, amps, recorders, etc. Go on their website to hear demo sounds, look at the manual which lists the literally thousands of pre-loaded Programs (Instruments), Setups (blended instrument combos) and Songs (multi instrument looped backing tracks), you will be utterly amazed. Email any questions to the pre sales rep on their website. (I got an email reply to all my concerns in a few minutes.) Get this while you can, it's got to be the best keyboard at the best price in the world.

Comments about Kurzweil PC361 - 61-Key Performance Controller, Synth, & Workstation Keyboard:

I use the PC361 in my home studio, and the workstation is a well made, solid piece of equipment for any professional project.

Comments about Kurzweil PC361 - 61-Key Performance Controller, Synth, & Workstation Keyboard:

Weekend musician
I was saving up to replace my Roland JunoG and happened to come across this unit as a close out. Im very happy with this purchase.
The action is the best I've come across for a non weighted keyboard. It is not to light and not to heavy. The amount of key travel is perfect, not to long (slower action) and not to short (no limited expression).
The sounds are light years ahead of my Roland.
I am still learning how to use this unit and am looking forward making the change in my performance rig. Hoping it will work out replacing my V5 Organ module too.

Comments about Kurzweil PC361 - 61-Key Performance Controller, Synth, & Workstation Keyboard:

That's a corny headline I know, but I am also the owner of the grandfather of the PC361, the K2000 and I've seen this thing come a long way. As much as Kurzweil has kept the VAST architecture alive, they seem to have listened very closely to their customers because ever thing that was lacking in the old K2000 has been addressed. It's heavy, sure, but it sounds great. I like that they haven't tried to mimic Roland, Korg & Yamaha with a larger screen. The software that accompanies this product is fantastic and makes it even easier to navigate through this complex but user friendly machine. It would be great if it had the ability to upgrade to the PC3K series and allow samples, but at over $1000 less that the PC3K, I'll give that up. The keys themselves are so so so wonderfully smooth under my fingers. Best response of anything I've ever played.