Just been out of the loop too long and can¡¯t answer my own question. I¡¯m building a Kurzweil Rack with some of my modules. This particular rack, a slant face, will be Two K2000RS and Three K1000 (pro2 x2 and one pro3).? Probably a Korg M1r.? Plus room for a couple of other things. I want it to be self-contained and self supporting, as it were, so I¡¯m reserving 2U for a computer and another 2U for an interface. A single midi controller will rule them all ?:-) Here¡¯s my dilemma. What software?? What hardware? What I have right now is 20+ year old Opcode Galaxy software.? Very capable, I suppose, but it runs on an aging G4 Mac.? It has full editing for both K1000 and K2000 with vintage graphics.? I¡¯d rework a G4 to be2U rackmount.? The interface would be an Opcode Studio 5lx. 16x16 midi i/o.? Again, very capable despite its age. It would handle many patches and be able to transfer them through the convoluted KW system to get them working. ? BUT, is there a PC based solution?? Or a Linux based solution?? Geez, even a Raspberry Pi or Android solution?? It has to work without moving cables, too.? Enough I/O for every port to have its own. Of course, our own Dennis Spanogle has Kurlewin ¨C a Windows based solution for the k1000.? But what about K2000? Come to find out, I don¡¯t even have a PC based midi interface. Need some opinions.? No answer is wrong. Stay the course with vintage gear all around? Go get the newest whiz-bang? Or is there a secret and special combination I¡¯ve not seen? (very likely, this one) What? ? L. ?
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Re: K1000 EX Ensemble Expander upgrade
Thanyou very much for all kind and useful replies. I ordered a bunch of blank eproms so I will be able to upgrade the 1000 EX to Pro1.
I will do also al full recap, as the big 22000uF capacitor is inflated (ready to explode), and being a 33 years old unit is a must.
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Re: K1000 EX Ensemble Expander upgrade
Yeah, with one exception (A GX) all 13 of my 1000/1200 machines are fully upgraded. Very much worth the effort.
Sent from my HAL 9000 in transit to Jupiter
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-----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto: [email protected]] On Behalf Of Daniel Forr¨® via groups.io Sent: Sunday, July 11, 2021 9:22 AM To: [email protected]Subject: Re: [K1000-K1200] K1000 EX Ensemble Expander upgrade I have upgraded my PX+ and SX to full Pro versions, as you have written, by adding sound chips, new OS and changing some junctions on the motherboard. All these files for programming Eproms are available. I don¡¯t know details about EX, but if it has inside empty sockets, it should be possible as well. Daniel Forro On Jul 11, 2021, at 23:04, David via groups.io <> <d.etheridge1@... <mailto:d.etheridge1@...> > wrote: Hi Olaf, I suspect that the answer is (sadly) no. From what little I know of the EX (I've never seen one in the flesh) it's essentially a preset module without as many editing and upgrade facilities that the other modules have. Being a preset instrument (albeit a very good one) I don't think it's upgradeable to any extent. Essentially, to produce a PRO 3 you'll need all the HX and GX soundfiles on chips, and with a suitable OS (v.5?) to run everything. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news - unless anyone else knows different? Best wishes, David.
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Re: K1000 EX Ensemble Expander upgrade
Note, all those sound chip codes, including the 5.0 OS, are on K1000.net, ready for burning. Remember to match button numbers -- the 8 button OS set isn't going to do the job with an EX.
I don't know if Roger made the jump to this list, but this is something I'd think might benefit from his knowledge as to what's possible.
Sent from my HAL 9000 in transit to Jupiter
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-----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto: [email protected]] On Behalf Of David via groups.io Sent: Sunday, July 11, 2021 9:05 AM To: [email protected]Subject: Re: [K1000-K1200] K1000 EX Ensemble Expander upgrade Hi Olaf, I suspect that the answer is (sadly) no. From what little I know of the EX (I've never seen one in the flesh) it's essentially a preset module without as many editing and upgrade facilities that the other modules have. Being a preset instrument (albeit a very good one) I don't think it's upgradeable to any extent. Essentially, to produce a PRO 3 you'll need all the HX and GX soundfiles on chips, and with a suitable OS (v.5?) to run everything. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news - unless anyone else knows different? Best wishes, David.
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Re: K1000 EX Ensemble Expander upgrade
There¡¯s not much info about EX on the net. Here they mantion it can be upgraded to PRO I version.
Daniel Forr¨®
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Hi Olaf,?
I suspect that the answer is (sadly) no. From what little I know of the EX (I've never seen one in the flesh) it's essentially a preset module without as many editing and upgrade facilities that the other modules have.
Being a preset instrument (albeit a very good one) I don't think it's upgradeable to any extent. Essentially, to produce a PRO 3 you'll need all the HX and GX soundfiles on chips, and with a suitable OS (v.5?) to run everything.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news - unless anyone else knows different?
Best wishes,?
David.
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Re: K1000 EX Ensemble Expander upgrade
I have upgraded my PX+ and SX to full Pro versions, as you have written, by adding sound chips, new OS and changing some junctions on the motherboard. All these files for programming Eproms are available.?
I don¡¯t know details about EX, but if it has inside empty sockets, it should be possible as well.
Daniel Forro
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Hi Olaf,?
I suspect that the answer is (sadly) no. From what little I know of the EX (I've never seen one in the flesh) it's essentially a preset module without as many editing and upgrade facilities that the other modules have.
Being a preset instrument (albeit a very good one) I don't think it's upgradeable to any extent. Essentially, to produce a PRO 3 you'll need all the HX and GX soundfiles on chips, and with a suitable OS (v.5?) to run everything.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news - unless anyone else knows different?
Best wishes,?
David.
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Re: K1000 EX Ensemble Expander upgrade
Hi Olaf,?
I suspect that the answer is (sadly) no. From what little I know of the EX (I've never seen one in the flesh) it's essentially a preset module without as many editing and upgrade facilities that the other modules have.
Being a preset instrument (albeit a very good one) I don't think it's upgradeable to any extent. Essentially, to produce a PRO 3 you'll need all the HX and GX soundfiles on chips, and with a suitable OS (v.5?) to run everything.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news - unless anyone else knows different?
Best wishes,?
David.
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K1000 EX Ensemble Expander upgrade
Hi!
Can I upgrade the EX ensemble expander to PRO3 as explained on???
Thanks in advance,
Olaf
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Kurlewin works in WIndows 10.? ? Not an editor but does provide Librarian features to save setups and manage the great sounds - and backup in case the battery dies.? The source code is available if someone wants to add editing but, as you mentioned, communicating with the K1000 is ... obtuse!? ?
Dennis
------ Original Message ------
Sent: 4/18/2021 8:16:27 AM
Subject: Re: [K1000-K1200] Hello all!
If you mean Kurle, it's for DOS. It doesn't run under Windows 10. I guess I could install a DOS emulator, but it's getting a bit silly. :-)
Hmm, maybe I could learn how to make panels for Dexed... The drawback is that I've tried to read the programming manual, and it's pretty obtuse. :-)
Hi Lennert,?
There is a Windows based editor - head over to and you'll see many libraries and editors. There are some terrific sounds available.
Best wishes,?
David.
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On Sun, Apr 18, 2021 at 4:16 PM Lennart Regebro via <regebro= [email protected]> wrote: Hmm, maybe I could learn how to make panels for Dexed...
*Facepalm* I meant Ctrlr, of course.
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If you mean Kurle, it's for DOS. It doesn't run under Windows 10. I guess I could install a DOS emulator, but it's getting a bit silly. :-)
Hmm, maybe I could learn how to make panels for Dexed... The drawback is that I've tried to read the programming manual, and it's pretty obtuse. :-)
Hi Lennert,?
There is a Windows based editor - head over to and you'll see many libraries and editors. There are some terrific sounds available.
Best wishes,?
David.
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Hi Lennert,?
There is a Windows based editor - head over to k1000.net and you'll see many libraries and editors. There are some terrific sounds available.
Best wishes,?
David.
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Ah, a user group, nice!
I have a 1000PX, which I bought for the piano, but realized had a lot more to offer.? I still haven't managed to wrap my head around editing it though. I wish there was an editor for Windows.?
I guess you all have seen Espen Krafts video on the 1000PX?
//Lennart
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Re: 1000PX - display backlight
OK, I got the backlights from Telesis Displays in CA. Shipping to NY was pretty quick.
Installed them in both the 1000PX and S1000 today. The hardest part was loosening the stuck set screw in the 1000PX volume knob without breaking it... a bit of CRC UltraScrewloose took care of that. Very happy with the results.
--
peace,
Frank Dickinson
90 East Productions
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Re: 1000PX - display backlight
Thank you Brian, Lyford and Nicole,
Excellent info!
I checked the Polish source for the Winstar displays, but don't see a way to calculate shipping without opening an account and going through the purchasing process. I'm in the US. The mods needed for using LED modules are not daunting technically, but I've already put a lot of time into this beast. Am leaning toward the fastest solution, so I will probably just go for the backlight.
I also want to do the backlight fix on an Akai S1000 before selling it. A source here in the US has backlights made up for both units.
--
peace,
Frank Dickinson
90 East Productions
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Re: 1000PX - display backlight
I seem to remember several options outlined at k1000.net.
Sent from my HAL 9000 in transit to Jupiter
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-----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto: [email protected]] On Behalf Of Frank D via groups.io Sent: Monday, March 01, 2021 4:53 PM To: [email protected]Subject: [K1000-K1200] 1000PX - display backlight Hi group! What's the current wisdom re: replacing display or backlight on a 1000 series module? I see some options on ebay, wondering what everyone's experience is: -- peace, Frank Dickinson 90 East Productions Our "lockdown" videos <>
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Re: 1000PX - display backlight
Frank & lyford,
After doing quite a few LED retrofits and several backlight
replacements, my two cents:
The down side to replacing the backlight is that the EL technology
has limited life, 5000 to 6000 hours to half brightness, while a
display with conservatively driven LED backlight will provide more
than ten times that.? On the other hand, backlight replacement is
relatively simple, and unless you manage to break something while
installing it, it just works.
The LED retrofit info on k1000.net is from 2013, so it's a bit
outdated now in 2021.? Any of the 1602 (16 character x 2 line)
Hitachi HD44780-based LCD modules will work, but every one I've
used so far has required some degree of modification to the
display and/or K1000/1200/1000_X.?
The Winstar WEH001602D
series OLED replacements are plug-and-play, but they appear to
be obsolete, with only a few vendors in Europe showing stock
now.? Prices from this Polish company are very reasonable,
unless you have to pay for overseas shipping:
White:
?
$9.92 USD
Blue:
?
$9.82 USD
Yellow:
?
$9.74 USD
It really comes down to how long you want it to last.? If
you're not concerned about shorter life span, or if
modifications for the LED modules seem a bit daunting, just go
for the replacement EL backlight.? Either way, you'll be happy
with the improvement.
Regards,
Brian
On 3/1/21 6:16 PM, lyford wrote:
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I've been following this as well, and am waiting to try once I
have a free weekend to read all the docs and figures it out. There
are folks who think that replacing the whole LCD is better than
the backlight itself.
This FB group has some Kurzweil info too:
from which I got a PDF "Display Replacement Bible" that had this
K1000 page - hoping to get to this in the coming year, so
interested to hear your experiences.
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Re: 1000PX - display backlight
I've been following this as well, and am waiting to try once I have a free weekend to read all the docs and figures it out. There are folks who think that replacing the whole LCD is better than the backlight itself. This FB group has some Kurzweil info too: from which I got a PDF "Display Replacement Bible" that had this K1000 page - hoping to get to this in the coming year, so interested to hear your experiences. 
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1000PX - display backlight
Hi group!
What's the current wisdom re: replacing display or backlight on a 1000 series module?
I see some options on ebay, wondering what everyone's experience is:
--
peace,
Frank Dickinson
90 East Productions
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Thanks.? Best of luck with yours!
--
peace,
Frank Dickinson
90 East Productions
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Jos¨¦ Juan
Dennis Spanogle (Mr. Kurlewin K1000.net)
lyford