Kawai XD-5: Advanced Digital Percussion Synthesizer

Introduction

The Kawai XD-5 is a sophisticated digital percussion synthesizer released in 1989. Based on the architecture of the Kawai K4, it offers advanced features specifically tailored for percussion sounds, making it a powerful tool for electronic music production.

Key Features of the Kawai XD-5

• Sound Generation: Sample playback with filter and AM amplifier modulation synthesis
• Polyphony: 16 voices
• Timbrality: 8 part multitimbral
• Oscillators: 4 types including Pulse, ROM, Saw Up, Sine, Square, Super Saw, Triangle, Wave Table, White Noise
• LFO: 1 LFO with Sample & Hold, Saw Up, Triangle waveforms
• Filter: 12dB Slope (2-pole) Low Pass with Resonance
• Envelope: Digital envelope (DCA)
• Memory: 64 patches, 16 DrumKits, expandable with external memory card
• Connectivity: MIDI In, Out, Thru
• Outputs: 8 individual outputs for flexible routing

Unique Aspects

• Percussion Focus: Specifically designed for percussion sounds with faster envelopes and gate mode
• High-Quality Samples: Uses 16-bit 44.1 kHz sample rate, higher than its predecessor
• Expandability: Supports expansion cards for increased tone storage
• Versatile Sound Engine: 32 digital oscillators each capable of using one of 256 available 16-bit waveforms

Sound Characteristics

The Kawai XD-5 offers a wide range of percussion sounds including:

• Kick, snare, rim, tom, hi-hat, and cymbal sounds
• Various other percussion sounds
• 41 Digital Cyclic waveforms for additional sound design possibilities

Impact and Legacy

Advanced Percussion Synthesis

The XD-5 represented a significant advancement in digital percussion synthesis, offering high-quality samples and extensive sound shaping capabilities.

Popularity Among Electronic Musicians

Its versatile sound engine and percussion-focused design made it popular among electronic music producers and performers.

Notable Users

The XD-5 has been used by several notable artists and producers, including:

• THD
• Tim Conrardy
• Klangwelt
• Richie Hawtin

Market Information

When released, the Kawai XD-5 was priced at:

• UK: £599
• US: $850

Today, it remains a sought-after item in the vintage synthesizer market.

Conclusion: The Kawai XD-5’s Place in Percussion Synthesizer History

The Kawai XD-5 stands as a significant milestone in the evolution of digital percussion synthesizers. Its combination of high-quality samples, advanced synthesis capabilities, and percussion-focused design made it a powerful tool for electronic music production. While it may have been overshadowed by some more famous drum machines of its era, the XD-5’s unique features and sound quality ensure its continued appreciation among vintage synthesizer enthusiasts and electronic music producers seeking distinctive percussion sounds.