Kurzweil SP8 Stage Keyboard

Designed for performers who demand expressive sound, immediate control, and rock-solid reliability, the SP8 Stage Keyboard delivers Kurzweil’s legendary performance DNA in a powerful, streamlined instrument built for the modern stage.

V.A.S.T.
Built on Kurzweil’s legendary Variable Architecture Synthesis Technology, the SP8 combines authentic acoustic realism, deep synthesis, and intuitive hands-on control—giving you everything you need to command the moment.

The Speed You Need
Powered by Flash-Play® architecture, the SP8 combines unprecedented processing power with zero-loading time, giving you instant access to a massive 2 GB of sample content for ultrafast creation.

2 GB of Factory Sounds
Fueled by 2 GB of factory samples—from the expressive German D and legendary Triple Strike pianos and classic tine electric pianos to cinematic bells and signature Kurzweil textures—every sound is voiced to feel alive and cut effortlessly through the mix. With 1,000 factory programs and over 200 Multis for rich splits and layers, it’s packed for total performance.

Backwards Compatibility
1000 factory presets not enough? Load your favorite V.A.S.T. programs from numerous current and past Kurzweil models. With over 4,000 user locations, you have massive space to store and organize your custom sound collection.

(Does not support importing user samples. Some restrictions apply.)

256 Voices of V.A.S.T. Polyphony
Loads of lightening quick polyphony to support your most demanding sonic explorations and performances.

KB3 ToneReal™ Organs
The SP8 features the revolutionary KB3 ToneReal Engine, a dedicated system that perfectly models classic organs of the past. Level up your performance with a matrix of instantly accessible knobs and buttons for real-time control over drawbars, rotary speed, chorus/vibrato, brake, percussion, and more.

Virtual Analog
The SP8 houses our advanced anti-aliasing power-shaped oscillators and DSP processing derived from Kurzweil’s legendary VA1 concept synth, offering authentic analog emulations alongside stunningly intricate new sounds.

6-Operator FM Engine
The SP8 features a 6-operator FM Engine with the ability to load original FM SysEx files.

KSR – Kurzweil String Resonance
Experience the rich, subtle complexity of a real acoustic instrument. Our advanced KSR –  Kurzweil String Resonance perfectly emulates the harmonic vibrations of undamped strings, adding depth, realism, and a beautiful, natural sustain to your piano performance.

Professional-Grade Effects
The SP8 is armed with a complete suite of professional effects chains, featuring lush reverbs, dynamic delays, and rich choruses. Use the dedicated Global FX Section—with 3-band EQ and compression—to ensure you mix is polished and performance-ready.

SPECS
All specifications subject to change without notice.

Keyboard:    
88-key, fully-weighted, 4-zone graded hammer-action with velocity sensitive adjustable keys (H1 Ivory GT)
Display:    320 x 240 pixel high resolution color LCD with adjustable brightness
Polyphony:    256 voice polyphony, dynamically allocated
Multitimbral:    16 parts (one per MIDI channel)
Architecture:    Dynamic VAST: powerful synthesis engine.
Flash-Play sample playback.
KB3 ToneReel Engine
6-Operator FM Engine
VA1 Virtual Analog Oscillators + DSP
Sample Flash Memory:    2 GB factory samples
Factory Programs:    1000
User Programs:    4000+
Factory Multis:    200+ (up to 5 independent controller zones)
User Multis:    4000+
Favorites    396 (99 banks of 4 entries per bank)
General MIDI:    No
Kurzweil String Resonance:    Yes
Global EQ/Compressor:    Yes
Effects:    Over 1000 complex effect chains, incorporated into programs featuring our award winning effects – reverbs, delays, chorus, flange, phaser, EQs, distortions, rotary speaker simulators, compressors, and more
32 total FX units
Controllers:    1 pitch wheel
1 assignable modulation wheel
5 assignable knobs (15 virtual)
5 assignable buttons (15 virtual)
2 transpose switches
Tap tempo button
Dedicated Arp, RIFF and metronome controls
*1 switch pedal inputs, supporting single/dual switch pedal or single half damper pedal
*1 continuous control pedal inputs
(*pedals sold separately)
MIDI CC Step Sequencers:    5 simultaneous
Riffs:    5-per Multi
Arpeggiators:    1-per Program, 5-per Multi
Analog Outputs:    Two (1 pair) 1/4″ balanced TRS analog (32-bit DACs)
Automatic mono switching
+21dBu maximum output
50Ω balanced source impedance
Audio Inputs:    One stereo 1/8” jack accepting line level signals.
Headphones:    1 back panel 1/4″ headphone output
130mW into 32 ohm headphones
MIDI:    In, Out
USB:    Complete MIDI functionality over USB
Play and control the SP8 with a USB MIDI controller (USB host functionality)
User Object file transfer to/from USB Flash Drive
Operating System updates from USB Flash Drive
Software Editors:    External editors for Mac OS X, Windows PC and iPad
FREE OS Updates:    OS updates via USB drive