Greetings all, and that includes you too Grandpa Doug Well sir, I had the chance to talk to a Key technical representative from Technics on Saturday and I took that opportunity. The establishment that has the KN7000 that I was considering had their Grand Opening this weekend and Chris Hanlon and his assistant from Technics were there to help kick off the celebration. Chris was very gracious to take time from his busy schedule and talk to me about my concerns with the KN7000. Golly, I must have spoken to him for a good 45 minutes. I told him my story about how I was thinking about purchasing the KN7000, in fact, it was perched no more than two feet away from where we were standing. I told him how I had heard from many seasoned Musicians how the KN7000's Vocal Harmonizer was inept in its duty to perform and function in a relatively acceptable manner. And when I say a "relatively acceptable manner" I mean that the Harmony sounds, ie., (voice reproductions) emanating from the speakers were reasonably authentic and realistic and clean sounding. Right off the bat he agreed with me. He realised that, yes, the KN7000's Vocal Harmonizer is less than adequate and he shared my frustrations. He told me that Technics for whatever reason decided to devote the majority of resources for the KN7000, eg., CPU, PCM Voice samples, Keyboard layout, and OS Navigation; on ease of use and in the Sounds of the Keyboard. And that is the KN7000's strong points, ie., the sounds and ease of use.

I was even able to hook up a Microphone to the KN7000's Mic In and test the Harmonizer for myself. Right away I could tell that the Harmonizer was sub-par.

I let Chris know that had the Harmonizer been up to par I would have purchased the KN7000 that day. I also told him that there were many Musicians out there that if the KN7000's Vocal Harmonizer was decent they would have purchased it too but instead opted for the Tyros or one of the other High End Arrangers. He and his assistant "Dan" agreed with me that the Tyros's Vocal Harmonizer is probably the best one out there on an Arranger Keyboard. I told him that Yamaha dedicated a separate CPU chip to the Vocal Harmonizer, a fact he seemed to be unaware of. Even my PSR 2000's Vocal Harmonizer runs circles around the KN7000's IMO.

I don't think Chris Hanlon was aware either of the fact that so many people had passed on buying the KN7000 because of its poor performing Harmonizer. So in my telling him about those facts I was bringing a major concern of people to the "fore front" of an influential person "Chris Hanlon" of Technic's technical and production personnel. Hopefully my words to him will have an impact and Technics will eventually improve their technology and produce an excellent Vocal Harmonizer on their KN series Keyboards.

I also wanted to mention that Chris's assitant Dan, when I asked him about the possibility of a KN7500 appearing next year, told me that they hope to have a prototype on display at Winter NAMM 2004. When I asked Chris when he thought the KN8000 would be out he said it would probably be a few years. NOTE: You know the word: "few" could mean as little as '2' years don't you?

So the conclusion to all of this is that Technics lost 'another' potential customer because of the quality "or lack thereof" in the KN7000's Vocal Harmonizer. And I told Chris Hanlon that. But the encouraging news is that a top Technics Keyboard product specialist heard my spiel and I am looking forward to the day when a KN series Keyboard will have an outstanding Vocal Harmonizer on it. When that day does come I will be the first in line to check it out and most likely would purchase it if it does. But not until then. Sorry Technics.

PS: The reason I want and need a decent Vocal Harmonizer "ON" "IN" the Keyboard is because: 1. I sing, 2. Because an onboard Harmonizer is less hassle with the setting up and breaking down that would be the case with an external unit, 3. Ease of use where everything is at your 'immediate' fingertips, and 4. Vocal Harmony technology is progressing by leaps and bounds so why should I settle for a sub-par Harmonizer on ANY Keyboard?.

Those that don't sing I would tell them in a heartbeat to buy the KN7000. But those that sing and want to use an onboard Harmonizer I would tell them to get an Arranger Keyboard that has a decent built-in Harmonizer and pass on the KN7000. These are all MY thoughts and opinions and I am sure there are those who won't agree with me. To whom I say: Wake up and face reality! Ha, ha, he, he, LOL.. Just kidding. Although there is a ring of truth to that statement. lol.

Final Evaluation: The KN7000 is a great sounding Keyboard with a sub standard Vocal Harmonizer. As if we didn't already know, right?

Best regards,
Mike