Kawai K3 Patches (480p)

Sound-design examples (short presets blueprint)

The K3 excels at aggressive, metallic bass lines. Use for Oscillator 1 and a complex metallic wave like Wave 15 for Oscillator 2, tuned one octave down. Set the filter envelope with a fast attack, medium decay, and low sustain. Turn the filter resonance up to roughly 60%. The SSM filter will bite into the digital waveforms, creating an aggressive, punchy bass with massive low-end presence. The Custom Harmonic Lead

Each patch has its own low and high EQ settings. If your bass patch lacks low-end punch, boost the low EQ rather than cranking the filter envelope. If a pad is muddling your mix, roll off the low EQ directly in the patch settings. Where to Find Kawai K3 Patches Today

Result: Metallic, percussive, and slightly wrong—perfect for sci-fi soundtracks. kawai k3 patches

For those seeking curated, professional-grade sounds, a number of modern sound designers are producing high-quality patch banks for the K3 and K3M:

This public link is valid for 7 days and shares a thread, including any personal information you added. This link or copies made by others cannot be deleted. If you share with third parties, their policies apply. Can’t copy the link right now. Try again later.

To create a haunting, cinematic pad, select or Wave 24 for both oscillators. Detune Oscillator 2 slightly (around +3 or +5 cents) to create natural phasing. Set a long attack and release on the VCA envelope. Lower the filter cutoff significantly and increase the resonance just enough to add warmth without whistling. Engage the stereo chorus to push the pad into a wide, dreamy soundscape. The Gritty Industrial Bass Turn the filter resonance up to roughly 60%

The K3 features 32 built-in waveforms. Oscillator 1 and Oscillator 2 can each use any of these shapes. Waves 1 to 31 are unique single-cycle digital waves, ranging from standard saws to complex, metallic bells. Wave 32 is a dedicated white noise generator.

The internal memory holds 50 patches, with an additional 50 available via cartridge. Best Analog Styles: Patch 7 & 9 (Strings/Analog Strings):

Released in 1986, the Kawai K3 holds a unique place in synthesizer history. Often overshadowed by its contemporaries like the Roland Juno-106 or the Yamaha DX7, this six-voice digital/analog hybrid synth has quietly built a cult following among electronic musicians, synth-wave producers, and sound designers. If your bass patch lacks low-end punch, boost

Because the K3 is rare, many seek to emulate its patches on:

Have a rare K3 patch you want to share? Upload the .syx file to the comments below!