Kurzweil SP8: The Only Keyboard You’ll Ever Need on Stage?

22 Jan by Lasse Eilers | |

3,7 / 5,0 | Reading time: 2 min

Kurzweil SP8 · Source: Kurzweil

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The new Kurzweil SP8 is more than a stage piano: Boasting the powerful V.A.S.T. synthesis engine, organ modeling, and even a 6-operator FM synth, it could be the only keyboard you’ll ever need on stage.

Kurzweil SP8

Kurzweil has announced the SP8 at NAMM 2026. The successor to the SP7 series sports a fresh new look similar to the K2061/2088 synths. But that’s not all: The stage piano has grown into an all-in-one stage keyboard that contains all the sounds typically required for a gig.

Like the SP7, the Kurzweil SP8 comes with 2 GB of factory samples. The FlashPlay technology ensures quick loading times. However, there’s now a lot more space for programs and multis: In addition to 1000 factory programs (as opposed to 300 in the SP7) and over 200 factory multis, the SP8 offers over 4,000 user memory slots for your own sounds. Not bad at all!

Once more, the sample-based part of the sound engine uses the popular V.A.S.T. architecture. Kurzweil paid special attention to the ‘German D’ and ‘Triple Strike’ pianos, which come with KSR string resonance and half pedal support for a realistic playing experience. In addition, the SP8 contains loads of other sounds such as electric pianos, clavinets, and many sounds from the K2700, K2088/61, and PC4.

But that’s just the beginning. The SP8 also features the KB3 organ modeling engine, using the panel knobs as drawbars. Not ideal, but much better than sample-based organs!

And just in case you’re a sucker for classic FM sounds, there’s a complete 6-operator FM engine for those classic bells, basses, and ‘80s pop ballad pianos.

As of now, it looks like the Kurzweil SP8 will only be available with 88 hammer-action keys. For real-time control, there are five assignable knobs and five buttons, each of which can perform three separate functions.

Kurzweil has also thrown in a versatile arpeggiator and CC sequencer. In Multi mode, you have up to five arpeggiators or CC sequencers at your disposal.

The audio input can be used for line, microphone, or instrument signals, for which there are dedicated FX. And just in case you do decide to take more than one instrument on stage, the SP8 is also a MIDI master keyboard with up to five zones for external gear.

Price and Availability

As of now, we don’t know when the Kurzweil SP8 will begin to ship. The price is rumored to be $1,895.

More Information

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