The Forte SE from Kurzweil is an 88-key stage piano featuring Japanese and German grand pianos with modeled string resonance, electric pianos, clav, crotales, celeste, harpsichord, along with a selection of sounds from the company’s PC3 Series and KORE 64 expansions . A total of 2 GB of samples can be instantly loaded via the company’s Flash-Play technology, and triggered via the fully weighted hammer-action keyboard with monophonic aftertouch.

The instrument’s V.A.S.T. (Variable Architecture Synthesis Technology) is accessible directly from the front panel, with thirty-two layers per program, each offering its own signal path and a host of modular DSP tools. Twenty-eight programmable physical controllers provide detailed editing functions of both the sounds and the extensive effects. A dedicated front-panel master EQ aids in sculpting the sounds.

Up to eight independent arpeggiators are available (one per program, eight per multi) along with a new “Step Sequencer” environment. The effects engine includes reverbs, delays, choruses, flangers, phasers, distortions, rotary amplifiers, compressors, and more, all fully editable from the user-interface. Easy category and program/multi selection is further enhanced by loading favorite sounds with a single button press.