The K5M was my introduction to digital additive synthesis. I had three K5000's after that. The K5 offered a few thing that the 5000 didn't have and vice-versa.
The K5 was 16 part multi-timbral with a very simple way to set it up. The keyboard also offered release velocity, which the 5000 didn't. The 5000 had more advanced filtering options.
There were a lot of similarities though. You could set envelopes for each harmonic separately, or in pre-defined groups, like odd, even, octaves, and so on. On both, there was only a global detune between the oscillators - not for any individual harmonics.
Mods were available only for the defined groupings, not for individuals.
At the time when I bought it new, I was using an Atari, and the only editor available for it was for pc, so it was strictly tedious editing from the front panel.
It was good for its time, and considering that there's no hardware additive synths currently being made, it might be worth picking one up if you're
really interested in additive.
But for something that complex, with the amount of editing that needs to be done, there are several software synths that are more current, offer more options, and are much easier to edit.
K5's also over 20 years old now, so they're probably showing their age through sticky/non-functioning buttons,worn out keyboards, dead batteries and displays and so on.
Still - a nice trip down memory lane.
