NAMM 2026: Kurzweil SP8 is the next-generation of its stage keyboard powered by the VAST synth engine, and more.
NAMM 2026 opens its doors today. While there aren’t many new synthesizers on display this year, there are more stage keyboards. A typical scene from recent years. We have another
At NAMM 2026, Kurzweil is also upgrading its stage keyboard lineup with the new SP8, thus retiring the SP7.
Kurzweil SP8
The SP8 is the successor of the Kurzweil SP7, released back in 2022. According to Kurzweil, the SP8 is designed for performers who demand expressive sound, immediate control, and rock-solid reliability.
Visually, the new SP8 has changed significantly compared to the SP7. It looks more modern and follows the design language of the recently introduced K2061/K2088.
There will only be one version of the SP8, featuring an 88-key fully weighted hammer-action keyboard. On the hardware, you can find five assignable knobs and five assignable buttons. Each offers a 3-position shift and supports up to 3 knob/button assignments.
Next to this, you have a programmable variation button, pitch wheel, and assignable modulation wheel, a tap tempo, and dedicated transpose buttons (semitone or octave).
VAST Engine (V.A.S.T.)
At its core is again the famous Kurzweil VAST engine that combines authentic acoustic sounds, deep synthesis, and intuitive hands-on control. The SP8 features 256-voice polyphony and an impressive sound engine.
On the classic sound side, you can find German D and Triple Strike Pianos, Kurzweil’s String Resonance (KSR) engine for rich, realistic piano response, as well as classical-tine electric pianos, clavinets, harpsichords, and eleste sounds.
Also onboard is the KB3 ToneReal organ modeling engine, with front-panel knobs that act as drawbars.
A classic 6-operator FM Synthesizer engine, vector synthesis waveforms, virtual analog synthesis, and classic Kurzweil textures give you plenty of options to create your own sounds.
Kurzweil says that the SP8 ships with 2GB of factory sounds powered by their proprietary FlashPlay® technology.
It includes 1000 factory programs organized into 10 intuitive categories plus over 200 factory multis. You can find more than 4000 user locations to store your own programs and multis.
Alongside this, it also includes updated sounds drawn from the K2700, K2088/61, PC4, and iconic Kurzweil instruments
Multi Mode & Community
The new SP8 is not just a powerful stage keyboard. In the multi-mode, you can also use it as a 5-zone MIDI controller for splits and layers. You can use up to five simultaneous arpeggiators or MIDI CC sequences in the multi mode.
And the arpeggiator, sequencers, etc., can be controlled with dedicated front-panel buttons.
Kurzweil hasn’t yet communicated everything about the SP8, including the I/O side. Currently known are only the following features:
- audio input with FX for line, instrument, or mic sources
- two assignable switch pedal jacks, supporting up to four switch pedals
- half-damper pedal support for expressive piano techniques
- One assignable continuous (CC) pedal jack for volume, wah, and more
Kurzweil SP8 First Impression
Things work a little differently at Kurzweil. There are no 1-day demo videos or reviews on YouTube about the new SP8. The SP8, however, looks like a nice follow-up to the previous SP7.
Kurzweil SP8 will be available soon. According to Kraft Music, it will cost $1895.
More information here: Kurzweil
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