So the East York Audio company allegedly made a software version of the legendary Kurzweil K2000/K2500:

https://eastyorkaudio.com/



But something seems to be fishy:

1. I found no mention of this company in the net.

2. Their website doesn't specify their location.

3. Download links on their website (to download demo) don't work (Error 404).

4. The price is... $19.91 - too good to be true.


Is it a legit company or is it scam?

 

The VAST engine code is still very alive in current Kurz products. Zero chance that goes commercial in a VST without YoungChang on board. And what are the chances YoungChang is gonna launch a website that looks like.. well, that. The domain was purchased nearly three years ago. It's common practice to buy names years in advance of launches... it is not common practice to sit on a domain for 3 years only to launch with a layout straight out of the "I Just Graduated from Geocities University" book. Not if you're a legitimate company anyway.

So no. Absent sledgehammer to face clarity, I would lean towards scam.

Also, waybackmachine shows this same page 'launching' for nearly that 3 year span.

 

Unfortunately it seems like a scam (404) unless proven otherwise.

Too bad. The k2000 being one of the only synths that has yet to be emulated as a vst.

And no, I don't consider UVI's pitiful attempt with the k250 as relevant.

 

OK, it appears that this "plugin" had its page on KVR, but it has been already removed. That tells much.

 

pure scam

 

The will by some to scam the ignorant and to reap an ill gained reward is V.A.S.T.

 

as long as they're recreating the original, and not the newer versions, it has been long enough that no patents would still apply and the only concern would be trademark infringement

(not that I think they're selling a viable product but I do wish someone would make this. (and make me better at v.a.s.t while they're at it, it's too weird))

 

Last edited: Jun 20, 2025

I wouldn't be too sure about that even if the K2000 is more than 30 years old. Don't forget that Kurzweil and its parent company (Young Chan) are still in business.

Maybe Arturia can manage to get the relevant permissions and develop a real K2000 emulation.

Or even better:
Just like Roland, Yamaha and Korg, Kurzweil themselves could manage to develop a VST version of the K2000. That would be awesome.

 

^ because of all the interest, maybe "scam" is too strong of a word. There is surely no $19.91 K2000 at the end of the emulation rainbow; but calling something a scam implies some nefarious intent. Maybe they did get some kind of cease and desist notice because of the trademark concerns you guys are mentioning.

None of the download links work, and without testing it with a valid card we don't know if it would even function to take someone's money.

 

I wish there was a real emulation of the DSP and you could just load the rom, that would be amazing

 

Yes but patents are not copyright. Copyright is a minimum of 70 years. So yes the original k2000 is old enough the utility patents are expired. However I'd be very curious to see how one would emulate a proprietary system that perfectly interacts with the original hardware without using a single line of code from the original.

No 3rd party is going to make a true 1:1 VST version simply because it would be a stupidly complex and expensive task not worth the return for anyone but Kurz/Change. There is a reason companies like Arturia can churn out 300 gazilllion 'unique' 'emulations'.

Reaktor or Falcon are probably the best bets to scratch the VAST workflow itch with software. Though I'm not sure they have Pong....

 

Please step up...we all could use a hero!

Ave, Imperator, morituri te salutant

 

This makes it sound unlikely.

You: what chipset was used in the kurzweil k2000 and k2500 synthesizers?
ChatGPT said:

Spoiler

The Kurzweil K2000 and K2500 synthesizers used a custom-designed V.A.S.T. (Variable Architecture Synthesis Technology) engine, and the core chipset varied slightly across the two models but had significant commonalities. Here’s a breakdown:

Kurzweil K2000 Chipset:

• Main CPU: Motorola 68000-series (typically 68000 or 68EC000 at 16 MHz)
  
  
• Custom DSPs:
  • Kurzweil used custom ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits) to implement the V.A.S.T. synthesis engine.
    
    
  • These included proprietary chips for digital signal processing, envelope generation, modulation, and effects.
• RAM/ROM:
  • User RAM expandable up to 64 MB with SIMMs.
    
    
  • ROM for operating system and sample storage, including optional ROM blocks for expansion.

Kurzweil K2500 Chipset:

• Main CPU: Motorola 68000-series, upgraded over the K2000.
  
  
• V.A.S.T. Engine: Still based on Kurzweil’s proprietary custom DSP ASICs, likely a newer generation or clocked higher than those in the K2000.
  
  
• KDFX Effects Option:
  • If equipped, the KDFX board included a Motorola DSP563xx chip (or similar), offering more advanced multi-effects processing.

Summary of Chip Architecture:
Synth CPU DSP Effects Processor
K2000 Motorola 68EC000 Kurzweil custom ASICs Basic internal FX or none
K2500 Motorola 68EC000 (or similar) Updated Kurzweil ASICs Optional KDFX (Motorola DSP563xx)
These chips powered Kurzweil’s renowned flexible synthesis architecture, which allowed deep modulation routing, custom DSP algorithms, and multi-mode layering, even back in the early 90s.

If you're looking to emulate or understand the architecture for plugin development, the V.A.S.T. system is more about how signals are routed and processed than about any off-the-shelf chipset Kurzweil used.

Filled in with nearly accurate data, and it will not allow the Pay button to be clicked.

 

Last edited: Jun 20, 2025

Response from the WHOIS server (whois.cloudflare.com) to query eastyorkaudio.com:

Domain Name: EASTYORKAUDIO.COM
Registry Domain ID: 2840758756_DOMAIN_COM-VRSN
Registrar WHOIS Server: whois.cloudflare.com
Registrar URL: https://www.cloudflare.com
Updated Date: 2025-02-16T19:14:12Z
Creation Date: 2023-12-26T15:33:05Z
Registrar Registration Expiration Date: 2025-12-26T15:33:05Z
Registrar: Cloudflare, Inc.
Registrar IANA ID: 1910
Domain Status: clienttransferprohibited https://icann.org/epp#clienttransferprohibited
Registry Registrant ID:
Registrant Name: DATA REDACTED
Registrant Organization: DATA REDACTED
Registrant Street: DATA REDACTED
Registrant City: DATA REDACTED
Registrant State/Province: NY
Registrant Postal Code: DATA REDACTED
Registrant Country: US
...

 

Last edited: Jun 21, 2025

apparently this is psobot (peter sobot, aka guy who was working on a k2500 vst since 2021)'s website, it just seems to be a landing page for now, so that explains why the payment and download buttons don't work

 

also reason why the card thing isnt working is likely because he has the lemonsqueezy thing set to "test mode" which just allows you to test if the card system works with test card numbers first before it goes live

 

I'm certainly intrigued if this plugin walks the walk, because my K2600X is awaiting repairs and it's my favourite kit I've ever owned - I still haven't emotionally recovered from it dying earlier this year...

If it's at least as accurate as Roland's Cloud XV/SRX VSTs (which are sort of a lie and actually based on the Integra/Fantom sound engine), that would deem it "good enough" as a stand-in.

EDIT:

I had heard about this K2 decomp(?) plugin through the grapevine over the years from the same guy, though personally have never come across the chance to see it in the wild or check it out myself.

My understanding is that FX support is still ongoing or not a thing, but if this website is genuine, it may be just a newer (commercial?) development of the same, legitimate project.

Tangentially, a JV-880 emulator has made incredible progress recently, and if this is in the same sort of boat, producers are eating good, since neither Roland or Kurzweil offer true, accurate compatibility for their legacy sounds where JV/K2 are concerned.

still waiting on Roland to hurry up with a JD-990 VST...

 

Last edited: Jun 20, 2025

I use the Consumer Protection Center's 2 fake shop finder:

Important features:

✘ No imprint was found.
The fake shop finder could not automatically find an imprint. This can happen, for example, if the relevant pages have been blocked by the shops for automated queries. In this case, please check yourself whether you can find an imprint on the pages – usually at the bottom.

Other technical features:
- The website is hosted in the following country: United States (United States).
- The domain has existed for a long time. The domain was registered on December 26, 2023.
- The domain uses Cloudflare. This service offers fail-safe websites, but is also frequently used by fraudsters.

 

Doesn't look like a scam to me, the way it 404s when you try to download looks like a development stage that you guys happened to find too early. I used to work with servers setting up stuff like this, and nothing really screamed scam to me when browsing it. The domain having whois privacy is usually a no-no for business, though.

If anyone happens to live in the States and knows how to look for companies, try: East York Audio LLC.

 

Oh ho I wish this was for real. I truly miss my K200 rack module.