adimatis

I think there is much to say about all of these... Technology is cheaper, more readly available, there is the software sound packages competition, smaller market for arranger workstation, fierce battle for customers money, strategies, marketing, image that sales... It's not easy for Casio - good to see there is some progress at NAMM with the new low cost models, that might mean they are serious about relaunching their line of instruments. Hopefully next NAMM will bring more also to the MZ line. Rome was not build in one day. Not even rebuild. It takes time.

Of course nothing is for sure, but I've learnt that a 76 or 88 possibly hammer-keys version of MZ X500 might be presented to NAMM. Anyone else aware of this rumour?

In my oppinion, Casio has a difficult task in trying to balance between lower prices and quality product. There are things that could be done by one or two very skilled people, like features in the OS, optimization, etc. But other things, like sampling, style creation, musical content in general, will require more people that don't come cheap, I wouln't think so. And then of course is the costs with actual production, distribution, servicing. All in all, I think they could do a blast of a keyboard, but they'd need to be willing to sacrifice the low cost. At least this is in theory. What Casio did with X500 is a good job that I hope was meant to be a start. If Casio is serious about making professional arrangers, they did a very good start with this model, despite various lakcs, but they need to be perseverant and come up with a better product next time. After all they are Japanesse, the ones that invented the "higher standard". Then, on the other hand, they'd need an aggressive campaign to demonstrate they are a serious alternative to Korg, Yamaha, etc. They might not be ready for that right now, but with a truely competitive product and a strong vision for future, it is possible. And they'd need to pick-up on the big boys, in a clever way, to be noticed. The alternative is not so good I think: producing keyboards that aren't really an alternative to anything, be them good, but rather niche market, hybrid concepts that will attract some people but never mainstream, be a little bit of an exotic breed but not having the nerve to really standout against competition. I really hope for the first course of action. As a side note, I want to say the technology makes it much easier nowadays to produce quality content. There is this ONE guy that produced a Romanian localized content for Korg arrangers, sampled a ton of instruments and created hundreds of styles, from scratch! Yes, it took him a very long time, a lot of effort, great deal of talent and commitment beyond anything else. But is ONE person! Couldn't Casio find someone like that? Anyway, take this for what is worth. Many good wishes for the New Year!

Hello friends, Has anyone tried these? https://www.planetkeyboard.com/product-category/styles-rhythms/style-libraries-without-style-player-software/casio-instrument-style-library/casio-mz-x-series-styles/ I could not find any audio demo of these styles and was wondering are they any good?

Thank you! I quite enjoyed it too! Happy Christmas to you and all!

Hello friends, There might be another topic on this, if so, sorry for doubleing it... Do any of you know, are there plans maybe, from Casio, to present a new model in January? I noticed that MZ X500 is not available anymore on Thomann.de so this might be one of the reasons maybe? Thank you and best wishes for Christmas! Adi

Just to say this - I am not bashing X500. And another thing - I am sure that after tweaking it a little bit, the results would be much better than out of the box. I love how it looks and feel. Even the keys I thought were quite alright. I like the features and tools it brings on, also many of the sounds are very nice. Unfortunately, I didn't like styles that much. That's all. I don't think it sucks or that they are terrible at all. I think this keyboard is a great contender and probably next model will be even better. And really, I think if Casio will bring on a 76 version of the next model, I'd be looking at it again. In the meanwhile, enjoy making music!

Hi guys, Well, Silvano, it is not about the numbers really. But it is about how they sound. I think the next model will be there... This one I think is simply not polished enough. But not in the sense that rhythms will sound like a CD... Anyway, it is not about the numbers. Leon, also, I do create my own styles and I was looking forward to do that on X500. But I feel I couldn't do it right, with the onboard sounds at least. Yes, the tools are there, love that. But I simply do not think this could work for me... I am looking at the new Pa700. So it happens that it was announced these days, exactly when I was looking into a final decission on X500. I do not take that as a sign though. But I like what Pa700 is bringing. KAOSS is rather amazing. Too bad the sampling options are limited. But I am not that much into that anyway.

Hi friends, I was saying a couple of weeks ago that I will have the chance to test X500 in person, as I was traveling and there was a store to have it available. And so it happened. I could only briefly have my time with it, but enough to make a first impression. To my surprise (to a point) I was rather pleased with build quality, even the keybed was not that terrible as I thought after reading some of the posts here. The display and buttons, knobs all were good. Nothing to complain about at this level. Speakers were loud, clear, no buzzes. Keys did not squawk either. The color is very cool, I liked it, that blue is definitely drawing attention, and also the lifted panel was very nice. So it happenes that on the same area was a Korg Pa600 on display, so I could compare the two. I had tested Pa600 before and had a Pa50 for many years, so I was familiar with this one and I could actually go one by one through some basic sounds and styles I'd use most of the time. Here was the bummer. As much as I wanted to like the rhythms in X500, every one of them that I tested were lacking when compared to Pa600. Someone said it before and I think it is true: Casio sounds are ok by themselves, but when in styles, they are just not as good and pleasent as Korg's. In Styles I also suspect there is quite a lot of it to do with less quality effects. I think. So, while some of the rhythms are better than others, most of them are not that great I am afraid. I mean, to my ears. Sounds were not bad. I quite enjoyed playing some piano lines and the keyboard itself was surprisingly ok for this. So, I think for now, at least until there will be a next generation MZ model, or a new arranger in Casio offering, I will need to skip this one. I really like it though as an idea, and I wish Casio will come up with improved offering, so they will stand against the new arrangers from Korg and Yamaha soon. All the best! Adi

This is nice indeed. Well, let's see what's next... Thanks Rick.

It is a significant difference in price, true. They will come down also. Remember that X500 was more expensive for the first year or so... I really wish Casio will come up with a "x600" soon. Or with a version 2 of the OS, to introduce something new.

Just came in my email this morning... A new competition. http://www.korg.com/us/products/synthesizers/pa700/ I'd like to see how and when will Casio react.

Is there a way to set up a Sonar project with 16 tracks, have the X500 connected through MIDI, assign the right tones from within Sonar and then record using the arranger facilities? Basically, a way to record through MIDI out the accompaniment tracks and once recorded IN SONAR, to be edited and then played back properly by X500 as sound generator... I hope it makes sense what I ask... If this would be possible, this workflow would be best for me. THIS I couldn't really achieve before. Then of course, each track would be rendered into an audio file and mixing phase can be done. THanks!

If we are at it, can you tell me please, when you work in Sonar with X500 as a sound generator, how easy is it to actually work with it as 16 tracks module? For instance, with Korg Pa50 it was a constant headache as I used to move constantly between style and song mode... And was rather difficult I found to obtain good results... A tedious process. What is your workflow if you wanted to record something MIDI, into the Sonar, using rhythms accompaniment of Casio? Thanks!

http://www.casioteclados.com.br seems to be very well organized and has great collection rhythms for X500. There is little though that I could use probably only a number of them. But thank you for the link. Also, after having a look at http://www.psrtutorial.com/sty/yamaha/psr-s970.html, I realized I know very little about Yamaha's formats. I've only used Roland and Korg before. So, which format of the many I see in the archives (.bcs, .prs, .sst,) will work for the conversion? All? Maybe I am getting a little bit ahead of myself, I should explore first how I could actually make along with X500. But I am excited to find out more... Thanks! Adi

Thank you, I will look into these. I was thinking, should be possible to have such a data base here on the forum? Which would hopefully slowly (or rapidly) grow then. If all goes well and I'll end up getting the X500, I'd love to create and share some of these materials. In about a week I should know. Rick, are those styles available?

Hi guys! I tried to use the search function of the forum, but it seems it is not working. Error EX0. So, I am sorry if this was discussed already (and probably it was once or twice) but I was thinking, are there resources available for MZ-X500? I'd be interested in rhythms especially, created from ground or converted from Yamaha, or from other brands. About a week ago I did find a website filled with Latin styles, but it is not my cup of tea so to speak. I'd be interested in Pop, Country, maybe Disco/Dance. And free would be amazing! Thanks! Adi

Like what for example? I'd like to know what issues might be in there, even after 1.50 update...

I'd say my main consideration, when it comes about costs, is not the price per se, but the value you het for the money. So, it is really the cost effectiveness that I am interested in. And X500 ticks that box! I think Pa600 would be the only other option. But I think a newer model would need to be out soon, as this has been out for a while now... And Roland Ea7 is good but keybed is terrible I thought. I was turned down by the size and quality. So, the main atraction is the value for the money!

I've figured it out in the meanwhile - in fact you were a very supportive and friendly member there, just as here too! Thanks again for that! If it was to compare X500 with pa600 (which I had the chance to play some months ago): 1. What does break button? Does it simply pause (Roland style) of introduce a short fill-in (Korg style)? 2. Would you call the keybed lighter or similar? 3. Touch screen as responsive or less? 4. Build quality similar? Worse? Better? 5. The bass from the built in speakers? Leonh, that is exactly the point! I am ready to actually accept some little shortcomings, because for the money, there isn't anything close. Feature list is so long and good - sounds are good, style are good too. I wonder what's the catch? I appreciate all your replies! Thanks!

Rick, weren't you (or maybe you're still) member of korgpa forums too? I realise now I might have seen your name in there maybe? I myself am a member there, but have not posted in years I think. I used to have a Pa50. And btw, somehow, X500 reminds me of the sound of Triton engine... Which I quite enjoyed! On topic, I was actually thinking of that - should I wait for a possible 76 version? I know there is a strong demand for that, or at least strong suggestion to Casio, but it's obviously hard to anticipate what they might do or not... Have you seen this? I quite like Casio sound... less polished in a sense, more discreet efx, but not bad. I think the general eq adjusting could help taking away a little bit of the muddiness and make it more open sounding. But I like how it holds on. And I like drums better than Roland - figure that out!

True, there is this other angle to it. Perfectly valid.

Hi friends, Despite the title of this topic, do not get mad at me! I think there is a ton of reasons why one SHOULD get a X500. But these we all know, some better than others, for some more or less relevant reasons. But on the other hand, are there (realistic) expectations that might be missed by X500 once you lay hands on it? If you are an owner already, would you buy it again? If not, what would be your main reason not to? I am trying to see are there issues that might be so serious that they'll turn my decission... Not that this isn't perfectly subjective matter... Fell free to share with me. I am kean to know. Thank you!

Well, this is the beauty of diversity. Just like with the arranger keyboards. Some will put their bets on Korg only. Nothing else will do. Or Roland. Or Yamaha of course. While some others will be very happy with X500. I do not believe Studio One would be great for 16 multitrack/multitimbral. For the simple one channel VST will do very nicely on the other hand. But it is really down to personal preferance and feel. I quite like the "squareness" of Studio One, just as Cubase before it. To me, Sonar did not cut it, even thou I did give it a try years ago. I actually own an old version of X1 I think. But probably because I started with Cubase, anything else (except for Studio One years later) didn't really feel at home. But like I say, I think is great to have so many options these days. So thanks again. Who knows, maybe this will be a great opportunity to try Sonar again. Btw, do they still have some LE version available?

Much appreciated it, Rick. Are you using Studio One too? I think it is a very good piece of software, complex but easy to grasp. It is my personal favourite. It is not a MIDI paradise, but in fact, for the simple setup I have (single controler, VSTs but not in a multitrack/multitimbral setup necessarily) will work very well. And actually it has a very comprehensive and complete MIDI editor and a lot of improvements in the latest versions. For now, I am still only dreaming, or contemplating the idea of getting the X500. I hope it will happen at some point. I will then worry about making it a good fit to my computer setup. Happy music-ing.