Tson

The real question by Silvano was, “are they still being manufactured.” (See above) It matters because continued manufacturing implies continued support, updates, upgrades and hopefully a second generation (versus a one-off market test). The MZ-X has a ton of capabilities, but like any product that tries to be everything to everyone (Swiss army knife), it had to make some compromises to meet the price point. A second generation MZ-X, encompassing the AiX engine, updating and improving the rhythms, (please!) and addressing many of the user issues (outlined in numerous threads), would be welcomed by all, including me....and I trust you. Since you asked.... 😉

“Still available” (left over inventory), and “manufactuing” (still producing) are very different things. Is Casio still producing the MZ-X? I’m very curious as well. According to a Casio product manager I spoke with, Casio “dabbled” in the pro-sumer arranger market, (>$1,000), but has decided to stick with low-end intro. keyboards, which they are better known for. The sales goals were not met and although the MZ-X became popular in some niche markets, it’s ultimately about profit margin. Casio is interested in volume sales, and not competing directly with Yamaha, Roland and Korg. (Please don’t debate on this thread whether they “compete” with Y, R and K. It’s a matter of perception in the industry and profits, period.) According to the product manager, Casio will not be building any follow-up to the MZ-X500 (unfortunately). In my opinion, and based on my conversation with the product manager, Casio has decided to stop production (or will soon) of the MZ-X to focus on the lower-end AiX chip keyboards. If anyone has any other specific information as to Casio’s plans for the MZ-X, please share.

Just to be clear, are you saying that the two upper and two lower tones can be overlapped/layered simultaneously across the entire keybed (or even on a keybed range) to actually play 4 tones on any one key? I cannot duplicate this, if that’s what you meant. Please give detailed instructions. Thanks.

And sooooo, a 30 second stereo sample would be ..... how many MB?

1) Are there any downsides to this technique? ex., lag time, timing, etc? 2) Can you estimate how many samples (stereo) can be stored using this expansion memory method? Approximately. Perhaps give me an average of what a 30 second stereo sample eats up in memory?

“There are ways...” ? Can you be more specific? What are the downsides of this “creative” outside-the-box (undocumented) discovery you’ve made? Memory? Delays of sample triggered? Why the “hint-hint” comment?

Too bad! That seems like another serious limitation. Pads and sampling is a great feature, but losing stereo capability stinks.

Thank you...

That's what I thought. Maybe a future update will add some flexibility to slider control assignment. I would also love to see the names of the Wave file they control, which would make it a lot easier to control the part volumes of the HEX layers.

How do I mark/save specific posts? (I'm sorry if I have asked this before. I just can't find any reply.)

Thanks, but how would “downloading the tone,” teach me how to do it” ?

WOW! That was awesome. I thought sliders could not be custom assigned. How did you assign that wah "effect" to slider 1?

Thanks. So, it sounds like playing an octave and a 5th will not produce auto accompany in “full range mode.” Will it in any other mode? Does the “Chord Example List” (page A-3) pertain to “Full Range Chords” that are recognized? What does the 5 and 8 mean on page A-4?

Like many (ok, some) players, I play an octave and the middle fifth with my left hand, and a melody line or progression in my right. I also prefer the "full range chord" mode so I am not restricted to a specified lower region of the keyboard only for chords. It seems that this simple left hand octave/fifth chording system is not recognized by the MZ as a full chord and therefore does not follow along with auto accompany. Other arrangers (Yamaha, Korg), at the same price point, do recognize the octave and a fifth, even if I play no other keys at all, and follow along with a simplified accompaniment and rhythm. The one time I had access to an MZ, I used Full Range and played an octave and a fifth and it didn't follow at all unless I added a fourth note. Example: Playing a C-G-C doesn’t seem to do anything unless I add the E note. (Page A-4 of the "Basic User's Guide" does show a 5th and 8th, making me think there is supposed to be some recognition. Please advise if I’m missing something. Thanks.

Thanks, Rick. Very helpful. 1) Where do I find the "standalone" version of the 1.5 version users guide. I checked the Casio Support website and it only had up to 1.4 2) I would like a Excel or Numbers (preferred) spreadsheet of all the Appendix Lists so that I can sort or rearrange them in any order. Basically sorting the Appendices: Tone List, Versatile Tone List, Rhythm List, Music Preset List, Arpeggio Type List, Wave List, (Hex Layer & Bass Synth), Wave List, and Pad Bank List.