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.

Well, the wait is over (NAMM 2018) and we all know now that Casio did NOT release anything new in the MZ-X line. . Too bad. As good as the MZ is, it could be so much better. I think I now believe some of the comments that Casio is just not interested in competing with Roland, Korg or Yamaha with a pro-level product with updated tones and modern intricate rhythms. IMHO, Casio created a "one-off" niche product, (exciting to many) but decided not to promote it, market it, support it, or improve it. (You can't even find one to demo ANYWHERE). Instead, Casio is interested in the sub $500 "toy" keyboard market. So many of the great ideas for the MZ-X presented on this forum were apparently just filed away somewhere in the Casio vault instead of pushing the MZ to a NEW pinnacle. Instead of raising the bar, they just ignored it. Too bad. The MZ is such a unique instrument that has even greater potential, (maybe through software updates), but I'm not holding my breath. This forum and it's members are the absolute greatest support group, thanks to the genius of BradMZ, Rick, Mike and others. So, those of us who wanted to see a new release of the MZ-X, and some needed improvements, will lean on them, and the hope of a distant future release. I'm done whining. (I guess I will go out and buy one now...if I can find one).

Thanks, Brad. Excellent explanation, as always.

The following is a quote from the PX-560 forum, but I am curious if this also applies to the MZ. “The PX-560 is limited to a single DSP insert effect for upper and lower tones. If you choose more than one tone designed to use DSP, only one of them will have the effect. Some of the piano tones also use DSP insert effects. Since piano is upper 1, it takes the only available DSP resource.“ Ref: MZ-X Users Guide - (Basics), pg. EN-18 1) On the MZ, Is there one or two DSP’s? (I am assuming one for Tones and one for Mic input)?? 2) According to MZ user’s guide pg 18, in split mode, “if both tones have an effect, one will be disabled.” Which one? 3) What If two tones with effect are layered? Which one is disabled? Thanks.

BradMZ, I am re-visiting this post because FINALLY I was able to find an MZ to try out...in Singapore!. I had to travel half way around the world to get my hands on this MZ machine. It was nice to finally get to play one and try out the Tones. You mentioned above some guitar tones' articulations and nuances being triggered by velocity but I couldn't get it to work the way I expected.. (The demo keyboard I tried had update 1.4). I was frustrated because I could not get the "fret slides" (glissando) and "string squeak" to sound natural while playing. Striking the key harder did not trigger a slide on the standard Guitar Tones I tried. They seemed to produce no articulations (while playing) other than level/volume. Also, the Versatile Tone guitars (Tone 0463 and 0464) were so sporadic in their velocity triggers, that it sounded terrible. It was triggering slaps, mutes, harmonics and slides so randomly, I could not get the "exact velocity" to trigger just a nice fret slide or string squeak. I was expecting the versatile tone to give me that Super Articulation feel and sound... but I couldn't do it. The Yamaha PSR-770 and 970 are my comparison keyboards for these guitar Super Articulations. The sound and nuances are so natural on those keyboards that when I play, it sounds great. But the Yamaha PSR is at a much higher price point. I love the capabilities of the MZ, and of course, the price. So, if I can figure out a way to reproduce a similar guitar sound and nuance in the notes I'm playing, that would be another box I can check off in favor of the MZ. 1) Anyway, can you (or anyone) guide me to a specific Tone that emulates this? Or maybe it's a setting you can help me understand. 2) Could you (or someone) direct me to a video that SPECIFICALLY shows these articulations/nuances and the tones used while someone plays. I am specifically referring to a glissando/fret slide where a guitarist quickly moves across one or two frets while the note is being played, and "string squeak" where you hear the movement of the guitarist's fingers squeaking along the strings as he moves between notes or chords. (Not too much, just enough to make it sound realistic) I hope that makes sense. Thanks to all.

OK people. I think we got off track (topic). This topic was supposed to be for improvements users would like to see on the next generation MZ, not back and forth disagreements over the MZ itself. Just sayin’. If you want something (firmware or hardware) on the next release, this is a great place to let Casio know, IMHO. Everyone’s needs and “wants” are different. Just put em in and see what happens.

What is "decay time (and the others) key follow"

I thought it might be helpful to start a Topic that everyone could add their "wish list" ideas for the next MZ-X500 (MZ-X600?). It seems that there are a lot of requests out there (some software, some hardware) but they're scattered across several threads. I'll put a few of my ideas and others can add theirs. Obviously, each of these are individual desires or preferences and may not be right for everyone. Also, a few may already be on the board, but I was unsure (marked with ??); sorry about that and I appreciate any friendly education. Some ideas will add cost to the board, but that's ok. Just like other manufacturers, Casio could make both a 76 key AND a 61 key for the budget conscious. Hopefully, Casio is already prepared with the next MZ release for NAMM 2018. So here's my wish list. What's yours? - 76 keys (semi-weighted) - better screen resolution - bigger screen .... PLEASE - iPad integration (less menu diving, and Casio wouldn't have to change the screen). - Bluetooth connectivity for iPad. - more assignable knobs - fluid motion on knobs instead of detented clicks. (just my preference) - allow customization for "range of knob" to control full range of parameter; i.e. rotating knob from 7 o'clock to 5 o'clock position changes value from min. to max. - sliders (and knobs) programmable for either "catch" or "jump" option. (catching current value before change or jumping to value when moved). - vocoder (Oh yeah) - vocal harmony option (Oh yeah, in triples) - separate DSP for vocal channel. (??) - add additional Tone and Rhythym group name buttons (currently 8 and 8) instead of combining them into one category. This will make navigating to a Tone or Rhythym way easier. - allow custom naming of banks and registrations for easier retrieval. - create a "favorites" where you can add and recall favorite Tones or Rythyms, by name, quickly. (Registrations kind of do this, but registration changes alters the patch remain and also recalls the entire keyboard setup.) - the ability to assign and customize slider control over ALL levels and balances. (??) - assignable slider control of "layers" and "split" Tones. (Upper 1,2, Lower 1,2) - with Hex Layers, display the specific name of the voice associated with a specific slider in the mixer control. - more onboard memory (256 MB is a little small for some and memory is cheap) - "dynamic rhythym" option that follows players tempo and volume. (Yamaha PSR does this and it adds so much expressiveness) - improve the "Full Range" keyboard chord recognition and responsiveness. Currently, Casio cannot recognize an octave with a fifth. (See Yamaha PSR) - improve the manual, going into more detailed and thorough descriptions of features. - improve "patch remain" to hold previous patch, even through Registration changes or Tone DSP changes. - allow patch/tone remain when switching between Hex Layer Tones, or when switching from Hex Tone to regular Tone. Switching between Hex layers in the "Main" panel works, but not within the Hex Layer sub-category or changing registrations. - add additional "Intro" and "Ending" - Finally, pay Ralph Maten, Mike Martin, Brad MZ a lot of money to personally conduct MZ-X500 webinars.

Yes! The 76 key Casio MZ-X600... (we can only hope)...NAMM, Jan 2018 - Countdown to greatness. 1) 76 keys (semi weighted) 2) sliders (and knobs) programmable for "catch" or "jump" 3) better graphic interface 4) bigger display ... PLEASE 5) more assignable knobs (maybe 4?) 6) fluid motion on knobs instead of detented clicks 7) knobs option 6) sliders assignable for layers and split levels (maybe that does it already?) 7) vocorder 8) vocal harmony What would you like to see in the next Casio MZ-X?

1) Regarding sliders and levels, do the sliders utilize "catch" (slider has to pass through preset value to become active) or "jump" (slider value immediately jumps to slider position when it is moved)? It would be nice if this were a setting option for each Tone that uses sliders. 2) I believe Hex Layers specifically engage the sliders to control each part of the Hex Layer Tone? Do the part names of each part appear so that one can EASILY identify which part is being controlled by the slider? 3). Can any of the sliders be set up to always control Upper 1, Upper 2, Lower 1, Lower 2? Going into the "Balance" sub-menu and adjusting is cumbersome and difficult to do live. (Maybe using registration)?

Regarding sliders and levels, do the sliders utilize "catch" (slider has to pass through preset value to become active) or "jump" (slider value immediately jumps to slider position when it is moved)? It would be nice if this were a setting option for each Tone that uses sliders.