piano_71

Here is my wish list for a PX-5S successor (PX-7S?) - Increase the size, quantity, quality of samples. Put about 1GB of sample data on-board instead of the current ~128MB. - Put in memory for 1,000 stage settings instead of 100 - Make all four zones capable of receiving hex layers. (Forcing drums to Zone 1 when only zones 1 and 2 can have hex layers limits the current PX-5S) - Have 9 knobs + 9 sliders for drawbar organ players, more performance controls, etc. - Add 2nd modulation wheel - Add expression pedal input - Add digital output - Add a color touch screen (like the MZ-X series) - Combine the features of the different lines (XW, WK, MZ, etc.) - step sequencer, arranger patterns, synth mode with real-time control (I would prefer polyphonic to monophonic) - Allow MIDI + digital audio on the USB interface to allow digital recording to computer. - Allow placement of sounds in a 5.1 or 7.1 channel layout for creating surround sound music (like what the Roland Integra-7 can do)

It's actually buried in the menus for mixer settings (p. E-36 in the manual). Parts A01 and A02 are upper 1 and upper 2, respectively. Part A03 is the lower part. Adjust the relative volume of these parts in the mixer, and that will adjust the balance of the two tones you layered.

I think the power of the PX-5S mainly comes from the synth functions (hex layer, AiR, effects). While 128MB is a lot of WAVE memory compared to 10-15 years ago, it is small compared to today's ROMplers and virtual instruments. Maybe this is why Casio was so secretive about the sample memory size and never published the specification? However, size isn't the only thing that matters for sample playback quality. The quality of recording of the sample to begin with, as well as the manipulation of samples to get the playing characteristics right, means that there can be bad large sample libraries, and good smaller ones. If you don't believe me, try out some of the ultra-large SoundFont libraries; I haven't found one that's compellingly better than the PX-5S. I think the Yamaha MOXF6/8, particularly if equipped with a 1GB flash RAM board, is a good addition to a PX-5S if you want to add a higher-quality ROMpler to your rig. Load some big libraries in there, or use virtual instruments in a studio setting. I don't think there's any one keyboard that does everything perfectly. Even the $4K Nord Stage 2 gets criticized around here for keybed feel, some of its samples, and of course ... its high price. And people gripe endlessly about computer problems and latency when using virtual instruments. Those Bolder libraries sound nice though. Wish I had a compatible instrument to make use of them... Hopefully, someday in the future, Casio will release a PX-7S or PX-9S that has 32-64GB of 96/24 audiophile-quality samples. That would entice me to upgrade...

I used the Stagg MUS-ARM2 in conjunction with a mic boom that's meant to attach to keyboard stands, the On-Stage MSA-9508. The On-Stage boom clamps to the keyboard stand, and then the Stagg music stand clamps to the On-Stage boom. One thing I found was that I had to REALLY tighten the Stagg music stand's clamp to the mic boom to get it to stay. I'm not sure how well it would hold up for gigging, but it appears to be fine at home, relatively undisturbed (except for changing sheet music).

I'd also like to see a download / files section for the CTK/WK instruments. Just got a WK-7600 but haven't played around with Data Manager yet. But I am intrigued by the possibility of defining customized tones, accompaniments, etc.

Padking - If you already have a MOXF and PX-5S, you should have the best of both the Yamaha and Casio worlds. I wouldn't recommend selling the MOXF to 'downgrade' to two lower-end keyboards. Besides, selling used means taking about a 20-50% hit right away, because no one will pay at or near the 'new' price for a used instrument. The MOXF is more durable and capable than the MX49/61. I've seen threads that criticize the MX61 action as being flimsy and lacking an accurate piano feel. The MOXF6 has a good synth-style action; the MOXF8 has the Yamaha GHS action, which, while not as good as the Casio PX-5S action, is more like a piano than any synth-style action. The MOXF is based on the Motif XF engine and sounds, whereas the MX49/61 are based on the older Motif XS engine. I'd say to max out what you can do on the PX-5S and MOXF6/8 and then look at your next upgrade (such as something Korg Triton-based). During the long while it takes to learn about everything you can do with those two boards, that should give you time to save up for your next piece of gear.

OK, I did some more research. The special that Padking mentioned appears to be limited to Canada, offering a C$100 rebate on the MX49 and a C$200 rebate on the MX61. The keyboards themselves are still selling close to their usual street price (US$499 for the MX-49, US$699 for the MX-61). In the US, the only promo I could find was a US$25 rebate for the MX49, nothing for the MX61.

There is a Casio Data Manager 6.1 application for the WK-7600. I haven't tried it yet so I'm not real familiar with its capabilities. I'd post a link but the forum software is screwy at the moment (won't let me paste in a URL, and the "Link" function is broken). But if you Google "Casio Data Manager," it will take you right there to download it. A quick glance at the manual suggests there isn't an editor like for the XW-series or PX-5S. However, I've seen some threads here with user tones that you can upload into the instrument. Looks like editing a user tone requires menu-diving on the keyboard though.

Here's my wish list for the next generation (PX-7S?) - Incorporate the rhythm/accompaniment features of the WK-7600 - Add the step sequencer from the XW-series - Incorporate the sampler features of the XW-G1, and/or flash RAM to load user / 3rd-party sample libraries - Increase sample ROM and swap in new, higher-quality samples (particularly horns, guitars, strings, ethnic instruments, etc.) - USB digital recording to the computer - More knob/slider control of parameters rather than menu-diving - Built-in support for half-pedal sustain and expression pedal, maybe even offer a stand / 3-pedal option like for the Privia console digital pianos - Increase stage settings memory slots from 100 to 1,000 Basically, this would take the best features of the different Casio models and roll them into a single powerhouse keyboard. I know, such a thing would actually cost about $2,000 if brought to market. But that would be one board that does everything that a PX-5S ($1,000), XW-G1 ($600), XW-P1 ($500), and WK-7600 ($450) can do, so overall it's a more cost-effective option than four keyboards that total $2,550.

I don't see the Yamaha MX61/49 on sale anywhere for $200 / $100. I'd order one without even thinking at those kinds of prices though...

Looking forward to learning more about these instruments. I started out with a PX-5S but then after reading this forum added an XW-P1, XW-G1, and a WK-7600. Now my "retail therapy" is played out and I need to start learning what I can do with these keyboards!

I also installed the 1.12 update with no problems. Have any more details surfaced as to what other improvements/bug fixes are in this release?

I still had the "B" version of the tutorial manual on my hard drive. The wave list is identical in the two revisions (B and C).

I just looked - no rack version of the Motif XF, just the Motif XS - and they still sell for over $1,200. I'd likely just add a MOXF6 and call it a day.

You would want to use 5-pin MIDI to connect the two keyboards, unless you already have an interface designed for multiple USB-to-host MIDI devices. The USB MIDI connection is mainly used for MIDI to a computer. If it were me, I'd connect the audio outs from the XW-G1 to the audio inputs on the PX-5S. For MIDI, which do you want to be the master keyboard? I'd think the PX-5S should be the master keyboard (MIDI OUT on PX-5S to MIDI IN on XW-G1).