Kostas

For me the main difference is if a computer is needed or not. The old MIDI ports connect keyboards, synths and sound modules directly without computer. This is the way to built a castle from keyboards. The USB MIDI always requires a computer in a keyboard setup. Pro instruments have both connectors. I like to have both options from an instrument, USB to computer and MIDI to other keyboards.

The result for the CDP S100 is really amazing. I own the old CDP 100 and see how much development was done during the last 10 years. Only one detail I miss, but it is a very special one. May be I am old fashioned to still use the traditional MIDI ports for connecting keyboards to computer-free-setups. I have music software too, but still like to play without computer, and use the the CDP just as second manual connected to a keyboard. This gives me the 88 keys piano manual for piano parts while all other sounds and accompaniments are played from the keyboard as the only real sound source. And only some times, if necessary I use the CDP stand alone as portable piano what it is made for. So I miss the MIDI port a bit. Will keep the old CDP just as MIDI source.

Only three new beginners keyboards were shown: CTK 1500, 2500 and 3500. O.k. we have to wait for some bigger news.

Hello Dennis, I liked the early sequencers a lot, especially the pattern sequencer. I found them much easier to use than the recent ones. But may be this comes from what you learned first. I had the WK-1800, as I remember the difference to the 1630 was the disk drive. Was it? There is an old video on YouTube explaining pattern sequencing on a CTK 731 step by step. This guy played very well on his old Casio. The sequencer is the same and many sounds are the same as on your WK 1630. So you can learn a lot from this video. From today's perspective a disadvantage appears to me that the sequencers do not save MIDI files. The file format is proprietary and there is no chance for editing the recorded music on a computer. If you want that external editing you need to record everything from the beginning on the computer. Than there is no need for the internal sequencer any more. Cheers Kostas

On my WK1800 which I love because of its pattern sequencer the effect with switching off developed over some time. It turned off while playing. First it started after some minutes, became earlier than and in the end it was not possible to switch it on any more. When I connect a power supply to the battery contacts it works with the normal APO behaviour. So it must be the power input. I had a look at the power circuit board but did not see obvious things as run out capacitors. Cyberyogi do you have an advice for this too?

Hello, From my experience with several Casio keyboards, but not with a CTK-5200, I say it is possible, but it will not be that easy what you plan to do. I managed to do the following. I modified the MIDI file in a sequencer software at a computer. With the keyboard connected to the software too you can record the "program change" to the tracks of the MIDI. Program change is that MIDI command for choosing the sound. While the special track is selected just switch the sound on the keyboard and it will send the program change command to the software. Save it. When you than play the MIDI back through the keyboard it should play the new sound. To be honest, it took me several times of try and error. And it is frustrating when often all sounds become played as piano only, the first MIDI sound. There is another direct way I did not try. This is using a MIDI editor software. There you can edit the program commands directly by sound banks and sound numbers. This needs some knowledge about MIDI files. The information you can find in the MIDI appendix of the user manual. Good luck.

I have the very similar WK1800 and the CTK811ex and use exactly such a cheap cable. I managed to connect both to Garage Band on Mac and to Logic on PC. It is already a good sign to see the red light on at the adapter. A mistake I did in the beginning was to plug the MIDI adapter cable in the wrong way. The plug labeled with MIDI IN has to go to the MIDI OUT socket of the keyboard and the other one similar. It took me some time of tracking until I found that simple thing. Now it works.

Here is my experience to that question. If you still have the CTK811ex the easiest start would be to get just a MIDI to USB converter and begin your restart on keyboards with that nice old keyboard. You can play the 811 and use it the same time as MIDI source for software synthesizers. I still like the 811 because of its unweighted keys and its easy to understand menus for the sequencers. I use specially the pattern sequencer. Once I also had a WK1800 which was almost a 76 keys version of the 811ex. Very nice until it broke. The menus in the newer keyboards became deeper and more complex, much more powerful of course but more difficult to handle. I always need to have the manual by the hand. I also own an AT-5 which is based on the WK7600 and a XW-G1. The key feeling is the same on both, these light weighted keys are harder to play than the unweighted, harder than on some real pianos. When I switch from the unweighted to the newer keys and do not change my playing techniques from organ like finger playing to more lower arm piano hammering my fingers hurt very soon. You will probably not be happy with only one keyboard. Sooner or later you will have a similar collection, only limited by the space in your studio.

Hello Scott, Here is my recent home studio, just equipped with Casio keys. The black keyboard is my old but loved CTK-811ex. It was supposed to be replaced by the MZ2000 on the right but is still there. The XW-G1 is clearly to detect. The instrument in front is an AT-5. I play to my joy only. Cheers Kostas