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Hmm. I found this really old example of using a Casio CDP200 digital piano as a controller for Garageband's sounds on a Mac computer (USB connection), though I take it there are still limitations as to what it controls. So perhaps the PX-350 or 780 will work just as easily as a controller for Garageband, as long as you are connecting to an Apple computer or iPad. I guess with programs other than Garageband it could be different.

Thanks the reply, Joe. After reading recent comments in the "Setting up the PX 350…" thread, I am just going to buy a separate dedicated controller. While what you say may be true, it appears to be quite an undertaking if it can be done. I know nothing, so I'm in no position to take it on. I may end up with the 750 to learn piano on later, but now that I've decided to buy a dedicated controller, I'll put that off until I've had time to play with the controller first. Maybe I'll get one when our Memorial Day sales hit in the US.

I am not a piano player, but was looking at the Casio PX-150 and 350 in comparison with the Yamaha DGX-650 and I noticed the same distinction. A very slight lateral movement and the little double bounce rattle to a stop when the key is released. The DGX felt more solid to me, but perhaps they likewise might not appeal to some piano players. The DGX seemed more comparable to the upright piano keys at a piano shop I stopped by today. But maybe grand piano keys allow for a lighter touch, and therefore would be more like the Casio? Not being a piano player, I don't know. But the ever so slight lateral movement on the Casio concerned me.

Thank you, Jokeyman! I'm only sorry I didn't come across this forum sooner. I'm supposed to have to make a decision today if I want the PX780 today for $799. It is essentially the 350 but with a stand with keyboard cover and three pedals, and 20W speakers instead of 8W. I was trying to decide between it and the Yamaha DGX-650 which has a few more on board sounds that I could use, such as drum kits. But the yamaha doesn't have midi out, but it does have the stand and three pedals, and is $799 on sale for $699, or for $799 I could get the yamaha plus $200 more of anything I want in the store, which could include a separate controller. But let me ask you, do you plug your Casio into and interface and then into the computer, or just straight into the computer? Do you have a Windows PC or Mac? It was suggested to me to use the MIDI OUT/IN jacks to connect to an interface, such as a Presonus Audiobox, and let my mac recognize the Interface and Casio that way. My vocals and guitar would plug into the interface as well.

Hmm. As a novice wanting to both learn how to play piano, and add a controller to start laying down tracks with garageband on a mac rather than my old cassette four track, from what I read hear it will probably be worth it to me to just by a separate $100 controller rather than put in the hours to get a PX-780 to work as both a controller and a keyboard. I am correct in surmising this? If I've have to put in 30 hours just to figure out how to set up this versus just plugging in a dedicated controller to an interface, I'll splurge. The 780 seems to be the same keyboard as the 350 with some added features, but more importantly has a stand, and right now is on sale for $800.

Hi, Bill. I was looking to buy the 780 and had the same question you had. As always, Google searches never seem to pan out for me and it has taken me days to get lucky and find this forum and thread. I want to learn piano. I know nothing about midi, but I also wanted to noodle around with the ease of digital multi tracking using Garageband on my iMac (not iPad). Is it true that I could not do this with the 750, but would have to step up to the 780 so that I could get the MIDI IN and OUT jacks the the 750 lacks? I want to be able to lay tracks using the keyboard as a controller alongside tracks from my own guitars as well as vocals. I know they both also offer the USB connectivity to the iOS devices, but as I understand it wouldn't meet the needs of a "controller" in the home studio sense of the word.