Allanon Posted December 1, 2016 Share Posted December 1, 2016 Just to say hello to all MZ-X users! Today I've received my MZ-X500 and after 1 hour I can say that it's an incredible instrument loaded with great features, I've replaced my PA600 with this shining gem and so far I'm very satisfied by it. to Casio! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lobbard Posted December 1, 2016 Share Posted December 1, 2016 Greetings from the UK, - happy new keyboard! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allanon Posted December 2, 2016 Author Share Posted December 2, 2016 Thank you @Lobbard, this keyboard is incredibly fun to play! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msx Posted December 5, 2016 Share Posted December 5, 2016 Welcome @Allanon! I'm Italian as well and I received my MZ-X500 a few weeks ago (after lurking 'round here for a while)... thought I'd just hijack your topic to introduce myself as well Hope you don't mind 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allanon Posted December 6, 2016 Author Share Posted December 6, 2016 Ciao @msx ! @all Lately I've played around with my X500 and I've seen many features not mentioned in the manual (unless I have misread it!). For example to revoice a rhythm I was hoping to find something to quickly change the tone of a specific track for all variations, however I have found the following method quiet fast: 1. Go into rhythm edit 2. Tap the tone you want to change in your track and select a new tone to assign 3. Instead of goin' back and select a different variation for the revoice operation just press the variation button on your keyboard 4. The tone screen will not change so you have only to tap again the tone you want to assign to the previously selected track 5. Do it for all the variations A second tap to the variation (1, 2, 3, 4) will select the relative Fill In (1, 2, 3, 4), the keyboard will signal the Fill In selection flashing the variation button. Another nice thing I've found about pad phrases is that you can select which track you want to play with your phrase, this way you can trigger a bass phrase of any other tone in your current rhythm, this feature is very nice because you can trigger many different tones/phrases with your pads. Maybe many of you was already aware of these tricks If I can suggest a possible feature to Casio developers, well, it could be really helpful a search function to find items by some typed text, especially for tones, rhythms and registrations. Also an updated manual with detailed informations on key-features could be very helpful for possible new buyers... Before buying this keyboard I've read the manuals and I've guessed the potential in it, I've also seen many video on YouTube and I what I really liked was the HexLayer technology, but now that I can dig deeper into this keyboard I can say that it is a very innovative and powerful instrument Yes, so far I'm very happy with it, and I cannot hide this feeling! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Saucier Posted December 6, 2016 Share Posted December 6, 2016 Many features are being added via firmware updates. Those new features are only covered in the additional pdf manuals provided on the update download page. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudolph R-N R Posted December 26, 2016 Share Posted December 26, 2016 On 12/1/2016 at 9:25 AM, Allanon said: Just to say hello to all MZ-X users! Today I've received my MZ-X500 and after 1 hour I can say that it's an incredible instrument loaded with great features, I've replaced my PA600 with this shining gem and so far I'm very satisfied by it. to Casio! Congrats, I've been wanting one of these for awhile now! What do you use these arranger boards for? Would be VERY interested in hearing a comparison between the PA600 and the MZ. They are direct competitors price wise, and would be curious how they compare: * Sounds * Ease of use * Speakers * Keybed feel * Overall satisfaction Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allanon Posted December 27, 2016 Author Share Posted December 27, 2016 Hi @Randelph I'd like to use the MZ X to compose original music, I also have a MOX 6 for this purpose. I'm from the old school, I do not use any DAW because I love using the keyboard internal sequencer So, for me, it's very important to have the needed tools loaded on the keyboard. Here is my opnion about the topic you have requested: SOUNDS Many sounds are ok, many sounds like the synths and the hex layers are excellent (some are breathtakingly beautiful I'd say!), as well as the piano sounds, I've found the piano sounds even more realistic than the MOX 6. The organs including drawbar organs are very good. Few MZ X sounds need more love from Casio . Some PA600 sounds are also great, for example I loved the vintage synths reproduction, they are very good and fun to play. The MZ X offers the ability to create tones much more easier than the PA so I think that soon we will enjoy new great tones created by the community! EASE OF USE The MZ X interface compared to the PA600 is definitely more simple and immediate to operate, you have all at your finger tips and after few hours you have the feeling that the instrument is entirely under your control. I like it very much, especially the registrations: initially I've understimated this feature, but after some times I've realized that a registration is a snapshot of almost all the keyboard's settings and this is awesome! SPEAKERS Very good in my opinion, good frequency range and good basses. Compared to the PA the MZ X500 seems louder. KEYBED I'm not a pianist (to be honest I've studied piano but ages ago...) and I'm used to synth-action keybeds, so for me it is good... it's quieter than my MOX6, almost the same (speaking of keys noise) to the PA600 one. Very playable in my opinion. OVERALL SATISFACTION It was a very good buy for me, I do not regret purchasing it nor I do not regret to have replaced the PA600 with the MZ X. This keyboard is loaded with amazing features like the various pad modes, the very user friendly edit screens, the wav recorder/player, chord progression (amazing!), mixer, the organs! And the drawbars! The sampler! Tons of stuff to unleash creativity! The ability to import midi and foreign styles it is also amazing, it's quite easy to import a foreign style and adjust it for the MZ X from the MZ X, without the need of a computer. WHAT I MISS FROM THE PA600 Right now there is only one thing I miss - The ability to search tones/rhythms/registrations/etc... by name. When you need something specific it's difficult to remember where it is located, with a search by word function it could help a lot. At least a favorite section could also help. Well... there are so many things I like, that I'm still excited when I turn on the keyboard I was forgetting to talk about booting time: well, the MZ X boots in few seconds, the PA600...loading... loading... loading... ... ... Anyway the most important thing that convinced me to switch to the MZ X is the support: the Casio staff is always present to answer questions, suggest tips and fix bugs.... it's really nice to have a post-sales support like this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Saucier Posted December 28, 2016 Share Posted December 28, 2016 Excellent comparison review! Thanks. Check my soundcloud link in the signature for some MZ-X sound demo's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudolph R-N R Posted December 28, 2016 Share Posted December 28, 2016 Allanon, Thanks for the review!!! Like you I prefer to have a keyboard and not a computer for making and recording music. I look forward to having a keyboard with loud, good sounding onboard speakers. I've wondered a lot about the sounds, the ones on the WK7600 are really not that great (actually they're really good for their price point, but not good enuf for me!). Altogether your review is encouraging, must save my money! Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzman Posted January 19, 2017 Share Posted January 19, 2017 The speakers are quite sufficient for a moderate sized room. I used to lug an external powered speaker around but now I just use the internal speakers of my MZ-X500. I have run two guitars and three mics thru a mixer to the Line In jacks and I am very pleased with the overall live mix. The one issue I have is with the mic-in preamp in my board. When playing alone I use a very standard Shure dynamic mic and it just doesn't cut through the mix without an external boost. I need to go to the balance control and significantly reduce all the volumes to get the proper relative mic level if I am plugging directly to my board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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