First Impressions PX 5S

[smithh]

I am new to this forum, and have recently bought a PX 5S. I thought I would share some of my experiences. First off, I'd like to thank Casio UK for their support. They arranged for me to have access to a PX 5S so that I could make up my mind. Quite a few things drew to this instrument, primarily:

 

    - The keyboard action
    - The weight
    - The width (get in car)
    - The ability to run on battery (garden use)
    - The piano sounds
    - The sound engine flexibility/layering etc.
    - The simple memory stick recording/playback feature
    - The price
    - The support via forums, e.g. Q+A, new sounds
 

The things that I don't like so much, but which did *not* stop me buying the instrument are:

    - The complexity of editing, getting drawn into time wasting
    - The knobs meaning different things at different times with no visual feedback
    (although I understand completely what Casio is trying to achieve here)
    - The quality of the plastic knobs and sliders (worry about them breaking/snapping)
    - Worry about the underlying switches (longevity/reliability)
    - The white plastic case potentially getting dirty quickly

None of this stopped me buying the PX 5S however, and most of it may end up being silly unnecessary worries. The reason I put aside all such worries and bought a PX 5S is this:

 

The PX 5S is very expressive! I don't know whether this is due to the action or engine or both, but it just is. When I play pianos or e-pianos on the instrument I can be very subtle - moving from ultra quiet/stillness to very expansive hard-edged music in an instant. It's hard to describe. 

 

Many of the sounds, including those in this forum, are truly wonderful. Some are stunning. There are a lot of less good sounds of course, but they are generally in areas I don't use, e.g. brass, and I will quickly replace them with ones I use.

 

The instrument seems oriented to piano, e-piano and layering in pads. In these regards it excels. But even the sounds that come as standard can be improved with a little tweaking, I find. In fact, the IMPRESSION I get is that Casio could do well to invest more in sound production for this instrument. My GUESS is that the engine is capable of much much more. The efforts of Mike and team on this forum are wonderful of course, and most welcome. But I also believe the development of more Pro Sounds, perhaps in themed packs, would increase the appeal and sales of the instrument still further, especially when combined with the efforts of the community members. 

 

I have other impressions to share, but I'll leave it there for the time being. 

[smithh]

What were your first impressions? And what are your favorite sounds (standard or tweaked or new)? 

[dc2k]

The complexity of editing, getting drawn into time wasting

 

I don't think it's that complex once you get your head around it and I like its depth and that there so many things you can edit. It's my first synth so I like exploring what you can do with one. From subtle effects to massive sound-scapes, the possibilities are endless and I've still a lot to learn. Sometimes I like sitting down to explore the stage settings people have uploaded, sometimes I like to tweak the parameters to discover new sounds, some times I like just playing but most times it's all three. Any time I go into a keyboard shop to see what else is on offer, I leave relieved I picked it up.

 

One think I would suggest to Casio if they want to shift more units would be to put a sticker on the battery compartment explaining how to change the sound-settings and maybe list some features like the arpeggiator/phrase sequencer. Using the bank button to change stage settings is not intuitive. I fear a lot of people try these out in stores but don't realise their power and they think it's just a white Privia 350. That's how one shop assistant described it to me when I asked if they had them. He was surprised when I told him it actually has a massive synth engine and he said unfortunately they can't really learn how to use every keyboard that came in. I worry most people only get as far as trying out a few of the melody tones and ignore the buttons on the right.

[Display Name]

In fact, the IMPRESSION I get is that Casio could do well to invest more in sound production for this instrument. My GUESS is that the engine is capable of much much more. The efforts of Mike and team on this forum are wonderful of course, and most welcome. But I also believe the development of more Pro Sounds, perhaps in themed packs, would increase the appeal and sales of the instrument still further, especially when combined with the efforts of the community members. 

 

 

There have been several professionally designed themed packs by industry veterans  (one was just released 2 weeks ago) as well as dozens of amazing single sounds designed by Mike.  They are located under "Official Casio" files in the download area.  Many, many of the user designed sounds are top-notch as well, especially those by BradMZ,  in the community area

[Brad Saucier]

Thank you Scott.  I try my best with what I do.

[Joe Muscara]

I don't think it's that complex once you get your head around it and I like its depth and that there so many things you can edit.

 

Actually, he may have meant that the depth can suck you in and cause you to "waste" a lot of time since there's so much that can be done with the instrument.   Frankly, I'm a little afraid to jump into sound design on this thing. I have too much else to do and work on musically, much less around the house. 

 

The things that I don't like so much, but which did *not* stop me buying the instrument are:

    - The complexity of editing, getting drawn into time wasting

    - The knobs meaning different things at different times with no visual feedback

    (although I understand completely what Casio is trying to achieve here)

    - The quality of the plastic knobs and sliders (worry about them breaking/snapping)

    - Worry about the underlying switches (longevity/reliability)

    - The white plastic case potentially getting dirty quickly

 

 

I'd like to address some of these, even though I know the OP isn't really terribly concerned about them.

 

- See above

- There is visual feedback for the knobs, it pops up on the display when you move them. It's a great compromise. Also, the functions of the knobs are pretty consistent from Stage Setting to Stage Setting.

- There are a ton of users here and on The Facebook group, and I don't think I've seen a single person have issues with the knobs and sliders breaking or snapping, the switches going bad, nor the case getting dirty nor discolored. Casio has been making musical instruments a while, and they don't make them poorly. Several of us have even toured with them and have had no problems. You will be fine. 

[Jokeyman123]

There is an interesting "piano shootout" at

 

http://purgatorycreek.com/documents/25.html

 

I have requested they add the PX5s, PX350 to their database for comparison or explain how i can, they haven't emailed  back to me yet. I did my own listening comparison, including their real Steinway and other acoustic piano recordings. The PX is better than some and certainly equal to anyone and this includes the huge soundfont pianos which cost nearly as much as the entire PX, nice work Casio.

 

 

I just tore apart an old Ensoniq MR76, did a serious rebuild on the keys-the counterweights were pretty busted apart, typical on this design unfortunately and did a mod on my PX-350 a week ago (same keybed as the PX5s). The difference is remarkable. The technology inside the PX is very impressive (look for my post here about my mod) compared to the action used in almost every other weighted keyboard i've played and owned-which is still the old Fatar design except I think in the Rolands and newer Yamahas-not sure about the Nords). it took me 4 hours to mod the PX, it took me 2 days to fix the MR and i mean two almost 8 hour days and I'm exhausted! Would have been easier rebuilding my truck engine, i think I need back surgery now!! . Anybody know where I can get a good cheap handtruck (and back surgeon?)

 

The difference in key action is so much better and the key assembly alone of the 76-key Ensoniq (Fatar) is heavier than the entire PX, including speakers! if i didn't have the 350, I would have the PX5S. And the piano samples-the MR doesn't even sound like a piano to me especially after the hours I've spent on the PX. I had to find the Coakley "Perfect Piano" add-in expansion card which I found t for a "bargain" used price of 164.00 buckos US. which "may" bring it up to the Casio sound quality, have to wait and see.  As far as the white cabinet-check out how one musician posted a complete custom paint job design for his PX, didn't like his color selection. It illustrates an interesting concept. Maybe Casio (or some other clever designer not me) could make custom "skins" for the PX5S!

[Display Name]

 Casio has been making musical instruments a while, and they don't make them poorly.

 

^^ This ^^^ There are countless Casio keyboards going back to the early 80's that are still working flawlessly. Even though they are lightweight, they are very well-built. 

[XW-Addict]

There have been several professionally designed themed packs by industry veterans  (one was just released 2 weeks ago) as well as dozens of amazing single sounds designed by Mike.  They are located under "Official Casio" files in the download area.  Many, many of the user designed sounds are top-notch as well, especially those by BradMZ,  in the community area

I like the themed packs approach I was waiting for this to happen (nearly wanted to post about this subject)the PX5 is a bit out of my league to do it yet myself designing "good" stages. With the G1 its a challenge let alone the other synths I have and my imagination to spark something out. I'm happy this is starting out hope themed packs will slowly  be a thing of the future also for the other newer and classic keyboards by user designed or veterans. 

[smithh]

I worry most people only get as far as trying out a few of the melody tones and ignore the buttons on the right.

 

You are correct about that.  At 'power on' it comes up with 0-0, but the uninitiated immediately push the marked tone buttons to see what the sounds are like, and can be disappointed. It's as if the most important thing, the stage settings, are hidden.

[dc2k]

yeah, I worry people don't even press the +/- buttons on the right to scroll through the tones.

There are lots of positive reviews out there and I think most people find out about it that way.

It does look very attractive though and the white colour makes it stand out. The knobs and sliders make it look like it does more than the usual keyboards with a set of tones so hopefully people see it and then research it a bit.

 

I want it to be a huge success so Casio continues in this direction. I hope they don't abandon it. A PX6 could be an amazing machine if they added a few things like the effects pedal (because it's always mentioned), perhaps some quieter keys, more memory for stage settings, a few extra sliders and knobs (and the ability to press a button to flip between different mappings so you could pretty much cover most things on any stage setting).

 

But I think they would see the most sales increase on any new model if they added a scroll wheel or even just a couple of buttons near the display which you could use to flick through the stage settings. It would really help people who see these in stores for the first time get an idea of what they can do.

[Joe Muscara]

IIRC, there was going to be a Getting Started card that was to be put up on display models that would explain using the Stage Settings instead of the tone buttons and maybe some other points. I don't know if that ever happened though. I avoid the retail side of those big box music stores unless I'm really, really bored.

[Choppin]

What I make the mistake of, is doing most of my playing and testing of the Px-5s with headphones on.  While headphones can be good, they don't move air.   I call it a mistake because there is an entirely different world of sound when the instrument is "opened up", so to speak, that gets missed (or forgotten in my case) when confined to the world of headsets.  I hear too much in the headphones that makes me tweak this or that and turn some things down and up that sound completely different in the open air.

 

What I'm saying is that I get blown away when I turn up the PX-5s without the headphones on.  It suddenly becomes fun again, and new, and exciting.   Just fiddling around, I chose (standard) stage setting 6-0: Standup Bass and Acoustic piano.  I turned up the volume and the sub woofer a bit, lots of reverb on the PX, and just played some jazz-like stuff (basically a bunch of garbage but I was happy!).  Man, it was heaven!  In the headphones, the experience wasn't even similar.  That isn't even one of the best patches.

 

So then it was another round of "go through all of the stage settings and just play!"  The hours passed and I just played and played.  My impressions of the Px-5s?  Sometimes I'm a little too clinical and I want to do this or that and have complete control over the way something is edited or changed.  While the options and methods exist to do what I want, these are the times that I forget that it's a great sounding powerful instrument and get too hung up in the "how to" mode.   All I can say is there is soo much to do with this thing and one of the best things to do, is Play.

[dc2k]

Interesting I've never listened to my px5s without headphones. I've been wanting too but I don't have the equipment yet. I've been wondering if there would be much difference.