Some Questions

[BC in CA]

Hi,

 

I'm thinking of using the PX-560M as my "backup band" for an acoustic duo, as well as in my home studio.  I'm torn between this new unit and a PX-5S.  Synth programming is quite low on my priorities, but authentic "acoustic instrument" sounds is a primary concern. 

 

I've got some questions for you:

 

1. Onboard Tones:

I've looked everywhere I can think of and have been unable to find a list of onboard tones.  My concern is, with diminished "synth" capacity, will the PX-560M include enough electric piano, strings, brass and/or orchestral tones.  Will there be a full complement of, for lack of a better word, ethnic instruments like mandolin, banjo, bouzouki, guitar, steel guitar, etc.? 

 

2. Purpose of the System Track on the sequencer:

I'm trying to understand the purpose of a 17th track that lacks volume control.  Please explain.  What other controls are missing?

 

3. Sequencer track mixer app:

One of the videos shows how the onboard screen is used to mix the sequencer tracks.  It looks quite small and difficult to use.  A mixer app for using a tablet to mix tracks might be useful.  Any such plans?

 

4. Arpeggiator:

How limiting is only having one arpeggiator?  From what I can discern, I can store a single arpeggio and trigger it with a single key, or I can switch to arpeggiating between the keys I've pressed.  I can select between a couple different arpeggiator functions.  Correct?  Can I store one arpeggio and switch to "keys played" mode without erasing my stored arpeggio?  Can you give more details?

 

5.  Countoffs:

It might be helpful to have a countoff part stored in the rhythm tracks.  Maybe a male voice saying, "One....two....one, two, three, four....."  Just to make it easier for everybody to at least start together.  I've always wondered why no manufacturer has ever considered this.  If I've got a vote, I say a male voice with a British accent.  ;-)

 

6. Internal speakers:

Defeatable?

 

7. Auxillary Audio Ins:

Can both the 1/4" and 1/8" audio inputs be used simultaneously? How are the levels balanced?  Using only the level controls on each auxillary audio source?

 

I realize its stil early in the process and things may change, but I need as much detail as you can provide.  Then I'll ask for even more.  ;-)

 

Thanks,

 

BC in CA

[Display Name]

Hi BC. I'll answer what I can:

 

1- All the sounds are list here:

http://support.casio.com/storage/en/manual/pdf/EN/008/Web_PX560APPEND-WL-1A_EN.pdf

 

6- Yes you can turn off the speakers

 

7- Yes both audio inputs can be used at the same time and there are controls for each on the PX-560.

[BC in CA]

Cool, Scott!  Thanks !!!

 

Is it possible to use one (or both) of the headphone outs without automatically turning off the onboard speakers?

 

I might like to try using some earphones of some type - sort of a poor man's IEM - at the same time I'd be using the onboard speakers as sound reinforcement for a tiny restaurant gig I do.  It'd be great to not have to lug in a PA for such a tiny space.

 

BC

[Display Name]

I don't have one so I don't know for sure. If it's like the PX-5S then the answer is yes. 

 

I suggest you join the Privia Pro Facebook group. It covers the PX-560 and the guys from Casio frequent there a lot more often than here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Casio.Px5s/

[tomson1355]

Hi BC,

My impressions of some tones: The Grand Piano Concert 001 is excellent. I like, generally, the EPs.  They are better, by far, than the ones on my Rd-800.  The jazz guitars are weak.  The acoustic guitars sound typical of digital piano acoustic guitars.  You wouldn't mistake them for real acoustic guitars.  There are a lot of ethnic instruments.  The accordion family instruments are surprisingly good.  The acoustic bass is excellent, but I have a Yamaha HS10W sub hooked up at home, and that helps.  But to me, it sounds like someone is inside the piano playing an acoustic bass.  

I love the idea of a count off. I am able to do it on the Boss DR drum machine (not a voice.  Claves.)  and it works really well.  I'd be happy with claves or drumsticks like the polka bands do, though a male British accent would be fun.  Maybe there's a way, but I've only had this piano for 3 days, so I'm just scratching the surface, so far. 

This is the first piano that I have bought in the last few years that I wasn't disappointed in when I first played it.  I have a lot to learn to make it do the things I want it to do, but I'm optimistic.  And it weighs about 30 pounds inside the Privia gig bag.  That's 50 lbs less than the RD-800 in a hard Gator ATA case.  Amazing. 

Good luck.  I don't care about synth programming, either. 

Tom in NY

[tomson1355]

I went to the facebook page, but I can't make sense of it.  If there is information to be had there, I can't find it.  But I'm not a facebook frequenter.

[Display Name]

I went to the facebook page, but I can't make sense of it.  If there is information to be had there, I can't find it.  

 

Did you join the Group? It's a closed group, so unless you join you will only see the group descrip. and member roster. 

[Shaunaflynn]

On 11/16/2015 at 7:16 PM, tomson1355 said:

Hi BC,

My impressions of some tones: The Grand Piano Concert 001 is excellent. I like, generally, the EPs.  They are better, by far, than the ones on my Rd-800.  The jazz guitars are weak.  The acoustic guitars sound typical of digital piano acoustic guitars.  You wouldn't mistake them for real acoustic guitars.  There are a lot of ethnic instruments.  The accordion family instruments are surprisingly good.  The acoustic bass is excellent, but I have a Yamaha HS10W sub hooked up at home, and that helps.  But to me, it sounds like someone is inside the piano playing an acoustic bass.  

I love the idea of a count off. I am able to do it on the Boss DR drum machine (not a voice.  Claves.)  and it works really well.  I'd be happy with claves or drumsticks like the polka bands do, though a male British accent would be fun.  Maybe there's a way, but I've only had this piano for 3 days, so I'm just scratching the surface, so far. 

This is the first piano that I have bought in the last few years that I wasn't disappointed in when I first played it.  I have a lot to learn to make it do the things I want it to do, but I'm optimistic.  And it weighs about 30 pounds inside the Privia gig bag.  That's 50 lbs less than the RD-800 in a hard Gator ATA case.  Amazing. 

Good luck.  I don't care about synth programming, either. 

Tom in NY

Sounds like you really enjoyed the Grand Piano Concert 001, especially the EPs and acoustic bass with your Yamaha sub. The accordion family instruments are surprisingly good, but the jazz guitars are weak as you mentioned. While the acoustic guitars sound typical for digital pianos, the addition of count-offs is a nice touch. They definitely improve after all these years if you could only get their latest work.

[Brad Saucier]

8 hours ago, Shaunaflynn said:

Sounds like you really enjoyed the Grand Piano Concert 001, especially the EPs and acoustic bass with your Yamaha sub. The accordion family instruments are surprisingly good, but the jazz guitars are weak as you mentioned. While the acoustic guitars sound typical for digital pianos, the addition of count-offs is a nice touch. They definitely improve after all these years if you could only get their latest work.

 

I'm curious why you quoted a post from 2015 just to summarize what the post said.  You added no new information, asked no questions, and the last sentence does not make sense.  

[AlenK]

The last part of the next-to-last sentence doesn't make any sense either. AFAIK, count-offs as described (voice or claves) have not been added to the PX-560. (There is of course a metronome but that's not the same thing.) The comment from thompson1355 was in reference to the Boss DR drum machine.  

 

Seeing that post, I wonder if all or at least some of the posts from shaunaflynn were generated by a bot. With AI getting so good, a bot could conceivably generate replies that sort of make sense. But if so, I don't see what the end game is.