Travst

I don't know anyone who I'd feel comfortable asking for a loaner. I'm old, my friends aren't cool enough for iPads, and the vast majority aren't musicians. The only option locally might be Guitar Center. But it's not an all or nothing decision. I'd start out with the iPad and some apps and test everything myself. My impression is that I'll never get the quality I'm used to with an iPad and accessories. My use would probably be limited to using it as a mobile computing device, as a MIDI controller, and for generating scratch tracks on the go.

Thanks Mr. Gates! Seriously, the iPad does about everything I need except that I play the occasional 3D video game. It's very tempting, but I have no history with Apple, thus the hesitation. I normally do a great deal of research on new purchases, but am not indecisive as I am with this one. I wish I could rent one for a week.

Absolutely. My reasons for hesitation is trying to determine whether the mobility and convenience are worth selling off my old gear and buying a new set of gadgets. In addition, I am concerned about whether the current Apple technology will change rapidly and leave all my "new" devices obsolete. If it were ONE device, it'd be a no-brainer. Does it add enough to my rig to use it merely as a controller? Will my current interface work with an iPad? Nope, there is only an OSX driver for it. If I want to fully embrace the iPad platform, I'll need a new interface or one of the new docking pads. Etc, etc. At least with my newish Windows PC and my old gear I can go for several years with no major changes.

Great demo, Mike. I can see adding that board to my rig.

Great video, Jared. After reading all the NAMM news, it seems like most of the world is developing for the iPad platform. I'm seriously considering whether it is time to chunk my Windows machine(s) in favor of the iPad. An iPad and the P1 covers an awful lot of ground, particularly if you add accessories like the new docks and the Scarlett interface that is coming out. Must.... make.... decision....

Good to have you here, Jared.

+1 on the track, Patrick. Great work!

I went through the demo video for Midi Designer, and I am impressed. It does what Ctrlr does and adds wifi/network functionality. You can network it with your computer (Mac or PC) using ios functions or using the rtp app. Then, you can control a synth through your midi interface that is connected to your computer. Or, you can use it in stand-alone mode using a midi controller like the BCR2000 that I have. There's a good discussion of it on Gearslutz right now if you want to learn a bit more. It appears that it would be very easy to design a multi-page panel for an XW using Midi Designer. I will attest that the Ctrlr controller for the JX-8P works very well for me and I assume that the app will work equally well with other synths. However, it is PC/Mac/Linux only and will not run under Android. I can't quite wrap my head around how to design a panel for the XW-P1.

Your English is excellent. I haven't played a G1, but I found the P1 keys to be spongy when I first brought it home. However, I adapted to the action very quickly and am now just as awful on the P1 as I am on any other keyboard.

At this point, I'm even considering parting out my desktop and selling my Nook Color because my laptop does it all.... almost. I should be able to gin up most of the funds for a 32gb iPad4 this way. And I make no apologies for my synth "collection". Note that the Performer and the Delta predate MIDI. I am devoting serious time to the study of MIDI right now.

I hear you. I've decided that, instead of having a laptop, desktop, and a Droid tablet, I will buy a Mac laptop next time around and be done with it. However, it's a shame that I paid less for all 3 of my nice Windows and Android devices than I will pay for the Macbook.

I agree wholeheartedly. I can never seem to justify an iPad just for the music apps.

I've continued to tinker with Ctrlr. Frankly, there is a very steep learning curve for anyone without an intimate knowledge of MIDI and the graphic arts. In addition, there is NO manual or tutorial. The only "training aid" that exists is a video narrated by a fast-clicking developer who assumes that his audience is well-versed in his application. I found it very difficult to follow. On the plus side, Ctrlr seems to be very deep and some of the interfaces are stunning. There is a chat box on the site that allows people to share information. I asked several questions and received solid responses every time. I think that Ctrlr will blossom into a very mature product at some point. I've also been looking into other apps. On the iPad side, there is Midi Designer which is a very clever app that allows users to design custom interfaces and connect with devices via wireless (through a computer). I am very impressed with the app, but unfortunately I own an Android tablet. I have found nothing in the Android apps library that even comes close to the functionality of Midi Designer. I look forward to the day when keyboards will include wireless functionality that allows a tablet to truly interface with the instrument.

I kept getting two audio streams that were out of synch. Closing this site while watching the video solved that issue.

I had not seen that video and it was very informative. I picked up a few things from watching.

Oddly enough, the reason that I started recording was for practice. I found that listening to my recordings allowed me to spot areas for improvement more easily. I think it makes one a better playing. Nice work, I particularly liked Europop.

Nice video, Steve. I don't know how I missed it when it was posted. I too was around for that era.

1. Yes, it will control other synths and racks that can accept the CC messages via MIDI. 2. It will not detect and configure itself for other devices automatically.

The manual seems to focus more on features than workflow. I agree with you in that it is hard to figure out how to put the pieces together. I think this board will help people in the future. We talked about a series of videos in another thread, and it would be great to get more info out there. It's probably up to the members here to document our discoveries, which will also draw new members to the site so that they can also contribute. This seems like something most people would want to do with their keyboard. Maybe Mike could take some of the questions and post answers as part of a FAQ section for this site. A "here's how you do this" forum.

Thanks Mike. I posted the pic and link over at Gearslutz.

Mike, a thought.... when you make the announcements for Casio, could they be posted here in a thread first, or a different version of the events? That way, we can re-post this at gearslutz, etc. and draw some traffic to this site. Steve, that is a great idea for a workstation. I know that avatar from another forum.

I'll bet it's my MIDI controller.

I have been using the Casio as a controller, but haven't gotten as deep into it as you have. I just posted a wish list for a controller that has the features that you are asking for and more. I've gotten as far as being able to flip through sounds on my Korg SGRack using the dial. I haven't gotten into trying to assign specific Casio controls to control the synth parameters.

Kidding aside, I'd like to see a really good MIDI controller with at least 61 keys that is in the $500 price range. I haven't found anything that I'm really happy with. It would have veloc/aftertouch, plenty of assignable knobs, a 5"x3" screen, weighted keys option, drawbars, and a simple slider mixer for mixing the levels on the synths being controlled. The controller should be able to assign specific zones to other synths and have basic transport controls for a DAW. Softsynths would also be controlled. In addition, there is a serious lack of programming/librarian software. Sure, there's stuff like Soundiver that's out of date, but the only "modern" software seems to be Midi Quest which is expensive and poorly reviewed. A package with a controller like the BCR2000 and a keyboard option (see above) and the software to allow for building instrument profiles and loading them into the controller while also storing programs would be fantastic. The controller and keyboard should be able to store multiple profiles for the various synths/VSTs being used and have the ability to switch quickly between profiles. I'd be happy to pay $700-$800 (or more!) or so for a package that included a quality MIDI keyboard controller, and the software. It would be worth $400-$500 for a "knobby" controller with the software. To illustrate the workflow, the user would use a learn function to assign controls to various synths or load a pre-made profile generated by Casio or another user. Arrow buttons would allow the user to flip through the profiles and change parameters on the synths in real time as well as controlling their preset sounds. A 6-8 fader mixer would allow each synth to be mapped to a fader for level control. Drawbars to control organ programs like the ones I have in my JV-1080 and NI Vintage Organs would allow for adjustments on the fly. A keyboardist's rig might consist of 4 rack synths and a laptop with softsynths. The controller and software would allow for any combination of 6-8 (arbitrary number) of hardware and software to be used in the rig.

More XW enhancements, of course! Oh, and Japanese booth models. Not necessarily in that order.