CharlieWorton

Was thinking about purchasing a Roland FP-E50, and made the horrifying discovery that the board only supports one MIDI channel. This makes it virtually useless for all MIDI operations. Which prompted me to wonder, how many MIDI channels does the 560M support? I would hope 16, but I don't know.

I own a WK7600, and I do not find the samples convincing or satisfying; and if the sound doesn't make you feel good, none of the rest of the instrument matters. It's also 76 keys, instead of 88. If you can throw a few more dollars into the pot - purchase price around $700 CAD - check out the Casio CDP-S350. It's 88 keys, and has the same realistic samples and performance as the AiX sound engine found in the CT-X5000. The only drawback is the relatively low 64 polyphony count. And for about $1,000 CAD you might consider the PX-S3000, which raises the polyphony count to 192. The WK7600 was a good value in its time, but technology has improved and there are better keyboards available for not much more money.

The prolific reviewer Merriam Music has released a comparison video, comparing the 1000 and 3000 keyboards. Bottom line is that he likes the 1000, but is blown away by the additional value in the 3000 for only a few hundred dollars extra. It's worth a quick view. >Charlie

Merriam Piano is a prolific YouTube reviewer of electronic instruments, including Casio. They recently purchased two of the best selling budget keyboards on Amazon, and compared them to the similarly priced Casio LK-S250. It was a bloodbath... the Casio utterly destroyed the competitors, and the normally even handed Stu Harrison made no bones about it. For example, the LK-S250 has both a velocity (touch) sensitive keyboard, and input for a sustain pedal; neither of the competitors had either. If you'd like to watch the matchup, check this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIFNMAeTb8Q

Merriam Music, a Toronto Canada based retailer, has posted their (positive) review of the CDP-S350. Here it is:

Merriam music has done an unboxing and a (kind of) demo of the LK-S250. I have the impression that the person doing the demo hadn't read the manual, and was unfamiliar with the specific features of the keyboard; still, it's worth watching if you're looking for an instrument in this price range. >Charlie

I had that interface, and the latency was about 1 second; it made it completely unusable when trying to use it in a midi keyboard controller situation. I tossed it aside before discovering its other shortcomings.

It's difficult to know where to start, with an instrument as complex and full featured as the Casio PX-560. You get the full 88 key keyboard, and the keys are weighted to provide a feel that is very similar to a real piano. It does feel very similar to my Yamaha upright, and I expect that any accomplished pianist will feel right at home. What is quite different, is the texture on the keys. Most keyboards have a gloss, highly polished surface; but the PX-560 keys have a pronounced texture that is difficult to describe. This is done deliberately, to prevent your missing notes as a result of your finger sliding off the key. It takes a bit of getting used to, but it does work, and I found that I could fly across the keyboard with great accuracy. There are 550 voices, the vast majority of which are sampled instruments. The samples are excellent, and the reproduction of the instruments is startlingly realistic. It is also possible to layer two instruments together; in addition, you can divide the keyboard anywhere you want, and layer two instruments on the lower half and two different instruments on the upper half. The electronics are capable of 256 voice polyphony, which means that you won't have to worry about note stealing; the electronics will play practically anything you throw at it, regardless of complexity. If you wish, you can specify a percussion track from over 220 included tracks, or you can construct your own. The percussion can be started manually, or you can set it to start when you start playing. There are also variations in playing style, selectable at a touch of a button. Like all the other instruments, the drums are wonderfully realistic. This instrument includes a 17 track, editable recorder; this allows you to build up an instrumental a track at a time, getting each track perfect before moving on to the next. One of the features I truly enjoy is the ability to change the pitch. If i know a song in C but the singer needs to sing it in E, I can transpose the pitch so that I still play it in C, but what comes out is the song in E. Most keyboards offer this, but it's usually buried several levels deep in the menus. On the PX-560, you have a separate transpose control, right on the deck. I haven't mentioned the color, touch sensitive display; but it's really one of the main driving forces behind the keyboard. Instead of having to cursor through different menus to select something, you literally just reach out and touch it. You can fly around this keyboard at light speed, and everything you want to do is easy to find and select. A touch sensitive, graphics screen keeps you in the creative side of your brain, and that just makes the whole creative enterprise a lot more fun. One of the most important features of the keyboard are the Hex layers. This allows you to combine up to 6 instruments together, and select the mix as if it were one instrument. And you can layer two Hex layers on the right hand side, and - if you wish - a different two hex layers on the left hand side. So, in theory, you can have up to 24 instruments playing at once! In practice, you use Hex layers for specific effects. For example, you can set up the keyboard so that, when the keys are played softly, only the strings play. Play it a bit harder, and the brass section starts playing; hit the keyboard very hard, and a deep drum and cymbal crash. This velocity sensitivity allows you to play different instruments, selecting them on the fly simply by how hard or soft you play. It sound cumbersome when its described, but when you actually start to use Hex layers this way, you'll learn very quickly. On the negative side - and it's not really a negative, just a characteristic - the PX-560 is sold as a stage piano, and is designed from the ground up for the working musician. This means that it's intended to be used with an external sound system, and the included speakers are more of a convenience for the musician, so they can get limber by playing for a few minutes back stage. The speakers are good, but they aren't extraordinary. If you are purchasing this keyboard for home use, you might feel that the speakers aren't loud enough. The solution is to either plug it into your home theater system (if you have one) or purchase a set of powered bookshelf speakers. Or, for that matter, a good set of headphones will work spectacularly. In closing, I cannot speak highly enough of this keyboard. It sounds spectacular, particularly when played through a decent audio system. The samples are excellent, and breathtakingly realistic. And the feature set - 17 track recorder, hex layer synthesizer, 256 polyphony - places it squarely in the $5,000 keyboard bracket. Yet this keyboard sells for less than a third of that price. It is easily one of the best values in the industry, and if you don't own one, well, you should. It's an amazing bundle of joy that will keep you riveted to the board for hours on end.

Got it! I think. Are hex layers composed of the 550 'common' tones? >Charlie

The Casio webpage states, 650 tones, 400 user tones. But the Amazon page - which looks to be a reprint of Casio ad material - states 550 tones. Can anyone clarify this? Thanks - Charlie

Hey, Jokeyman! I'm trying to be patient, but doing a rather poor job of it, I'm afraid. While i wait for my PX-560 to arrive, I'm doing a complete revamp of my music area. My electronics workbench and 3D printer are going downstairs to the work room, my WK-7600 is moving from my desk to a floor stand, my electronics equipment - oscilloscope, signal generator, multimeter, soldering workstation, power supply - is going where the WK-7600 was, and my Kurzweil, Yamaha and soon-to-be PX-560 are going to floor stands beside the WK-7600. Somewhere in that cluster of keyboards there will be a 4 input amplifier, my 2 JR149 speakers and the 10" polk sub-woofer. AND I have to do a small electronics repair of the Yamaha, and move a TV from the work room to my exercise room, and finish a computer build for a friend... just a whole pile of work. The trouble with sheltering in place is you get soft, and when you go to actually do stuff, your physique revolts. And take it from me: my physique is definitely revolting. Here's a transcript from a conversation I had with Amazon about my MIA PX-560: ======================================================================== Initial Question: Order # XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX due in 2 days has not shipped yet 12:20 AM PDT Gaurav(Amazon): Hello, my name is Gaurav. I'm here to help you today. 12:21 AM PDT Gaurav: I am sorry to hear that the item has nit shipped yet. I will right away check this for you. 12:24 AM PDT Gaurav: Thank you for waiting. 12:25 AM PDT Gaurav: I have checked and see that this item will be shipped until tomorrow and it be delivered on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 12:26 AM PDT charlie worton: Will the item be shipped on Sunday, or Monday? 12:26 AM PDT Gaurav: It will ship on Sunday 12:27 AM PDT charlie worton: OK. Can you tell me where it is shipping from? 12:28 AM PDT Gaurav: It will be shipping from Canada only but the complete details are not given yet 12:29 AM PDT charlie worton: OK. It seems to me that something is wrong with the order. I say this because most Amazon products ship a day or two after being ordered, but I ordered this product a week ago. It seems that something is wrong. 12:30 AM PDT Gaurav: I can see that the item is delay due to the backlogs of the orders 12:31 AM PDT charlie worton: But you are confident that, even with the backlog, the order will be delivered on Tuesday? 12:31 AM PDT Gaurav: Yes I have confirmed it with our team. 12:32 AM PDT charlie worton: OK. Thank you for your time. I appreciate your efforts. 12:32 AM PDT Gaurav: You're most welcome. Is there anything else I can help you with today? 12:32 AM PDT charlie worton: No, thank you. I will just wait, and hope that everything works out. 12:32 AM PDT Gaurav: It was a pleasure to assist you with this. Thank you for contacting Amazon. We hope to see you again. ============================================== Well, I don't have any particular confidence that they will deliver the keyboard on Tuesday. But, we will see, I suppose. If they're shipping from a local or near-local warehouse, it could happen. But if they're shipping from Toronto - 2,000 miles from Edmonton - I won't see the keyboard this week. What frustrates me, is that I have no choice. Amazon is the only source for this keyboard in all of Canada (with the exception of Cosmo Music, who charge $60 for delivery). Well, I guess that constitutes a choice. Not a good one, but a choice. Ah, well. Gonna go move a TV... >Charlie

I would chime in and say that if you're wanting to learn to play piano, you DEFINITELY want an 88 key keyboard. Beyond that, look for the AIR sound engine in the Casio, and triple sensor, weighted keys. One good example is the PX-S3000, at around $1,000 Canadian (I think around $800 USD). The S3000 has a broad selection of sounds - several hundred, if my memory serves - and they're quite realistic, particularly the pianos. It also features a software application that will run on your apple or android tablet, and help you to learn to play music. There are other good choices, but I think I'd recommend you watch a few YouTube videos on the PX-S3000 and see if it feels right for you. While I like the availability of the Casio 17 track editable music sequencer, you can plug most Casio keyboards into a computer through the USB Midi, and obtain that track recording capability through software running on your computer. Some software is free, some is expensive; but they frequently offer capability that is not available to an on-board music sequencer. Bottom line is, lack of a music sequencer isn't a deal killer. For not much money, you can get the equivalent running on a computer, if that appeals. Good luck in your search! >Charlie

So, I'm waiting... and waiting... and waiting for Amazon to deliver my PX-560. Ordered it 6 days ago, it still hasn't shipped. They claim that they'll have it on my door step in 4 more days. Hah. Not likely. So I got to wondering... if Amazon can't deliver, what are my choices? Who else in Canada can sell me a PX-560? As it turns out, there are precious few choices. According to Google, Canadian Casio dealers in Canada include Best Buy, Canadian Tire (!), and Wal-Mart(!!). Needless to say, none of these stores sell the PX-560. Other stores include Long & McQuade (catalog sales only, and they don't sell the PX-560) AllYouNeed music (don't sell the 560) and Tom Lee music (don't sell the 560). I even went to Casio Canada, and discovered that - unlike many other manufacturers - Casio Canada doesn't maintain a list of retailers that will sell you a Casio product. They don't have a 'click here for a dealer near you' button. At the end of a laborious search, I found just two Canadian sources for the PX-560. Cosmo Music, who will match Amazon's price but charge about $60 for shipping; and Amazon, who offer free shipping. Folks, I think I know why Casio keyboards haven't made a dent in the market. It's really obvious. There are no real Casio dealers! I mean, C'mon. When the top search items that Google finds are Wal-Mart and Canadian Tire, you know you have a market penetration problem. Am I missing something here?

I've just reviewed Mike's post comparing the 560 and the 5S, and I feel the 560 is the right one for me. In particular, having 220 built in rhythms with auto accompaniment is important to me, as is easy access to the transpose function. I'm confused about the 560 not being a good controller keyboard - it has 5 pin DIN MIDI plugs, and i thought MIDI was a standard. But the only other keyboard I own with 5 pin DIN MIDI is my Kurzweil K2000, so I guess I'll let it go. So, that's it - I'm settled on the PX-560, more confidently than before. Thanks, everyone! >Charlie

Ah, Jokeyman123.... wow! It's 1962, and on the cold and rocky coast of Nova Scotia there's a Canadian Radar Installation, part of the multinational Distant Early Warning (DEW) line. The base has about 100 families; one of them, mine. My father was in the services, and we were stationed there. And I remember listening to his Grundig stereo, and a song came on... and I was totally captivated. The song was 'Telstar', and I convinced my Mother to get a friend to make a trip into town to buy a copy. It was the first record I ever purchased; I think it cost a buck, which was a big deal to a 6 year old kid in 1962. But somehow, I came up with the cash and got a copy. If I recall, the flip side was 'jungle fever' - not nearly as good a tune. I think I wore that record out. So, what a time trip to have you provide your very excellent cover of this, my very first record! Thank you for that. And thank you as well for the ringing endorsement of the PX-560. I feel much better, having someone else - with loads of experience - endorse the instrument. That was like a crisp, cold beer on a hot day; very relaxing, and I feel better now. Thank you. Chandler, thank you for the link to Mike's post. I'll read it. I will confess, I didn't do an in depth look at the PX-5S; I just sorta assumed that because the 560 was newer, it would be better. I will definitely check it out. Hi, Brad - PianoManChuck did a nice comparison of 560 and the 3000; I remember thinking that the 560 came out on top, features wise. It seems to do a lot more, or at least offer more capability, than the 3000, which seems to be the winner if you're looking for an ultramodern look and style. The 3000 offers a lot, but I think the 560 offers even more. Well, I'm off to read about the 5S. Thanks, everyone! >Charlie

So, I've just purchased a PX-560, and I'm going nuts waiting for Amazon to deliver it. And of course, I'm starting to second guess my decision. I THINK I bought the right keyboard. But I don't KNOW that I did. So, here's what I was looking for: First, my dream keyboard has to have 88 keys, full keyboard. That's a must. Second, it has to have REALLY good samples - realistic piano and stringed instruments. Third... I don't know where my music will take me, so I want a keyboard with incredible flexibility, one that can do damn near anything, because I don't know what I'll be doing a year from now. I want ALL the toys. So, with all of those criteria...what do you think? Is the PX-560 the best choice for me? Or is there another Casio keyboard I missed, that possibly offers even more than the 560? What are your thoughts? >Charlie

Well, the courier that Amazon hired to deliver my 128GB drive lost it. Amazon has refunded my money, and I ordered a 32GB replacement drive... which Amazon claims that they will have to me within 3 or 4 days. And my PX-560 won't be here for another week... Amazon is falling apart at the seams, as far as delivery and fulfillment is concerned. With so many businesses failing, Amazon is suffering an embarrassment of riches; they have too much business. I ordered an expression pedal, sold and shipped by Amazon; and the delivery date is - I kid you not - June 1 to June 30. Sigh. >Charlie

Thanks for getting back to me! I appreciate it. Sadly, I ordered a 128 GB USB drive from Amazon, and they were unable to cancel the order in time; so, it's going to arrive. I guess I'll try it, and see if it works. If not, I've got a 16GB drive sitting around... somewhere... that will probably work. Sigh. Ah, well! >Charlie

In a moment of youthful abandon, I bought a PX-560; and a 128GB USB drive to go with it. Any idea if the drive is too big? I checked the manual, but didn't see anything relating to maximum USB Drive size. Thanks - Charlie

This will prove very useful when my PX-560 arrives. Thanks, AlenK!

Well, I just hit 'spend' on the Amazon website to buy a brand new PX560; they claim it will get here by Friday, May 29th. I'm relieved to see that Casio technical support is still actively supporting this keyboard. >Charlie

Andy K, that's an exceptional post! What a great idea. Thanks for the contribution! >Charlie

Oh, people... this is a hard post to make. And it may not be appropriate; I'm probably not making great decisions right now. Feel free to skip over all of this. I got involved with this board as a result of my interest in a Casio WK-7600 keyboard. I actually bought one, but about 2 hours after I placed my order the CT-X series of keyboards hit the news. I wound up returning the WK-7600 without ever opening the box, as a result of the superior sound engine in the CT-X keyboards. At the time, I hoped that the CT-X engine would be transposed into a successor to the WK-7600; and there were also the CT-X3000 and 5000 boards to consider. In a vaguely related issue, I suffer from a genetic disease called Dupuytren's Contracture. It's painless; but it causes the tendons in your hands to contract, pulling your fingers towards your palm. I was unable to open my left hand sufficiently to play a chord. The classical solution is extensive hand surgery; general anesthesia, cut out the diseased tissue from the palm and fingers, and graft in new skin harvested from another location on the body. The result looks like hell, but it does (mostly) restore hand function. But there was another option; a new injectable treatment called Xiaflex, which would dissolve the scar tissue that was causing the contraction. The problem was the price; about $1,500 per vial, not covered by Canadian health care, and I would need 3 vials. Fortunately my plastic surgeon was able to obtain some vials from the supplier, and the injections were done, and I largely regained the use of my left hand. It wasn't perfect, but I could again play the keyboards. Meanwhile, my younger sister asked my opinion on an inexpensive, high feature set keyboard; she had trained as a classical pianist, and although she had let her music lapse for about 20 years, she wanted to have a keyboard readily available in her home that she could play when she was in the mood. Through an interesting stroke of luck, Axe Music - the local Casio dealership - had been bought out by a competitor, and they were discontinuing Casio keyboards. I made a call, I got her a deal, and about 4 hours later she owned a Casio WK-7600. Then, things went a bit sideways. The Xiaflex treatments are not a permanent cure; but most people get between 2 and 5 years. In my case, I got about 6 months; by October 2018, I could again no longer use my left hand to make music. The fingers were tightly clenched again. My younger sister has long suffered from attacks of Pancreatitis; an inflammation of the Pancreas. She began to suffer attacks again in October. The general approach is to eliminate fats and to take enzymes that will allow the pancreas to rest; she did this, but the strategy wasn't working. She was hospitalized several times, including over Christmas; but nothing they tried was bringing any relief. On January 16, she again was admitted for severe pancreatitis. Finally, in early February, they determined that she was suffering from stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer, which had metastasized to her liver. It was non treatable, and she had only a few weeks of life left. My beautiful baby sister died today. She died peacefully, with no signs of distress or discomfort, surrounded by her closest family and friends. She has asked that she be cremated, and that her ashes be scattered in a part of the Canadian Rockies that she truly loved. I was always her protector. I took her tobogganing. I helped her learn to parallel park. I installed her first car stereo, and her satellite TV receiver. Most recently, this past summer, I helped build a fence at her new home to keep her new puppy dog in the back yard. And I couldn't protector her from this. And she is gone. And - most delicious of black ironies - I have inherited her Casio WK-7600 keyboard, which I can no longer play. I don't even know why I'm typing this. It's certainly far off topic. But I don't have anyone else to talk to; and at least, we are all musicians. We love music. We share that. It's a bit like having family. Again, I'm sorry to have wasted your time. My best wishes to you all... Charlie

Hey, Brad - first up, gotta tell you, you're massively good. That's spectacular playing. When I grow up, I wanna play like that. It's really useful to have this comparison. It's great to have a recording of the Casio AiR engine up directly against the new Casio AiX engine. In truth, both of them sounded excellent; I think that if I had either one in my home, I'd be happy. It's just amazing that the CT-X5000 can sound this good, while selling for considerably less than half the price of the PX-560. Of course, you're getting an 88 key weighted keyboard and a color display with the PX-560... but even so. I think that, were I a manufacturer of keyboards in the $500 to $2,000 range, I'd be quite concerned. The CT-X5000 is a world class instrument, and I think it's going to create a significant seismic shift in the music industry. If it hasn't already. Brad, thanks again for your help. Your efforts have helped me clarify my thoughts. Best, Charlie

Hi, Brad - thanks so much for posting the audio files. I'm assuming they came from the same MIDI file, or something. In general, I prefer the first one. It seems to offer more contrast, more realism. I didn't see any labels on the files. Which is which? Thanks, Charlie