willf

ok, this is where Im at...

Ive figured out how to make a layer, so i now have Grand piano on zone 1, soft pad on zone 2, and GX strings 2 on zone 3. What I want to do is assign slider one to Zone one (piano), slider 2 to zone 2( pad), and slider 3 to strings, and control the volume of each zone with the assigned slider. Currently, the only slider that works is slider one, and it raises the level of pads and strings only. I cant make the volume of the piano go down to zero with any slider. So, Ive gone to Stage setup  edit, and was able to enable slider 1, 2, and 3, but they dont control anything. Do you try to do this through mixer edit? or tone edit? the tutorial just lists parameters, doesnt give any intsructions to help. Thanks

These threads might help.

http://www.casiomusicforums.com/index.php?/topic/4200-new-owner-have-questions/

http://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/2083428/Casio%20PX-5S%20-%20zone%20volume%20on%20k.html

 

In the past, you had to tune oscillators. Amazing.

Thanks for the reply.

 

And often several times during a gig as the electronics warmed up.. If Steve thought the Prodigy was bad he should have tried the MemoryMoog!

Downloaded and fooling around with it because I can't sleep. Looks great!

 

Can't seem to open files from the parameter editor without being connected to the board. Anyone get around this?

I have the same problem.

Kurt,

I currently use a Behringer FCB1010 with a PX-3.This midi foot controller has two expressions pedals and is a fairly capable device.

Unfortunately it takes a while to become familiar with it but it would certainly allow you swell pads and strings. A slight downside is that the pedals have little resistance as delivered - but they can easily be tightened to offer more resistance. The FCB1010 is also quite large.

Mike,

a quick question. would it be a sensible precaution to install batteries prior to updating the firmware in case of a power cut during the update?

I have had one instrument 'become a brick' as a result of such a power cut.

I'd like to throw in The Cars "Just What I Needed". I'm a total synth noob, so maybe this doesn't rise to the level of a song setting, but I need it for a gig so why not?

 

On a related note, anyone care to suggest how would I put together a sound for that tune? 

As you are new to synths this may not make much sense but:

For the 'main' riff, first time played, try layering  a square wave with a saw wave set one octave higher. Depending on how your synth (PX-5S?) sounds you may need to use a Low Pass Filter to take off some of the bottom end. You may also need to use a bit of chorus on the saw wave to thicken the sound and add a bit of movement. You will need to experiment with the amount of portamento you use as this will depend, to a degree, on your playing style.

For the 'main' riff, apart from the first time played, and the end riff just mute the saw wave layer.

If the sound is too 'thin' for your liking then simply double up on the wave forms and detune one slightly to make it sound 'thicker'. 

This should be fairly easy on the PX-5S, or indeed the XW-P1

A question for Mike. Can detune amount be controlled by an LFO or is detune amount static/fixed?

Reading through a thread on another forum reminded me of a song that I have not played for a long time - Golden Brown by the Stranglers.

As far as I know this was played on a real harpsichord. The main problem that I have with most 'stock' harpsichord patches is the lack of sound on key release.

Great List willf!  

This is a 'partial list' drawn from four set lists that I currently play.

Mike,

if Casio do this then perhaps you will consider using waterfall type keys as I find these particularly 'useful' when playing organ smears etc. One or even two sets of 9 drawbars would also be useful as would a couple of expression pedal inputs.

As BeowulfX has posted  improved pads, brass, strings - but also Organ. (Not that I have tried a PX-5S yet).

Something akin to a lightweight Kurzweil PC3K7 (with waterfall keys) would be ideal . (For me at least).

Mike,

I won't dump a complete set list on you but a variety of songs and differing levels of complexity from a sound setup point of view.

I'm not in Love - 10cc,   House of the Rising Sun - Animals,   Paradise - Coldplay,   Viva la Vida - Coldplay,   I Just Died in Your Arms - Cutting Crew,  Brothers in Arms - Dire Straits,   Walk of Life - Dire Straits,  The Final Countdown - Europe, Follow You Follow Me - Genesis, Steppin' Out - Joe Jackson,   Don’t Stop Believin' - Journey,  Ruby - Kaiser Chiefs,   Kashmir - Led Zeppelin,   Kayleigh - Marillion,   Lavendar - Marillion,   A Whiter Shade of Pale - Procol Harum,   Black Magic Woman - Santana,   Do it Again - Steely Dan,  Africa - Toto, Drops of Jupiter - Train,   Jump - Van Halen , Valerie - Zutons (Sax in left, Voice for Oohs and Aahs)

Edited:

and a few where piano/electric piano features strongly.

Yes.  In the PX-5S already there is a Hex-Layer tone called "Concert Strings".   I actually used the 6 layers to arrange the strings in the stereo field as they would be in an orchestra.  So the bass notes are panned right, the cello or mid section is a little more center and so on.   You could easily edit this and change the layers to build something else. 

Thanks Mike. I look forward to listening to this when the PX-5S finally ships to the UK. The capabilities of the instrument are looking increasingly impressive.

In the "Concert Strings" that I made, they are not crossfaded.  In theory, it could be done with the upcoming v1.10 because they additional AMP/Filter breakpoints have been added.  I will have to experiment with this.

Mike,

if this can be done, and the base samples are 'OK', then this will come close to what can be achieved (is programmed) on the Kurzweil PC3 series - quite an accolade!

You can set velocity limits upper and lower in a similar fashion to the key range limits.  Velocity outside of these limits will become silent.   Keep in mind the velocity setting will affect the entire key range of a that layer (not just where it overlaps with another).   

 

I'm not an owner of a PX5s.  I'm going from the pdf manual for it and my experience with my MZ-2000 which has these same parameters as the px5.   There may be more new tricks added since the old MZ days.

Again thanks. I have just found and downloaded the manuals.

I think I can help with this.  

 

Yes you can do that.  You set the "Upper Key Range" and Lower Key Range"  for each layer.  

 

For example: Cello can be set to Upper Key Range C2 and nothing in that layer will sound above that note.  

 

The same goes for lower key range in that nothing will sound below the specified note.  Just make these settings for each layer and you should be good.  You can even overlap layers if you like, or not.

Brad,

thanks. If you overlap layers can you use velocity switching to change the 'balance of sounds'?

Mike,

a while back in the Nord User Forum you posted:

To clarify the PX-5S can do 4 zones. 2 of those zones can do Casio's "Hex Layer Programs" which themselves are 6 layers each (split, layered or velocity switched in any manner). So two Hex layer programs, plus two regular programs is a total of 14 layers at once.

Just to make sure I am understanding this correctly. Is it possible to create a hex Layer that uses the whole 88 notes, but to have elements that are split across the keyboard, for example, Cello in bass, Viola in Middle, Violin in Upper? I hope that this makes sense.

Can I ask what your favourite Hex Layers and Tones are? I am especially eager to hear from those of you who use the XW-P1 in a band setting to cover songs or in the 'pit' for stage shows.

I would also like to know what performances (if that is the correct XW-P1 term, for sounds sequences etc) you use for any specific songs.

Mike,

I consider this such an improvement over the PX-3 and from what I have heard the XW-P1 that I intend to buy one as soon as they are available in the UK.

Now all I need is Casio to produce a lightweight semi-weighted keyboard with aftertouch that rivals the Kurzweil PC3K7 and my back is safe!

You might also wish to consider some good quality powered speakers In case you ever wish to play live. For example QSC K8 or K10 (I prefer the 10) or Yamaha DXR series. Or sticking with monitors the KRK Rockit series.

I really recommend that you try and watch this stream. The PX-5S is really flexible and allowing for the 'sound via webcam' sounds really good. Mike Martin does an excellent job demoing the instrument.

I'm going to connect my midi monitor to rule out (or in) a velocity issue.

Gary, you might also try creating a midi file that simply does a chromatic run over the range you are concerned with - this will eliminate keybed issues.

Gary,

I have a PX-3 (limited edition if that makes any difference). No such problem here.

The PX-5S will respond to CC#11 on any MIDI channel. So it the Behringer FCB1010 is set to send expression on MIDI Channel 2 - typically Zone 2 on the PX-5S than that is how the PX-5S will respond. The MIDI loop is not necessary.

Mike,

again, many thanks. I am very much looking forward to trying the PX-5S when they arrive in the UK.

Local control has nothing to do with it. The PX-5S responds to CC#11. I'm not sure if I completely understand your question.

Mike,

I realise that the PX-5S is a different beast. On the PX-3 if I create a registration that contains piano and strings then I can use a Behringer FCB1010 to 'swell' the strings. But the only way that I have managed, this far, to do this is to turn Local Off and then send the midi out from the PX-3 to the FCB1010 and then back to the PX-3 to merge expression data with the keyboard data.

This is already possible.

Thanks Mike. But just to clarify - this will be possible without turning local off?

Interesting device, however it is meant to work with USB Class Compliant MIDI devices. I don't believe the WK-7500 is Class Compliant.

The WK-7500 has a class compliant USB midi port.