TedS

Hello Casiotone users! Can someone please tell me, does the CT-S500 have any provisions for fitting a music rest (also sometimes these are called a book stand.) Basically a panel that installs to the back of the console to hold paper sheet music or even an iPad. I'm pretty sure the CT-X3000, etc., are supplied with one in the box. But the CT-S500 manual doesn't mention it, and I haven't found pictures on the Web of a CT-S500 with one installed. So how do you support your music when playing? Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

This is a significant finding, and here's why: Older Casio keyboards, including the WK-7600 and PX-560, lack a "sync stop" or arranger memory function. If a user wants to play "rubato" and not be bound to the meter of a programmed rhythm, there's no way that I'm aware of to stop the accompaniment when the keys are released. By sending the "placeholder tones" to MIDI output, the Casio could be connected to an inexpensive external tone module such as the Yamaha QY70. This could provide a simple but fuller-sounding ad hoc accompaniment with a broad choice of voices. You could also connect to other arrangers like a Tyros or Genos, and probably control style playback on those isntruments while using Casio's familiar 'Fingered 1' mode. This mode is in many ways easier and more straightforward than Yamaha's "AI Fingered" system. If someone actually tries what I'm proposing, I would love to know (and hear!) the results!

Hello again, It's been almost 2 years. My question is about the "placeholder" tones (piano and strings) that sound with ACCOMP on and the rhythm stopped. Does anyone know whether these tones can be output as MIDI messages, on the WK-7600, PX-560, CT-X series, or any other Casio keyboard? Thanks to all in advance for providing this information!

On the CT-S500 or CT-S1000V, Is it possible to create a new user rhythm, either from "scratch," or by modifying a factory rhythm? If not, that's a real shame, because the display interface is much, much better than that of the CT-X5000, which does have this capability. Please consider adding this functionality in a future firmware update, or as an upgraded "CT-S600" model! Thanks!!

Recently, I played a WK at the local music store. I noticed that when ACCOMP is active and the rhythm is stopped, you can play keys in the chord area. The machine will sound a faint chord and bass tone when the keys are pressed. Can someone who owns one please test, and let me know if these chord AND bass "note on" and "note off" messages are output to MIDI? Thanks!

Good question. Casio developers should take note... ALL serious arrangers should support chord recognition with the style stopped. Although it's possible to create a user style that does this (as Brad suggests), it should really be a native feature, and the chord/bass output should also be delivered to MIDI OUT. I've created styles like this for other brands of instruments. It's a fair amount of work. You can probably come close to what you're trying to do, by starting with a style like String Quartet that has no drums nor rhythmic "beat." Play your chord intro with that style, and then change to the style you want to use for the rest of the song. If you don't like the string sounds, you might be able to revoice the bass and other style tracks. But if it's your intention to play "held chords," you should really choose instruments like organ, brass section, etc., which can sustain a sound indefinitely, otherwise it may sound choppy and amateurish. My $.02.

Mr. Silva I'm very familiar with Roland arrangers. I believe you are referring to Roland's 'Standard' mode, whereby the accompaniment is limited to the keys pressed at any given moment. I guess that would be ok as an additional option. But I mostly like Casio's Fingered 1 the way it is (I.e.: single note produces a major triad.) Most often, especially for novice players, a major chord is more useful. The current behavior produces a full, rich-sounding accompaniment. The behavior in Casio's Fingered 1 is very similar to Roland's 'Intelligent' mode, which intentionally supplies the "missing" notes of your intended chord. However, UNLIKE Roland''s intelligent mode, with Casio's latest offerings you can still get open fifths (power chords) and unisons. Power chords can be obtained by playing the root and fifth [1+5]. Unisons can be obtained by playing an octave [1+8]. This span is within most people's reach, and for the rare occasions where a unison is needed, Casio's system is thoughtfully conceived and executed.

Hi Brad, Please consider the following suggestion for inclusion in a future OS update (and also in future Casio arranger-type keyboards) Current functionality: Fingered 1 and Fingered 2 modes permit playing chords in any inversion. The bass pattern follows the root of the recognized chord. Fingered 3 mode, also known as "Fingered on Bass," recognizes the lowest played note as the bass note, and alters the bass pattern of the accompaniment accordingly. It's not clear from the manual whether the chord recognition mode can presently be selected or changed by pressing a foot switch. Therefore I would like Casio to add a new function to the footswitch menu. This would be a MOMENTARY function (i.e., like Sustain) When you press the footswitch, and for as long as you hold the footswitch down, Fingered 3 mode is in effect When you release the footswitch, chord recognition reverts to Fingered 1 (or perhaps, whatever fingering mode was selected previously) Having this functionality would make it much easier to play songs that have mostly "normal" chords and the occasional slash chord. Most of the song's chords could be played in their familiar, comfortable inversions with a minimum of hand movement. When the odd slash chord arises, you could press the foot pedal, play the chord in a specific inversion to specify the bass, and then release the pedal to continue the song. Glad to discuss this proposal further via private message or here on the forum. Thank you in advance for considering this suggestion!

Thanks Chandler, Brad, and others. While we're on the subject of minor enhancements, I would also like to see a small addition to your chord recognition table. In "Fingered 3" / "Fingered on Bass" mode, playing G with C above should be recognized as 'C on G,' i.e., a C chord with G in the bass. Presently, I believe this two-finger combo is not recognized as any chord in this mode. To get C on G, you have to add the third above (three notes in total), which is sometimes inconvenient in fast progressions. A minor change, I know, but leaving G with C above unrecognized is a lost opportunity. Respectfully and for your consideration, Ted

The PX-560M is pretty awesome. But it lacks a couple of things that are absolutely essential to the way I play. Specifically, an arranger 'memory' parameter, and/or sync stop. Turning "memory" or arranger hold OFF stops the melodic accompaniment when you release the keys in the style section. Generally the drums would continue to play. Most folks would leave this on all the time, but being able to turn off arranger memory adds flexibility for rubato pieces, or any music that doesn't require a rhythmic accompaniment. It would sound great with the "string quartet" or piano styles. Another way to achieve a similar effect is by activating "sync stop," which stops the style when keys in the style section are released. However with sync stop, even the drums are silent. Sync stop was added to some of Casio's newer arrangers, especially the MZ-X500, which has a similar look and feel to the PX-560M. But the keybed on the MZ-X500 can't really compare to the PX-560M. So could Sync stop, or even an arranger memory parameter be added to the PX-560M in an OS update? Of course there wouldn't be a dedicated button for sync stop on the panel, but some other brands use the same button with multiple presses to cycle through sync start and stop. Brad please consider this for the next OS update, or even the successor model!!