Headhunter

At some point during my "decision process" I considered combining the PX-S3000 with the SL Mixface controller by Studiologic. You connect that baby between your PX-S3000 and your PC via USB and it will transform your PX-S3000 to a full 4-zone Master keyboard with additional knobs, sliders and even DAW control. And these controls can fully be customized.

https://www.studiologic-music.com/products/mixface/

8 hours ago, rodmusic said:

Headhunter, I just ran some tests with the MIDI monitor in Pianoteq 6 and can confirm that the PX-S3000 will do what you want.

[...]

Hope all this is useful to anyone wondering if the PX-S3000 will work for you as a MIDI controller. 

That was exactly what I was looking for. Now I see a way, HOW I could accomplish my configuration. Thank you very much for your effort, rodmusic.

Unfortunately, the PX-S3000 isn't on top of my list anymore due to the fact that the MIDI controller capabilities are quite rudimentary (to be honest: your findings are proof of that) and also due to the announcement here in the forum that there are no plans for firmware updates for the PX-S series.

I almost bought the old PX-5S, but although the model is nice, it is quite old. So I decided to wait a bit longer, perhaps Casio releases a successor to the PX-5S soon.

On 1/30/2019 at 10:43 AM, mike71 said:

You're forgetting the PX-5S - was marketed in 2013. I consider it a stage piano/synth hybrid, and the PX-560 is different in some aspects.

 

I sectetly hope that they are testing a new chipset capable of sampling and having a phase distortion engine with customizable wave shapes, but I don't hold my breath.

A new successor to the PX-5S would be exactly what I am looking for. Considering the new PX-S line perhaps with their new (less noisy!) smart scaled hammer action, the new piano sounds, the AiR/AiX hybrid sound engine used in the PX-S series, but still with Hex layers and the extended controller functions from the PX-5S. Expression pedal port and Audio over USB would be nice, too. If it gets a touch screen like the PX-560 and the portable 3-pedal solution of the PX-S series, it would make the perfect digital piano/controller/synth workhorse.

As the PX-5S is quite old now and already hard to get in stores (is it still in production?), I hope that there will be a successor, soon.

I am currently in the situation having to decide if I buy a PX-560 NOW or wait for the PX-5S successor. The new PX-S line doesn't really appeal to me (only rudimentary MIDI controller functions, no firmware updates planned (as stated here in the forums)).

From all the pictures of the pianos and pedals I've seen, the SP-33 has a rectangle plug with five pins in one row in it, that can be be connected to the bottom of the PX-560.

The SP-34 however has a round plug with a bunch of pins in it, that can be connected to the back of (e.g.) PX-S3000. 

Here are pictures of the SP-33 connector and the port at the bottom of the PX-560:

Here are pictures of the SP-34 connector and port (here on the back of the PX-S1000 - labeled "PEDAL UNIT" - looks like a 6-pin mini-DIN connector (as used with PS/2 PC keyboards):

On 1/20/2019 at 1:50 AM, AlenK said:

[...] 

 

PS. I would be willing to bet that the SP-34 would connect and operate correctly with a PX-560 with just a passive cable adapter. Anyone want to buy one when they are released to find out? I don't have a need yet for three pedals or I would be tempted. It looks like the pedals are no longer than those on the SP-33 but at least it will sit on the floor properly. (Mind you, I do have my PX-560 on Casio's stand, so I could have already bought the SP-33.)

Yes, an adapter cable with a female connector for the proprietary plug of the SP-34 on the one side and a proprietary plug to connect to the PX-560 (like the plug of the SP-33) on the other side would be nice. Like this we could connect the SP-34 to the PX-560 to get half-dampening without having to own the furniture stand. 

Come on, Casio, can't you offer this as a small accessory, please! 😁 This would increase the value of the PX-560 even more. I am considering buying one, after having looked at the (newer) PX-S series first. I see the PX-560 as superior to the new models, although the PX-560 is older. The only drawback for me is the current 3-pedal solution. 

2 hours ago, Brad Saucier said:

 

 

Please explain.     

I want to play virtual instruments through MIDI on my PC. These instruments can receive and react on mod wheel and expression pedal input. Mod wheel is CC#1, expression pedal is CC#11. So I need one of the knobs to send CC#1 and I hope(!) an expression pedal connected to the PX-S3000 sends CC#11 (is that so?).

See, for example, Keyscape from Spectrasonics: https://support.spectrasonics.net/manual/Keyscape/11/en/topic/midi

There I need CC#11 for expression pedal and the CC command for the mod wheel is even configurable (how luxury). So in this case I would even be satisfied if the knobs of the PX-S3000 send ANY CC command via MIDI, so that Keyscape can learn it. A reference of those command numbers would be nice.

On 5/6/2019 at 10:36 PM, Brad Saucier said:

 

Sorry, apparently we misinterpreted your question.  Can you put modulation (vibrato) or any other CC's on the knobs?  Yes. The chart shows what is available besides vibrato.  Can all CC numbers can be assigned?  No, the sets are predetermined.     

Sorry, but controlling vibrato on an internal tone is not the same as sending CC#1 over MIDI. Manuals from other Casio pianos (e.g. PX-560) explicitly document the possibility of sending CC codes, but the PX-S3000 doesn't. Looks strange to me. 

Sorry for being so fussy about this, but this would be a crucial functionality for me. 

4 hours ago, Mike Martin said:

Yes

 

Well, how? The table you posted doesn't say anything about CC Codes? I already went through the manual. Nothing found.

Can I use one of the knobs above the pitchbend wheel on the PX-S3000 as a Modulation wheel (MIDI CC#1) or any other MIDI CC code?

9 hours ago, Joe Muscara said:

I think the logic is that if you're using the PX-S as a controller then you're not using the internal sounds and thus you don't need to use the app to control the PX-S.

 

Or, you configure the PX-S with the app, and then switch to sending to your DAW. Are you really going to change the tones or other settings of the PX-S while you're connected to your DAW? If you're only going to change one or two things, you can do that through the keyboard's interface. Everything that's configurable in the app is configurable via the front panel, just less easily. 

Good point which makes me reconsider. When connected to the DAW I indeed would not change tones so much. Hmmmm... 

1 hour ago, Brad Saucier said:

For both PX-S1000 and PX-S3000, all of the functions can be controlled through their own interfaces, without the app.  The app is merely a convenience item in that respect.   

Well, controlling the PX-S1000 through key combinations looks like a chore. 

Here is a nice video that compares the new Px-S series with the older PX-560, especially comparing key action and piano sounds. The author also has other interesting videos about the bew Casio pianos. Check his YouTube channel. 

https://youtu.be/PCx30-UDuxE

EDIT: Also, just in, a new video comparing the PX-S1000 with the PX-S3000:

https://youtu.be/4-VGNHhGVOs

I'll just add my question to this thread:

How to use the app if the USB connection is already used for DAW integration? Especially the PX-S1000 is quite "dependent" on the app. 

The keys in the new Casio privia pianos are indeed a lot more silent than the keys in older Casio models (see here: https://youtu.be/PCx30-UDuxE?t=270).

But I think the main advantage of the Roland FP series above the Casio PX-S series is the fact that Roland has a "real" Bluetooth connection and not only BT Audio like the Casio. Like this with Roland pianos you can use the mobile app (through BT) AND have the piano connected to your DAW on the PC or Mac (through USB Midi). I don't see how I could get this to work with Casio, which is a big bummer for me as I wanted to use the piano as Master keyboard (so USB is occupied), but I also want to control the piano with the app, which is not possible with Casio as the app can only be connected through USB, which is already occupied in my case. Especially the PX-S1000 is uncontrollable without the app.

So I guess I'll HAVE to go with the Roland FP-30, although I really like the other features of the PX-S (especially the PX-S3000 is such a great piano), but the described issue just breaks my basic work flow. It' like a smartphone with the fastest CPU and biggest memory and best camera, but without an antenna for making simple phone calls. ☹️