Random_Vibration

Casio, despite the hype, makes entry hardware. As you need more, you move up to Korg, Roland, Kawai, Yamaha, Nord, Kurzweil, etc. I bought the MZ-X500 and kept bumping into it's small sampling size and sequencer limits. I moved to Akai MPC One to do most of its duties. Better sequencer, better sampler, better synthesis of instruments from samples, newer and better manufacturer supported hardware. The updates are significant. I don't even use the MPC for what most users use it for...beats. it's a better composition platform than the MZ-X500. Kept the MZ-X500 for the organ drawbar sliders and other minor features. If I had known it was so limiting, I would skipped straight to a MPC.

I actually don't understand what you did. Did you plug your WIDI Bud Pro into your instrument or your computer? You text doesn't make that particularly clear. Since you don't explain what Mac you are using, are you using it's built in BT? What did you plugged into where and what applications you are using? It is difficult to provide assistance without a better description of what you actually did. I can tell you the WIDI Bud Pro isn't the right device to plug directly into your Casio keyboard. You need a WIDI Uhost device and a USB B assessory cable from CME if you want to make this work. You might be able to use a USB B to C cable commercially available too. The USB B assessory cable connects the larger USB B port on the keyboard to the Uhost. It should power the device as well. If your IOS device has BT, you are done. Pick up the Uhost in the OS and work away. No disrespect but if your explanation to CME of what you intend was as clear as what you provided here, I can see where there is confusion. I have to fill in the blanks and that is where errors occur.

I won't be the slightest surprised if it is just a CT-X or CTK with an over hyped teaser video. Watching the video, you would think a new synthesizer was coming but Casio hasn't released anything vaguely pro level in five or six years. They put their bet on returning to their roots of affordable consumer level devices. I'd be surprised if Casio is going to make a PX-560, MZ-X500, PX-5S, CZ, or XW grade device this year. Current parts and shipping problems make whatever it is more dear but but I wouldn't be surprised if it's just another basic device with the same limitations they are known for providing.

Samsung tablets normally don't need a OTG adapter. That is an Apple thing. You can use a type C to type B USB data cable from Amazon and you're done if you want a cabled connection. I suspect there isn't a problem with your tablet or the Casio app. I use a lessor tablet than the S7 (S6 Lite) and CME WIDI Master Bluetooth Low latency devices on the Casio PX-560 and MZ-X500 and both are immediately discoverable on the Chordana app. The initial post is quite confusing. You reference your tablet as both an A7 and a S7. Which unit is it? Frankly, both should work fine if presented a functioning Bluetooth MIDI device and the Chordana app. Another question you don't explain in the initial post is what did you do once you opened the Chordana app? The order of events should be as followed: 1) Install the the Bluetooth transceiver to the keyboard while it is turned off per the instructions you have. 2) Turn on the keyboard. 3) Launch the app on the keyboard. 4) Go to settings in the app and select the Bluetooth device. What steps did you follow? There is no pairing in the traditional sense for BT MIDI devices on Android. The app is where the BT device is recognized, not at the OS level for BT MIDI. If you need more universal BT MIDI support for Android, you need a middleware to support it. In this case, it is unnecessary. Chordana has all you need to recognized the device. I don't have your keyboard or BT device but for Android, the procedure is all the same of it's actually going to work. Pick up the BT device inside the app you're trying to use. There are better teaching applications on Android but they aren't free. I would start out with the Casio app and move on to if it doesn't suit your needs. The connection process will be similar for other Android apps.

I always understood. I just think as your expectations grows, so should your purchase cost expectations. Casio only gets you so far. You want better, it's going to cost you. The problem is of expectations. My expectations are in tune to what is being offer. You think they should give you more for the price offered. For me, Casio gets me far enough to cover my needs. Once the PX-560 and MZ-X500 are gone, that no longer is true. If I had to replace either, I am prepared to step up significantly in price to YC-88 and PSR-SX900 (or Korg Pa600) because that is what I'll need to do to be satisfied. If I want more, surely it's going to cost me to get more. I'm good with that. Casio is serving my needs at a price point. Once that is no longer true, I need to adjust to that. I have no expectation that Casio is going to move for me. Accepting the things you can't change is a part of life.

With low prices comes compromises. Casio seems to focus on a core function set and leaves the reason behind. How Casio handles MIDI is a perfect example. A flagship $1200 USD model PX-560 has no MIDI Clock out. $300 Yamaha Reface DX has a MIDI clock. Even when you plug the Yamaha into Casio's Chordana app, it seem more aware what connected and a message pops up Yamaha Reface DX whereas you plug in a Casio PX-560 or MZ-X500 you get a generic Casio keyboard message. Casio uses a minimalist approach. Only concentrate on what they feel people will buy.

Why the multiple quotes? You think Casio needs your help? You have an opinion. They've heard it. They don't need your help unless your are a brilliant electrical or mechanical engineer with a revolutionary idea. They hear you. They hear me. The fact remains that Casio is going to do what they want to do. That generally means weighing what they think they can sell. I want what I want. You want what you want. We're both going to be disappointed because I don't think either will be satisfied. Casio doesn't want what either of us want. I don't recall saying I want the MZ-X500 because of it's synthesizer. I mention the bass synth as an advantage over the PX-560. I said I like sound creation but I have other tools (Dexed, Reface DX) besides the PX-560 and MZ-X500 for that. I don't 'need' the Casio for that. If I were really synthesizer focused, I would have a Yamaha MODX-8 instead because it far exceeds the MZ in that job. I don't have the MODX not because I can't own one but because I'm not that deep into synthesizers to buy one. If I were, there's nothing keeping me from buying one besides setting up another keyboard stand. I'll explain so you don't need to misunderstand: 1) I use the sound creation and editing features. 2) To meet the objectives #1, I use both the MIDI recorder and the audio recorders. 3) I use the sampling features (onboard and sampling editor for tone creation) 4) I use the organ drawbar and leslie wheel. Really like the organ features on the MZ. 5) Lastly, I use the synthesizer functions in conjunction with other options I have at my disposal. I use the PX-560 primarily to maintain some level of proficiency with a piano like keybed and tinker with melodies on occasion. I used to use it like a workstation but found it limiting. Sometimes I MIDI it up with the MZ. Sometimes I MIDI it up with Reface DX. I get it that arranger features like rhythms and accompaniment are big in various regions of the world. I just think maybe you have better options than Casio to give you what you need. You have the Korg PA series, Roland E-A7, and Yamaha PSR-SX900 which all seem to be better arrangers. The MZ is a jack of all trades, specialist in none.

For me (a PX-560M owner first) it was an easy buy. I bought the PX-560 primarily to play only. It's limitations in editing, lack of sampling, missing drawbar sliders, bass synth, additional direct access buttons, and pads more than made it worth the addition. For me, accompaniments, styles, and rhythms are a non-issue because I am not a performer. Don't mess with them much. If my fingers were what I used to earned me a living, I'd be broke. Being able to sample in new instruments and editing are more valuable. I like to compose tunes and play with sounds. There is nothing like the MZ-X500 at the price point just as there is nothing like the PX-560 at it's price point. Compare the MZ-X500 to the Yamaha PSX-SXx00 series, Roland FA 06, and Korg PA600. I am satisfied with the value proposition. The overlap with the PX-560 is a blessing since the screen interface is similar enough to make it easy to go between the two with no issues. One is for playing. The other is to play with. My MZ-X500 is taking on DX7 and DX100 converted tones very convincingly via a Reface DX and Dexed. It's a workhorse for me. I have Cubase and don't touch it much since getting the MZ-X500. It is more helpful with when dealing with the DX which is very powerful but has no sequencing. You get a loop recorder with punch in/out support.

Sorry for my tone. I just wished Casio had the same passion for the business as Yamaha and Roland does. I don't know the business case for a Reface or Boutique CZ but I'm certain they'll sell zero units if they offer none. Casio could be in economic austerity mode or something. No new products at NAMM 2021. No new flagship products since 2016. No heritage products. The MZ-X500 is dead and out of stock. The PX-560M hasn't been available in some parts of the world for a couple years now. The PX-5 is a quite mature product. None of these seem to have a replacement to be found. Maybe we've seen the best Casio products come and go. A CZ revival just isn't a part of their plans. They seem to act as if they flew to close to the sun and the wax on their wings melted. Take care of your gear folks, it may be all you get.

That's not it. Yamaha and Roland are both Japanese and both have released heritage products. Yamaha reface series and Roland Boutique both reimagined old products with modern hardware. Making broad generalizations based something you saw once doesn't help in any way. Casio doesn't want or see the need to reach back beyond Casiotone at the moment. As a Reface owner, I appreciate Yamaha reaching back and bringing these reimagined products back. Of course, Yamaha never abandoned their FM roots. The MODX, Montage, Genos have FM engines in them among other technologies. Casio has pulled up and out of PD for some strange reason. Maybe Roland and Yamaha just have more respect for their past musical heritage than Casio.

Jokeyman, you planted a CZ bug in my head that slowly began to eat at me. I am going to try it out. Started out with the DX reface and researching the DX7, DX9, DX1, DX21, DX100, TX6 and TX8. That got me back the CZ which could make some FM like sounds with it's PD synthesizer. Yet, PD is easier to drive than FM. While I play with PD, maybe we can get Casio to make a CZ reface with new hardware. I still prefer physical hardware eventhough I have a DAW and Dexed. Maybe I'll try to gen up some CZ like MZ and PX tones.

I was one of those who helped empty out American Music Supply of inventory. I had been watching the supply of MZ-X500s leading up to the 2021 NAMM event. When I saw Roland, Yamaha, and Casio weren't bring much new to the table with the exception of the previously announced PSR-SX600, I bought the MZ. As soon as the NAMM situation indicated nothing was headed in the pipeline, I jumped. I hope Roland, Korg, and Casio have new product coming soon in this space. Looks like only Yamaha is taking the prosumer workstation market seriously enough to keep new product in the pipeline. Roland and Korg haven't brought anything new to the space for a bit like Casio. Nord prices itself out of the segment.

Honestly, I don't know what to think about how Casio brands products in specific regions. All I do know is their new product pipeline seems to the casual observer to be empty. Stuff may be coming but unlike others, they have nothing to show anybody.

Sounds like more talk like after NAMM 2021 when Casio showed up empty handed while others had new products to show. Sure, it could be in the pipeline as suggested. Right now, crickets. I had so much faith in the rumor that I bought a Yamaha DX Reface to serve secondary as a MIDI controller (and FM Synth) instead of this alleged high grade Casiotone. The Reface in some respects is a better MIDI controller than high end Casio products for a fraction of the cost. And you get a free FM synthesizer. Breakout cable DIN MIDI In/MIDI Out. A MIDI clock. While Casio is working Casiotone, I'm thinking Yamaha YC-88 or YC-73. Casio, the world awaits.

Not a Apple user but you might want to mention which one you're using along with the browser and OS version.