AlenK

In addition to sending out a MIDI clock (tempo sync) I'm pretty sure the XW-P1 will also send out MIDI Start and Stop (at least, that's what the MIDI implementation document claims - I have never tried it). I'm sure Brad thought that went without saying. Beyond that, the sequencer can of course send notes out to trigger different instrument sounds for drum machines that support that (e.g., Roland TR-8). The sequencer's four control tracks can send out four streams of data for four different MIDI control change (CC) messages. Some drum machines like the TR-8 can use specific CC messages to change tuning, drum-sound decay times, reverb parameters, etc. PS. Note that the XW-P1 midi implementation document doesn't say anything about MIDI Continue. That it would be missing is consistent with the step sequencer's operation; it does not have the ability to pause its playback. You can only start it or stop it.

Looks and sounds nice. This is evidence in my mind that Uli Behringer has changed the pricing model for synths: The 16-voice version (also available with 8 voices) is apparently priced at $1999 (street). That's a lot less than I expected.

I finally got a chance to try some AC7 and CKF files (found them here on the forum). I couldn't find a z00 file but I don't think it matters; I think the result would be the same. From the Media menu selecting "Rhythm" does show the files in the list (I don't get the No File error message). But the Execute button that would load them stays grayed out. I see no other way to load rhythms from a memory stick. Specifically, it does not seem to be possible from the Rhythms menu, unlike how you can load MIDI files from the MIDI Recorder menu.

That is an interesting discovery and workaround. If the mod wheel behaves in a similar manner, although not exhibiting the problem as obviously (I did not think to try the mod wheel!) perhaps the problem is with the PX-560's internal (s/w) control of volume, not with how it is reading the expression pedal. If that is indeed the case that's actually kind of a bigger problem!

That unique blue seems to have become Casio's preferred color for pro products. I really like it and I hope they continue with it. As much as red has become Nord's color this blue should become Casio's color.

Sounds more like the Daleks from Doctor Who:

The PX-560 is a strange child. Casio calls it a stage piano and indeed it functions as one, of course. But with the inclusion of built-in speakers it also functions as a digital piano for the home, especially when mounted on a CS-67 stand (as I have done). But wait, there's more. The inclusion of a 17 track sequencer (16 parts + system), accompaniment rhythms (which everyone else calls styles) and chord recognition/completion means it can also function as an arranger/workstation to an extent. And the inclusion of the Hex Layer mode means it is also a synthesizer (technically, even a ROMpler with editing is a synthesizer but you know what I mean). But in trying to be a jack-of-all-trades it ends up being master of none. The arranger part of its personality is limited by its inability to import new rhythms (styles) or to create them from scratch. Only very limited editing of the built-in rhythms is possible. The sequencer is inexplicably missing at least one feature I consider basic (I will not rehash that). The MIDI is missing the above-mentioned MIDI clock send and receive. (I haven't checked the latter myself but I trust that surfkat actually tried it.) What other MIDI functions it may be missing is unknown because the MIDI implementation document itself is missing. (Don't tell me it shouldn't get one, not with the existence of such a document for the previous generation PX-X50 line.) I chose the PX-560 for what it can do right now, not for what it might be able to do with a software upgrade. It was the right choice for me. However, I don't think I am unreasonable in expecting Casio to fix whatever known, high-level bugs exist in current functionality that are fixable through software, such as the strange operation of the expression pedal input. I _hope_ but do not expect that they will add a few missing (IMHO) features here and there to current functions, such as sequencer overdub, MIDI clock in/out and alphanumeric naming of registrations. I would _like_ Casio to add a few things like arpeggiator editing, full rhythm editing (with SMF import to a rhythm) and a monophonic mode for the Hex Layer engine, all of which are extensions of current functionality and ones that are in the MZ-X500 (so Casio already has the code). While I'm dreaming I could imagine Casio adding some functions that _don't_ currently exist in the PX-560 such as phrases (again, the code exists). But I recognize that what I would _like_ to see is just wishful thinking. And I recognize that the MZ-X500 is the current flagship model and consequently is getting the lion's share of Casio's attention with respect to support. (Let's hope even more attention is being paid to new product development!) Hence, the PX-560 probably won't get anything beyond fixes for the most obvious bugs and there's no guarantee we'll see even those. C'est la vie.

I think you are disagreeing with something I didn't say. I did not say Rich was not a good demonstrator of products. He is. I suggested he might feel a little disappointed demonstrating products like the LK-265. He would probably prefer to demonstrate pro products but that's not what Casio introduced this winter NAMM.

Re "Rich introduces the LK-265". I imagine this must feel somewhat like a step down for Rich. He went from demonstrating the Kronos and the Odyssey and then to the PX-560 when he left Korg to demonstrating portable keyboards with light-up keys. Nothing against portable keyboards with light-up keys but they are a world away from pro-level products like the ones I just mentioned. I had hoped this would be the venue for Casio to introduce another pro keyboard that Rich could sink his teeth into but it was not to be.

How come I can't get my XW-P1 to do that? Oh yeah, I forgot. I'm missing something: talent.

You can take any of the preset tones, edit it and store the result in a user memory. You can call up any preset tone or user tone in any of the four zones (Upper 1, Upper 2, Lower 1, Lower 2). However, there is a caveat: Only one DSP effect block is allocated to the tones playing in the 16 parts not addressed by the accompaniment system (which gets the other DSP effect block). If any of the tones in those 16 parts calls up a DSP effect, you will hear only the one on Upper 1, assuming it calls up a DSP effect. If the tone in Upper 1 doesn't call up a DSP effect I don't know which one you will hear but hopefully it follows the part number order.

Weird. This was supposed to be the Mike Martin video posted below. But the link didn't work for some reason.

Feel the love: http://forums.musicplayer.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/2829432/Anything_From_Casio_at_Namm#Post2829432

Casio will launch a new keytar when the surviving member of Milli Vanilli is awarded another Grammy.

Maybe this works?

The Farfisa could evidently make a few different sounds, all similar but not exactly the same: But I think the Animal's organ sound was actually from a Vox Continental:

Here is all I could find concerning Casio pre-NAMM product announcements: http://www.gear4music.com/news/article/NAMM-2017-Casio-Launch-The-Privia-PX-160-and-Celviano-AP-460-In-White/76G/2017-01-06 Not too encouraging yet. Anyone find anything else?

I can't of course answer the first question. Mike is probably very busy getting ready for NAMM; hopefully we will learn at the show of a firmware update that fixes that problem and maybe adds some new stuff (after all, the MZ-X500 has received some significant new capabilities in the last few firmware updates). Or maybe not. I think I can answer your second question. Page EN-76 of the PX-560 User's Guide shows all the assignments you can make to the footpedals, the modulation wheel and the three assignable knobs (K1, K2, K3). Among the staggering list of controllable items it does say "Layer 1 to Layer 6: Tone parameter settings of each layer" followed by a list of parameters for each layer. Bear in mind that each controller can control _two_ separate parameters with independent ranges. Clearly, Casio put some thought into it.

That's a nice way to organize performances. Unfortunately, the footswitch still can't be used. Pity. There are _so_ many things that become possible if that was supported.

Aw, shucks.

Which is.....? If it has been described here before please link to it. If not please briefly give a few hints. Always willing to learn something new.

Prices have to be a little bit better than competitive; a little bit better because Casio is starting from behind in the pro market (although not in the home market or the digital piano markets). They know that, of course and the prices thus far _have_ been better than competitive, sometimes significantly so.

I don't know of a way. I did try at one point to figure something out. It was a little convoluted, involving some relevant MIDI commands that I considered promising but I hit a dead end trying to make use of them.

Me too! I think they have all the required pieces, technologically. They "just" need to put the right ones together in the right way to knock our socks off.

Let's hope a PX-5S successor is revealed at NAMM. I think Casio is overdue on that one. Such a successor will likely have a few of the items on your list at the very least (e.g., 88 key Privia keyboard and 4 hexlayers are a safe bet ). PS. Expression pedal input and 5.3-inch touchscreen are also safe bets. I thought these obvious enough not to be worth mentioning.