PianoManChuck

Hello PianoManChuck, great reviews by the way, thanks much. Went for the PX-350 partially based on your videos and loving it.

 

Unless Mike can give you exact dimension specs, this is never an easy proposition as these plugs always go before the supply itself. and Radio Shack-maybe they have these parts and maybe not.

 

There are 2 possibilities I can think of:

 

1) Jameco electronics online has a huge variety of these plugs, called barrel plugs, but again unless you know exactly what size this is-the inside and outside dimensions have to be exactly the same-might look right but every manufacturer seems to make these in slightly different sizes. Even if the outer sleeve fits, the inner piece has to be exact or there will be no electrical contact. Prices at Jameco for parts are excellent and there might be "sets" of these barrel plugs in a large variety of sizes but you still take your chances one will fit and you'll still have to do some soldering. And Radio Shack if you have one locally used to have bins full of parts-I'd take the plug and physically match it if a Radio Shack store is an option for you. Sadly there aren't any electronics parts suppliers in most areas nowadays and even Radio Shack is scaling down parts although they have an online parts supply website as well.

 

2) This may void the warranty so i can't recommend the following if that is a concern.

 

I've purchased for backup a universal laptop power supply with switchable voltages including the 12V needed by the Casio-get one that includes a variety of adapter plugs to fit many different laptops since some of these have only one size barrel plug for a specific laptop size. These are cheap and plentiful on eBay or Amazon (make sure you pick a good vendor with a good track record for shipping, etc). One of the barrel plug adapters in my kit actually fits the Casio and works if I need it although I prefer the factory supply. it also powers several other electronic music things-fits a Zoom MRS-1044 recorder and a Yamaha RM1X so acts as a good spare for several things.

 

The polarities depending upon brand may or may not be switchable, fortunately the Casio is tip positive as are the universal laptop adapters so that's good. The laptop power supplies have the advantage of providing enough "juice" or amperage and "watts" to run these since laptops usually need a heftier supply of both as does the PX-350 which acually doesn't need as much as a laptop-its a very efficient electronic device.

 

Since the Casio will only "draw" the amperage and watts it needs, there is no danger of damage as long as the voltage is correct and I've had no problems using this type of supply. The danger is using a supply with insufficient power or juice, which can damage the supply and the Casio. Mike Martin if you read this, please correct me if I'm wrong, I certainly don't want to give PianoManChuck or anyone stupid advice! The only other alternative is simply buying the correct replacement supply which is what Casio recommends of course. Hope this helps. Have a good day.

Thanks for the detailed response... very informative!  Actually, I don't need a new power supply (AD-A12150), mine works great!  I had a completely different intention for wanting that plug. 

While I love the PX-5S with its penlight battery operation, I actually prefer to bring the PX-350 with me to smaller, more intimate gigs.  Some are even on backyard patios, or somewhere else without power.  For me, the less equipment I carry around, the better!  The PX-5s requires that I bring an external amp & speakers (PA) & cables, which I do by bringing along a Roland KC-110 (also operates on batteries).

My idea was to build a portable battery housing (probably 8 C batteries, as I'm not sure AA batteries would suffice), and wire it up to the DC input of the PX-350.  Since the PX-350 has its own amp & speakers built in, the only thing I'm missing is portable battery power.  This is why I'm interested in that particular plug.

There were several people who toured extensively with the PX-330 (the predecessor to the PX-350) and had no such problems.

I use both the PX-5s and the PX-350 for gigs.  The PX-350 is my first choice for smaller, more intimate gigs in that I don't need to bring anything else with me (ie: no PA), and the music rest holds my set list.  I've gigged with it a lot, and I've never had to worry that it might not "hold up" after transporting it around (and ocassionally bumping it into walls).  Both the PX-5s and PX-350 have the exact same external case, just with different cutouts for different things.

On the AC adapter, I need to replace just the plug that plugs into the Privia's power jack.  Does anyone know the name of this connector plug?  I've seen a whole bunch of connector plugs at the electronics store that all look the same but with varying sizes.  Anyone know which one in particular this one is?

The following snapshot from the video editor should explain everything (a picture is worth a thousand words)!

Theodorn is correct in that I was using screen capturing software to capture the Ravenscroft keyboard interface as I was playing.  And as stated in the video, my playing the px5s drove both the px5 piano and the Ravenscroft virtual instrument (via USB MIDI) at the same time.  Everything was recorded at the same time... but onto separate tracks.  In fact, at one portion of the video (3:30 I believe), both are displayed/played to show how they sound together, and to further prove this was no "trick".

One thing I've discovered is that subtle differences between VST's and onboard sounds often are washed away in live performances. It's one thing to sit and listen in my living room, wearing headphones, to VST versus onboard; it's often an entirely different thing in a live performance where the keyboard is only one of several instruments playing simultaneously- at least that's what I've found in the context of my classic rock band.

 

By the way, thanks for your intro vides on the Px5, PianoManChuck. They've really helped me get to know my new Px5.

Subtle differences are always the case in live performances.  I'm a solo pianist who does live performances (no band), and in a live performance, people are talking, eating, drinking, moving around, socializing... etc.  I'm there to provide background music or ambience.  Sometimes people get up and start singing along!  But the bottom line is, unless the live performance takes place at a concert hall where the performer IS the reason people come (ie: Lang Lang for instance), then subtle differences don't matter.

I use the PX-5S (and the PX-350) for all of my performances where no piano is provided.  All of my other equipment is used in my studio where compositions are done with music libraries, film and television quality in mind.

Thanks for the "thanks" on my PX-5S intro videos

Thanks theodorn

If you paid attention at the beginning of the video... I stated that I did the same for the Korg Kronos vs Ravenscroft, Nord Stage 2 vs Ravenscroft, and now Privia PX5s vs Ravenscroft.... so I ask you... why not?  It was done a while ago, just got around to editing and posting it.  Besides all of my demos, comparisons, tutorials, etc, are all video (not just audio).  Its the best way for any viewers to get the complete picture (no pun intended ).

The PX5S really does give the most bang for the buck!!  Regardless, I put together my own test of the Ravenscroft vs the PX5s in this video:

How was this recorded?

BrianH - you'll get lots of differing opinions here.  But if its for home use only, you may want to go with a pair of studio monitors - that will give YOU the best sound.  Go to your local retailer and check out all the studio monitors you can, and decide which sounds best to you... that's all that matters.  Another possibility would be a Roland KC-110 stereo keyboard amp.  It too - like the PX-5s - can run on batteries, so if you wanted to move your rig to the backyard for a BBQ or party, you don't need to worry about AC power.  But whatever you end up getting, because its for home use only, get stereo (which means a stereo keyboard amp, or a pair of studio monitors) - that way you'll get the full range and enjoyment of what the PX-5s can do!

SonnyDaye - not a bad suggestion... but why have Casio imitate or base their design on something that already exists?  Look what they did with the PX-5s - original and brilliant!!  I would trust Casio to come up with their own original design that would blow everything else out of the water!

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4lH80nobNBLVi9Wqh0ktSryTBmfQxAyA

People seem to ask me for more of what I shot at NAMM.... so the above is a link to my playlist... 15 videos in all, including some product demos.  Enjoy!

So I shot over 2 hours worth of video at NAMM 2014.  Narrowed it down to about 20 minutes in this video, which attempts to convery the NAMM "experience".

Enjoy!

NAMM 2014: 369 pictures in 369 seconds, set to music

The NAMM panel's "Best in Show".

http://youtu.be/tiZreG0Adsc

Somewhat disappointed to see a 'mic stand' in that list.

Oops - my bad, I said Roland had the RD-08... its actually the RD-800, not 08.  That's what I get for doing a video by memory with no sleep in over 24 hours

Nothing new to report for Keyboards for Day 1 at NAMM...  at least not for Casio.  Mike said they're working on a lot of new sounds for the PX-5s that you'll be able to download.  Casio has always outdid themselves... but you can't honestly expect them to come up with something new each and every time there's a major trade show.  Skipping a year will give them more time, which suggests (to me) a complete redesign (new case, new LED screen, perhaps even touch screen, etc).

Casio wasn't the only one with nothing new - Korg's only new entry was a Keytar (but an interesting one at that).  Kurzweil had nothing new.  Roland has the RD-08 which has a great keybed, but I'm unimpressed with the piano (the Privia PX-350 and PX-5s sound better).  Lastly, Yamaha has a new workstation - the Tyros 5, but I don't think there's an 88-key version of it, just 73 and 61.  If anyone's interested, I slapped together my summary in this video: http://youtu.be/QadL-e268cQ

Considering the fact that they destroy Rolls Royce's, Hummers, Limo's, and expensive musical instruments (not just digital pianos), I'd consider it good press that they only pick well-known names!  To me, it looked like an empty shell anyway (just the case, no electronics within).  Credit Jimi Hendrix and Pete Townsend with starting the whole "destroying your instruments" on stage.

  BradMZ:

      "That was a WK-1300!   I'm not sure how I feel about the fact that I knew that."

Did you know because you were there??  I actually saw that match on TV!!

Wrestling (WWE), in a "Broadway Brawl" match!!

All instruments, of all 8 sound banks demo'd here:

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bi0gXMeo-Ls&list=PL4IH80nobNBJAjyGpTY5EKgKhIeahTGUH

dc2k:

   "I'd love a noob-friendly book explaining in detail everything the px-5s does and how to do it with examples."

That's the problem - Casio can put out an awesome pro keyboard that just blows you away, but they are soooo weak on User Manuals and explaining just what it is their product does.

Joe - you're right, it might be better suited in the general Casio forum... I usually come straight here out of force of habit

I know that Mike (or anyone else at Casio for that matter) cannot provide any details about anything new being released at the NAMM show coming up next week.... but the suspense is killing me!

Mike... can you just give a Yay or Nay as to whether we'll be seeing something new from Casio at NAMM this month? 

That's my one complaint with the 350 too - reverb is pretty much useless.   Other than that, this is one heck of an awesome keyboard!

Give me a redesigned 350 with reverb that actually works, eq controls, bigger amp/speakers and battery operation and I'll be very happy!

That Alto Kick sounds incredible!!!  The only thing I question is that its 400 watts of PEAK power.  I need to know the RMS power, which is a more accurate indicator of power.... I couldn't find that anywhere.  But just the same, I'll be checking into that.... sounds great!!!!!  Thanks for posting