PianoManChuck

Bose L1 systems are ok, but way overpriced. I used one of my Roland KC-500's at my last outdoor gig and it re-reminded me that its simply the best! You can "feel" the sound with its 15" woofers, and its designed specifically as a keyboard amp. I'll be using these again from now on (I have a pair of them). I switched to the Samson EX-30's a while back because of the telescopic handle and 50 more watts (200 instead of 150), but the Roland's definitely have a quality that cannot be beat... especially since they're designed as keyboard amps. I don't think the L1 could have handled the 200+ people at the outdoor wedding gig that I just did.... not only keyboard but I also had to MC the reception. Both my Roland and Samson units have wheels - simply wheel it to where you want and plug in your cables - done! Unlike the L1 which has to be "assembled" and "broken down". But I do agree that the L1 systems are good for smaller indoor gigs (just way too pricey for my blood).

So I have this large outdoor wedding gig tomorrow at a park. My old 200-watt Samson Expedition EX30 PA just died (isn't the timing always that way when you need it most?). Ok, so instead I'll be bringing along my 150-watt Roland KC-500 keyboard amp... not really a problem since the sound (and 15" woofer) is sooooo much better sounding than the Samson.... its just a lot heavier, a lot bigger, and there's no telescopic handle like the Samson has (and the wheels really, really, really suck on the Roland).... not sure if I'll be bringing a 2nd KC-500 along or not (will decide later tonight). The Roland would have been my first choice, but since I'll be walking quite a distance from the car to my performance area, the lighter Samson won out on my decision (except for the fact that it died), as well as the fact that it can run on a battery (special Samson lead-acid battery that fits into the unit) in case there's a problem with the A/C. Bottom line... while I was messing around with the problems above... it dawned on me that Casio could REALLY come out with something that blows all other keyboard amps away if they wanted to! Since they've entered the pro keyboard market, it would just be a perfect match for them to come up with a portable keyboard amp (on wheels, with telescopic handle), lightweight, and at a price that wouldn't cost an arm and a leg for some awesome quality! Maybe even something that could run on batteries like the PX-5s does (or like the Samson EX-30 does with their optional lead-acid battery). Fender had the right design idea with their Passport series, but the quality just wasn't there.... a couple of other manufacturers had that idea too, but again, quality was lacking. Given Casio's nonstop improvements to quality with everything they've done in the pro keyboard arena so far, I'd probably opt to get a keyboard amp/PA from Casio sight unseen, just based on what they've proven to the world with their incredible PX-5s release! Heck, the light weight and keybed alone just blew everything else away... I'd sure love to seem them do it with a keyboard amp/PA. Just thinking aloud (it would soooo make my year to actually see something like that at the upcoming NAMM show.... just sayin').

Very informative post, BeowulfX - thank you for taking the time to post all that great info!

Thanks B3Maniac, that's good to know... and encouraging!!

Hmmm.... looks like more and more requests for mono mode are coming in.... So far, two "must have" things that a new(er) model should have: - some sort of MONO mode - an expression pedal input

OMG! I just can't believe that I didn't even think of panning! As soon as Mike mentioned panning, everything became 100% crystal clear to me. Thanks, Mike!

Assuming a single mono PA for both examples, can someone explain the technical differences between the two following mono scenarios? 1) Left Out -> PA Ch1 input 2) Left Out -> Pa Ch1 input, and Right Out -> Pa Ch2 input Aside from possible phasing problems with the 2nd option, I'm just trying to understand the physics behind these two scenarios.

That's part of my concern with "mono" - is that it goes through some sort of algorithm. It would be nice to have true mono samples... and a "mono" button that would switch to the monaural recording of that sample.

Actually, a battery powered PX-350 would be very, very nice. It would be the first 88-key pro board w/ built in amp & speakers... Casio already has other boards that do this, but none of them are in the pro / Privia series.

"As soon as I read you wanted it to run on batteries, I knew you'd also ask for built-in speakers! Where will they fit both, I wonder." This obviously would be a new design, as the current casing won't accommodate that, especially at 22 watts+ per speaker (would need larger speakers as well)!

Thanks Mike, that's very good to know... there's so many problems with mono that other digital boards have In that case, I'll look forward to that outdoor gig. I'll post what happens!!

I'm not exactly sure how Casio's LEFT Line Out - when used alone - translates into mono... whether its a summary of L+R or some other algorithm... but I'd like a true mono out - just as though the piano were recorded using one mic - when playing. I have an upcoming outside gig at a park in a couple of weeks in which I'm bringing just one 200-watt PA (instead of 2 of them for stereo, since that won't matter outside). So I'll be using the Left Line Out only... and I love the Grand Piano Concert sample (which is stereo)... I'd love to use that in Mono with a single PA for that event without feeling that I've lost something in an algorithm that translates the stereo sample to mono.

Sorry for the big fonts.... typed it up in MS Word and then copied/pasted. For a board with these kind of capabilities from Casio... I'll bet street price could be around $1,200 to $1,500. And its soooo cool that you're actually asking that question, because that sort of tells me that some of this may already be in the works???

Dear Casio, I am a pianist. I've been a good pianist all year. Ok, maybe once or twice I've been bad and made a teensy weensy mistake, but I promise I'll try harder next year Since I've been so (mostly) good this year as a pianist, this is what I'd like for my Xmas present: - I'd like the exact same thing as the PX-350 for starters, complete with the 16-track sequencer and sheet music holder. - I'd like the same knobs/sliders and programmability as the PX-5s (as a pianist, it doesn't have to have synth capability but it would be nice). - I'd like the same battery (AA) operation as the PX-5s. - I'd like you to match (or beat) Korg's built-in amp/speakers at 22 watts per channel that they have on their stage piano model SP-280, and keep it under 30 lbs. - I'd like a bigger screen (touch screen would be nicer). - I'd like a locking plastic cover so that cats and intoxicated humans don't mess with my keys when I'm gone. - I'd like a mic input or two, along with a hi-z input and some basic mixer capabilities. - I'd like an additional pair of line outputs. - I'd like an expression pedal input. - I'd like a button for true mono capability. - I'd like back-lit lettering for all knobs/buttons/sliders. - I'd like more USB "A" slots so I can plug in my USB gooseneck light, fan, and thumb drive at the same time. - I'd like a piano roll so that I can edit anything I've done without replaying it. - I'd like flying faders... oops, maybe I'm pushing it too far Ok, I think I'll stop while this request is still doable. I swear I've been a good pianist... so if I get this for Xmas, I promise to keep secret from ALL the children in the world that Mike Martin is Santa Claus (this will keep him safe from millions of children hitting his facebook/websites at once and resulting in Denial of Service). Back to reality.... thank you Casio for all that you've done. You've made my life a lot easier as a gigging pianist with your lightweight, truly pro digital keyboards (both the PX-350 and the PX-5s). I honestly can't think of any other keyboard I'd rather be gigging with at this point. Can't wait to see what you'll be coming out with next!!! And a personal thank you to Mike Martin for being there for everyone when they need him... truly special! Happy Holidays to all!

Dear Casio, I am a pianist. I've been a good pianist all year. Ok, maybe once or twice I've been bad and made a teensy weensy mistake, but I promise I'll try harder next year Since I've been so (mostly) good this year as a pianist, this is what I'd like for my Xmas present: - I'd like the exact same thing as the PX-350 for starters, complete with the 16-track sequencer and sheet music holder. - I'd like the same knobs/sliders and programmability as the PX-5s (as a pianist, it doesn't have to have synth capability but it would be nice). - I'd like the same battery (AA) operation as the PX-5s. - I'd like you to match (or beat) Korg's 22 watts per channel that they have on their stage piano model SP-280, and keep it under 30 lbs. - I'd like a bigger screen (touch screen would be nicer). - I'd like a locking plastic cover so that cats and intoxicated humans don't mess with my keys when I'm gone. - I'd like a mic input or two, along with a hi-z input and some basic mixer capabilities. - I'd like an additional pair of line outputs. - I'd like an expression pedal input. - I'd like a button for true mono capability. - I'd like back-lit lettering for all knobs/buttons/sliders. - I'd like more USB "A" slots so I can plug in my USB gooseneck light, fan, and thumb drive at the same time. - I'd like flying faders... oops, maybe I'm pushing it too far Ok, I think I'll stop while this request is still doable. I swear I've been a good pianist... so if I get this for Xmas, I promise to keep secret from ALL the children in the world that Mike Martin is Santa Claus (this will keep him safe from millions of children hitting his facebook/websites at once and resulting in Denial of Service). Back to reality.... thank you Casio for all that you've done. You've made my life a lot easier as a gigging pianist with your lightweight, truly pro digital keyboards (both the PX-350 and the PX-5s). Can't wait to see what you'll be coming out with next!!!

"Live performance editor is iPhone/iPad" That could be a mistake. I see at least 10 clients/day. Two years ago, everyone walked in with an iPhone, iPad or other iOS based device. Today, that's changed... more and more people are coming in with Android based devices (Samsung Galaxy, for example), both phone and tablet based... its more than 50% at this point. Personally, I have an iPhone, but if I had to replace it today, I'd be going with an Adroid based phone. And we have Android based tablets here, just like more and more and more people have. I wouldn't underestimate the power of Google... and whatever keyboard manufacturer starts making Android based apps first will be light years ahead of the game as far as its competition goes. And while we're on this topic, Microsoft will start becoming more and more in demand with its Surface tablets running Windows 8. It will take a while for them to get a good chunk of market share, but they're already gaining steam!

Its just you

A simple feature that I'd LOVE more than anything... whether its on the PX-5 or other pro Privia board... is a simple locking mechanism. It could be a smoked plastic (or metal) cover that hinges on to the back, covers the entire top (keys, knobs, buttons, sliders), and has a keyed locking mechanism or mechanism for an external padlock. Many of my gigs take place at the same place (ie: 3 or 4 nights in a row at the same restaurant or club or lounge). If I had a locking mechanism, I could leave the unit there since I'm coming back the next day. This would save me the loading/unloading from the car, and the setup/breakdown from the stage... and I wouldn't have to worry about curious (sometimes intoxicated) humans with drink in one hand, and food in the other "checking out" the keys! I'm sure those at home with toddlers or curious cats might also put a feature like this into good use! Casio should think about this... it could be an "optional accessory" that could be added on to any newer unit designed to accept such an option.

What I'd really, really, really like to see on a future Privia is something with a locking cover. It could be something as simple as smoked plastic that hinges on the back, covers the entire top (buttons, knobs, keys, etc) and offers a locking mechanism (ie: add a padlock). I use Privias for gigs and frequently have gigs that are 3-4 days in a row at the same place (sometimes for weeks at the same place). Rather than have to load/unload from the car, and setup/breakdown from the performance area, it would be nice to just leave it there so that when I come back the next day, its all set and ready to go... just needs to be unlocked! I'm sure people at home with cats, toddlers, etc, would also have use for this! But without this feature, I can't see leaving the Privia set up anywhere, as curious minds (and hands) with food in one hand, drink in the other, would be the mice playing while the cat (me) is gone!

For those near the Los Angeles area... I was at Fry's Electronics this morning in Canoga Park. They have a display model of the PX-150 for $349... not a bad deal, so if anyone's looking for this model at a decent price, that's your ticket!

I watched both the live (as it happened) and archived (Youtube) versions... I guess when it comes down to it, the chat window doesn't really add anything useful to the viewer (short of some entertainment)... but I could also see a future broadcast where, as the audience participation grows, many useful but unanswered questions may have been posted in the chat window, many of which trigger additional questions. Certain movie editing programs offer a screen capture function (I've not noticed any degradation in video quality) in which many product demos are made.

That solves only "master volume". Most people want to control the volume of ONE instrument within a layer of instruments.

Exactly! That's why I suggested two versions of the broadcast on Youtube - one with, one without.

Hi Scott - I should have been clearer... what I meant by Youtube versions of the broadcast was for the archived version of the broadcast - not the actual live broadcast itself. Cheers! Chuck

I still don't understand why anyone would want less than 88 keys in this model... comparing it to say, the 73-key version of the Korg Kronos, the 73-key Kronos is only 3 to 4 inches shorter in length than the 88-key PX-5... and the Kronos is 44 lbs compared to the 24 lb PX-5. Of course the 88-key Kronos is much longer and heavier. But with these dimensions and full keybed, why would you want less keys? Don't forget, the PX-5 is also a master controller, so 88 keys is essential! I suppose for those who want waterfall or unweighted keys, you could always get something like a low priced M-Audio controller to use with the PX-5. But I just can't see less than 88 keys in the Privia line.... maybe if they came up with a synth line (as with the XW series which is not branded with the Privia label)... but to me "Privia" is now engrained in my head as any of Casio's pro 88-key boards.