Jokeyman123

Here is an interesting thread showing some of the problems you've already solved but no .AC7 converters: http://www.keyboardforums.com/threads/wk-500-ac7-file-rhythm.23501/ I do know that my PX350 automatically changes .CKF rhythms stored in the internal user memory slots (10 only not much) to AC7. I don't know if this is true with the CTK or WK series. I have found nothing so far in the US, European or Asian Casio websites that have software to directly work with .AC7 files. I'll keep looking.

Hello Mau Van, thanks for some interesting posts. Jan Hammer years ago (Mahavishnu Orchestra-Google if you've never heard of them, a very interesting musical group IMO) used a ring modulator connected to his Wurlitzer electric piano to create a type of "atonal" effect-meaning the pitches would change but in unexpected ways seemingly at random, and in a very unusual way. I haven't tried this effect recently on the newer Casios that can do this. Before synthesizers, a ring modulator was a separate device (I built one) that could be used as a "standalone" effect with any electronic instrument, we used to hook these up to Hammond organs and electric pianos to create a weird effect. Hope this helps you get an idea of what it (historically) was for. it was very "touchy". You had to play with the controls to get it to beat frequencies against each other, and eliminate the original frequency! Here is a Wiki about it with a few audio examples. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring_modulation I'm not sure this is the explanation you were asking for, but thought it might be interesting anyway.

Hey nice maarkr. Always rewarding to personalize this stuff, if one has the time. Love the rug too! The 88-key stretchy is almost too big on the PX-350 but it fits. The 61-key version on the XW is actually just right-would probably feel a little too big on a thinner keyboard but the extra height on the XW keeps it pretty snug. And these do stretch alot, I can see the 61-key version fitting the PX5s. The 88-key is so stretchy, it fits over the music stand rack and several fake books I keep on it and still has room to spare.

Thanks, I've done alot of research about these file conversions and posted here about the PX350 which plays ckf and ac7, I'll give this file a listen.

Look at this link-I found a very nice black stretch cover for the PX-350, plenty large enough, not too expensive. Stuffs into its own small pouch when not in use, looks washable. Liked it so much I bought the same style for the XW-P1. I've made my own out of naugahyde, cheaply bought in one of the notorious "big box" stores named "W***t" although I'm not sure where you are on the planet-usually have black, brown, white, red, maybe blue. Sells by the square yard-if you're handy with a scissor and some stitching stuff (I have leather stitching tools) you can make any size and shape you need. Happyrats look nice too, alot less work. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Z38F4A/ref=oh_details_o07_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

After reading the PX-130 manual, pages 19-21 describe how to "octave shift" the entire keyboard. Apparently, you must push and hold the "function" button while pressing one of 2 keys in the lower octave range of the PX-130-the "A" key moves it down an octave, the "Bb" moves it up. You have a 2-octave shift range up or down. Only after you press one of these keys do you release the function button. If you already knew this, sorry to be repetitious but after looking at the manual, it doesn't look so simple if you are not used to making changes this way, using the keyboard keys to adjust the keyboard. If this doesn't work, then there may be a technical problem, Following this logic, it was entirely possible someone pushed the function button and hit one of the keys used to shift the octave without realizing it. Worse things have happened (see my other posts!) Hope this solves the problem.

Also a digital drum sampler, the RZ-1: didn't sell to well I recall, but is rather rare nowadays, like their digital horns. http://www.vintagesynth.com/casio/rz1.php

Welcome from another AAAARRRGGGHHH! poster (I posted like that about the XW sequencer awhile ago!) I have requested through Casio tech support that they consider developing another editor for my PX-350 which has many of the same auto-arranger functions as your WK, and limited access to many of the editing features I'd like. I have midi connected the PX to other Casio data editors, thinking there might be some cross-compatibility, no luck there. I've also found some software programs that allow me to create and store my own auto-arrangements on computer then transfer to my PX-350 with the thumb drive/ data manager, including auto-arrangements from Yamaha's series. Check out some of the other posts under the WKs in general and the PX series including mine, maybe that will help a bit as several of us including Ted have worked on getting more out of these Casios than one would think. Great forum here, many really good people posting. Casio's Mike Martin is also top-notch for support and knowledge, one the best I've come across. Thanks for posting.

Its the performer. "A poor workman blames his tools". Whenever I see any creative keyboard player or other performer, electronic or otherwise-what brand they were playing always came 2nd. If someone is a creative performer, then I may be curious about what they are using for music creation, but creativity knows no bounds. My friend's nephew is touring using an old Wurlitzer piano, an old beat-up Hammond C-3/Leslie, a Speak-and-Spell, an Echoplex and other ancient stuff including a little Casio and he apparently has quite a following, sometimes only with a trio and sometimes only he and a drummer. I've heard him perform live and he does some very interesting things, primitive but interesting. The product must sell itself. Many performers try to "adapt" to trends through gimmicks which sometimes work but not usually. If it is quality and works reliably, people will buy it if priced fairly, and SUPPORTED! Very important. Casio has been around awhile, I thought of that before I went for the XW-P1 and PX-350 and would think of it again going for something new. Too many things are being made quickly and cheaply to expedite profits. "Cheapness" one of my favorite FZ songs-it was about monster movies, not keyboards.

I ran two tests online, Qualsys and Filippo Valsorda's test. both tested negative, security certificates with one exception are valid. Contact the adminstrators here if you are concerned.

OK, weighing in again. Mike Martin has informed me that although there is no ability in the PX to firmware upgrade, those of you using MIDI Designer with an iPad or similar may be able to access all of these settings within the PX-350, EQ, DSP, Leslie speed etc. This is good news, I would be interested to see if anybody has success with this. I'm guessing the other Privias might be capable also. Although I do not have an iPad, I'd still like to design some type of similar software control for the Windows platform if i get a little more insight into what midi messages the PX needs to see, still haven't made any further progress (yes I like self-inflicted torture I shave with a straight razor but I put it away when I'm working on software troubleshooting or design)

Hello Tom, also have benefited from Mike and Casio's support (see my "pooched" XW-P1 thread). I am also a teacher, retired not from music though working on actively contributing here. No PX5S, but PX350 and XW-P1 former CZ player/owner/programmer from back.then, wonderful fun then, still is. Working on developing a PX350 editor or expanding its capabilities which seems to have generated some interest here...I think. Alot of very knowledgeable helpful people here. I even met Mike Martin in the Dover, NJ headquarters. He personally met me when I had the XW repaired, what a great guy (hope you're reading this Mike! Free PX t-shirt too. Maybe if I break my PX, I can get a matching hat for my big head!

Brad, PianoManChuck and winX-I mentioned in another post directed to Mike Martin that it would be helpful if PX-350 owners could gain access to even a few more programmable features (like DSP settings, Leslie fast/slow) possibly through a firmware update for the PX-350 and maybe other Privias since this has just been made available to PX-5S owners through a firmware update with apparently substantial differences/improvements (good for you guys!) Since the PX-350 seems similar "under the skin", even throwing us Privia guys a bone would be a real shot in the head/arm/butt! Think I'll PM Mike Martin about this (like he needs me pestering him some more!) Meanwhile I've been studying the Novation launch control which is a small USB midi control surface as a possible solution to getting more out of the PX. Since no luck so far with the Korg NanoKontrol through its USB to the PX, not sure Novation would be any better, although the Nanokontrol is specifically a software controller, the Novation isn't. I have had some luck accessing and expanding reverb and chorus at least through the sliders/knobs on my 25-key controller but only by connecting through the PX-350 DIN MIDI jacks from the DIN outs on my controller, usb doesn't seem to work, why I don't know. Saving these changes in a registration memory would add alot of power to the PX-350. Any insight or help as always you will get a little lump in your paycheck.

Sorry about the last post. I fixed it with a Skilsaw and a left-handed monkeywrench. I save the hammer and drillpress for the keyboards.

Not sure about USB specs, but certain USB devices require more "juice" or amperage than others. All require 5V which is standard. Not sure what an SSD requires (pretty sure its a low-drain device) some of my USB devices require 1000mA minimum to charge or run properly, others need only 250-500. Those devices will also put that much drain or load on any USB port it's plugged into. I have several outboard hard drives that will not transfer data unless the USB port has enough "juice" or amperage to power it. Some USB ports will provide that, others won't. Since you might be "overloading" a USB port if you connect a high-drain device to it, yes it could damage components in that circuit. A 32GB thumb drive will hold an awful lot of data. Someone else already posted, alot of audio or other data will fit on a 8-32GB thumb drive. I have over 1000 midi files in one and several audio files, it barely uses the drivespace. Not all thumb drives are created equally, from what I've read there are only a few manufacturers that make the components in a thumb drive, but not all assembly factories are the same. A marginal solder joint can make a thumb drive do all kinds of strange things, or even have it fall apart, yes I had one of those. I fixed it with a hammer and a drillpress. Just call me cheap Charlie Jokeyman.

Is it possible Mike, that there may be a firmware update for the PX-350 that might add a few refinements, such as enhancements for the song recorder or possibly more control of some of the DSP functions? Even a slow/fast leslie switch or an equalization control would be very nice.

There is a dedicated website on Synthmania, has mp3s of many of the factory sounds-there are thousands in the Equinox. For some reason, I can't seem to get the hyperlink copied here, probably browser c***ing itself, but search on GEM Equinox sounds, it's : www.synthmania.com/equinox_61.htm I'm also bidding on a junk Korg TR76 to rebuild, but from what I've reviewed, it ain't the cream of the crop build-wise. Nothing more fun to me than playing/creating music-that and digging into the tech aspects of any instrument, electronic and acoustic.

Hey Patrick, did you quote me on that? I've said almost word for word what you've expressed somewhere in the "cloud" but in reference to the PX-350 which astounds me with it's realism. I am using AKG240s and an old pair of K66's, but even with a lesser model Philips around the ear headsets, I get the same results with the Casio PX which of course is not a synth. Has alot to do with the quality of components in the audio path. A lesser synth will sound somehow "shallow" even with effects and when many instruments are in the soundfield will lack clarity and spatial separation-all parts will sound indistinct like one mushy sound. And big-sounds that are supposed to sound "big" should sound that way. Most modern synths have improved greatly, although firing up my old Equinox, I was astounded at its depth and quality-the Hammonds in particular are gritty and full sounding. I swear Casio copied this keyboard from 1992-drawbars, arpeggios, phrases, real-time control of effects and mixes with sliders. Small LCD and touchy OS, but this one comes pretty close to being a monster even today.

Following up-page E-56 in the manual is the only description I see as Ted describes, so there is no real 'quick' way to mute tracks. In sequencer mode, hit edit. Scroll to pattern to select/make sure I'm working on the correct "pattern"- scroll to "track" setting in sequencer edit menu, then use 8-16 sequencer buttons (note parts in Casiospeak) to mute/unmute a track or tracks from there. That is as quick as I guess it will get. Or I can mute all tracks at once, by turning it off, I know that will work.

Aha!-I know how to turn individual steps on and off for each track in the sequencer no problem. But switching entire tracks at once helps when I'm developing a sequence for playback. I also understand the layout of tracks for the sequencer, but I still get confused due to Casio's terminology sometimes. I think the trick is that I have to get out of "edit" mode when I'm recording a sequence, before I can switch to "track" or "channel" 1, 2 , 3 etc. using the "part" buttons.and the mixer screen. Studying the WK manuals (I don't have a WK) I can see changing channels or tracks is a little easier from that mixer setup. I'll have to ptractice switching around screens some more to get clarity, Unlike other keyboards/workstations I've owned, the XW does not always switch from one function to another "seamlessly" in order to be able to access functions that would seem to be closely related. In order to switch "tones" when recording a sequence, if I have the keyshift function on, it turns it off when I do that. This is a complex machine. Thanks again Ted. I

Is there a quick way to mute complete tracks playing within a sequence? Watching one of Mike Martin's videos he mentions "muting" but I can't see how to do this quickly-changing levels from within the mixer screen with the sliders seems to be the only way I can do this and it isn't quick. Another sequencer detail I can't understand-when trying to switch "parts' from the mixer in sequencer mode, it seems to default to track 8 and unless I get out of the mixer screen, I cannot shift to tracks 1-7 with the part button. I know I must be misunderstanding something. Does it have to do with whether I'm in edit mode or not? Maybe I better put this question in a separate post, Creating tracks with this sequencer is a performance technique within itself!

Thanks again, Ted. You saved me some work, back to the drawing board, but I still like the fact the sliders can be used for "tone" real-time editing control within the XW. Now back to the PX programming puzzle aka PXPP. or peeXpeepee.

Thank you Ted, I checked off a "like" for this one, and may have to revisit a few other posts from all of you for additional likes. This is a tremendous amount of technical work and i agree about asking Mike Martin to help with this one. If I get some free time (I work on these things when I can) I will hook up Midiox to my XW-P1 and see if I can make any sense of what I see coming out the midi ports following the directions in this post and relay that data here. If I can save virtual controller settings in a user tone and then use this to access external devices, this would be a huge step forward in assisting my PX-350 project as I would now be able to determine what the PX-350 is "seeing" midi-wise (if a given setting works in the XW and sends the same data out midi) in order to get deeper into editing its settings. I'm hoping there may be a co-relation between the XW's inherent mid data and the PX for similar settings-especially DSP control and equalization as well as possibly accessing and editing "tone' data in the PX which would be a tremendous benefit and step forward for that instrument as well as the other PX series bringing these closer to PX5s functionality but admittedly through the gateway of the XW series. since the PX-350 (I think) can save tone and DSP settings in a registration memory, this would make the PX-350 a partially programmable synth like the PX5s, very nice!

I looked around the web, I'm not sure which one this is-I think it is the same as the WK-6500 as I see websites from different countries listing the CTK6500. Take a look at the posts in that forum and see if it is the same as the WK6500. If so, there is alot of info that will help you here. Do you have a manual for it? If not, check out Casio's website and download the WK-6500 manual which I strongly suspect is the same instrument. The new CTK and WK Casios all have similar features, so I'm sure you will find some helpful stuff if you look at any of the posts about the WKs or CTKs, Hope this helps.

OK, got it. Thanks Peter.