Mikexception

Yes, In 86 I was a crew member on poilsh merchant ship loading there and had just one afternoon to look for. That's how things happen

I never tried. It seems to me better to use synth function to adopt factory sounds.

Small update to my post: Thanks to friends in this forum I found photo of my first keyboard in 1986 - it was in fact MT 52 purchased in second hand in Gulf Port LA. . Isn't pretty ??? Next were MT 210 and MT 540

Not sure if You ask about new variation with no changing drum rhytm (variation is to given rhytm) or chords variation with it's perc line unchanged. If second than: Althought the preprogrammed variations with percussion rhytm preserved are not provided - (any time we change variation, precussion is altered to new variation), you may alter chords in the same variation by programs, ESP, volume, octaves, EQ and so on part within mixer pages . Such quick but simple variations are provided by "combination" button where part on/off has 4 levels. Rgds..

Thank's for advice.. My modem cable works with CTK-900. Only software like Cakewalk is not present

Now I am puzzled again with PC connection I see You used similar MIDI/USB converter connecting with MIDI in/out. That's what I was trying using Casio Management Software to recognize, but with no respond. What PC/Mac software recognized MZ in Your case?

I mean the background piano after two main files. Is it played by You? I am also not experienced in MIDI. I use it only to connect keyboards together. What I expect is that for this deeper commanding is required connection to computer and any specialized MIDI programm. . Or may be the virtual sound machine equipped with MIDI interface. But watch out - problems may come if any parameter cannot be reseted by standard resetting.. First problem is MZ has PC/Mac connection with unusual plug I had checked standard MIDI to USB converter ROMIO/ESI used before for dumping/loading data to CTK-900/WK3700 with CASIO Music Data Management Software - no result. USB stick device is good option to store in computer or just keep in it... I agree Casio Japan does good quality rubbers but in CTK-900 produced in China dashboard controlls rubber gave up 80% within 7 years. CME quality? Strangely no one key failed. And as expected service in Warsaw was only deeply surprised. Now I did all dashboard contacts CTK-900 painted and works at touch. Some guys advice to stick new rubber plates to existing - I tred it but then height of rubber rises and must be cut - it makes a mess with jump of buttons. I find my idea accurate and with no permanent damage.. Styil waiting for failure as silicon rubber sticks to paint badly but its only vertical force With 88 keys in CME still no trouble with any.

By the way - restoring of my CME UF-8 was not simple. It's im my You Tube clip

Hi, I've checked two files and I liked more first one. I see it's PX5S? But the the piano tune I liked even more. Exceptional. Last time I managed to restore my hammer key controller CME-UF8 and now my MZ-2000 has better keys by MIDI. It makes difference. It's also good to connect an expression pedal to MZ. I couldn't get original one ,so year ago I converted purchased in music shop simple volume pedal for vocalist to do job of options from expression pedal menu. I learned to controll MZ expression by CME -UF8 "control pedal out". This is even faster way of switching this menu functions. It can be switched by controller MIDI communicates for expression pedal ; 11 for volume expression, 76,77 for DSP 1 and 78,79 for DSP 2 parameters. PS. Hmm.... who did this piano tune?

Thank You for this quick response. That all makes good sense Rgds.

As You may expect I have working one in my Dell GX280. I am hardly reformovable he he. But used last time two years ago when I tried to read my floppy discs with MZ data - another problem. During cleaning my MZ floppy I had to move head adjustment and now it is reading only its own later records. For my registration and sound records it.s enough. . I found Mike Martin explanation about making user tones - it looks good . Rgds.

I even do not know how long I've been experimenting from time to time with few pianos -started from purchase and ended 6 moths from now -3 years . Thank You for turning my attention to PX - with OMV price it's good deal for such highly packed machine but in Poland may be much more. If CME fails more and I can't repair PX would be my choice for hammer action- keys much better than CME plus all stuff is unparallel... Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Hi Brad, The difference is obvious. . By ear judgement is bloody tricky - sometime the sound sample is just taken from such sounding instrument and only that may be adopted like in mixer of MZ-2000. General EQing for me is too much. . I don't complain because for piano example - there is a lot of instruments and producer selects only those which are acclaimed by customers. Example when I used WK-1800 my friends were amazed with piano tone while I disliked - of course it was my instrument so I didn't argue . Earphones are crazy different too - I had them a lot and no one was transparent, more, no one can be transparent due to human ear shape too near. . I took me many years how to recognize that sound more or less properly presented, even not pleasant one. Basic condition is that all sounds of all instruments and other noises should be clear and natural I could only read manual to PX -5S - no word about synth function, only part E-14 says about modifyng and editing sounds. It's not what I mean. Then I tried tutorials moves from Casio markieting - not a word about Envelope, LFOs, DSP like CTK-900 or MZ in four layers has, how to save user tone. So if there is synth section for user then you have to forgive my opinion based on this. I send my piano file - if You accept quality and need to have like this at MZ-2000 I will pass to You all settings in form of photos of synth screens. Other way is problem because my flopy does not coopearate with floppy in PC. Time between 01,00 and 01,25 min is factory MZ-2000 Grand Piano1 . rec1227-192622 piano.mp3

Thanks Brad, I looked at PX-5S - Its beautifull. Anyway Also You did best to keep MZ-2000 too. New model doesn't have synth section which is rich in MZ and it is my point of interest. I can't say much but may be there are more functions not replicated in PX.. I see also they upgraded soft in May to extend some so it is promising. I already would wish to have them both as well - PX specially for piano futures like hammer key, triple sensors, string resonance function, standard MIDI connection. For "empty type" piano tone I managed to create on MZ customer piano with two tones and it is matching what I hear on my CDs - no point to be unhappy. I often create tones to use because I am very fond on sound - my other hobby is construction of top audio columns - I did in my life about 20 systems while purchased in store only one pair. Adviced by all and I used them two weeks . So if you mention about speakers in MZ and PX and loosing midrange it flashes lights for me . I couldn't find anything about PX speakers and output power in manual - does it have ? My conclusion is that what we hear is just team of speakers. Casio MZ has strongest speaker system I saw. in keyboards - inside there are properly done bass chambers and that is why it sounds so rich. For tone test all effects and master must be off and no reverb nor Chorus. I also pay high attention to midrange. My impression is that MZ-2000 has no (present on out jacks) EQ fo speaker system but all worldwide crossovers make mess on cross frequency. And MZ has naturally one of them. Rgds. P.S About sound problems I have my Web page Michal Czabajski D.I.Y. Non Fatique Sound System

Hi Brad, Strange about this EQing. I must check it out. Rgds.

Thank You Brad - It looks like still hot modell. Just checked data. Impressive 256 poliphony - wow! In my past I discovered that each new model lacks something what was usefull in previous - ex for MZ I adopted myself expression pedal for it's expression and this one has two pedalss instead three.. But I am having troubles with my hammer UF8 - (key rubbers, bad expectation). I would be happy to have this PX5S keys - three contacts is excellent. I am going to see more details ..... even so small as price tag Can You advice? Rgds.

Hi, Nice to read that more people keep going on their own way. I also do not stop and my fascination with white and black keys iis life long. When I was 16 I was given a broken toy keyboard with nothing except multi resistor inside. I made an oscillator and this way ...I couldn't get even a gama . But a dream survived and one day in 1986 I saw a guy who had had Casio MT with small keys and a big talent to use them. This way I discovered what I wanted. Next month and after I had one by one: used Casio MT ...(?) - very small brown with sliders to programmm rhytm section (may be MT40 - was such?) , new Casio MT 200, Casio MT.. (250?) with set of eight square push buttons to select special sound effects. I wanted Casio CT1000 but finally left to work in Singapore where it was not on sell. I was lured by Yamaha PSR 400. But my wish after Casios was to have natural instruments and it wasn't in Yamaha No much to engage in too. Again I sold it and decided another market flyer - Technics . This time it was serious piano - Digital Ensamble PR170. 60 kgs, beautifull sounding and nice in use. After 5 years it was really good to pass to my dougther. I was already dreaming about synth section and custom rhytm section. This time, in 2002 with loan in hand I had a choice between Casio WK1800 and Casio MZ-2000. Looking at price tag it was one only choice - WK1800. What went wrong? The grand piano wasn't a match to Technics and keys were light. Piece was long and weighted 11 kg - too much to take easy to air travelling (working in other countries, continents I coudn't bear not to have one with me for free time). But very good for own music creations . In 2006 I needed smaller - next choice was CTK-900 - 5kgs, "portable". I must say it is very good instrument with interesting effect and synth sections. Really good Grand Piano may be produced and it is only small part of it's goodness Special advantage of CTK-900 (for me) is that producer left not blocked posssibility to include percussion set in each of accompaniament channell - great fun. For home use I added MIDI hammer 88 keys controller CME UF-8 -good combination due to interesting cooperation between controllers and keyboard effect parameters. You may find also http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8vHeaXuUl4..Then I looked for any strong user programmable and stationary keyboard and in 2010 I reminded about forgotten Casio MZ-2000. Since then I have no more ideas - for my kind of use nothing could be better. So as all of You can see it's easy and quick tway o match keboard to our dreams. Rgds.

Thank You. No - EQ Flat in my one doesn' change - only level works(what for?) . Other it's controllers have no designation even values on screen may be adjusted. I suspect that Casio would develop this modell if continued. I respect for what they already did, and even small bugs may be forgiven in such completly new design, and with short time for feedback. I also bless them for rubbers an contacts. No any problem in my piece after about 10 years. I have also CTK-900 and this one almost all dach push buttons contacts made with rubber failed after 4 years - I sticked new rubber covers to them - tricky job. Service gave me lot support telling that it is unusuall so obviously they have no remedy .. PS This partly jingle comes only sometime and it's only one "reach" sounding tone like evaluated Orchestra Hit. Rgds.

13 years is great experience. Great option to to ask difficult questions. I purchased my MZ 3 years ago as second hand and it is already a factor - 1) I wonder about my one is booting at start - there is a jingle by the way. My MZ jingles only sometimes and never in full - it's not from the begining only the reverb of it. Had You such experience with Your? 2) Microphone jack is very often not activated at first booting - if is deaf I need to switch off and restart - second is always positive. 3) Still I have doubts about "interactive accomp" - works for some programs good but it is no more then 50%. Could it be normal? Rgds.

HI, I looked and found a battery which was my choice one of two - both had the same diameter -this one is CR2450 and for me as I remember was looking promising also. The only problem is that original has attached leads and is pemanently soldered to main board. If that is solved then any 3V lithium battery will do. Rgds.

Hi, it's just aid to help to klick right button. I am not sure if averybody realises that with MZ-2000 I counted something about 130 switches on dashboard - it's great advantage in access time comparing do access through menus but then for some panels makes a bit confuse to be sure to choose without reading. With more colors it's easier. I cut by whole cutter round transparent filters sticked with double sided tape and it helps a littele to avoid wrong step. It may be removed without trace. Special attention I had to put to One Touch button - this one removes all done last time settins and replaces with OTP - too bad if it was not in registration. You are right - I didn't want to be no 1 but competition sleeps . I am not dedicated MZ-2000 user - this is simply my last choice. Very begining was back in 1986 with small Casio MT which was already outdated purchased in second hand shop in US near N.Orleans. then were two more small MT's, after Yamaha PSR400 then Technics Digital Ensamble PR170 and great return to Casio - WK1800, CTK900. What else could I buy next ??? Adiitionally I have controller CME UF8 to drive Casios by MIDI and in my opinion hammer keys with Casio Piano Grand make nice change and allow more keys and controlled with knobs on CME sounds. I do not advice it too much because of lost areal at home but just say. Rgds.

I did the replacement in advance when instrument was 10 years old. Also in Poland Casio service is simply psyhological . I decided to buy the same 3 V bigger even battery (thicker a bit) and made Do It Yourself round plastic adaptor box closed with thread and wires leads out and carryed attention to the same polarity. . It made soldering possibile without overheating the battery. Originall one has leads welded. I don't know about all data in case of too low battery - I did it parallel way to avoid unenergising. Rgds. PS - I am used to make all electronic repairs myself , You may ask qualified someone.

Hello "workstationers" Having read Your questions I may say I had the same. I do not want to write here manual but just give You what's in my experience. This Casio wonder is in my opinion desiganted not for simple fast use - for such job Casio implemented One Touch Preset - it's not for me . Casio MZ 2000 is for job worked out by demanding owner. Although menus are very clear and access to everything is terrifing user must remember where some blocades are and what is not a simple stamp in registration - 1) I must admit there is one problem. Registration shall nicely memorize all DSP settings except customer reverb level and chorus level for programs included by user in "Effect" chart. Any time registering is recalled and DSP is changed it changes this settings back to predefined. My way is then to keep Tone DSP unchanged within full performance - Tone DSP Hold "on" is usefull. 2) Take care - this is important field - if You have it "on" then original MZ programs which need their designated DSP's will not get their DSP presets and their sound will be altered in unnatural ways. If we need natural factory sound please first take this Hold to off. 3) Depending on mixer page 2 DSP setting Reverbs and Chorus has separate settings for DSP mode - first is in effect menu -second with DSP "off" it is in mixer menu. 4) Watch SETTING/accomp/chord menu - this usefull blocades make surprises when forgotten -thats why sometime we can't get the same as usuall - example tone is not vanishing . 5) Synth option has two sections - one is for continuous access - other "detail" for memorizing and deep settings. . But setting of both are included in "save" operation in second section . Without if you make change in first section it will be reseted back to zeros with change to new instrument. Making own sound covers both sections - after You memorize deep settings you may alter first section, and to keep it permanent it you must go back to deep section to make "save" again. 6) Synth section requires imagination of programm shape - if parameter is short or small it will be no result when adjusting other parameters for longer or bigger values. But is must be this way. That is few for beginning. Good experience is also that the longer this instrument is in use and programmed the less job is to do for new arrangement - Musician style (if has any -....uuups..) is better and better memorized. If You wish to see what I am doing the best is to write to google :mikexception and then go to my channell in Youtube