stevecoscia

Thanks Brad.

In the MZ-X500 Pattern Sequencer, is there an event command to advance from Variation 1 to Variation 2 when Variation 1 ends?

Presently, Variation 1 replays when it reaches the end.  Thank you.

OK Brad, got it.  Thanks.

Pattern Sequencer EVENT values.

Thanks Brad.  That's what I thought - I am pressing the YES and NO buttons (under SETTINGS) simultaneously with no result.  Am I pressing the correct buttons? 

Does anyone know of a front panel button combination that changes a parameter value to zero?  That would easier than twisting the knob numerous times.  Thank you.

Thanks Brad.  Yes, I figured Velocity and Touch Sensitivity were redundant.

I need a little clarification in the highlighted row.  I assume V120 is velocity, correct?  But I am not sure about B001 and T94.  Is B001 the length of a beat?  Is T94 Touch Sensitivity? 

Please set me straight.  I couldn't find an explanation for this screen in the User Tutorial.  Thanks.

9 hours ago, kybdsammer said:

I have had the same intermittent problem too, and so far the speakers have always eventually worked again after inserting and removing a headphone connector. Sometimes it takes a couple tries.

Such a weird software glitch.  Good to know the workaround.

This thread is gold.

My PX-560's speakers became intermittent after using the line out jacks for a week or so.  After unplugging the audio cable the speakers wouldn't sound.  I toggled the "speakers" on/off paramater to no avail - sometimes the speakers came back for a second or two but died again thereafter.

Then I came to this forum, read this thread and plugged and unplugged a headphone jack.  The speakers came back 100%.

This forum does not suck.

Sounds great.  Nicely done. I could jam to that rhythm for hours.

On 10/24/2020 at 4:01 PM, brownysweet said:

Hi, my fellow musicians. I have written other reviews before but this one is  the definite one.  I will try to be as objective and clear as possible. So, let's get down to brass tacks.

 

1  MY OWN EXPERIENCE WITH MZX500

    I have three of these machines.  You must  think I am weird or something. Let me elaborate on it.  Each of my Casio Mzx500s  has been transformed into a musical monster with different characteristics. I have gotten REAL SAMPLES from different sources. These samples include STRINGS, SAXES, REAL PIANOS, DRUMS, SYNTHS, CHOIRS and the like. I have mixed and changed the parameters of 4 Hexlayers combined to produce huge sound combinations. This instrument has all the features to make it possible. I would never part with my MZX500s. This instrument is not a Kronos, comparisons are odious. A Kronos is super expensive, the Casio is affordable. So, musicians who start comparing the Casio to other instruments that cost an arm and a leg are talking nonsense. Sorry, no offence intended.

 

2 WHY DO SOME MUSICIANS GET SO DISSAPOINTED QUICKLY

 

   Granted, the factory settings are lame. Casio corporation should have taken the time to tweak and use REAL SAMPLES to offer a MONSTER KEYBOARD. I cannot fathom why Casio just gave customers A DIAMOND FULL OF DIRT. This instrument IS A DIAMOND but in the right hands. It was made to be tweaked to the limit . The sampling capability is not perfect but it is there. IN SIMPLE WORDS. TAME THE BEAST, MAKE IT YOUR OWN, GET SAMPLES. I was able to get excellent free samples from YOUTUBE and I also invested  100 dollars to get much better samples for this instrument. Casio should make a new version of this instrument, call it CASIO MZX ULTIMATE, load real samples and I swear they would have a BEST SELLER.

The same goes for RYTHMS. Is it too much to incorporate polished rythms the way other companies do? Maybe the price would be a little higher, but we musicians do not care . Although we have a pandemic I still have GAS. Yeah, GAS for the new MZX ULTIMATE. Mike Martin, do not abandon this marvel, make it happen.

 

3  LAST WORDS

   Do not  buy this instruments expecting spectacular presets. Start working on the available sounds, get real samples and the sky is the limit. Those guys who trash this instrument should stop for a moment and ponder. What would the Earth Wind and Fire guy have done with this instrument if it had existed before? It is not the instrument, it is you the musician and the instrument. Just my two cents. Cesar, MZX500 REAL LOVER.

Thanks brownysweet for the MZ-X500 review.  Very interesting perspective on this keyboard.   I just bought a used MZ-X500 and your review will affect how I perceive this new investment.

Your "Last Words" about not expecting spectacular presets is interesting because I enjoy creating presets of chord progressions for jamming purposes.  As an older person, I under-utilize the music technology that lies under the hood because I have a difficult time keeping up. This might be an excuse on my part. 

I also own a Casio PX-560.  Hopefully the similar user-interfaces will be a musical benefit.

I just bought a used MZ-X500 - about $950 including freight and tax.

As a Casio PX-560 owner, the MZ-X500 will replace my WK-7500 for compatibility sake.  Two keyboards with a similar display and user-interface should improve productivity and creativity. The WK-7500 has been idle for many years and it's time to move forward.

As a semi-retired person, there's more time for musical exploration and composing.  My biggest obstacle, as an older person, is that technology has surpassed me and it's difficult keeping up.  I will seek all the MZ-X500 tutorials that I can find to maximize my purchase.

Feel free to reply with ideas or suggestions.

9 hours ago, Casiofun said:

Don't think you will see any pro gear from Casio anytime soon. They seem to have gone back to staying at affordable price points and delivering value for money. 

I agree with the above remark. The WK-7600 (about 10 years old) is still available on Casio's website at $449.  The lower-priced Casio keyboards (sub $500) sell in greater volume than those in the $1,000 price range.  It's a credit to both Casio and the WK-7600 that this keyboard is still viable and available.

I own the earlier WK-7500 and can attest to its versatility.  Mine still works - great quality and value.

One more thing.

Presets are the most fun part of the PX-560M because I can set up a rhythm section of chord progressions and jam along.  The ability to include fill-ins would be a valuable preset addition to make things more fun.

Thanks Brad and Jokeyman, for the quick reply.  Yes Jokeyman, you got it right - that's what I was trying to do. It didn't hurt to ask, right?

I have since begun the job of expanding a 100+ measure preset by inserting lots of new measures and doing a bunch of button pushing. Happy days.

Take care, guys.

I'd like to copy and paste segments of my User Presets and it looks like this can't be done within the PX-560M. 

But, is it possible to export a Use Preset (as a MIDI file), copy and paste segments and then reload this revised file back into the PX-560M?

Yes, I own three more Casio Keyboards (WK-7500, PX-560M and GP-300.  I'm happy with all three - they each serve a specific purpose and they sound good.

My wife priced the XW-P1 attractively and it sold in a few hours. Now I have money for the next synth. Thanks again, AlenK.

Your replies are much appreciated.

I decided to sell the XW-P1.  My wife just listed it on eBay. I'll use the money towards a Behringer Odyssey or Poly D or maybe both.

Thanks again, AlenK. Best wishes for much good health and happiness.

Thanks AlenK for the elaborate and informative answer. I do have your Companion - Volume 1, Rev 5 PDF file, so I will look this up.

Mainly, I'm an old-school, 1970s synth player who just wants to play mono-synth solos.  My MOOG Prodigy isn't working anymore so using the XW-P1 is a compromise, of sorts.  The XW-P1 user interface is not laid out like a MOOG (i.e. VCO, VCF, VCA, etc.). The XW-P1 has lots other features which are superfluous to me.

Thanks again for your help.  I'll let you know how things turn out.

I bought my XW-P1 seven years ago and barely use it. Now I am almost retired, with spare time, and looking to experiment with the XW-P1.

Quick XW-P1 question:

Is there a way to create a Performance with an octave "BendRngDwn" and "BendRngUp" that will work with any Tone?  Meaning, whenever I select a new tome, the Bend Wheel is already set to an octave.

Thank you. 

Where can I find informative/instructional videos about PX560M sequencing, pattern sequencing and presets?

Besides the Pitch/Mod Wheel and Touch Response on the CT-S300, what are the differences between the CT-S200 and CT-S300?

Thanks Brad.  That was informative and easy. -Steve

I am an older guy/consultant who travels much and I haven't had time to learn the PX-560's features.  I am almost always on the road.  See below for how you might be able to help:

I need a PX-560 Registration comprised of the "GrPnoConcert" tone and the "007 CntyShuffle2" rhythm.  I also need to adjust the tone and rhythm volumes separately.  

Please post a step-by-step procedure for the above.  Your help is greatly appreciated.