kybdsammer

Good news is the warranty keyboard assembly finally arrived at the repair shop.  I plan to drop off my keyboard there and hopefully get it repaired within the next couple of weeks.

You've probably seen my other post on PX-S3000 noisier keys over time. 

I am still waiting for my warranty repair keyboard assembly to arrive at the repair shop.  They originally said it would be about 3-4 weeks.  It has been almost 5 months now since I submitted the request, but I still use and enjoy my keyboard almost every day.  Today I spent over 7 hours using it with Reaper DAW.  I not only record the Casio sounds directly to Reaper but also use the keyboard as a midi controller for a lot of VST sounds.  I am using it even more since the pandemic.  I would say I normally average about 1-2 hours a day but in the last 3 months average maybe 2-3 hours a day.  I can't really feel any difference in the keys and don't hear the noise that often because I mostly use earbuds or headphones.  The recordings to USB or to the DAW are excellent especially the piano. 

I should have mentioned that I was originally trying to tweak the default grand piano concert sound starting with the original sound.  Maybe you are correct that the default sound effects for this tone are included as part of the sample.  I just wasn't sure.  Since my original post last year, I have been able to tweak the tone by experimenting with a variety of the effects and found some that I really enjoy.  I have posted the ones I use a lot on the Downloads page.  Thanks for your comments. 

I tried this but don't see any options to see the default 000: Tone parameters to adjust.  I only see the option to turn DSP On/Off.  If I press the < or > button there are no other options.  If I  press the Enter button on the "DSP On/Off" screen, it only allows me to turn on or off the DSP (and it defaults to the M1:Mono 1EQ DSP that I know is not the default and don't want).  I do not see any parameters of the default tone.  Am I missing something you are doing?  Thanks.

I am still waiting for the keyboard assembly to arrive before I can take it in for warranty repair.  My original video was recorded without turning the keyboard on, so the noise is much more noticeable.  If I play through the built-in speakers with sounds, it is less noticeable but still there.  I usually use headphones or earbuds so it does not bother me much.  The tactile feel of the keys is mostly the same to me.  I still enjoy playing it every day (even above all my other keyboards since the sound quality is so good). 

The Casio website also has patch scripts that you can download for a variety of DAWs.

https://support.casio.com/en/support/download.php?cid=008&pid=20

I found this link with some good info on the design and technology of PX-S keyboards https://music.casio.com/en/products/digital_pianos/privia/

It includes some great pictures and an interview with the developer. Very informative.

 After seeing the thread on PX-S Key Off Simulator, I have a question about the Key Off Response feature.  I think this is associated with how quickly you can strike a key again but am not sure how it works.  Is it entirely software based and does it provide more precision in tracking key position than the tri-sensor scaled hammer action on say the PX-560 and other Casio keyboards? 

I also saw a recent review on the PX-S3000.  I was wondering if the Smart Scaled Hammer Action on the PX-S is superior to tri-sensor scaled hammer action.

It may help with A/B/C testing if you record to wav, from your line output, and from your headphone jack with an extended audio sample that shows a variety of dynamics and key range. Hopefully you have the equipment/tools to do this.

You have a lot of people pulling for you to get the sound that you desire and many of us PX-S3000 users are enjoying.

I want to throw out another possibility for the difference in sound.  I wonder if the headphones used and where they are plugged in could make a difference in the perceived sound quality.  What I mean is if the same headphones are plugged into the PX-S3000 headphone jack vs plugged into a computer or cell phone headphone jack, will that make a difference?  Perhaps the impedance of your headphone models affect the PX-S3000 output in a different way than a computer or cell phone.

@Gr3yWolf 

When you listen to YouTube videos, are you plugging your headphones directly to the computer or cell phone, or do you route the computer or cell phone output to the keyboard input and then listen from your headphones connected to the keyboard?

This may explain why line outs sound "normal" while headphones sound different.

Are there any Casio recommendations on headphone impedance for best results or does it not make any difference?

Regarding the firmware, here is the response I got from Casio America, Inc.:

"There are no firmware updates for the PX-S3000. Since there are no updates available, there is no information provided regarding any functional changes provided by the firmware. It is possible that these are minor changes, possibly related to internal hardware differences, and not providing any noticeable difference in performance or functionality."

Warranty is for three years.  The good news is the repair shop got approval from Casio to do a warranty replacement of my keyboard assembly, but it will take 3-4 weeks for it to come in.  Once it arrives, I have to drive a couple of hours to the shop, drop it off, then go back and get it later.

@Scenic Nation, very nice piano sound and playing.  I like your other covers too.  Can you post your registration to the forum Download page too?  I am thinking other PX-S3000 users might like this registration and look in the Download section of the forum.  If you have other favorite ones, please post too.  Right now there are only three community Download posts. 

For other PX-S3000 users, I bet there are lot of great registrations that you have created.  Please consider posting to add to our collection. 😃 Thanks. 

@Gr3yWolf and @fcw3 - I am sorry to hear you have not been satisfied with the piano sounds.  I am at a loss of why you are experiencing this.  Have you tried editing any of the factory piano tone settings to see if you can modify it more to your liking?  I know some people prefer a softer, mellower piano sound, but some prefer a "more vibrant" piano sound like me.  When I first got my keyboard, the default grand piano tone was good but also seemed a bit quiet and soft for my taste.  However, the nice thing about the PX-S3000 is you can modify several parameters and then save it as a registration.  I was able to do this and create several piano registrations that I really like and are more suitable to my taste and playing style.  In my opinion, the piano sound on this keyboard is one of the best out there, and I really hope you can fully experience and enjoy it as I have.

@Gr3yWolf - Is the hiss through the headphone jack gone with your new unit?  Interesting comment about the firmware differences.  I wouldn't think this would be a factor in the piano sounds, but I don't know what the differences are compared to 0102.  I have sent firmware questions to Casio USA in the past and will ask them about this.

Unfortunately no, I bought it online last year.

Thanks Jokeyman! I really appreciate the contact info when you get a chance.  Here is an excerpt from the email I received from the shop:

-------------

First, I need a print out of your purchase receipt for my files,

Second, If all of the keys are making noise, I am not sure what to “FIX”

Do you have a name at Casio I can speak with?

Thanks

-----------------

I sent him a copy of my video too, so I am a little concerned he doesn't know what to fix. I want to make sure he can fix it before I drive out there.

I contacted a shop in California about warranty repair.  He asked to speak with a Casio rep.  Waiting to hear back.

What is the latest firmware on the PX-S3000?  I have version 0102, but I heard some more recent units may have version 0103.  I am not aware of any firmware updates for this model (at least none that I could find on the Casio website).  If 0103 is available, I am wondering what is the change and when it might be available.

On 5/22/2020 at 4:20 PM, Gr3yWolf said:

I have just checked and the odd notes were because of a monaural DSP setting, the setting i was actually using was ToneControl which after looking at the manual is a mono eq... so yeh seems on this occasion i made a boo boo, my bad.

 

Not sure about me just playing to soft, the Youtube clips ive heard of people playing softly with the default tone is much better than what im getting on my unit, and the first piano sound is so soft/dull that to me it sounds indistinguishable from the mellow piano which is supposed to be soft, its as if i have 2 mellow pianos and a bright piano (just speaking of tones 01-03), surely the first should sound in between the bright and mellow - which is what i am hearing on the videos. I know its been said that it sounds normal, but to my ears using the same headphones for both the Youtube vids and my unit i am hearing very different tonal characteristics.

 

The loud hiss through both headphone sockets isnt getting any better. I plug the headphones in with the unit off and get complete silence (apart from a crackle when i insert the jack), then when powering on the hiss instantly kicks in, i am also hearing some very subtle electronic sounds, like whining. I thought maybe it was just the headphones i was using, so tried them in my smartphone with gave complete silence.

 

I am away from the PS-X atm, so i will try to see if there is a master EQ setting, but im sure ive been through most of the menus etc and i havnt seen a Master EQ, but i will check the manual when i can. And yes all Wav files have been recorded direct to usb from the unit. Would help if there was a setting for altering the recording volume, if there is one i haven't seen it.

 

Thanks a lot guys for the continued support i really do appreciate it.  Also i apologize if it seems like i am making any sort of fuss, but im not just happy with the sound atm, its nothing like the videos and i cannot figure out why - even straight out of the box something didnt sound right to me. I just want it to sound like all the videos i have heard and it just doesnt, the most i here it the more disappointed i feel...

Any luck getting rid of the loud hiss?  After reading some recent posts from Chandler Holloway and others, it seems you may be getting interference from some cabling (USB or power strip?).  

I plan to post a separate thread to ask about the firmware difference (if there isn't one already).

Glad you recognized it.  One of my favorites.  And yes, I'll have to check into the firmware.

Mine is version 0102 here in California.  Interesting you have version 0103.  For comparison, I've attached a wav file recorded from the default 001 GrPnoConcert tone (no changes at all) and recorded to flash drive.  The first one is raw with no changes.  The second is the same file but just normalized  via Audacity software.

GrPnoConcert Default.wav GrPnoConcert Default normalized.wav

When I've recorded audio files to flash drive on the PX-S3000, I know the master volume does not seem to affect the recording level. The recordings are usually on the quieter side but as Jokeyman mentioned, post processing with audio software is easy to normalize. I am also interested to know if level can be adjusted when recording. I could be wrong but I think the lower recording level is to allow for multi-instrument recording without distorting or recording too hot.

I really suggest trying some new AA batteries and disconnecting everything else except with and without headphones (your Sennheisers should be plenty good quality).  The reason is that way you can confirm the AC power source and cable are not the issue. Is there a store where you can get some or from a friend or is it just not available at all?

@Gr3yWolf  Just throwing another test option, have you tried operating with AA batteries to see if the same issues exist?  Be sure to use good, fresh alkaline batteries.

@Gr3yWolfThe quality of your headphones can make a huge difference in the perceived sound quality of the keyboard.  Have you tried using another pair?  The sounds should not sound muffled or like it is in another room, and you should not hear a loud hiss through the headphone jacks.  I do not hear practically any hiss when using my headphones, and the piano sound quality is amazing.  I can get totally immersed for hours playing with my headphones.  For a normally working keyboard, I can assure you that the sound quality that you've heard on YouTube is accurate and true.

Regarding your recording, the volume is very low so I had to normalize it to hear it better.  The piano recording seems normal to me.  They sound very similar but that may be due to the volume you are playing while recording it.  If you play a dynamic and expressive song with each tone, you should hear a difference.  i can with mine.  You may also want to try adjusting the touch response to a lighter setting to see if your playing style matches that better (everyone is different).  I find for my playing style, a lighter touch setting allows me to be much more expressive.

If you are still hearing loud hissing through your headphone jacks, you may want to check your cables and connections to the keyboard to see if something else may be inducing the noise.  Otherwise, if you just bought it, you may want to see if you can swap it for another.  In my opinion, it is well worth the effort.