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Just sharing some results from some experiments with the CT-S400, and using iPhone apps to externally control it via MIDI. (private video) First, thanks again to Jay C, Brad, and others for providing details on the Casio MIDI implementation elsewhere in the forum. Using those clues, I was able to get the CT-S400 to do some things via MIDI I didn’t expect. I’m not sure if this is old news or even of interest, but I wanted to document my findings in case anyone ever wants to do anything similar. The video demonstrates how I have an app called Zenbeats on an iPhone XR sequencing three separate tracks over different MIDI channels. Zenbeats is available on iOS, Android, and desktop and is a favorite of mine for quick work with virtual instruments and MIDI, and has a killer library of drum patterns. It’s like GarageBand, but with better MIDI support. I also used another iOS app, MIDI Wrench, and configured it to send program changes to different MIDI channels on the CT, based on the MIDI documentation in the CT-S400 user guide. At first, I was using Bluetooth MIDI with the Casio WU-BT10 adapter. Using the app BLE-MIDI, I was able to establish a reliable BT MIDI connection between the phone and the CT. By sending Program Changes over MIDI channel 10, I was able to load different drum kits. By sending Program Changes over MIDI channel 1, I was able to load different keyboard tones. Awesome. I soon abandoned the WU-BT10 when moving to the next phase, external sequencing. The data proved to be too much and the response from the CT was buffered and stuttered. So I switch to an Apple Lightning to USB camera adapter and a regular USB A to micro cable, connected to the Host port of the CT. Don’t bother to try a single Lightning to USB cable to the CT’s other USB port. Without an adapter in between, neither device sees itself as host, and the apps won’t find the CT. Use my method and apps will see CASIO USB MIDI as an interface. Using a wired connection resolved my data and sync issues. This, too, was awesome. With Zenbeats, I generated a drum loop and set the drum track to output to MIDI Channel 10. Success! With MIDI Wrench, I was able to select alternate drum kits. Back in Zenbeats, I added a new track configured to accept input over Channel 1. I ran the loop and set the track to record data input I played from the CT. Zenbeats recorded the notes. Then I used MIDI Wrench to change the CT instrument on channel 1 to a synth pad. When I changed the track to output to channel 1, the CT played the notes with its internal tone. I repeated for track 2 and MIDI channel 2, and that worked as well. I’m not sure if the limit is 4 tracks like the CT itself, or just polyphony. I’ll have to dig deeper. When I was done, I could play the three track sequence in Zenbeats, hear it all from the CT, and even play on top of it. I also noted that the song recorder of the CT does not record what is being externally sequenced, nor recognize MIDI Start/Stop. The key takeaway here is that this external MIDI stuff is being played on another layer, independent of the local CT itself: no recording, no reflection of any of this in the display. The CT will still respond, play, and record what you do on the keyboard itself, but it’s independent from the external MIDI actions. That’s all, I think, for now. I think the practical application of this is just a different kind of performance and flexibility, like another way to do the drums. It also demonstrates how the CT can be useful as a keyboard for some mobile apps. And it may turn out to be a way to do with the CT-S400 a little bit more than it can do on its own. BTW, I have to say that the CT-S400 turned out to be fantastic all on its own. This is my first Casiotone in decades. I have a number of them as well as CZs, and XW-P1, a PX-S3000. It’s possible I didn’t need to do any of this stuff with the 400, but I like to explore. You never know when it’ll be useful. But the CT-S400 is kind of a Casiotone dream come true for me. The sound, form factor, layers and splits, arps and harmonize, workflow… I just love this keyboard. I have a studio full of synths, drum machines, and software, but sometimes it’s more fun to kick back with something like this in another room. Very inspiring and lots of fun. More to come when I have time! Thank you for coming to my TED Talk.

Good evening guys. I am a music producer/beatmaker, born as a guitarist, who learned piano self-taught over the years. I enjoyed playing pianos and e-pianos on my long time Casio - CDP 100, while I used a cheap but effective MIDI controller for general DAW control, pads, drums, etc. Unfortunately, since I left my country and all my stuff in my parents' house, I won't be able to have these two pieces of equipment with me. I was looking for a convenient solution that could give me both a digital piano with good sounds and a midi controller (also because my flat is tiny). After browsing the web and shops in my city, I found the new CT-S400 to be the sweet spot between my budget/quality of sounds/keybed feel and playability. I was happy to see that it could also work efficiently as a MIDI controller. One thing I wasn't able to verify though, was its MIDI/SySex implementation for DAW control and clock, mostly transport controls (play, stop and record from within the DAW). They were quite essential for my workflow, and the lack of it could actually be a dealbreaker. Does any possessor or Casio expert know more about this? During my research I found out that the CT-S500 has something like that only for play/stop commands, but I am not sure if it could be worth, at least for me, to spend +100 € more, to have just part of these function. Thank you for reading this message and I wish you a great night. Pietro

Hi everybody, I'm new here, and I'm pondering getting a CT-S300 or CT-S400, mainly because of their compactness. I've done some extensive research about those models, but could not figure this out through review/tutorial videos or the manuals: Can you use the CT-S300 or CT-S400 as a midi controller to play into a computer or tablet (DAW, VST(i) host or standalone piano app) and feed the music (the sounds coming from the computer) back into the audio-in? This could give you an awesome, minimalistic mobile setup with just the keyboard and a tablet (or even your smartphone): Playing on the keyboard and having the complete variety of sounds from the app (maybe much better than the included ones) to choose from. Sound quality would clearly be better with an extenal amp/speakers, but that wouldn't be as mobile. The manuals seem to hint into this direction, but I'm not sure I interpret the possibilites of the keyboards correctly. TIA

I spent the past few weeks having a blast with the CT-S400 and decided to do a video, especially in the context of it as a Casiotone and how it ranks with the rest of my collection (including the CT-S1). I’ve been really impressed by its capabilities and interface, especially in comparison to much pricier synth gear in my studio. Includes a demo of setting up a performance from scratch. Verdict: the CT-S400 is a winner, incredible value for the money. Almost any “could be better” items I cite fall under advanced topics that are arguably beyond the scope of a Casiotone. The CT-S1 may be Casio’s triumph in design, but the S400 is a surprising powerhouse in its capabilities and out of box experience. I just wish I’d managed to do this video in November; the S400 should have been under many, many Christmas trees. Can’t wait to see what’s next!

I'm really happy learning to vary and combine the many controls the CT-S400 gives you to style each tune, and mix the final production. Satin Doll, I Wish You Love, and Ain't Misbehavin'. Still looking to see if my cheap PC will let me record in stereo. For most holiday performing, will be using a small mono Fender Bass amp anyway. CT-S400 Classic Jazz 128kb.mp3

Hello everybody, Since all topics pertaining to the new CT-S1 and CT-S400 seem to be landing in this part of the forum, isn’t it time to adapt the sub-forum title to accommodate those keyboards? Also, since much of what applies to the CT-X700/800 also applies to the CT-S400, it might be interesting to pin a topic in the CT-X700/800 forum pointing people who’re looking for information about the CT-S400 to the present forum section. Just my 2 cents, Vinciane

I created it using my CT-X5000. All rhythms are only in variation 1. VL-RhumA.AC7 VL-March.AC7 VL-Begui.AC7 VL-BossB.AC7 VL-SambB.AC7 VL-Swing.AC7 VL-SambA.AC7 VL-BossA.AC7 VL-RhumB.AC7 VL-Waltz.AC7 VL-Rock1.AC7 VL-Rock2.AC7 VL-4Beat.AC7