Egor Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 Is the MZ X500 a successor to XW-P1? Can it do/does it have the same features as XW-P1 or is it somewhat a different instrument?s, piano samples, new touch screen. But is there something it doesn't have that XW-P1 has? For example, does the MZ -X500 have the phat synth like the XWP1? XW-P1 vs MZ-X500 would be great. Unless there is a dedicated comparison page on Casio somewhere? Oh, and I'm not really interested in the arranging functions on both of these boards. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlenK Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 It's not really a successor. What doesn't it have that is in the XW models? It doesn't have the XW's solo synthesizer but it does have a monophonic mode for its Hex Layer engine that in its own way is just as useful (although I'm not aware of many audio examples of the latter). The MZ-X500 also doesn't have the XW's step sequencer but instead has a full blown 17-track linear sequencer. Almost everything on the X500 that is also on the XW-P1 has been done better on the X500. For example, the X500's Hex Layer engine is far superior to that in the XW-P1. Similarly the X500's drawbar organ engine is evidently much better, at least when you use the associated rotary speaker effect (although again not many audio examples to go by). The PCM tones and waves in the X500 are on the whole MUCH better than those in the XW models (including and especially the acoustic piano). The X500 is certainly capable as a synthesizer but it is also a fully functional workstation as well as an arranger. It's a lot of bang for the buck but it IS twice the price of the XW-P1. They shouldn't be directly compared. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egor Posted February 7, 2017 Author Share Posted February 7, 2017 Thank you AlenK. So, it does look like in the way the X500 IS a successor to XWP1. Or, I'd say indirect successor?.. As it can do everything XW-P1 can but much better? And yes the price is almost triple. Pads are I can care less about as I don't do any sequencing. The touch screen is the same as PX560 that I own. All I care is good sounds, simplicity/easy (on the fly) to use in a live situation. I am looking to buy XP P1 but was wondering if Casio made any updated models of it and came across the X500. So, now I'm bit undecided as of what to go for... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Saucier Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 It would be easier if you told us more about what you do want to do. From what you said so far, the MZ-X500 is your better option for ease of use and updated sounds. The XW and MZX are very different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egor Posted February 7, 2017 Author Share Posted February 7, 2017 I'm using my boards for a live playing. I got PX 560, Yamaha MX 49, Hammond SK2 and Yamaha CS as a phat little synth. I want to replace my MX49 with Casio. MX49 has a great sounds from Motif and I created and saved some songs performances for the live gigs and I also manually call string, organs (when i don't bring my Hammond SK2), vibes, some layers, etc. . But MX49 has a horrible NOT friendly user interface and features (Yamaha guys, are you reading this?..) and is a pain to use for the live gigs even that I know it very well by now. So, i was considering XW-P1 as i loved the intreface and how easy it is to use after I played around with it in the store. And I love the space they made on the right of the board to place anyting from iPhone or iPad to Ventilator or a lilttle mixer... But after a lillte research i stumbled with X500. XW-P1 is now on a special deal fro $599 CAD. But the X500 looks like a newer model. I do like that Synth mode on XW-P1 though and the price And I do not need all that sequencer stuff the X500 has... So, Im a bit undecuded now what to get... Theres is also X300.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Saucier Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 MZX300 will forego the hex layer mojo found on the 500. It also has half of the sample expansion memory of the 500. And then there is reduction in number of pads for triggering samples or phrases. I can't really decide for you. Sonically, I would go for the MZX500 because of it's sample expansion memory. The monophonic solo synth on the XW is cool. If you really need some angry synth sounds the XW is a good choice. The MZX-500 is good for smooth and rich synthy stuff. But it also has some XW synth tones in it. So it's a tough choice. The MZ-X is heavier than the XW because of the 40 watt internal sound system. And then there is polyphony. MZX 128...XW 64. You won't run out on either board. That just means they gave you more layering ability on the MZX. Then there is the midi controller aspect, XW has the advantage there with flexible performance setups. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlenK Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 Special deal? That number appears to be the everyday price (in CAD). There's nothing special about it. It's lower than list but I don't think anyone (at least in North America) has ever payed list for an XW-P1. I can't tell you directly what I paid for mine back in 2013 (as per the rules of the forum) but I will say it was almost precisely a "beastly" fraction of that number in CAD (think religious numerology!). If you really want an XW-P1 I'd look for a used one in good condition. Assuming you are in Canada (you specified CAD) there are two of them right now on kijiji. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvano Silva Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 New sounds Drawbar remodeled New Hex Layer Sensitive Pads Add new sample tones Certainly the MZ-X500 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egor Posted February 7, 2017 Author Share Posted February 7, 2017 are the sounds same as PX 560? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Saucier Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 No. Not entirely. Many new sounds are added. It has virtual tonewheel tones, monophonic synth tones, bass synth tones to name a few. It has new tones with articulations. Has new solo acoustic tones like trumpet, sax, violin, oboe and more. Plus 256mb sample expansion memory to do whatever you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egor Posted February 9, 2017 Author Share Posted February 9, 2017 So, all in all would you guys say that besides the designated solo synth and the step sequencer, the X500 has everything XW P1 has but much better and improved? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Saucier Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 Will you need it to be a midi controller? XW has the edge there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egor Posted February 9, 2017 Author Share Posted February 9, 2017 no, I dont do MIDI. I need it as a secondary keyboard for the live gigs on tbe second tear along with my PX560 and my Hammond on the right of me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvano Silva Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 I sure think you should get the MZ-X500 Especially for sample expansion. Everything in MZ has been improved since Drawbar, hexa layer, Pad Loops. You can even pick up some samples of your hammond on the MZ for a support base. Since you will not need MIDI. And yet you have the arranger feature that can serve as inspiration for an individual playing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Display Name Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 If you're looking for a live gig board I would def. take the MZ-X over the XW-P1. Making "set-lists" with the registrations is very easy and you can sample sounds, note, or do phrases with the sample pads. The XW-P1 is awesome, but for your application I'd say the MZ-X 10000% Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egor Posted February 10, 2017 Author Share Posted February 10, 2017 As I mentioned before, I don't do any auto comp things/gigs and I don't use sampling and I would not need the internal speakers (not sure what would I use those for besides some homework). So, providing I will not use those features is it worth it to pay almost 3 times price of XW P1? And would I be maybe better off with X300? What is the biggest difference between 300 and 500? Besides 200 fewer sounds and fewer pads. What sounds are missing from X500 and are they really that important? Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Saucier Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 MZ-X300....No hex layer synth, no bass synth. Half the sample expansion memory. That memory is for loading new tones built with new wave sample data. For loading new guitars, brass sounds, etc.... The internal speakers can be useful as personal monitors. The system is 40 watts and has plenty of volume. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscar1 Posted April 6, 2017 Share Posted April 6, 2017 I hope they will make a Privia with those capabilities. Would be fantastic. Lot of new sounds over PX560. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anotherscott Posted May 18, 2017 Share Posted May 18, 2017 On 2/7/2017 at 3:29 AM, Egor said: But MX49 has a horrible NOT friendly user interface and features (Yamaha guys, are you reading this?..) and is a pain to use for the live gigs even that I know it very well by now. What are examples of kinds of things you'd like to do live, that you find difficult to do on the MX49? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moby25 Posted March 10, 2018 Share Posted March 10, 2018 Hello, I'm 36 years old french man (sorry for my bad english) and I begin to play music at 16 years old with a roland E14 (!), but i don't play during 15 years... I'have buyed next a yamaha PSR s650. Wonderfull vs my e14 ! I have buyed a mz-x500 in 2017, wonderfull machine, the synth sounds are magicals. I have seen a XW-P1 at 250€ (~250$). Is a bad choise to buy this if a had a mz-x500 ? I have seen that it has four knobs to modify the sounds in real time, it look like a real synth (not a arranger / synth like the mz-x500). I like to modify sound. I know that we can modify sound with the mx, but with the xw-p1 is it more conenient ?) Or do you think it's ridiculus to buy this ? (Less good that the mz-x500) Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlenK Posted March 10, 2018 Share Posted March 10, 2018 I am biased but I think the XW-P1's two particular strengths - the solo synth and the step sequencer - would make it a decent complement to an MZ-X500, assuming you want to do the kind of music that would make use of those two things. What you quote is a decent price for an XW-P1 even today (assuming new). Regarding real-time modification of sounds it's nice to have the four knobs and they work in real time on the solo synth (some things like filter cutoff don't change on Hex Layer and PCM sounds until you hit new notes). But you have two knobs on the MZ-X500 usable for that (three in total), so it's not a huge increase. They both have the nine sliders, which can modify levels of the six components of a Hex Layer tone on both instruments, among other things. On the XW-P1 they can also modify the levels of the solo-synth oscillators in real time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlenK Posted March 10, 2018 Share Posted March 10, 2018 1 minute ago, AlenK said: Ignore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.