My opinion after years with MZX

[Silvano Silva]

Hello friends.

I come through this Post to inform my opinion of what was missing in this line of Casio MZ-X.

I know that there are thousands of orders that have been placed for years and MANY OF THEM HAVE BEEN COMPLETED THANKS TO THE USER COMMUNITY that asked Casio for improvements and bug fixes in your Software.

Many charges of which I am sure that most were constructive criticisms.

It is information that I believe will be useful for Casio to implement in the new generations of keyboards and being out of the professional arranger market for so long It got its space.

Here are some of my ideas:

 

1: Access to editing the chords even if using software such as MAJOR MINOR E 7 in the accompaniments as in competing brands. (There are STYLES in the MZX that have in their INTROS differences in the arrangements when pressed MAJOR OR chord MINOR)

 

2: Dedicated break button (It would be a variation like FILL1 FILL2 FILL3 FILL4 and BREAK)

 

3: Permission to accept Tempo CCs commands in Rhythms. (There are STYLES in other brands that accept changes in Tempo in VARIATIONS which would be useful in the development of more elaborate Rhythms such as A Ballad that turns into Rock)

 

4: Blocking chords in creating rhythms (Very well addressed resource where it would be possible to copy Guitar or Guitar bases in Wave to add in Rhythms is a simple resource that simply It would block chords that differ from the recorded Wav as only major seventh and minor chords.

 

5: Optimization in internal memory for using Samples in real time (With a good optimization of the MZX Hardware the PRELOAD tool would not need to exist)

 

6: Add more DSPs (The MZX could have more DSPs which would suffice a total of at least 4 DSPs with the option of distributing an effect to all instruments of execution. Seen as an effects machine and not as an insert effect) 7: Equalizer in the accompaniment. (A 3-band classic equalizer for each accompaniment instrument would be very useful)

 

8: SF2 converter (Many users have no experience creating their sampled sounds A converter linked to SAMPLE MANAGER would help a lot in converting thousands of free samples on the internet to MZX)

 

9: Problems when using Transpose in MZX (The MZX suffers from a problem when using rhythms with Tranpose turned on. A simple correction would be like in other brands when recording a double bass for the accompaniment o the keyboard would fix a region where if you were to use Tranpose the notes would not sound too low or too high.

 

10: Freeze on the MIXER (A big mistake is that the MIXER in real time does not have a functional Freeze when you change the volume of any instrument of the live accompaniment when press the variation button the keyboard returns to the state in which the rhythm was created, making corrections in real time impossible.

 

11: Pad Banks (Needless to create Banks A B C for the pads, it would be much more practical to have a single bank where you install the Wavs and from these Wavs you create the Pads USER BANKS

 

12: Hold Strings in the accompaniment (Interesting would be a resource to hold the notes of a String when using in the accompaniment this resource is already normal in other brands

 

13: Urgency at INTRO (When you use an accompaniment using MAIN INTRO and needing to go out to the variations, the keyboard only responds with two touches in the variation The immediate response would be of great use as there are situations in which it is necessary to leave INTRO immediately)

 

14: OTS (ONE TOUCH SETTING) feature The Casio MZX in its quality was lacking with this feature of OTS for each STYLE has brands that accept from 4 to 8 OTS created by the user for each STYLE The CASIO MZX

Is one of the instruments that I enjoyed working with the most and I believe that Casio has to continue developing keyboards in this segment I will definitely be a user for the next releases.

Forgive my English

[Jokeyman123]

I had debated obtaining the MZ-X500 for its song editing facilities, but many of its functions are duplicated in my PX-560, which cost roughly the same amount in the US, and has the advantage-for me-of the piano action keybed. Seemed rather expensive for an auto-arranger keyboard too, I was not aware of many of these details you have posted. Seem unusual that many of the "higher-end" arranger keyboards-Roland, Yamaha Tyros", Korg etc. cost as much as or more than a full-featured synthesizer workstation. The Casio 500 dollar price difference between the top of the line CTX-5000 and the MX-X500 also seems a little off-putting. I think had these been at the same price-point, I might have thought again about adding it to my collection.  One trend Casio has established-the lighter weights of these various Casios have apparently driven even the more expensive workstations to do the same-the Roland DS-88 and new Kurzweil PC4 come to mind.

[Random_Vibration]

For me (a PX-560M owner first) it was an easy buy.  I bought the PX-560 primarily to play only.  It's limitations in editing, lack of sampling, missing drawbar sliders, bass synth, additional direct access buttons, and pads more than made it worth the addition.  For me, accompaniments, styles, and rhythms are a non-issue because I am not a performer.  Don't mess with them much.  If my fingers were what I used to earned me a living, I'd be broke.  Being able to sample in new instruments and editing are more valuable.  I like to compose tunes and play with sounds.  

 

There is nothing like the MZ-X500 at the price point just as there is nothing like the PX-560 at it's price point.  Compare the MZ-X500 to the Yamaha PSX-SXx00 series, Roland FA 06, and Korg PA600.  I am satisfied with the value proposition.  The overlap with the PX-560 is a blessing since the screen interface is similar enough to make it easy to go between the two with no issues.  One is for playing.  The other is to play with.

 

My MZ-X500 is taking on DX7 and DX100 converted tones very convincingly via a Reface DX and Dexed.  It's a workhorse for me.

 

I have Cubase and don't touch it much since getting the MZ-X500.  It is more helpful with when dealing with the DX which is very powerful but has no sequencing.  You get a loop recorder with punch in/out support.

[Silvano Silva]

14 hours ago, Random_Vibration said:

For me (a PX-560M owner first) it was an easy buy.  I bought the PX-560 primarily to play only.  It's limitations in editing, lack of sampling, missing drawbar sliders, bass synth, additional direct access buttons, and pads more than made it worth the addition.  For me, accompaniments, styles, and rhythms are a non-issue because I am not a performer.  Don't mess with them much.  If my fingers were what I used to earned me a living, I'd be broke.  Being able to sample in new instruments and editing are more valuable.  I like to compose tunes and play with sounds.  

 

There is nothing like the MZ-X500 at the price point just as there is nothing like the PX-560 at it's price point.  Compare the MZ-X500 to the Yamaha PSX-SXx00 series, Roland FA 06, and Korg PA600.  I am satisfied with the value proposition.  The overlap with the PX-560 is a blessing since the screen interface is similar enough to make it easy to go between the two with no issues.  One is for playing.  The other is to play with.

 

My MZ-X500 is taking on DX7 and DX100 converted tones very convincingly via a Reface DX and Dexed.  It's a workhorse for me.

 

I have Cubase and don't touch it much since getting the MZ-X500.  It is more helpful with when dealing with the DX which is very powerful but has no sequencing.  You get a loop recorder with punch in/out support.

Friend agree your opinion. But we do have to assist Casio.

You yourself replied in the post that Rhythms don't matter to you because you see the MZ-X as a Synthesizer.

I use the MZ-X for both functions and I am a hard user on arranger keyboards.

I have worked with arranger keyboards for decades and I have worked with various brands and I have been able to notice their evolution.

The points I put are for those who work in real time with STYLES and many have their way of life that they gain from this process.

Brazil adopts this way of using arrangers a lot and we know in depth details that range from a Sync Start to the use of samples in the STYLES and real LOOPS.

I believe that many details that I put in are simple implementations but that would make a big difference for those who use the MZX as an arranger

[Silvano Silva]

14 hours ago, Random_Vibration said:

For me (a PX-560M owner first) it was an easy buy.  I bought the PX-560 primarily to play only.  It's limitations in editing, lack of sampling, missing drawbar sliders, bass synth, additional direct access buttons, and pads more than made it worth the addition.  For me, accompaniments, styles, and rhythms are a non-issue because I am not a performer.  Don't mess with them much.  If my fingers were what I used to earned me a living, I'd be broke.  Being able to sample in new instruments and editing are more valuable.  I like to compose tunes and play with sounds.  

 

There is nothing like the MZ-X500 at the price point just as there is nothing like the PX-560 at it's price point.  Compare the MZ-X500 to the Yamaha PSX-SXx00 series, Roland FA 06, and Korg PA600.  I am satisfied with the value proposition.  The overlap with the PX-560 is a blessing since the screen interface is similar enough to make it easy to go between the two with no issues.  One is for playing.  The other is to play with.

 

My MZ-X500 is taking on DX7 and DX100 converted tones very convincingly via a Reface DX and Dexed.  It's a workhorse for me.

 

I have Cubase and don't touch it much since getting the MZ-X500.  It is more helpful with when dealing with the DX which is very powerful but has no sequencing.  You get a loop recorder with punch in/out support.

And to complement. If Casio makes a superior and more expensive MZ-X you can be sure that I will be waiting to buy

[Silvano Silva]

On 4/1/2021 at 9:27 AM, Jokeyman123 said:

I had debated obtaining the MZ-X500 for its song editing facilities, but many of its functions are duplicated in my PX-560, which cost roughly the same amount in the US, and has the advantage-for me-of the piano action keybed. Seemed rather expensive for an auto-arranger keyboard too, I was not aware of many of these details you have posted. Seem unusual that many of the "higher-end" arranger keyboards-Roland, Yamaha Tyros", Korg etc. cost as much as or more than a full-featured synthesizer workstation. The Casio 500 dollar price difference between the top of the line CTX-5000 and the MX-X500 also seems a little off-putting. I think had these been at the same price-point, I might have thought again about adding it to my collection.  One trend Casio has established-the lighter weights of these various Casios have apparently driven even the more expensive workstations to do the same-the Roland DS-88 and new Kurzweil PC4 come to mind.

The MZ-X is a monster in synthesizer but for use as an arranger you need to improve some details. I have an old Roland E-50 and a lot of the features that I mentioned the E-50 has

[Random_Vibration]

Why the multiple quotes?

 

You think Casio needs your help?  You have an opinion.  They've heard it.  They don't need your help unless your are a brilliant electrical or mechanical engineer with a revolutionary idea.  They hear you.  They hear me.  The fact remains that Casio is going to do what they want to do.  That generally means weighing what they think they can sell.  I want what I want.  You want what you want.  We're both going to be disappointed because I don't think either will be satisfied.  Casio doesn't want what either of us want.

 

I don't recall saying I want the MZ-X500 because of it's synthesizer.  I mention the bass synth as an advantage over the PX-560.  I said I like sound creation but I have other tools (Dexed, Reface DX) besides the PX-560 and MZ-X500 for that.  I don't 'need' the Casio for that.  If I were really synthesizer focused, I would have a Yamaha MODX-8 instead because it far exceeds the MZ in that job.  I don't have the MODX not because I can't own one but because I'm not that deep into synthesizers to buy one.  If I were, there's nothing keeping me from buying one besides setting up another keyboard stand.  I'll explain so you don't need to misunderstand:

1) I use the sound creation and editing features. 

2) To meet the objectives #1, I use both the MIDI recorder and the audio recorders.

3) I use the sampling features (onboard and sampling editor for tone creation)

4) I use the organ drawbar and leslie wheel.  Really like the organ features on the MZ.

5) Lastly, I use the synthesizer functions in conjunction with other options I have at my disposal.

 

I use the PX-560 primarily to maintain some level of proficiency with a piano like keybed and tinker with melodies on occasion.  I used to use it like a workstation but found it limiting.  Sometimes I MIDI it up with the MZ.  Sometimes I MIDI it up with Reface DX.

 

I get it that arranger features like rhythms and accompaniment are big in various regions of the world.  I just think maybe you have better options than Casio to give you what you need.  You have the Korg PA series, Roland E-A7, and Yamaha PSR-SX900 which all seem to be better arrangers.  The MZ is a jack of all trades, specialist in none.

[Silvano Silva]

On 4/3/2021 at 1:29 AM, Random_Vibration said:

Why the multiple quotes?

 

You think Casio needs your help?  You have an opinion.  They've heard it.  They don't need your help unless your are a brilliant electrical or mechanical engineer with a revolutionary idea.  They hear you.  They hear me.  The fact remains that Casio is going to do what they want to do.  That generally means weighing what they think they can sell.  I want what I want.  You want what you want.  We're both going to be disappointed because I don't think either will be satisfied.  Casio doesn't want what either of us want.

 

I don't recall saying I want the MZ-X500 because of it's synthesizer.  I mention the bass synth as an advantage over the PX-560.  I said I like sound creation but I have other tools (Dexed, Reface DX) besides the PX-560 and MZ-X500 for that.  I don't 'need' the Casio for that.  If I were really synthesizer focused, I would have a Yamaha MODX-8 instead because it far exceeds the MZ in that job.  I don't have the MODX not because I can't own one but because I'm not that deep into synthesizers to buy one.  If I were, there's nothing keeping me from buying one besides setting up another keyboard stand.  I'll explain so you don't need to misunderstand:

1) I use the sound creation and editing features. 

2) To meet the objectives #1, I use both the MIDI recorder and the audio recorders.

3) I use the sampling features (onboard and sampling editor for tone creation)

4) I use the organ drawbar and leslie wheel.  Really like the organ features on the MZ.

5) Lastly, I use the synthesizer functions in conjunction with other options I have at my disposal.

 

I use the PX-560 primarily to maintain some level of proficiency with a piano like keybed and tinker with melodies on occasion.  I used to use it like a workstation but found it limiting.  Sometimes I MIDI it up with the MZ.  Sometimes I MIDI it up with Reface DX.

 

I get it that arranger features like rhythms and accompaniment are big in various regions of the world.  I just think maybe you have better options than Casio to give you what you need.  You have the Korg PA series, Roland E-A7, and Yamaha PSR-SX900 which all seem to be better arrangers.  The MZ is a jack of all trades, specialist in none.

That's where I'm referring to, dear colleague.

You use the MZ-X as a synthesizer and not as an arranger.

The MZ-X Proposal here in Brazil is exclusively primarily as an arranger.

The MZ-X is sold here exclusively as a competitor to the Yamaha S670 and clearly when we compare it here they are exactly like arrangers.

I am not an engineer but because of the wide use I have on the arrangers and as a user I can give my opinion.

The PX and MZX Line have different proposals.

PX are PIANO STAGE with some arranger features but with Piano hammer dynamics.

MZ-X Line are arrangers with some sample features.

Your opinion is no longer valid for me and for many who use the keyboard as an arranger where you can, for example, make quick arrangements without needing to sequence in a DAW.

For me, this is the proposal of the MZ-X.

Synthesizers I already had and already sold because I need a keyboard for LIVE USE without needing a Band.

The arranger keyboards that you mentioned in the Post are very expensive here.

The MZ-X entered the market for a cost-effective Plausible Option.

If you check the first posts about the MZ-X Line on this Site, you will see that most orders with the MZ-X are for corrections and improvements in the Core Arranger Machine.

That's why MZ-X has had a lot of updates.

it is thanks to the community.

Hard Users as an arranger keyboard.

I'm not really criticizing because I have a Roland E-50 and it is standing here.

The MZ-X is my primary arranger keyboard

 

 

[Random_Vibration]

On 4/5/2021 at 2:48 PM, Silvano Silva said:

That's where I'm referring to, dear colleague.

You use the MZ-X as a synthesizer and not as an arranger.

The MZ-X Proposal here in Brazil is exclusively primarily as an arranger.

The MZ-X is sold here exclusively as a competitor to the Yamaha S670 and clearly when we compare it here they are exactly like arrangers.

I am not an engineer but because of the wide use I have on the arrangers and as a user I can give my opinion.

The PX and MZX Line have different proposals.

PX are PIANO STAGE with some arranger features but with Piano hammer dynamics.

MZ-X Line are arrangers with some sample features.

Your opinion is no longer valid for me and for many who use the keyboard as an arranger where you can, for example, make quick arrangements without needing to sequence in a DAW.

For me, this is the proposal of the MZ-X.

Synthesizers I already had and already sold because I need a keyboard for LIVE USE without needing a Band.

The arranger keyboards that you mentioned in the Post are very expensive here.

The MZ-X entered the market for a cost-effective Plausible Option.

If you check the first posts about the MZ-X Line on this Site, you will see that most orders with the MZ-X are for corrections and improvements in the Core Arranger Machine.

That's why MZ-X has had a lot of updates.

it is thanks to the community.

Hard Users as an arranger keyboard.

I'm not really criticizing because I have a Roland E-50 and it is standing here.

The MZ-X is my primary arranger keyboard

 

 

With low prices comes compromises.  Casio seems to focus on a core function set and leaves the reason behind.

 

How Casio handles MIDI is a perfect example.  A flagship $1200 USD model PX-560 has no MIDI Clock out.  $300 Yamaha Reface DX has a MIDI clock.  Even when you plug the Yamaha into Casio's Chordana app, it seem more aware what connected and a message pops up Yamaha Reface DX whereas you plug in a Casio PX-560 or MZ-X500 you get a generic Casio keyboard message.  Casio uses a minimalist approach.  Only concentrate on what they feel people will buy.

[Silvano Silva]

3 hours ago, Random_Vibration said:

With low prices comes compromises.  Casio seems to focus on a core function set and leaves the reason behind.

 

How Casio handles MIDI is a perfect example.  A flagship $1200 USD model PX-560 has no MIDI Clock out.  $300 Yamaha Reface DX has a MIDI clock.  Even when you plug the Yamaha into Casio's Chordana app, it seem more aware what connected and a message pops up Yamaha Reface DX whereas you plug in a Casio PX-560 or MZ-X500 you get a generic Casio keyboard message.  Casio uses a minimalist approach.  Only concentrate on what they feel people will buy.

Now you are understanding.

What we ask for is not absurd.

These are features that competing brands have been using for decades and many features added to the MZ-X were thanks to the community that asked here at the Forum and on the internet.

Even today, the Casio brand operates on GM1 while others already address GM2. It is good for practicality but bad for compatibility.

I have also complained at the CT-X5000 Forum about its precarious connectivity with DAW where Bugs still happen.

If Casio corrects these minimalisms, you can be sure that many will migrate to the Brand.

[Random_Vibration]

I always understood.  I just think as your expectations grows, so should your purchase cost expectations.  Casio only gets you so far.  You want better, it's going to cost you.  The problem is of expectations.  My expectations are in tune to what is being offer.  You think they should give you more for the price offered.

 

For me, Casio gets me far enough to cover my needs.  Once the PX-560 and MZ-X500 are gone, that no longer is true.  If I had to replace either, I am prepared to step up significantly in price to YC-88 and PSR-SX900 (or Korg Pa600) because that is what I'll need to do to be satisfied.  If I want more, surely it's going to cost me to get more.  I'm good with that.  Casio is serving my needs at a price point.  Once that is no longer true, I need to adjust to that.  I have no expectation that Casio is going to move for me.  Accepting the things you can't change is a part of life.

[Silvano Silva]

On 4/7/2021 at 1:08 PM, Random_Vibration said:

I always understood.  I just think as your expectations grows, so should your purchase cost expectations.  Casio only gets you so far.  You want better, it's going to cost you.  The problem is of expectations.  My expectations are in tune to what is being offer.  You think they should give you more for the price offered.

 

For me, Casio gets me far enough to cover my needs.  Once the PX-560 and MZ-X500 are gone, that no longer is true.  If I had to replace either, I am prepared to step up significantly in price to YC-88 and PSR-SX900 (or Korg Pa600) because that is what I'll need to do to be satisfied.  If I want more, surely it's going to cost me to get more.  I'm good with that.  Casio is serving my needs at a price point.  Once that is no longer true, I need to adjust to that.  I have no expectation that Casio is going to move for me.  Accepting the things you can't change is a part of life.

You still don't understand in parts. Some implementations that I mentioned have in other brands of the cheaper model.

Example Roland E-50, the PSR models of the old line PSR 1100, Roland GW8 among others and the Casio MZ2000 itself has some features that the MZ-X line does not have.

Another detail how is it that a model S670 does not need Preload and the MZ-X does?

The truth is that Casio itself became real when, since the first update, it was not what everyone expected in the face of competition.

In the beginning neither Samples ZTN features were possible.

You could only add WAV PADS.

As I said, the MZ-X is my primary keyboard and if I have a superior model that Casio launches I will definitely do my best to buy it.

Only we have to always ask for at least these small implementations that clearly even the Medeli have.

I came from a generation of keyboards such as Technics, olds PSR and others and are approaches that Casio can produce again like the MZ2000.

We hope that Casio does not abandon the MZ-X Line because here in Brazil the MZ-X is a great option in face of the competition that is more expensive (Comparison with Sampling feature keyboards)

 

[Jokeyman123]

Silvano-do you have a Medeli? Which one, and what is your opinion? I've noticed these are new in the marketplace online.

 

I also still don't understand why many of these arranger instruments are so costly, even compared to full-featured workstations? I've tried a few Roland RA models over the years, and a GW, very nice-and I have the PMA-5 which is pretty nice for what it can do-if attached to a midi keyboard-and the QY100 which is also pretty handy for its arranger and tone module functions-but it seems these still pretty useful arrangers are gone, and none of the manufacturers have stepped back up with new arranger modules like these-except for the very costly arranger keyboards. I recently sold the Yamaha PSR-SQ-16, an amazing array of controls and arranger functions including creating your own accompaniments but I didn't care for the AWM piano and play piano alot, otherwise this was one of the best arrangers I think Yamaha ever made-and even they dropped alot of the features later on that this one had already, Casio isn; the only one who seems to do this. There is a Casio MZ-2000 right now on e***booboo and I am very tempted-but its over 300.00 US dollars. 

[Silvano Silva]

On 4/13/2021 at 3:58 PM, Jokeyman123 said:

Silvano-do you have a Medeli? Which one, and what is your opinion? I've noticed these are new in the marketplace online.

 

I also still don't understand why many of these arranger instruments are so costly, even compared to full-featured workstations? I've tried a few Roland RA models over the years, and a GW, very nice-and I have the PMA-5 which is pretty nice for what it can do-if attached to a midi keyboard-and the QY100 which is also pretty handy for its arranger and tone module functions-but it seems these still pretty useful arrangers are gone, and none of the manufacturers have stepped back up with new arranger modules like these-except for the very costly arranger keyboards. I recently sold the Yamaha PSR-SQ-16, an amazing array of controls and arranger functions including creating your own accompaniments but I didn't care for the AWM piano and play piano alot, otherwise this was one of the best arrangers I think Yamaha ever made-and even they dropped alot of the features later on that this one had already, Casio isn; the only one who seems to do this. There is a Casio MZ-2000 right now on e***booboo and I am very tempted-but its over 300.00 US dollars. 

Hi Jockeyman I never had Medeli but I follow some of his releases and I also know that they manufacture for other brands.

If you are interested in any model I suggest a model like the new AKX10 in which the MZ-X line resembles.

As for the MZ-2000, excellent as it may be, we have the problem in terms of repair parts if there is a defect.

New arrangements are expensive because many of them mix workstations in addition to being able to provide access to more practical and faster arrangements.

In studio environments such as in Brazil, an arranger provides practicality for small jobs and immediate profits. Workstations can appear for longer and more expensive productions.

The Casio MZ-X is an excellent keyboard but we only have a few missing details here in the Arranger item. An example is the lack of user-programmable O.T.S.

[Jokeyman123]

I've been looking for the AKX10 Medeli-looks good on paper, but I don't find these for sale anywhere yet in the US, or elsewhere. I also remember reading a blog about a quite a few Medeli updated keyboards from several months ago-that never materialized-I've yet to see any of the new models they claimed were coming, all i see are the original models that have been on the market for at least one year. 

https://www.medeli.com.hk/akx10

[Silvano Silva]

On 4/30/2021 at 5:56 PM, Jokeyman123 said:

I've been looking for the AKX10 Medeli-looks good on paper, but I don't find these for sale anywhere yet in the US, or elsewhere. I also remember reading a blog about a quite a few Medeli updated keyboards from several months ago-that never materialized-I've yet to see any of the new models they claimed were coming, all i see are the original models that have been on the market for at least one year. 

https://www.medeli.com.hk/akx10

Watch the Video. Maybe one day the new MZ-X will come with these additional features

[Silvano Silva]

On 4/30/2021 at 5:56 PM, Jokeyman123 said:

I've been looking for the AKX10 Medeli-looks good on paper, but I don't find these for sale anywhere yet in the US, or elsewhere. I also remember reading a blog about a quite a few Medeli updated keyboards from several months ago-that never materialized-I've yet to see any of the new models they claimed were coming, all i see are the original models that have been on the market for at least one year. 

https://www.medeli.com.hk/akx10

The Pandemic delayed the distribution of these keyboards a lot. Maybe in 2022 return to normal

[NMBR1CASIOFAN]

I have been a CASIO fan since my Grandparents took me shopping and bought me my first CASIO keyboard from target when I was a kid, it was the Casiotone MT-205 I still have it to this day as well as CASIO's first sampling keyboard the CASIO SK-1. I've owned all of the WK series keyboards over the years, and now the MZ X500, which I enjoy, though glitchy at times it has allowed me to create music, import styles and edit them, and import my own sampled instruments. However, shortly after purchasing and starting to import my own sampled instruments, the keyboard would come to a point where it's memory would almost be about 3/4 of the way full and it would say on the screen  re- adjusting memory, like it had to re organize the samples in memory to fit them compactly into their data cells. Anyway, after multiple factory resets, and sample reloads, every time the memory would almost fill up the keyboard would give that message on the screen and after what seemed like 5min or so it would finish, and it would screw up almost every sample in memory to the point that either the left or right channel of the sample would cut out randomly during play or multiple notes would not play at all and sound of the sample would only play out of either the left or right speaker only forcing me to do a Factory reset to fix all the problems, and next time around only be able to install at half capacity of memory to avoid the keyboard from re-adjusting memory and screwing things up again. I do not understand how this keyboard can fail at playing a 5-7mb .ZTN  dropping off notes and cutting out during play as if the keyboard has only loaded a limited number of samples across a small range of the keys and has to reload new samples if you leave that range like there is a limited number of samples that it can proficiently play without screwing up. I only sample from C2 to  F#5 every 6 semitones at 3 to 5 seconds max, which would be only 8 samples at around 5mb or less per instrument considering that I usually don't go past 3 seconds per sample. I have found that longer samples do affect the performance of the keyboard especially if you use them in the accompaniment section, Unfortunately not every sample can be exactly 3 seconds due to looping complexities and phase issues. I would like to sample more than 3 to 5 seconds for this keyboard but the samples have a limit of just under 9 seconds per sample at about 1.490mb per sample respectively. if you want good quality samples you need to be able to have longer loop times for more complex sounds, at present this keyboard can't proficiently play longer samples across a wide range of keys with out jamming up the memory which means layering your sampled instruments at 1.490mb per sample at 8 samples min across several octaves is out of the question because This keyboard has some serious memory handling issues with instrument samples. I do not understand why CASIO would make such a versatile keyboard but limit it's usability in that aspect. I Don't want CASIO to be a jack of all trades and a master of none when it comes to this kind of functionality, they have so much potential and so does this keyboard but it is going to have to either be dedicated to sampling instruments and synthesis or it is going to have to be a dedicated workstation at that current price point. I specifically bought this keyboard for it's sampling which I also took advantage of in the earlier WK series keyboards. Even though the sampling capability of the MZ X500 was an upgrade from previous models the sample memory and playability leaves some things to be desired. I am going to drop down to 6 samples at 6 semitones F#2 to C5 and see if that helps any. I am really hesitant to degrade my sample quality to accommodate memory, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do. If anyone has any tips or tricks I am all ears. Now... for my christmas wishlist, In a future release if it was ever meant to be I would love a dedicated sampling keyboard as a base form factor unit that I could buy mostly void of all sounds or styles except for a basic few like piano, strings, drawbar organ, choir and etc... then I could download or purchase from CASIO if I desired, a single instrument or a Instrument Pack and Style GENRE Pack specifically designed to install into the keyboard to customize it to my liking. I would like at the very least 128gb of sample memory and better sample playability with the hexatone functionality and physical ADSR and EFFECTS sliders, but with all 6 zones in stereo and not just split channels, and with all 9 mixing sliders and an added bass pedal drawbar to add bass to the lower end of the drawbar organ keyboard and a drawbar for adding a copied 5th tone of the current drawbar selection((7 semitones up)) to every key across the keyboard including the bass much like the FARFISA VIP 345, and ;ayering ability of the drawbar. Currently you can only use one instance of the drawbar organ in the tone selection area. In the WK series I was able to layer the drawbar organ in the tone section as well as use it in the accompaniment section to fill in my chords like i was playing chords with the left hand too, while i was actually using the left hand to play organ bass, the accompaniment played the left hand bass, and the left hand chords all while the drum machine part of the accompaniment was not running. you can no longer change the sounds in the accompaniment section without the accompaniment running. CASIO probably doesn't even realize it, but they had Freeplay ability years before YAMAHA ever came up with it in their SX series, and nobody ever really thought to use it like that, but I did. The WK3500 was my favorite, and I used at church and events with not just the organ sounds but with strings and pad sounds that played independently of my melody adding a fuller sound with dedicated bass and chords in addition to my tone section layers and never having to be tied to a running accompaniment or tempo. The accompaniment chords never became muddled with my melody, when i played right hand piano chords the accompaniment strings did not follow the melody, it was like having an orchestra with seperate parts. I don't know if it's possible or not, but If Casio could just do some program editing or something and open up the ability to change the sounds in the accompaniment section without running the accompaniment so we could have Freeplay for chording and secondary bass that would be awesome, but I fear a Freeplay option is probably only possible in a new release model. Anyway, aside from that, I would like a better leslie simulation with seperate (speed adjustable) top and bottom rotors. and least 4 assignable DSP effects for any channel of my choosing, and added mixing sliders to adjust the volume and other settings of the different instrument channels of the accompaniment while live. Those are a few of my thoughts, and there are others in this forum that have also mentioned other added enhancements as well which would really be great. I am looking forward to new and better improvements. -Everyone's ideas count. #KEEPMOVINGFORWARD

[Silvano Silva]

7 hours ago, NMBR1CASIOFAN said:

I have been a CASIO fan since my Grandparents took me shopping and bought me my first CASIO keyboard from target when I was a kid, it was the Casiotone MT-205 I still have it to this day as well as CASIO's first sampling keyboard the CASIO SK-1. I've owned all of the WK series keyboards over the years, and now the MZ X500, which I enjoy, though glitchy at times it has allowed me to create music, import styles and edit them, and import my own sampled instruments. However, shortly after purchasing and starting to import my own sampled instruments, the keyboard would come to a point where it's memory would almost be about 3/4 of the way full and it would say on the screen  re- adjusting memory, like it had to re organize the samples in memory to fit them compactly into their data cells. Anyway, after multiple factory resets, and sample reloads, every time the memory would almost fill up the keyboard would give that message on the screen and after what seemed like 5min or so it would finish, and it would screw up almost every sample in memory to the point that either the left or right channel of the sample would cut out randomly during play or multiple notes would not play at all and sound of the sample would only play out of either the left or right speaker only forcing me to do a Factory reset to fix all the problems, and next time around only be able to install at half capacity of memory to avoid the keyboard from re-adjusting memory and screwing things up again. I do not understand how this keyboard can fail at playing a 5-7mb .ZTN  dropping off notes and cutting out during play as if the keyboard has only loaded a limited number of samples across a small range of the keys and has to reload new samples if you leave that range like there is a limited number of samples that it can proficiently play without screwing up. I only sample from C2 to  F#5 every 6 semitones at 3 to 5 seconds max, which would be only 8 samples at around 5mb or less per instrument considering that I usually don't go past 3 seconds per sample. I have found that longer samples do affect the performance of the keyboard especially if you use them in the accompaniment section, Unfortunately not every sample can be exactly 3 seconds due to looping complexities and phase issues. I would like to sample more than 3 to 5 seconds for this keyboard but the samples have a limit of just under 9 seconds per sample at about 1.490mb per sample respectively. if you want good quality samples you need to be able to have longer loop times for more complex sounds, at present this keyboard can't proficiently play longer samples across a wide range of keys with out jamming up the memory which means layering your sampled instruments at 1.490mb per sample at 8 samples min across several octaves is out of the question because This keyboard has some serious memory handling issues with instrument samples. I do not understand why CASIO would make such a versatile keyboard but limit it's usability in that aspect. I Don't want CASIO to be a jack of all trades and a master of none when it comes to this kind of functionality, they have so much potential and so does this keyboard but it is going to have to either be dedicated to sampling instruments and synthesis or it is going to have to be a dedicated workstation at that current price point. I specifically bought this keyboard for it's sampling which I also took advantage of in the earlier WK series keyboards. Even though the sampling capability of the MZ X500 was an upgrade from previous models the sample memory and playability leaves some things to be desired. I am going to drop down to 6 samples at 6 semitones F#2 to C5 and see if that helps any. I am really hesitant to degrade my sample quality to accommodate memory, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do. If anyone has any tips or tricks I am all ears. Now... for my christmas wishlist, In a future release if it was ever meant to be I would love a dedicated sampling keyboard as a base form factor unit that I could buy mostly void of all sounds or styles except for a basic few like piano, strings, drawbar organ, choir and etc... then I could download or purchase from CASIO if I desired, a single instrument or a Instrument Pack and Style GENRE Pack specifically designed to install into the keyboard to customize it to my liking. I would like at the very least 128gb of sample memory and better sample playability with the hexatone functionality and physical ADSR and EFFECTS sliders, but with all 6 zones in stereo and not just split channels, and with all 9 mixing sliders and an added bass pedal drawbar to add bass to the lower end of the drawbar organ keyboard and a drawbar for adding a copied 5th tone of the current drawbar selection((7 semitones up)) to every key across the keyboard including the bass much like the FARFISA VIP 345, and ;ayering ability of the drawbar. Currently you can only use one instance of the drawbar organ in the tone selection area. In the WK series I was able to layer the drawbar organ in the tone section as well as use it in the accompaniment section to fill in my chords like i was playing chords with the left hand too, while i was actually using the left hand to play organ bass, the accompaniment played the left hand bass, and the left hand chords all while the drum machine part of the accompaniment was not running. you can no longer change the sounds in the accompaniment section without the accompaniment running. CASIO probably doesn't even realize it, but they had Freeplay ability years before YAMAHA ever came up with it in their SX series, and nobody ever really thought to use it like that, but I did. The WK3500 was my favorite, and I used at church and events with not just the organ sounds but with strings and pad sounds that played independently of my melody adding a fuller sound with dedicated bass and chords in addition to my tone section layers and never having to be tied to a running accompaniment or tempo. The accompaniment chords never became muddled with my melody, when i played right hand piano chords the accompaniment strings did not follow the melody, it was like having an orchestra with seperate parts. I don't know if it's possible or not, but If Casio could just do some program editing or something and open up the ability to change the sounds in the accompaniment section without running the accompaniment so we could have Freeplay for chording and secondary bass that would be awesome, but I fear a Freeplay option is probably only possible in a new release model. Anyway, aside from that, I would like a better leslie simulation with seperate (speed adjustable) top and bottom rotors. and least 4 assignable DSP effects for any channel of my choosing, and added mixing sliders to adjust the volume and other settings of the different instrument channels of the accompaniment while live. Those are a few of my thoughts, and there are others in this forum that have also mentioned other added enhancements as well which would really be great. I am looking forward to new and better improvements. -Everyone's ideas count. #KEEPMOVINGFORWARD

  In fact you are correct. We have some here who think the MZX is just a synthesizer. MZX is beyond that. You are now sampling your samples and you are already noticing the problems in the sampler part.                                                                                                                        We Brazilians use a lot of samples because the Brazilian Culture is very big and we are always changing rhythms, sounds.                                                                                                     But in fact there is a way to solve the sample problems and we already have some little tricks.                  

Avoid using ZTN larger than 2.5mb                                                                                                        Preload does not always help because it can give problems with samples and if you are going to use it, place only files above 4 megs in the preload. Always install samples separately beyond the ZAL file.                                                                                                                      Any new sample installed turn off your MZX and turn it on and check the sample                        And most importantly: Creating samples is an art and the smaller the sample the better it will load onto your Casio MZ-X.

 

 

Edited July 21, 2021 by Silvano Silva

[Casiofun]

I don't own the MZX-500 but Casio did little to promote it when it came out compared with the PX5S where all kinds of videos were made to teach users how to use them. Take a look on Youtube and see all the videos for the PX5S made by Casio. Casio seemed to abandon the MZX line after fixing some issues through firmware updates. Then the availability started to dry up in select markets for unknown reasons as vendors stopped carrying them and Casio stopped stocking them. They remained available in North America but they are now discontinued there as well. So it seems it was not a successful product for Casio as far as sales and must not have met expectations. But Casio has never been a big force in the pro market. They have served the home market and have been successful making low cost products with a lot of functionality for the price. They seem to have gone back to this strategy as evidenced by the CTX line, Privia PXS, CDPS and Casiotone CT-S. The MZX was supposed to compete with the PSR-S and Korg PA series. I would think the CTX line will be refreshed or enhanced and perhaps the XWP1 might be replaced.

[Silvano Silva]

On 7/21/2021 at 10:55 PM, Casiofun said:

I don't own the MZX-500 but Casio did little to promote it when it came out compared with the PX5S where all kinds of videos were made to teach users how to use them. Take a look on Youtube and see all the videos for the PX5S made by Casio. Casio seemed to abandon the MZX line after fixing some issues through firmware updates. Then the availability started to dry up in select markets for unknown reasons as vendors stopped carrying them and Casio stopped stocking them. They remained available in North America but they are now discontinued there as well. So it seems it was not a successful product for Casio as far as sales and must not have met expectations. But Casio has never been a big force in the pro market. They have served the home market and have been successful making low cost products with a lot of functionality for the price. They seem to have gone back to this strategy as evidenced by the CTX line, Privia PXS, CDPS and Casiotone CT-S. The MZX was supposed to compete with the PSR-S and Korg PA series. I would think the CTX line will be refreshed or enhanced and perhaps the XWP1 might be replaced.

Casio produced an excellent keyboard but dreamed small. Here in Brazil, Casio presented artists who use the MZX as a controller and not the product proposal that is SAMPLE ARRANGEMENT KEYBOARD. The keyboard did not end up in the hands of the keyboardists "arrangers" due to a marketing mistake. And also from the competition that invested in one man band artists. Today in Brazil the Casio MZ-X started to get fame among ONE MAN BAND musicians because it has a super competitive price despite the defects that we already know to solve. Casio rocked the Big KYR, just keep impressing the market as he did with the PIANOS STAGE. The CT-X line was an upgrade to SOUND ENGINE but a Software System Downgrade compared to MZ-X. It's much simpler to create a STYLE and edit a TONE in MZ-X than in CT-X

Edited July 24, 2021 by Silvano Silva

[Casiofun]

Casio Brazil isn't a big enough market to keep making the MZ-X. Global is what matters and it apparently didn't do well enough. It does not look like any pro offerings are in Casio's plans at present.

[Silvano Silva]

11 hours ago, Casiofun said:

Casio Brazil isn't a big enough market to keep making the MZ-X. Global is what matters and it apparently didn't do well enough. It does not look like any pro offerings are in Casio's plans at present.

The MZ-X is famous here because it's much cheaper price and features compared to the competition. The FanBase Yamaha here is big but the MZ-X has conquered its space.

And here there is still new MZ-X available on the Sales Sites.

Unfortunately we are out of options with Casio not signaling if it will produce any replacement at the mz-x500 level

 

 

 

[casiomir]

Hello fellow coleagues, did somebody updated firmware on MZ-x500 and what's the difference between original ?!

[Brad Saucier]

24 minutes ago, casiomir said:

Hello fellow coleagues, did somebody updated firmware on MZ-x500 and what's the difference between original ?!

 

This is a list of changes.  https://support.casio.com/en/support/download.php?cid=008&pid=1211