If the PX5S has the sound that it says it does, I would like to thank Mike Martin for showing up on these forums and gathering "intelligence" from the actual community that plays these instruments that companies manufacture. While nothing is perfect and we as keyboard players are a picky bunch, I want to thank Casio for using their most advance technology to not only reproduce the piano sounds but actually export it to other key categories like, vintage electric pianos! From what information is available the vintage EP's are AIR powered and include release sounds and amp simulators. Plus it looks like Casio did not skimp on AP sounds and features. It looks like the PX5 has all of the capabilities that the AIR engine can provide "unlocked". For a possible street price of 1k or so this PX5 is definitely sounding like a "must buy" and really will give the big companies a run for their money ( literally because Casio will have it, lol).
Once again Mike thank you for listening to us and helping Casio to possibly create the gigging keyboardist's dream axe!

Well I too am grateful for manufacturer representatives on this forum, but you are hereby awarded the OBN.

Does it have weighted keys?

Man you make it sound as if Mike is personally hand assembling them himself!

Nah man, just saying he's been on here and other forums really getting input from players and sending back that info to Casio. James from Kawai is another asset that we have here. I just wish more companies would have people like them that really look for input from the actual musicians that play these instruments.

I really hope this thing lives up to the hype. I got excited about previous Casio offerings, and while good, and innovative in many respects, they didn't compete at the Roland/Kawai level. I would love it if this one does.

Some specs on the PX-5S at http://www.casiomusicgear.com/products/menu_privia/PX-5S

Specs don't say weighted like the other privas do, which leads me to believe they aren't weighted keys? :-(

88-key, Tri-sensor Scaled Hammer Action II - This means that have the same action of the PX150/350.

If that's the case, considering all the good reviews, I believe I'm ready to order.

I think you should wait a little. The PX-5S will take a few weeks to be shipping...

Man, I sure would be curious to know what they mean when they say it has an 8 track sequencer capable of storing 1000 phrases. Does that mean it's not like a regular sequencer and ONLY stores phrases? If it IS like a regular 8 track sequencer, I wonder what the total number of notes is. Enlightenment?

I'm sure glad I saved all those 8 track cassettes!

PX5S vs. PX780- which one wins out?
Seems it would come down to EP's and Organs + monitors vs. Internal speakers

I think they kinda have different feature sets. The 780 is just a slim console 350, yeah? PX-5S looks geared towards real time adjustments on the fly probably.

I'm liking what I see in the PX-5S. It reminds me of an Alesis QS8 that I had.
Still in use at my daughters school. At 24 lbs. I'm very interested had back surgery
for ruptured discs several years ago and have to watch what and how much I lift.
I already have keyboard amps and powered monitors that I can hook it up to.
Can't wait to give it a spin.

Not even close. I actually don't know whether the organs are any better or not, but the PX5S has tons of stuff that the PX780 doesn't. Tons of MIDI controller functionality, lots more sounds, extensive editabiliy, and 256 voice polyphony, to start. But you do lose the drum machine!

Marvin,
It looks to have the phrase sequencer from the XW-P1. I think it allows you to build a sequence through layering sounds. You can activate it either on the fly and record as you play or pre record your phrases and access them on the fly as you are playing live. Check youtube for demos and tutorials on it for more info.

Thanks for the head's up. Will have to check it out.

Thank you Rhodie73 and others for the comments. The PX-5S is the most remarkable instrument I've ever been involved with. I've been working on the preset sounds that we're using here NAMM for the last few weeks. It's depth and range of sounds is truly unique and it is far from anything you've ever heard from Casio before. We should have some videos and audio clips up after NAMM.

Most tempting.... looking forward to trying one. Looks like an excellent cost/performance ratio!

Wonder what the action feels like? If that is good, I might have to invest in it.

Mike, do you know if the PX5s will be available in Australia? I was most peeved to discover that the XW-P1 wasn't being sold here.

88 key triple sensor hammer action, 256 poly and only 24 ponds ? The PX-3 was a great controller and had some pretty good onboard sounds as well. This ups the ante a bit ....except my god it's one ugly beast

It is sold in Australia ... just took a while to get there.

I found a video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfIMTbOg20I

Now I want a PX-5! Joe Sample can make any keyboard magic.

Dr. P, you'd be surprised at what you can accomplish with a can of black spray-paint....

K.

Your just jealous of my black nord ....

Hey mike,

Does the 5S carry the same weighted keys and keybed as the new Privias? Does it have after touch and lastly and most important when will it ship?

Thank you for your time! I'm between this and the new kurzweil sp5-8

Yes it is a weighted board. PX-5S is in the Privia family which all have weighted scaled hammer action. Casio just makes one keybed for all it's digitals and that includes the Celvianos.