Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Digital Pianos - Electronic Pianos - Synths & Keyboards Need different sounds to go along with my Casio PX-150

I have a Casio PX-150. But I would like Synth, sound machine or another keyboard that has different sounds to play along with my PX-150 for Christmas Music this year. Any suggestions? Budget up to $500.

If you want to trigger additional sounds from the PX-150, there's lots you can do by plugging into a computer or an iPad. If you're looking for a separate keyboard, in your price range, I'd look at the Yamaha MX49 or Casio XW-P1. Yamaha stronger for the sounds of acoustic instruments, Casio stronger for synth/organ and MIDI controller functionality.

Any software suggestions that I can load to computer or iPad that will work along with the PX-150?

Some of the PSR Yammie keyboards have cracking sounds on them. They`re better than I have on my piano . . .you should be able to get a good sounding one for the money; you`ll be able to output into your 150, I should think.

For the iPad, you'll need the Apple Camera Connection Kit ($29) and a USB cable to the PX-150. And you'll want to run the headphone jack of the iPad out to your stereo or amp or powered speakers of some kind.

For a wide variety of sounds, there's Sampletank. Apple's own GarageBand is a good choice, too. For specific sounds, you can get some apps dedicated to that sound... for example, Galileo is a popular choice for organ sounds. If you want something synthier, you could look at apps like Magellan, Animoog, Sunrizer, iPolySix, SAS-2A/5A, Thor, iMini. For alternate piano or EP sounds, there are apps like CMP or iGrand piano, Neo Soul Keys, iLectric. For playing custom samples, there's BS-16i. There are also apps you can get that can facilitate running more than one of these apps at a time, memory permitting.

UPDATE: I tried the Yamaha PSR E433 and it's VERY NICE for the money. I may try a couple more. My 6 yr old daughter was making some awesome sounds which include using the pitch wheel which surprised me and the salesman!

ah, the damned pitch wheel... every time my daughter wanted my attention, she'd come near the wheel while I'm playing and f* up my playing :p

I used the PSR 630 from many years ago in a band setting. The Musician`s Union contingent were upset . . . but the sounds were fantastic through a big PA system! AND the Hammond had an on/off rotary speaker. How good`s that?