Something Interesting from CASIO

Saw this on the KC forum thought I'd share it.

cool

Really interesting. PX-3 substitute?

Yes, that is interesting; thanks for posting.

It does say "Privia" on the top panel, so, yes, it would appear to be the replacement for the PX-3. It looks like the back plate may have been removed so that you can't see the model name.

I really like the addition of the laptop/tablet pad. I find that very useful on my XW-P1 for running VB3 at gigs.

I'm thinking a bit more than that. A workstation, a mix of the XW-P1 and the PX-350. The section in the back where the CASIO logo is as interesting to me as the sliders and knobs.

That looks like where you can attach some sort of support/rest for your device.

Yes, I thought that too. I'm wondering if they didn't develop an app for it too.
That opens up some interesting possibilities, editing, sequencing etc. It has the USB and transport controls.

Wow, very cool!

Thumbscrews above the Casio logo for a removable harddrive/SSD.

James
x

Yes it is. I know it'll have the PX-x50 APs, but I'm hoping that they've really upped their game with EPs, and maybe organs too.

Paging Mike!

Spill the beans! We'll keep it under our hats!

You and me both. I'm hoping that Casio applied their AIR engine to produce some nice authentic and dynamic Rhodes and Wurly EP's, similar to how well the AP's came out.

I'm going to pull a WAG out that it's just the existing line repackaged with UI and IO changes. Sink a bunch of design time into the base electronics and keybed platform, and build out several products (slab, slim console, upright, stage). I'd be surprised if they are already revving the sound engine.

Seconded. When I first heard a demo of the Wurly, I actually did think it was already AIRed, and I felt like a fool when I got my PX-330 to find that it was only TWO velocity levels, with a hard switch! Our ears are easily deceived when we are not actually playing. (well, mine are)

Greg.

I guess you'll be surprised then.

Mike you're such a TEASE

Would people have a need for a removable HD/SSD drive in a keyboard?

Will this utilize gigabytes of sound source files?

Will this play software plug-ins without an external computer?

Can you describe where you see Privia on the top panel?

EDIT: I see it in the dark strip now that I downloaded and flipped the image.

On the end of the dark band that runs along the top of the control panel, nearest the camera.

Thanks we cross posted as I found it.

Sorry to disappoint but it isn't for storage.

I am glad that you responded Mike.

I just realized I was mistaking James for you and thought his words were coming from Casio's perspective.

Optional drinks holder?

YES, but we still recommend the spill proof drink cap.

how many pounds does it weigh?

It weighs less than a PX-350

I cant wait for NAMM

does it have more or less acoustic piano sounds?
more of less rhodes sounds?

Just days away now!

You'll all like this one ....

Mike, are the cracks in the back wall deliberate?

Aha, someone threw the board against the wall... perhaps they didn't like it?

It could just be a clever trick to make the 3D render appear more realistic.

James
x

Mike, next time hand it over to me, I will render. No one will know if it's photo or 3d.

This NAMM is going to be fun

Mike_Martin:
“Sorry guys, I can't comment on future products although a PX-3 replacement is high on my wish list. Also keep in mind the PX-3 released almost a year after the PX-330.” http://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/1927655/Re:%20CASIO%20releases%204%20new%20model.html#Post1927655

Did Steve Coscia get to play the new toy? (The picture is from Steve's website and he likes to play "Casio's toys".)

The only thing I haven’t been able to find out is its model number and specs.

No Steve Coscia hasn't played it. He was one of the first to find the picture online and he saved it to his computer, then shared it online.

Mike can you tell us when they will shipping for sale in USA?

Oooh, interesting -- I like surprises!

The Rhodes and organ patches were actually better on the PX3 than on the PX350. So hopefully they are at least as good as those were!

Sounds aside, it's nice to see the wheels, knobs, and sliders that the PX3 lacked.. even if we don't yet know exactly what they're all for. ;-) I assume the knobs and sliders have some internal function, but hopefully their functions are all assignable for control of external MIDI devices as well. That would seem to be likely, if they are building on the design philosophy of the PX3. I'm hoping for an expression pedal jack as well. (Two of each kind of foot controller jack is probably too much to hope for!) Also hoping to be able to name Registrations, and select them with direct button access instead of having to scroll through them. Of course, it will have the new x50 keybed, which is a nice improvement right there.

As a certifiable *creak* Old Timer, every time I look at that photo, the two horizontal bars on the top panel look like the old slider dial of an AM-FM radio... and I chuckle quietly to myself.

Indeed, looks to have the XW-P1 sliders, filters, pitch, and mod wheels. Other side looks to have a hard drive. Has Casio possibly upped the ante on the samples and ROM? Now wouldn't that be something!

Hard drives are so last decade... ;-)

Along those lines, Mike Martin posted elsewhere:

I'm enjoying the speculation about the mysterious "things" on the back. I'll tell you this much. It is NOT for installing SSD drives or other sound options. We will be making some creative use of this "thing" though. Don't over think it too much, all will be revealed soon.

It will be more than something.

Optional internal speakers???

No internal speakers

That would be surprising, but excellent!

Optional VST host hardware?

The answer is obvious. It's a bubble machine.

Best speculation so far.

Maybe its an option to plug in the little ROM things that came with the Casio toy keyboards in the 80s.

Like an SK1 expansion kit? Expanded Dog Barking samples.

Maybe a battery pack type item? Some of the roland's can use batteries but they require more D's than a flashlight!

Or maybe it's just two knobs for winding your cables/cords.

If you really push the gamma more of the back I/O appears:



Otherwise that lone little USB (?) hole on the back with no writing or anything to keep it company makes it look kind of naked.

I thought the square holes were for a music rest...

James
x

Can we assume it is a PX4 with some sort of drawbar mode?
Wishful thinking gives it a XLR/1"4 combo input to do digital recordings (sliders could be both drawbars and mixers)

I think the screws come out for an Ipad holder that would give access to voice editing and other features.

Given my whining about the power of the x50 speakers this could be the board for me!

No, Mike has said it's not that (and there aren't nine of them, and drawbar organ is uncommon on a weighted board).

Looks like it's the PX-5S.

http://www.casiomusicgear.com/resource/namm2013/index.html

Wow, good find Susan!

For more info on the AP-450 and AP-650, you can download the manuals from here. http://support.casio.com/manuallist.php?rgn=1&cid=008

Haven’t found anything on the PX-780 or PX-5S yet.

Hmm, quite possibly - but no fair, you're on the inside! We're just the teased masses out here, given scraps from the table.

The funky slot above the Casio logo, I think that's where the VCR tape goes ...

I thought too there must be a symmetrical second square hole for attaching the music rest, albeit I am belonging to the outside - not to say to the downside, because I am supposed to be the King (the highly wooed custumer).

Nah can't be the PX4.

Asians would never buy it, what with 4 being super unlucky.

As with the NAMM website, its the PX5.

Yes that number 4 thing is downright bizarre. I've got two "4"s on my car number plate, and some people that were about to get in looked at the car, then looked me up and down as if I was some kind of an idiot, and said "is this yours?" (there were no other cars there). They did eventually get in. They had just come out of an office tower with no level 4, too.

Greg.

Greg, at least we know now that You cannot be a taxi driver.

But 4 is such a low number - how can one avoid it all the time?

In my country is 13 the unlucky one. It seems more appropriate to be as a valid candidate (a prime number).

The site says Introducing Privia PRO - Shattering Expectations with Exciting New Pianos. So maybe it's the Privia PRO PX-5S.

Particularly when you've got Benford's law disproportionally shoving small numbers at you.

Every time I hear the name Casio I keep remembering the awful (sorry) toy keyboards from Casio and Bontempi I grew up with.

So I have a visceral reaction every time I see the picture Mike posted where I first think 'looks interesting' until I read the Casio name and the next thought becomes 'oh it's just a toy' .

I have to get over that because it looks truly interesting.

Casio keeps piling up the key buy awards issued by Keyboard Magazine. Over the last few years, Privias are being used by more pro musicians. While this is the same company that made those toy keyboards, it has grown up a lot since then and if you haven't noticed they offer some pretty capable products at very reasonable prices.

I know. It's just hard to change your preconceptions some time.

Thanks Galaxy! We just found out about 2 big awards which will be announced here at the show.

I'm certainly used to hearing comments like Nigeth's but less and less over the last couple years in particular. Our theme for the show is Shattering Expectations, I think once you hear what this new product sounds like of it might change his mind as well as some others.

I think Casio sometimes gets a bad rap about its history, in that even when it was making all those "toys" it was still making cool stuff. Think about things like the VZ-1/10-M, AZ-1, MZ-2000. And the earlier Privia pianos were still very respectable, too. And the stuff is always pretty dependable. I don't think Casio has so much to apologize for! Just because all the "toy" boards you've seen have been Casios, that has never meant that everything Casio has made has been a toy.

I totally agree - Casio warrants just as much respect as Roland, Korg, etc.

I lol'd at this..funny, but could be true.. Btw: is it the Chinese specifically that are not fond of # 4? Or Asians?

Gatsbee13: The passengers I mentioned earlier were anglo-saxon. ;^)

Greg.

I gotta say - you two (James and Mike) are doing it right. By simply having a human presence in these forums, you are providing a real glimpse into Kawai and Casio that contrasts sharply with the inscrutable competition about which there is only uninformed speculation. Even without spilling any serious beans, your posts indicate that your companies care about the user community (or at least don't mind you fraternizing with us).

The two "teased" machines are the main reason I've been waiting for NAMM instead of making a snap decision on the boat piano, and I'm obviously not alone.

Just thought I'd raise a glass in toast to you guys...

Steve

The Chinese character for the number 4 has (almost) the same pronunciation sound ("shi") as the character for death. This is why Chinese and Japanese people believe the number is unlucky, and tend to avoid using it for floor numbers, apartment numbers, etc.

This is also why there are no K-4, RX-4, or SK-4 Kawai acoustic pianos.

Kind regards,
James
x

I used to work in a town where all the phone numbers (including ours) started with 666. The first time I got comments about it, I didn't even know what they were talking about!

id still take a Yamaha CF4 though.. perfect size for my living room...

I see you missed Kawai out there

I was at NAMM and got to see the PX-5s first hand! That "thing" on the back is what I've been waiting for in a keyboard for YEARS (decades actually). Its a battery compartment!!!
Yes - you can now have an excellent fully weighted 88-key board that weighs 24 lbs and can run on 8 AA batteries!! Think about it... couple that with a Roland KC-110 stereo keyboard amp (runs on batteries) and you can play anywhere in the world!!! Have a party in the woods or forest, or entertain the neighborhood if there was a power failure or any number of scenarios!

I remember the days when "sounds like a Casio" was the worst insult you could hurl at a keyboard. How times change.

Wow, you could always hack up a power pod for the plug, get a few nimhs, and run it through an adjustable switching dc-dc vrm, for power on the go.

This observation bears repeating.

Wonder what the play time will be for your mentioned combination?

About 4 hours I'd guess ... A ba-330 is going to sound a lot better though

Seems I remember a video with Mike & Steve Fortner of Keyboard Magazine where Mike said 6 hours.