Casio MZ-X500 Does it all!

[@hodaridaniels8786]

Nice keyboard I like it, hopefully I get one someday.

[@XaneMyers]

9:27 Well, here's the first keyboard I've seen that actually "demonstrates" in more ways than showing what it's capable of sound-wise. I sometimes think it'd be cool if people made videos synced to keyboard demo music showing the various features, like turning on the Yamaha PSR-E413 to Elements, pushing the power button, then zooming in on the "YAMAHA" text on-screen right to the last two "hits" before the first dance part starts. I would (badly) do *that* myself, but my keyboard's screen is near-impossible to see nowadays...

[@chillwalker]

This series would have been an absolute Banger. A perfekt Combination between Workstation and arranger...with fantastic additional tools. They just forgot to put the "new" Casio Sound Technology inside. No-one wants a Workstation/arranger that sounds statik and liveless like a toy. I still dont understand this. The "new" Casio Sound engine already existed. And it sounds good...and expressive...

[@gearfacts]

Yes, I hear you. For me the top priority would’ve been to improve the software, particularly the quality of the touchscreen which was just atrocious. Specifications-wise though, this thing is a beautiful beast. It would take an unreasonable amount of perseverance to master it.

[@MrJerry8159]

Wow, Casio has a list of 1099.00 for this board? For 200.00 more you could have a Korg PA700 and take a giant leap forward in sound, speaker quality and much more functions including the KAOSS feature. Seriously watch a few KZbin videos and compare sound between the two. I don't mean to rank on this board but it reminds me of the cheezy little Casios which the cheezy rhythms of the 1970's. But of course, to each their own.

[@gearfacts]

I hear what you're saying. It's apples and oranges really, they're aimed at very different markets. Each of the keyboards has features that the other doesn't even touch. From a consumer's point of view I think bottom line is that the MX is more diverse in capability while the PA is more professional-oriented. I found the MX to be way more fun though, and some people just want to have fun in their home studio. I'm open to be corrected by Casio, but I believe that's the target market of the MX series. Gearfacts

[@ronaldgore7892]

I have both in my studio right now. What he doesn't realize is. The MZX-500 is both an arranger and a full fledged workstation. The PA-700 is an arranger. The speakers on the MZX-500 are most powerful also. I have them both. And the MZX-500 more than holds it's own with it's Hexlayer included. But I love the hell out of my PA-700 and MZX-500 both. The keybed is much better on the PA-700 though. A lot of people have complained about the Casio keybed. I'm one of the few lucky ones that don't have a noisy keybed on mine.

[@gearfacts]

Good point. Sounds like you've got a hefty kit there, too. Thanks for watching Gearfacts, Ron :)

[@ronaldgore7892]

I actually use my MZX-500 on a professional level along with my other synths. I used the piano in a movie trailer just last month. Nice Steinway samples along with that Hexlayer.

[@a.barnard3205]

And for $600 LESS, coming sometime in May, you can have a Casio CT-X5000 with most of the bells and whistles PLUS the semi-debut of the BRAND NEW AiX Sound Engine, which is on the already available CT-X700 not to mention the entire line of CTX Series 'boards.

[@AlfredoZauberer]

The really interesting thing is, and no video on KZbin show it, the Sequencer and the edit of your sequence the MIDI Editor, or what it have to compose my song!?

[@gearfacts]

I couldn't figure it out :(

[@AlfredoZauberer]

@@gearfacts That’s bad!

[@djilyaz]

Sounds a bit canned, but it's probably the camera mic. Nice board for sure.

[@gearfacts]

djilyaz yep it's the camera. Finally got my new mounted mic today so quality should be better from here on :)

[@djilyaz]

actually the best way to record the sound would be through the line out of the keyboard, but then you would need a little mixer with a mic for your voice, or with this keyboard, you could probably plug a mic directly in to it.

[@a.barnard3205]

Mic quality is important. The Demo belongs to Casio, but I added drums to it by recording a rhythm track for it, from my Casio WK-1350, from the speakers, with a Zoom H1 Handy Recorder. soundcloud.com/skyy38/px5s-guitar-bass-organ-and

[@northstarr4729]

Casio has the best sound even compared to major synth brands so I wouldn't worry about it. They are professional grade now.

[@jhampaovivanco771]

El teclado es una maravilla, lo malo que sus samples empiezan a cortarse, he realizado de todo y no logro conseguir que se solucione, no son todos pero si la mayoria de sonidos sampleados de otros teclados

[@desc8082]

Quizá no reconoce el loop de los samples, he leido que Wavosaur puede grabar los marcadores en el wav y luego ser reconocido por el MZ. No se si es tu caso pero no das mucho detalle. De todos modos quisiera saber si solucionaste. Saludos!

[@jhampaovivanco771]

@@desc8082 ya encontré cual es la falla amigo, yo trabajo bastante con Samples y si se todo el proceso de ellos igual de los loops y toda la vaina, pero al FIIIN pude solucionar este dilema q me tenía desbaratando la cabeza, en ningún video indican la solución, solo cosas de precarga q de nada sirven, en fin el CASIO resultó ser un tecladaso, tengo el pa1000 que es un lujo pero créeme el mz no se le queda atrás, espero pronto subir videos de muchas cosas q ofrece, Saludos desde Ecuador

[@desc8082]

@@jhampaovivanco771 que bueno que se pueda lograr bien un sampleado, mi favorito es el MZX que todavía no he podido adquirirlo por un tema económico. No me dejes con la espina y dime cual fue la solución.

[@jhampaovivanco771]

@@desc8082 voy a hacer un video tenlo por seguro amigo

[@East17A]

i own one .. until now can't figure out a lot these pads !! no matter what i i do still in my place .. and the sounds aren't as massive as the make it out to be .. for real you left with a lot of pages ( USER ) and the same for the preset rhythms i'm not kidding they are very limited !! i will on trying ..

[@jonsikha]

Interesting how it looks and sounds like a Casio.

[@gearfacts]

It does indeed. I've been working with it a lot lately, I'm still not starting to love it though... Gearfacts

[@kimthompson5871]

Wow never saw this one before .

[@SaturnineXTS]

Wonder why this keyboard has pretty much disappeared from stores, absolutely no one seems to carry it while they do the MZ-X300 most of the time.

[@gearfacts]

Agreed. It was nice looking and a really good physical design. All it needed was a sold firmware update and it would have been a classic. Casio make some really weird business choices!

[@Saxgregg]

Would you do a simple video on how to record separate tracks on the Mz 500? Please!!!!

[@gearfacts]

Sorry I don't have it anymore :/

[@patricksaxon3983]

I had wanted to sell these, but Casio is very strict on business without a storefront, as I wanted to sell these out of my teaching studio. So I plan on selling Keyron, no contract, no store front required.

[@gearfacts]

Interesting information. From my contact with Casio and my general observations it seems that they are a very cautious, conservative company.

[@jimbometal1734]

is it possible to do "split" ? since i don't see any "spilt" button there ..

[@alenk738]

Now, now, Gearfacts, there's no call to slag the XW synths in an otherwise excellent review of the MZ-X500. The XW synths were Casio's first attempt to get back in the synth game and not a bad attempt to offer something unique. Despite their limitations, the XW synths have their strengths and can be pushed way beyond what you think they can do on the surface. Of course, the MZ-X500 is better in almost all respects and offers features missing on either XW model. OTOH the X500 is missing an actual step sequencer and a solo synth with a 4-pole filter (the X500's Hex Layer can do monophonic but has 2-pole filters).

[@gearfacts]

Hmmmm true, fair point. I'm such an instant-gratification kind of guy, it gets in the way of my objectivity haha

[@a.barnard3205]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iITEYpyJpJZ0f6s

[@Randeema]

I feel like the MZ-X500 is Casio's formal apology for their godawful XW-P1 & XW-G1 trainwrecks. This time Casio got it right. A few years ago I got an XW-P1 for cheap from a pawn shop and also a crippled XW-G1 from a local seller. After endless wrestling with their aggravatingly convoluted workflow just to create patches & sequences, I finally gave up on the XWs and upgraded to the amazing Casio MZ-X500 all-in-one synth. It's now my favorite polysynth, along with my Akai Miniak beastie. Essential for any studio, it's incredibly versatile & fun to play. Recording external samples to play on the touchpads is easy, and I can also run my Moog, Reface DX, Miniak, guitar & bass thru the MZ-X500's powerful speakers live, or patch the lot to my amp, mixer & DAW. Also, the MZX500's large easy-to-navigate full color interactive touchscreen is the best on the market so far - no tedious menu diving or going blind squinting to read a tiny LED screen (hello Roland!) to get the sounds or rhythms I like. WYSIWYG onscreen. The drawbars, lush pads, piano/organ/synth patches, onboard effects, rhythms & accompaniments are superb - finally a company that knows the difference between Reggae, Dub, Rocksteady, and Ska beats! Any budget polysynth that offers 10-20 editable & authentic Wurly style electric piano patches (!) has my vote. I highly recommend the Casio MZ-X500 synth for anyone (pro, amateur, or beginner) on a sensible budget who seeks maximum value & bang-for-buck versatility for their creative musical adventures.

[@alenk738]

@@Randeema Nice upgrade. Notice how none of Casio's keyboards since the MZ-X500 has a color touchscreen (or ANY touchscreen)? In addition to the XW-P1, I have a Casio PX-560 with the same touchscreen. Works great and makes all the operations of the instrument easy and intuitive. It's a shame that Casio has apparently abandoned it.

[@vito_keys]

The touchscreen looks like a Privia

[@gearfacts]

Yes, almost identical. Gearfacts

[@truthmanifestingtruth]

2:48 ...”this could be good?” -what was your honest opinion of that?

[@gearfacts]

Well here's my honest opinion - For me, this keyboard brought out all the frustrating aspects of Casio engineering. It has very far-reaching capabilities but accessing them is made virtually impossible by its user interface. It's such a pain to use. It looks great, feels great and has great specs but at the end of the day ...I'd rather pay the same money for a keyboard that I can actually enjoy playing, even if it has fewer sounds and no sampling. I refer yet again to the Gearfacts philosophy - *Buy what makes you smile.* ...I ain't smilin'...

[@truthmanifestingtruth]

Gearfacts yeah I was trying to give it a shot but it does t make me smile either...not for the price. I like the high end Privia series for piano practice and as a 88 key midi controller, but the rest of their products are for a different market than I’d fit in.

[@gearfacts]

@@truthmanifestingtruth Even if it was really cheap I doubt I'd buy it. It's got some good features but we play music for fun, not for a tedious trawl through menus that make little sense and a manual that makes even less!

[@indrasmith6819]

Can we use like synthesizer keyboards,, and Daw control

[@gearfacts]

Yes. Gearfacts :)

[@indrasmith6819]

Gearfacts Thankyou

[@FelipotheMiraculous]

Hey mate casio mzx500 vs ctx500 in 2023 :p Plz

[@gearfacts]

The MZ-X has sampling, so I'd choose it over anything CT-X. There is also a CT-S500, which outperforms both of them :)

[@FelipotheMiraculous]

@@gearfacts but cts500 doesnt have hex layers :p Also pads and its interface beside of the great sound and cool looking interface isnt so easy and fast (scrolling settings) I have actually traded v1000 for mzx500 :p

[@gearfacts]

@@FelipotheMiraculous true, those are good points. I think it’s important to choose the one that makes you smile, then good music will follow :)

[@djilyaz]

I was messing with the behringer deep mind 12, as far as synthessis goes it is deep.

[@gearfacts]

Yes I'd like to try one of those out. Haven't even seen one in my town...

[@pcuimac]

How bad is the keybed? Is it at least on par with the XW-G, which sadly wasn't good. The springs were to wobbly for my taste. But it looks like a good deal with a price tag of only 400€?

[@gearfacts]

The keybed is very uninspiring. Same as their cheap CTK keyboards. 400 Euros is quite a bargain though, I think

[@pcuimac]

@@gearfacts I bought it in 2019 for 380€ and it's a great synth engine in a nice packaging for the price, but I wish they had made it 300€ more expensive and had put a Fatar keybed inside. The keys are just pla8n awful and spoil the machine. I guess that's why nobody bought it and was sold off for not even half the original price. Typical case of to many cut corners. I still keep it, because it's still good as an arranger workstation. I need to find a way to replace the keybed.

[@gearfacts]

@@pcuimac I agree completely.

[@johnduffy7108]

Nice...

[@gearfacts]

Hmm perhaps ....I grew to dislike it quite intensely I have to confess! :) #gearfacts

[@AswinMartin_AM]

Will this still better than ctx 9000 series much more price less than this can you say that..

[@gearfacts]

Can you re-phrase the question? I don't understand sorry

[@philpegassoslim6984]

Can you upload styles to it?

[@gearfacts]

Yes, I've made a separate video out uploaded styles :) Gearfacts

[@johnmatthews5876]

is this casios best attempt at a high grade keyboard? Because the Yamama PSR S500 LOW grade series sounds better than it

[@gearfacts]

Well, it's not their _best_ attempt, they've made better ones. But yes the PSR-E series are excellent, and they can play samples as well.

[@zubinix]

Does anyone know where I can buy this machine in Brisbane, Australia? Most music shops here are mostly Yamaha.

[@gearfacts]

Ah Brisbane, my old stomping ground. If you can't find one there I'd look online and find one of the interstate retailers who offer free postage. Thanks for watching Gearfacts, great to hear the 'Brisbane' in a comment :)

[@zubinix]

Gearfacts Alas it does not seem like any music shops here stock this Casio so I can’t evaluate it. So it looks like I will end up choosing between the Yamaha PSR S775 and the Korg PA700.

[@gearfacts]

Unbelievable... Hm... Well if ever you're in Canberra feel free to get in touch :)

[@dinow.wardhana8522]

is it still relevant to buy this thing today? since the arrival of ctx series?

[@gearfacts]

I wouldn't buy another one unless I really needed sampling.

[@nhaezer5121]

Are u recording thru an audio interface or u mic'd the speakers?

[@gearfacts]

This was recorded from the speakers in the music store. Terrible environment for sound. This keyboard sounds much better in person.

[@anthonykairouz9305]

hi gearfacts, does mz x500 has oriental or arabic tones?

[@gearfacts]

It has some, but it's not comprehensive

[@mohinmohin3566]

lots of functions but tones are not good. even the beats sound like toy.

[@gearfacts]

I agree.

[@patsaxon5284]

That is why I am looking into selling Ketron, as it sounds much better and better styles.

[@transforminggravity15626]

Cool

[@MT_keyboards]

The keybed is really horrible. Noisy, wobbly and very cheaply made. I don’t understand why Casio put such a keybed on their flagship, high-price arranger/synth. My Korg microarranger feels more premium than MZ-X500, although it was cheaper. Otherwise this is a good instrument and has tons of features and ways to make your own sounds.

[@gearfacts]

Thanks for your comment, you're the first person I've met who actually owns one of these. I didn't get any vibe of low quality during the short time I had with it. But of course things like that sometimes only become apparent when you spend some serious time with a keyboard. I was pretty interested in the sounds it could do. I'd be interested to know more about your experience with the MZ-X500 - it's a big investment! Gearfacts

[@a.barnard3205]

Casio goofed. They were so anxious to get the MZ on the market, they delivered a half-baked product, much like Alesis did back in 2005. Thank God I was able to dodge the "MZ Bullet" but I have great faith that the upcoming CT-X5000 will NOT be a disappointment!

[@gearfacts]

Yeah that AiX sound engine is creating a bit of interest for sure. Thanks for watching Gearfacts :)

[@tedtedsen269]

perhaps i'm selling my psr 970 for this Casio it looks promising can record own samplings psr 970 can not

[@bksehgal8528]

It is a good touch screen piano but I have a Yamaha piano it's volume is master volume

[@gearfacts]

B K Sehgal Yes, the two instruments have a very different vibe.

[@CliffHuxtableSweater]

Casio is sorta like Hyundai... They copy all the big boys and fool you from the outside but when you jump in, start her up, and hit the highway... you remember its still a Hyundai. I bought one of their newer synths from a few yrs ago. Sold it to guitar center. Interface was terrible. Basic presets were not good. Overall plastic-y feel to the machine. No more casio for me.

[@gearfacts]

I feel kind of the same but I'm keeping an open mind...

[@rc4a0frios]

Hi gearfacts, how is the quality of the sounds of the MZ X500 compared with those ofthe CT-X3000?

[@gearfacts]

The CT-3000 impressed me much more out of the box. The PIanos sound much the same, but for anything more advanced the MZ-X series need to be set up much more carefully. If you want quick, satisfying results then I think the CTX3000 might be a better buy. Which one is better depends on what your using it for: Live/studio, fun/serious, composing/performing ...and of course, you have to choose the one that makes you smile when you play it :) GF

[@mollies13]

Real syntheizer or workstation or is just another cheap knock off arranger keyboard?

[@gearfacts]

Excellent question. I'd say it's a poor imitation of both. As written in the title, it does "Do it all" but it doesn't do it with any grace, style , or serious effectiveness :/

[@izzzzzz6]

Shame what keyboards like this have done for pop music :D

[@izzzzzz6]

That came to mind as soon as i heard thew demo..

[@izzzzzz6]

But i think i'll have to try to pick one up, this might be the best up to date budget/value for money piece of kit out there!

[@gearfacts]

It does have great specs, but give it a thorough try-out first ... I ended up hating it just because of the way it operates #gearfacts

[@cardosolira5337]

Traduza para o português.

[@robbedoeslegrand236]

Next time, use the line out. The camera mike is crap, even your voice is meh.

[@robertgreen3658]

Sounds like a toy. I would not give more than 200.00

[@DudeMannn]

You could tell that even this guy doesn't even want to hear the cheap ass sounds on this piano he is promoting. LOL

[@gearfacts]

Definitely make comments like this more often, and use the acronym "LOL" ...people love it :)

[@bandaalemachucrutsdesaopau1120]

FALA, FALA, FALA, MUITO....E MOSTRAR OS SONS NADA ???

[@gearfacts]

Isso porque eu não sabia como usá-lo.

[@bandaalemachucrutsdesaopau1120]

Desculpe amigo!...não quis ofendê-lo...é que a gente fica curioso sobre os sons e recursos do instrumento....abçs

[@gearfacts]

Está tudo bem, não estou ofendido :) Espero poder comprar logo, então vou fazer muitos vídeos sobre isso.

[@bandaalemachucrutsdesaopau1120]

Obrigado amigo.....um grande abraço!

[@rkhan6765]

Stupid keyboard, typical of casio.

[@gearfacts]

What changes would you make to improve it? Just curious

[@stephendunne7014]

I'd build it a little sturdier and let the drawbars control the accopaniment part volumes in real time. I personally don't have a use for the pads so I'd probably give that area over to a data dial, a numeric keypad and a few quick access knobs maybe. Possibly (but not necessarily) increase the screen size a little. I have one and I (my choir and bands) have no complaints about the sounds. I have used it in churches and halls through its own speakers. To the haters I say, if you're that fussy about sound or look or colour or whatever go pay more. I know I'll get years out of my MZX and that's all that matters to me at least. Imagine the CTX5000 with a touchscreen and the drawbars. A little heavier like la Korg PA maybe. Leave it that cool blue though. I still love mine.

[@MsPopota69]

trust me, this is not your regular casio toy! just listen to a real demo (line-out recorded sound) and you'll be amazed! bring me an all in one keyboard with 6 layer sound at this price, i dare you! also, if you were alive in the 80's, you know how their synths rocked back then!

[@gearfacts]

Yep it's a heavyweight all right :) #gearfacts

[@truthmanifestingtruth]

To each his own, but to you, MsPopota69 is dedicated 8:07 !

[@MsPopota69]

@@truthmanifestingtruth Its not a flaw, its a feature! Just like all the other circuit benders out there! :D