Narrative: My Experience with Casio Privia digital keyboards

Narrative of my history of and love for Casio Keyboards / Digital Pianos

[@azguitar]

Just got one of these beauties. Thank you, Chuck, for the great Casio history and review.

[@steveteare3865]

Love your videos. You always give the inside information that you can only get from years of hands-on experience, and you tell it like it is. Thank you.

[@PianoManChuck]

Thanks, Steve... that's means a lot!

[@GuntherGlesti]

I still have my Casiotone 7000 which I purchased 30 years ago and everything still works just fine.

[@paulwozniakowski5041]

Great video. Thank you. I am about to start learning how to play at 45 and I am also ready to pick up a PX 160 as my beginner piano. Been going to the local store and trying the action and feel and I love the how the Casio feels. again than you for the video as all I have been doing last two weeks is watching reviews on these digital pianos.

[@tpbulle]

Thanks for another thorough review. Appreciate your posts.

[@throughtheturnstiles196]

I own the casio privia pxs3100 and lks250. I absolutely adore casio.

[@italian6th]

I just wanted to thank you. I watched all your videos on the PX-350. It fit my budget and had the features I needed (5-pin midi being huge) and the only other thing I needed to know was did it sound good enough. Your videos on the whole sound bank of it solidified it for me. You help people! THANK YOU!!!

[@Lavrovprojects]

I just bought my px 350 online! How's the sound?

[@italian6th]

Really convincing. The other instruments are pretty good too. PianoManChuck also does a sound demo for all the sounds on this keyboard.

[@RogerioDuarte]

I live in Brazil here Casio is much cheaper than Yamaha Korg. I'm really interested in the px350

[@tonymerlocco7664]

Thank you for your opinions, Chuck. I am thinking of a px 870 and I think you've made my mind up for me. Have a wonderful day!

[@DanielTPeace]

As soon as the opportunity came to purchase one of these I had the remembrance of your videos in my mind and had no problem pulling the trigger. Excellent presentation and explanations of this model in this video and others you have done. Thank you kindly.

[@PianoManChuck]

Thanks Daniel!

[@Rafael_-ey7dy]

Thank you so much for this video, it solidifies my confidence in Casio.

[@designersnestm569]

Thank you so much for the detailed experience report... Had picked up the MZX 500 (MXI chip) had to find sufficient reviews on that..

[@Piemanrudy]

Well, that answers all my questions. Sounds like what I need to start out on. Especially with the warranty extension. Glad I found this. Thanks.

[@PianoManChuck]

Glad this answers your questions! Send me a PM via my website at www.PianoManChuck.com - as a Casio dealer I can get you some awesome pricing!

[@taggartjs]

Love your videos. AND, I love the phrase “parts man”! That’s exactly what I am! Love it! I’m borrowing that!

[@PianoManChuck]

Love that!

[@rjschmitt]

Like Chuck, I find Casio reliability very solid for the 6 years or so that I have been using them, playing and setting up in public several times a week. I once dropped my PX-330 keyboard and the bass notes were locked. I opened up the back and reattached the "strings" and it worked fine afterwards. My PX-350 has always operated flawlessly. One glitch I found was that on the PX-330, the sound was off by about a 1/2 step from concert pitch. I called Casio support, scoured the web, and found no solution. Eventually I rotated the pitch bend wheel and it solved the problem. Apparently it had become stuck.

[@link2012_KSH]

I was deeply moved by your affection for casio keyboards.

[@PianoManChuck]

:)

[@graghamstaylor2341]

I bought a new Privia PX 330 in around 2009 merely as.back up to my then ageing Yamaha PF 85 , I loved it so much that I sold the Yamaha & I am now gigging my third Privia, a PX 560 & it is an ausome stage piano & 'amps up' much better than Roland', & Yamaha DPs I have owned!!

[@lindapoulton2982]

@@graghamstaylor2341 I'm considering buying one. What speaker/amp are you using with it ? Thanks

[@aleceatsnot]

Thank you for these videos! Trying to decide between PX-5s and the PX-360 right now. Your videos have been VERY helpful to me in the weeding process!

[@DynastyUK]

I got the Px-5s the other day! Couldn't be happier! :D Making sooo many beats n Songs with it! :D

[@angiev1840]

This was VERY helpful. Thanks!

[@kentandersonrocks]

I keep trying Rolands, Yamahas, Nords, Korgs, etc., and nothing beats my Casios for playability, price, and performance. Thank you for going through this. They are excellent, and they do blow everyone else away.

[@throughtheturnstiles196]

I agree. Casio are awesome.

[@555ontario]

I like Casio and Mike Martin, from Casio is really hands and very helpful. Great warrantee and really nice piano and electric pianos. Did have a minor issue with the PX5S... the weighted keys were clunking away against the frame. Was an easy fix and the tech said it's their weighted mechanism which he said can shift a little or something to that extent. After that all was great. I did miss a little more quality for some of bread and butter sounds such as strings and brass which to my ears were not quite on par with, say, Yamaha's, though the synth sounds were surprising. Just my thoughts here and in closing would say that Casio does indeed give you great value, portability, functionality and a very enjoyable playing experience.

[@maxtofone]

Thanks Chuck for this great video! I am looking for a good key bed keyboard to use in studio and also to take whenever I want to go and do some composing at my cottage. Lightweight is important as well as a great keyboard action for me... I wonder if the Casio Privia PX160 could also work as a good controller even though it doesn't have a mod wheel or something like the PX560 or PX 5S is more appropriate to work with virtual instruments and sample libraries. I tend to use a Korg nano Kontrol to change all the various MIDI CC I normally use with my sample libraries, so all the faders on the PX 5S are not strictly needed for me, although it is very handy to have them on the actual controller. On board sounds is not something I particularly bother by because I tend to use VI most often but having a decent piano sounds on board is a great thing to have as well as a possibility to do some scratch pad recording on the actual controller without having to use a computer all the time. Thanks a lot for any recommendation based on my description... Best regards, Max

[@Uploadvideoschannel]

thank you for your reviews. can i ask, what keyboard amplifier would you recommend for the casios? i just want a small amplifier for the Px-5s, and would like your opinion!

[@mrblew1006]

Thanks Chuck making the change from a px 350 to the 560 now with confidence.

[@PianoManChuck]

Great to hear!

[@pollyhughes7471]

Thank you for this informative video, Chuck - I have watched several of your videos and have enjoyed them all. I am looking at the Casio PX360 as well as the PX560. Can you tell me the advantages of the 560 - it is several hundred dollars more. Also would like to know if you can record yourself and then play with the recording for a duet. Thank you.

[@88pianissimo90]

Your videos are really good

[@christhedemocrat]

I have a Px110. I absolutely love it. The action is great turn the sounds are phenomenal. They go for pretty cheap on Facebook Market Place and offer up sometimes. If you're a beginner I highly recommend you getting yourself one. if you are pro try the Casio Privia PS5. On the PX110, you hold dow the function button and hit one of the keys toward the end you activate DSP mode. It really sweetens up the Fender rhodes simulation. I only buy a keyboard if it has a good Fender Rhodes simulation. This one has that an more....

[@freddieblue6351]

Oh yeah...I love the CS song 'December'...I have found one of these on sale...I am tempted. I am a fan and I enjoy your reviews. I started keyboards on a Casio MT-100..lol..

[@PianoManChuck]

After grand pianos, I actually started electric keyboards on a similar Casio model in the 80's! If you're in the mainland USA, go to my website (www.PianoManChuck.com) and ask for a price quote, and I can definitely help in that area.

[@drbekken]

Yeah, the Casio pianos are absolutely great. Sometimes, I even gig with a CDP-130, the cheapest and simplest of the lot, and that keyboard holds its own very nicely. Thanks for the video, Chuck!

[@dimzav3667]

is it better action than rolands rd models or kurweils forte?

[@widitruth]

I have Privie PX-760. Piano sounds and action are excellent. My complaint is that the labels and printed menus are washed out after several years, and some labels are completely erased. Cheap printing like at a toy.

[@instrumentalistjade8367]

How do you rate the rd-2000 and grandstage? is it worth to get ?

[@landejr]

Thanks for your videos! They are very nice! I am an acoustic guitar player looking for a digital piano that would allow me to make some midi arrangements for my music. Do you think that the privia px 560 could do that well? Thank you again!! Keep up with your excellent work!

[@troublesomecorsair]

It's quite true. The weight is a miracle. The Line Inputs make this board doubly attractive.

[@howlinwolf73]

I am a guitarist and want to learn some basic piano and do some recording . What do you think of the Privia PX-100? I found one for $110 used.

[@Piscifunalliym]

How is the 560 compared to roland fp 90?

[@antonioballve9779]

What do you think of the px760

[@Digitaldesign-techandtime]

thanks for the great review

[@creekwoodjoe1607]

You are the best Piano Man Chuck!What is your opinion of the best Privia line piano with a digital screen? My px360 M still brings me joy since 2016!

[@carsandguitars88]

Hey Chuck. Didn't know the Privias used sampling from Steinways? Haven't seen this in any of Casio's literature. Where can I find this?

[@MrNikibilly]

Hi you remind me of Felix cavaliere from the rascals and you play just as good as he dose i just want to thank you for all your videos it has helped me so much ,my husband love the rascals he always wanted a B10 but sad to say my husband just passed away ,please if you can maybe do some videos on the rascals songs i would love to listen to you play some there songs Felix has a few of his own albums he is amazing

[@PianoManChuck]

Thank you for your kind comment Alice, much appreciated. Sorry for the loss of your husband, that's difficult.

[@JorgeGomez-um2pn]

Hey! Excuse me for my ignorance, what do you mean when you call the PX-5S a "master controller"? Thanks!

[@schwarszendeust]

great video... i got lured most by casio products insead of yamaha´s... and i´d never regret about my purchase... I have the px5s... and for my purposes are just perfect.... maybe in the future will try to puchase a piano for my living room and for family using LOL ... I coulnt purchase the px560 because it was so expensive (double price of the px5s)... but.. maybe in the future would but the px560... its better than the px5s??? I tried the Px360 .. man it was amazing!!!!

[@AMusicalPsychosis]

Chuck,I need a video of the px870

[@ivanfrangugic8355]

how much do casios do you have?

[@anmolrob4058]

Plz do a compare video of havian 30 with Casio px line

[@bethwhite8173]

Hi Chuck. A year ago I bought the Casio Privia PX 560. It's awesome, I love it! My problem is with the K1K2 K3 knobs. I have never messed with them, but suddenly the keyboard is sounding out of balance and it seems as though maybe I bumped into the knobs or something. I just want to get them back to how they were when I started playing it the first time. I don't know what they currently control or if they should be centered at the top to get the best balance. any advice?

[@PianoManChuck]

Please post help/technical questions at www.casiomusicforums.com in the px-560m section.

[@RobertGeigerJr]

I own and LOVE this keyboard. Having said that, my only disappointment with this keyboard is that while you can store ANYthing you come up with into what they call a "Registration" ... there is no way to select a registration via MIDI. No way to use program control to select a registration's bank/patch number. Having said that, there are 4 slots for selected sounds. You CAN select a a sound from the normal categories, including your User presets via midi but you lose all the other stuff that goes along with it, like controllers, eq, rotary speaker and other effects that CAN be stored in a Registration. The oversight of not being able to select Registrations via midi is, IMHO, just about unforgivable!

[@charlescrockett6208]

I CAN'T FIND THE VIDEO OF ALL THE CASIO 560 PIANO SOUNDS MENTIONED THE LINK ISN'T IN THE DESCRIPTION OR ON YOUR PAGE GOT A LINK?

[@PianoManChuck]

No, there's no demo of the soundbanks for the PX-560 - I only did that for the PX-350.

[@Mike7O7O]

Hey Chuck. Hope alls good with you. Really enjoy your videos and am always learning new things. You were kind enough to answer an email I sent a few months ago, where I was looking for a little advice on a first digital piano purchase. After considering a used Korg Kronos X/2, I went with a new PX 5S based on the rave reviews it got. I was unlucky because somewhere along the supply chain, my board was badly handled. It arrived via UPS with a very badly warped keybed, so I sent it back for a refund. Besides that, I thought the keyboard itself felt a bit cheap and insubstantial. So, after more research, I went with a Roland FA 08, for roughly the same price. I live in Northern Ireland, so there's limited opportunities to try many keyboards before you buy. I wouldn't take issue with a single thing you said about the PX 5S. However, I would recommend that anyone considering buying one, try one before buying if possible. I wanted to set a good budget for my purchase, hoping that the keyboard will last for a long time. The Casio just didn't feel like it was built to last. But, that's just my initial impression from very limited handling. I suppose I expected all the sliders, knobs etc to have a higher quality feel. Initial impressions of the FA 08 are that it's a decent all rounder, that may not excel in any one area. But for the price, I think it has all the functionality I could possibly want, for the foreseeable future and is limited only by my own imagination. Thanks again Chuck for the great videos and I hope you don't mind me sharing my ten cents worth ;)

[@PianoManChuck]

Just recently, someone posted over at www.CasioMusicForums.com that they chose the Roland FA08 over the Casio as well.... and shortly thereafter, they updated their post stating that they took the FA08 back to Guitar Center to get the Casio back because they felt the piano was far more superior. By coincidence, that wouldn't happen to be you, would it?

[@Mike7O7O]

Nope. Definitely not. So far as I know, there are no Guitar Centers in the UK.

[@zlippery1]

What the name of the intro song played? Beautiful.

[@PianoManChuck]

Its called "December" and its by Collective Soul.

[@cristiandone5749]

hola chuck soy fanatico de tus videos. podrias recomendar un buen amplificador para pianos digitales? seria para un cuarto o ambiente grande. gracias, cristian.

[@fernandocortesrojas5648]

Roland amplificador

[@kaybhee6]

logical edits,,, easy to listen ,,,,

[@ringodingo6945]

Hey Chuck. Thanks for such an informative piece with the Casio Line. Im more and more leaning toward A 560m over Korg , Roland and Yamaha. Looking at buying one late this month . I've played one in a store for about 10 mins and was convinced. Only problem was the salesman kept on leading me away from the Casio and tried to sell me the Korg Krome and Moxf8. Think they know how good the casio is for such a low price.

[@apecamper]

Sadly many music shops are more interested in commission/profits that what is best for the customer. Selling a £3000 board makes the store £1000 profit, selling a £800 board makes them £250... As a musician, I was ridiculed by some other musicians when the saw CASIO written on a piano being set up for a gig. They had to eat their words at the end of the gig. I often take CASIO to open mic nights and let other keyboard players use mine. Every single one of them has changed their view. The Casio can not be beaten on weight, value for money and feel, compared to any other manufacturer. Some may wish to argue but when they can show me any brand new keyboards on the market at the same price as the PX560 with anywhere near its features then I will stand corrected. I'm not interested in what anyone thinks about me and what instruments I play. When my gospel choir performs accompanied only by a CASIO and gets a standing ovation, it speaks for itself. I have had MOTIF, KORG, ROLAND and Yamaha PSR series boards, but at this moment in history I am more than delighted with Casio and their PRO product range. I wonder we will see released this year!

[@throughtheturnstiles196]

I own a Pxs3100 but I'd also like to get the 560 too. Casio are just awesome.

[@rishim6816]

Hey, I am confused between CDP S350, PX S1000 and PX S3000. CDP S350 seems to be pretty similar to PX S 3000. Not sure what these Privia PX S models bring over the CDP 350.

[@thomaspick4123]

Rishi M I have a CDP-S350. I like arranger rhythm keyboards and lots of tones. I will always pay the extra for more voices, polyphony, and a rhythm section. The PX-S3000 is similar, except the hidden button features and Bluetooth connecting capability. I may purchase a Casio PX-360, but I do not like the sharp rectangular buttons, uncomfortable to me. But, many great features, and I want the legacy midi connectors. My latest regret is my Kawai ES8. Weighs 50 pounds. With stand, cost over $2,000. Has some good features, but weight and cost make me feel sick.

[@mrblew1006]

Hello Chuck. Now have my px560. Is there a way of changing the default "normal" piano touch without saving to a registration? For me the light touch is better but you cannot use the Grand Piano home key then because of the normal default. Can't find answer on forums and a maze to get to Casio help. All the best.Brian

[@PianoManChuck]

I don't have my PX560 set up at the moment, but the best place to answer your question would be to post it at the PX560 forum over at www.casiomusicforums.com

[@mrblew1006]

PianoManChuck thanks Chuck. All the best .brian

[@lumberpilot]

I just got one of those Casio Privias. Its the PX-110 so the issue I have is there's no 1/4 inch output for an amp. All I can figure is to take the RCA headphone outputs and get an adapter which would create a female 1/4 inch. Is there a better way to solve this problem without installing a output? Thanks for any insight on this.

[@PianoManChuck]

That model was released in 2005 (its now 13 years old). Best you could do is get a cable to convert from the headphone output to two 1/4" male TS plugs.

[@lumberpilot]

Okay thanks. I was also thinking I could go from left and right headphone output to one single 1/4 female connection. I wanted a cheap road warrior so I don't have t lunge my Korg around which weighs a lot more but didn't realize the output issue until I was already to buy it.

[@PianoManChuck]

In that case you could probably use a Hosa GPP-419 (Google it) to place into your stereo headphone jack (I assume its a 1/4" jack) which would convert it to a 1/4" mono jack that you could then use with any instrument cable.

[@manishp7206]

I recently purchased PX 160. Pretty good. Any suggestions on which is a good VST under USD 100 for this piano?

[@PianoManChuck]

PianoTeq 6 ($129) at www.modartt.com

[@MichaelHattem]

I use the Abbey Road Challen model in Cinseamples Classic Upright Pianos which was on sale for $149 when I bought it.

[@NathanPratyksh]

Chuck, I am planning to but a new digital piano. I am a beginner and intend to learn and at the same time I want this to be one time purchase. which one shall I buy, Privia 560 or Celviano AP 640?

[@PianoManChuck]

See this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYe2pKCPeMyAn5Y

[@NathanPratyksh]

Thank you chuck for getting back. I saw that video and it was very helpful. But as a beginner do you recommend the Celviano series AP 640 or Privia 560M.

[@apecamper]

I have a Casio PX850 , PX5S, PX350 and a PX560M. My preferred is the 560. Incredible functionality, great portability and feel. If you only want a home based piano set up the speakers in the AP- series are generally high wattage and bigger than the portable versions. As a gigging musician I use a PA anyway so that isn't so much an issue for me.

[@NathanPratyksh]

Steven, can you compare 560 M with Korg Havian 30?

[@NathanPratyksh]

How are the sounds such as guitar, saxophone, trumpet etc? Is replication any good?

[@thomaspick4123]

I had a Privia and sold it. The buttons suck. Pressing the buttons in a real time performance hurts my fingers, the buttons are sharp and uncomfortable to press. I like large soft buttons as on the Casio CDP-235R. The Privia screen is shitty. Two line, hard to read. Not intuitive, have to dig deep inside menus. The Casio CDP-230R with a large orange screen is much better, easier to read, lots of information. Yes, there could be many more things, but I want lower cost. Built in rhythms and lots of voices are important to me. I used to buy expensive keyboards:Kurzweil, Hammond, Kawai, Yamaha. I will never buy another expensive keyboard again. I will stick to the lower cost keyboards, such as Casio. Chuck, I enjoy your videos. You are cheerful and positive. Your playing is of nice songs.

[@anthonysilva5312]

Hi Chuck! I’m a guitarist looking to buy a retirement gift for myself. I need maximum performance in a minimum space. Do recommend the pxs1000? Do you think I should pay the extra for the 3000? Thx

[@PianoManChuck]

Only you can determine if the extra money for the 3000 is worth it to you. Do you need 700 sounds as opposed to 18? Do you need an LCD screen to make things a lot easier? Do you need the ability to use a USB thumb drive with it?

[@anthonysilva5312]

The 3000 has an LCD?! What is you overall opinion on the new Casio models?

[@PianoManChuck]

Can't answer that yet. The 3000 is not available yet - I have no experience with it other than a few moments at the NAMM show a couple of months ago. The 1000's JUST started to ship last week.

[@anthonysilva5312]

PianoManChuck thanks chuck. I enjoyed your video too!!

[@Hey_you_guys]

Glad they are getting better because my privia px-130 sounds pretty bad.

[@PianoManChuck]

If your opinion of the PX-130 is that it sounds pretty bad, then why do you own it?

[@Hey_you_guys]

PianoManChuck It was all I could afford when I bought it.

[@PianoManChuck]

Well, it consistently gets 5 stars (out of 5)... or just under 5 stars... according to reviews at Sweetwater, Amazon, Guitar Center and more. It also gets very high praise from professional product reviewers and industry publications. But if you don't like the sound, you don't like the sound... everyone is different.

[@JairajSinghPatil]

Why do digital pianos have such rapid decays compared to acoustic pianos?

[@apecamper]

Hi Jairaj, You can change the rate of decay on the PX5s and the PX560 to suit your preferences. To specifically answer your question, when a real piano is sampled and digitised there is a limit on sample size. On a 88 key piano, sampling at 44khz for each note on several different levels (soft or hard strikes of the keys takes considerable memory. The sustain generally is achieved electronically rather than trying to sample ever note again at every level with sustain pedal pushed. In reality the sample would need to be tens of seconds in length, it also would have acoustic resonance from all the other strings too. Casio have captured elements of this, but sample size versus cost and muddy sounds (for resonance) all play a part in the best compromise. The rapid decay compared to acoustic pianos seems fairly universal across all digital keyboard manufacturers,

[@JairajSinghPatil]

Steven Dawe Listen to the kawai pianos for example. Much natural decay in comparison to this. The initial seconds of the piano sound are essential and making a compromise there is a bad decision in my opinion. Manufacturers brag about the long ringing of their sample without looping for example but that is practically inaudible in a mix or with a band and even in solo performances, you don't really hold notes for so long.

[@apecamper]

Jairaj Patil I do agree that the Kawai piano is exceptionally good but on a like for like basis, costs more than double the Casio and is twice the weight. With a simple change to the envelope on the PX560 I can easily increase my decay time to simulate the Kawai, without looping. I personally find my CA17 piano to be a little too bright for my liking, but I can modify this with my PA. As with any instument sound is very subjective as everyone has their personal views and favourites.

[@JairajSinghPatil]

Steven Dawe The cost argument is pretty much invalidated by kawai es 100 which still has a great sound like it's more expensive counterparts. I do agree though, Casio is the better bang for the buck. And so much more portable. I really do want Casio to succeed as comptetion only benefits the consumer. It'd be great to hear an example of the piano sound with a modified envelope on the casio though.

[@fpham8004]

They don't, but they have far less sound pressure due to smaller speakers and amps. Real piano is much louder than most of the basic digital pianos. It is nonlinear relation, when you are sitting in front of digital piano a sound that is 10db lower than the peak will be inaudible, while with real piano you will still hear it. If you put headphones on digital p[piano-suddenly it will have the correct decay....

[@MikeSsuncoasttrains]

Play already!

[@PianoManChuck]

What part of the word NARRATIVE (in the title) did you not understand?

[@kaybhee6]

casio should pay him,,,, and put some on casio com,,,, but noooooooooo

[@swilhelm3180]

You're complaining about the sound of the piano??? Why? Why not use your own samples? The sound is controlled by the quality of the samples, the speakers, the D/A converter and the amplifier. That's a lot of variables. So a thinking person would use a quality D/A converter, amp and speakers, then use the samples they prefer which is just personal taste. Yamaha or Steinway? Your choice. Can't afford samples that cost a fortune? Try some off torrent sites. if you like them tell everyone which was the best so they get exposure. What you want to talk about is the keyboard or action of the piano, what translates your fingerwork to the digital output (midi or USB). The rest is in your hands. But I would agree that Casio gives surprisingly good quality for the money. But people really need to stop using the built in speakers, D/A converter and pick a sample they like. Its not expensive. Start with plugging it into your computer. It doesn't take much to totally blow away the built in speakers!

[@Frank-el.]

You speak to much then play...

[@PianoManChuck]

As the title states: NARRATIVE

[@adaezenjoku7527]

if you don't want to hear him talk then don't click on a video that has "narrative" in the title