Warning: Before Buying Casio CT-S1, Watch This Review First (Demo & Sounds)

Thinking of buying the Casio CT-S1? Watch this review first to see a full demo and hear the sounds and features of this keyboard. Don't make a purchase without all the information! Another keyboard to consider against this one is the Casio CT-S500. If you have any questions whatsoever, please write them down in the comments. Cheers!
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[@DonnyOutdoors]

Love your demo! Great playing and variety of tunes to match the sounds, thanks!

[@YotamPiano]

Cheers Donny, appreciate it !

[@milesian1]

I loved your demo and review. The playing matched the different sounds so well. This is really a fabulous board, especially for the price. It's got fewer sounds, but does almost all of them well, and it's very light and runs on AA batteries as well. I'm having a blast playing on mine as a practice board since getting it recently, and I can't see ever getting rid of it because it just does everything it does so well.

[@YotamPiano]

Many thanks mate, appreciate it! I'm glad you're having fun with your CT-S1 just like I am. Recently I've been playing withits accordion preset and I'mv loving it !

[@tzodearf2596]

Excellent demo - I love your technique. I got the cts 1000 because the price dropped and after a couple of discounts I got it for about 15% less than the cts 500. I'm glad because the vocal synthesis is a nice additional feature (but not $450 nice). The cts1 is a gem if you don't need a lot of bells and whistles.

[@YotamPiano]

Thanks, that sounds like a great deal indeed ! congratz

[@tyleranaya1277]

I just ordered the Casio CT-S500 (which has all of these sounds built in to my understanding) and I'm very excited for it. I've been looking for demos of tones and things all over and nobody is really extensively demoing them, but this video at least gives me a decent selection of sounds. Almost all of which I like (I don't know if this is a common or uncommon opinion, but I have never like the Yamaha CP-80 or any of the DX7 preset piano sounds. They all just sound very cheesy to me). Thanks for an informative and great video man, your playing is amazing. Especially that little Latin improv you did at 2:16.

[@YotamPiano]

Cheers Tyler, I appreciate it. I think you're gonna emjoy your new CT-500 immensely!

[@tzodearf2596]

To get a feel for the cts 500 you can check the cts1 videos because just about all tge cts1 sounds are in the 500. Also, check out the ctx 3000 or 5000 because they use the same AIX sound chip that's in the cts500.

[@pianothingsmusic]

The sounds are really cool 😁

[@YotamPiano]

Cheers Cornelia, many thanks for watching :)

[@painlesslynx5550]

Thanks for your take. I found that this keyboard doesn't have a lot of sounds compared to it's competitors but the sounds that it does have are really well done, and to be honest I'd rather take that than have 600 mediocre sounds lol.

[@YotamPiano]

Absolutely spot on Lynx, well said! Thanks for watching

[@hermanberger1595]

Ich möchte Klavier spielen lernen und möchte mir desshalb erstmal ein gebrauchtes e Piano kaufen. Dein Video und deine Präsentation haben mich noch einmal mehr ambitioniert. Danke dafür.

[@YotamPiano]

Danke mein freund und gl on your piano journey ! I invite you to check my website as I have some useful tips & Guides for beginner pianists - on motivation, practicing, etc. (yotampiano.com)

[@robw95]

Shalom Yotam. First of all, Kol Hakavod on your channel and great reviews, I have liked and subscribed! I'm a guitar player who wants to learn a little bit about piano just to keep my mind working (I'm 64) and love the simplicity of the CT-S1 but I'm wondering if the lack of a display screen will be frustrating. I read all the comments here and I see that you have mentioned that the CT-S500 is one to strongly consider as well. Right now (April 2024) the difference in price here in the States between the CT-S1 ($219) and the CT-S500 ($349) is only $130 which is not a big deal for me. I know that I wouldn't use a lot of the functionality of the CT-S500, at least right away or maybe ever, which I'm fine with but just wonder if all the functionality might be too confusing, if that makes sense. They are both almost exactly the same size and both look really sleek. Thanks again for all your videos, stay safe, Am Yisrael Chai!

[@YotamPiano]

Cheers Rob I appreciate your comment and support. I think that in the long run you would definitely appreciate the extra features of the CT-S500, notably screen, more sounds, more rhythms, Pitch wheel and live control knobs. I can't think of anything the CT-S1 has that is missing from the 500... all the sounds are there and the synths would sound better with pitch and cutoff knobs. The only advantage of the CTs1 is in appearance that may be inviting / inspiring and keeping you focused on playing. Personally I am a functionallity over looks guy. Keep in mind that when I bought the S1, the 500 wasn't even out yet . Best of luck and regards

[@robw95]

@@YotamPiano Thanks so much!

Great demo! I'm thinking about getting the v1000v. I like it being kinda synth. But this one doesn't lack in anything actually.

[@YotamPiano]

Thanks ! The Casio CT-S500 is also worth considering, probably a better bang for buck too.

[@GospelMusic4Life]

I have the s1000v. I still have not played with the vocal synthesis enough but the s500 is a good option after having the s1000v. I do like being able to change the home screen buttons to whatever I want. The keyboard is nice to use as a midi controller.

[@YotamPiano]

yeah it's a solid keyboard. Lots of sounds and rhythms in a great value for money package IMO@@GospelMusic4Life

@@YotamPiano in Brazil they're at the same price range somehow.

@@GospelMusic4Life seems fun 😊

[@tonetruiz]

Nice songs! What is the preset for the Wurlitzer sound, please?

[@YotamPiano]

Thanks for watching mate ! There are a couple Wurlitzer presets on the Casio, for example a "clean" one, and another with a built in "tremelo" effect. I'd refer to the user manual online for the complete sound list, look it up

[@robertoyamakata6672]

Thank you! I have a cts1 so interested in sound's real names! So you think that b2 is a Rhodes, b3 is a dxt, b4 a "wo" piano? And in c1 and c2 are pianos from the eighties like that those used for Toto and Supertramp? And d1 is a hammond organ? Trying to understand thank you very much.

[@YotamPiano]

The organ are definitely modeled after Hammonds but there are two "transistors" vox and farfisa types hidden behind the keys. I would look after the manual for full names and positions of every sound, freely available online by searching for Casio CT-S1 manual. Thanks for watching and hope to see you around!

[@jerryx2000]

Why did you chose the Casio over the Yamaha NP12?

[@YotamPiano]

Hey Jerry thanks for watching. The casio has a smaller, sleeker form factor - portability is key for me. + it has many other sounds I wanted. The Yamaha has a better piano sound but no transistor organs, guitars, brass etc.

[@pierssegal5910]

@@YotamPiano I cannot fathom why on earth you'd slap such wide speakers onto either end of a 61 key keyboard designed for piano players. What's the possible advantage over having a similarly wide 88 key keyboard with sensibly intergrated speakers? I can only imagine that it keeps the overall cost of the product lower whilst still producing a decent sound but then, Casio seem to manage to do both those things whilst producing a 61 key keyboard that isn't 20 foot long so...

[@YotamPiano]

@@pierssegal5910 I have no idea and I agree with you fully. The Yamaha NP side speakers configuration kills portability, the 76 key version is practically as long as some 88s

[@andrewnorbury3]

Can you turn off touch sensitivity on the Casio CT-S1?

[@YotamPiano]

According to the manual here: www.bhphotovideo.com/lit_files/895688.pdf , there is a touch sensitivity option "off" so that keyboard pressure does not affect volume. Thanks for watching !

[@PianoMan-hx3ev]

Are you playing “More than Just the Two of Us” by Sneaker in the beginning? Incredible song!!

[@YotamPiano]

Ha, crazy ! I didn't that song, just improvised but truly the similarity is remarkable. Thanks for watching mate and introducing me to that song :)

[@PianoMan-hx3ev]

@@YotamPiano Also, even sounds like the beginning verse of “After the Love is Gone” by Earth Wind and Fire. You’re a great player with great style:)

[@YotamPiano]

Cheers mate, greatly appreciate it ! Earth Wind and Fire one of my favorite bands@@PianoMan-hx3ev

[@momsloveryuvi]

Hey bud, is there any update coming for this model?? I mean, should i wait to buy updated model or buy this one??? This one is almost 3 year old model now, I know they released a new variant or color of CTS1 but it is overpriced, i dont know about if anything has changed in it.

[@pierssegal5910]

The varient is just a art print colaboration afaik. It seems highly unlikely they will iterate on the CT-S1 since it was a special product to celebrate a milestone anniversary of the original Casiotone (and finally fully deliver on the original concept.) There's already been newer CT models but the CT-S1 is very conciously a different type of keyboard to the rest of the range. You never know what might happen but realistically the CT-S1 is highly unliklely to be updated imo. If you want a 61 key light, compact, good sounding and playing keyboard, that can be run on batteries, that is designed for piano players then there just isn't any other better option and there probably wont be for a very long time. If you aren't sure that that exact list matches what you are after in a keyboard then it could be worth considering other options (Casio CT-S300 or CT-X3000, Yamaha PSR-E373, Yamaha Piagerro NP15 or NP35, or a Roland FP-10 for example are all keyboards/piano that would be more suitable than the CT-S1 for players who need different things than what the CT-S1 is offering. If what you want is what the CT-S1 is good at, there really isn't anything comperable.)

[@YotamPiano]

Hey there thanks for watching ! Sorry for not seeing your comment. At this price range, I don't think you'd regret buying it now even if a newer model is out soonish. There is also the newer CT-S500 to consider against the CT-S1 which is a bit more expensive but provides better value: a real screen, 10 times the sounds (including all the CT-S1 catalog), rhythms, pitch wheel and whatnot. I would understand your comment if it was a 1500-2000$ digital piano being 4-5 years out by now but you could always wait for the best next thing and thus never buy (btw on average , keyboard products' lifespan in ~5 years).

[@somerandomguy001]

this sounds soo cool how is this compared to the something like a casiotone ct-s300?

[@YotamPiano]

Thanks ! I don't have any experience with the ct-s300. The better more current model for comparison would be the ct-s500 which has ALL the sounds of the ct-s1, plus hundreds more, and rhythms, and a screen, and a pitch wheel, and a couple of real time mod knobs etc. The ct-s1 has none of these, it's just simple, no distractions. You can barely feel it's a "digital" keyboard. Looks classy and makes you focus on just playing music. All in all the ct-s500 is the better value I'd say though.

[@somerandomguy001]

@@YotamPiano yaa i saw the ct-s500 too. but it costs $380 and at that price point, it makes more sense to spend $10 more and go for the yamaha piaggero NP-35, as it's piano is sampled from the best of grand pianos leading to one of the best sounds available on any keyboard at that price point, and it even has 76 keys compared to the 61 on the casios.

[@YotamPiano]

If built in rhythms and many sounds are not important for you than yes you are correct.@@somerandomguy001

[@somerandomguy001]

@@YotamPiano ya my main goal is to learn the piano and don't want to spend money on a grand piano, so the yamaha makes sense for me

[@YotamPiano]

ah for sure, the Yamaha is a nice choice! I played the NP model with the 61 keys, it's a great beginner's choice for sure@@somerandomguy001

[@robfrydryck127]

Can hook up to a DAW?

[@YotamPiano]

Yes, of course

[@squidkidq7817]

How long have you playing piano for?

[@YotamPiano]

since age 6

[@squidkidq7817]

@@YotamPiano GOD DAMN, you sir are magnificent! I will be getting this keyboard delivered today and I’ll begin my piano journey today lol

[@YotamPiano]

Absolutely mate, thank you and good luck in your journey ! btw I invite you to look at my website, I have a "tips&guides" section there on how to make a good practice, tips for motivation, etc. (yotampiano.com) it's free to view no registration etc. cheers!@@squidkidq7817

[@Saimmie368]

Big like and subscribe ❗❗

[@YotamPiano]

yoooo saimmie much love, thanks !!

[@madredelsitio]

i bought this keyboard, can we connect this to a sound card?(i have a focusrite) and how? i looked it up but cant find anything. as you can understand i have no clue and this is the first time i am using both digital keyboard and voice card ): pls help. short answer would be enough i can search for further if you gimme the keywords😂 thanks a lot❤

[@f.ziegler9950]

The focusrite devices are usually called audio interface, not sound cards - to be connected to a computer or tablet on one side and an audio source (instrument/microphone) on the other. You can do that via the headphone-out of the Casio, mainly if you want to hear it live; the internal speakers are muted then I think. I'm not sure if you can use the USB-B socket to directly feed audio into a computer - but together with an optional Casio BT adapter, it will provide a direct audio connection (this goes with a considerable delay/latency, though, but fits for recording).

[@madredelsitio]

@@f.ziegler9950 thanks for answer🙏🙏

[@pierssegal5910]

@@f.ziegler9950You can only use the USB-B for the optional BT adapter. But you can use the Micro USB to connect to the PC via USB-MIDI.

[@YotamPiano]

Apologies for my late response, seems like I didn't see any notifications for later comments on this video. You can connect it MIDI via USB like Piers said, but for audio to your sound card you'll need a splitter cable (single 3.5mm stereo > X2 1/4 inch Left/Right) it should work because that's what I did but it's not as convenient - at least for me, which is why I had this haphazard setup thrown around specifically for this video. Focusrite makes awesome interfaces btw, I terribly miss mine.

[@madredelsitio]

@@pierssegal5910 thank you so much😚

[@PianoMan-hx3ev]

Maybe, After the Love is Gone at the beginning?

[@YotamPiano]

Haha, I was told that by another viewer. I was actually just messing around without any song in mind. Didn't know that song but I'm not surprised E W and F thought of that chord progression already. Thanks for watching mate!

[@PianoMan-hx3ev]

@@YotamPianoI’m still amazed how you accidentally stumbled upon that chord change!! 🌟

[@YotamPiano]

Appreciate it mate ! Hope to see ya around@@PianoMan-hx3ev

[@PianoMan-hx3ev]

@@YotamPiano 💯

[@RolandTumble23]

I've almost bought this several times, and the Tape Flute sound is, like, 70% of the reason (well, maybe not that much, but it feels like it...).

[@YotamPiano]

Yeah, it's a really nice keyboard. If I were buying a similar product today I'd look at the Casio CT-S500 which has the same soundset including that gorgeous tape flute sound + hundreds more. When I played the CT-S1 with my acoustic guitarist friend he said this was by far his favorite sound, and it blended really well in the mix ! Ty for watching :)

[@samueldps92]

Ct s400 ?

[@YotamPiano]

Even CT-S500 :)