Sunday, July 4, 2010

Casio PX-130 88-Key Digital Stage Piano

Casio PX-130 88-Key Digital Stage Piano Review



There are several excellent reviews already, so I'll try to make this short, and will focus on the specific reasons I bought this keyboard.

First, let me say that I've been playing piano for 32 years. 14 of those years I played professionally (as in, I got paid to play; nothing too fancy, but I'm just trying to establish some credibility as a musician). I've played several hundred different pianos and keyboards over the years. I own, in fact, an Alesis QS8 keyboard, which was a phenomenal keyboard when it came out 12-13 years ago, and is still in use and highly sought after today. However, the thing must be made of bricks. And the hard shell case needed to protect it weighs a ton too. And, the amp that you have to take with you everywhere you go wasn't too light either. I found myself missing opportunities to play at times because I just didn't want to lug everything around.

So, I started looking for a lighter keyboard, and I came across the PX-130. I liked how it sounded online, but was afraid I wouldn't like it in person--either because of the actual sound, or because of the feel. Like I said, I've played piano for 32 years, and if the thing didn't sound and feel right, I wasn't going to get it. So I went to a local store and played with one for an hour or so.

It's absolutely amazing. The feel is wonderful, the sound is beautiful, and the touch feels just right to me. It's not like playing a Yamaha C5, but it's as good as, and in fact better than, any other keyboard I've ever played. I've played many real pianos with less enjoyable actions.

As for the speaker volume, it's easily loud enough to be used in a small group setting with other instruments, or as a solo instrument in a decent sized room without any other amplification. Of course, you can always plug it into a sound system or use a keyboard amp to get more volume, but for most of my purposes, it's good as is. Which means I can now "lug" around 26 lbs, instead of well over a hundred.

So, if you want a simple, light, 88-key keyboard that sounds and feels like a good quality piano, don't hesitate to purchase the Casio PX-130. I can't imagine you'll be disappointed.



Casio PX-130 88-Key Digital Stage Piano Feature


  • 88 weighted, scaled hammer-action keys
  • 128-note polyphony
  • 16 tones (with layer and split)
  • Reverb (4 types), Chorus (4 types), Brilliance (-3 to 0 to 3), Acoustic Resonance



Casio PX-130 88-Key Digital Stage Piano Overview


The new Casio Privia PX-130 redefines the digital piano category with unprecedented sound quality and performance in a sleek package that is supremely portable. Featuring all new grand piano samples and a new Tri-Sensor 88-note scaled hammer action keyboard and weighing less than 25 lbs., the Casio Privia PX-130 is versatile enough for home, church, school or on stage.


Casio PX-130 88-Key Digital Stage Piano Specifications


The new Casio Privia PX-130 redefines the digital piano category with unprecedented sound quality and performance in a sleek package that is supremely portable. Featuring all new grand piano samples and a new Tri-Sensor 88-note scaled hammer action keyboard and weighing less than 25 lbs., the Casio Privia PX-130 is versatile enough for home, church, school or on stage.

A sleek, portable digital piano. Click to enlarge.

Versatile enough for home, church, school or on stage.

Add a wooden stand and three-pedal unit for an even more piano-like experience.

Realism, Expression and Dynamics
The grand piano sounds in the PX-130 delivers an unprecedented level of realism and expression. Four dynamic layers of stereo piano samples are integrated with Casio's proprietary Linear Morphing System, resulting in a grand piano sound with seamless transitions and a superior dynamic range. For added realism, the PX-130 simulates the sound of the open strings when the dampers are raised by the pedal using Acoustic Resonance DSP. The PX-130 also has 128-note polyphony, enough horsepower for the most demanding musical passages and the ability to layer sounds and use the damper pedal without worry of dropped notes. The result is a grand piano experience that is unmatched at any price.

Expressive Touch
The Privia PX-130 features a new Tri-Sensor 88-note scaled hammer action keyboard. Casio's superior engineering has resulted in an authentic piano touch that captures every detail and nuance of your performance. This scaled hammer action provides the weight, feel and resistance without sacrificing the portability of the instrument.

Education Features
In addition to the superior keyboard action and piano sound, the PX-130 is the perfect instrument for music education. Featuring Casio's Duet mode, the keyboard can be split into two equal ranges, allowing student and teacher to play at the keyboard simultaneously. The PX-130's built-in 2 track recorder and metronome allows you to practice any tempo and later listen back to what you just played. The recording features can also be used to capture moments of creativity and remember song ideas. The optional SP-32 pedal board simulates an acoustic grand piano by providing all three pedals - soft, sostenuto and damper.

Connect and Create
It's easy to connect the PX-130 to your computer with its built in USB MIDI interface. The PX-130's 88-note weighted scaled hammer action keyboard makes it an ideal controller keyboard for using with music software applications. The USB connection also allows you to move songs to and from the computer into PX-130's flash ROM, allowing to you save songs you've created.

Versatility, Portability and Design
Whether you're at home, church, school or on stage, the PX-130 was designed to tackle it all, making it a valuable investment. With its light weight, you can easily take the PX-130 from home, to the classroom or even to the gig and back with no worries. It connects easily to your computer via USB, and its Duet mode is perfect for student and teacher practice. The technology in the Casio PX-130 allows you to do it all.

Plenty of Variety
Choose from 16 built in tones, and combine if desired--layered or split. Further define your sounds with four digital reverbs, four choruses, along with a brilliance and acoustic resonance setting.

Two Headphone Connections
The PX-130 features two headphone connections, ideal for the duet function.

Powerful Speaker System
The PX-130 features built-in speakers, with 2 x 8 Watts of output power, to fill a room with sound.

Accessorize
With the optional SP-32 three-pedal unit, add damper, soft, and sostenuto pedals to the PX-130.

Optional Custom Wood Stand
The CS-67 custom wood stand is available for adding a bit of elegance and holding your PX-130 at ideal level.

What's in the Box
Privia PX-130 Keyboard, AC Adapter, Music Stand, User's Manual

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*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Jul 04, 2010 13:01:05

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Casio SA-75 Keyboard with Headset Microphone

Casio SA-75 Keyboard with Headset Microphone Review



I'm very pleased with this keyboard, which I bought via Amazon for my child, who is between the noisemaking stage and beginning musician stage. The functions are very easy to use -- yes, easy enough for a young child -- and it's also educational. My child has been learning double-digit numbers next to the tone, pattern, and song titles, and he can enter the numbers using the number buttons and hitting start to hear whatever pattern or song. I only wish that more songs had been included in the song bank, but then again, I realize that this is not a karaoke machine for preschoolers.

We also tested the included microphone that allows your singing to feed through the two speakers. The sound quality is very good for such an inexpensive keyboard.

The keyboard itself has small keys, which are perfect for kids but maybe not so much for wide adult fingers. The tones sound pretty good and include some funny ones that kids would like as well as traditional ones like clarinet to demonstrate the wide variety of sounds that musical instruments make, so that's also educational. The buttons are easy for little fingers to use and press, and the layout of the functions and buttons is good. The keyboard is also very light, therefore very portable. I only wish the AC adapter had been included in the price; it's silly to make users buy one separately.

The price I got through Amazon couldn't be beat, so for the price and value of this SA-75, I would definitely recommend it to parents looking for an introductory musical device. It doesn't replace a real guitar or violin, but it's not supposed to; this keyboard is an instrument and toy.



Casio SA-75 Keyboard with Headset Microphone Feature


  • On-screen music staff displays notes played while icons indicate the beat
  • 10 demo songs with a melody-off control
  • Four-note polyphonic with 100 PCM tones
  • 30 patterns include 10 rhythms, 10 free sessions, and 10 funny modes
  • Runs on five-AA batteries or AC adapter (not included)



Casio SA-75 Keyboard with Headset Microphone Overview


The Casio SA75 offers 100 top-notch tones as well as 30 accompaniment patterns. The SA75 also features an LCD musical information system as well as the option of turning off the melodies of the 10 built-in songs, so that performers can play these themselves. Casio includes a hands-free headset microphone so you can sing along with all of your favorite songs. Casio SA75 Features Polyphony (max): 4-Note Auto Rhythms: 30 10 Rhythms 10 Free Sessions 10 Funny Tones: 100 PCM Keys: 37 Demo Songs: 10 Songs Headset Microphone Thanks to the microphone headset included in the package, the player can sing along over the amplifier without having to take his hands from the keys. Do you have questions about personal keyboards? Click on the image for product comparisons and FAQs!


Casio SA-75 Keyboard with Headset Microphone Specifications


Casio SA-75 Keyboard: Fun for the Whole Family

Designed for the young or beginning musician, the Casio SA-75 Starter Musical Keyboard provides enough features and functions to get anyone to enjoy and learn to play music without having to invest a lot of money. The SA-75 is an economical way to introduce a child to keyboard playing. It is small-in-size and fun to use with sound and features that will surprise you.


Designed for the beginner, fun for the experienced player.

Fabulous Features
The Casio SA-75 features 100 top-notch PCM tones, as well as 30 accompaniment patters including 10 rhythms, 10 free-sessions, and 10 funny ones. This musical keyboard also features an LCD-screen musical information display system that includes a music-staff which displays the notes that are being played and as well as icons that indicate the beat. Additionally, the SA-75 has the option of turning off the melodies so that the student can play the songs with just the notation.

This Casio keyboard has 37 keys, with a maximum polyphony of four notes—this keyboard can play up to four notes at the same time when there is no pattern or Song Bank tune being played. Two speakers are built in to the keyboard, but users should note there is no line-out or headphone jack. This keyboard runs on five AA batteries (not included), or can be run via an AC power adapter that can be purchased separately.

Digitally Sampled Tones
This keyboard features a number of digitally sampled tones, which are digital recordings of musical instruments. Actually, three recordings are made for each tone, covering the low range, middle range and high range. This allows for a fullness of depth and breadth in the music played from the Casio SA-75 keyboard.

Note Indicator and Metronome
The Casio SA-75 features a note indicator that appears when a pattern or Song Bank tune is playing. Notes change to indicate a change in the measure. Also, an electronic metronome moves left and right in time with the pattern or the Song Bank tune being played, allowing the keyboardist to see and feel the beat of the song.


Hands-free singing and playing.

Includes a Micro Headset
Thanks to the microphone headset included in the package, the player can sing along over the amplifier without having to takes his hands from the keys. This hands free microphone allows the keyboardist to sing along to whatever song is playing.

About Casio
Casio America, Inc., Dover, N.J., is the U.S. subsidiary of Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of consumer electronics and business equipment solutions, established in 1957. Casio America, Inc. markets calculators, keyboards, digital cameras, business projectors, disc title and label printers, watches, cash registers and other consumer electronic products. Casio has strived to realize its corporate creed of "creativity and contribution" through the introduction of innovative and imaginative products.



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*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Jul 01, 2010 11:05:35