Keyboards & Synthesizers > Casio Keyboards & Synthesizers

Advantages: It doesn't come better than this!
Disadvantages: Not for the feint hearted

...has nothing to do with Casio - I just happened to be in that section when I asked CIAO to create a new listing Ho hum - worse things have happened at sea! I've had the privilege of knowing the designer, Ken McBeth for nearly twenty five years - he's well known in analogue synth circles a larger than life extrovert who always gives it 110% - his entire existence is dedicated to the design, and manufacture of some of the highest quality electronic ...
...made an appearance in the mid 1960s, they tended to be big, cumbersome, not that reliable, and very complicated to set up. Even so, they were soon adopted by avant garde musicians, but it took several years before they were accepted by 'mainstream' musicians - almost entirely due to one album; 'Switched on Bach' by Walter (now Wendy) Carlos - who went on to write the theme music for such classics as 'Clockwork Orange' In the 1970s, 'Progressive ... Read review

Advantages: lightweight, good sound through speakers, loads of features
Disadvantages: plastic feeling, not as good through an amp

I've owned this keyboard for approx 2 years now. Its been played at gigs a few times and also thrown in the back of the car many more times! Its now not my main keyboard but is still regularly used. Styling and cosmetics The design and styling of the keyboard is a little cheap looking. It feels very plastic and light. A feature of expensive keyboards is their heaviness. Probably not a good indicator of their quality although ...
...light for the size and feels a little vulnerable to knocks. Although i have to say its been played in many packed pubs and never let me down so what do i know! The presentation of the buttons and screen does seem a little crowded and "busy". Sounds = The sounds on the whole are very good. I'm temped to compare it with my other more expensive keyboards although when i do it falls short. The piano sounds are acceptable although when put through ... Read review

Advantages: Velocity and touch sensitive. Great MIDI, and great unique sounds.
Disadvantages: Some sounds seem mellower then other CZ series synths.

...to (except a Casio) These Casio keyboards just have a special sound. I use an equal number of Casio and Korg keyboards in my setup, and I think of it almoast like hot and cold knobs (with the Casio always being the cold) Many of the sounds are very liquid, and sometimes like water, snow and ice being poured onto different shape pieces of different types of metal. That's the closest description I can think of. One thing you can be sure of however, ...
...the volume slider anyways. For the price, you really can't go wrong, especially if you don't already have one of the Casio line already. Get one now, cause they're not making any more, and if I come into any moiney, I'll buy them all, and you'll never get a chance. ... Read review

Advantages: Top notch sounds. Great Midi implementation. Great controller. Most solidly built keyboard I've seen.
Disadvantages: Alot of menus. The value slider's response is delayed making live use impossible.

I found this jewel on Ebay. The only thing I don't like about this keyboard is that the value slider can't really be used to change settings live. It has too much of a delay, in it's action. I had some fun using it to change the ocillator rates, but then realized the response isn't consistant, especially while using the modulation and pitch wheels. Basically don't do it it might not sound good. This is my ONLY gripe with this board however. Alot ...
...is a bit complicated. I think they're wrong. Something that sounds this good has got to be at least somewhat complex, which this is, but I have no trouble getting a good sound out of it. I don't even know half of what it does, but the half I've figured out over the last three months sounds awesome! You can tell your not going to get bored with this keyboard, or run out of new things to learn with it, for a very long time. (Like forever) Yet it sounds ... Read review

Advantages: Sounds great. Easy programing menu style system. Seprate buttons for most functions. Built like a tank.
Disadvantages: Sequencer doesn't really work with midi, and I can't make it loop. No midi thru.

I picked up one of these on Ebay. This thing sounds really nice,but it has some limitations. If you know what they are and just work around them, you can get a really great sound for really cheap. Digital bliss. It's really nice to have seperate buttons for most functions. This really helps change settings quickly on the fly, in the dark. I hook up a midi cable and play something with another keyboard that I know is going to keep playing in time, ...
...the sounds I decided to capture some of it in the on board sequencer, but unfortunately the midi just wouldn't seem to work, at the same time as the sequencer. Basically this makes the sequencer useless for me, since either you have to play the piece in perfect time (not gonna happen) or record it in step mode (pain in the rear) For the price though, these can't be beat. If you don't have one of the professional line of older keyboards from casio, ... Read review