Casio, Inc. is pleased to introduce yet another "first" in price-point. As part of the WK series, Casio introduces the WK-8000; an 88 key piano-style keyboard with a powerful audio system, and bass reflex that offers users the ability to play on keys shaped just as they would be on a real piano. All of the latest introductions in keyboards and digital pianos will be on display at Casio Booth #1738 at the NAMM Summer Session July 14-16 in Austin, Texas.

Casio prides itself on revolutionary new products that are designed and engineered to make digital music more accessible, and quality sounding. While Casio's WK series is a mid-level keyboard series, it too offers quality innovations in its price range relative to that of Casio's more upscale Privia digital pianos. Each of the series provides unsurpassed quality in their respective categories and price-points. Here's a sneak peak at the latest WK series offerings:

WK-8000
Scheduled to release in September, this 88 key piano-style keyboard equipped with custom stand offers a dual-element ZPI sound source and drawbar organ function. It boasts an amazingly clear, crisp and realistic sound with 670 rich, bountiful, preset tones, and 224 user tones.

Additional features include:

* Direct PC connection with USB interface for easy data and ID transfer
* SD card slot for data transfer---perfect for backing up song memories and settings
* Multiple sound effects including reverberation, chorus and equalizer
* 32-note polyphony, synthesizer and mixer function

WK-3300 and WK-3800
The WK-3300 and WK-3800 replace Casio models WK-3200 and WK-3700 respectively. The new replacement models feature new upgrades such as additional tones and high performance rhythm patterns as well as an SD Card slot and USB terminal. Moreover, the WK-3800 also features an additional floppy disc drive.

PX-575R
Privia digital pianos provide authentic piano sound coupled with scaled hammer action for an exquisite grand piano feel, and selectable touch sensitivity; making it possible for people to be as inspired as if they were playing on ivory.

New to the Privia series is the PX-575R releasing in September, which replaces the PX-555. A dual element HL sound source is replaced by a tri-element ZPI. Additional improvements range from a more fluid synthesizer function to drawbar organ, more rhythms and acoustic resonance to the addition of preset tones from 258 to 670 plus 224 user tones. An optional three pedal unit will allow the elegant sounds of this naturally grand sounding digital piano to perform just as eloquently as the real thing, while a new face panel design conveys the technical advantages that appeals to the Privia consumer. All units are equipped with Internet Data Expansion Systems allowing users to customize preset tunes by downloading them from www.casiosongs.com or other musical downloading sites. For this purpose, users can also look for a USB terminal and direct PC connection through USB cable, and an SD card slot.

For more information, visit their web site at www.casio.com.

They need to bring back the MZ2000 engine..There is no excuse to have 32 voice polyphony..

I agree completely. I owned a Previa for about two days. 32 note poly is not good enough. When you couple that with the fact that Casio is deceptive (like many manufactures) 32 note poly does not apply to there stereo sampled sounds. The poly drops to 16 as soon as you select their best sounding piano. 16 notes drop really fast when you use their best piano sound along with any arranger functions. If they would just kick it up to 64 poly (or better) I would buy another one. Their lightweight is what attacted me to this board. The poly is what made me return it.

Dennis

Yeah the 32 note poly is limited a bit by today's standards, but did anyone really look at the new WK-8000?? Holy Crap! it's an 88 key WK-3800.

Casio is putting out a BEAST of a contender for the Yamaha YPG series, and the Casio will have the YPG beat in several areas. Since it is a WK with 88 keys it will have the voice editing, organ drawbars, pitchbend and modulation wheels, and I'm willing to bet the ability import wav samples as the current WK's have. This unit will clearly be a head on contender for the Yamaha YPG.

Damn! Hat's off to Casio.

Squeak

Squeak,
They didn't mention that the 8000 had graded weighted keys. Without this feature, the WK-8000 will not be a contender to Yamaha's YPGs but to older DGXs
George

George,
It didn't mention anything about weighted keys--you're right about that. However, I can't imagine this model "not" having weighted keys. Even if it didn't, this model will "most certainly" still be a contender to the YPG series. Only (1) model of the YPG has weighted keys. The two lower models have the exact same keybed as the DGX's.

So if the WK-8000 didn't have weighted keys it would be a direct runner against both the lower YPG sereis (not the DGX), and the Casio would still have the edge in several areas.

Here's why I think the Casio WK-8000 "will" have weighted keys. With all the keyboard makers you see many things recycled from the previous models and used on the newer line.

Casio does the same thing. Just look at the WK models from the WK-3000 all the way up to the newest 3300/3800. They recycled the entire body

Currently Casio does not have a 88 key non weighted keyboard or digital in their line up. It would only make sense for the new WK-8000 to have the "recycled" keybed of the PX series.

AND THE HUGE PLUS!!!! It will sell for UNDER $600.00 Knowing Casio you'd be getting midi jacks on this model as well, so it will probably also make a great controller.

Squeak

I wish I had your expectations, Squeak. Unfortunately, after reading the press release I'm of the opinion that the WK-8000 is basically going to be an 88-key version of the WK-3300/3800 in many respects (it apparently has the same number of voices, etc). I would agree that the keybed will likely not be a "synth-action" type, but the 8000 still will probably have some important limitations. As others have already mentioned, 32-poly is one concern. Also, the info on the 3300/3800 mentions USB for MIDI, but nothing about good old 5-pin DINs; if that is indeed the way it will be, and the 8000 is the same, I'd find that another annoyance.

There may be errors in the info from Casio, since they refer to a "dual-element ZPI sound source" for the 8000. That would be surprising, since other new Casio boards are tri-element, including the lower-priced ones.

I suppose we'll just have to wait and see what the production units are actually like.

--Barry


[This message has been edited by quietDIN (edited 07-16-2006).]

Yeah we'll just have to wait and see I guess I'm hoping Casio didn't flop on the Midi Jacks though.

Squeak

Squeak,

Looks like Casio has done away with the standard MIDI ports on all their new keyboards and has gone with the multifunction USB (for data transfer\MIDI). Too bad...

Michael

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[This message has been edited by Fran Carango (edited 07-16-2006).]