You guys are getting too excited over this....

This is not the WOW!!! factor that the MZ2000 had at the time...This is a WK series..and it is just a few clicks above the WK500..

Sure it has some nice "buzz " word features...but when you take a close look at them....they are so..so..

As Ian said the Casio is the line to compete with the lower Yamaha lines..and Casio will do well against them..as always..

Look at the detriments:
The WK7500 does not have lyric read..let alone chord read..

It has 16 track sequencer (Kudos), but too menu driven to interest most folks..

Many of the features are too menu driven..

The display is Dot Matrix type (probably why lyric read is not used...}.

The key feel will most likely be like the WK500 (about the same feel as the Yamaha YPG series)..

The audio files are proprietary..and need to be converted via software to use on the keyboard...and the screen display and search will be poor..


The Yamaha PSRs910, Roland Prelude and Korg PA 500 owners will not be interested in this board as a replacement..All three of these models will be superior to the Casio..

I would expect the Casio WK7500 to have a street price of $500...so they will sell to first time buyers etc..

The previous Casios had limitations on media cards (255 seq's max)..I did not see this info, and it can read 32g cards,,so maybe that limitation is gone..or it could still be a limit on SMF's, and no limit to the audio (special format) files..

Still may be a nice buy, but the excitement I think is over done..

Wow - it even has fingered on bass - very cool

Yeah...very necessary in my opinion.

I'm a bit disappointed the styles are only two variation.

I wonder how accurate the organ draw-bar and Leslie sim are?

Ian

Fran hit it right on the head on all counts!! It is what it is!

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 09-16-2010).]

I think Casio is testing the waters with this new offering.
Yes the specs look impressive for Casio but I would not classify it as a TOTL.
And how it sounds is going to play a big big part of the whole equation.
It would be interesting to see what the price is and how they market it.
I think this is meant to compete with the Yamaha S710.
But like Fran said it will not attract the S910 or prelude buyer.

What it does however is make the case for Yamaha to make a 76 key S series.
I am sure Yamaha is listening because this offering from Casio seeks to cut in to Yamaha’s very lucrative entry level arranger products.
How did they manage to make the 76 key version only 19 LBS?

By not listening to a word Ian says...

By not using the piggy old G-70 as an example...

Casio is certainly testing the waters "again" with these new models. They did the exact same thing with the MZ-2000. That model was a huge gamble for Casio. It had MANY advanced features, and it was anyones guess as to how well consumers would accept the MZ-2000 (and the price it was selling for at the time). It was (and still to this day) unlike any other Casio ever produced.

What cannot be denied here is that Casio has upped the game for Yamaha's PSR line. There are now (FOUR) models in this new WK series, and what's impressive is that they ALL have 16 trk sequencers (with an added system track). While Yamaha is still producing units with 32 note poly, Casio has pushed theirs up to 48. They've also brought back basic tone editing, and added it to all four models.

Honestly I wouldn't really consider the WK-7500 a replacement for the MZ-2000, but it's an EXCELLENT move on Casio's part, and a move in the right direction for them. I also think it's probably a little inaccurate to refer to the 7500 as a TOTL arranger as well. Both the 7500 and 7000 are more in the semi-pro range. If these units are priced right, and are an improvement on their current sound set., I will "certainly" be picking one up. Maybe it's just me but the 61 key version is just downright sexy! I love the black body with the blue LED's, nice bright screen, the sliders (along with the color) give it a very professional look.

If I read correctly.., I'm seeing release dates for NEXT MONTH, which I think is also supported by the computer data management software scheduled for December of 2010.

[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 09-17-2010).]

Squeak, the new WK series are 64 polyphony..

They certainly have upped the game, Squeak.

That means that Yamaha has to upgrade/update their DGX and PSR lines, which means that we players gain.

Competition really keeps these companies on their toes, and us guys get the benefits.

I can't wait to try the WK-7500, although I might opt for the 61 key version.(the 7000?)

Ian