Hi

I am a new member of this forum
I am preparing an article for my web site and woulfd like to have your opinions

What would you buy as second keyboard if you already have a Tyros 4 ? not necessarily another arranger...
and why ?
to have more different sounds ?
more styles
more sampling capacities?
to have a keyboard 76 keys ?

I've been interested in Casio's PX-5S synth/piano that has 88 weighted keys, and very useful controller functions...it also has pitch/mod wheels, which I prefer.

As far as arranger instruments, I'm happy with the Tyros4...I don't wish to get another arranger.

I could use the Casio in place of my Yamaha P-85 for solo piano work and recording as well as being able to access some cool synth textures, and other sounds unique to the PX-5S.

I see in Dreamer's signature that he owns a Casio PX-5S. Perhaps he can give us his thoughts on it?

Ian

For me, as an entertainer that's pretty much on the road 7 days a week, I want that second keyboard to be identical to the first. I need to be able to put that second one into service if the first were to suddenly hickup and not function. While this has never happened to me in more than 2 decades, I have read of instances where that has occurred. Now, for a home player, there are lots of options, and that Casio is not a bad choice. Casio has really improved over the past few years and their arranger keyboards seem to offer more and more with each new model.

Good Luck,

Gary

What is your budget?? What kind of different sounds you are looking for?? You said you want sampler too.

I am 83 years young so no more gigging for me. I have the new Tyros 5 76 note keyboard on order and this will be all I need to really enjoy my music. Sold my Tyros 4 and am without a keyboard till the Tyros 5 gets shipped to me. Believe me, It's been a long wait but I got a very good price for the Tyros 4 and believe selling it early was the best way to get the most for it. Regards, Lloyd
Pray for my health to stay with me please.

Ian,

I bought the PX-5S the last month of May; after six months of use here are my thoughts:

Pros:
1- incredible action; I am not an expert on pianos, but according to people who have played all the digital pianos available (including Yamaha, Roland, Nord and Kawai) this Casio gives the player the best connection with the music played, to the point that you tend to forget that are playing a digital emulation of the real thing.
2- massive polyphony (256 notes) that enables you to layer many sounds without running out of notes.
3- Synth engine: incredibly warm and almost analogic in quality; go to the Download section of the Casio Music Forums and listen to the demos of some of the sounds uploaded by actual Casio users and you will understand what I mean.
4- Excellent master keyboard, with lots of possibilities and flexibility.
5- Low weight: almost incredible for a digital piano with such a nice and firm keybed: 11 kg (24 pounds)
6- Price: 999 USD.
7- Can run also on batteries.

Cons:
1- Not everybody likes the black and white look.
2- The display is small, but there is an excellent editor for Windows.

Speaking of sounda, the acoustic and electric pianos are excellent, while the guitars or other orchestral sounds are just ok. If you go to sites like Keyboard Corner right now the talk of the day is the new Yamaha CP-4 and how it compares with the CP-5; everybody has a different opinion (like happens for real acoustic pianos), but these are digital pianos that cost (and weigh) like two PX-5S.
In my case, I bought the Casio almost at the same time as my Kronos 61 and I got both for the same price of a Kronos 88; in fact I use the Casio to drive the Kronos and this combination is just magic, especially because the Casio, with its limited depth, fits perfectly under the Kronos.
So, I can recommend the PX-5S to everyone looking for a digital piano that can be also used as a complete master keyboard. This combination alone would justify the purchase; if you add the low weight, the huge polyphony and the almost unbelievable price you have a product that, as far as I know, has no rivals in today's market.

Thank you very kindly for your straightforward review, Dreamer.

The cons are minuscule compared to the pros.

Has the action remained silent...some weighted hammer actions tend to get clicky here and there after a lot of playing? I remember having a Roland FP-8 (early production model) that started to sound like an old Underwood typewriter.

I am pleased to hear about the feel and connectivity to the player regarding the action...I wanted a decent 88, but having just a controller or a cheap digital piano was nowhere near as attractive as having a fully programmable synthesizer with a great weighted action.

I am familiar with Keyboard Corner, having been mostly a lurker there for quite some time, but I am more interested in your opinion, as I know you are relatively un-biased, especially compared to some there, and here, too ( I count me as very biased ).

The 256 poly and the words "warm" and "analogic" are magic to my ears, as I was a real fan of analog sounds (just not analog fussiness lack of polyphony, and tuning issues) and now that my Jupiter 8 is gone to a nice new home in a studio, I miss having the possibilities of a programmable synth.

Thanks very much again, and I will check out the Casio Music Forums as recommended...also Mike Martin seems a cool (no BS) and very supportive rep, and that makes a difference as well.

Gratefully,

Ian

PS...I had Casio CZ-1 and VZ-1 years ago and I was pleased with those instruments...very professional, and distinctive sound.

Ian,

I can confirm that the action is still tight and silent like the first day.
And you are right about Mike Martin: he is one of the most supportive rep I have ever met, in every way: he still programs new sounds, free to download on the Casio Music Forums: digital and acoustic pianos, gritty clavinets (a la Stevie Wonder), luscious pads... every week you find something new and worth the download.
I think that Casio deserve every kind of support in this effort to make instruments of professional quality available at such low prices: imagine a Tyros 5, a PAX-3 or an Audya for sale at less than 2000 dollars... who could resist?

Thanks dreamer...all good news. I'm also tickled to see that it also includes a Phrase Sequencer and an Arpeggiator, plus, each Zone within a Stage Setting on the PX-5S can choose to use an Arpeggiator or trigger a Phrase.

I actually like the look of it, and I like how the knobs are set up on the left.

What is rather mind-boggling, is the Hex engine's power, the layering possibilities, the staggering 256 note poly; actually, all the features already mentioned ...and for that very attractive price.

Almost too good to be true, but I said that about the CZ-1 and was more than pleasantly surprised.

Thanks again,

Ian

Thank you all very much for giving me your opinion...

I am preparing a series of articles on my website. Each article will be an example of tyros configuration and a second keyboard.
eg tyros with juno 50 as a second keyboard or casio PX55 or Pa3X korg .
For each configuration , I give opinions , the pros and cons based on my experience or your own.
In my case : I currently own a tyros 4 , I also have a Yamaha digital piano that I use less and I have a lot of expanders , some are quite old (Roland jv880 , korg 01r / w ... ) .
The project of a second additional keyboard will help me to expand my sound capabilities , and have very different sounds, and why not : an additional 76 keys.
I will use the styles in tyros 4 , and the voices on the right hand , the 2nd keyboard gives me more sounds to play the melody with the right hand and also control all expanders .
As 2nd keyboard : I think about the Juno 50 and Korg pas3x (for 76 keys).
Or a Korg Pa800 associated with another expander Roland Integra 7