I just wanted to post a follow up review on the MZX-500 now that I've had it for several weeks. Within that time, I've gone very deep into the keyboards features. I have done some pretty extensive editing on this unit too.

There have been some issues brought up in several MZX posts regarding the "bread and butter" sounds of the MZX line and who it's really targeted for. There is no doubt that Casio (finally someone is doing it) decided it's time to create a "modern" arranger. However.., unfortunately (please don't take this the wrong way fellas).., but the word "modern" when applied to the general demographic on the Zone as it pertains to arranger keyboards has a very negative reception. Sorry.., but that's just how this Zone has been for years. You guys have been asking how are makers going to keep these arrangers relevant, so you have to accept that in order to do that.., manufactures have to "update" these damn things. Sorry.., but the arranger market cannot and will not survive if a specific generation keeps demanding that these units cater to styles that are 40 years old and older.

Anywho.., IMO the MZX's traditional sounds in many categories can easily compete with others within the price range, and I'll go as far to say that it beats others in certain categories HANDS DOWN. Even boards above it's price range.

The Pianos are not traditional Casio pianos. Casio has obviously been working hard at updating this area. There are plenty of them, and Casio appears to have included a number of presets to cover a wide variety of music (reducing the amount of editing to the user). Several note worthy pianos are

-Grand Piano Mellow
-Grand Piano Modern
-Grand Piano Classic
-Grand Piano Dolce
-Grand Piano Studio

Gone is the dreaded short decay that many have complained about for years. They sound much more natural.., and IMO some of these pianos (again my opinion) are better than others in this price range.

The EP's..., well sorry folks.., NOTHING in this price range IMO touches the EP's on the MZX-500. Casio has done quite well in this area. There are plenty of them too.., and I will say that there are two particular Clavs that are amazing.

The Saxes are also very good. Ever since the MZ-2000 Casio has found a place among arrangers with several of their sax sounds. Are they SA quality.., no.., but there are several that are quite good.

The Orchestral section also has a few that need to be highlighted. There are some very nice string sounds. The first preset (Stereo Strings) is a very beautiful and warm sounding string section. Some of the solo orchestral sounds are really nice as well. There is a really good sounding Solo Oboe, and the Solo Bassoon is just as impressive. Both have a very beautiful and natural sounding vibrato. Not every orchestral sound is worth writing home about, but there are some great ones in there.

The Guitars and Basses are greatly improved IMO. Casio now has their own version of Mega Voices. They call them Versatile Tones. These are set up just like Mega Voices designed for style application. Some mad velocity switching going on within them. Like Yammies earlier Mega Voices.., they're really designed for style use.

There are some amazing distortion guitars and awesome wah guitars. There are even NEW acoustic guitar sounds. These are not typical Casio acoustic guitars either. They have very good pick on string sound, and even harmonics wihin the upper register, and string tapping on the lower register. Very well done too.

The Organs IMO are just as good if not better than the competition throughout the arranger market. The drawbar organ section is really good and Casio has done an amazing job with the effects as well. Casio put themselves in the game with the MZ-2000's drawbar organs, and they just got even better with the latest MZX-500.

In the synth department...., well all I can say is this board is in a category of its own (especially at this price range). The synth section is nothing short of amazing IMO. The Hex Layer feature is just unreal and unbelievably deep for creating your own sounds. Sorry Yammie fans.., but not even the PSR-S970 can touch the MZX-500 in this area.

Not only does this board surpass others in this area.., Casio didn't stop there. Piggy backed off of the Hex Layer engine is a dedicated Monophonic Bass Synth. The preset synth basses are unreal. What you can create is also mind blowing.., I have to keep telling myself I'm playing an arranger keyboard. Not even the Tyros-5 can compete with the MZX's Bass Synth (sorry.., just keep'n it real).

Lets talk about the styles. Yes.., the board has amazing modern styles (really up to date modern styles too). No.., Casio didn't forget about the traditional arranger players. This board is loaded with traditional styles. Not just traditional styles., but also choc full of "world styles". So many different cultures covered in this machine. The Latin section alone is extensive, and I'm seeing types of latin styles you don't typically find on an arranger keyboard (at least here in the US).

Are the traditional styles mind blowing.., no they are not. Are they bad.., no they are not. Are they usable....., yes, without question.

Here's my general take on this issue too. Granted the competition has some good styles and they have been utilizing (for years) voice technology to create more realistic styles. However..., IMO.., I think many of these current arrangers suffer from what I call "Articulation Over-kill". So often I find that these styles (while generally good).., tend to lose their realism due to articulation over-kill. You've got multiple instruments at times, all showcasing their articulations, and they all seem to be overly pushed to the front.

For me.., I do like articulations, but I don't like busy styles. This is what I often find on other brands. The Casio's styles aren't too busy.., and some of them are even using these new Versatile Tones. They're easy to work with too.

The other area where the MZX-500 is way ahead is in those pads. Sooooo many uses for them. You really need to download the manual to see this for yourselves.

There are some bugs, but Casio has confirmed they will be fixed.., and Mike Martin even mentioned there will be downloadable content soon (even sounds). I have a feeling we will see some new downloadable styles that take advantage of the Versatile Tones.

Almost forgot to mention the drums. After doing some detailed work with the drum kits I have to say that I really do like the MZX's drums. Several kits have all new snare sounds.., and they are multilayered velocity switched snare samples. The Jazz Kit is pretty darn good too. I was even impressed with the brush kit (which has some nice and natural sounding toms). There are of course some of the older Casio drums there, but hey.., it is what it is. We at least have new content in this area.

The Electronic kits.., well.., It's a modern arranger.., that's all that needs to be said in this area. Casio nailed it home with this one.

Thanks for the review....

I havent heard one negative report about the Mz-x by anyone that owns one comcerning the sound quallity and usefullness of the instrument...


Its time these instrument will become playable at local dealers so people that dont own one can try them out and get their own opinion based on actuall experience...

Nice in depth review,......don't be surprised if some of these features, trickle down and you find them on new models from Korg, Yamaha, etc, also in the future. Many of them are needed if they want to draw in the younger players to create the music of today on a keyboard with many needed multifunction capabilities...

I am glad we finally agree on something... But you are right, arranger workstations still are a thing of the future, and these new features will be very welcome in countries where the youth allready plays arranger first and foremost (balkan, middle east, asia, south America)

I am quite sure, this design will sooner or later replace the 4 multi pads on the current arrangers...

thank you so much for that update! wow. I'm back to being interested again.

have you explored the phrase sampler? I'm wondering how easy it might be to do the following:
sample a 2-bar percussion loop via Audio In, assign to a pad
then build up the loop using internal voices -- bass, guitar, keys

I checked out the Casio digital piano that uses the touchscreen interface and it does seem to be light years better than the current Casio arrangers for workflow....is that your experience? (ie, is it as easy as Yamaha to set up a registration?)

thanks so much for these insights....