Casio synthesizers: a brief overview of the most popular models

Today in the world of keyboards you can find many interesting things. And Casio synthesizers are no exception. Here you can find a lot of models included in the base product line – from the tools entry-level to professional workstation designed for live performances.

Synthesizers Casio: General features

If you look, by and large, among the key products of Casio rare to find professional tools comparable to the capabilities of workstations such as Yamaha Motif, Korg Trinity and Triton, Roland Fantom or Kurzweil synthesizers.

Almost all of the series and the base line assume a sort of educational tool Casio keyboard. The reviews speak about it. In fact, with rare exceptions, almost all of the tools are more like the products of Yamaha in terms of tools, which requires the accompaniment. However, a child, an aspiring musician, and a professional can always find a wide range something interesting, based on their needs.

Series CTK

One of the widest keyboards are Casio models CTK series, which also includes synths entry-level and more advanced models.

For example, one of the simplest “toys” can be called a synthesizer Casio CTK-240 or some subsequent modifications. Here there is a minimal set of features with hundreds of timbres and multiple types of variations of the accompaniment. This tool will allow aspiring musician or child, let's say, learn to play some simple tune or listen how to sound arrangement.

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Minus, which in this case have the Casio synths in this series is incomplete the keyboard, which also is not polnotsvetnoy.

In the models slightly more powerful (e.g., 2200, 2400, 3200) is the same functional set, but you can split the keyboard to try a sampling feature (to record some short pieces and combine them) and also record from the microphone.

In a series of 4000 and its subsequent modifications added the ability to control some options related to editing style (to disable a particular party, to replace sounding instrument to another, to replace the currently used effects, save the settings to registration memory, etc.).

In a series of 6000 and above, you are editing with built-in 16-channel mixer. Here is also a sequencer where you can create your own composition.

In the modification 7200, you can find even more options and settings. To register your custom settings there are 8 memory slots. In the model there is more sounds and effects actually recorded batch can be converted into WAV format and save to a memory card (SD or SDHC) to use the synthesizer as a DSP effect processor, for example, vocal and more.

We should say that almost all of the more powerful models have polnotsvetnaja keyboard of the piano type. You can find modifications with 61 or 88 keys.

Series WK

Synth Casio WK LK, or, in fact, from a series of CTK especially no different. This is understandable, because both lines were developed with the aim of obtaining a musician access the built-in learning system, as well as to the use of the same auto accompaniment.

Again, you can find here and the most unpretentious type model WK-220, and sufficiently powerful tools with a wide range of type WK-7600. You should pay attention to, is the wide variety of settings, effects and arpeggiator.

As with all other models, it is also possible to use, for example, a USB interface for connection to an external host computer or the virtual studios of type Cubase, FL Studio, Ableton Live, Presonus Studio One, etc.

Workstations and digital pianos

No less interesting looks and the Casio synths in terms of professional tools. One of the most popular worldwide is the so-called digital piano Casio PX3-BK.

This tool is designed expressly for professionals. It has polnotsvetnoy a piano type keyboard (88 keys) and lots of sound settings (the same EQ). We should also say that in addition to the split keyboard you can use a special ability to overlay layers of sounds on each of the divided register (2 for each). There are also some synth functions such as adjusting the level of the attack or decay signal, the overlay filter, vibrato, etc.

There is another interesting type of tools. This is two versions of the Casio XW-P1 and Casio XW-G1. As testing shows, the difference between them are minor, but they are intended exclusively for live performances, due to the presence of a huge number of ‘krutilki” that allows you to change the timbre of the sound or some of its parameters beyond recognition.

It Seems that this tool will be useful, rather, to the modern DJ. And if you use it together withsampler (“iron” or virtual Machine type or Kontakt from Native Instruments), it is possible to squeeze much more than assume the factory settings and opportunities.

Prices

Now, perhaps one might wonder which to choose synthesizers Casio. Rates and their dispersion have quite a wide range. For example, the simplest models cost around $ 100, but for a more feature-rich will have to pay $ 500 and more.

However, first you need to decide for what purposes you bought a tool, and only then make a final choice.