The SV-1 Has Been Dethroned!!

[Low Class]

I sold my SV-1 several months ago because I hated the action and there were very few sounds that worth having on it. I was also anticipating the release on a SV-2 which has not materialized. Granted, the sounds that were good were REAL good, but the timing to get rid of it at a minimal loss I had to take advantage of.

Now Casio has released the PX-5S and it blows the SV-1 of the water in every aspect. Price, weight, action, sound, you name it!! I'm very disappointed in Korg because they are letting a very special piece of the market slip away from them, but for now there is not one reason I can see for anyone to buy the SV-1.

Check out the sound of this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9Hc8XhCP-4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyNJPlb4gr4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mClac32_qPQ

[xp50player]

Well, there is the Korg Kross, which seems more of a competitor for this than the SV-1. The Kross has a real sequencer, better display, more and flexible effects, and more inspiring looks. The Casio has more realtime controls, polyphony, better piano engine, ipad controller app, aftertouch(?). I don't hear anything that makes me want one of these over my SV-1, especially in the electro-mechanical pianos, and it is pretty anonymous looking. Good luck to Casio though; glad to see they are trying to raise the bar for everybody again in pro keyboards.

[javaj]

uhm, not to be snobby, but, well, just look at the SV-1 versus the Casio.

And it sounds great regardless.

You can also buy better pianos in VST/AU's for way less then both as well. So the throne was never sat in to begin with.

Sometimes we have to also look at the beauty of the instrument and the beauty of the sound- they both are vital.

[HonkTonk]

Casio has released the PX-5S and it blows the SV-1 of the water in every aspect. Price, weight, action, sound, you name it!!

Price: When I bought my SV1-88 a few weeks ago, I paid about the same as I would for the PX-5S. Comparing it to the price that had to paid months or years back is ignoring the market situation.

Weight: Well, I got way more pound for the buck with my SV1-88 It sucks when you have to carry it, but I wonder how good the feel of the Casio is, as it is only 60% the weight of the SV1. You'd think what's heavy in the SV1 is the weighted hammer action.

Action: Any more details on what you think is so good about it compared to the SV-1? Especially as it is such a lightweight. (I'm currently getting the RH3 keybed issues, fixed, as readers of this forum would know, apart from that it ain't that bad, but with that, it's unusable)

Sound: I find that hard to judge from the videos. The pianos of the SV-1 aren't that great imo out of the box. Once my board is fixed, I'll try SoundPack2.

You name it:

• The user interface: SV1-88 rocks in that aspect. The Casio has a bunch of analog-style knobs, but the UI looks in general very much like most keyboards: For techies. And I don't want to (have to) use another device (Ipad) to do stuff like selecting sounds

• Well, and the looks of course. They have been mentioned before and need no further comment.

[Kontrol49]

Instruments are subjective and down to the personal individual and what they get from them,nothing has dethroned the SV-1 it's simply seen the peak of its interest roll off by now as its several years old,and newer models have come into the forefront.

Although there are plenty of other options out there,that perhaps supersede the functions of the SV series it still is and will live on as a no fuss stage piano,that happens to look very cool too,there aren't many other stage pianos that combine both,I honestly couldn't see myself parting with my SV such an inspirational instrument both from a performance aspect and as a songwriting tool,all my song ideas start life from the piano on the SV1.

I suspect Korg will follow up on the SV series,already bringing over much of its immediacy and simplicity to the KingKorg,so they see the appeal of what they created in the stage aspect,just maybe there is less focus to its place at this time for a SV-2,but it won't be the last we see of it,if Korg really do listen to their customers.

[RobinOtto1990]

I couldn´t make an accurate comparison between the SV-1 and the PX-5S until I've played a PX-5S, but on the first look I find the SV-1 more attractive. One of the great advantages of the SV-1 is that you don't have to look through menus. You have the knobs on the board, and you don't have to scroll and search through all sorts of stuff.

Having said that, an iPad-compatible editor would be awesome for the SV-1, because some effects (the well-known amp modelling) would be much more fun to use if they had some more... subtlety in them. But you learn to work your way around it; creating sounds and settings up front, optimizing them, I don't really think that's a big deal.

I'd prefer a rig including the SV1 and the KingKorg (I swear I'm not a Korg fanboy), instead of the PX-5S. I guess it just depends on what you need, on what you desire and on what seems cool to you. And the PX-5S doesn't really seem exciting enough to me.

Oh. And the fact that the guy calls himself a lazy guy in order to promote the instrument doesn't really help!

[ShaunKorg]

I really, really want something with nice piano action lighter than my SV173. But I don’t know what to pull the trigger on.

All the manufacturers are finally getting the idea that vintage piano sounds are important. It’s not boutique. EP sounds are part of the bread and butter gigging musicians need. For things in my price range I see three possibilities.

The pX5. Good on Casio. I’ve been a fan for a long time. However much I love the features in the PX5, I can’t buy a white board.

I don’t know if anyone else likes this one, but I have my eye on the Roland RD64. A low-weight board with piano action and good bread and butter sounds.

The Korg Kross 88 has me conflicted. It looks sexy. Low price. But I can’t stand the fact that the joy stick is on the side taking up all that space. If (and I don’t know for sure) it’s the same sound set from the Krome the EP’s will be excellent. However, I did not like the organs in the Krome.

[javaj]

just had practice yesterday- and funny you mention the weight. I am getting tired of it myself. I almost feel like I should make it a studio keyboard and get a lightweight option (and sacrifice the cool factor).
Had trigger finger surgery in Feb and it still is un-nerving to lift my SV-1 up onto the Korg stand (and then hold it steady as I try to position the screws into the SV1). Might have to consider a second option afterall.

[Low Class]

Casio has released the PX-5S and it blows the SV-1 of the water in every aspect. Price, weight, action, sound, you name it!!

Price: When I bought my SV1-88 a few weeks ago, I paid about the same as I would for the PX-5S. Comparing it to the price that had to paid months or years back is ignoring the market situation.

Weight: Well, I got way more pound for the buck with my SV1-88 It sucks when you have to carry it, but I wonder how good the feel of the Casio is, as it is only 60% the weight of the SV1. You'd think what's heavy in the SV1 is the weighted hammer action.

Action: Any more details on what you think is so good about it compared to the SV-1? Especially as it is such a lightweight. (I'm currently getting the RH3 keybed issues, fixed, as readers of this forum would know, apart from that it ain't that bad, but with that, it's unusable)

Sound: I find that hard to judge from the videos. The pianos of the SV-1 aren't that great imo out of the box. Once my board is fixed, I'll try SoundPack2.

You name it:

• The user interface: SV1-88 rocks in that aspect. The Casio has a bunch of analog-style knobs, but the UI looks in general very much like most keyboards: For techies. And I don't want to (have to) use another device (Ipad) to do stuff like selecting sounds

• Well, and the looks of course. They have been mentioned before and need no further comment.

Doesn't seem like you're making a great case for the SV1. In the shop being repaired, sucks to carry, pianos don't sound good(don't expect any miracles from SoundPack 2). Interface rocks? Not IMO. Hard to turn knobs, amp simulation sucks, easy to accidentally hit preset buttons while playing.

If you bought a new SV1-88 for $999 congratulations on a great price. Hope you enjoy it when it's fixed.

Ok, I did miss one good reason to own the SV1. The looks! But I don't think that will bother me one bit when I carry the PX-5S that weighs half as much.

I'm not here to bash Korg or the SV1. I owned mine for almost a year trying like hell to like it because it is so cool. I have even been considering buying another one since I sold it. But it has so few good sounds in it, and quite frankly compared to my Kronos they really aren't that good. It also has so many deficiencies that comparing apples to apples the SV1 is not worth it. My Kronos is not going anywhere, but for a gigging keyboard I'm going with the Casio. They have really put it together well with good pianos and vintage EP's, a good keybed(much better than the Krome and Kross 88)and a lot more. Casio is working as we speak on making this instrument sound even better. When was the last time we saw an update of any kind for the SV1??

something else to listen to:
https://soundcloud.com/casiomusicgear/s ... -pro-px-5s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUzjRhZtS9M

[ShaunKorg]

One thing that helps me is I leave a stand and bench at our practice house. That saves some weight at least.

But the SV1 is a bear. The Electro HP, Casip Privias, Yamy Mox 8, Korg Krome and Kross 88 are all setting the new standard for lightweight boards. The 40 lbs boards just won't do anymore.

[SV1owner]

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!! I've been one of the staunchest critics of the SV-1 & have been a Privia owner since the PX-310; buying each consecutive model until the PX-3. I can be quoted by anyone who knows me as saying "Casio has the best feeling keys on the market" (IMO it's true, but, I haven't tried the Roland RD700NX or Kawai MP10 yet). I've owned 3.... THREE SV1's; the first i sent back prematurely because I thought the piano sounds sucked (without trying every possible alternative amp), but bought it again because I realized no keyboard inspires me as much! Well, it turns out my amp is what was making the SV-1 pianos unpleasant. After this discovery, there's been no slowing me down.
ANYWHO!!!!

I just want to say, the PX-5 is a great evolution FOR CASIO, but other than the action, weight (which he SV1's doesn't bother me), & the awesome 256 note polyphony BESTING the SV1 it's not in it's class- in regard to sound or raw functionality anyway. Casio would be leading the market... 15 years ago. Sampling an adjustable keyoff bell The Privia's hundreds of unwanted sounds, menus, & all the other crap are why most folks wanted the SV1. The PX5's cool, but the idiosyncrasies of vintage instruments are far more advanced than amp models & a strange (yet adjustable... listening Korg) keyoff bell, & I think it may be years before the folks at Casio get it perfect (I'll buy that one). I like Casio (& will continue to buy them), but I don't think the PX5 is a contender for any thrones, unless you're pockets don't go very deep (yikes, like mine). But, & this is not sentimentality speaking (AT ALL), the SV-1 still has that vintage sound locked & can only be rivaled today by the Nord. Plus, no keyboard has ever garnered as much attention from musicians & civilians alike. It's a great icebreaker. lol.

[clonedike]

I've had my Sv1 for 3 years. Love the EPs, like the pianos, organs OK. BUT I've gotten tired of the stiff feel -- I can play faster and freer on my old upright. AND I've broken three or four keys now, and I've never broken a key in my life (DX9, Ensoniq Mirage, Kurzweil k2000, Roland RD700, Motif XS8). I'm tired of it!

[ShaunKorg]

I'm starting to think serriously about a Roland VR-09 and a weighted controller.

The VR-09 could go to practice alone and just haul the controller for gigs.

[Low Class]

I'm starting to think serriously about a Roland VR-09 and a weighted controller.

The VR-09 could go to practice alone and just haul the controller for gigs.

Exactly the rig I'm going for using the PX-5S as the controller. The whole rig will weigh 36lbs!!

[javaj]

Well, I ended up having more trigger finger surgery on my other hand and called it quits for the SV1 in live use. Got an Akai Max49 running Omnisphere. Will miss the SV1 live and will just have to live with doing synth work instead. At least my home studio looks hot with 2 red boards.