Weighted 88 note controller success
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- JPROBERTLA
- Senior Member
- Posts: 483
- Joined: Mon Jul 04, 2011 2:38 pm
- Location: New Orleans
Weighted 88 note controller success
I originally wanted a K 88, but decided on a K61 because of so many reported problems with the RH3. I have used my Triton Studio88 for a weighted controller for almost 2 years. Got tired of lugging it around so I began search for 88 note weighted controller about 3 months ago. After much research and deliberation, I decided to give the Casio PX-5S a try; didn't really take a chance, because I always had the option to return it if I did not like it.
The PX-5S has some limitations, especially with regard to continuous controllers, but it has a great piano feel and weighs only 24 pounds. It has internal sounds, but none that would replace anything in the Kronos. The only comparable competition was the Roland A88, but I did not like the fact that is does not have a screen, it is extremely long and is substantially heavier (34 pounds).
After a relatively quick set-up/conversion, I have now done a few performances. All things considered, I would recommend it to someone looking for a good piano keyed at a reasonable price and weight. It is very comfortable to play and is about as small and light as an 88 note keyboard can be. It does have a lot of assignable knobs and sliders, but the absence of continuous controller functions significantly limits it as a controller keyboard. Build quality looks ok; Casio says they are serious about the professional keyboard market - only time will tell.
The PX-5S has some limitations, especially with regard to continuous controllers, but it has a great piano feel and weighs only 24 pounds. It has internal sounds, but none that would replace anything in the Kronos. The only comparable competition was the Roland A88, but I did not like the fact that is does not have a screen, it is extremely long and is substantially heavier (34 pounds).
After a relatively quick set-up/conversion, I have now done a few performances. All things considered, I would recommend it to someone looking for a good piano keyed at a reasonable price and weight. It is very comfortable to play and is about as small and light as an 88 note keyboard can be. It does have a lot of assignable knobs and sliders, but the absence of continuous controller functions significantly limits it as a controller keyboard. Build quality looks ok; Casio says they are serious about the professional keyboard market - only time will tell.
JP
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Kronos2-88, Behringer XR18, Turbosound IP2000 (x2), dbx DriveRack 260, KRK Rokit 8s, Mackie CFX16, Mackie SRM450(x2), Mackie SRS1500 (x2), BBE processors (x4), Roland VSR 880 (x2), Alto TS210, Alto TX10 (x3) and SoundForge
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Kronos2-88, Behringer XR18, Turbosound IP2000 (x2), dbx DriveRack 260, KRK Rokit 8s, Mackie CFX16, Mackie SRM450(x2), Mackie SRS1500 (x2), BBE processors (x4), Roland VSR 880 (x2), Alto TS210, Alto TX10 (x3) and SoundForge
Re: Weighted 88 note controller success
Can you elaborate on that? As I see it, all those knobs and sliders ARE continuous controllers. (As is the mod wheel.)JPROBERTLA wrote:It does have a lot of assignable knobs and sliders, but the absence of continuous controller functions significantly limits it as a controller keyboard.
I think a Kronos 61 and a PX-5S are a great combination. 
About the CC# function:
Ah. You need the Tutorial handbook http://support.casio.com/de/manual/008/PX5S_en_DE.pdf It´s on page E-34 & 35. You have to edit a stage set and edit sliders and knobs settings.

About the CC# function:
Maybe a second look into the manual should solve this?Serious Control
The PX-5S is a powerful four zone controller, complete with 4 knobs and 6 sliders all of which are completely configurable to control internal sounds, effects parameters or send continuous controllers to other gear. Each zone on the PX-5S can control an internal sound, an external MIDI device or both simultaneously.
Ah. You need the Tutorial handbook http://support.casio.com/de/manual/008/PX5S_en_DE.pdf It´s on page E-34 & 35. You have to edit a stage set and edit sliders and knobs settings.

As a controller, the PX-5S lacks half-dampering capability. Unfortunately that's a deal-breaker for me. I'm hoping they fix this in its successor.
My Kronos Demo: http://youtu.be/hyHYnmVbICE
Current: Kronos 61, Triton Extreme 61. Former: 01/W pro, Trinity pro X, Triton Classic 61, X5D, SP-200
Current: Kronos 61, Triton Extreme 61. Former: 01/W pro, Trinity pro X, Triton Classic 61, X5D, SP-200
- geoelectro
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Not that I use half pedaling but couldn't you use a half pedal plugged into the Kronos? I have a Yamaha P-80 MIDI'd to the K61. Volume and sustain pedals go directly into the K61 and can be assigned to control either or both keyboards. My P-80 is a simple keyboard but has an action I like a lot. It's also very portable. It doesn't really need to be smart since the Kronos can apply any MIDI function it has to the external keyboard.
Geo
Geo
Kronos 61 : 3GB RAM 120GB 2nd Drv.
Kronos 2 61
Synthesizers.com Custom Modular
N.I. Komplete 11, Omnisphere 2, VB-3.
HP i7 8GB Win 10
Yamaha P-80 Weighted Keyboard. NanoPad2
Kronos 2 61
Synthesizers.com Custom Modular
N.I. Komplete 11, Omnisphere 2, VB-3.
HP i7 8GB Win 10
Yamaha P-80 Weighted Keyboard. NanoPad2
- JPROBERTLA
- Senior Member
- Posts: 483
- Joined: Mon Jul 04, 2011 2:38 pm
- Location: New Orleans
You cannot use a cc pedal to control volume. While you can use the Kronos to do that, it would have been a primary function on this keyboard, should you decide to use its internal sounds. You can accomplish this with some external midi gear but, in my opinion, it should have been included as a basic "keyboard controller" function. Hopefully Casio will correct/add this in a future OS update. I believe there are 4 right now and the keyboard is early in its life cycle.
JP
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Kronos2-88, Behringer XR18, Turbosound IP2000 (x2), dbx DriveRack 260, KRK Rokit 8s, Mackie CFX16, Mackie SRM450(x2), Mackie SRS1500 (x2), BBE processors (x4), Roland VSR 880 (x2), Alto TS210, Alto TX10 (x3) and SoundForge
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Kronos2-88, Behringer XR18, Turbosound IP2000 (x2), dbx DriveRack 260, KRK Rokit 8s, Mackie CFX16, Mackie SRM450(x2), Mackie SRS1500 (x2), BBE processors (x4), Roland VSR 880 (x2), Alto TS210, Alto TX10 (x3) and SoundForge
- JPROBERTLA
- Senior Member
- Posts: 483
- Joined: Mon Jul 04, 2011 2:38 pm
- Location: New Orleans
BillW, does the pedal controller control the volume on the Privia also?
JP
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Kronos2-88, Behringer XR18, Turbosound IP2000 (x2), dbx DriveRack 260, KRK Rokit 8s, Mackie CFX16, Mackie SRM450(x2), Mackie SRS1500 (x2), BBE processors (x4), Roland VSR 880 (x2), Alto TS210, Alto TX10 (x3) and SoundForge
_________________________________________
Kronos2-88, Behringer XR18, Turbosound IP2000 (x2), dbx DriveRack 260, KRK Rokit 8s, Mackie CFX16, Mackie SRM450(x2), Mackie SRS1500 (x2), BBE processors (x4), Roland VSR 880 (x2), Alto TS210, Alto TX10 (x3) and SoundForge
No, it is injected into the MIDI signal from the Privia to the Kronos. I don't use any sounds from the Privia at all. The volume knob is all the way down on it. It's just a controller for the Kronos. I put the Privia on MIDI channel 2.JPROBERTLA wrote:BillW, does the pedal controller control the volume on the Privia also?
Korg Kronos 61 (2); Kurzweil PC4; Casio Privia PX-350m; Macbook Pro
If anyone has experience with both, how much of an upgrade in piano action and response is the PX-5S over the older PX-3?
Does the release velocity get transmitted through MIDI on the PX-5S? I currently have to turn the piano release noise way down on the Kronos to avoid annoyingly loud clunks during soft and slow passages when triggered from MIDI.
The sounds are much less of a consideration for me, though it would be nice to have better sounds as a backup to the Kronos than what my PX-3 provides.
Also, how much realism does a half-damper really add to a piano playing experience? I've never used one extensively enough at home to know what I might be missing.
Does the release velocity get transmitted through MIDI on the PX-5S? I currently have to turn the piano release noise way down on the Kronos to avoid annoyingly loud clunks during soft and slow passages when triggered from MIDI.
The sounds are much less of a consideration for me, though it would be nice to have better sounds as a backup to the Kronos than what my PX-3 provides.
Also, how much realism does a half-damper really add to a piano playing experience? I've never used one extensively enough at home to know what I might be missing.
Kronos 61, Kronos2-88, Hammond B3, Baldwin SD-10
I haven't played a PX-3, but I've seen it mentioned by others on the Keyboard Corner forum who made the switch that it was a big step up in both the action and the sounds.Zeroesque wrote:If anyone has experience with both, how much of an upgrade in piano action and response is the PX-5S over the older PX-3?
Does the release velocity get transmitted through MIDI on the PX-5S? I currently have to turn the piano release noise way down on the Kronos to avoid annoyingly loud clunks during soft and slow passages when triggered from MIDI.
The sounds are much less of a consideration for me, though it would be nice to have better sounds as a backup to the Kronos than what my PX-3 provides.
Also, how much realism does a half-damper really add to a piano playing experience? I've never used one extensively enough at home to know what I might be missing.
Korg Kronos 61
Casio PX-5S
MixCraft 6 Pro Studio
Casio PX-5S
MixCraft 6 Pro Studio
This topic is just what I needed to ask my question
Anyone has experience with low budget weighted keys controller?
I'm talking about used old masters and new crappy thing under €200. Can anyone tell me how 'crappy' they are? I'm really not interested in piano-ish realism or pogrammability, I only need a bunch of weighted keys and a single channel to send midi message to Kronos.
Some experiences or thoughts to share?

Anyone has experience with low budget weighted keys controller?
I'm talking about used old masters and new crappy thing under €200. Can anyone tell me how 'crappy' they are? I'm really not interested in piano-ish realism or pogrammability, I only need a bunch of weighted keys and a single channel to send midi message to Kronos.
Some experiences or thoughts to share?