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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.

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.

Can you elaborate on that? As I see it, all those knobs and sliders ARE continuous controllers. (As is the mod wheel.)

I think a Kronos 61 and a PX-5S are a great combination.
About the CC# function:

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.

Maybe a second look into the manual should solve this?

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.

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

Another solution could be to use the MIDI Solutions Pedal Controller.

If I am not mistaken this has release velocity, but the A88 does not. That for me would be a deal breaker. My rp301 has the same keyed as the A88 but no release velocity and it just doesn't sound right to me, without it.

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.

The PX-5S and Kronos 61 is the setup I've been using for several months. The action is so much better than the Kronos 88.

I'm using the PX-350 with a Kronos 61...great pair. I have a MIDI Solutions Pedal Controller in the MIDI chain between the Privia and the Kronos to inject an expression pedal...works like a champ.

BillW, does the pedal controller control the volume on the Privia also?

JPROBERTLA wrote:BillW, does the pedal controller control the volume on the Privia also?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?