Casio Privia PX-5S Pro Stage Piano

Comments about Casio Privia PX-5S Pro Stage Piano:

I purchased the PX5S about 3 months ago from Guitar Center. This keyboard is such a great value for the price. I had previously owned the PX3 for four years and I decided to "upgrade" to the PX5S based on reviews that I had read. The reviews cannot express the half of the enjoyment you will feel once you've taken time to play on this board. The features listed on the GC website provide the details and and specs you will want to explore, 88 keys, 4 zones (full keyboard programmable for each zone) each with an available arpeggiator and its own DSP, 6 sliders 4 knobs and 2 pedals all programmable with MIDI/CC for tons of expression possibilities. The 256 note polyphony available to Casio's AiR voice architecture can become a sonic arsenal either to layered patches or with phrases and MIDI SMF playability. The Casio/Privia website has great support for firmware upgrades, the free data/librarian editor software (an ABSOLUTE MUST to have with this board since you have on-screen programmability of every feature at your fingertips, plus the ability to build custom sets/data dumps, etc.). The online music forum and Facebook group has a community of friendly PX5S owners and enthusiasts. I joined immediately after my purchase and can say I have never seen such a more fun and knowledgable group of musicians that love this board. These folks love to share tips, tricks and even their own custom made stage settings, tones, patches, etc. Also, there are CASIO reps like Mike Martin that are there to answer any questions you might have about any of the features of the PX5S. I suggest you look up Youtube videos of Mike Martin either at NAMM or simply giving a tutorial so you can see this beast of a board in action. Lastly, if you are still unsure after reading reviews please seek our your nearest Guitar Center and go try and play the PX5S for a hands-on review. Just scroll through the pre-loaded stage settings and play with the knobs and sliders while you play. You will be amazed!!!

Comments about Casio Privia PX-5S Pro Stage Piano:

This is my first time stepping up into the privia lineup as I have been using the "WK" series since about 1997. The "AiR" engine is phenomenal-the piano sounds are authentic and the synth sounds are great too! Having the stage setups makes it very accessible to quickly get going; the hex layers and arpeggiators are VERY impressive! Haven't even begun to scratch the surface on what this bad boy can do but I'm extremely impressed!

Comments about Casio Privia PX-5S Pro Stage Piano:

I bought an "open box" unit, it was not operating when I got it. It had a need for new firmware, which I downloaded. It had 2 keys which got connected hung up somehow. I sent it back. Then I got a new one in an unopened box. This one is great! I figure that another brand of keyboard would cost at least double, like say a Yamaha CP-4 or CP-40. I have had this a few days now. The keyboard has nice piano action, and 88 keys. It has a synthesizer ability to do more than just a stage piano. I am trying to learn how to really use it, I will have to read the additional downloaded information.

Comments about Casio Privia PX-5S Pro Stage Piano:

For the price, you get a great full sized keyboard with lots of sounds. Customization is easy and vast, the board is incredibly lightweight, and beyond there being a lot of sounds, they're also very realistic.

But if feel is important to you, skip this. The moment my fingers hit the keys, I was ready to put this back in the box. The actual keys have a decent feel, but the action is terrible. I'm surprised Casio can even call this a semi-weighted keyboard. For those who are used to the feel of acoustic pianos, skip this and get a Roland or Yamaha.

Comments about Casio Privia PX-5S Pro Stage Piano:

What can I say about this thing other than if you need a keyboard with fantastic piano sounds and synth capabilities, I don't believe you will find anything better at this price point. The grand piano sounds really are top notch. It really does a great job of recreating the sound of a grand piano, even down to the sound of depressing the damper pedal. The control offered by the sliders and dials really lets you dial in the type of sound you want. I like that these also send midi messages so you can map them to your favorite VST or another keyboard. I've used the sliders to control the lower manual drawbars on my Hammond XK1c. Whenever I sit down to program new stage sets, I usually find out new things this keyboard can do; the customization you can accomplish with this thing is pretty incredible. I really can't recommend this keyboard enough. I've had it for 7 or 8 months now, and really I can't think of any flaws, at least in regards to how I use it. It's lightweight, sturdy, and full of features that will be appreciated by any gigging musician. I use it every week and it doesn't ever let me down.

Comments about Casio Privia PX-5S Pro Stage Piano:

This keyboard feels AMAZING, the touch is perfect. The sounds, especially the piano and wurlitzer are spot on. The organ is good, but you'll need an outboard Leslie or simulator to make it usable. The only downside for me (coming from a semi-weighted action) is trying to play organ and synth parts on what is essentially a weighted piano action.

Comments about Casio Privia PX-5S Pro Stage Piano:

We helped our daughter with a new keyboard, and this is the model she selected. She is a professional musician.
When my wife needed an new keyboard, I looked at the Casio and almost bought a less expensive model, but for only $200 more I could get this model. We are very satisfied.

Comments about Casio Privia PX-5S Pro Stage Piano:

Bought for my son who is a semi-pro jazz pianist for playing gigs at college. Is everything we were looking for. Very happy!