Review of Casio Privia PX-5S

The new Privia PX-5S has been engineered to redefine the stage piano category with optimised sound quality and performance features in a lightweight design that is highly portable. Featuring Hex-Layer technology, tone editing, insert effects, MIDI controller capabilities, an 88-key, tri-sensor scaled hammer action II keyboard and weighing in at just 24 lbs, the Privia PX-5S is ideal for onstage use.

At the heart of the PX-5S is Casio’s proprietary AiR sound source, which provides enhanced realism and has been expanded to provide optimum fidelity and control over other instrument tones and effects.

The PX-5S is also a powerful four-zone controller, complete with four knobs and six 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.

Class compliant USB MIDI also allows Privia digital pianos to be used with Mac or Windows and can be used as a controller for Apple iPad simply with the use of Apple’s Camera Connection Kit.

Andy Carvill, EMI Sales Division Manager:

The Privia Pro Px-5S is a new breed of stage piano, and combines an arsenal of fully editable sounds, huge MIDI controller capabilities and an incredible 88-note scaled hammer action keyboard. The operation is centred around 100 configurable stage settings, with stage settings allowing up to four zones at once, along with control of the sliders, knobs, wheels and pedals. Coupled with some seriously good Privia grand piano sounds, the PX-5S features all new vintage electric pianos which, when combined with the multiple zones of the PX-5S, means you can easily combine sounds together.

The Hex-Layer sounds, derived from Casio’s XW Synth range, allow you to combine up to six components in one single sound. Plus, the real-time control on the PX-5S allows you to manipulate each one of those layers in real-time. Adding to the sonic diversity of the PX-5S are four independent Arpeggiators – one for each zone.

Or perhaps you prefer the Phrase Sequencer, with 100 built-in patterns and room for 900 of your own, either way the possibilities are incredible.

For loading and saving audio files, there is easy USB drive access, plus stereo audio can be recorded directly to disc. A downloadable data editor is available for Mac and PC platforms.

All these amazing features, along with the clearly apparent style of the PX-5S, are packed into an incredibly light, 11.1kg. Quite simply, a stunningly portable and capable piano.

Facts and figures:

RRP £999.99

Keys: 88 Tri-sensor Scaled Hammer Action Keyboard II

Sound Source: Multi-dimensional AIR

Polyphony: 256 Note

Tones: 370 Presets + 350 User

Stage Settings: 100 User / 4 zone configuration

Control: 6 knobs, 6 sliders, pitch and mod wheel, 2 x pedal

Effects: 4-band EQ & Compressor

Weight: 11.1kg

Contacts:

Address: Casio Electronics Co Ltd, Unit 6, 1000 North Circular Road. London. NW2 7JD.

Telephone: 020 8208 7829

For all enquiries, please contact your Casio Sales Executive, email emienquiries@casio.co.uk or call 020 8208 7829.