Casio | MZ-X500 61-keys Arranger Keyboard

The new flagship model of Casio Keyboard lineup has given the arranger keyboard a bright future.

• 61 keys with Touch Response, 128 Polyphony
• 1150 Tones and 330 Rhythms
• 20W＋20W

Features

Professional sound quality

Over 1,100 high-quality built-in tones*support professional level performances in virtually any musical genre.

*900 tones with MZ-X300.

A compilation of Versatile Tones is also available to reproduce realistic guitar harmonics, bass glissando and other tonal variations characteristic of stringed instrument fingering.

A Tone Edit function supports intuitive sound production with simple knob operation. Users can draw on a selection of 20 effects to transform sounds dramatically.

Virtual Tone Wheel Organ
CASIO’s refined digital technologies faithfully reproduce the old mechanical tone wheel organ sounds that are popular among rock and jazz fans. Not only the peculiar tremors of the organ’s rotary speakers, but even its leakage noise, are accurately replicated. The developers' devotion to duplicating the deep, heavy resonance of the traditional tone wheel organ has generated a rich supply of flavorful sounds.

Hex Layer and Synth
A built-in Hex Layer (MZ-X500 only) overlays up to six different tones to produce polyphonic sound that contributes to powerful musical expression. A Bass Synth function that generates monophonic sound and portamento reminiscent of traditional analog synthesizers is also built in.

Powerful rhythms

The traditional rhythms of Latin, European, Middle Eastern, Asian and other cultures around the world are incorporated along with such enduring favorites as rock, jazz and pops rhythms. Players can also set automatic accompaniment functions such as Auto Fill-in, Break, Intro/Ending and Synchro Start/Stop to produce their envisioned performances to perfection. The system’s ability to handle tension chords as well makes it easy for players to incorporate technical arrangements into their performances.

Pattern Sequencer
The Pattern Sequencer permits users to set and save original back-up styles. Besides providing accompaniment for solo instrumental and vocal performances, it serves as a second member of the band to manage guitar, drum, strings or other parts.

Pattern Converter
The Pattern Converter converts SMF data to rhythm data in the MZ-X Series format that can then be imported freely into the keyboard.

16 Multi Pads(MZ-X500)

16 blue LED touch-response pads*are incorporated to create new performance dimensions.
*4 phrase pads with MZ-X300

Sampling
High-quality sampling is enabled at 44.1 kHz via the LINE IN or MIC IN terminal. Users can assign sounds to the pads as audio samples.
Various percussion sounds have been sampled and built in as pad tone presets, and the 16 touch-response pads can be used to add percussion arrangements to keyboard performances.

Phrase
Players can use the touch-response pads to insert original preset phrases or any of the numerous built-in phrases suited to various musical genres into performances. When chords are specified in the Auto Accompaniment Mode, appropriate phrases are integrated naturally into the performance when the chords are played, deepening the music's expressive power.
An original CASIO articulation function permits modification of sound production nuances during performances.

Chord
Chord progressions can be preset for automatic accompaniment. Chords can also be assigned to the 16 pads according to a song's progression. The ability to modify chords simply by pressing a pad lets players devote both hands to the melody or to ad lib freely.

Color Touch LCD

The 13.46cm (5.3") color touch LCD affords intuitive operation. Touch control makes it surprisingly easy to call up impressive sounds and rhythms, and to adjust synth and effector parameters quickly and freely in real time. Users can leverage inspiration obtained through live shows and music production in their performances and compositions.
The cockpit design has the operation buttons and display laid out in front of the performer. Substantial improvements in display visibility and pad and knob operability provide smooth, stress-free control.

Speakers

Originally developed 20W + 20W high-capacity speakers are incorporated in a unilateral 4.3L 2-way bass reflex system. With a 4-band parameter equalizer enabling finely detailed sound adjustment, moreover, users achieve impressive, high-quality sound production whenever and wherever they perform.

Others

Audio Recorder
A built-in Audio Recorder saves players’ performances to USB flash memory as audio data. A Center Cancel function is installed to enable players to cancel or suppress central sounds such as vocals or instrumental solos contained in an audio file.
Format: WAV (16-bit, 44.1 kHz, stereo)

User Expansion Memory
A large-capacity user memory enables players to save original tones and rhythms in the keyboard for use in later performances.
(MZ-X500: 256MB / MZ-X300: 128MB)

Versatile Terminals
LINE IN, MIDI and other pedal terminals exhibit expandable expression enhancement. Externally input mic or audio device effects can also be applied.

Specifications