Casio PX-130BK user reviews ( 9/10) - 3 user reviews

• 12/06/11

  songboy's review "Exceptional Feel for Low price"

  Characteristics

  This keyboard has the full 88 keybed. The only connections on this unit are 1/4" headphone outputs, USB and a sustain jack. One big complaint by people is that it does not have a dedicated Line output. It does however have built in speakers. The PX 130 only has Grand Piano and Electric Piano sounds. And the only effect was a reverb selector. Both sounds and effects cannot be edited.

  Utilization

  This is as simple as it gets in terms of setup and use from a digital instrument. Simply plug it in to your wall, turn it on, and play. Some may argue that the lack of sounds and effects is a bad thing but I bought this unit for practice purposed only and I love its simplicity. I have never needed to look at the manual and I do not intend to as this can be figured out in minutes, maybe even seconds. There are only a few buttons to select which piano patch you want (two acoustics, one electric).

  Sounds

  Coming out of the built in speakers, the sounds are not really that realistic. Coming out of a nicer PA or set up bookshelf speakers, they are quite better. Overall, I didn't but this unit for its sound quality. That's why you need to spend $2000 or more for a nice Nord. This piano was bought because it was inexpensive and it has excellent feel and expressiveness. I was truly surprised to feel such a nice keybed at a piano found in stores like Best Buy. So much that I bought one. I won't argue that this is a replacement for a real piano, but if you are like me and don't own your home, but want to be able to practice on a nice instrument and keep up your chops when you are away from your main rig, then this is perfect for you. It weighs under 30 lbs. for easy travel too.

  Overall Opinion

  What I like most about this unit is the feel of the action. Although not exactly like a real piano, it offers surprisingly convincing feel for under $500. In fact, it is far better than the Korg TR I sold awhile back, and that cost over $2000 brand new. I can't say that I personally dislike anything about it. The samples are not great but they certainly do the job in terms of practice and the unit is quite expressive. This is my first Casio weighted keyboard and I have to say, I'm a fan. Yes, I would definitely buy this again. I recommend it to all my friends who want there kids to start the piano but don't want to deal with all the work of a real piano.
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• 06/26/11

  Anonymous 's review "The best way to get into 88-key digitals"

  Characteristics

  This generation of Casio digital pianos has made me a huge proponent of them, over even the popularly preferred Yamaha pianos and certainly over the Korgs. I own the PX-330, but when in Thailand, with nothing to do but shop for pianos, I kept on gravitating towards the PX-130 over its competitors time and time again.
  
  
  
  First off, it's nice to know that there are two headphone jacks, so two people can listen or play without disturbing anyone. Next, it does include USB MIDI connectivity to the computer, so it can be used as a MIDI controller. It is an entry level piano, and as such lacks pitch bends and mod wheels. However, considering its older brother, the PX-330 fitting where it fits (see my review of the PX-330) the PX-130 fills a very nice niche: people who just want to play piano! The PX-130 features 16 sounds, but the piano sounds are the only ones that really matter anyway, so that's what I'll be reviewing!

  Utilization

  I think this is one of the most simple to use keyboards on the market. The main features, like the pianos, are accessible with their own dedicated buttons. However, several functions are located on the keybed. You just pair the function key with the labeled key, and BAM! Instant gratification. The nice thing about this keyboard is that it makes it easy to do these things, without overwhelming the user with these functions. Despite the fact that its older brother, the PX-330 (which I own), has more dedicated controls, the single-layered simplicity of the 130 definitely makes it much more workable than the 330 I own.
  
  
  
  The fact that they are labeled also gives it a distinct advantage over the Korg SP170. The SP170 is a very appealing machine aesthetically, but it cannot compare with the Casio's usability in any way at all.

  Sounds

  Since this is a very basic piano, Casio just jammed the 16 cream-of-the-crop-every-piano-needs-these-sounds sounds into it. That means that unlike my PX-330 and its largely inspirational, but sometimes pathetic and superfluous sounds, pretty much every sound on the PX-130 is usable, although quite corny at times. (I'm looking at you, organs.) The best ones are obviously the pianos, but the first E.piano and the strings are also quite good. There's really nothing else to say about the sound, except that the reverb and brilliance are also adjustable via the function key.
  
  
  
  The touch and feel of the PX-130 is excellent. Despite Yamaha's reputation for holding that throne, I find that because Yamaha makes acoustic pianos, their digital pianos strive to emulate the keybeds of their acoustics. Personally (it may be different for all of you), I find the Yamaha pianos to have very abrupt action. Crisp, but very grating at times. The PX-130 has just that right level of sponginess. Growing up on a Steinway baby grand, I appreciate lightness, but the Yamaha's in my opinion take it a bit too far.
  
  
  
  I also want to mention that the PX-130 has a standard 128-note polyphony. The Yamaha P95, which costs more, has only 64. This difference can be crippling when playing thick passages or when layering different instruments.

  Overall Opinion

  The PX-130 is a great way to get into the world of digital pianos. It offers a no-frills experience to those who just want to play, and a simple and intuitive interface for those who want to tweak just a little bit. If you're the more adventurous type, check out the PX-330, which for all intents and purposes, is the same piano with more buttons and sounds and a better stage-piano flair.
  
  
  
  I still encourage you to try the other brands, as pianos are quite subjective. In this generation, the Casio line dominates the sub $1k market for me. However, it is up to you to decide.
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• 11/17/11

  andremilton's review ( translated ) Improve this translation " I love it!"

  Characteristics

  How many octaves?
  
  
  
  88 Keys
  
  
  
  What connection (Audio, MIDI, pedals ...)? ...
  
  
  
  2 headphone jacks (small jack)
  
  1 USB port
  
  1 sustain pedals included
  
  An external power supply included
  
  
  
  How many sounds effects available? Are ditables?
  
  
  
  16 sounds: two pianos. I did not push too hard I just have it.

  Utilization

  The touch keyboard is it enjoyable? Should your use?
  
  
  
  Previously I played on a MIDI controller keyboard M-Audio Keystation 88es, and if we can compare my old clio a keyboard, this one is a bentley! This is the very first time I have a keyboard with touch heavy and it's really enjoyable trs. Apparently they tudi mcanisme the bottom of the hammer for this type of piano and although it does not cost 1300 euros, the same keyboard for high-end privia MODELS. There is a little game while latral the keys like a real piano. I jou numrique Roland on the piano from my boss this afternoon and I find the touch of casio harder.
  
  
  
  The manual is clear and sufficient? ...
  
  
  
  Since the time I was waiting I have not read the manual but it is standard and the scores of the DMOS (Chopin, Mozart ...) come with.
  
  
  
  The configuration gnrale Is it easy?
  
  The select MIDI channels, patch is easy?
  
  
  
  Because there is no LCD screen configuration is not simple, there are only 6 buttons to configure the effects etc. must be combinations of these buttons and keys on the piano . At the same time a piano is not a workstation numrique Motif XS8 (snif. ... rve my c'tait)
  
  
  
  The select MIDI channels, patch is easy?
  
  
  
  Everything has it's Chinese to me. I press power and go!

  Sounds

  The sounds they agree your style of music?
  
  
  
  I'm probably not the best judge on this, but I find the correct sounds and at worst if one day they bored me, I connect via USB on my PC for it to play virtual instruments.
  
  
  
  Are ralistes?
  
  What are the sounds you prfrez, you dtest? ...
  
  
  
  The acoustic pianos and electric organs are for me, trs good.
  
  
  
  The expression is good? (Raction VLOC the aftertouch)?
  
  
  
  No comparison with my old keyboard.

  Overall Opinion

  How long have you use it?
  
  
  
  2 Days
  
  
  
  Have you tried many other models before acqurir?
  
  
  
  I did not try it even then not.
  
  
  
  What is the particular feature you like best and least?
  
  
  
  The +.
  
  
  
  Quality of touch, I can not find it too ugly too white for my part I have not taken the stand and gives a very modern look:) sounds that suit me well trs, and I test a lot with my old master keyboard.
  
  
  
  The -.
  
  
  
  Ergonomics to apply effects or to accder DIFFERENT sounds via key combinations. 3 basic sounds (modern piano, classical piano, elec piano), however, are directly accessible.
  
  
  
  The speakers do not hold water.
  
  
  
  About the least I have clearly not bought the piano for these points, since at the level of sound quality I just plug it into speakers or headphones. For ergonomics is when even a drop of water compared the quality of touch.
  
  
  
  How do you report qualitprix?
  
  With the exprience, you do again this choice? ...
  
  
  
  I pay 429 euros all included with a DVD of 630 partitions. I think that level of quality over price, there is no better for a 88-key hammer keyboard with real hammers it.
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