From simon@alphabeck.co.uk Thu Nov 30 12:42:27 2006
Subject:Re: The Casio "Stigma" & Some Band Gripes ( Was[CWSG] Re: Piano sound????)

Back in the late '80s to mid '90s I used a 5-octave Casio CPS-101 electronic (not sampled) piano as a MIDI controller, driving a Yamaha EMT-10 sampled piano/strings module and a Casio CZ-101 synth, the latter mostly for organ and brass sounds. Apart from the bland but adequate "electric piano" sound, I never used the CPS's onboard sounds. Quite early on I got a Rhodes sticker from the Roland stand at a music show and stuck it over the Casio logo on the audience side of the CPS. I often had people coming up to me and commenting on my "great Rhodes sound" - ironically the electric piano sound from the Yamaha module was pretty feeble and tinkly, even blended with the chunkier sound from the Casio, so it must have been all in their minds!

But I've been using Casios since they first appeared in the early '80s (I bought a CT-202 direct from Casio UK in 1981), and they have never let me down, always provided great value for money and (with the possible exception of the CPS-101) been professional-standard instruments with sound quality way beyond their price or popular reputation.

The WK-3x00 series is no exception. Casio should isolate the sound engine and package it as a cheaper alternative to the Nord Electro. It's got the best drawbar organ simulator and electric piano sounds available at the price. Hey, that's why I bought one.

Simon "Butterfingers" Beck
London, UK