Casio PX3 update

[timwat]

For whatever it's worth, I thought I'd provide an ad hoc update on my PX3 experience to date.

 

I've been using it primarily as MIDI controller for Mainstage. With a Korg nanocontrol velcro'd to the left surface (after removing the volume knob), it's been working quite well. I just miss an expression pedal, but since 95% of my contemporary jazz gig is AP or EP, it's cool. Been using the internal sounds mostly for rehearsals.

 

Well, a regular monthly standards quintet gig rolled around and I felt too lazy to pack the laptop, interface, etc. So I just rolled the internal PX3 sounds into my little Yammie MG10/2, Carvin power amp, one Acme Low B1 (on a pole).

 

Shaved a little brilliance off the Casio's setting, added just a pinch of reverb, rolled off the highs a bit on the cabinet and EQ'd on the mixer to taste.

 

Very, very good results on AP and EPs. As the Kurzweil SP4-7 thread alludes to, a lot of it is just getting the perspective of the sound further out in the room. Getting the Acme off the floor decouples the low end a bit (the Acme has NO problem projecting more than ample bass), and tweaking the high and upper mid balance to fit the room was the last order of business.

 

Now to the nitpicker in me, there is still a bit of sustain weirdness and a "one-dimensional" character compared to my normal gig AP. But then, my normal gig AP is Ivory IG.

 

All to say, I was happy with the sound, I felt relaxed and inspired to play, and was able to take some of the tunes into some fun new directions, and overall have a very enjoyable gig.

 

I'll still haul out Mainstage and the rest of the gig rig for high-profile dates, but for these smaller winery-type events this works just fine.

[B3bluesman59]

I use my PX 3 for solo gigs and for gigging with two classic rock bands. I love this board....lightweight, excellent piano, electric piano, and good organ stuff too. For the price, the sounds, and the weight...well, I think it is the best board out there.

[NBrooks]

Thanks, that's very helpful to know. A thought I've been having recently is whether it makes sense to buy a board under one's budget and instead splash the cash on decent speakers. For example, I'm considering something like an FP-7F (using onboard speakers), but thinking that maybe, all things considered, a PX3+Awesome Speakers would be a better buy?

[pizzafilms]

Thanks for the info.

 

I've been thinking of picking up one of the Casio's for piano action controller to add to my Novation SLMK2 (for synth action) for use with Mainstage. I just with it was USB bus powered instead of dealing with another power supply.

[timwat]

Yes, I dig, pizzafilms. But since I use a MacBook Pro and this version only has two USBs - one goes for my iLok, and the other goes for my nanocontrol - well, I'm left using the MIDI in on my UltraLite, which thankfully is FW bus powered.

 

nBrooks, everyone's needs are different and since none of my boards have ever had internal speakers I can't speak from experience how much more convenient / useful they'd be to me. For me the key was KB feel and price - I didn't have a lot of bread to spend on, say, an SV1 or CP-series board. And there were inexpensive solutions for what the PX3 lacked. So it's not ideal - I suppose kronos-envy suggests that unit would be "ideal" - but I'm still not in the market to spend that much bread on hardware. I will say this - the PX3 through my Acmes sound better than a CP5 through a KB combo amp.