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I am seriously considering buying for $700.00 a Casio PX330 to replace my 4 year old Casio 100. It sounds louder with better piano samples than my 100. However, I would play them mano a mano at home for a while, to compare the piano samples and the touch, as the dealer is very helpful. What do you folks think of this piano/keyboard, especially considering the price point, which is very important to me? I am also considering buying the H2 Zoom Digital Recorder so I can use the mikes or input functions to make mp3 files. Any thoughts? Thanks so much in advance.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Can't comment on the Casio, but I own an H2 and I love it. Not sure what you mean by "input functions". It does have an input jack to accomodate an external mic. I guess I'm not sure if you could connect the line out from the DP to the line in jack on the recorder, I've never tried that.

There's a long thread discussing the new Privias here at the forum. Look here: https://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ubb...ew%20PX%20130,%20PX%20330,%20PX%207.html


The samples and touch are indeed better, since I can feel and hear a significant improvement in my PX-730 compared to the PX-720, which was from the previous generation. I believe your PX-100 is from an even earlier generation.

Regarding the H2 Zoom Digital Recorder, honestly, getting one defeats the purpose (or at least one of the purposes) of buying a DP. One of the functions of digital pianos is MIDI output (data of notes recorded from your DP). MIDI data can be transferred over to the computer, edited, and output as MP3 or any other format. The sound will be much cleaner than if you used a mic to record from the DP as the mic will pick up artifacts (from the speakers, environment...), while MIDI data stores notes only so the resulting MP3 file will be as good as your performance and tweaks. External recorders are best suited for acoustic pianos.

P.S. It's now much more convenient to transfer MIDI data from DP to computer due to the built-in USB ports in the the new Privia models. Before, you had to buy a MIDI to USB device.

If price is an issue why not the px130 for $200 less. The keyboard and piano sounds are identical. I guess you must want the other features.


The H2 is an expensive way to make MP3 files because it has a microphone that you don't need. If you already own a computer you may find that all you need is a USB cable (and software) or a simple audio interface. But the H2 does allow you to capture the audio without a computer.

Speaking of the px 120 and 130. Does Casio release a new PX DP every single year? So next august we will see the release of the px140? I would hope not, but that's the vibe I'm getting.

I ask because that would be a consideration in your DP purchasing choice, I would think.

Thanks so much for all the helpful replies so far.

First, The PX 330 seemed to sound louder with deeper bass tones than the 130 to me. Are the speakers bigger in the 330? They look like they are. Is the amperage different? My main interest is in the variety of piano samples in the 330.

Next, When I play the MIDI recording back, it uses whatever sound/tone generator the host computer/listener has. I want my recordings to be in MP3 format so MY actual piano sample is being heard. I know of no other way to do this but to use something like an H2 Zoom or similar product. I wondered if a direct connection from the DP to the Zoom would give better sound fidelity. But, the H2 Zoom has 1/8th inch inputs. My current Casio PX100 has two 1/8th headphone outs, but this does not seem like a good idea. Even if I owned the PX330, the Ext Aud Out is 1/4 inch. Great for going to an amp, but if the Casio is loud enough, I won't need an amp. Still the recording problem remains. My friend suggests I listen to sound samples of the small digital recorders at Wingfieldaudio.com. He suggests that the Sony versions are more costly but better.

What do you folks think?

Best,

Sandy

As far as the Zoom or other digital recorders, I would only invest in one of these if you also need to record an acoustic piano or need the portability.

It would be a better investment to buy a USB or Firewire audio interface and the correct cables to go from the line out (not headphones out) of the Privia to the inputs on this interface. I use a Firebox to do this and it also gives me MIDI input for us with Reaper running Galaxy II as a VSTi.

From the manual for the H2, it looks like it will work as an audio interface. It will not give you MIDI features, however. Note that you can typically find decent USB audio interfaces for about $100 and up.

Rich

According to the Privia website, the PX-130 and PX-330 both have two 13cm x 6cm speakers, 8 watts each.

The PX-330 seems to have "Line Out" outputs on it, one left and one right, both 1/4". Your computer sound card most likely has a "Line In" input which is a single stereo 1/8" connection.

A cable such as this should do the trick:

http://www.amazon.com/Live-Wire-TRS-Dual-Cable/dp/B001G7HDKQ

Then you could record the sound of your keyboard on the computer, even using a freeware audio program such as Audacity.

Two very helpful responses. Thanks.

Let me see if I understand you. If I use Audacity, which I have now, and the Y cable you mentioned from the new Privia to the sound card, then, all I need to do is play/send the recorded tune on the Privia to Audacity, and I will get the EXACT piano sample sound from my keyboard. I would bypass MIDI altogether.


Do I have that right? If so, that would be terrific. No need for mikes/audio digital recorders.

(Now that I think of it, I currently use Audacity to record cassette tapes on direct input and it works fine, as long as my tape deck has a choice of mic and other out).

Eagerly awaiting your response. Thanks a lot.

Sandy

Do you think that Sean M.'s suggestion, which I responded too, would work well? I would not need any further hardware, it would seem.

Sandy

Yes exactly correct. The quality of the recording will be limited only by the quality of your computer's audio input interface.

The sound will be better then you could do by mic'ing the speaker but depending on how good the computer's audio input is you may find you want to upgrade to a better quality USB audio interface. Try it and see.

The advantage of going through MIDI is that you bypass your Casio samples and can use much higher quality samples from a third party. But if you want to record your piano's samples the direct to computer method will do that.

The US Casio site shows they are the same but this spec comparison shows that they are different. The px-130 has one round 12cm speaker per channel and the px-330 has the 13cm x 6cm speaker and a 5cm round speaker per channel.

But, in any case, the sound out of the built in speakers is not nearly as good as through headphones or good powered monitors. I have the px-330 and mostly use headphones when I practice even though I don't have to worry about being quiet or about external noise. They just sound so much better.

Maybe Mike Martin can clear it up? Now I'm curious what they have. I'm going to check my 330 when I get home.

Oolong is correct about the extra speakers on the PX330. I checked the specs in the manual at the dealer.

Using Audacity, I ran from the 3.55 mm headphones out on my PX100 (The only audio outs I have on it)to my Live Value audio card. I thought the sound could be better. Some clipping I believe, I adjusted the volume, which seemed to help somewhat.

Can I assume that the 1/4 inch outs from the PX330 to my live card (converting to 3.55mm at the stereo input/line in) will give me better sound? I would think that headphones out gave different audio/electronic properties than 1/4 inch outs.

Finally, for the 700 bucks (plus, I may be able to get 15% off) do you folks have any other DP recommendations?

Thanks so much for your help thus far. You guys have been great.

Sandy

Sanfyman,
Depends on what you want on your DP, and how much you want to spend? In the $700 range, the Casio is probably your best bet for a weighted piano. You could look at the used market, but be careful here. Unless you're willing to consider the Williams pianos or an unweighted synth, you're would be looking at spending more money for a Roland or Yamaha. If you have $1200, the Yamaha P-155 is a good choice. You won't get the sounds or accompaniment, but you could do that in software hooked up to a computer.

For that price I took a look at sweetwater. The absolutely best bang for the buck is:

Korg SP250

In Europe, Korg SP250 normally goes for about 700 €. It's a heavy beast if you want to carry it around, 19 kg. But it has the (click link) most fantastic keyboard for that price.

The only drawback compared to the Privia, is that you loose those 200 non-piano voices. Some people has complained that the Korg SP250 has a little weaker sound compared to Yamahas, but nevertheless people has bought the Korg, because of the excellent, realistic feeling keyboard.

When I tried it out in the shop, I liked the soft sound of the Korg SP250 and would say that the sound was better than my Yamaha P-85 and I agree that the Korg has a better keyboard than the P-85.

I guess everything boils down to; if you want to hear nice music while playing or if you want to train your fingers for the most acoustic piano-like keyboard possible?

*

I would like to hear someone else's opinion about the sound of the Korg SP250 as it has only 1-level sampling, and the PX-330 has 4-levels of sampling.

The Yamaha P-85, of which I own two (along with a CP-300 and HP-1700 that are too heavy to gig with) has a reasonably realistic action, and a very good piano sound.

I use my P-85's for gigging, both for controlling an arranger or workstation, as well as utilizing it's internal sounds.

Best bang for the buck out there, in my opinion.

As you see, there will be many opinions on what to get, so, my advice would be to spend some time playing different instruments, and find what gives you the best combination of piano sound and realistic feel, for the amount you have to spend.

Yamaha's also fetch better selling prices and higher trade in values compared to Casio; you will probably want something else in a few years time, so it is something to consider.

Snazzy

I would say that my P-85 has:

- weak speakers
- some of the black keys are not 100% proportional weighted
- few voices (I lack honky tonk / jazz piano)
- only 1-level sampling sound

My guess is that you use external speakers, which might give a better sound from the P-85?

The P-85 is good for carrying around, it is light.

Yamaha's also fetch higher selling prices and same trade in values compared to Casio; you will probably want something else in a five years time, so any $700 DP today will sell for at most $200 at that time.

Yep, and I bet that's why you bought your Yamaha P-85.

I've had no issues with my P-85's as far as the actions....speakers could be better, but for the price, they are more than adequate.

The piano sound works fine for classical and jazz, in my opinion, and Honky Tonk is so '20's.

To me these cheap pianos like the P-85 and PX-330 are like BIC lighters...use them for time, give them to the needy (or your kids, or the ex-wife), and then buy a new model.

My CP-300 and HP-1700 are keepers.

Snazzy

Thanks, Galaxy4t,

I sold my Casio PX 100 yesterday and bought the Casio PX330 locally just today. I've still to try it out in my house (in about 5 minutes I will). For 600 bucks I feel pretty good about the bang for my buck. I also ordered the black wooden keyboard stand for stability.

Just found out that there are more than two piano sounds on the Casio accessed by using the arrow keys. The other sounds (voices), except for the drums, I will probably never use.

I'll let you guys know what I think of it. I understand that it's a Casio, but for my needs, playing and composing music to record, I'm thinking I will be happy. There is a three day return policy.

I may need to get a newer audio card and a USB MIDI interface. Hopefully, with Audacity, I won't need an H2 Zoom or something similar.

Thanks to all you folks for your help. I'll get back to you.

Best,

Sandy

I cannot get Audacity to recognize my Casio 330 through my USB out port (or the Midi cables). I decided not to use the sound card for input because it is tinny and does not replicate the Casio's piano samples. I am experimenting with a borrowed copy of Cubase LE4. My computer seems to have the proper drivers for the Casio built into XP, and there is a driver update from Casio which I could use, if needed.

I'm wondering if Audacity is capable of handling direct USB computer input. Do they have technical support for this free ware?

It sounds like there is some confusion. The USB interface on your PX-330 operates in two modes: MIDI or data transfer. It does not send an audio signal. Only the "Line Out" connections on your PX-330 can do that.

Audacity only records audio signals, so it is not the program to use if you are using the USB interface on your PX-330. It is a program you can use if you're using the "Line Out" interface.

If you use the USB interface in MIDI mode, you can only send MIDI signals to your computer. These signals are just data about which note was played, and how hard the key was struck. Your computer then generates the piano sound. You can have your computer do this "in real time" as you play the PX-330, and/or tell your computer to record the MIDI data about as you play. Then your computer can play it back later -- again generating the piano sounds on its own. This will not be the piano sound from your PX-330.

You can also use the "record" feature on your PX-330 to record what you play. It will then generate a MIDI file and saved it to the PX-330's memory. Set your PX-330's USB interface to data transfer mode, and you can copy this MIDI file to your computer and play it back there. Like the above scenario, when you play it back, the computer will generate the piano sound. (I believe you can also use the PX-330's memory card slot to copy a MIDI file from the PX-330 to the computer.)

MIDI will not replicate the piano samples from your PX-330. If you really want to record the piano samples from your PX-300, you'll have to use the "Line Out" audio interface, connected to the "Line In" on your computer (or another audio-recording device.) Though depending on what software you're using on your computer, if you go the MIDI route you might find something that generates an even nicer piano sound than the PX-330 does. Check out, for example, this YouTube video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byuW6xU4b2g

It's a Privia, but he's recorded only the MIDI data, and the sound is actually generated from a computer program which, in my opinion, sounds better than the built-in Privia sounds. But that is just a matter of opinion.

Very helpful response.

My main effort is to record my playing with the Casio 330 samples for later conversion to mP3 or burned to a CD. The clerk at the store was showing me a Tascam with USB etc. for $129.00 to avoid using my sound card. When I told him about the USB out, and he read the 330 manual, he thought I could avoid buying additional hardwrae and just record the audio to software. I have Audacity. The line in for Audacity is from the sound card only, as far as I can tell. The sound is totally unacceptable. Now I am trying out Cubase LE4. I started to read the manual. Will this allow me to record audio? (I'm not needing a MIDI recorder, as I have Cakewalk). If not, I will have to buy the Tascam or H2 Zoom etc. In the future, I might consider MIDI samples. I have looked at Akoustik Piano, and they now make newer and different piano samples. I'd appreciate your continued thoughts on this complicated post.

Best,

Sandy

Sandy,
You would want to use the Line Out Jacks from the 330 and run direct into your computer Line In on the sound card. But this will not produce the best sound as you found out. So you can buy an audio interface such as what you were looking at for $129 and connect your 330 line outs to that and connect your audio interface into your computer. This will be your sound card and should also fix any latency issues. You can then record into Audacity and save as an MP3. The USB port on the 330 is strictly to transfer MIDI files from your computer into the piano memory or from the piano to the computer. But it is a MIDI file that will need VISTI plug ins to sound decent.

Hi Sandy,

If you want to record the piano samples from your PX-330 you're going to have to use the "Line Out" interface on the PX-330 and connect it to the "Line In" interface on your computer. This is true for Audacity, as it is for Cubase. And if your computer's hardware is the limiting factor here -- i.e. the reason why the records are "totally unacceptable" -- then it won't matter if you use Audacity or Cubase.

Unless your computer is extremely old, I am surprised that the recordings sound THAT bad. Double check that you are using your computers "Line In" connection and not the one for the Microphone. And open your audio properties to make sure Line In is the device it'll record from, and adjust the input level to make sure the signal's not being amplified too much or too little by the computer.

Sean,

I will try what you say. But, the limiting factor I believe is my SB Live Value Sound Card in an older PCI slot. I don't know that a newer card would do much better. I have an AMD 64 Windows XP system with 2 gigs ram.

Price wise, I may be better off buying the Tascam US 122L than a new audio card.

Always open to opinions from you guys. I'll get back to you.

Regards,

Sandy

Although this may be totally wrong, the research I've done on sound cards are said to have changed very little during the years, unless if you're using VERY old slot cards, which do LOOK old (the slots are huge :D). I was attempting to upgrade/build a new computer and was in search for the latest and greatest sound card as I thought it was evolving just as much a CPU would be, but alot of users said otherwise. I'm not sure if they are strictly referring to the peripheral aspect such as connecting speakers or the software side such as being able to upload data through devices without the loss of quality.

If extra research would be optional for you, you could ask the various hardware computer forums and see what type of feedback you would get. It usually ends up solving all if not most of your questions.

From my contact with recording musicians, I am satisfied that you are correct about the lack of advancement in sound cards. You may be referring to the old IDE peripheral slots with their older and poorer quality sound cards. Regardless, I'm told that the headroom for all sound cards with respect to audio recording is narrow. I will try again to input my keyboard outs to the sound card input, but I am not optimistic about the quality of the sound after my first experience. I will get back to the List with my results.

Thanks for your response.

sandy

Well, my latest foray into Audacity with my PX330 with a small change in audio connections is not as bad as it was before. Still, it is not really good enough for me, at least, if I want to record my own compositions. I get no clippng as before, but many notes sound tinny or more bell-like. For a quick record it's not too bad. I will try out my Tascam US122L in a little while. If the sound is not markedly better, I'll return it and try something else.

I very much appreciate the help from you well informed folks. I'll let you know what the Tascam does for me, if you're still interested. Gotta learn how to use it first.

Best,

Sandy

I've slipped into analysis paralysis over the past week on keyboards. I want solid sound, good sustaining pedal action, and a decent look. I am currently (since it changes every day) between the Casio PX330 and Yamaha P85. I have carpet and a small entryway through which to get a keyboard. For stability purposes on carpet, it seems with the P85 I would need the solid stand and the optional pedals. Would I need both with the PX330?

I ordered the black wooden stand for my Casio PX330. I expect it will be as sturdy as the wooden stand that came with my old Casio PX100 which was also always on carpet. I think it requires screwing the stand into the sides of the keyboard somewhere. With the PX100, the plastic end caps had to be removed first. The wooden stand reduces the portability dramatically. Also, I think Casio has available the three pedal option as well.

I've never played the P85, although I probably should have. Not sure if the rival piano store in town has one. I suggest you play both, if you have not already. Also, look for a decent return policy just in case.

One thing about the Casio 330 is it has a variety of outputs/inputs and an SD memory card input. I don't know if the P85 has these, or if you even need them.

Good luck!

Sandy

And the action on the PX-330 is not as heavy as it was on the PX-320, which was one important factor that led me to prefer the P-85 at the time. The 320 and 330 undoubtedly have more features than the P-85, so now the difference to the P-85 mainly boils down to how the speakers perform and what the piano sound is like.

I still like the P-85, but the PX-330 seems to be a big improvement over the PX-320...

I spoke to a customer at the piano store yesterday, and he does gigs jammin with digital pianos. He tried the P85 and the PX330. He clearly liked the keyboard of the P85 better than the 330, for his purposes. I'm satisfied with the 330, and I could not appreciate the difference which was very clear to him.

Just thought I'd post this to help you guys out in your decision making.

Sandy

It's great to hear that you are satisfied with the 330. I just recently placed an order for the px-330 so its a relief to still hear happy customers. Should be arriving in a couple of weeks.

Now the challenging part...


The waiting game. lol

Mele Kalikimaka to you! Merry Christmas to all!

I truly enjoy my 330. The piano samples and touch are just great for me. The USB MIDI out works great, as do the 1/4 inch aud outs. Now to try the SD card and the 1/4 inch inputs.

I bought a new USB external SB audio card and now I am satisfied with my recordings through Audacity. My 7 year old card was not good enough.

Thanks once again to all members who helped me on this forum.

Regards,

Sandy

I just bought a new USB external SB audio card for 60 bucks and now I am very satisfied with my recordings through Audacity. My 7 year old card was not good enough.

I found the Cubase LE4 software overwhelming and couldn't get it to work. I returned that Tascam US122L.

Although I also bought a Tascam DR-1 which will be easier to operate than the US122L, I can save a bunch of money by using my new audio card instead.

If you were around here, I'd buy you guys drinks for helping me so much.

Also, if I ever need a Tascam DR1, I can save small fortune by buying online.

Thanks again.

Sandy