Mike martin jeff, not ray kurzweil. i doubt ray has done much work on keyboards in many years.
 
edit: looks like the defective screen on the pc3x is a common problem-- and not fixed cheaply http://forums.musicplayer...z_PC3x_display_flicker

Mike Martin sounds very interesting indeed.  Some of those Casio synths he is playing also look very cool.  Yes I think Ray is enjoying a well deserved rest these days as well.
 
The PC3x is an older model.  The displays on the new ones definitely do not look like the same design.  More like a much more modern approach.  My display is amazing.  It is almost too bright, sharp and contrasty for my liking.
 
Something to think about.  The shift in features and improvements from model to model. There is quite a difference between say PC3x and PC3K.  Improvements all over the place, the display being one but with the OS most of all.  I had a PC2x on loan for a while and it is nothing like the PC3K8 at all.  (loved the 88 weighted action though and it was stunning how much the presets in my PC3K6 opened up when played from the PC2x weighted keyboard. So weighted is the go for sure)
 
I had to upgrade the OS in my PC3K6 when I got it and that added in and improved it quite a bit.  When they do upgrade the OS, it is usually a pretty interesting update.  Check into some video tutorial material on the instrument you may be interested in.  Both by the makers but also everyone else. That turns up often some very interesting details. The Kurzweil comes with a free editor too and it is a beautiful GUI and very clever.  Changes the whole concept about editing and making patches with the software instead.  The machine runs in tandem with the program.  It is like a giant VST for example.  It runs stand alone for the moment but that is fine.  It can still boot up alongside your DAW and talk to it at the same time.  A good thing to do is check what the latest OS is on any instrument you may be interested in.  Find out when the last update was compared to the current date.  Check into their whole current technical support policy.
 
The sound libraries get changed as well.  The K series K2000 up to K2600 are all lovely machines and you can pick one up quite cheaply.  The new ones are quite better though.  Sound wise that is.  I still have a full optioned K2000 rack that runs alongside the new one.  They do sound amazing together.  I was browsing patches again the other day in the PC3K and honestly it was breath taking.  Some of the patches are just awesome.  It does record so well too and it fits nice into your mix.  The modeled organ and virtual analog sound excellent.
 
I appreciate the fact the discussion here led us to the Casio.  I am working with a music teacher who is looking to buy a new stage instrument that does piano but needs quite a lot extra and the Casio looks like it might the perfect fit for her.  Price, features and sound.  It has got me interested as well.

Thanks Jeff for that information. I've been connecting with the various user groups here and there. Seems to be a nice following for the PX-5S.
 
Here are my first impressions of the PX-5S so far. 
A very full featured stage keyboard. The sounds leave very little to be desired in terms of quality. I ran across a slight warbling sound in the concert grand sound at times.This could have been my mod wheel being slightly up. I'm still not sure because the wheel seemed to be down when I moved it. The problem went away when I changed programs and came back to it.
 
The keys action is perfect for a trained pianist, although if you plan to record keys and vocals at the same time the action noise would likely be picked up in your mic. Since this is one of my preferred methods to record, I might need to do my takes seperate from now on. FWIW my last keyboard wasn't much better. They all seem to have some noise.
 
I group the keyboard into three main sections. The main sounds section, the synth section and the arpeggio section.
 
The synth section is pretty deep, especially for a board in this price bracket. The fact that using the hex feature allows for multiple layering of sounds in different zones allows for a lot of creativity. Add to this the arpeggio section and you have a lot of capability. The built in arpeggios are  good. The adaptable sliders and knobs are mapped really well in the factory settings. You can for instance, change resonance of a thick synth sound on the fly.
 
Now here's some of the things that I liked less about the keyboard. The company has put a lot of capability behind a user interface that can be confusing, especially if you want to get deep into the synth, layering and zones. I realize that concessions had to be made and they were made in the user interface. I've used a lot of keyboards, so I thought that I wouldn't have any problems in using the basic functions. I was wrong. I needed to look at the manual to find how to change basic sounds. I dare say many of the people who would buy this probably won't ever use many of the deeper features for this reason. Once I was onto the scheme of it though sound changes were easy.
 
Many of these limitations can be worked around by simply reading the manual. My manual left out the sound preset numbers and only by going online could I find them. To be honest I haven't yet located or used the software program that makes internal adjustments easier. This should make getting deeper into the program much easier.
 
This is a nice keyboard, especially for the price. Makes a decent midi controller. Once past the learning curve you can take full advantage of the capabilities. The learning curve might be frustrating if, for instance, you're trying to set up a totally new multi zone synth from scratch.
Once done though, the rest get easier.
 
Considering that in the beginning I mainly wanted a midi controller with some nice internal sounds in it, this goes way past that. Anyone who wants a midi controller with some extra kick can't go wrong here IMHO>
 
 

Starise
Thanks Jeff for that information. I've been connecting with the various user groups here and there. Seems to be a nice following for the PX-5S.
 
Here are my first impressions of the PX-5S so far. 
A very full featured stage keyboard. The sounds leave very little to be desired in terms of quality. I ran across a slight warbling sound in the concert grand sound at times.This could have been my mod wheel being slightly up. I'm still not sure because the wheel seemed to be down when I moved it. The problem went away when I changed programs and came back to it.
 
The keys action is perfect for a trained pianist, although if you plan to record keys and vocals at the same time the action noise would likely be picked up in your mic. Since this is one of my preferred methods to record, I might need to do my takes seperate from now on. FWIW my last keyboard wasn't much better. They all seem to have some noise.
 
I group the keyboard into three main sections. The main sounds section, the synth section and the arpeggio section.
 
The synth section is pretty deep, especially for a board in this price bracket. The fact that using the hex feature allows for multiple layering of sounds in different zones allows for a lot of creativity. Add to this the arpeggio section and you have a lot of capability. The built in arpeggios are  good. The adaptable sliders and knobs are mapped really well in the factory settings. You can for instance, change resonance of a thick synth sound on the fly.
 
Now here's some of the things that I liked less about the keyboard. The company has put a lot of capability behind a user interface that can be confusing, especially if you want to get deep into the synth, layering and zones. I realize that concessions had to be made and they were made in the user interface. I've used a lot of keyboards, so I thought that I wouldn't have any problems in using the basic functions. I was wrong. I needed to look at the manual to find how to change basic sounds. I dare say many of the people who would buy this probably won't ever use many of the deeper features for this reason. Once I was onto the scheme of it though sound changes were easy.
 
Many of these limitations can be worked around by simply reading the manual. My manual left out the sound preset numbers and only by going online could I find them. To be honest I haven't yet located or used the software program that makes internal adjustments easier. This should make getting deeper into the program much easier.
 
This is a nice keyboard, especially for the price. Makes a decent midi controller. Once past the learning curve you can take full advantage of the capabilities. The learning curve might be frustrating if, for instance, you're trying to set up a totally new multi zone synth from scratch.
Once done though, the rest get easier.
 
Considering that in the beginning I mainly wanted a midi controller with some nice internal sounds in it, this goes way past that. Anyone who wants a midi controller with some extra kick can't go wrong here IMHO>
 
 

Great review!  As someone who has also just purchased this keyboard (and recommended it :)) I agree with your assessment. Since I do not record my vocals and instruments in most cases, the key noise is not an issue for me. I also will probably not make a lot of use of the arpeggiator, although I agree it is a nice feature to have. 
I actually didn't find the manual to be as helpful as you did. However, I have been taking a bit of time to watch some of Mike Martin's video webinars (one hour each!), and this is how I have been learning how to create sounds, edit sounds, save setups, etc.  I follow along with my keyboard while he demonstrates the various functions. While I did not get this keyboard for all the sounds, I find myself using them more than I expected, especially the hex layered sounds, as you mentioned. I have also downloaded several sounds and stage setups from the user forum, and this has been a tremendous find. I found a downloaded grand piano sound that is a bit brighter than the default concert grand, but less thin than the "rock" and other bright pianos from the factory soundset. Some Rhodes and Wurly sounds have been tweaked and are downloadable by users, this is one of my favorite features of this whole system.
I would recommend you try and find the time to watch the videos at the PX 5 Portal, and download setups via the forum. Although I have downloaded the editing software, I haven't actually used it much, and find that once I learned the keyboards' menus, buttons, it's not as hard as it initially seemed (and certainly not at all intuitive, as you mentioned). I know the PX 560 has the touchscreen and has more one-button settings, but I preferred the knobs, sliders and stage setup system for my purposes, as I think most pro keyboardists will. 
 
If you do take this on a gig, you will then fall totally in love with this keyboard. It's just so light compared to other keyboards with fully weighted keys, and is just what I needed to play out more often. 
 
BTW, if you are looking for a great keyboard amp that also doubles as a PA (if you add a mixing board) the CenterPoint SpaceStation V3 is highly recommended. Although heavier than the PX 5S, it's very small, and yet blasts 280 watts of STEREO using only one front and one side speaker in a compact cabinet. I have seen a lot of other PX5 users on their Facebook group using the exact same setup, combining the Casio with the SS3. It's a nice combo for live gigs and easy to setup. 
 
Again, great review, and enjoy.

Thanks for those thought and suggestions. I'll definitely be looking at some of those training helps.
 
I looked at the PX 560 which seems more like a one man band kind of thing, maybe competition to something like a high end Yamaha PSR. While I like the idea of accompaniment, I was willing to trade it for functionality and midi control.  I liked the touch screen, but I didn't want onboard speakers, because I want all my audio in the same mix when I'm tracking. I don't think the PX 560 is intended as much for recording and it can't hold a candle to the PX-5S as a midi controller. For someone else the scales might tip the other way. I hope Casio start to make more advanced boards similar to the PX-5S. Imagine the PX-5S with a touch screen, but this would have added to the cost of the keyboard so I would expect to pay more for something like that. I'm also with you on the stage settings that are missing in the PX 560.
 
Thanks for the info on a decent keyboard amp. I'll check that out. Thanks!

Thanks Tim for a very in depth review as well.  I am not going to rush into the Casio myself just yet.  My control room is limited in size and it is just perfect now with the exact amount of hardware I have in there.  So adding in another instrument like that for me has to be very justified.  I am happy with the synth action of the 61 note version I have now of my Kurzweil for example PC3K6.  The keyboard is nice to play and the pianos all sound great using it.
 
My friend ended up with getting a Kurzweil SP4-8 stage piano at a great price.  Very similar to the Casio price and she went for it.  Sound wise it is very nice and it is nice to play too.  It is compatible with my PC3K which is interesting.  I can make extra patches in the PC3K and load them into the SP4-8.  It means the factory ROM must be fully present in the stage piano or most of it.  There is a huge selection of the main PC3K library present inside the piano and editing patches is easy.  I think the editor software works with the piano as well.  The virtual organ and analog synth are also present in the piano too.
 
The Casio to me looks like a nice instrument to play and sounds excellent which I think is all important. Interesting about the action noise.  I bet a close up SM58 vocal take would solve that issue though.  And you could work with that as a scratch vocal during production and replace it later with a different mic.  I have done that often.
 
I am thinking of putting a Tangerine Dream type live band together playing original electronic music and the Casio would make an excellent live controller for me I think as well as one or two other light action keyboards. Casio being a bit lighter in weight overall I believe than most.  Also I would use the internal sound engine bigtime in the Casio with some multi timbral sequencing going on.  The 88 notes being good for split zones as well as layered.
 
 
 

I had a few bad gig experiences running with 2 midi controllers exclusively, back when I was WAY overloading an XP 32-bit machine and trying to play it all live. This lead to one of the most amazingly stupid things I have ever heard a band mate say (my rig was unusable in its entirety at that moment, as the sounds I had loaded up were entirely the wrong sounds, AND the computer crashed 2 measures into our debut song):
 
"Keep Playing - He'll catch up!"
 
Anyways, after learning quickly that having one keyboard with decent local sounds was a GREAT idea, I tried a bunch of expensive ones out, but ended up picking up a Yamaha YPG-235 for about $250.  76 notes, and about 400 sounds - about 100 of them good, and it complete filled the bill for me for years for gigs.  Decent action, 11 pounds, rugged enough for gigging.  
 
I only used its local sounds if the computer acted up (sometimes inconsistent power from venue), but I frequently used its local: Piano, Rhodes, Rock Organ, Marimba, Piano/Strings, that Jump sound, and a few others.
 
Right now, since my 64-bit computer with 32 GB of memory is rock steady, I have gone back to a 2nd midi controller with 88 notes as my lower keyboard, and I never have gig issues, so it works great.  That one is an M-Audio Keystation 88.  I picked it up new for $130.  
 
Bob Bone
 

Jeff Evans
I am thinking of putting a Tangerine Dream type live band together playing original electronic music and the Casio would make an excellent live controller for me I think as well as one or two other light action keyboards. 

That sounds like tons o' fun, Jeff. Be sure to let us know when you start putting that together. 
 
I'm playing in a classic rock band at the moment, and though it's great fun I've been thinking that something more creative and original might be satisfying. Maybe venturing outside the box a little, like getting together with another keyboard player instead of a guitarist, doing originals and original takes on classic prog tunes, maybe with a percussionist instead of a drummer.
 
 

I have been playing drums for a long time now doing covers and the only thing that really interests me live is now is an all original electronic music ensemble.  I have not figured it all out yet.  One thing I will do though is get the Edgar Froese biography.  (When it finally comes out!)  He actually explains how he setup and did the Tangerine Dream performances live.  From a technical perspective.  I still want to play drums live somehow against computer backdrops and the other players.  I was thinking two or three others playing synths and guitar maybe.
 
I want the option of playing the original tunes differently if the need is felt each night.  Might mean getting into Ableton which seems to be the go in these types of gigs.  I think the tunes have to be written first and then produced (for CD release for sale at the gigs) then backwards dissected in order to get everyone playing it.  Rehearsed.  What if any computer parts are there and can arrangements be quickly changed if computers are involved.  Tempos need to be altered quickly if the desire is there to change it.
 
I have to find two or so other like minded synthesists to help me perform the music live.  And write for the band of course.  They would bring their own keyboard rig sounds into the picture.  I have to build a separate system myself to use live and the Casio might be a good contender for the controller.  Sounds like the synth engine inside the Casio can be utilised in a big way to help play back multi timbral sequences.  And play over the top too.  The live system needs to connect into the main studio for transfer of the music over etc.  I already have the live PA sorted that is for sure.  The mixing live can be handled with a digital mixer and lots can take place there too live.  I was thinking of a four channel quadraphonic setup too for the audience.  Two rear stereo channels as well as two powerful front stereo channels, taking advantage of potential directional information live.
 
I want to improvise a lot live as well and add fresh material into the music each time it is played as much as possible.  That is my Jazz training coming into play there.  I think you have to be prepared to record what goes on live too because there will always be glorious things that happen live you will want to refer back to later for development.  That just happens the moment you put a bunch of nice people in a room or on a stage who like each other and just happen to be playing music.
 
I have experimented with three players doing a very similar thing to Tangerine Dream and with six hands all playing live the end result can be huge and amazing and totally variable at the same time.  Not much needs to be played back as there is so much that can be added.

Too bad we're not neighbors. I'd be in!