Casio PX560 REVIEW – November 1, 2019
The Casio PX560 portable digital piano and synthesizer at just $1199 is one of the most unusual digital pianos in the digital piano business. This is because Casio took their top-of-the-line Privia furniture cabinet model called the PX870 with its special key action & 256-note polyphony stereo piano sound chip and put it into the PX560 so that you could essentially have a portable version of the PX870…but that was only the beginning. Then Casio created a huge instrument sound library with hundreds of sounds along with creating a new interactive accompaniment section and adding all of that to the PX560. The next step for Casio was to create a full blown 16-track MIDI recording studio and then added that feature to the PX560. Next was creating a professional programmable synthesizer so you can create your own sounds and manipulate sounds already inside of the piano library and layer up to 12 instrument sounds all at one time which is incredible power beyond what anyone else is doing in the price range. In addition to all this, unlike most complex, full featured digital pianos, this one is relatively easy to use because the PX560 has a intuitive large color touch screen built into it that allows you to access all of the functions and features quickly…plus it also has dedicated panel buttons for instant access to many of the most popular features in this model.
Most portable, more professional digital pianos like this don’t have built-in speakers because they are commonly known as “stage digital pianos” and stage digital pianos typically don’t have internal speakers in them. However, Casio broke that mold on that one and included an internal 16 watt stereo sound system so that you can play this instrument without the need of separate speakers and be able to hear it without always having to connect to other speakers. The internal sound is actually quite good and projects upward through the top and back of the piano. The design and custom 2-tone color of the cabinet is very unique and there is nothing else like it anywhere. You can be a beginner, an amateur, a pro piano player and be very happy with this unique digital piano for years to come in our opinion.
One of the most appealing things about this model is the fact that you can play it as a serious piano or play it like a fun toy, or play it like a pro synth with many of the abilities of the more expensive stage pianos but with a much more intuitive interface. You can be your own one-man-band with a drummer, bass player, rhythm guitar, organ player, etc, following you as you play your song using chords, or you can just play piano and then layer in huge orchestral/synth sounds and if you want to connect to external (powered) speakers in your home or studio then you can do that and make it sound like you are really on stage going through a larger sound system.
The color touch screen is really very cool and no other digital piano
Hi Tim,
Thanks for the review, I've been using you as a reference in my search for a piano and I can say you are the most objective reviewer I have found until now (after a very extensive search). I am still undecided between this one, the Kawai MP7 and the new Yamaha DGX660. This one seems to have a bit of everything, but I am not convinced about the key action, which is better with MP7 (albeit for a different price), while Yamaha's new piano room sounds are really good.
If you could voice your opinion on that, it would be really helpful.
Thanks,
Andrei
p.s. a review with portable pianos under 2000$ would be very helpful
The Kawai MP7 is far and away the best instrument in terms of more authentic piano playing experience. It is a Mercedes Benz compared to the others being Volkswagen beetle. It is also better with regard to more authentic instrument reproduction and sound layering and editing options.
The Casio 560 is as I explained in my review: the best all around packaged lightweight portable digital piano with self-contained speakers and pro editing and sound options with good key action and piano sound. But it is nowhere near the Kawai MP7 for piano playing. The Yamaha is a very nice instrument for the price and would be more of a "fun machine" with good piano sound. The piano sound is the same as in the Yamaha P115 only more variations of that sound and more useful interface and options. All instruments are satisfying to play…it just depends on your musical goals, playing experience, and musical expectations and what your focus is on in terms of what you want to do with your music….and obviously how much money you can afford to spend:)
Hi Tim! I concur 100% with everything you said. The PX-560 is just one phenomenal all-purpose keyboard that I'd recommend to anyone. Sure, its not the key action or sound quality of the Kawai MP7 as you've stated, but in a way its just so much more versatile. I use it for gigging due to its light weight and lightning quick access to instruments with the touch screen.
Again, great review!!
Hi Tim,
Thanks for this excellent review. By far the deepest and most thoroughly thought out review I think I've ever read.
Anyway, to cut to the chase, as I result I forked out some of my hard earned cash and bought one. I'm in the UK so couldn't use your services.
Just had to say that I'm very pleased with the purchase and think the PX560 is indeed an incredible keyboard for the price.
Kind regards,
John.
Hi Tim,
Thanks for this excellent review. By far the deepest and most thoroughly thought out review I think I've ever read.
Anyway, to cut to the chase, as I result I forked out some of my hard earned cash and bought one. I'm in the UK so couldn't use your services.
Just had to say that I'm very pleased with the purchase and think the PX560 is indeed an incredible keyboard for the price.
Kind regards,
John.