Casio Keyboards have always been popular for its affordable range of keyboards and pianos. Beginners and experienced players have always looked for a value buy from Casio, but they are slowly and surely upping the ante by introducing professional models. Lets take a look at their product range. .
Introduction to Casio Keyboards and Pianos
Japanese electronics company Casio is a popular manufacturer of electronic musical instruments, including keyboard instruments.
It is quite commendable that Casio has managed to remain the top choice for most beginners. Despite the competition, they have managed to do this by providing better and more features, ease of use, and lower prices.
Casio is one of the major players in the electronic keyboards business. Casio electronic keyboards have been around for many years now and the word “Casio” itself is more or less synonymous with electronic keyboards, especially among the young learners. Casio Electronic Keyboards are quite popular among kids, adult beginners and intermediate players!
The electronic keyboards from Casio can be categorized in various groups depending on its users, who could be one of these – toddlers, older children, adult beginners, performers or composers.
The primary reasons for the popularity of Casio Keyboards include its ease-of-use, numerous sounds & styles, ability to connect to a PC, built-in learning system…and also the fact that it has keyboards less than 61 keys meant for the very young beginner.
There are users who think that Casio does not provide high quality, sturdy and professional keyboards, but then it is too much to ask for given the keyboard prices of Casio. Besides, things are definitely changing towards the better. Some of the keyboards in the CTK/WK-series and Privia pianos sound almost as good as its competitors.
Until a few years back, Casio keyboards were regarded by many as toy keyboards. Though they did sell many mini-keyboards at that time, they also had a good line-up of arranger keyboards, but still it failed to find acceptance among the experienced keyboard players. Many keyboard and piano players still maintain the same view, but seem to have a different take on their digital pianos, especially their Privia range of pianos, and a couple of models in the Casio WK and the CTK keyboard series. The reason for this change in views has been their introduction of top quality portable, weighted-action piano keyboards in recent years, which has been lapped up whole-heartedly by the music keyboard community. The Casio mini keyboard is now used only by kids.
There was a time when Casio was considered as a brand that made keyboards only for beginners.
However, things have changed drastically for the brand in the last few years. Casio now boasts of an impressive line up of keyboards that caters not just to beginners, but also to professionals.
They have arranger keyboards, digital pianos, and synthesizers in their product portfolio.
A typical beginner Casio electronic keyboard comes with hundreds of sounds, styles, MIDI, decent set of effects, built-in sequencer – so basically, lots of options to let you explore your creative side. You can even create musical styles and record songs using the built-in sequencer.While most Casio keyboards are for home use or learning purposes, Casio has introduced several high-end keyboards (some are even designed for on-stage performances) in recent years that have gone on to become bestsellers.
More and more professional musicians are now using Casio keyboards for both producing and performing; thanks to the wealth of features, top-notch sound quality, and reliability.
Keyboards like the PRIVIA PX-S3000 and CT-X5000 are the go-to keyboards for performances for several musicians, due to their sound quality and wide range of features. Many musicians use Casio’s PRIVIA PX-3, PX-5S, and XW-P1 synthesizer in the studio for mixing sounds, editing and layering.
Related: History of Casio here.
Why People Like Casio Electronic Keyboards?
Here are the factors that make a Casio quite popular:
- More Features, Less Price : In general, lot of users who want to learn a keyboard are just looking for some fun, or are playing after a long time, or do not want to invest a lot of money at the beginning. For them a Casio would be a perfect match as they do not have to shell out a lot of money.
Besides, Casio offers lot more features than its competitors for a given price. For instance, the Full fingered mode can be found on many lower end casio keyboards. You’ll find offers that come with premium pack / bundle that give you extras like power supply, keyboard stand and stereo headphones at a much discounted price.
- Ideal for Children: Casio features electronic keyboards that have smaller key sizes and have 2 to 3 octaves, called mini-keyboards, which makes them ideal for kids. They also have keyboards with lighted keys that make learning keyboards fun and easy. Most important thing is that all the features are really easy to use, so your kids will love to play the keyboard regularly…that is what you want when you get a musical keyboard for your children.
- Ideal for Adults too: Most adults do not want to invest a lot of money when they are starting out. Reason being, they want to see how they progress for a year or so before they can upgrade to a high-end model. A Casio is perfect in that case because of its price. Besides, most casio keyboard models come with packed headphones. As an adult you will need headphones…that way you will not disturb others around, and you will not be conscious about the comments of others. Win-win situation!
- Value-for-money for Experienced Players: Though they do not have a top class workstation yet, they do have a lot of models for the experienced/performing artist. Casio is gradually raising the bar when it comes to sound quality…case in point being the wk-series, higher models in the CTK series and the Privia pianos. The sound quality, looks and features offered (built-in Sequencer, Equalizer, MIDI, PC connectivity, etc.) are on par with competitors and will surely please intermediate/advanced players.
- Advanced Features: In addition to the numerous voices and styles, a top end Casio piano keyboard now comes with many advanced features.
- Audio inputs that lets you connect a mic or guitar, which can then be heard from the Casio Keyboard speakers.
Dual headphone jacks, sheet music for internal demo songs, are some of the other improvements that you can find on some of the top Casio Privia keyboard. - Multi-channel mixer to control the various parameters of the tracks
- Built-in synthesizer mode to create your own tones
- Full fingered mode
- Saving and loading from external storage mediums
- Midi… and lots more
You can even download the latest and funkiest rhythms, tones, digital effects, wave files, and midi files from music.casio.com onto your casio electronic keyboard.
- Audio inputs that lets you connect a mic or guitar, which can then be heard from the Casio Keyboard speakers.
What Do Musicians Hate About Casio Keyboards?
So what is it that musicians do not like about Casio keyboards?
Not much really!
In the last few years, Casio has released several models and now have a well-rounded portfolio.
Even earlier, when people would complain about Casio keyboards being only for amateurs, their keyboards offered a lot of value.
Today, Casio has an impressive line-up of keyboards and digital pianos.
However, they still do not have a lot of high-end options, especially when it comes to synths and workstations, where brands like Yamaha, Roland, Nord, Korg still have an advantage.
Casio Product Categories/Series
Digital Pianos
- Casio CDP series: Portable, Entry level digital pianos
- Casio PX Privia series: Feature rich digital pianos, console and portable designs
- Casio Celviano AP Series: Console pianos
- Casio Celviano GP series: High-end console pianos (Grand Hybrid series) with authentic touch and piano sounds
- Casio CGP series: CGP stands for compact grand piano, but its more of a compact stage piano with lots of features
Music Keyboards
- Casio Casiotone series
- Casio WK series: 76-key music keyboards with music production tools
- Casio CT-X series: 61-key arranger music keyboards
- Casio LK series: 61 keys keyboards with light-up keys
- Casio Mini Keyboards: smaller size (for kids)
- Casio MZ-X: Powerful arranger keyboards
Portable Keyboards
Casio portable keyboards are 61-key keyboards, designed for beginner and intermediate level musicians.
Earlier, there was only one series in this category, the Casio CTK series. However, Casio has now introduced a new series, the CT-X keyboards (which better sound source).
Both these keyboard series include standard 61-keys portable keyboards.
Casio CT-X series: 61-key keyboards with great sounds, better sound source, and great features. Read more…
Casio CTK series: Casio’s CTK electronic keyboards (arrangers) have been popular for quite some time as they offer enough features to the beginner and intermediate players to keep their creative juices satisfied for a long time. The CTK series is the most popular series with keyboards ranging from entry-level to the advanced. Read more…
Casio High-End Arrangers
Casio MZ-X series: High end Arranger keyboards
This series includes advanced arranger keyboards with sophisticated sounds and rhythms. These are arrange workstation keyboards (combines features of arranger and synth workstation); it comes with several synthesizer functions, a touch screen and more; you can use it to perform or to create music. Read more…
Casio Workstation Keyboards (76-Keys
Casio WK series: 76-Key Portable keyboards
Casio WK series include 76-keys keyboards with better and realistic sounds. The WK series has 76 keys keyboards for beginners as well as advanced players; the top models comes with lots of features for recording your own stuff. These keyboards are priced in the entry-to-mid range and lets you explore advanced features without burning a big hole in your pocket. Read more…
Casio Mini Keyboards
Mini Casio Keyboards: Smaller size, lesser keys, but lots of fun for children
A Mini Casio Keyboard (like the Casio SA76) is great for introducing children to the fascinating world of electronic keyboards. Read more…
Lighted Keyboards
Casio LK series: 61 keys Lighted keyboards, fun way to learn music.
Lighted keyboards from Casio that makes learning to play electronic keyboards fun and easy. Good entry level keyboards. Read more…
Casio Keyboard Accessories
Casio Keyboard Accessories
Casio also makes some good quality accessories, including gig bags, pedals, piano stands & power adapters for their keyboards & digital pianos. Read more…
Casio Digital Stage Pianos
Casio PX series: Privia Digital Pianos
Casio’s digital pianos series include the Privia and the Celviano range of digital pianos. The Privia pianos have good looks, excellent sounds and come with graded hammer action keyboard which exactly emulates the keys on an acoustic piano. The Privia portable stage digital pianos look great, have weighted keyboard, and their sound quality is much superior. As usual, the prices are very competent. Read more…
See All Casio Digital Stage Pianos
Casio Upright Pianos – Celviano AP Series
Digital Upright Pianos from Casio for authentic piano experience. The Celviano pianos come with elegant design & authentic piano keys. Read more…
Dj & Groove Controllers
An all-in-one VJ / DJ controller for iOS devices and PCs.
Casio XW-PD1 Trackformer Groove Center
Casio XW-PD1 Track Former Groove Center has innovative features, looks cool, and lets you build beats wherever you go. It has a step sequencer, sampler, synths, effects, and 4 banks of 16 pads. Read more…
Casio (XW) Synthesizers
Casio XW series: Digital Synthesizers
Casio’s newest products, the XW series of digital performance synthesizers that offer cutting edge sounds, arps, tweaking capabilities, plenty of I/O, lots of controls, and meant for the gigging musician. Read more…
Closing Thoughts
Casio definitely offers cost advantage, besides being easy-to-use, that makes it popular among first time buyers…mostly children and adults. And if you already own a keyboard of some other brand and are looking to upgrade to a higher model, don’t assume that Casio manufactures only cheap keyboards.
Casio is slowly but surely raising the bar! And it is evident from their new launches. Casio now has several keyboard models that will make experienced users take notice.
We are not saying that Casio keyboards are better than the best from the other Brands. But these keyboards and pianos have features and functions that give them the best price-to-features ratio.
So ignore Casio at your own risk! You may lose significant dollars if you do so!
Casio Website: Casio.com
This site gives you reviews on various musical keyboards which you can read before you decide which model to buy. Buying a casio electronic keyboard online makes sense as you will find some great deals on them. A casio electronic keyboard is definitely a worthwhile investment considering the number of features it offers at such a low price!
All these features, along with an attractive price, make the Casio electronic keyboard a very popular instrument among beginners and intermediate keyboard players. Many a times these casio electronic keyboards are offered in Premium Packs…that is bundled with power supply, keyboard stand and professional headphones, which make them the best value-for-money offers.
Useful Links
Read more on Casio Piano Keyboards.
- Introduce your kids to Music with Casio Mini Keyboard
- Useful features on Casio electronic keyboards
- Best Casio portable keyboards
- Casio vs Yamaha – Comparison Between these Major Brands
Read more on Casio Digital Pianos.
- How do Casio Pianos compare with other Brands
- Budget Casio 88-Key portable keyboard to get started
- Budget upright Casio Digital Pianos for your home, church or school
- Casio Electric Stage Pianos for Intermediate players and serious musicians
These reviews of Casio Keyboards & Pianos are written by visitors to this site. See what others say about Casio Keyboard models and share your review too!
KeytarHQ editorial team includes musicians who write and review products for pianists, keyboardists, guitarists & other musicians. KeytarHQ is the best online resource for information on keyboards, pianos, synths, keytars, guitars and music gear for musicians of all abilities, ages and interests.
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