Casio PX-130 88-Key Digital Stage Piano Review

by admin on September 4, 2010

PX-130Choosing the right piano or keyboard means that you're likely going to want to try out a few before you buy, or at least extensively review the different features of several keyboards before you make your final decision. The fact of the matter is that there are literally hundreds of brand-name and generic keyboard models out there, but only some of them meet the high standards or quality that you should expect from a good instrument. With the Casio PX-130, you're going to be impressed with literally everything that it has to offer.

Overall Appearance

The Casio PX-130 digital keyboard wants to be a piano and it essentially is. The keyboard doesn't have a screen, unlike many other generics that only cheapen the idea of a digital piano. In addition, it has minimal buttons and lights, which not only contributes to the uncluttered feel and overall appearance, but also succeeds in giving the instrument its sleek piano look. Once you place it on a stand, you'll hardly notice that it is not an actual grand piano.

The Casio PX-130 88-Key Digital Stage Piano is currently on sale on Amazon for 29% off through this link right here.

The Sound

According to the specifications published in product documentation and descriptions, the PX-130 comes with Casio's "Linear Morphing System," uses Acoustic Resonance DSP and has 128-note polyphony. Though you may not be an expert on piano sounds, you'll just have to trust that the PX-130 sounds as real as if you were standing right in front of a piano listening to its harmonic sounds. Yet, the elements come together to create a level of realism and expression that I have never heard with a digital keyboard or slab piano.

Check out this video review of the Casio PX-130 88-Key Digital Stage Piano:

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Computer Hookup

One of the useful features that almost everyone is certain to enjoy with the Casio PX-130 is its ability to hook up to your computer system. With many slab keyboards and less expensive models, you're traditionally given multiple sounds to hear and music that you can autoplay. With the PX-130, you do get a few songs and sounds that you can play directly from the digital keyboard. Specifically, you get 16 built-in tones, four digital reverbs and four choruses.

However, the PX-130 contains a MIDI interface and supports a USB hookup to your computer for transferring music from the computer to be played with and modified, which can be incredibly helpful and enjoyable, especially if you're a music or piano enthusiast. So for example, if you have a library of songs on your computer then you can easily hook your keyboard up, transfer songs over and mix and edit sounds with a music creation program like GarageBand or Logic Studio.

Other Features

With its attractive appearance, sound and computer hookup capabilities, what more could you ask for in a digital keyboard? Overall, you can tell that Casio designed this to be a versatile and portable keyboard. In fact, it's incredibly lightweight so that you'll have no problem transporting it from your house, to school or over to a friend's house if you so choose. For sound, you get powerful built-in speakers and two headphone connections, which is ideal for duets.

Whether you decide to invest in the Casio PX-130 88-key digital piano or not, you can see that Casio has definitely improved its reputation from its previous lower-end model starter keyboards. However, the Casio PX-130 is anything but a starter keyboard and can outperform just about any digital piano or keyboard on the market today.

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Let me show you what current owners have to say about it.

David M. Johnson "dandbj13",

Can this really be Casio?,

My first keyboard was a Casio. My brother bought it for me when I was 12. It was little more than a 24 note toy, but it was mine and I was proud to own it. As I grew into my music and more serious about performing, I became jaded and picky about my instruments. Casio had a well earned reputation for being cheap, low end starter boards. The most expensive keyboard I ever owned was a Yamaha DX7 FD. Until now, I never owned a full sized, 88 note keyboard, let alone, a keyboard with realistic action.

Enter the Casio PX-130.

Exit all my preconceptions about Casio.

Look and Feel: I love the classic, uncluttered look of the instrument. It has minimal buttons and lights. There is no screen. It first and foremost wants to be a piano. It succeeds. It will look right at home in a studio, a church, or a living room. As for feel, when playing, I have to remind myself that it is not an acoustic. My fingers are convinced that these keys are attached to a big, wooden cabinet in the form of a traditional piano. I did not get a chance to see one of these in a store before buying. I was worried the keys would feel cheap. Needless to say, my expectations were blown away from the first touch. You will not be disappointed.

Sound: If you know what a piano sounds like, you know what this sounds like. I won't pretend to know how all the high end electronic pianos sound, but they can't possibly be head and shoulders above this one. Just as my fingers are easily convinced they are playing an acoustic piano, my ears are equally convinced. If you are thinking about buying an acoustic piano for your home, do it only for the value of a classic piece of furniture, not for the sound. This casio sounds so much better than 90% of the pianos I've played in the homes of people I have visited. The speakers are more than sufficient for most common uses. High notes sound like they originate from the right of center while the opposite is true for low notes, just like you would expect from an acoustic piano. Such full and realistic sound from such a compact package is shocking. You will not be disappointed.

Review Paraphrased for size – view original review here.

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