Not sure if anyone knows this or if covered. But there is a built-in sustain feature. That way you can play without a pedal and still get sustain capability. You just press the Function button plus the 2nd to the last “C” white key. And it will turn it on or off. Hope this helps, it’s mentioned in the quick start manual inside the box. 👍
Dear KJ, can you tell me what the layering function does on the CTS1 ? It was mentioned in one demo on youtube that you can adjust the volume of each layer. When Casio says "layering", do they mean that you can select a preset like an organ, and then select other presets to play along with the organ preset, like piano and strings ? Or is layering referring to the digital recording feature, where you can play along with what you recorded with the preset of your choice ? Thanks and hope to hear from you.
@@tompastian3447 I’m sorry, unfortunately I haven’t done any further in depth functions. As for the layering feature I haven’t tried it either. Sorry again, that I’m unable to help.
@@RalfeOrtiz Thanks for the reply King Jesus. I don't have a CTS1, but I've watched about a dozen demos. One says that "no other keyboard has this feature" referring to layering. One reply that says layering is covered in the owner's manual on page 32-33, another says there's info on page 67. Maybe you can check those pages or check the index of the manual and see. Piano Man Chuck sent this reply, "PianoManChuck Layering on a digital instrument means 2 or more sounds together." That doesn't really answer the question. Does the keyboard have a function that allows you to play more than one preset simultaneously, or does layering refer to using a different preset over what you recorded using the internal digital recorder? If you can play more than one preset simultaneously, that opens up a whole other dimension to this keyboard. Let me know what you find out and thanks.
@@tompastian3447 I’m under the impression layering means 2 sounds simultaneously. But outside of that I’m not sure how they have it setup or how to enable it on the CTS1
I'm glad I waited as long as I did to get my first keyboard as an adult beginner so that I could buy the CT-S1. The sounds are so impressive. I normally don't go for non-piano sounds in keyboards because I tend to think that they sound fake, but I actually love a few of the non-piano sounds in the CT-S1 -- especially the strings. The only thing I can say against the CT-S1 is that the first one I got unfortunately had a defect in one of the white keys. That one key made a distracting clicking noise every time it was pressed all the way down. Fortunately, the CT-S1 I bought to replace it doesn't have the same issue. I'm looking forward to learning on the CT-S1. I've never played a musical instrument of any kind, so this will be a whole new world for me.
Your gonna love it,it's almost as if there's something alive inside that beckons one to play it ,sounds insan😅e but you'll see,it's quite the marvelous ,positive kind of spirit so not to worry( unless someone gets jealous because you devoted so much time and passion to an inanimate object ) ahem sorry honey haha
Got one, it's a lot of fun, this would be crazy value for a beginner. I've got a better 88 key hammer action keyboard but I find myself doing more actual playing on the CT-S1 because it fits right on my desk and it's got so many usable sounds. Also I'm lazy and I like the light action. The phsyical noise of the action is quite quiet, I can play at low volume without getting annoyed by the thumping of the mechanism. I love this thing for so many reasons!
Nice review from Chuck. Even having seen several other reviews, I learned quite a bit more about this keyboard. The price in the US is very good, but it's still a lot more expensive in Europe.
The 'tone memory' slot is for your own custom settings. There are lots of additional reverbs and some delays, you can layer any of the 61 sounds, plus adjust the sustain & volume levels, and also global keyboard pitch scales PLUS equalizer settings. Phew, they packed lots in, and the Wurlizter piano and Fender Rhodes sounds are classy for such a 'beginner' instrument.
Good job - I like the way you explain - calm and trustable. Although I like “Riders on the storm” I really wonder why you didn't play with your left hand when checking the E-Piano Sounds. Greetings from germany
Great video. I have this Keyboard as mobile addition to my kawai ca79 and I like this little casio very much, because of its sound and clean style and good action for this price (€ 233 in Dec. 22). Best regards from Germany.
nice. I just got it as a second keyboard, and interested in taking it on the road. Question: How do you actually take it into the plane? What carrying case do you recommend? I can confirm this is an awesome instrument for those still considering a purchase
That’s a nice little keyboard. I never considered anything but 88 keys. But I have to say that that’s quite nice for the money. For the kids and grandkids? Xmas is coming and what’s cheaper than $200 with kids things today? They want sneakers that cost more than that! 😑 And of course your intro with those wonderful variations makes it sound even better. Gotta love it 👍❤️ Thanks Chuck!! Stay safe !
Hell ya piano man chuck,you are cool as shit! ( That is by no means a derogatory statement) haha ,thank you so much for giving me a Little insight on which piano to buy and because of your recommendation,I intend to purchase this Casiotone CT-S1 ASAP!
Hi. Thank you for the review. The black one costs 278 € today at Thomann in Germany. Is it still worth that price? Can you say something about the quality of the action. Is it rather light or rather with more resistance when pressing the keys?
It is really good to have the music rest!! I don’t know why some companies make a keyboard with no music rest, as though you have memorised every piece of music that you were ever going to play?? It is so dumb. However great work by Casio!! Cheers!! Bottoms up!!
And if you really watched the video throughout, they did show the music score rest and even demonstrated how to click it into the keyboard. Don't watch just part of the video and assume or judge it for not having the music rest. This review was very comprehensive and detailed.
Just got mine. So far Im lovin it..evwn more powerful than my Roland GoPiano. Anyone have experience with layering 2 sounds and whether you canhave Presettings?
My dream Casio CT- S2. specs would be: 1) 1/4" stereo output 2) Split function (up to 3 tones). 3) A small screen for easy navigation 4) Dedicated 7-8 tone registration buttons 5) Dedicated Octave and Transpose shift buttons (like Yamaha MX and PSR SX models) 6) Total weight below 8lbs 7) Inclusion of some common ethnic tones. We don’t need all 800 tones. 200 will be fine. 8) Some basic styles and dedicated butttons to control the rhythm pattern during live performance 9) A nice padded fitted Casiotone logo gig bag with 2 back straps to carry it around. 10) Available in white, black and red color ,🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎶🎶🎶🎶 I know it sounds like a lot I am asking for. I am ready to pay more for that. Professionals sometimes need portable instruments with pro features. 🎹🎹🎹🎹🎶🎶🎶🎶🎹🎹🎹🎹
hi chuck could you please tell me where did you get the list of different tones and the corresponding keys. I didn't get with my instrument. 'thank you.
Thank you Piano Man Chuck for showing us all the sounds and functions of this great new keyboard from Casio. On another note, do you know if there were any new keyboards or pianos at Summer Namm at the weekend? I know you often report on Namm. Not sure if you managed to go to this one. Thank you :)
You can learn a lot from youtube videos and some practice. Try not to think there are any barriers at all to your progression on the piano. Do not consider any key signature 'harder' over another one. Use your ears. Learn diatonic chords in major and minor. Write, even if it sounds bad to start with. There are no wrong notes. How are you getting on?
Would really have liked your opinion on the key feel which you normally mention . How does it compare to the competition like the Roland Go Piano or the Yamaha NP12. Does it have a toyish feel to it ?
I usually comment on fully weighted, graded hammer actions.... which this is not. Its a 61-key semi-weighted action which feels better to me than the Roland 'Go' piano or the Yamaha NP series... it definitely does NOT feel like a toy or a waterfall or synth action, but its definitely not acoustic piano action either. Its actually quite nice for what it is... I highly recommend trying it at your local retailer.
I've played all of the keyboards your question pertains to. The Casio has a light, playable but somewhat too-springy feel for my taste, pushing back on your touch, very similar to the Yamaha "NP" keyboards. The Roland "Go Piano 61" is worse in this regard, it's springy feel being stiffer. The Casio's action is identical to that of their CT-S400, which succeeds the less-springy and easier-to-play CT-S300.
Dear PMC, can you tell me what the layering function does on the CTS1 ? It was mentioned in one demo on youtube that you can adjust the volume of each layer. When Casio says "layering", do they mean that you can select a preset like an organ, and then select other presets to play along with the organ preset, like piano and strings ? Or is layering referring to the digital recording feature, where you can play along with what you recorded with the preset of your choice ? Thanks and hope to hear from you.
@@PianoManChuck Thanks for your reply Chuck. I've watched about a dozen demos on youtube of the CTS1. One says that this keyboard has a layering feature, stating "no other keyboard has this feature". IF you can play one or more presets simultaneously, then this keyboard opens up a whole new dimension. They also said that "you can adjust the volume on each layer". One person replied to me about this question saying the owner's manual covers layering on pg. 32 -33, another said pg. 67. I don't own a CTS1 yet, but maybe you can check the owner's manual and see exactly what Casio means by layering. It would really be cool to combine organ presets, or to add strings and piano to an organ preset, if that is what they mean by layering.
@@PianoManChuck Thanks Chuck. Check out this link, a demo where if you scroll about half way through, Tony talks about the layering feature in more detail. I will check out the manual, but I did send Tony an email about my question. It does look to me like you can select a preset (voice) and then add other voices and possibly the amount of sustain you want to the original voice, so they play simultaneously. I've asked Tony to confirm that. This to me is an incredible feature. Imagine being able to select a pipe organ for example, and add other voices to play along with that at the volume and sustain you prefer, like piano, strings, etc. There's one voice I've heard demoed that sounds similar to the old Farfisa organ which I'd love to use on stage or see how it sounds when combined with other organ voices on the CTS1. Let me know if you do any experimenting with that and what your findings are. Thanks, Tom in Miami
They could have come out with an app that allows you to do most of the things you’ll have to press function button and a corresponding note on the piano for.
Cts1 "how cool is that" Chuck. Great to see you review it. Unfortunately this is $500 in Australia So not as much as a bargain. (Im peeved with the major manufacturers charging us high prices) None the less I would be interested in an 88note version if they include midi sockets, quarter ins / outs and a cheek mounted pitch bend like my Privia 330 I gig with. I reckon it could weigh as little as 5.5 to 6kg..due to health my light weight Privia in it's bag is difficult for me to lug so I am trying to find a light weight alternative. This or the annonced korg L1 with a light weight Korg kross above it or a numa compact 2x on its own might be my next step. Any thanks for your review and I await your review if the Korg L1 ever gets released. (In think I remember you doing a namm sticky beak.of it ages ago?? Cheers from Aussie
Ouch! I wonder why its so much more $$ over there. Your suggesions are great (are you listening Casio?). Numa Compact is light but they're not full size standard keys :(
@@PianoManChuck hi Chuck glad you asked hee hee. The exchange rate would only make it $267. Australia and other countries get gouged by the major manufacturers casio, yamaha, roland, korg etc because they can even though we are closer to the manufacturing countries for transport. Ironically the lesser known brands seem to come in at better prices here so take note major manufacturers. To be honest as much as the cts1 sounds amazing it Doesn't have that "It's so cheap I gotta get one just because" certainly an 88 or 76 would interest me but to be honest I'd expect to get that around $500 AUD Im a Casio fanboy but I figure mention our price disdain to them thru forums and that lessor brands seem economically interesting now. Remember casio you were once a lessor brand and now your a major. I could probably accept the numa shorter key and semi weighted feel because in the 80s I gigged with semi weighted keyboards but unfortunately there are no local music shops to try out keyboards and this is why your reviews are so important to a lot of us. Keep up the good work.
It’s because of the exchange rate that it’s mor expensive in Australia. Even at $469 which is what i can buy it for, I think it’s still good value, this is a compact quality product.
@@glendapryce3069 no ...the exchange rate would only make it under 300 AUD . Casio as well as other big brands are skimming more off us and other non US countries. Its always been this way in Australia we pay more than US on everything exchange rate not with standing.. Im glad you find it good value even at the much higher Aussie price. Ive been buying Casio Pro products since the 80s and always found them good quality. Up till covid hit I gigged with a Privia px 330 and never have worried it would break down. I am a casio fan boy but i think all these manufacturers take advantage of non US consumers. I will like to find one to try but the current covid lockdown of only 5km travel for most of the year means i will probably never see one in the flesh. My interest would lie in a 76 or 88 note version for a lightweight gigging board if i ever return to gigging.
@@russellhooke9791 true, do you think we are also paying more because these keyboards are being freighted a very long way? I would like a 76 key board in this version for sure.
@@PianoManChuck great thanx.When I know a song in one key then someone comes and wants to sing it higher or lower its a nightmare but with senitone raise or lower can play it how they want much easier.thanx
It DOES have semitones and octave transpose function. I have the exact same keyboard in red color. Just press the FUNCTION button + F#3 (- or go down semitones) or FUNCTION button + Ab3 (+ or go up semitones). To return to DEFAULT notes or key, press FUNCTION button + F#3 and Ab3 together.
@@Jack-fs2im : You're welcome! Do Try it. When you get used to it, it's actually very fast to transpose in 1 single action by pressing the Function button and piano key together. Works very well for me and I do work with different singers in the church group who sing in different keys!
@@PianoManChuck I'm looking for a decent piano with ability to also play my Yamaha Reface CP by midi. I wonder if a usb interface midi cable will do this without a laptop?
