Acoustic & Electronic Instruments, Musicians, News, Tutorials, Videos & Interesting Finds
Acoustic & Electronic Instruments, Musicians, News, Tutorials, Videos & Interesting Finds

Casio XW-G1 groove synthesiser and XW-P1 launched [NAMM12]

Casio’s musical instrument department enters a new era as it announces the launch of two new professional music synthesisers.

First up is the XW-G1 Groove Synthesiser, targeted specifically at DJs and club performers with its interactive step sequencer and sample looper.

Key features of the 61-key XW-G1 synth are:

  • 6 Oscillator Monophonic Solo Synthesizer
  • Sample Looper – Up to 19 Seconds of sampling time
  • Sample Player – 10 user tones with up to 5 samples each can be stored in Flash Memory for instant recall
  • 300 fully editable PCM based sounds
  • Step Sequencer with 9 instrument tracks and 4 controller tracks
  • 16 step programmable Arpeggiator
  • Phrase sequencer to record and playback your riffs
  • Performance mode providing 4 internal or external instrument zones with instant recall of effects, Step Sequences, Arpeggiators and Phrases
  • 4 real-time controller knobs
  • Pitch and Modulation Wheels
  • 1/4” Mic and Line puts to process your voice or other instruments
  • Stereo 1/8” line input to connect an MP3 player, laptop or tablet
  • USB and MIDI ports
  • 1/4” Line Outputs
  • Included Power Supply
  • Can operate on 6 D batteries
Casio XW synths
Casio XW synths

The 61-key XW-P1 features:

  • 6 Oscillator Monophonic Solo Synthesizer
  • HexLayer – A single sound made up of 6 components for gig ready splits and layers
  • Drawbar Organ Mode  with 9 sliders, adjustable rotary speaker, key click, vibrato and percussion
  • 400 fully editable PCM based sounds like stereo pianos, vintage electric pianos, strings, guitars, drums and more.
  • Step Sequencer with 9 instrument tracks and 4 controller tracks
  • 16 step programmable Arpeggiator
  • Phrase sequencer to record and playback your riffs
  • Performance mode providing 4 internal or external instrument zones with instant recall of effects, Step Sequences, Arpeggiators and Phrases
  • 4 real-time controller knobs
  • Pitch and Modulation Wheels
  • 1/4” Mic and Line puts to process your voice or other instruments
  • Stereo 1/8” line input to connect an MP3 player, laptop or tablet
  • USB and MIDI ports
  • 1/4” Line Outputs
  • Included Power Supply
  • Can operate on 6 D batteries

More details of this new breed of synth follow.

Control

control

The XW-P1 and XW-G1 have 4 real- time controller knobs, pitch bend and modulation wheels, along with 9 sliders to provide control over internal sounds and external devices. Through standard MIDI ports and with a class-compliant USB port the keyboard can be used as a controller for other instruments, including computer software and iPad® based software applications. It also includes an audio input allowing you to monitor an MP3 player, computer or other device without the need for a mixer.

Step Sequencer

Step Sequencer

Providing everything from pulsing dance grooves to animated synth textures and arpeggios, the Step Sequencer in both the XW-P1 and XW-G1 is the first of its kind. With nine tracks for drums, basses, synths and chordal parts, four controller tracks for adding panning, filter changes and other animation to existing parts and eight patterns make up each sequence; the user can build and mix their performance on the fly. Sequences can even transpose live from the keyboard, providing a completely interactive experience.

Drawbar Organ

Drawbar Organ

In addition to the solo synth and HexLayers, the XW-P1 performance synthesizer is armed with an arsenal of gig ready sounds like stereo pianos, vintage electric pianos, strings, brass, guitars, basses, drums and more. It also has a new drawbar organ mode. Utilizing the nine sliders on the XW-P1 you have full range control over each drawbar. The XW-P1 even has dedicated controls for key percussion and rotary speaker while also providing vibrato, distortion and more for the ultimate drawbar organ experience.

Solo Synth

Solo Synth

Utilizing Casio’s exclusive (HPSS) Hybrid Processing Sound Source, a six oscillator monophonic solo synth is just one of the amazing sound engines in both the XW-P1 and XW-G1. The solo synth has the power to deliver classic analog sounds and sounds with an aggressive edge unlike anything else. Two virtual analog style oscillators, two PCM based oscillators, a noise oscillator and an external oscillator via mic and line inputs can be combined to make up a single solo synth tone. Each oscillator has an independent filter, envelopes, independent key tracking, portamento, two LFO’s and access to master resonant filter. With impressive modulation and control capabilities at your fingertips, the solo synth is capable of a wide range of sounds and expression.

HexLayer

HexLayer

In addition to the solo synth, the XW-P1 also features HexLayer tones. A HexLayer is a single sound comprised of up to 6 components, allowing complex layers, splits and velocity switched sounds. The sliders on the XW-P1 can be used to mix sounds on the fly to create evolving pads and rich synth textures while key velocity can be used to create dynamic velocity switched orchestral sounds and more.

Arpeggiator and Phrase Sequencer

Arpeggiator and Phrase Sequencer

The XW-P1 and XW-G1 both have powerful Arpeggiators. In addition to typical arpeggio patterns, this Arpeggiator can create polyphonic synth gated patterns, acoustic instrument emulations and is even fully programmable allowing you to create your own unique sounds. An additional phrase sequencer allows you to quickly capture any riff that you play on the keyboard and have it available on a front panel switch or triggered and transposed live from a range of notes on the keyboard. The combination of the Step Sequencer, Arpeggiator and Phrase Sequencer provides an endless array of sound possibilities.

Take a look at the video below for demos and explanations:

The XW-G1 will be available in April 2012 for an MSRP of $799.00 while the XW-P1 arrives in March 2012 for an MSRP of $699.00.