News

19.01.2012

Casio to Release Two Types of Unique Synthesizers Designed for Intuitive Control of a Wide Array of Sounds
Casio Computer Co., Ltd., today announced that it will consecutively release two types of synthesizers designed under unique new concepts in spring 2012

TOKYO, January 19, 2012 – Casio Computer Co., Ltd., today announced that it will consecutively release two types of synthesizers designed under unique new concepts in spring 2012: the XW-G1, a groove synthesizer that combines the functions of the various digital equipment used by club DJs in a single unit, and the XW-P1, a true performance synthesizer particularly designed for creating sounds for live performances and playing expressively.

Featuring a slim body and weighing only 5.4 kilograms, both models are equipped with nine sliders and four independent assignable knobs, making it intuitive and easy for users to control a wide array of sounds.

XW-G1 Groove Synthesizer
The XW-G1 is a synthesizer that lets users enjoy many of the features club DJs use on their digital equipment. The functions of various DJ gear are included in this all-in-one unit, including its Step Sequencer for selecting an array of rhythm patterns, Phrase Sequencer offering preset phrases that spice up DJ performances, and Sample Looper for digitally samplin rhythm patterns, keyboard performances, or externally input sound allowing overdubbing. Using the built-in 61-key keyboard, users can not only play the keyboard live while using rhythm patterns as backing tracks, but can also use the keyboard to call up features quickly while DJ-ing, giving them real-time control of the instrument’s cool club sounds.

XW-P1 Performance Synthesizer
The XW-P1 is a synthesizer particularly designed for creating sounds and playing expressively in live performances. This model features 620 preset tones, including Solo Synthesizer presets that reproduce vintage analog synthesizer sounds, Hex Layer ensemble sounds that comprise as many as six tones, and Drawbar Organ presets that can be controlled using nine sliders functioning as drawbars. A wide array of sounds can be created using the preset tones and a wide range of internal waves. Moreover, the XW-P1 is loaded with various functions to give discerning performers more power of expression, including the Performance function that allows performance setups to be independently assigned for up to four designated keyboard zones.



Category

Product name

Time of sales release

Groove Synthesizer

XW-G1

April

Performance Synthesizer

XW-P1

Late March



A Groove Synthesizer with Many of the Cool Sounds and Features a DJ Uses in a Club


The XW-G1 is a groove synthesizer equipped with a keyboard and loaded with the functions of the various kinds of digital equipment used by club DJs, including the ability to create and play back a variety of rhythm patterns and musical phrases, all in a single unit. Users can enjoy playing an all-in-one instrument that enables control of cool sounds via sets of nine sliders, 16 Step Sequencer buttons and four assignable knobs arranged on the left side of the top panel.

Step Sequencer lets users create and play back a variety of rhythm patterns
·   100 different rhythm patterns are available for playback in the preset sequences
·   Up to 100 original rhythm patterns can be recorded as user sequences
·   Users can improvise using the set of 16 buttons while playing back rhythm patterns
·   Multiple rhythm patterns—as many as 99—can be connected in a sequence and played as loops using the Chains function

Phrase Sequencer lets users create and play back musical phrases that spice up DJ performances
·   100 musical phrases can be readily played back using the preset phrases
·   Up to 100 musical phrases spontaneously played on the keyboard can be stored in memory as user phrases
Useful functions bring out the best in live performance
·   A multifunction keys enables users to assign essential functions for DJ performances to keys
·   420 preset tones including Solo Synthesizer and PCM tones can be quickly accessed in keyboard performances
·   The Arpeggio function can automatically play arpeggios just by pressing keys
Sample Looper digitally samples any sound, and allows overdubbing
·   Sounds performed on the synthesizer as well as sounds input from external source can be sampled and played back in loops of up to 19 seconds long, allowing overdubbing
·   Sampled sounds that are saved as user tones can be played in keyboard performances
Excellent scalability for more performance enjoyment
·   Users can choose from a wide variety of preset tones or internal PCM and Synth waves to create sounds
·   Various input and output terminals enable connection of audio equipment and MIDI-compatible devices, such a DJ gear and musical instruments
·  Portable MIDI devices or audio equipment can be placed on the designated rubber holding space


A Groove Synthesizer with Many of the Cool Sounds and Features a DJ Uses in a Club

The XW-P1 is a true performance synthesizer that allows users to create a wide array of sounds from many preset tones, including Solo Synthesizer, Hex Layer, and Drawbar Organ tones, as well as numerous types of internal PCM and Synth waves. The unit is also loaded with a full range of functions that are useful for live performances. Weighing only 5.4 kilograms and with a slimly designed body, the XW-P1 can be powered with dry cell batteries, making it possible to be played in a wide range of live settings—from the stage to the street. Wide selection of preset tones ensures quick access in performances
• 100 Solo Synthesizer presets can reproduce vintage analog synthesizer sounds
• 50 Hex Layer presets layer as many as six tones for ensemble sounds
• 50 Drawbar Organ presets can reproduce traditional Drawbar Organ sounds
• A total of 420 PCM Melody and PCM Drum presets have been produced from samples of various instrument sounds including pianos, guitars, and drums

Special features make it easy for discerning performers to create sounds
• A total of 311 internal Synth waves reproduce vintage analog synthesizer sounds
• A total of 2,158 PCM waves are built in, including wave data from the CZ series, Casio’s
best-selling digital synthesizers of the 1980s
• Users can create integrated sounds by layering analog synthesizer waves and PCM waves
• Users can produce original Hex Layer sounds by combining as many as six preset tones
• Users can create their own Drawbar Organ sounds by using the nine sliders

Variety of functions useful for live performances
• Users can assign performance setups for up to four designated keyboard zones by using the Performance function
• The Phrase Sequencer lets users create and play back musical phrases to enhance their performances
• The Step Sequencer allows users to create and play back a variety of rhythm patterns
• The Arpeggio function can automatically play arpeggios just by pressing keys
Useful features for applications ranging from performance to music production
• SMF data or audio data saved on an SD card can be played back while playing the keyboard
• MIDI devices, microphones, audio players, and other equipment can be connected using the various input and output terminals
• Portable audio equipment or MIDI devices can be placed on the designated rubber holding space

                                                                                                                   

Model

 

XW-G1

XW-P1

Keyboard

 

61 standard-size keys

Touch Response

2 types, off

Sound Source

 

HPSS (Hybrid Processing Sound Source)

Maximum Polyphony

64 (1 to 32 for some tones)

Tones

 

420 preset, 220 user

620 preset, 310 user

Solo Synthesizer (monophonic)

100 preset, 100 user

100 preset, 100 user

Hex Layer

-

50 preset, 50 user

Drawbar Organ

-

50 preset, 50 user

PCM Melody

300 preset, 100 user

400 preset, 100 user

PCM Drum

20 preset, 10 user

20 preset, 10 user

User Wave

10

-

Solo Synthesizer Tones Edit (monophonic)

Synth OSC1/ OSC2 Blocks

Oscillator (311Synth waves), filter, amp

PCM OSC1/ OSC2 Blocks

Oscillator (1,777 PCM waves* )
*Including 308 synth waves

Oscillator (2,158 PCM waves* )
*Including 308 synth waves

Filter, amp

External Input Sound Block

Pitch shifter, filter, amp

Noise Block

Noise generator, filter, amp

Total Block

Filter, solo synthesizer DSP

Effects

Reverb

System reverb

Chorus

System chorus*  *not available when using DSP or Solo Synthesizer sound

DSP

100 preset, 100 user
52 types (46 normal, 6 solo synthesizer)

Master Equalizer

4 bands

Performance
Functions

Memories

100 preset, 100 user

Zone

4 (maximum)

Split

Yes

Step
Sequencer

Sequence

100 preset, 100 user,

Number of Tracks

8 monophonic, 1 polyphonic, 4 control

Patterns

8 types per sequence

Chains

100

Maximum Steps

16

Phrase
Sequencer

Phrase

100 preset, 100 user

Track

1

Playback Mode

One-time, loop

Memory Capacity

128KB

Other

Overdubbing

Sample
Looper

User Samples

10

-

Sampling frequencies

42 / 21kHz

Sampling channels

Stereo, monaural

Quantization

16bit

Mixer

 

16 internal parts + 1 external part

Other
Functions

Transpose

±1 octaves (–12 to 0 to +12 semitones)

Octave Shift

±3 octaves

Tuning

A4 = 415.5 - 440.0 - 465.9 Hz

Arpeggios

100 preset, 100 user

MIDI

 

16 multi-timbre received, GM level 1 standard

Wheels

 

Bender, modulation

Sliders

 

9

Assignable Knobs

4

Dial

 

1

Display

 

LCD with backlight

Demonstration Songs

3

SD Memory Card Slot

Supported Card

SD or SDHC memory cards, 32GB or less

Functions

SMF playback

SMF playback, audio file playback

File storage, file recall, file delete, card format

Terminals

MIDI

MIDI In, MIDI Out/Thru

USB port

Type B

SUSTAIN / ASSIGNABLE

Standard jack (sustain, sostenuto, soft, start/stop)

PHONES

Stereo standard jack

LINE OUT

Standard jack (L/MONO for each), standard jack (R)

INST IN

 

Standard mono jack

A/D converter

42 kHz sample rate,
10-bit resolution

-

MIC IN

 

Standard mono jack

AUDIO IN

Stereo mini jack

DC IN

9.5V

Power Supply

 

2-way

Batteries

6 D-size zinc-carbon batteries or alkaline batteries

Battery Life

Approximately 35 hours
(alkaline batteries, using the headphones)

AC Adaptor

AD-E95100L(included)

Size (W x D x H)

948 x 384 x 124mm

Weight

5.4kg



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