Casio CT-S1 61-Key Portable Keyboard - Red
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The richly expressive Casio AiX Sound Source staple ensures high-quality tone and the newly developed acoustic design delivers impressive and powerful sound output. Created by carefully modeling the acoustic and vintage instruments used in many classic songs, with 61 built-in tones. In addition to the 10 Advanced Tones crafted using the best of Casio technology, the CT-S1 includes a special selection of 12 Casio Classic Tone presets, selected from among the many distinctive digital instruments Casio has developed over the years. The efficient spatial design delivers powerful sound brimming with presence using an original horizontal bass reflex speaker system design.
The CT-S1 also connects to smartphones, tablets and other devices using the separately sold Bluetooth® adapter to create an even bigger world of musical enjoyment - from using the unit as a wireless speaker to playing along with favourite songs. The dedicated Chordana Play app enables the user to change the tempo or key of songs being played and display music scores and piano roll notation, enabling individuals to practice at their own pace.
Features
• 61 full-size touch response keys
• 61 tones including: 7 new "advanced" and 12 "classic Casio" tones
• 64-note Polyphony
• Class-compliant USB-MIDI
• Optional Bluetooth audio/MIDI adapter
• Includes AC adapter
• 2.5W + 2.5W Bass Reflex Speaker System
• Available in black (BK), white (WE), and red (RD)
Q & A
Reviews
Right when I picked up the box, I felt that it was very light weight which was great. Straight out of the box, it looks beautiful. I wish the CASIO letters on the back were in white for added contrast. Also, the music sheet stand is black which is so so, I know the white model comes with a white stand so I'm confused why this didn't come with a red stand....no matter though, I probably won't use it anyways.
I used to have a Casio Casitone CT-S300 so I'll compare this to that. I also have a digital piano at home which is an 88 key Casio CDP-S100. I'll also compare it to that.
I will have to say that immediately the CT-S1 sounds and feels MUCH better than the CT-S300. The keys feel MANY times better and the sounds are a LOT more authentic than the CT-S300. No wonder I sold my CT-S300. The keys on this CT-S1 are very enjoyable to play, they're so much fun to press onto. However, they're nothing like the weighted action style keys on the CDP-S100 I have been playing so far, which feel much more like a real piano. If you want to play classical piano pieces, you can play it on the CT-S1 but you won't get that feeling of graded weighted keys (and obviously you don't have 88 keys). I will say that after playing the CDP-S100 digital piano sometimes I hit the keys on this CT-S1 lightly expecting a sound but almost no sound comes out, so you have to press quite a bit harder. It has a good dynamic range though, it's just different as it's meant to have synth action keys and not weighted action like digital pianos.
The weight of this keyboard is very good, as is the build quality. However the "handle" meant for carrying it around is nothing like the actual handle that was built into the previous Casitone CT-S100, S200 and S300 series of keyboards, especially considering that felt cover on the front which you'd be touching with your fingers while carrying. The CT-SX00 series handle was actually usable for longer distance carrying.
All in all, this is a great looking, playing and most importantly sounding keyboard for the money. It frankly doesn't really sound better than my CDP-S100 in my opinion but it's got more tones and it's for sure better than how I remember my CT-S300 to be. Don't expect to be blown away by the tones, but I don't think you'll be disappointed either. They're quite good, and really good in some cases.
Frankly, if you don't care about the looks much and prefer functionality, I think that CT-S400 is a better value and it's only 10% more than this. It's got a display screen, a pitch bend wheel and a ton more tones.
However, I absolutely love the look of this unit and 61 tones is enough for now, until I can afford that MODX one day. .
Protect your investment with the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty
A warranty can be a very important factor when making a buying decision. Because repairs can be very expensive in terms of parts and labour costs, manufacturers usually only provide one year limited warranties that generally only cover items that malfunction due to a manufacturer’s defect. With an important purchase such as a musical
instrument or piece of studio gear, however, many people want to have the peace of mind in knowing that their investment will be protected should the product no longer be performing at 100%.
Because of this, Long & McQuade provides our customers with a FREE one-year Performance Warranty on most of our products. The Long & McQuade Performance Warranty supplements the manufacturer’s warranty to ensure that our customers receive complete “no hassle” warranty coverage within their first year.
How does the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty differ from most manufacturers' warranties?
- Performance Guarantee: Normal wear and tear is covered, so your product will be performing as well as the day you purchased it for the entire duration of the coverage. Band and Orchestral Performance Warranty does not include replacing pads or cleaning for woodwind instruments, unless deemed necessary by our repair staff. Ultrasonic cleaning for brass instruments will be provided if deemed necessary by our repair staff, but is not routinely offered under the Performance Warranty.
- Product Replacement: If your product cannot be fixed or costs too much to fix, we will replace it with the equivalent model for no additional charge. If this is not possible, a full refund will be provided.
- No Lemon Policy: Your product will be replaced should the same problem occur multiple times.
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- Accessory Coverage: Any peripheral devices or accessories that come with your product (i.e. foot pedal, case) are also covered.
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Long & McQuade reserves the right to restrict the purchase of additional years of Performance Warranty. Used products come with a 3-month Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Some products (i.e. computers, software, cymbals and other items) are covered only by the manufacturer‘s warranty. Consumables (i.e. strings, reeds, drum sticks, batteries, tubes, cross faders) are excluded as they are designed to be replaced. Cosmetic Damage, Accidental Damage, or problems caused by Humidity or Temperature Issues are not covered. Speakers damaged by overpowering are generally not covered. Our coverage does not provide compensation for loss of use. As of June 2018 the Performance Warranty is no longer transferable. The warranty is only valid in Canada.
Purchasing additional years of coverage
Some manufacturers provide warranties for longer than 1 year; however, these are usually limited warranties that do not provide the same coverage as the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Customers interested in more complete and convenient (but not necessarily longer) coverage are still able to purchase additional years of the Performance Warranty.
If you are interested in receiving this coverage for longer than one year, you have the option of purchasing additional years of the Performance Warranty. The pricing is as follows:
- NEW products: Starting at 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. Starting at 4% for each additional year.
- USED products: Starting at 4% of the current new selling price to increase the warranty from 3 months to 1 year. Starting at 4% for each additional year.
- GUITARS: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year. $45 maximum. An additional free setup is not included with additional purchased years of Performance Warranty.
- BAND and ORCHESTRAL instruments: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year.