The Casio XW-P1 Appreciation Video

Published on Dec 24, 2018 ProckGnosis

"This is just an appreciation video for the Casio XW-P1, which I decided to sell. Like a lot of Casio products, there is some really inventive and creative work that went into the synth that often goes unnoticed or underappreciated (by myself even).

I bought it mostly as a cheap keyboard option for gigging with a "classic rock" band, and though I was curious about the sequencer, arpeggiator (which I don't mention in the video at all, unfortunately), and phrase sequencer, I had little reason to use any of those features, and therefore I didn't explore them so much. And that's unfortunate, because I think they are some of the stronger features on the synth, and would likely be appealing for someone wanting to get started with some DAW-less sequencing for not much money. I'm just more of a DAW-full kind of guy.

Loose Timeline for the Video
Intro - 03:08
The Step Sequencer - 11:30
The Phrase Sequencer - 16:16
The Drawbar Organ - 18:00
The Hex Layer Synth - 20:16
The Solo Synth - 22:58
Some Final Thoughts - 27:06
Bonus - Alt versions of ProckGnosis Theme with the XW-P1 - 28:22

For folks even more curious about the keyboard, I've copied Casio's specs on the XW-P1 below, though the formatting was mostly lost.

Specifications
Keyboard 61 standard-size keys
Touch Response 2 types, off
Maximum Polyphony 64 (1 to 32 for some tones)

Tones
• 620 preset, 310 user
• Solo Synthesizer(monophonic) : 100 preset, 100 user
• Hex Layer : 50 preset, 50 user
• Drawbar Organ : 50 preset, 50 user
• PCM Melody : 400 preset, 100 user
• PCM Drum : 20 preset, 10 user

Solo Synthesizer Tones Edit
(monophonic)
• Synth OSC1/ OSC2 Blocks : 311 Synth waves, filter, amp
• PCM OSC1/ OSC2 Blocks : Oscillator(2,158 PCM waves*), Filter, amp*Including 308 Synth waves
• External Input Sound Block : Pitch shifter, filter, amp
• Noise Block : Noise generator, filter, amp
• Total Block : Filter, Solo Synthesizer DSP
• LFO Block 2 : Virtual controllers 8

Effects
• Reverb: System reverb
• Chorus: System chorus**Except when using DSP or Solo Synthesizer tones.
• DSP: 100 preset, 100 user, 53 types (46 normal, 7 Solo Synthesizer)
• Master Equalizer : 4 bands

Performance Functions • Memories : 100 preset, 100 user
• Zone : 4 (maximum)

Step Sequencer
• Sequence : 100 preset, 100 user
• Maximum Steps : 16
• Number of Tracks : 8 monophonic, 1 polyphonic, 4 control
• Patterns : 8 types per sequence
• Chains : 100 user

Phrase Sequencer
• Phrase : 100 preset, 100 user
• Track : 1
• Playback Mode : One-time, loop
• Memory Capacity : 8 KB / user phrase, 128 KB / 100 user phrases
• Other : Overdubbing

Arpeggio 100 preset, 100 user
Mixer 16 internal parts + externally input part

Other Functions
• Transpose : ±1 octave (–12 to 0 to +12 semitones)
• Octave Shift : ±3 octaves
• Tuning : A4 = 415.5 - 440.0 - 465.9 Hz

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 Slots
• Supported Cards : SDHC memory card (32 GB max.) or SD memory card
• Functions : SMF playback, audio file playback, file storage, file recall, file delete, card format

Terminals
• MIDI : MIDI IN / MIDI OUT / THRU
• USB* : Type B
* USB cable (A-B type) required to use USB terminal for computer connection.
• SUSTAIN / ASSIGNABLE : Standard jack
(sustain, sostenuto, soft, start / stop etc.)
• PHONES : Stereo standard jack
• LINE OUT : Standard jack (L/MONO for each), standard jack (R)
• INST IN : Mono standard jack
• MIC IN : Mono standard jack
• AUDIO IN : Stereo mini jack
• DC IN : 9.5 V

Power Supply
• AC Adapter : AD-E95100L (included)
• Batteries : 6 D-size alkaline batteries or zinc-carbon batteries
• Battery Life : Approximately 35 hours
(alkaline batteries, using headphones)

Dimensions (W x D x H) 948 x 384 x 124 mm * Excluding music stand, and other projections
Weight 5.4 kg (without batteries)
EAN code 4971850314158"