Casiotone CT-S1000V…the keyboard that gives you a new voice!

When Casio launched the CT-X line of arranging keyboards, everything changed in the world of affordable keyboards. The AiX sound source brought a whole new level of high-resolution sound. I bought the Casio CT-X800 and still love it. Before that, affordable keyboards just didn’t have that kind of sound. I was really interested when I found out that Casio had created a new keyboard with a surprising added feature, Vocal Synthesis.

My first impression when I received the keyboard was how small the box was. It was braced inside with Styrofoam blocks, and upon opening it, I saw a slim keyboard with full-sized keys and interesting knobs with red back plates. The Casio CT-S1000V is sleek and minimalistic in design. It’s light, about 10 lbs. I instantly visualized all of the places I could take a keyboard like that, at a moment’s notice.

Included with the keyboard were a WU-BT10 Bluetooth MIDI/ audio adapter, power supply (it will also take 6 AA batteries), a music stand, quick start guide and safety precautions pamphlet, and one pair of strap locks. The keyboard came with strap pins so you could hook up a shoulder strap and play. I was impressed that Casio included the power supply because not all music manufacturers do.

Some other things I saw at first glance: a pitch bend wheel, a modulation knob and three others for volume, vocal type, and portamento. There were buttons on the console, but fewer than I’d ever seen on an arranger keyboard, especially considering the added feature of Vocal Synth. There was no list of sounds on the interface, just a handy jog wheel. I noticed that in place of a tone category list, there was a horizontal bass reflex speaker. I couldn’t wait to hear what the speakers sounded like. Something else I liked about the console; although there was a minimum of words, they were white and large enough to see against the dark background. The contrast made them easy to spot in the middle of a song. No more leaning over the keyboard and squinting. Then I turned it around to check out the backside.

The back panel, from left to right:

* Micro USB type B port
* Standard type-A port. (Its USB driver is compatible with windows 7 through 10, both 32 and 64-bit versions as well as Mac OS 10.5 through 11). You can connect the included WU-BT10 Bluetooth adapter and stream audio, or you can use a 3.5mm cable to connect a smart device via the AUDIO IN port or USB (TO HOST) port.
* 12 v DC port for the included power adapter.
* Next, both the headphone and AUDIO IN ports each take a stereo mini-plug.
* 1/4″ LINE OUT ports, for R out and L/mono out.
* Two pedal jacks: pedal 1 is for an SP-3 or SP-20 sustain pedal, and pedal 2 is for either a sustain pedal or an expression pedal.

It was time to dig out the quick start guide, a large four-page leaflet. It condenses everything you need to know to dive into the Casiotone CT-S1000V. Both the quick start guide and downloadable user manual were organized visually, with text and diagrams that make first contact easy to grasp. Page one featured a labelled diagram of the top and back of the keyboard. Page two included instructions on how to play with the vocal synthesis feature. It listed the tone categories, as well as these functions: tone selection, splitting, layering, touch response, sustain, and arpeggios. Page three covers rhythm and accompaniment. Also, registering and recalling performance setups. There were instructions on how to use the three assignable knobs that can be programmed to adjust filter, effects, and modulation. The last page explained how to record your performance and configure function settings. Listed also were the specifications for the Casio CT-S1000V.

The CT-S1000V has a quality keybed. I think Casio has gained the lead the last few years with really exceptional keys. The 61 semi-weighted keys have 3 levels of touch sensitivity and 64 note polyphony. Instead of the glossy, hollow-ish, plastic feel that is so typical on many keyboards, the 61 keys have a smooth semi-matte texture. I really liked the feel of them. The box-style keys don’t feel “springy.” They are SO quiet. There’s no sound of clacking or thumping on the keys.

I actually started with the sounds first. 800 of them. Wow. They are amazing! There are 100 active DSP effects. The bass-reflex stereo speaker system made the preset sounds I was familiar with on my CT-X fatter, louder, and RICHER. I was so impressed. So, the same AiX sound source on my CT-X800 has been taken to another level with this new speaker system, which also includes a surround effect. What a joy to play! I really REALLY love the tones. The 1/4″ line outputs connect to PA systems, mixers, and amps, so you can play at home or on the stage. The CT-S1000V also offers 245 professional-sounding accompaniment rhythms to fit any genre of music, including a vast menu of world accompaniments. There are 150 very nice arpeggio patterns. You can even split the upper and lower and have two different arpeggios going at the same time. You can layer. An upgrade from the CT-X800, you can set separate volumes on the layered tones.

In both the lyric and tone mode, the real-time knobs can be used to customize sounds and effects, including modulation. Since I tend to favour piano, my favourite layered sound is Ambient Piano (10) and Wide Synth Strings (486). The modulation wheel and pitch bend allow for a lot of musical expression. There’s something about a bit of modulation at the end of a violin, flute, sax, or synth.

You can quickly file through sound categories using the + and – buttons. The backlit LCD screen is great. The larger words are immediately readable. Once I punch in a category, the jog wheel takes me directly to the sound I want. Or you can also use the jog wheel to quickly fly through all the sounds without pushing the category button. On first contact, I would suggest having the category list from the Quick Start Guide handy until you get familiar and can go straight to your favourites. You can also tuck your settings away in the registration for quick recall. There is room for 64 settings (16 banks of 4 presets). It has an onboard 6 track recorder.

This keyboard has a sampling feature! I LIKE that! 10 seconds for melody and 3 seconds for drum. I’d never tried to create background harmonies in my own voice.

I enjoyed watching this fun YouTube tutorial by Benn Jordon. It covers a LOT of things this keyboard can do, not just the Vocal Synthesis. It’s incredible.

Vocal Synthesis and the Casio Lyric Creator app.

The real surprise with the new Casiotone CT-S1000V was the unveiling of the vocal synth capability. It actually sings your words. Through Casio’s Lyric Creator iOS/Android App, you don’t need a microphone. You can speak or type lyrics into your device and then send them to your keyboard. There are 22 vocalists types and 100 lyric tones. So, you can play the keys and hear your own words sung back in robotic sounds, vocoders, through the voice of a choir, and even custom vocalists based on your audio recordings. My favourite is “Choir Full,” in the male vocal range. With the real-time knobs, you can adjust age, vibrato, portamento and other parameters. And all of it in polyphony!

In this YouTube video by Rich Formidoni, he walks you through the process of using the Casio Lyric Creator App. You can connect via cable or with the provided Bluetooth MIDI & Audio Adapter. The CT-S1000V has a micro USB port to connect to your smartphone. If you have a micro USB port on your smartphone, you will need to buy a cable with a micro USB on each end. If your smartphone has a USB C port, you will need a cable that has a micro USB connector on one end and a USB C connector on the other. The cable should be no longer than 2 meters. You can get them on Amazon.

The Casiotone CT-S1000V is shallow enough for a beginner to wade in and deep enough for the most accomplished keyboard player to swim in.

I wish I could add more of the YouTube songs I’ve heard using the Casiotone CT-S1000V. The list would be too long, so you’ll have to look for yourself. It’s worth it! Check out “I am a Candy Boy” by Orlan Charles. He was having way too much fun! I enjoyed watching his face as much as I loved hearing the song.

The video I’m posting here is “Into the Dark,” by Christian Matthew Cullen.

The Casiotone CT-S500. Everything CT-S1000V minus Vocal Synthesis.

The Casiotone CT-S500 is another great option if you want to take advantage of the many features, plus have that amazing speaker system. I still can’t believe how much sound comes out of something so slim. This keyboard would make a great midi keyboard controller and that is something I need—something narrow to fit on my desk. Another difference between the two is that the backplates under the knobs on the CT-S500 are not red, but there are still great contrasting white words and details on the interface. Instead of the Lyric and Instrument buttons, as found on the CT-S1000V, the CT-S500 has a Surround button and Active DSP in its place.

Here’s a link to the Casio website and a list of specs for the Casiotone CT-S1000V
Scroll down to the bottom of the product page and click on “SPECS – CT-S1000V.” You will see a L-O-N-G list of features and capabilities. This keyboard does a lot!