It’s not quite clear what just happened at Casio’s Music Gear division. Last year, their XW DJ line included a pedestrian but perfectly innocuous-looking DJ/VJ controller in partnership with Vestax.
Now, in an apparent attempt to corner the market of 12-year-old producers, they’ve made two crazy-looking things shaped like the Millennium Falcon. Not a little like the Millennium Falcon – nearly exactly like it, just short of turning its reflector dish into a knob. (Okay, it looks a little bit like a Roland Handsonic HPD-10, but the Casio has a narrower nose – which in turn squeezes the space for controls. And as a result, 12-year-olds may want to head elsewhere.)
And so it begins. With the EDM dance market exploding worldwide, you can bet every manufacturer will try to make young dance music fans buy gear, even if they haven’t before.
So, let’s try to work out what we’re even looking at.
The XW-DJ1 is a DJ “controller” — basically, it appears to be an accessory for Algoriddim djay2. Casio hasn’t sent out specs yet, so we can only guess. If this is USB, they could mean djay for Mac and iOS; if there’s a Lightning connector, it’s an iOS accessory (though for now, there’s no real indication of that).
The press release might make your eyes bleed: CASIO says they’ve made this for “Algoriddim’s djay2 apps for iTunes” (wait – for what now?) and that the fake platter “allows users to enjoy the popular ‘scratching’ DJ style when mixing and creating tracks.”
Yes, that ‘scratching’ … um … style. So, you get:
- 7-inch platter (one jog wheel, basically)
- Cue points and looping controls
- Tempo sync
- Effects controls, filters
- Battery power
- Built-in speaker
The Millennium Falcon form factor, though, is where things get a bit strange. Loop points are organized in a circle around the platter. On the far side, you have two big switches for A and B. There’s a crossfader, opposite … an effect level? Two separate filters?
Transport controls are tucked into a grid at the far side of the controller – right next to the power switch. (I sincerely hope you have to hold that down to trigger it!) There are shift keys next to the transport. And there are tiny toggles for the scratch capability – also crammed in alongside the transport controls.
All of this makes sense as a consumer device, but MSRP is US$299.00.
Seriously, I think you’d have to be Star Wars Christmas Special crazy to buy this thing, unless I’m missing something. Check out the previous CASIO XW DJ controller, which included a lot of the best controller features of Vestax’s VCI line – and with the fate of Vestax unclear, that might be the best successor to their lines.
So, okay. That doesn’t make any sense. What if it were bright red and a groove box instead?
XW-PD1 Groove Center
(See image at top.) Here, CASIO ripped the sound engine from their XW synth line and … stuck that in the Millennium Falcon, too. (I’m glad they didn’t opt for the TIE Fighter.)
You get velocity-sensitive pads. Of course, those pads are in a grid… but then that square is in … a circle. That puts some controls in a ring around the pads (SIMON-style), and others on the side. If you’re left-handed, you’ll get to read the labels upside-down.
And then…
Well, there’s an assignable fader on the side. And two effect knobs. And it gets still weirder: controls around the side for Master EQ, then metronome, then setting, solo, mute, clear, copy, key shift, max step, swing, MIDI control, pattern edit, velocity, pad volume, pad action… slice length?
But then there are tiny buttons for “sampling” and slice length, tap tempo, and data recall over with the transport controls. It’s almost like someone picked where the controls went at random.
That’s too bad, because the sampling settings sound cool: you can sample from the mic and audio input in real-time, and do real-time recordings of pad performances. In other words, it looks like Casio had a nice idea and just weirdly put it in a case where the control layout couldn’t possibly make any sense.
No word on whether this is battery-powered or has a speaker like the DJ controller.
And at US$399.00 MSRP, we know this product will already be up against KORG’s ElecTribe line, to say nothing of rivals from the likes of Roland/BOSS.
But, here you go – your first new products of NAMM, already coming out. There will be more. So… save your strength.
The groove station ships in March, the DJ controller ships this month.
Casio Transforms the Dance Music Scene with Trackformer Series of New DJ Products [Casio News]
Now, who on The Internet will be the first to remake the Star Wars trailer with the DJ controller composited into all the shots? Go.
or you can buy imaschine for $4
yep…but you need a $400 ipad to run it, so you’re back at square one
and you’re tapping on a flat glass screen instead of velocity sensitive rubber pads.
apples and oranges really…but they’re both fruit.
I love how the XW-DJ1 is essentially a controller version of Vestax’s QFO…with a VCI jog wheel no less. Vestax is still in the game!
or you can buy imaschine for $4
yep…but you need a $400 ipad to run it, so you’re back at square one
and you’re tapping on a flat glass screen instead of velocity sensitive rubber pads.
apples and oranges really…but they’re both fruit.
I love how the XW-DJ1 is essentially a controller version of Vestax’s QFO…with a VCI jog wheel no less. Vestax is still in the game!
or you can buy imaschine for $4
yep…but you need a $400 ipad to run it, so you’re back at square one
and you’re tapping on a flat glass screen instead of velocity sensitive rubber pads.
apples and oranges really…but they’re both fruit.
I love how the XW-DJ1 is essentially a controller version of Vestax’s QFO…with a VCI jog wheel no less. Vestax is still in the game!
To me are genius. Time will bring us the reason… for now my mouth is closed!
Casio go go go!!!
biggest piece of shit i have ever seen
I <3 U
you love casio….
ahhh, did ya set your profile private you spic pussy?
i guess you can only afford casios in your shit country, my bad.
all you can afford is casio kid, lololol.
To me are genius. Time will bring us the reason… for now my mouth is closed!
Casio go go go!!!
biggest piece of shit i have ever seen
I <3 U
you love casio….
ahhh, did ya set your profile private you spic pussy?
i guess you can only afford casios in your shit country, my bad.
all you can afford is casio kid, lololol.
To me are genius. Time will bring us the reason… for now my mouth is closed!
Casio go go go!!!
biggest piece of shit i have ever seen
I <3 U
you love casio….
ahhh, did ya set your profile private you spic pussy?
i guess you can only afford casios in your shit country, my bad.
all you can afford is casio kid, lololol.
She might not look like much, and she probably also doesn’t have it where it counts.
…and I have a bad feeling about this.
ISWYDT
iswydt
She might not look like much, and she probably also doesn’t have it where it counts.
…and I have a bad feeling about this.
ISWYDT
iswydt
She might not look like much, and she probably also doesn’t have it where it counts.
…and I have a bad feeling about this.
ISWYDT
iswydt
Most awful piece of design work I’ve seen in a decade. And by the looks of it, extremely impractical. And then there’s the colour scheme…. wtf were they thinking?
Most awful piece of design work I’ve seen in a decade. And by the looks of it, extremely impractical. And then there’s the colour scheme…. wtf were they thinking?
Most awful piece of design work I’ve seen in a decade. And by the looks of it, extremely impractical. And then there’s the colour scheme…. wtf were they thinking?
HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAH wow.
HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAH wow.
HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAH wow.
look
look
look
Casio should just bring back the FZ1, but a more modern version of it.
Casio should just bring back the FZ1, but a more modern version of it.
Casio should just bring back the FZ1, but a more modern version of it.
If you wanna create your own pro beats just click the link below
Click Here!
I actually purchased a Casio XW-G1 on craigslist for a song last month. Not exactly sure how I came across it but it has a 9 track, 16 step sequencer in it that can send MIDI out. Plus 4 tracks for sending extra CCs. It’s actually pretty cool! You can use the keyboard to transpose tracks in real time, one of the 9 tracks can have 3 note chords, steps can be confined to a key/scale, tracks can have different lengths, you can chain patterns, includes a reasonable collection of drum sounds… It sounds impossible but it is indeed a very well spec’d step sequencer. Plus, a very nice arpeggiator, a fairly capable VA(ish) mono synth that will allow you to use an external input as an additional oscillator (not just use the filter, an OSC source), transposable phrase sequencer with overdubbing, a sampler and an audio looper… and, as you can imagine, it’s pretty much a convoluted poop fest and will likely head back to Craigslist soon. Ho hum.
As I was playing with the thing I thought, “What the hell is this sweet little sequencer doing on the left side of this largely (and large, physically) low rent rompler? What I want is for them to ditch the keyboard and just do this sequencer/arpeggiator properly (streamline the OS, add a few more buttons) with a mini keyboard for transposing and note input only.”
Then, I saw the Millenium Falcon yesterday and thought ‘Wait, maybe they actually did it?’ Looks like they haven’t but there are some details a Casio rep shared on Gearslutz worth including here:
It’s fun/easy to poke fun at Casio (been doing it since I sold my CZ-101 in 1990) but I give them credit for trying something new after a decade or two of stagnation (at least with regard to our market). They’re not ‘there’ yet but you can’t get there without trying. Now, go off and make us a stand alone 12 track step sequencer for $199 please. 🙂
So the internet doesn’t think I’m *entirely* drunk. These are the xw-g1 internal monosynth sounds only (plus internal drums eventually)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8mezJkEQT0
some nice noodling!! can you record knob movements on tnis ? edit the drums?
Yes, you can record knob movements into one of the 4 controller tracks. Setting it up is convoluted but doable.
Yes, drums can be edited and you can import your own drum samples. It supports 4 layers of velocity switching but I haven’t tried it (and sample memory is bordering on silly low). Page 31 here for more on PCM drum editing: http://support.casio.com/storage/en/manual/pdf/EN/008/XWG1_1B_EN.pdf
So that sequencer/arpeggiator sends midi out and can receive midi??? I havent read the manual or done any research … maybe you can answer this?
It can send midi out on all 9 tracks. 4 control track too maybe, I haven’t tried. I haven’t tried MIDI in yet either but I somehow doubt it. I mean, the instrument will respond to MIDI In (DIN or USB) but I’m not sure if you can program or transpose the sequencer via MIDI In.
Interesting can you import your own midi files over usb to the sequencer and what did you think of the audio looper? … and thanks for sharing the info.
No, you can’t import MIDI files. Don’t think that would make much sense with a step sequencer anyway. Audio Looper is ok. Well, it’s bad actually. It samples at like 11 bit or something. If I didn’t have other means to loop audio I’d be excited. As it is, I’m not.
Wait, now I’m interested. But… yes, interested how this translates to the smaller unit.
I actually purchased a Casio XW-G1 on craigslist for a song last month. Not exactly sure how I came across it but it has a 9 track, 16 step sequencer in it that can send MIDI out. Plus 4 tracks for sending extra CCs. It’s actually pretty cool! You can use the keyboard to transpose tracks in real time, one of the 9 tracks can have 3 note chords, steps can be confined to a key/scale, tracks can have different lengths, you can chain patterns, includes a reasonable collection of drum sounds… It sounds impossible but it is indeed a very well spec’d step sequencer. Plus, a very nice arpeggiator, a fairly capable VA(ish) mono synth that will allow you to use an external input as an additional oscillator (not just use the filter, an OSC source), transposable phrase sequencer with overdubbing, a sampler and an audio looper… and, as you can imagine, it’s pretty much a convoluted poop fest and will likely head back to Craigslist soon. Ho hum.
As I was playing with the thing I thought, “What the hell is this sweet little sequencer doing on the left side of this largely (and large, physically) low rent rompler? What I want is for them to ditch the keyboard and just do this sequencer/arpeggiator properly (streamline the OS, add a few more buttons) with a mini keyboard for transposing and note input only.”
Then, I saw the Millenium Falcon yesterday and thought ‘Wait, maybe they actually did it?’ Looks like they haven’t but there are some details a Casio rep shared on Gearslutz worth including here:
It’s fun/easy to poke fun at Casio (been doing it since I sold my CZ-101 in 1990) but I give them credit for trying something new after a decade or two of stagnation (at least with regard to our market). They’re not ‘there’ yet but you can’t get there without trying. Now, go off and make us a stand alone 12 track step sequencer for $199 please. 🙂
So the internet doesn’t think I’m *entirely* drunk. These are the xw-g1 internal monosynth sounds only (plus internal drums eventually)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8mezJkEQT0
some nice noodling!! can you record knob movements on tnis ? edit the drums?
Yes, you can record knob movements into one of the 4 controller tracks. Setting it up is convoluted but doable.
Yes, drums can be edited and you can import your own drum samples. It supports 4 layers of velocity switching but I haven’t tried it (and sample memory is bordering on silly low). Page 31 here for more on PCM drum editing: http://support.casio.com/storage/en/manual/pdf/EN/008/XWG1_1B_EN.pdf
So that sequencer/arpeggiator sends midi out and can receive midi??? I havent read the manual or done any research … maybe you can answer this?
It can send midi out on all 9 ‘note’ tracks as well as the 4 controller tracks. I haven’t tried MIDI in yet but I somehow doubt it. I mean, the instrument will respond to MIDI In (DIN or USB) but I’m not sure if you can program or transpose the sequencer via MIDI In.
Interesting can you import your own midi files over usb to the sequencer and what did you think of the audio looper? … and thanks for sharing the info.
No, you can’t import MIDI files. Don’t think that would make much sense with a step sequencer anyway. Audio Looper is ok. Well, it’s bad actually. It samples at like 11 bit or something. If I didn’t have other means to loop audio I’d be excited. As it is, I’m not.
Wait, now I’m interested. But… yes, interested how this translates to the smaller unit.
I actually purchased a Casio XW-G1 on craigslist for a song last month. Not exactly sure how I came across it but it has a 9 track, 16 step sequencer in it that can send MIDI out. Plus 4 tracks for sending extra CCs. It’s actually pretty cool! You can use the keyboard to transpose tracks in real time, one of the 9 tracks can have 3 note chords, steps can be confined to a key/scale, tracks can have different lengths, you can chain patterns, includes a reasonable collection of drum sounds… It sounds impossible but it is indeed a very well spec’d step sequencer. Plus, a very nice arpeggiator, a fairly capable VA(ish) mono synth that will allow you to use an external input as an additional oscillator (not just use the filter, an OSC source), transposable phrase sequencer with overdubbing, a sampler and an audio looper… and, as you can imagine, it’s pretty much a convoluted poop fest and will likely head back to Craigslist soon. Ho hum.
As I was playing with the thing I thought, “What the hell is this sweet little sequencer doing on the left side of this largely (and large, physically) low rent rompler? What I want is for them to ditch the keyboard and just do this sequencer/arpeggiator properly (streamline the OS, add a few more buttons) with a mini keyboard for transposing and note input only.”
Then, I saw the Millenium Falcon yesterday and thought ‘Wait, maybe they actually did it?’ Looks like they haven’t but there are some details a Casio rep shared on Gearslutz worth including here:
It’s fun/easy to poke fun at Casio (been doing it since I sold my CZ-101 in 1990) but I give them credit for trying something new after a decade or two of stagnation (at least with regard to our market). They’re not ‘there’ yet but you can’t get there without trying. Now, go off and make us a stand alone 12 track step sequencer for $199 please. 🙂
So the internet doesn’t think I’m *entirely* drunk. These are the xw-g1 internal monosynth sounds only (plus internal drums eventually)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8mezJkEQT0
some nice noodling!! can you record knob movements on tnis ? edit the drums?
Yes, you can record knob movements into one of the 4 controller tracks. Setting it up is convoluted but doable.
Yes, drums can be edited and you can import your own drum samples. It supports 4 layers of velocity switching but I haven’t tried it (and sample memory is bordering on silly low). Page 31 here for more on PCM drum editing: http://support.casio.com/storage/en/manual/pdf/EN/008/XWG1_1B_EN.pdf
So that sequencer/arpeggiator sends midi out and can receive midi??? I havent read the manual or done any research … maybe you can answer this?
It can send midi out on all 9 ‘note’ tracks as well as the 4 controller tracks. I haven’t tried MIDI in yet but I somehow doubt it. I mean, the instrument will respond to MIDI In (DIN or USB) but I’m not sure if you can program or transpose the sequencer via MIDI In.
Interesting can you import your own midi files over usb to the sequencer and what did you think of the audio looper? … and thanks for sharing the info.
No, you can’t import MIDI files. Don’t think that would make much sense with a step sequencer anyway. Audio Looper is ok. Well, it’s bad actually. It samples at like 11 bit or something. If I didn’t have other means to loop audio I’d be excited. As it is, I’m not.
Wait, now I’m interested. But… yes, interested how this translates to the smaller unit.
Modern versions of the DJX’s
Actually, yes, fair comparison!
@peterkirn:disqus and in regards to your updated article on this.. alot of ppl don’t know that the keyboard DJX actually has built in sequencing too. That thing is weird. Take all the auto-chording multi-part toy keyboards Yamaha did all those years, then mix it up by saying “you can now custom sequence each of those auto-chord parts, for bass, drums, etc. and scale it the same way” — very weird keyboard! If that was my first keyboard as a kid I would have been in heaven. The DJX boxes however…total crap.
Modern versions of the DJX’s
Actually, yes, fair comparison!
@peterkirn:disqus and in regards to your updated article on this.. alot of ppl don’t know that the keyboard DJX actually has built in sequencing too. That thing is weird. Take all the auto-chording multi-part toy keyboards Yamaha did all those years, then mix it up by saying “you can now custom sequence each of those auto-chord parts, for bass, drums, etc. and scale it the same way” — very weird keyboard! If that was my first keyboard as a kid I would have been in heaven. The DJX boxes however…total crap.
Modern versions of the DJX’s
Actually, yes, fair comparison!
@peterkirn:disqus and in regards to your updated article on this.. alot of ppl don’t know that the keyboard DJX actually has built in sequencing too. That thing is weird. Take all the auto-chording multi-part toy keyboards Yamaha did all those years, then mix it up by saying “you can now custom sequence each of those auto-chord parts, for bass, drums, etc. and scale it the same way” — very weird keyboard! If that was my first keyboard as a kid I would have been in heaven. The DJX boxes however…total crap.
Peter is right. Everything should be square black boxes. Made for people who only use VCO’s.
Or as i have said earlier. Age starts to show on Peters writing’s 😉
Because I like rectangles?
Peter is right. Everything should be square black boxes. Made for people who only use VCO’s.
Or as i have said earlier. Age starts to show on Peters writing’s 😉
Because I like rectangles?
Peter is right. Everything should be square black boxes. Made for people who only use VCO’s.
Or as i have said earlier. Age starts to show on Peters writing’s 😉
Because I like rectangles?
from akai612 on gearslutz
from akai612 on gearslutz
from akai612 on gearslutz
And a little more info about the XW-PD1 can be found here: https://casiomusicgear.wordpress.com/2015/01/09/trackformer-xw-pd1-introduction/
tl;dr:
And a little more info about the XW-PD1 can be found here: https://casiomusicgear.wordpress.com/2015/01/09/trackformer-xw-pd1-introduction/
tl;dr:
edit: and a spec sheet is here: http://www.casio-intl.com/asia-mea/en/emi/djproducts/xw-pd1/spec/. After reading both of the above, I still don’t understand what this thing does!
And a little more info about the XW-PD1 can be found here: https://casiomusicgear.wordpress.com/2015/01/09/trackformer-xw-pd1-introduction/
tl;dr:
edit: and a spec sheet is here: http://www.casio-intl.com/asia-mea/en/emi/djproducts/xw-pd1/spec/. After reading both of the above, I still don’t understand what this thing does!
Lol, whoever wrote this is a donut….missing the point. And obviously has decided they don’t like it from the off.
All things considered, this is a good piece if kit.
Lol, whoever wrote this is a donut….missing the point. And obviously has decided they don’t like it from the off.
All things considered, this is a good piece if kit.
Lol, whoever wrote this is a donut….missing the point. And obviously has decided they don’t like it from the off.
All things considered, this is a good piece if kit.