History

1981

Casiotone MT-40

In 1985, a worldwide smash-hit reggae track featured wholesale use of one of the preset rhythm patterns from the MT-40. This pattern, commonly referred to as “Sleng Teng,” was referred to in an article run in a music magazine hailing the Sleng Teng riddim as a savior that had revolutionized the world of reggae. The MT-40, which touched off the computerized reggae revolution, can be considered an electronic keyboard that gave rise to new forms of musical culture.

1981

Casiotone 701 (CT-701)

The CT-701 featured the Melody Guide function, using LED lights to show the user which keys they should press in order to play a song. Songs could be loaded into the keyboard as musical scores in barcode format and stored in memory, a world-first feature. The CT-701—born of a new concept unlike any other instrument of the time—was a pioneering instrument that even a complete beginner could enjoy playing with ease. It was the predecessor of the Key Lighting function and started the evolution of methods of loading in songs the user wished to play.

1981

VL-1

1983

PT-50

1983

Symphonytron 8000

With its combination of a two-tiered pair of keyboards, a pedal keyboard, an accompaniment feature, memory, and large speakers, this electronic keyboard system could handle a diverse range of musical styles and broadened the range of expression possible in musical performance. It could be called the culmination of Casio’s work crafting musical instruments at the time.

1984

CZ-101

The CZ-101 featured Casio’s original “PD sound source,” newly developed in the lead-up to Casio’s debut on the synthesizer market. PD, which stands for Phase Distortion, modified the phase angles of waveforms to generate complex overtones. Enabling tones to be produced with ease by anyone and everyone, the model opened the door for synthesizers—until then very difficult to operate and the province of only a specialized subset of users—to be enjoyed by many more people.

1986

CPS-201

The CPS-201 applied the sound source development technology Casio had cultivated to achieve piano sound with a more natural and aesthetically pleasing feel. It also featured the Touch Response function which enables the expression of sound volume dynamics, as on a piano, based on the force with which keys are pressed. The elegant functionality the model employed in digitizing the piano earned it Japan’s Good Design Award.

1986

SK-1

The SK-1 made it possible to capture sounds from the surrounding environment, such as human vocals or sounds made by pets, to be processed further and used as timbres in musical performances. Making available the sampling function—which up until then had been the province of an extremely specialized subset of users and very expensive—to people throughout the world, this was a popular model that made Casio electronic keyboards familiar to more people around the world. The model sold over 1 million units.

1986

RZ-1

1986

DZ-SYSTEM

The DZ-SYSTEM was developed with the aim of enabling the diverse range of tones of electronic musical instruments to be triggered by hitting the digital drums. In doing so, Casio enabled the drums to be played using the sound source of another electronic instrument with MIDI ports. While drums tend to be thought of as instruments used to beat out a rhythm, this model encouraged their evolution into instruments capable of a wider range of musical expression.

1987

FZ-1

The first 16-bit sampling synthesizer in Japan. The FZ-1 was the premier Casio synthesizer model at the time, providing 16-bit handling of all sampling—a technique in the spotlight at the time—to enable playback with high sound quality and satisfy the exacting demands of even pro musicians. It also featured a large graphical LCD display, enabling waveform editing and making adjustments possible for superior usability.

1987

DG-10

The DG-10, with its guitar-shaped body, featured the tones of a wide range of instruments such as the jazz organ or the trumpet, as well as rhythm patterns, as had previously been included on electronic keyboards, making possible new forms of musical expression beyond the capabilities of conventional guitars. Its inclusion of a built-in speaker meant it could also be enjoyed even in places where no guitar amps were to be found.

1988

CDP-3000

Based on the concept of “the first piano brought into the home,” the CDP-3000 employed original Casio digital technology to deliver on the goals of facilitating easier enjoyment of the piano and increasing users’ familiarity with rich sound. The model used a Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) sound source to reproduce the original, aesthetically pleasing tones of pianos and a Hammer Action mechanism to achieve the natural feel of their key touch. This was the model that laid the foundations for Casio digital pianos, which continue to evolve to new heights today.

1988

VZ-1

1988

DH-100

The DH-100 could be played with the same fingering as the recorder, an instrument taught in school. Using keying to produce the smooth transitions between notes as in the way the saxophone is played, the model eliminated the need for nuanced blowing technique. Even able to modify its sound based on the force of the player’s breath, the instrument was also equipped with a built-in speaker enabling it to be enjoyed anywhere—a key feature. The instrument’s fresh new ideas won popularity, and the horn has devoted fans even now, over 30 years after its debut.

1988

PG-380

1989

VZ-8M

1991

CELVIANO AP-7

Seeking to offer acoustics and key-touch able to satisfy the demands of users very particular about piano performance, the AP-7 featured an Advanced Piano (AP) sound source and the Natural Hammer Action function. This was the first CELVIANO model, incorporating unique digital modes of enjoyment different from the capabilities of conventional pianos, including a built-in CD player allowing users to play with orchestral accompaniment, for example. The name CELVIANO was formed from a combination of Cerveau (French for “brain”), Electronics and Piano to convey the meaning “brain-equipped, new-era digital piano.”

1994

ML-1

1995

GZ-5

The GZ-5 features a lightweight, compact body with 10 preset tones and a built-in speaker. The model enjoyed popularity as a creative tool for composers and arrangers, as well as for use with computer music. As computer music gained more widespread familiarity in conjunction with the explosive popularization of the personal computer at the time of its release, the GZ-5 was used extensively by everyone from beginners to music studios—and retained steady popularity for an exceptionally long time as a model with sales spanning around 20 years.

1996

CTK-520L

The CTK-520L was the first model to feature the Key Lighting function with red lights that illuminated the keys themselves (white and black alike) on a standard keyboard approximately the same size as a piano’s, using the lights to guide the user to the keys they should press in order to play 40 built-in songs. It also featured a three-step lesson system allowing the user to follow the lit keys to practice at three levels of difficulty. Overturning the stereotype that one cannot enjoy playing a musical instrument without lengthy, repeated practice sessions, the model was an innovative keyboard allowing even beginners with absolutely no experience playing musical instruments to get a taste of the joy of musical performance right away by following the illuminated keys.

1997

WK-1200

1998

CTK-660L

1999

CELVIANO AP-60R

2000

MZ-2000

This all-in-one keyboard came loaded with a wide range of features such as an offering of 522 high-quality tones powered by the Zygotech Polynomial Interpolation (ZPI) sound source, which was newly developed at the time, the Song Studio function, which enabled chord progression extraction from MIDI data, and the Drawbar function enabling organ sounds to be played with nine sliders. With such a high degree of perfection as an electronic keyboard, this model won many avid fans around the world.

2001

AL-100R

2003

Privia PX-100

“Bulky, heavy, expensive”—these ideas of the conventional piano were turned on their heads by the PX-100, which was the world’s most compact (in depth) and lightweight* model when it was released. With meticulous attention to its sound and keyboard as well as its compact size, the Privia series featured stylish design. For many who had dreamed of owning a piano, yet for one reason or another had yet to make it a reality, the Privia offered fulfillment in keeping with its name, created from the words “Private Piano”—an instrument the user could keep in their own room. The debut of the Privia brought about a rapid increase in the number of digital pianos sold.

※ Among digital pianos with 88 hammer-action keys and built-in speaker, as of 2003.

2008

CELVIANO AP-400

2009

Privia PX-730

2012

XW-P1

The XW-P1 offered 620 types of preset tones across sound functions such as Hex Layer for creating sounds with layering and depth, Solo Synth for reproducing the sounds of traditional analog synthesizers, and Drawbar Organ, not to mention 2,158 built-in waveforms. Providing an intuitive approach to sound creation by enabling control of these sounds with knobs and sliders, the model provided a jam-packed smorgasbord of the features synth players want.

2012

XW-G1

2013

Privia PX-5S

This stage piano, introduced as part of the Privia series, delivered dependable performance as a piano in a light, compact body. With 370 tones, including the rich ensemble sounds of the Hex Layer mode, six sliders, four knobs and two wheels for intuitive sound morphing, this instrument provided full features for delivering high-level performances onstage while also featuring striking white-and-blue coloration and unique options such as battery operation. All of these features made this model a long-selling companion to pro musicians.

2015

CELVIANO Grand Hybrid GP-500BP

Engaging in collaborative development with the German piano maker C. BECHSTEIN, Casio researched and analyzed three grand pianos with long histories in minute detail, integrating the findings with Casio digital technology to produce the CELVIANO Grand Hybrid, a model that seeks to comprehensively reproduce grand pianos’ uniquely characteristic sounds and resonances, the dynamics of their keyboards with wooden keys and actions, and so on. Overturning preconceptions held by advanced piano users skeptical of how digital pianos perform, such as pro pianists and piano instructors, the model continues to change attitudes— so much to that it has even prompted them to recommend it to other serious aspiring pianists or their own students.

2015

XW-DJ1

2015

XW-PD1

2017

CTK-2550

2018

CELVIANO AP-470

2018

CT-X5000

Casio developed the AiX Sound Source by leveraging the expertise it had accumulated in keyboard-oriented sound source development since the synthesizer’s debut. The premier CT-X5000 model features 800 preset tones, with those such as the piano, strings and drums tones in particular able to faithfully reproduce even the ambient vibe of the actual instruments as they would be played. The keyboard features speakers specially designed to deliver the full capabilities of the sound source along with a full range of functions, including Auto Accompaniment, geared to everything from performance to music production. As an alternative to highly priced synthesizers, and as an affordable all-in-one keyboard that is groundbreaking for a portable model, the CT-X5000 has been highly acclaimed throughout the world by everyone from young people in bands to professionals who give solo performances of ensemble arrangements.

2019

Privia PX-S1000

Casio has taken the Privia line back to its roots and polished every aspect to deliver this fresh new take on the Privia. While taking care to maintain the conception of the Privia as a “piano,” Casio was still able to realize the world’s most compact* design once again—a feat owing to advanced case construction technology developed through years of experience along with unique vision and passion for instrument design. Featuring a design that is not only slim but also stylish, the PX-S1000 offers a full range of functions including Bluetooth® audio allowing the user to play along with their favorite music. As its name—created from the words “Private Piano”—suggests, for many who had dreamed of owning a piano—yet for one reason or another had yet to make it a reality—the Privia is a digital piano able to offer fulfillment while being a great fit with modern lifestyles.

※ Among digital pianos with 88 hammer-action keys and built-in speaker, Casio survey as of July 2019.

※ *The Bluetooth® wordmark and logo are registered trademarks of Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of these marks by Casio Computer Co., Ltd. is under license. Other trademarks and trade names are trademarks or trade names of respective companies.