Casio cts-1 is legit especially for the price. I’ve taken it on smaller gigs and the people I play with are rolling their eyes laughing. By the end of the gig no one was laughing and some in the band even said, I think I need to buy one of those.
Take a look at the Casio CT-S500 then. Same keyboard and even same sounds included, but... there are more sounds, accompanement, three assignable knobs, proper L/R outputs.
Ha!! I took a ctx 800 to a rehearsal and the bass player out of nowhere said, "that sound like a Roland". I knew right then and there Casio was a threat. Ivr also notice that brands like Yamaha and korg made a few products in response to the AIX series. Lol.
@@daeone1514 I teach college music theory and ensemble classes, and of course these young kids want to get the best and have it weighted, 88 keys, bells and whistles etc. I tell them, you know your theory, harmony, voicings… you can save yourself so much energy and get these 61 keys keyboard and still sound amazing… and you don’t get in the way of bass players because you don’t have those notes. If you have it, you’re tempted to make everything a piano sonata or virtuoso piece.
The whole point of that specific Nord model is to use the keyboard as an organ.(organ being the main focus of that particular keyboard) that is the reason for the waterfall Keybed. It’s designed for organ players rather than piano players. Their other 88 key keyboards have a hammer action keybed with piano players In mind. The Nord piano is probably the most comparable to that Casio.
Yep, I believe I said that in the video, it’s an organ more than a piano. However the feel of the Casio is very different from an organ: It’s lighter and closer to my delightful Yamaha Genos keybed.
I had the Nord Electro 5 73hp and sold it because of the horrible action and noisy TP100 keybed. I swapped it for the YC73 - much more premium feeling.
I can hear the clacky sound of the Nord and the nice quiet attack on the Casio. The only thing they could have done better on the CT-S1 is make the lowest note the G (i.e. five semitones below where it is now) and remove the top five semitones at the high register so it's still a 61 key instrument. You need a bit more than two octaves below middle C.
Electric pianos usually seem to have better feeling action than keyboards, but just remember, they are both midi controllers at heart, and with a few midi cables, you could play the sounds from one with the other.
Thank you for this video! I just wanted a travel practice piano and you were right that this Casio had the best action for any non-weighted keyboard as far as what a pianist would prefer.
That took me out. I remember taking a ctx 800 to a rehearsal amd the bass player out of nowhere said "that sound like a Roland". Casio has really stepped their game up to the point that brands like korg and Yamaha make products in direct response to Casio AIX and AIL line up😂😂. Im going to get that cts 500 fasho. It has the same keys as the lipstick board. Those keys are an improvement to the ctx series as well. You should check out the cts 1000. It has a digital vocoder on it.
Yes, while I’ve been on the road, many players have wanted to touch it and play it and they always say that the key feel is excellent in addition to the sounds.
Action is very much a matter of preference. I have a CT-S1. Great sounds but if you are expecting anything close to piano style action, forget about it.
The laws of physics mean that any plastic piano weighing 10 lbs cannot achieve piano action. But a soft/responsive keybed (Casio CT-S1) is my preference over a hard one like my Nord Electro.
I owned the NE and I remember the clicky keys, at least in the first and second generations (I had the second). However, they never bothered me. Now I have a Nord Stage 73 and the keys are not clicky, one of the best instruments I've ever owned. I just bought the Casio as a light and portable piano for rehearsal where I just need the piano, I'm waiting for it to arrive, it really looks like Casio did a great job.
@@user-dt9tf5ei6h there is actually a big difference between the two, not surprisingly as the Nord is a professional keyboard and the Casio an entry level one. Every aspect is better on the Nord: the feel of the keys, the action (which on the Nord is almost semi-weighted), the dynamic response, it's easier to play on the Nord and you get a more precise and more dynamic response. Does this mean that the Casio cannot be used? No, of course. For the price, I have absolutely nothing to complain. But, if we ignore the price, the two keyboards are on different levels.
@@TommasoPaba Thank you sir. Of course, these two devices are from different universes. It's just that the Casio CT-S1 probably has very good synth-action keys, without metal springs. I was hoping that they were a cheap alternative, that they would be as easy as possible for Hammond organ style playing. Of course, waterfall keys are better. I didn’t find a design for this exact thing, but I saw a disassembly of the Casio CT-S200 synthesizer. Nord Electro 3 has keys with vertically oriented metal springs, with a long lever without hammers. In this video it looks like the springs are making squeaking and noise.
Hi I could afford and have a Casio cts1 and can't believe the cts1 being compared with the legendary Nord. I am a guitarrist but begginer pianist so I suppose for me the Cts1 is ok. Also saw in another video "Pianote" youtuber comparing five entry level pianos nentioning yamaha p45 roland fp10 and Roland Go Piano which is a competitor of tbe cts1. So, my cts 1 is ok for me. Greetings from Argentina.
The Nord is legendary for many good reasons, but my point of comparison is specific to this OLD Nord Electro 73 I had and most agree with my assessment in the video. The CTS1 is great, equal to many Yamahas (I love Yamaha) and better quality than Roland Go Piano.
Great! How do you feel the Casio keys compared to the Nord? Lighter or heavier? What is better for like Hammond organ playng - fast passages, glissando.
Lighter. Nord is definitely known for its organ simulation, so if that’s what you’re looking for, try it out first. Higher-end Nords are amazing; the Electro 3 was an older version. Casio has a very light and pleasant action.
Of course, you can record it anywhere if you have a microphone or an audio interface. I was recording to my phone in this video just by using the internal Casio speakers and internal phone microphone. There is a mini stereo out plug on the CT-S1 as well that can connect you to an amp or an audio interface.
How can I connect the Casiotone CTS-1 with an amplifier? It has a 3.5mm and my amplifier has a 6.5mm jack interface. Will just a normal 3.5mm to 6.5mm jack do the job?
CTS1 is great but is the quality and everything the same as CTS400?? I'm planning to buy cts400 since both of them are of same price (in my country) and cts400 has better features.... Like i dont wanna compromise on the quality of the tones so... I'm pretty confused
It is irrelevant to compare waterfall keys with weighted keys. The purpose of waterfall keys is to play electromechanical sounds like organ (B3) and electric piano, and for that Nord waterfall keys are perfect! For playing piano, of course weighted keys are far way better! BTW Nord also offers weighted keys on all their models. So comparing a CASIO with a Nord just on two different kind of keys is unfair. If you want to have a fairly comparison, compare Nord weighted keys with your CASIO.
You’re not the first person that i’ve heard say that the keys don’t feel comfortable. I guess it really is to each their own. I have big chunky hands and the NORD keys feel very comfortable for me. 🤷🏾♂️🤷🏾♂️
Well, my friend has also said this. He's been coming back and forth with Nord's electro, stage, piano, you name it. But he always came back to Yamaha, CP88 (he's also been coming back and forth a lot of mid range to high range flagship piano keyboards like Montage, MODX, Fantom, etc). And when I asked why he switched from Nord, he simply said "jelek" in my language that means "Nord's bad".
These are different instruments with different capabilities. For another thing, the Nord costs more than ten times what the Casio CT-S1 does. I have a Casio CT-S200. I am partial to it for its form factor, keys, action and portability. The tone is poor though. I have not listened to a Casio CT-S1 live, but if it represents the improvement over the CT-S200 everyone says it does, I intend to sell my two 61-key keyboards and get the CT-S1. My impression is that the CT-S1 hits the sweet spot in between beginner keyboard, minimal arranger keyboard and a player's instrument. Good work, Casio.
@@AlexaMorales I got a correction in that under another video. I took the term arranger to connote composition or working out arrangements for a band or combo. As the term "arranger" is used, the definition cannot be stretched to cover what I was thinking of. I have decided that "workstation" is a better term. In a way, any instrument can be used as a workstation. Beethoven and all of the composers of that ilk, known and unknown, used an acoustic piano as their workstation. I am sure many arrangements for multiple instruments have been worked out on the fretboard (i.e. guitar). "Workstation" probably is the elastic term I have been looking for. Even though I am an intermediate beginner in keyboard, I am also doing some songwriting, so I am using the CT-S200 as a workstation, in addition to my 88-key keyboard. I have some background in guitar also. My ability to work out chord progressions is pretty good thanks to the guitar background.
I can't believe you compare a $5K professional stage keyboard with a $200 Piano. I have Casio CT for my students it's a good piano in its range but girl, you are comparing a spacecraft with a golf cart !
Being a Nord its a 3,500 dollar organ piano synthesizer big difference cant comepare to a Casio. Waterfall keys are for organ player which i am and piano synthesizer player and a quadrupal surprise i even play bass, guitars rythm and lead guitar 6 strings and drums and i sing too. Cheers🎉🎉🎉😂😂😂😂 Casio is a higher Class now✌️🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Casio cts-1 is legit especially for the price. I’ve taken it on smaller gigs and the people I play with are rolling their eyes laughing. By the end of the gig no one was laughing and some in the band even said, I think I need to buy one of those.
I agree! The sounds are excellent. The only issue is this dang mini stereo output. Also, I wonder if it will hold up to the rigors of gigging.
Take a look at the Casio CT-S500 then. Same keyboard and even same sounds included, but... there are more sounds, accompanement, three assignable knobs, proper L/R outputs.
Ha!! I took a ctx 800 to a rehearsal and the bass player out of nowhere said, "that sound like a Roland". I knew right then and there Casio was a threat. Ivr also notice that brands like Yamaha and korg made a few products in response to the AIX series. Lol.
@@daeone1514 I teach college music theory and ensemble classes, and of course these young kids want to get the best and have it weighted, 88 keys, bells and whistles etc. I tell them, you know your theory, harmony, voicings… you can save yourself so much energy and get these 61 keys keyboard and still sound amazing… and you don’t get in the way of bass players because you don’t have those notes. If you have it, you’re tempted to make everything a piano sonata or virtuoso piece.
For sure, it really comes down to "who's tickling the ivory"
The whole point of that specific Nord model is to use the keyboard as an organ.(organ being the main focus of that particular keyboard) that is the reason for the waterfall Keybed. It’s designed for organ players rather than piano players. Their other 88 key keyboards have a hammer action keybed with piano players In mind. The Nord piano is probably the most comparable to that Casio.
Yep, I believe I said that in the video, it’s an organ more than a piano. However the feel of the Casio is very different from an organ: It’s lighter and closer to my delightful Yamaha Genos keybed.
Absolutely never . Nord pianos compare to nothing :))
You can buy the Nord Electro 3 with the hammer action keybed...
Ordered my CT-S1 last week. Can't wait to play it.
Awesome! Mine has held up really well so far and I’m still enjoying the sounds on it, which I think are stellar
I had the Nord Electro 5 73hp and sold it because of the horrible action and noisy TP100 keybed. I swapped it for the YC73 - much more premium feeling.
I can hear the clacky sound of the Nord and the nice quiet attack on the Casio. The only thing they could have done better on the CT-S1 is make the lowest note the G (i.e. five semitones below where it is now) and remove the top five semitones at the high register so it's still a 61 key instrument. You need a bit more than two octaves below middle C.
Good idea!
There is an octave change key, so you can get 3 octaves below middle C. At least it sounds like it to me.
FYI, the Nord has key bed pads that should be replaced if it was used heavily… Like as a studio, performance or road piano.
Oh wow I’ve never heard that. Thanks for the new information.
Electric pianos usually seem to have better feeling action than keyboards, but just remember, they are both midi controllers at heart, and with a few midi cables, you could play the sounds from one with the other.
Excellent point, especially to avoid too many upgrade purchases! However, the Casio sounds are excellent to begin with.
Thank you for this video! I just wanted a travel practice piano and you were right that this Casio had the best action for any non-weighted keyboard as far as what a pianist would prefer.
Yay!
That took me out. I remember taking a ctx 800 to a rehearsal amd the bass player out of nowhere said "that sound like a Roland". Casio has really stepped their game up to the point that brands like korg and Yamaha make products in direct response to Casio AIX and AIL line up😂😂. Im going to get that cts 500 fasho. It has the same keys as the lipstick board. Those keys are an improvement to the ctx series as well. You should check out the cts 1000. It has a digital vocoder on it.
Yes, while I’ve been on the road, many players have wanted to touch it and play it and they always say that the key feel is excellent in addition to the sounds.
You can make them both sound good. Nice chords.
Action is very much a matter of preference. I have a CT-S1. Great sounds but if you are expecting anything close to piano style action, forget about it.
The laws of physics mean that any plastic piano weighing 10 lbs cannot achieve piano action. But a soft/responsive keybed (Casio CT-S1) is my preference over a hard one like my Nord Electro.
Casio is love
🥰 too!
I'm getting a CT S1 soon!!
Enjoy 👍
@@AlexaMorales thanks! I will!
Im thinking of getting one for live performances! Thanks for the demo. Does it have transpose?
I think it does, but it’s not obvious how to do it
First take a look at CT-S500, it has all the same features and more.
👍thank you
No problemo 👍
I owned the NE and I remember the clicky keys, at least in the first and second generations (I had the second). However, they never bothered me. Now I have a Nord Stage 73 and the keys are not clicky, one of the best instruments I've ever owned. I just bought the Casio as a light and portable piano for rehearsal where I just need the piano, I'm waiting for it to arrive, it really looks like Casio did a great job.
They did!
@@AlexaMorales I know, I've been playing it non stop for the last two days! 😄 (the action is not comparable to the Nord, though!)
@@TommasoPabaHow do you feel the Casio keys compared to the Nord? Lighter or heavier? What is better for organ fast passages, glissando
@@user-dt9tf5ei6h there is actually a big difference between the two, not surprisingly as the Nord is a professional keyboard and the Casio an entry level one. Every aspect is better on the Nord: the feel of the keys, the action (which on the Nord is almost semi-weighted), the dynamic response, it's easier to play on the Nord and you get a more precise and more dynamic response. Does this mean that the Casio cannot be used? No, of course. For the price, I have absolutely nothing to complain. But, if we ignore the price, the two keyboards are on different levels.
@@TommasoPaba Thank you sir. Of course, these two devices are from different universes. It's just that the Casio CT-S1 probably has very good synth-action keys, without metal springs. I was hoping that they were a cheap alternative, that they would be as easy as possible for Hammond organ style playing. Of course, waterfall keys are better. I didn’t find a design for this exact thing, but I saw a disassembly of the Casio CT-S200 synthesizer. Nord Electro 3 has keys with vertically oriented metal springs, with a long lever without hammers. In this video it looks like the springs are making squeaking and noise.
How much do those Casios go for? I’m looking to get a keyboard. Thanks
Under $200
Hi I could afford and have a Casio cts1 and can't believe the cts1 being compared with the legendary Nord. I am a guitarrist but begginer pianist so I suppose for me the Cts1 is ok. Also saw in another video "Pianote" youtuber comparing five entry level pianos nentioning yamaha p45 roland fp10 and Roland Go Piano which is a competitor of tbe cts1. So, my cts 1 is ok for me. Greetings from Argentina.
The Nord is legendary for many good reasons, but my point of comparison is specific to this OLD Nord Electro 73 I had and most agree with my assessment in the video. The CTS1 is great, equal to many Yamahas (I love Yamaha) and better quality than Roland Go Piano.
@@AlexaMorales Thank you very much for your answer!
Great! How do you feel the Casio keys compared to the Nord? Lighter or heavier? What is better for like Hammond organ playng - fast passages, glissando.
Lighter. Nord is definitely known for its organ simulation, so if that’s what you’re looking for, try it out first. Higher-end Nords are amazing; the Electro 3 was an older version. Casio has a very light and pleasant action.
@@AlexaMorales Thank You!❤
Alexa: *plays on the Nord while talking about how much she dislikes it*
My brain: [Hears Pilotwings (SNES)-esque notes]
Can you record audio from the CTS1 to your iphone? Any help is appreciated!
Of course, you can record it anywhere if you have a microphone or an audio interface. I was recording to my phone in this video just by using the internal Casio speakers and internal phone microphone. There is a mini stereo out plug on the CT-S1 as well that can connect you to an amp or an audio interface.
Awesome thanks
Welcome 🙏
How can I connect the Casiotone CTS-1 with an amplifier? It has a 3.5mm and my amplifier has a 6.5mm jack interface. Will just a normal 3.5mm to 6.5mm jack do the job?
Yes, or any 3.5-6.5 jack adapter
I bought a 3.5mm Jack 10 ft. And use the 1/4 inch adapter for live and it sounds great, really wish it had normal plug-ins though
Thanks! 😌💯
Casio CT-S500 has all the same features and more, but has proper L/R outputs.
Good to know. Is it the same size and weight?
@@AlexaMorales Yes, it has the same keybed, also has the same surround effect and speakers.
Those chords are cool does the song have a name?
Yes it’s called Her Ways Wander … th-cam.com/video/NiMu9bJMMrA/w-d-xo.htmlsi=Ywrhu3a111ox0QJI
All my music is on Spotify, Pandora, iTunes etc. Follow me on Spotify, I guess…? 🤮
@@AlexaMoraleswill do, thanks
CTS1 is great but is the quality and everything the same as CTS400?? I'm planning to buy cts400 since both of them are of same price (in my country) and cts400 has better features.... Like i dont wanna compromise on the quality of the tones so... I'm pretty confused
The CTS 400 is probably more the professional build. Also has the proper pro audio outs.
@@AlexaMorales have you tried it yet?? Like was there any difference in their tones quality??
It is irrelevant to compare waterfall keys with weighted keys. The purpose of waterfall keys is to play electromechanical sounds like organ (B3) and electric piano, and for that Nord waterfall keys are perfect! For playing piano, of course weighted keys are far way better! BTW Nord also offers weighted keys on all their models. So comparing a CASIO with a Nord just on two different kind of keys is unfair. If you want to have a fairly comparison, compare Nord weighted keys with your CASIO.
This Casio does not have weighted keys. I did state Nord Electro was waterfall and Casio CT-S1 was not.
You’re not the first person that i’ve heard say that the keys don’t feel comfortable. I guess it really is to each their own. I have big chunky hands and the NORD keys feel very comfortable for me. 🤷🏾♂️🤷🏾♂️
Yeah a friend who is a stellar pianist felt the same as me and ended up selling her Nord.
Well, my friend has also said this. He's been coming back and forth with Nord's electro, stage, piano, you name it. But he always came back to Yamaha, CP88 (he's also been coming back and forth a lot of mid range to high range flagship piano keyboards like Montage, MODX, Fantom, etc). And when I asked why he switched from Nord, he simply said "jelek" in my language that means "Nord's bad".
All Nords have crappy actions for the price. A $5000 keyboard shouldn't have a cheap Fatar keybed.
Casio invests a lot in the keybeds.
We feel it!
These are different instruments with different capabilities. For another thing, the Nord costs more than ten times what the Casio CT-S1 does. I have a Casio CT-S200. I am partial to it for its form factor, keys, action and portability. The tone is poor though. I have not listened to a Casio CT-S1 live, but if it represents the improvement over the CT-S200 everyone says it does, I intend to sell my two 61-key keyboards and get the CT-S1. My impression is that the CT-S1 hits the sweet spot in between beginner keyboard, minimal arranger keyboard and a player's instrument. Good work, Casio.
I agree with you on most points except I wouldn’t say the CT-S1 was an arranging keyboard in any way.
@@AlexaMorales I got a correction in that under another video. I took the term arranger to connote composition or working out arrangements for a band or combo. As the term "arranger" is used, the definition cannot be stretched to cover what I was thinking of.
I have decided that "workstation" is a better term.
In a way, any instrument can be used as a workstation. Beethoven and all of the composers of that ilk, known and unknown, used an acoustic piano as their workstation. I am sure many arrangements for multiple instruments have been worked out on the fretboard (i.e. guitar). "Workstation" probably is the elastic term I have been looking for.
Even though I am an intermediate beginner in keyboard, I am also doing some songwriting, so I am using the CT-S200 as a workstation, in addition to my 88-key keyboard. I have some background in guitar also. My ability to work out chord progressions is pretty good thanks to the guitar background.
Can you share the chords please!
Sure, they are the opening chords from my original Her Ways Wander (stream on Spotify): Gminor9 Aminor7/D
Thank you so much! i've just ordered the keyboard in white/grey. Cheers from Amsterdam@@AlexaMorales
Enjoy!
I can't believe you compare a $5K professional stage keyboard with a $200 Piano. I have Casio CT for my students it's a good piano in its range but girl, you are comparing a spacecraft with a golf cart !
The Nord Electro is not the Nord Stage
Well, compare it with Yamaha's sub 1K CK61 then to see Nord being destroyed
Being a Nord its a 3,500 dollar organ piano synthesizer big difference cant comepare to a Casio. Waterfall keys are for organ player which i am and piano synthesizer player and a quadrupal surprise i even play bass, guitars rythm and lead guitar 6 strings and drums and i sing too. Cheers🎉🎉🎉😂😂😂😂 Casio is a higher Class now✌️🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
What a joke
Waterfall keys suck hon