Casio Privia PX 350 Piano Review

by admin





Rating:

Intermediate players, serious learners and experienced players will be happy with the 88-note scaled hammer-action keyboard that also features a 17-track sequencer and 128-note Polyphony. Professionals looking for the best sound may not feel satisfied (though it can be their add-on keyboard).

Pros
Good pricing overall, Sounds are much better overall.

Cons
Bass and middle octaves sound much better than the higher octaves.


Best Place to Buy

On Amazon, Casio PX-350 for $750-$850




Review


Suitable for the gigging musician, and also useful for learning.

This is a much improved piano, in terms of sound quality & key action, compared to it's predecessors and one of the best in this price range.

Compared to the px-150, the px350 comes with more tones, a 17-track recorder, and few more features.

Gigging musicians will really like its lightweight built and can use several features onstage for accompanying.

You get 88-keys with fully weighted scaled hammer-action keyboard. The USB connection makes it easy to connect your piano to the computer, and the 17-track recorder really lets you be creative and create complex songs. The Duet Mode allows two players – you and your teacher to go through the lessons.


Casio Privia PX-350 Piano Review

Competition Check
If it's a Casio, you'll definitely find a model from Yamaha that's similarly spec'd. In this case, it's the Yamaha DGX-640 (standard GHS action) which is also an 88-key piano with accompaniments.

It's more of a personal choice here, though Casio px350 does offer several minor extras, including more Polyphony.

Pro Features for Band and Solo Gigs

You can use it to accompany or play solo. It not only has a stunning piano sound, you can layer several sounds to create various rich tones.

Besides the piano sound, you also get premium organs & electric piano sounds which most keyboardist love to use.

A pitch wheel controller is also provided to add authenticity to other instrumental sounds such as harmonica and guitar.

Besides layering, you can also split sounds across the keyboard for playing multiple parts simultaneously. This is especially handy if you're also going to play the bass lines, in addition to chords.

All in One Band

If you're a singer as well, you can do it all by yourself or probably just pair up with a singer; the keyboard comes with 180 backing rhythms and intelligent accompaniment phrases. You can also download additional MIDI files for playing them back.

For Composing & Songwriting

Songwriters will love the 17-track sequencer as it lets you create songs with multiple instruments.

You can always save your work to a USB storage device or back to the computer.

Specs


More Product Features:

  • 88 keys with 3 sensors per key

  • Tri-sensor Scaled Hammer Action Keyboard II

  • Keyboard's keys feel like real ebony and ivory

  • Max. Polyphony - 128

  • Number of Built-in Tones 250

  • 180 rhythms for built in accompaniment

  • 4 types of Reverb, 4 types of Chorus, Brilliance, Acoustic Resonance

  • 17 Track, 5 Song Recorder

  • Pitch Bend Wheel

  • Duet mode, for two simultaneous players

  • USB MIDI & storage

  • Power Supply is included


    • Video Review








    Here's what one of the users had to say about this piano:

    "If you are used to playing traditional pianos, I suggest the cabinet with the 3 pedal system. The right pedal in the 3 pedal system from what I understand offers a gradient instead of just on or off per the pedal that comes with the unit. I bought this because I wanted a very good piano sound (which this definitely has) and a bunch of other tones that I could use should I decide to play around with them. I think this one has 250 different sounds. Thus far I haven't left the grand piano sound that it defaults to though...it truly does sound excellent. Read more..."

    Overall Ratings


    Nice weighted keys, much better sound quality overall, polyphony sufficient to play complex passages / arrangements, and a 17-track sequencer ensures the experienced players and serious learners have something to look forward to.

    Experienced players looking for the best piano sound may want to explore more options.

    Overall:



    Buying Options

    1. $750-$850 on Amazon





    Comments for
    Casio Privia PX 350 Piano Review

    Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

    Click here to add your own comments

    Rating
    starstarstarstarstar     		Some flaws but still good
    by: Ray

    Compared to the px-330, this one definitely has a better weighted action and improved overall sound.

    The piano really shines when it comes to soft playing, and you can use it for classical, for jazz duo/trio, or even for solo jazz.

    As someone mentioned, the sound from the speakers is good but it sounds much better with good quality headphones or external amps. With the on-board speakers on full volume, you can hear slight buzzes and rattles, especially in the middle register, but then nobody plays it at full volume, especially when using the built-in speakers.

    Few more downsides:

    It doesn't look very sturdy, but then that is probably to cut costs.
    You can adjust the volume of the overall accompaniment, but not just for the primary piano sound / main voice.
    The sustain pedal affects both voices of a split keyboard, which is not well-thought of. If you are using bass with the piano, you don't want the bass to sustain. If its strings with piano, it's still okay, but not with bass.

    Using soft synths is a totally different ball game. If you hear the Synthogy Ivory II sounds on a computer, the sounds from these keyboards just don't compare.

    Having said that, its difficult to find a better piano (from other brands) at this price point.
    Rating
    starstarstarstarstar     		Overall Sounds
    by: Suresh

    Jerry, agree with your analysis. This one is good for learning / practicing the piano and I guess that's why they have made the piano sound much better, and probably the price-point made them compromise a bit on the other sounds.

    To get a really good set of sounds across, you probably need to look at a piano costing 1k upwards.

    Still, this one offers lot of value for those looking for an affordable 88-key keyboard.

    The computer/synth is always an option but then the setup is less portable, and if you go that route you can also make do with a 88-key midi controller
    Rating
    starstarstarstar     		Five Stars for the piano, mixed reviews on the rest
    by: Jerry S

    I bought the PX350 as the piano is as real as it gets. I am a bit disappointed on the strings and organ sounds, as, when you keep the sustain pedal pressed down, the string sounds mush together and you have to keep pulling your foot up and back down to keep them separate, major pain when you are playing. Also the organ sounds could really use some better definition.

    My one solution to this is trying to learn some of the music composition computer programs and getting some really decent organs/synths/strings. If Casio could only do as magnificent job on the other instruments as they did on the piano, this would be one of the best portables out there hands down.
    Rating
    starstarstarstarstar     		Casio PX 350 Sustain Pedal
    by: Ben

    Hi Greg,

    I have played it at various shops and heard them over headphones and external speakers as well. I didn't face that problem.
    Rating
    starstarstarstarstar     		Casio PX 350 Sustain Pedal causing Pitch Waver/ Sonic Echo when Depressed
    by: Gregory (El Paso, TX, USA)

    This is a new digital piano just released by Casio which I received by online purchase.

    The problem exist when pressing down I get slight to quite noticeable pitch wavering and or sonic echo (like wind noise) depending on which type of piano sound I am using. The 440 hertz is set and reverb/ chorus are not active. It exist on external and internal speakers as well as thru the headphones. I have even switched foot pedals. I am searching for info and will be talking with Casio since it's under warranty. The piano otherwise sounds and plays very nice but this is a source of curiosity and concern.
    Rating
    starstarstarstarstar     		Casio Privia PX 350 Piano Review
    by: Ben

    Forum users are requested to use some name as opposed to posting under Anonymous.

    As far as the buzzing and the loudness is concerned, it doesn't seem to be a problem when heard from an amplifier.

    Is it perhaps the speakers, but I think the piano sound is great.
    Rating
    starstarstar     		Questionable Product
    by: Anonymous

    Nice piano sound and feel, but bass and middle octaves sound much better than the higher octaves. Also two keys had a horrid buzzing sound when set for grand piano.I too notice some notes had a loud sound than others.
    Rating
    starstarstarstarstar     		Casio PX-350 vs Yamaha P-105 piano
    by: Suresh

    Taking the discussion to the Yamaha vs Casio piano, there is the Yamaha p-105 piano which is also a good alternative for those who are not sure of going along with the Casio.

    Not that Casio is bad, but certain people seem to have a liking for the feel and sound of the Yamaha.
    Rating
    starstarstarstarstar     		Good Piano Sounds and Powerful Speakers
    by: Steve

    Most other Casio piano models have sounds that are tinnier, especially if you go in the higher octave.

    This particular model however has some piano voices that sound very good. The built-in speakers are also very powerful, and is perfect for playing in front of a small crowd.
    Rating
    starstarstarstarstar     		px350 Piano
    by: Anonymous

    No, I didn't experience anything like that. Are the loud keys sensitive to touch? If no, than probably you should check with support. It may be a one-off thing, and I guess they should replace it.
    Rating
    starstarstarstarstar     		Privia 350
    by: Ray Tabs (Milwaukee, WI)

    I just purchased the Privia 350 and found that the main piano sound is voiced badly. Starting at Middle C and going chromatically higher I started to hear certain keys were much louder than other other keys. I'd like to know if that happens on all Privia 350's or is it just my piano?

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