Casio WK3500 Keyboard Review

Good Points
Casio have in my own personal estimation grown from two feet to ten feet tall.

Bad Points
Sustain pedal (damper) when on piano mode requires user to press pedal to "damp" the sound. In other words a reversal of acoustic piano procedure. However after a while this becomes a natural ability. It is essential to use a pedal otherwise organ and other sounds become unuseable due to prolonged resonance.

General Comments
I'm not going to repeat all the specifications on the Casio WK3500 Keyboard given in hundreds of music store and dealer websites. I am however, going to assess the instrument from a musicians perspective.



As a player brought up in the "piano generation" I was taught Classically and subsequently became professional for many years. I'd simply have never even looked at a shelf containing Casio keyboards in years gone by. So let's forget all the cheesy tones, and if the word Casio offends you then let's call it something else. How about an "Oisac"? Because that is what they have done, they have completely obliterated this reputation and reversed the past.



The Grand Piano tone over this six octave instrument is an absolute knockout! The tonal quality surpasses that of other so-called elite makes that cost double or treble the price. The depth and quality of the bass register I particularly appreciate. Try playing Chopin, Rachmaninov, Bach or Mozart, - it works like a dream (within the six octave limitation). Try stride piano, - it also works like a dream.



The other piano voices give a good account of themselves, one even having shades of the old Yamaha DX7.



Have you ever played a Hammond tonewheel organ with Leslie cabinet? I worked for years on them. The WK3500's organ section has a complete electronic drawbar facility and the Hammond tonewheel sound is gorgeous.



The huge selection of other voices range from excellent to average. The reed instruments are really good. Built in drum/bass selections/accompaniments give the piano player an opportunity to play with a small group or big band accompaniment. The techno/hip-hop/rock/pop/disco/fusion facilities are highly entertaining and allow the keyboard player to explore new avenues maybe never entered before (or experts in this field maybe to enter the world of jazz and big band).



The centre LED display is clear and concise although it could have been better if angled more to the view of the player. All controls are well positioned and reasonably simple to operate. There is a quite good music stand that pushes into the rear of the unit. There is a floppy disc drive and a smart media card insert. The possibilities when connected to a computer are excellent. There is the standard midi in/out plugs on the back/sustain jack input/R and L/mono lines out. There is a headphone jack socket on the left front. There are pitch bend amd modulator wheels to the left of the keyboard. The built in speakers are quite exceptionally good although one would imagine vibration could become a problem at maximum volume.



The general build of the instrument makes it really intended for home use, although with care, and a good carry bag it certainly exceeds the standard required for say a restaurant band or lounge pianist. Just take care in handling the unit.



What more can I say? For what these things cost every piano/keyboard player should have one. I congratulate Casio (sorry, 'Oisac'!) for this ground breaking instrument. I am not going to 'knock' the Yamaha brand. But if I were going to spend an evening playing in a small band in say a restaurant or hotel and I had the choice of the complete Yamaha DGX range or this Casio, I'd go for the Casio every time.