Casio AP-620 Celviano Digital Piano

zZounds' Take on Casio AP620

Let's face it: Given the choice, most pianists would choose to play an acoustic grand piano any day of the week. But until that acoustic grand falls into your lap (along with a soundproof studio for those late nights spent rehearsing), a digital piano is the next best thing. Thankfully, with the Casio AP-620 Celviano digital piano, there's no need to compromise sound quality - or the natural feel of a piano - just because you've decided to go digital. And for those times when you need more than simply a fantastic piano sound and feel, the AP-620 doesn't disappoint. With an astonishing 250 built-in tones, 180 rhythms, and a 17-track, five-song sequencer, you'll want to keep playing for days.

Look and Feel

The first thing you'll notice about the AP-620 is its stunning synthetic ivory keys, designed to emulate the look and feel of the real thing. Casio's tri-sensor springless hammer-action scaled keyboard responds like the real instrument would, while the new "Ivory Touch" material recreates the rewarding tactile surface of real satin, matte-finish ivory keytops. Just close your eyes, and you're playing the baby grand in your grandma's den. But there's no need to close your eyes when you're playing this Celviano - it's a furniture-quality piece even Grandma would appreciate. Add the included sturdy, height-adjustable bench, and your living room never looked - or sounded - so good.

Uncompromising Piano Sound

If you're in the market for a top-quality digital piano, it's no question that a top-quality piano sound is of paramount importance. If you haven't heard what Casio's new Linear Morphing AiF Sound Source can do, you're in for a treat. The AP-620's new four-layer stereo samples respond to a pianist's nuanced touch, while two powerful downward-facing 30-watt speakers deliver rich, expressive, room-filling sound - or simply plug in headphones to practice in silence. Two headphone jacks make it easy to duet with a partner. You can even split the full 88-note keyboard into two parallel, individually-transposable sections, in Duet Mode. Playing solo? Layer or split the AP-620's keyboard into any combination of the 250 on-board "ensemble" tones. This digital piano can reproduce just about every instrument you can think of, from organs and strings to world percussion.

No Ordinary Piano

For the technology-minded musician, the AP-620 is no lightweight when it comes to connectivity. With USB, standard MIDI, and 1/4" outputs, you can plug into just about any computer, audio interface, or mixer. Slip in an SD card to expand the song memory limitlessly. The onboard registration memory can instantly recall your splits, layers and rhythms, so you spend your time playing music, not mashing buttons. After all, this top-of-the-line digital piano is, first and foremost, a piano. So if you want uncompromising piano realism with an exquisite look and feel, not to mention a multitude of sounds, rhythms, and sequencing features to noodle with, the Casio AP-620 Celviano Digital Piano is the digital piano for you.

Features

- An incredible 250 built-in tones and 180 rhythms
- New Linear Morphing Sound Source
- Enhanced "Ivory Touch" keyboard with "Tri-Sensor" hammer action
- Powerful 30-watt per side built-in speaker
- Two headphone ports
- USB, MIDI, and 1/4" audio outputs
- SD card slot
- 88 keys and 3 pedals

About Casio

Celebrating 30 years of building musical instruments, Casio has come into their own in recent years, rivaling the quality of other digital piano manufacturers at unbeatable prices. Case in point: the budget-conscious digital pianos in Casio's Celviano line, the AP-420 and AP-220. Or check out Casio's Privia line of stage pianos for the same excellent sound plus supreme portability.

Manufacturer's Description for Casio AP620 Celviano Digital Piano

Experience the elegant design and rich resonance of the AP-620 Casio Celviano piano. The Celviano line of pianos has been refined for those who demand an authentic grand piano experience. The new AP-620's traditional design houses new stereo grand piano sounds and enhanced "Ivory Touch" keyboard. Utilizing a new tri-sensor spring-less 88 note scaled hammer action, every nuance and detail of your performance is captured. A new 4 layer stereo grand piano sound delivers a natural, expressive and dynamic piano experience.

The AP-620 features amazing 250 built-in tones along with full accompaniment and 180 rhythms. It has advanced features which include an LCD display, 16 track recorder, built-in SD card storage and registration memory to instantly recall splits, layers and rhythms at an instant. The AP-620 has dual headphone outputs, but also includes a powerful 30W per side speaker system which will deliver sound throughout your home. With 128 notes of polyphony, USB MIDI, Duet Mode, 1/4" audio outputs and more, Celviano's advanced technology and sound will make the AP-620 the perfect addition to any home.

Features

- New Linear Morphing AiF sound source
- New "Tri-Sensor" hammer action
- "Ivory Touch" keyboard
- LCD, SD Card Slot, Registration Memory
- 250 Tones, 180 Rhythms
- USB, Standard Midi, Line in/out, 2x30W

250 AiF tones

The excellent AiF Sound source produces 250 top-quality tones, which truly come into their own in both classic piano repertoire and many other genres.

AiF Linear Morphing

The innovative AiF Sound Source technology produces top-quality tones perfectly suited to both classical piano music and other genres and enables gentle transitions between individual samples and dynamic levels. Complex stereo recordings from a top-quality concert piano (samples) with four dynamic levels provide a particularly authentic sound and allow you to play across various intermediate stages from piano to forte without any sound discolouration or audible leaps.

128-voice polyphony

Guarantee an absolutely first-class piano sound. The expansion of the range of voices has made interpreting complex works a true pleasure and lets you play sweeping chords and make extensive use of the damper pedal.

"Tri-Sensor" scaled hammer-action keyboard

Piano feeling: The scaled hammer-action keyboard with 88 touch response, weighted keys is based on the keyboard of a concert piano and provides an authentic playing experience. A third sensor in the keyboard allows players to use particularly fast techniques without the notes sounding unnaturally cut off.

180 rhythms

180 preset rhythms offer a varied range spanning the world of music.

Sequencer (recorder)

With the sequencer (17 track/5 song), you can record your own ideas quickly and easily in real-time (capacity: 10,000 notes).

Registration memory

Faster access: You can file up to 96 set-ups (8 x 12 spaces) in the registration memory.

Two piano setting keys

Piano sound tailored to your own taste: The piano setting key switches to grand piano sound at the touch of a button. Two settings are available: "classic" for a soft, discreet sound and "modern" with a more lighter, brighter character.

High-quality DSP effects

The AP-620 digitally reproduces the high-quality sound of a top concert grand piano complete with first-class reverb effects. The simulation of the resonating strings that is provided by the "Acoustic Resonance" CASIO effect rounds the sound experience off perfectly.

60 songs

Listen, sing along, play along: 60 top quality songs are stored on your AP-620.

8 digital effects

Live before an audience or at home in the living room: The sound diversity of your keyboard is enhanced by 4 reverb / 4 chorus effects.

88 Keys

The scaled hammer-action with 88 touch response weighted keys are based on the grand piano keyboard and make for an authentic playing feel.

Ivory touch keyboard

Both an audible and visual delight: The refined, matt keys with ivory touch not only look sophisticated and high quality, but provide a comfortable playing surface and additional stability to prevent your fingers from sliding. Enjoy a realistic playing experience!

LC display

Retain an overview: The LC display provides you with easy access to the instrument's functions.

Duet function

Ideal for lessons: the new duet functions allows teachers and pupils to play parallel to each other. The AP-620 can be divided into two keyboard areas, which can be transposed individually.

PANEL-Lock

Safe: With the PANEL-Lock function, the control panel is protected from unintentional moves while playing.

Metronome

Keep to the beat: The integrated metronome helps you keep to the rhythm.

Stereo LINE IN / OUT

The Stereo LINE IN / OUT of your digital piano provides a connection for full sound experiences. e.g. to your hi-fi or PA-system.

MIDI-In/Out

The proven interface for electronic musical instruments, additional equipment and computers simplifies data exchange for you.

2 headphone connections

Duet delight: two headphone connections are available.

3 pedals

The AP-620 features a 3-pedal unit with expanded damper capability.

Powerful speaker system

Impressive sound: The powerful two-way system with four speakers and 2 x 30 watts of output power ensures an exhilarating sound delivery. The sound is not only projected in the direction of the player but also to the rear or downwards, depending on the model.
This creates a three-dimensional and more natural sound.

SD card slot

The innovative SD memory medium offers a simple but limitless way to expand the internal song memory of the AP-620.

USB Plug & Play/Song expansion

The USB/MIDI(GM) connection enables further Midfile songs to be loaded into the internal memory via the "Song expansion." The memory capacity is 320 KB, enabling up to 10 songs to be saved. No software installation from a CD-ROM required thanks to Plug & Play and the USB driver is compatible with both Mac and Windows (from Mac OSX 10.03 and Windows XP/Vista).

Music preset

The "Music Preset Library" contains 300 "one touch settings" based on popular rock and pop songs. The useful pre-settings for rhythm, tone, tempo, effects etc. makes time-consuming searches for the right settings a thing of the past. This assistant makes playing the "top 300" child's play!

Rhythm editor

Pop rhythm with a touch of jazz, jazz rhythm with a shot of pop: with the rhythm editor, elements from different rhythms can be combined and edited. 10 user slots are available for individual style editing. zZounds is an authorized dealer of Casio products.

Specifications
Keyboard: 88 Keys, Weighted Scaled Hammer Action with Tri-Sensor Keys, Ivory Touch

Polyphony: 128

Multi-timbral: Not Specified by Manufacturer

Synthesis Method: Linear Morphing System, 4-Level Stereo Samples

Presets:
- Tones: 250
- Rhythms: 180
- Songs: 60

Sequencer: No

Record and Playback: 16 Tracks, 5 Songs

User Memory: Internal and SD Card

Effects:
- Reverb: 4 Types
- Chorus: 4 Types

Controllers: No

Sample RAM: No

Expansion Slots: SD Card Slot

Inputs/Outputs:
- 1 x Power Input
- 1 x USB (MIDI) Port
- 2 x 1/4" Line Outputs
- 2 x Headphone Jacks

Storage: Internal and SD Card

Amplifier: 2 x 30W

Speakers:
- 2 x 6.3 in. (160mm)
- 2 x 1 in. (25mm)

Display: Backlit LCD

Dimensions (WxDxH): 55.6 x 19.4 x 23.7 in. (1412 x 493 x 602mm) (With Stand)

Weight: 82.2 lbs (37.4kg) (With Stand)

System Requirements: Mac or PC with USB Port (Optional)

Power Supply: AC Power Cable (Included)

Dimensions and Weight in Packaging

Shipping Weight: 177 lbs

Shipping Dimensions: 61 x 24 x 24 in