Casio Announces New XW Series Synthesizers

In 1986, Casio released the CZ-1, known as the company’s most advanced synthesizer. More than twenty years later, Casio is engaging in a targeted marketing program to introduce its XW series of synthesizers to the global market.  Plans include signing renowned performance artists and SiriusXM hosts, The Crystal Method, as brand ambassadors and reaching musicians through exclusive events.

Casio XW-G1

XW-G1

Created by combining a number of Casio’s innovations and technologies over time, the XW series seeks to surpass past achievements and transform the way musicians express themselves. The XW synthesizers redefine what musicians should expect from a synthesizer by merging a number of features that currently do not exist in one instrument.

Announced at the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Show in January, Casio unveiled plans for returning to the professional musician market with the XW-P1 for recording pros and XW-G1 for Club DJs and dance music performers.  Both synthesizers are equipped with a step sequencer allowing artists to build and mix performances as they go, as well as a six oscillator monophonic solo synth that utilizes Casio’s Hybrid Processing Sound Source.

XW-P1

The key difference between the two synthesizer models is that the XW-G1 features 420 built-in sounds, 25 multi-function keys and has the ability to sample. A 19-second sample looper captures internal sounds, as well as external instruments allowing the performer to create layers and overdub sounds on a whim. Sample sounds can even be saved in Flash ROM so they remain in memory after the keyboard has been powered off.

“This is an exciting time for Casio. We are not just producing musical instruments for the masses; we’re going beyond sound by enabling aspiring musicians to express themselves and enjoy music on an entirely new level,” said Stephen Schmidt, vice president of Casio’s Electronic Musical Instruments Division. “The XW series is expected to play a leading role in this movement and shift Casio into previously untapped areas of the music industry.”

The Crystal Method Serves as Casio’s XW Brand Ambassadors

With the knowledge that Electronic Dance Music has seen massive growth in popularity over the last two years, Casio is pleased to announce The Crystal Method as their new brand ambassadors.  The Crystal Method, one of America's best known electronic artists with a career spanning nearly 20 years, two Grammy nominations and a platinum selling album, Vegas, under their belts, embraced the essence of Casio and the XW-G1 Groove Synthesizer.

“As artists, we need to be able to play live and mix on the fly – with the XW-G1, this becomes an integral and effortless element of our performances,” said Ken Jordan, of The Crystal Method. “With its studio-like capabilities and quality sound, the XW-G1 allows us to adapt and branch out, as music consistently changes.”

“The built-in step sequencer is what originally attracted us to the XW-G1. In the world of Electronic Dance Music, it allows us to develop tracks with multiple layers of complexity and animation – giving our music more depth and emotion,” said Scott Kirkland, of The Crystal Method. “Additionally, the ability to load our own custom samples provides a more robust and unique performance for our audiences.”

Providing everything from pulsing dance grooves to animated synth textures and arpeggios, the Step Sequencer in both the XW-P1 and XW-G1 is the first of its kind. With nine tracks for drums, basses, synths and chordal parts, four controller tracks for adding panning, filter changes and other animation to existing parts and eight patterns that make up each sequence; the user can build and mix their performance on the fly. Sequences can even transpose live from the keyboard, providing a completely interactive experience.

Following their recent March 14th appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Crystal Method will perform live, along with Enferno, an influential DJ in the Electronic Dance Music genre at Casio’s XW-G1 launch party on March 30, 2012 at Highline Ballroom in New York City. Attendees will be able to see Casio’s XW-G1 first-hand and in action.