Casio Reveals XW-P1CO Performance Synthesizer

Casio’s XW-P1 Performance Synthesizer kicked off 2013 with not one, but two prestigious industry awards – Electronic Musician’s “2013 Editors’ Choice Awards for Affordable Synth Awesomeness” and The Music & Sound Retailer “Best Keyboard and Sound Module Award of 2012.” With the XW-P1’s recent success, Casio is continuing its momentum with the introduction of a limited edition model in a signature Chrome Orange hue.

The XW-P1CO is the successor of the Gold XW-P1GO, the first model in Casio’s Legends Collection – a sub-category of the Casio’s XW series of synthesizers. Ideal for performing artists, the XW-P1CO will be on display in Casio’s booth #201 and 300 at the Music Gear Expo during The South by Southwest Conference & Festival, March 14-15, 2013 in Austin, TX.

Casio XW-P1CO

"We chose Chrome Orange as the newest color for the Legends Collection because orange is believed to stimulate activity and encourage socialization, which is perfect for musicians constantly on the go and surrounded by fans," said Stephen Schmidt, vice president of Casio's Electronic Musical Instrument Division. "We feel that our color choice will appeal to musicians of varying levels seeking to express themselves and truly go beyond sound."

Casio’s XW-P1 is the 2012 recipient of Keyboard Magazine’s prestigious Key Buy Award, as well as a National Association of Musical Merchants (NAMM) Best in Show honoree. Equipped with 61 keys and Casio’s exclusive (HPSS) Hybrid Processing Sound Source, the XW-P1 provides screaming virtual analog monophonic leads and basses, drawbar organs, complex layers, stereo pianos, drums and more to produce the sounds and real-time control any performing musician needs.

A six oscillator monophonic solo synth is just one of the amazing sound engines in the XW-P1. Two virtual analog style oscillators, two PCM based oscillators, a noise oscillator and an external oscillator via mic and line inputs can be combined to make up a single solo synth tone. Each oscillator has an independent filter, envelopes, independent key tracking, portamento, two LFO’s and access to master resonant filter.

In addition to the solo synth, the XW-P1 Performance Synthesizer is armed with an arsenal of gig-ready sounds like stereo pianos, vintage electric pianos, strings, brass, guitars, basses, drums and more. The sounds can easily be used within the XW-P1’s step sequencer to create unique grooves and compositions.

Furthermore, the XW-P1 has four real-time controller knobs, pitch bend and modulation wheels, along with nine sliders to provide control over internal sounds and external devices. Through standard MIDI ports and with a class-compliant USB port the keyboard can be used as a controller for other instruments, including computer software and iPad® based software applications. It also includes an audio input allowing you to monitor an MP3 player, computer or other device without the need for a mixer.

The XW-P1CO will be available in April 2013 for an MSRP of $699.99 at select Guitar Center Stores, Musicians Friend, and other independent music retailers nationally.