Casio CT-S500

The Casio CT-S500 is a compact, high-performance 61-key arranger keyboard designed for playing at home as well as for rehearsals, composition, and live performances. It combines the portability of the Casiotone series with a particularly rich AiX sound engine, as well as advanced sound control and creation features.

Its 61-key velocity-sensitive keyboard offers three levels of touch response, while its 64-note polyphony allows you to play more complex arrangements with greater fluidity.

The CT-S500 features 800 sounds, including advanced sounds and those from Casio’s legacy, as well as 243 built-in rhythms and up to 50 user rhythms. The Split and Layer functions allow you to split or layer multiple sounds across the keyboard to create more elaborate playing configurations.

One of the CT-S500’s key strengths is its exceptionally comprehensive effects system. It offers 100 DSP effects, as well as reverb, chorus, and delay effects. Parameters can be assigned to the keyboard’s physical controls so they can be adjusted in real time while playing.

The keyboard also includes a sampling function, which allows you to import sounds via the audio input or from a WAV file. This makes it possible to create a custom melodic sound or incorporate your own samples into a drum kit.

For composition and performance, the CT-S500 also features a 150-type arpeggiator, automatic harmonization, a 6-track MIDI recorder, and 64 registrations for storing different configurations of sounds, rhythms, and effects.

Its comprehensive connectivity also makes it an excellent keyboard for use in the studio or on stage. It features independent stereo line outputs, two pedal inputs (one of which is expression pedal-compatible), an audio input, a headphone output, and USB ports.

Bluetooth Audio and MIDI are available via the included WU-BT10 adapter, allowing you to connect a smartphone or tablet. The CT-S500 is also compatible with the CASIO MUSIC SPACE app.

Despite its many features, the keyboard remains easily portable, weighing just 4.7 kg. Its stereo speaker system with Bass Reflex also allows you to play without external amplification.

The Casio CT-S500 is thus a particularly comprehensive solution for musicians looking for a portable arranger keyboard that offers advanced capabilities for creation, sound control, and connectivity.