Synthesizers - CASIO WK 500

The high-grade keyboard WK-500 with 76 keys offers a wealth of sound diversity, rendered effectively via the AHL sound chip. Added to this is the wide range of functions, offering a diverse playground for music enthusiasts. The 305 useful music presets invite users to interpret their choice of rock and pop classics. With the rhythm editor, styles can be adapted quickly and easily to the user’s own requirements, the range of effects provide interesting sound variations (10 reverb, 5 chorus, auto-harmonizer, arpeggiator). Individual song recordings can be created with the sequencer (6 tracks/5 songs) and the sampling function (10 seconds) is available for sound recordings. A wide range of connection options – audio input, microphone input – round off the broad spectrum of possibilities.

76 dynamic touch keys

Ample space for music: the 6 octave keyboard scope offers the best range of options and ideal freedom for turning your musical ideas into reality.

670 AHL tones

The high-quality 670 AHL tones create clear and dynamic sounds, which unfold in all sounds and rhythms found in classical piano pieces, as well as many other genres.

48-note polyphony

Sound diversity at its best: the WK-500 can play up to 48 voices at the same time, turning interpretation of a wide range of musical pieces into a pure pleasure.

Step-up learning system

The improved step-up learning system from CASIO is based on the principal "learning by playing": as in traditional piano lessons, the practice piece is split up into individual bar sections and learnt step-by-step. The small learning units guarantee motivation and learning success.

Step 1: Listen
Step 2: See and repeat with visual support
Step 3: Remember and play without help

When the "Auto" mode is switched on, a set practice goal must be reached before the next bar section is displayed. With the "Next" mode you can set your own learning speed.

200 rhythms
200 rhythms provide you with a colourful overview of the world of music.

Registration memory

Quick access: you can store up to 32 setups (8 benches with 4 memory spaces each) in the registration memory.

Sampling function

A feature with fun factor: the simple sampling of sounds via an external sound source such as MP3 and CD players (via Audio-in) or microphone (via Mic-in) offers interesting effects and amusing compositions. Whether a bar of your favourite musical piece, loops or drum sounds, human voices or noises of any kind – the recorded samples (up to 10 seconds) can be played via the keyboard and effects added as desired.

Scale tuning

Scale tuning The scale tuning functions open up a whole new world of oriental quarter tones and the tempering of baroque or classical music.

Arpeggiator

With the arpeggiator, a chord played on the keyboard is divided into a sequence of individual notes repeated in succession. Perfect for all dance or electro styles!

Music preset

The "Music Preset Library" contains 305 "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.

Music Challenge

This practice is fun and exercises your mind too: Music Challenge is a play function where the player has to hit the illuminated keys as fast as possible. On keyboards without illuminated keys, musicians can play via the large LC display: The aim of the game is to hit the correct keys as quickly as possible.

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". 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).

Sequencer (recorder)

With the sequencer (6 track/5 songs), you can record your own ideas quickly and easily in real-time (capacity: 12,000 notes).

Audio input

Play or sing along – a solution for the future: connect a CD or MP3 player to the Audio input of your WK-500. Your favourite tunes are played via the loudspeakers of the keyboard in "half playback" – you can play along for the keyboard part. A good alternative to MIDI playback, particularly if you don’t want to edit the song.

Line-out

Fit for the stage: The line-out enables you to connect your high grade keyboard with stage equipment such as loud speakers and mixers or your stereo system at home.

SD card slot

The innovative SD memory medium offers a simple means of expanding the internal song memory of the WK-500 to limitless levels.

Pitch bend wheel

Playing aids such as the pitch bend wheel enable you to temporarily change the pitch of played notes, to authentically reproduce guitar or saxophone playing techniques.

Microphone input (Mic-in)

Simply plug in and get singing: The WK-500 has a practical microphone input facility that allows users to sing along to a selection of songs or make recordings using the sampling function.

Headphone connection

Peaceful enjoyment: the WK-500 comes equipped with a headphone connection.

Powerful loudspeaker system

Powerful sound: the amplifier system with four loudspeakers with 2 x 6 watt creates a harmonious and uniform sound.

Features

Keyboard
- 76 dynamic touch keys
Touch Response
- 2 types, Off
Maximum Polyphony
- 48 notes (24 for certain tones)
Built-in Tones
- 670
Sampling Tones
- Up to 8 (Melody Sampling: 5, Drum Sampling: 3)
- Up to 10 seconds
- Functions: Layer, Split
Reverb
- 1 to 10, Off
Chorus
- 1 to 5, Off
Metronome
- Beats per Measure: 0, 2 to 6
- Tempo Range: 30 to 255
Step Up Lesson
- Lessons: 4 (Listen, Watch, Remember, Auto)
- Lesson Part: L, R, LR
- Functions: Repeat, Voice Fingering Guide, Note Guide, Performance Evaluation
Music Challenge
- 20 notes
Auto Accompaniment
- Built-in Rhythms: 200
- User Rhythms: Up to 10 (Accompaniment Edit)
Registration
- 32 (4 setups x 8 banks)
Recorder
- Real-time recording, playback
Keyboard Play
- 5 songs, 6 tracks
Playing Along with a Built-in Song
- 1 song (L, R, LR)
Memory Capacity
- Approximately 12,000 notes (total for 6 songs)
Other Functions
- Transpose: ±1 octaves (12 semitones)
- Octave Shift: Upper/Lower ± 2 octaves
- Tuning: A4 = approx. 440 Hz ± 100 cents
- Scale tuning: Scale Fine Tune, Quarter Tone, Preset Scales
- Music Preset: 305
- One Touch Preset: 200
- Auto Harmonize: 12 types
- Arpeggiator: 90 types
MIDI
- 16 multi-tone received, GM Level 1 standard
Musical information Function
- Tone, Rhythm, Song Bank, numbers and names; staff notation, fingering, pedal operation, tempo, measure and beat number, chord name, etc.
Pitch Bend Wheel
- Pitch Bend Range: 0 to 12 semitones
SD Memory Cards
- Supported SD Memory Cards: 2GB or less
- Functions: SMF playback, file storage, file recall, file delete, card format
Inputs/Outputs
- USB port: TYPE B
- Sustain/ Assignable jack: Standard jack (sustain, sostenuto, soft, rhythm start/stop)
- Phones jack: Stereo standard jack
- Line Out R, L/MONO jacks: Standard jack x 2; Output Impedance: 2.3kΩ, Output Voltage: 1.5V(RMS)MAX
- Audio in jack: Stereo mini jack; Input Impedance: 9kΩ, Input Sensitivity: 200mV
- Mic In jack: Standard jack; Input Impedance: 3kΩ, Input Sensitivity: 10mV
Power jack
- 12 V DC
Power Supply
- 2-way
Batteries
- 6 D-size zinc-carbon batteries or alkaline batteries
Battery Life
- Approximately 4 hours continuous operation on alkaline batteries
AC Adaptor
- AD-12
Auto Power OffApproximately 6 minutes after last key operation (Operates during battery use only)
Speakers
- 12 cm x 2 + 3 cm x 2 (Output: 6.0 W + 6.0 W)
Power Consumption
- 12 V = 18 W
Dimensions
- 118.7 x 40.0 x 15.5 cm (46 ¾ x 15 ¾ x 6 1/8 inch)
Weight
- Approximately 8.2 kg (18.1 lbs) (without batteries)