The Bottom Line
This keyboard is a great option for beginner to intermediate pianists, or any musician seeking a lightweight, capable model for practice, travel, or use as a MIDI controller/digital piano hybrid.
Pros
- 88 full-size, weighted hammer-action keys
- Change any voice’s timbre from bright to mellow with the touch of a button
- Dual-layered voices have independent volume controls
- Fairly lightweight at 24.7 lbs.
- Sustain pedal included
Cons
- Damper pedal does not support half-pedal effects
- No USB included for MIDI functions
Description
- Keys: 88
- Polyphony: 128-note
- Touch Sensitivity: Yes
- Reverb/Chorus: 4 settings each
- Metronome: Yes; 20-255 BPM
- Available Colors: Black w/ silver
Review - Casio Privia PX130
Price: $500-$850
Keys & “Action”:
The PX-130 has hammer-action weighted keys and a “scaled” keyboard, meaning the bass keys have a heavier touch than the trebles. The feel of the keys is fairly realistic; however, the “spring” of some notes felt somewhat artificial, and parts of the keyboard made faint creaking sounds when depressed (this might be a fluke as I only tested one model). But, when compared to other musical keyboards in this price range, the keyboard of the PX-130 is among the more convincing and piano-like.
Transposition from -12 to +12.
Voices:
There are 16 voices to choose from; and while this sound library is on the small side, the larger variety of tones found in music editing software may be employed if this keyboard is used as a MIDI controller.
I was impressed with the quality of the on-board voices; and, with the touch of a Brilliance button, the timbre of each instrument may be tweaked to sound brighter or more blue (within a range of -3 to +3).
Tones may be dual-layered (meaning one key can sound two tones simultaneously), and the volume of each layered voice may be controlled individually – an option many layerable keyboards do not offer.
Available tones are:
- 3 Grand pianos
- 3 Electric pianos
- 2 Electric organs
- 2 Strings
- 2 Bass
- Pipe organ
- Jazz organ
- Harpsichord
- Vibraphone
Preset Songs & Recording:
The PX-130 comes with 60 preset songs, and the ability to record your own on two tracks (for example, you can record the bass and treble sections of a song separately, then mix them to play together). The total built-in memory equals an average of 5,000 notes, and reverb/chorus settings, layered voices, and pedal effects may also be used in your recorded material, but on one track only.
Keyboard Speakers & Quality:
The two 8W speakers sound good at reasonable volumes, but cranking up some voices (bass, in particular) seemed to cause them strain. For regular home use, the speakers will not disappoint; but should you require some extra power, you can connect external speakers or an amplifier.
Speakers switch off automatically when the headphones input jack is in use.
Included Accessories:
Package includes:
- Sustain pedal (model # SP-3)
- 12V AC adaptor
- Free song book.
- Music rest
Optional accessories which may be purchased separately include:
- 3-pedal unit with sustain, sostenuto & una corda pedals (model # SP-32) – $50
- Matching keyboard stand with 3-pedal rest (model # CS67) – $85-$140
Inputs:
○ Two 1/4" headphone jacks; may be used to connect external speakers or amplifier○ MIDI to USB (cable not included)
○ Sustain pedal input, 1/4"
○ 3-pedal unit input
See More Casio Instrument Reviews:
■ CDP-100 - 88-Key■ WK-225 - 76-Key
■ LK-165 - 61-Key Lighted Keyboard
■ WK-7500 - 76-Key
■ WK-500 - 76-Key
