Casio PX-160 Review: A Nice Surprise for an Entry-Level Piano

The Casio Privia PX 160 is a great digital piano choice for under $1000. With an MSRP of $549.99, it’s the right combination of premium features that are also budget-friendly. The Casio Privia PX 160 was released in June of 2015. It’s widely available at big box stores, and it is a great entry-level piano.

Table of Contents show

Casio Privia PX 160 Design

The Casio Privia PX 160 has a full keyboard layout with 88 keys. They are the same size as regular piano keys. For many digital piano players, this feels high end, and it helps improve the speed and accuracy of playing. Plus, the weighted action also gives it the feel of playing an actual piano. Subtleties from releasing the key or softly pressing it are more accurately rendered than in less technologically advanced pianos.

Casio Privia PX 160 Dimensions

It has a length of 52 inches and 11.5 inches. It also has a weight of 25 lbs. This makes it a lightweight choice that’s great for beginner players bringing it to class. It can also be a budget-friendly piano for gigs.

Casio Privia PX 160 Speakers

The piano is equipped with a dual 8W speaker system. The sound is full and rich. There is also the option to use headphones, which mute the speakers. The speakers are mounted on the back. This can be useful for late-night playing or if you don’t want to disturb others in your home. Its audio input is 1/4 inches on both the left and the right side. So, it’s easy for musicians to plug in and play! Whether it’s for recording or amplification, the double audio input feature is a nice touch.

Casio Privia PX 160 Polyphony

This digital piano has 128-note polyphony. This means that it can play up to 128 notes at the same time without any issues. For most people, this is more than enough. If you are planning on playing complex classical pieces or recording yourself, then you may want something with more polyphony.

Polyphony works by allocating a certain number of voices to each note. When you play a single note, only one voice is used. If you play two notes, then two voices are used. And so on. Once the polyphony limit is reached, any new notes that are played will cause existing notes to drop out. This is called “note stealing,” and it’s something that you want to avoid if at all possible.

Casio Privia PX 160 Weighted Keys

The keys on the Casio Privia PX 160 are weighted. This gives them a more realistic feel when playing and also helps with developing proper technique. The keys are made from plastic, but they have a nice piano-like texture that makes them easy to grip.

Tri-sensor Scaled Hammer Action II

Casio’s Tri-sensor Scaled Hammer Action II uses three sensors to capture the subtle dynamics of your playing. This results in a more realistic and responsive piano-playing experience. This technology was also found in its predecessors. Essentially, it is used actual hammers in the action, so it feels “real.”

Velocity Sensitive Keys

The keys on this piano are velocity sensitive. This means that the volume and the length of the sound depend on the speed at which the keys are pressed.

Graded Keyboard

The keyboard layout replicates a real piano, with the lighter keys being easier to press than the lower keys.

Casio Privia PX 160 Connectivity

The Casio Privia PX 160 has both MIDI and USB connectivity. This means that you can connect it to a computer or other devices for recording or playing back music. The MIDI connection is made using a standard 5-pin DIN cable. The USB connection is made using a standard USB Type B cable.

Casio Privia PX 160 Power Supply

The power supply for the Casio Privia PX 160 is an external 9V AC adapter. This is included with the piano, and it plugs into any standard outlet.

Casio Privia PX 160 Accessories

The accessories that come with the Casio Privia PX 160 are a power adapter, sustain pedal, music stand, and owner’s manual. However, the stand is optional, but many packages include it. The sustain pedal is a standard piano-style pedal that plugs into the back of the piano. It music stand is made from plastic, but it’s sturdy and easy to assemble.

Multi-Dimensional AiR Sound Source

Casio’s Multi-Dimensional AiR Sound Source is a new addition to the PX 160. It creates a more realistic and expressive piano sound. This is accomplished by using long sample recordings of actual grand pianos. The result is a richer and more detailed sound that brings your music to life. It also uses lossless audio compression for better-quality sound.

The acclaimed Air technology replicates the sound of a 9-foot grand piano in different concert settings. Engineers sourced the right sounds from famous recordings of songs and incorporated those elements into the playing of the piano.

Chorus, Reverb, and Brilliance Effects

The Casio Privia PX 160 has chorus, reverb, and damper effects built in. These are all high-quality effects that can add depth and dimension to your playing.

Reverb

There are four options when you are choosing the reverb functions. These are rooms, a small hall, a large hall, and stadium.

Chorus

The chorus effect helps make sounds more rich and more amplified if several similar sounds are playing concurrently. You can find four different chorus effects. These are light, medium, deep, and flanger, which make a whooshing sound.

Brilliance

The brilliance of the sounds is adjustable. So, you can make it sound mellower, softer, harder, or brighter.

Metronome

The metronome on the Casio Privia PX 160 is a great tool for helping you keep time. It can be set to any tempo, and it has a variety of different rhythms to choose from. This is a great feature for practicing your timing and improving your overall musicianship.

Intelligent Audio Control

The intelligent audio control function helps the sound be accurate even at lower volumes.

Modes

Dual Mode

The dual mode on the Casio Privia PX 160 allows for two different players to play in the same octave at the same time. So, if you’re playing with a friend or family member, you can both play in the same range without having to worry about notes clashing.

Split (Low-range bass tone only)

The split mode on the Casio Privia PX 160 allows you to play with a low-range bass tone in the left hand and a different tone in the right hand. This is great for playing accompaniment parts or for creating interesting sound effects.

Layer Mode

The layer mode on the Casio Privia PX 160 allows you to layer two different tones together. This is great for creating thick, rich sounds. You can also adjust the volume of each layer independently.

Memory Function

The memory function on the Casio Privia PX 160 allows you to store up to 500 presets. This is great for storing your favorite sounds or for creating your own custom sound set.

Transpose Function

The transpose function on the Casio Privia PX 160 allows you to change the pitch of the piano without changing the pitch of the notes that you’re playing. This is a great tool for making adjustments on the fly or for returning the piano to a different key.

Octave Shift

The octave shift function on the Casio Privia PX 160 allows you to shift the entire keyboard up or down by one or two octaves. This is great for creating higher or lower-sounding passages. It can also be used to extend the range of the piano when playing with a MIDI device.

Settings Menu

The intuitive front panel lays out the functions which make it user-friendly from the get-go.

There is a settings menu that allows you to customize the piano to your liking. This is where you can adjust the volume, transpose the keyboard, change the metronome settings, and more. This menu is easy to navigate, and it’s great for customizing the piano to your specific needs.

Two track recorder

The two-track recorder on the Casio Privia PX 160 allows you to record your playing and then play it back. This is great for practicing or for recording your own compositions. You can also overdub tracks to create more complex recordings.

It has two tracks of MIDI recordings that can be stored on a USB thumb drive. You can also play along with MP3 files that are stored on the same thumb drive. This is a great feature for practicing or for playing along with your favorite songs.

Recorder Option

The recorder can record up to 10,000 notes. This is a great feature for recording your practice sessions or for composing your own music. You can also use the recorder to create backing tracks for your performances.

Voicings

The Casio Privia PX 160 has a variety of voicings to choose from. These voicings can be used to create different sounds and textures. They can also be used to simulate different types of instruments.

There are a total of five piano voicings as well as organs, strings, and a total of 18 other instruments.

Touch Sensitivity

The Casio Privia PX 160 has a total of three touch sensitivity levels. This makes it good to adjust for beginner piano players or those who want to customize the feel of their playing. You also have the option to turn the touch sensitivity off.

Color Choices

You can choose from three color options. The champagne gold has a metallic gold finish and a white body. There is also an all-white option that is monochrome. Finally, there is a classic black option.

Lesson Feature

The lesson feature allows players to play along with the songs that are pre-loaded onto the piano. Additionally, you can add up to 10 songs of your own. The songs that are pre-loaded are:

Arabesque 1
Ave Maria [25 Etuden Op.100]
Berceuse [Dolly] (Duet)
Blumenlied
Csikos Post
Etude Op.10-12 “Revolutionary”
Etude Op.10-3 “Chanson de l’adieu”
Etude Op.10-5 “Black Keys”
Etude Op.25-9 “Butterflies”
Fantaisie-Impromptu Op.66
Frohlicher Landmann [Album fur die Jugend]
Fruhlingslied [Lieder Ohne Worte Heft 5]
Fur Elise
Gavotte
Gymnopedie 1
Humoresque Op.101-7
Impromptu Op.90-2
Inventio 1 BWV 772
Inventio 13 BWV 784
Inventio 8 BWV 779
Je Te Veux
La chevaleresque [25 Etuden Op.100]
La Fille aux Cheveux de Lin [Preludes]
La Priere d’une Vierge
La Styrienne [25 Etuden Op.100]
L’arabesque [25 Etuden Op.100]
Le Coucou
Le retour [25 Etuden Op.100]
Liebestraume 3
Maple Leaf Rag
Marche Militaire 1 (Duet)
Marcia alla Turca
Melodie [Lyrische Stucke Heft 2]
Menuet BWV Anh.114 [Clavierbuchlein der Anna Magdalena Bach]
Moments Musicaux 3
No.13 [Etudes de Mecanisme Op.849]
No.26 [Etudes de Mecanisme Op.849]
Nocturne Op.9-2
Passepied [Suite bergamasque]
Praeludium 1 BWV 846 [Das Wohltemperierte Klavier 1]
Prelude Op.28-7
Rhapsodie 2
Rondo K.485
Salut d’Amour
Sicilienne Op.78
Sonate K.331 3rd Mov. “Turkish March”
Sonate K.545 1st Mov.
Sonate Op.13 “Pathetique” 1st Mov.
Sonate Op.13 “Pathetique” 2nd Mov.
Sonate Op.13 “Pathetique” 3rd Mov.
Sonate Op.27-2 “Moonlight” 1st Mov.
Sonatina Op.36-1 1st Mov.
Sonatine Op.20-1 1st Mov.
Tambourin
The Entertainer
Traumerei [Kinderszenen]
Valse Op.64-1 “Petit Chien”
Valse Op.64-2
Von fremden Landern und Menschen [Kinderszenen]
Waltz Op.39-15 (Duet)

Conclusion

The Casio Privia PX 160 is a great digital piano with all the standard features that you need. It’s made for student players with multiple lesson features and headphone jacks. However, it has state-of-the-art technology, which makes it a reliable choice for playing gigs or even practicing at home. Overall, it’s a high-performance practice piano.

You can also read: