Update: Here is the latest information about the CT-S500 and CT-S1000 from Casio.
The forums are alive with rumors about the yet unannounced Casio CT-S1000V vocal synthesizer. Casio have posted a teaser video indicating a “January 2022” announcement date. I say “announcement” because the world-wide supply chain crisis will likely hold up deliveries.
As in the case of the rumored Yamaha PSR-EW425 (PSR-E473), enterprising souls have teased out pre-release images.
We do know that the CT-S1000V is based on Casio’s AiX synthesis technology. AiX is Casio’s latest generation of tone generation (large-scale integrated (LSI) circuitry). Their own teaser video has snippets of synthesized voice and/or vocoder. The teaser video is a flashdance by a four octave keyboard (pitch bend wheel and a few knobs.)
The Guitar Center snap shows black and red models with oval-ish built-in speakers. There are two live control knobs along with the usual master volume and data wheel controls. There are five buttons below the display for navigating the menu system. The keys are squared-off, more like unweighted piano keys than synth keys. The GC text mentions portability, so I would expect battery operation as well as AC adapter.
The knob legends are different on the red model and the gray (black) model. This suggests two new models. Perhaps the red CT-S1000V has voice synthesis and the grey (CT-S500) is solely instrument synthesis?
The second image has more detail. The assignable live control knobs to the left of the display are labeled “K1/VOCAL TYPE” and “K2/PORTAMENTO”. The vocal type sweeps between MALE and FEMALE. The tone mode select switches choose LYRICS and INSTRUMENT. There is some rhythm and record capability.
Intriguingly, the panel is is labeled “AiX sound source with vocal synthesis”. Coupled with “lyrics” and “vocalist,” one thinks of voice synthesis. Is this instrument Casio’s answer to Yamaha’s VKB-100 VOCALOID™ keyboard?
Update: Casio have posted a new teaser video. Casio will be holding an event — CasioKeynote.com — on January 20, 2022 at 1PM EST. No, that’s not too early for me on the west coast, 10AM PST. 🙂
Counting keys in the new video, there must both 49- and 61-key models. If — if — the sound in the video is produced by the CT-S1000V in one pass, then it is capable of combining (playing) voice over music/rhythm parts.
There is also a new unofficial image showing the Casio CT-S1000V back panel. It’s blurry as heck, so have at it. The rear panel layout is very similar to the CT-S400. For that matter, the front panel has a similar flavor, too.
At least Casio aren’t waiting for Summer NAMM (June 3-5, 2022) to announce new product!
If you’re wondering about Casio’s recent R&D, please see my short list of recent Casio patents.
Interested in Vocaloid?
Copyright © 2022 Paul J. Drongowski