My First Gig with the Casio Wk-3800 Keyboard

I used the keyboard plugged into the system at the church gym yesterday for the contemporary service.

It did not have as “rich” a sound as the Roland, but was SO flexible, and I think I can duplicate some of that richness using the DSP settings…I played with those some this morning.  There are so many, it’s almost baffling, but it would be great to quickly get a “bright” or “rock” sound just by keeping the same base sound and altering the DSP, even mid-song.  There is a small ‘break’ when you switch sounds, but the sustain petal can help, and a full band sound definately would cover it.

I am interested in learning more about saving some settings to the DSP USER slots, how long they stay “set”, and their useage.  I’ll post as I find out.

I bought a memory card just to have one at the local “FRED’S” store for $10.00.  See the manual for your keyboard, but I was glad it was only 1GB…the card has to be that or under to work!

I found that I really enjoyed the “ambient” sound yesterday…but that may have been the compaint for “lack of depth”.

Generally, the bass fills the depth, and our bass wasn’t experienced yesterday.  I was actually looking for some “brighter” sounds that would not compete with the guitars, bass, and electric as much, but when they are weaker, I suppose I need something fuller.

I loved the “warmth” layer, but found that it was too heavy on the early attack.  I may try “slow strings” or something next time, or just add it when the singing begins.  It felt too heavy for underscoring at times to me.

It will just be something to learn.  The Roland had a nice “wind” sound I found a few weeks ago…I hope I find something similar on it.

I’d like to make some taped on quick number sets that drop down in front of me on index cards that velcro to be hidden underneath when I want, or something…there are times on the fly when I want something else, but don’t know the menu well enough yet, and can’t see what I need quickly enough.

Practicing for Sunday Worship Using Casio WK-3800were

• For “God of this City”, Chris Tomlin, try Rhythm set 025, 16BTBallad with harmony added in for the chorus (str grand piano the main sound).  The strings automatically add into the chorus when you switch to the #2 drum alternate using the fill-in/next button.  The key of this song :”God of this City” is hard to get into.  I’m using Full Range Chord.  You just have to watch that your “fills” don’t make a chord (three notes) or you get a bad bass chord in there you didn’t intend!
• For “The Way I Was Made“, Chris Tomlin, try (Rhythm:  013, Tempo:  108; Tone: 005).  The Beginning and End pre-programmed with the rhythm set work pretty nicely if you want to try those out for style.
• For “God of Justice“, Tim Hughes ( see youTube if you don’t know this…it’s awesome, by Tim Hughes) (Rhythm: 022; Tempo: 87; Tone 015 + 330 Layered in the chorus).  Switch back to (1) rhythm for the bridge, build back to (2) for the chorus to end.  I also added a split for the bridge and last chorus using 154 “Sine Bass” to give that “boom” to the bass.  It’s the only bass on it worth much live in my opinion).
• For “God of this City” try Rhythm: 025, Tempo, 72; Tone: 000 (add 2 step harmony for chorus).  Switch to “B” for chorus.  The pre-programmed ending I liked.  If you don’t like the beginning, just started the drums, then add in your base chord so that the bass lick started, add in your intro chordings the next measure, then add another (1) drum lick and begin singing.  It will sound great on most drum rhythms.
• For “Your Worthy of My Praise”, David Ruis, try Rhythm 019 Funk, Tempo 104, Tone 005.  (Use 1 for verses, and 2 for chorus on the drums).
• For Hosanna (Praise is Rising), Paul Baloche, try (I’ll add tomorrow)

Instructions for Adding Sounds and Rhthyms to Your Casio Keyboard

Some people have trouble using their workstations and I just got a new one, so I thought I’d document a few things to help you out.  I hope you find it helpful.

So, you want to download stuff to your new Casio keyboard, but you don’t know how?  Well, I can’t tell you for sure, based on the keyboard you have, but several of them allow downloads, so this applies to several models.  Get that info off their website or your manual…thanks!

To use the stuff you download to your computer from the www.casio.com website, you need to learn how to use the “application” software disk included with the keyboard (also available on their site for download if you don’t have the disk or got it used).  So, the software should have installed with your driver.  You have to have a driver so that your computer recognizes your keyboard when you plug it in.

So, follow the directions and get your keyboard hooked to your computer…yup, you gotta move that heavy baby.

The other end is a standard USB 2.0 connection.  I am plugging my Casio wk-3800 by what they told me at the store was simply called a “firewire” or “printer cable” or both.  In any case, mine was 10′ long and ran about $20 at Wal*Mart, or $31 for the same at Radio Shack.  I could have gotten it cheaper somewhere, but we have no office supply places around here, and it was an emergency. 

Alright, so now you start wondering how to use the software, and if you are clever enough, you might click enough files to get you to a website to read the user manual.

I clicked this file:

It is called “INDEX”.  Any of the files there with your explorer browser icon will take you to some part of the manual.  The only problem is,

The MIDI Application User Guide Link Online for Casio wk-3800

In case you have trouble finding it.  Here is the link for the instruction manual for the disk and “application”.

http://www.casio-europe.com/euro/downloads/emi/cms/ides_mdms_euro.pdf

The Manual Language for the MIDI Program?…A Bit Foggy to Me

Alrighty.  I’m reading this software guide, and let me tell you, a brain cramp is to follow. I’m reading here:

file:///E:/English/data_manager/index.html

First off, the thing I want to know first…how to move sounds from Casio’s website to my piano keyboard, is the LAST thing on the page listing.

Then, there is information overload about the different types of media you can use to store information on.

I don’t know how much space I have to store these sounds on my keyboard’s hard-drive…so I don’t know if I need a flash drive or not.

Also, I don’t know much about using the type flash drives this keyboard takes…or why it seems so easy to over-write them…(and I quote from the site)

• Note that restoring flash memory data always overwrites the existing data in Keyboard flash memory. If you do not want to lose the data you currently have in Keyboard flash memory, back it up to your computer’s hard disk before performing the restore operation.

This raises some questions:

1. Why would a person want to “restore flash memory data”, from where would one “restore” it, and if it were lost and needing “restoring”, how would you first back it up to your computer’s hard disk before “performing the restore operation.

This was a poorly written section in my opinion.

As far as I can tell, it seems that what it SHOULD say is:

“Be sure to back up any work you want to save long-term to your computer hard-drive in case your flash drive fails and you find the need to “refresh” it with the version saved to your computer hard drive.  Just keep in mind that any changes you made to your flash drive since backing it up to your computer will be long.  As with any computer work…save often, and back up your saves.”

Casio Midi Setup Snag…the wrong cable.

This is the WRONG midi keyboard jack for this keyboard. It fit my last one and is the only one referenced on the Casio website, for some reason

More coffee…Need. More. Coffee

from of my Windows Media computer…where I can handily plug in from the piano keyboard

Handy .pdf file for reference up

The midi cable I had did not work

Got the keyboard moved…close to the computer, just for now

This is the port on the back of the keyboard

SO… what you need to go buy is what is called either a printer cable…the guy at Radio Shack said it was a “firewire”.  It was going to be $31 there.  I told him that was outside my budget for today, though I drove quite a piece to get there for it.  I drove to Wal*Mart and bought it for $21.  I bought a ten foot jack.  I probably could have gotten away with the little 3-4′ one at the local computer store, but that seemed a little too tight for me.  I wanted to be able to stand and play keys if I wanted.  I tend to be a “stand-up” kind of keyboard player as a rule.

So, now I have the chord.

Next step in the on-going saga to follow…figuring out how to download from the web to the keyboard.

I’m parusing that website now.

Here’s where it gets tricky again–following the website for the software.  It’s a little tricky to figure out.  I’ll get to that next time.  I have a lot to read before The Hub gets home.

Having Problems Installing Your Casio wk Driver?

I bought the Casio wk-3800 keyboard and am being ambitious.  I want to download MORE, more, MORE from the internet from www.music.casio.com.

So…above?  This is the first thing you read.  It requires a few readings to get down to the meat of the messages, and whether it applies to you, and to what extend, somewhat reminiscent of drug labels.

Basically, don’t turn stuff off and on midstream, I think is the main deal.  Also, that you have to get your MIDI going BEFORE you start your music software stuff.  If you try to do that backward, the software won’t recognize the midi device because it wasn’t connected at the time you started the software.  I think that’s what they are saying.

I hope that clears it up for you.

Also, the “readme” file I was directed to in the manual said to look for the file called **** such and such *** to install the driver from the provided CD.  I did that.

Now this .pdf file says I was supposed to have my keyboard hooked up already to do installation?

Huh?

That is confusing.  (Development note to CASIO:  let’s have a disk that does autorun when you put it in that walks you through the installation process.  My brain is cramping–and, trust me, if mine is…no one else is making it this far.  I actually thrive on the details and READ the manual.  It’s true.  I’m a geek.  Let’s work together here.)

I need to get another cup of coffee, move my keyboard to computer zone, find all these hook-ups, take more back pain medicine, and try again later. {Are you worn out reading that, ’cause I am!)

Stay tuned!

Free Tones/Rhythms Available for Casio WK-3800 by Download!

WW

Wow.  Looks like there are a lot of downloads available.  I will try and see if I can accomplish it.  I’m interested to know how easy it is to find these…if they group them with like sounds in the listing, or if I have to remember the numbers or what?

I have a MIDI cable, and installing the CD wasn’t too hard.  I just inserted the disk.  Clicked “run” from my start menu, typed E:/, and then it opened.  I selected US and English, and then read the “readme” file first as suggested in the hardcopy user manual.  It directed me to a file called ides40, and when I clicked that, it autoinstalled.  This is the driver which will allow the computer to connect with and download from the internet by MIDI cable.

I have to say, this is an excellent manual.  It is similar in style to the Roland manual we use at the church.  Very clear and easy to follow, though not nearly as complex as that one (thank goodness).  I can’t remember the name of the Roland I use there…XP something or other workstation.  I’ll have to look that up later for those curious as to what I use.

Anyhoo, on to the next step:  seeing if I can download these.  The hardest part will be moving my keyboard close to the computer, but I think it can be done.  I’d be tempted to find a way to set it up here permanently, but it’s right in my kitchen.  I often go play and practice while I’m waiting for the computer to do it’s thing, uploading pics, or whatever.

Here are the list of sounds.  I like seeing “pan flute”…the recorder sound rocks in my opinion.  I hope it’s good.  Also more horn options…those are a little shaky, especially trumpets, which are just hard to duplicate.  But, they do a great job at times mixing them in the rhythm section where they sound good.  I haven’t looked for a good harmonica to see if it’s on board yet, but I’ll need one for “Happy Song” intro!

Do you all know where there is a good place to download other sounds?  Does it have to be Casio WK-3800 site, or can you use other generic files?  Good questions.  If you don’t answer, I’ll find the answer!

I think Casio should put up demos of these sounds so you’d know the ones you’d use before downloading them all.  Just my preference.  For example, the clavichord would have to really wow me.  I’m not sure what one uses a clavichord sound for.  Note:  there is a demo of what you can do with MIDI…several files.

http://www.casio-europe.com/euro/emi/cms/ It initially asks you where you want to save the files, but ignore that screen and a quicktime player will come up where you can listen.

It initially asks

Okay, so I created a Casio account, got my validation email, and went to download tones.  I always create a restore point on my computer when installing a lot of new drivers and downloading new files.  So, I did that.  (Check your computer documentation for how to do that).

One thing I noticed is that this program is not compatible with MACs. They are going to have to work on that with so many worship “people” converting to MACs today.  I mean, like…all of them.  Except me, I don’t have that kind of spare change or have not been able to justify the expense at this time.

So…I have the files on my computer.  Now, I have to figure out what to do with them.  IMHO, www.music.casio.com should add linkeage on that page with “how to get these sounds to your computer with a link to each keepboard they work on…

I re-read the manual and did not find specifics.  Next, looking for a FAQ on that site.

Oh!  One more thing…in my opinion, it is much easier to download this stuff in batches–an option they offer.  You could go in and delete sounds you don’t like more easily from the extracted zip file than you could pick through and get the sounds you want…especially since you can’t test them before downloading anyway. Scan through the lists first before you start downloading…there is a drum track list by genre called “Package” to save you time downloading…it’s at the very bottom of the list.

UPDATE on Rhythms:  Be sure to check the rhythm section as well…there is a TON of stuff there you won’t want to miss not included in the “Package” link, though it says it includes “all the above”…it doesn’t! 

WISH LIST:  I’m not seeing a lot of just standard 4 beat and 16 beat variations.  That is what I’m needing most for worship songs…and some other 3/4 options.  They need to have someone who listens to “Passion”, “Chris Tomlin”, and other leading worshippers to come up with sounds that would work.  Also, I think the into and exits need to be as generic as possible.  To have a “dim” song and a “big” intro or finish doesn’t really work.  Would be great to just have some fading-out or ending chord/drum sequence stuff going on that doesn’t stick out with whatever you are playing…it would just blend.

I am a bit confused by the website.  They say to read something to see if you’ve met the system requirements and the title includes WK-3800, but then it’s left out of the lists of keyboards that meet the requirements in the rest of the writing on that page.  That needs to be corrected.  I’m pretty sure I’m good because the manual mentioned a MIDI cable this keyboard…I’ll have to go check that out.  I think I saw IN/OUT on the back earlier.

USING THE FILES:  Here is where you find how to use the files you just downloaded (or might download).  It’s a bit hard to find, imho.  On your driver installation disk, go to the .pdf file with the _e extension for “English”.  You get a booklet that seems to have all the answers there as to what to do with these files.

Okay…so here is the tone list you can download:

Display Name	Tone Name	Maximum Polyphony	Range*1	Effect
60′s EP3	60′S E.PIANO 3	32	N	Enha Cho
7thSeq 2	7TH SEQ 2	16	N	Pha Cho2
AcoBass3	ACOUSTIC BASS 3	32	-1	EnhaDly
Acrdion2	ACCORDION 2	16	N	Enha Cho
AtkSqr 3	ATTACK SQR 3	16	N	Dist Dly2
AWahDist	AUTO WAH DIST. GUITAR	16	-1	AWhDsDly
BariSax2	BARITONE SAX 2	32	-1	Enhancer
BariSax3	BARITONE SAX 3	32	-1	Enha Dly
BassLd 5	BASS LEAD 5	16	N	Comp 2
BritePf2	BRIGHT PIANO 2	32	N	Reflect
BriteTrp	BRIGHT TRUMPET	32	N	CmpEnDly
BrtyASx2	BREATHY ALTO SAX 2	16	-1	Reflect
BrtyTSx2	BREATHY TENOR SAX 2	16	-1	Reflect
BrtyTSx3	BREATHY TENOR SAX 3	16	-1	Enha Flan
Cello 2	CELLO 2	32	-1	Equalize
Chapel 2	CHAPEL ORGAN 2	32	N	GateRvb1
ChoStGt2	CHORUS GUITAR(STEEL) 2	32	-1	Enha Cho
Clavi 2	CLAVI 2	32	N	Enhancer
CplHpsi2	COUPL HARPSICHORD 2	16	N	Equalize
CrnchGt3	CRUNCH ELEC. GUITAR 3	32	-1	CrnPhase
DepSyBr3	DEEP SYNTH-BRASS 3	16	N	CrnDelay
Dist.Gt3	DISTORTION GUITAR 3	16	-1	Crn Cho
DstCln 2	DISTORTION CLEAN GT 2	32	-1	CrnDelay
DtunSaw3	DETUNED SAW 3	16	N	Equalize
DtunSaw4	DETUNED SAW 4	16	N	Chorus 4
DtunSaw5	DETUNED SAW 5	16	N	Dist Dly1
Duck	DUCK	16	-1	StXDelay
E Piano3	ELECTRIC PIANO 3	32	N	Equalize
Feedbck2	FEEDBACK GUITAR 2	16	-1	AWhDsDly
FifthLd2	FIFTH LEAD 2	16	N	Auto Wah
FingBs 4	FINGER BASS 4	32	-1	Limiter
Flute 2	FLUTE 2	32	-1	Equalize
Flute 3	FLUTE 3	32	-1	Comp 2
Glocken3	GLOCKEN 3	32	1	Equalize
Goblin_2	GOBLIN 2	16	N	Cho Flan
GrLead 3	GR LEAD 3	32	N	StXDelay
Harp 2	HARP 2	32	N	Equalize
Harpsi.2	HARPSICHORD 2	32	N	Reflect
Harpsi.4	HARPSICHORD 4	32	N	Equalize
Jazz Trb	JAZZ TROMBONE	32	-1	Comp 2
JazzGt 2	JAZZ GUITAR 2	32	-1	Equalize
JazzGt 3	JAZZ GUITAR 3	32	-1	Reflect
JzAltSax	JAZZ ALTO SAX	32	-1	Enhance
JzDrwbr2	JAZZ DRAWBAR 2	32	N	Od Rot 1
Koto 2	KOTO 2	32	N	Auto Wah
MdernPf2	MODERN PIANO 2	16	N	Crn Cho
MEP+EGP2	MODERN EP+E.G.PIANO 2	16	N	Crn Cho
MlwFHrn2	MELLOW FRENCH HORN 2	16	N	Reflect
MlwNyln2	MELLOW NYLON GUITAR 2	16	-1	Enha Dly
NylonGt2	NYLON GUITAR 2	32	-1	Reflect
OdPhzGtr	OVERDRIVE PHASER GUITAR	16	-1	Od Phase
OldRecPf	OLD RECORDING PIANO	32	N	Lo-Fi
OrchHit3	ORCHESTRA HIT 3	16	N	LFO Wah
OrgnHit2	ORGAN HIT 2	16	N	Cho Flan
OvdRock2	OVERDRIVE ROCK ORGAN 2	16	N	Od Rot 2
PanFl 2	PAN FLUTE 2	16	N	Tremolo
PickBs 3	PICK BASS 3	32	-1	Enha Dly
PizzEns2	PIZZICATO ENSEMBLE 2	16	N	RvbHall2
PurSySt3	PURE SYNTH STRINGS 3	16	N	Enhancer
PurSySt4	PURE SYNTH STRINGS 4	16	N	Chorus 3
PwrSynBr	POWER SYNTH BRASS	16	-1	Reflect
ReedSaw2	REED SAW 2	16	N	LFO Wah
ReedSawX	REED SAW X	16	N	Auto Pan
ResoOboe	RESONANCE OBOE	32	N	Auto Wah
RtDrwbr2	ROTARY DRAWBAR 2	32	N	Od Rot 2
RtDrwbr3	ROTARY DRAWBAR 3	32	N	RotRef 1
RzClavi2	RESO. CLAVI 2	32	N	Auto Wah
RzShami	RESONANCE SHAMISEN	32	N	Auto Wah
RzSlapBs	RESO. SLAP BASS	32	-1	Auto Wah
Salon Pf	SALON PIANO	16	N	RevHall1
Saw+Sqr 2	SAW + SQR 2	16	N	MetalDly
SawLead2	SAW LEAD 2	16	N	Chorus 2
SawSyBs5	SAW SYNTH BASS 5	16	-1	Comp 2
SawSyBs6	SAW SYNTH BASS 6	16	-1	LFO Wah
SlapBs_3	SLAP BASS 3	32	-1	Enha Dly
SlowStr2	SLOW STRINGS 2	16	N	Enha Dly
SlowVc 2	SLOW CELLO 2	32	-1	CrnDelay
SqrLead4	SQR LEAD 4	16	N	Chorus 2
SqrWave4	SQR WAVE 4	32	N	3Tap Del
SqrWave5	SQR WAVE 5	32	N	Auto Wah
SqrWave6	SQR WAVE 6	32	+2	RgChoDly
SqrWave7	SQR WAVE 7	32	N	Delay
StarVoi3	STAR VOICE 3	16	N	PhaAPan1
StreStr2	STEREO STRINGS 2	16	N	RevHall1
SwpPad 2	SWEEP PAD 2	16	N	RingMod
Syn-Str3	SYNTH-STRINGS 3	16	N	Enha Cho
ThmbPno2	THUMB PIANO 2	32	N	Reflect
TnrSax 3	TENOR SAX 3	32	-1	Reflect
Trb_ff	TROMBONE FORTISSIMO	32	-1	RvbHall1
TremVib2	TREMOLO VIBRAPHONE 2	32	N	Cho.Trem
TrpForte	TRUMPET FORTE	32	N	RvbHall1
Trp_pp	TRUMPET PIANISSIMO	32	N	RvbHall1
T_Saxys2	TENOR SAXYS 2	16	-1	Enha Flan
Vibe 2	VIBRAPHONE 2	32	N	Equalize
Violin 2	VIOLIN 2	32	N	Reflect
VoiceDo2	VOICE DOO 2	32	N	PhaAPan2
VxSawLd2	VOX SAW LEAD 2	16	N	PhaDly 1
VxSawLd3	VOX SAW LEAD 3	16	N	PhaDly 2
VxSawLd4	VOX SAW LEAD 4	16	N	StPhaser
WarmVox2	WARM VOX 2	16	N	Reflect

CASIO WK-3800 USERS! JOIN THE BLOG!

CASIO WK-3800 USER?  THIS BLOG’S FOR YOU!! Setting up my Casio WK-3800, I’ll guide you!   Today: HOW TO DOWNLOAD MORE FREE SOUNDS from CASIO. I’ve played in bands for about eight years, starting with two mid-entry level Yamahas.  There is a good overview of the CASIO WK-3800keyboard here.

I bought mine on ebay for about $350, including shipping and a pedal, but it was a particularly good auction.  They normally sell at music stores for $400…and I’ve been watching them for at least two years, maybe three, for the price to drop…it hasn’t.  There just isn’t a lot of variety when it comes to workstations.

Workstations differ from a lot of the keyboards because you don’t have to program everything in that you want to do.  I would love to meet you if you use this baby, especially for worship purposes, and share ideas.

Casio has done a GREAT job keeping up with modern sounds and needs for the modern keyboardist.  I hope to learn to use some of the awesome organ sounds under my belt.  I’m excited about those.

Drop by, comment, say “hello”!