For Immediate Release

CASIO EXPANDS ITS BREAKTHROUGH PRIVIA DIGITAL PIANO LINE
WITH THE ENHANCED PX-400R

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Newest Model Features a Weighted Action Keyboard Just Like a Concert Grand,
256 Superb Digital Sounds, and a Built-In Stand

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DOVER, NJ, JULY 23, 2004—Casio, Inc., a leader and innovator in the digital keyboard category, expands its flagship PRIVIA line of digital pianos with the introduction of the enhanced and affordable new PX-400R. Designed to be the perfect choice for home or professional applications, Casio’s PRIVIA pianos offer exceptional tonal quality and the touch response of a fine acoustic piano in a compact design.

The PX-400R has an MSRP of $1,099.95 and will be available in September 2004.

“Casio’s PRIVIA line is a real breakthrough for anyone who wants to experience the rich sound and authentic feel of an acoustic piano matched with the space-saving design, advanced technological features, and unrivaled affordability of a digital piano,” said Robert Caputo, general manager of the Electronic Musical Instrument (EMI) Division. “The PX-400R expands on the benefits of the line with a built-in stand, an extensive palate of 256 quality tones, an 80-song library, a large LCD screen, and a host of other advanced features that will captivate beginners and serious players alike.”

The PX-400R’s 256 superb digital tones range from pianos and strings to wind instrument and synth sounds. Casio’s innovative new HL (Highly-compressed Large-waveform) Sound Source audio processing chip delivers exceptional sound quality by employing a proprietary dual-element sound source that accurately reproduces the sound response of acoustic instruments. The development process started by taking stereo samples of a world-class concert grand piano and storing the resulting sample waveforms in PRIVIA's memory. Separate waveforms are used for strong keyboard pressure and light keyboard pressure, providing a full range of dynamic expression, from lilting pianissimos to thundering fortissimos, providing the player with incredible realism in tone. Sound is further enhanced by a pair of semi-custom speakers to ensure optimum sound quality throughout the full 88 key range.

For true grand piano playing experience, the PX-400R’s 88-key hammer action keyboard has been carefully engineered to capture the finest nuances of touch and feel. This innovative new keyboard does not use springs, so that keys react naturally to even slight changes in key pressure for virtually unlimited expression. The hammer action of the keyboard has been "scaled," which means that lower range keys feel heavier, while keys in the higher range feel lighter, just like the keys of an acoustic grand piano.

The PX-400R includes a built-in library of 80 favorite tunes from piano classics to jazz to better help you learn to play, as well as 120 rhythms. The auto accompaniment feature allows players to select from three different accompaniment modes: CASIO CHORD, which enables play of fully formed chords with one finger, FINGERED CHORD, which enables full chord play in the accompaniment range of the keyboard, and FULL-RANGE CHORD, enables chord play anywhere on the keyboard.

The PX-400R also features a large backlit LCD, a Song Recording mode with a 5,200 note capacity, a USB port for saving and downloading songs, a Smart Media card slot for easy song storage, eight digital effects and a MIDI in/out port.

Casio’s PRIVIA line also includes: the entry-level PX-100, the most affordable 88-key weighted action digital piano on the market; the more advanced PX-300 with 128 MIDI tones, 25 built-in songs, and input and output terminals providing system configuration versatility for any musician; and the PX-500L, which adds Casio’s innovative Key Lighting System plus a lesson feature that makes dreams of keyboard mastery come true.

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Casio, Inc., Dover, N.J., is the U.S. subsidiary of Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan. Casio, Inc., markets digital cameras, calculators, business organizers, mobile presentation devices, keyboards, portable color TVs, timepieces (Wrist Technology), cash registers and other consumer electronic products. Casio, the unexpected extra – for more information visit our web site at www.casio.com.