Casio Casiotone CT-S500From real comments

Verdict distilled from 14 mentions across 10 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment23%
PROS 23%
CONS 77%

Rank based on 14 mentions across 10 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a Casio-branded keyboard for casual or aspirational home use
  • You're fine with basic multitrack recording without quantize or looping
  • You don't need advanced live-performance effect switching

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need reliable quantizing or drum-loop recording for sequencing
  • You rely on MIDI (wired or wireless) or Windows 11 USB compatibility
  • You want a customizable interface with more style variations per rhythm

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
2Premium
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
3Premium
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
Best value
4Mid
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Budget
Casio Casiotone CT-S500
Aspirational Casio appealMultitrack recording includedInterface and design shortcomingsWeak or unclear sequencerCan't loop recorded drum tracks
Casio Casiotone CT-S500
Aspirational Casio appeal
Multitrack recording included
Interface and design shortcomings
Weak or unclear sequencer
Can't loop recorded drum tracks

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Sequencing and recording features fall short of expectations. Multiple users point out that the CT-S500 lacks quantize functionality and cannot record and loop a drum track, undermining the value of its multitrack recording. One user wasn't even sure if an eight-track sequencer existed, wanting to use it as a basic scratch pad. Another compared it unfavorably to Casio's own XW series, which already has a capable sequencer that wasn't carried over here.

Connectivity and compatibility issues frustrate several owners. One user got the CT-S500 and followed instructions correctly for both wired MIDI and a wireless MIDI adapter, but neither worked, with no clear fix offered. Another asked about Windows 11 driver support after finding only Windows 8.1 and 10 were listed as compatible. A third had trouble playing MP3 files off USB and wasn't sure what type of USB drive was required.

Interface quirks and sound engine draw some criticism. A user harshly criticized the AiX sound engine as plastic and unnatural, calling it typical of a cheap, toy-like keyboard requiring heavy tweaking. Others noted design oddities: an LED that doesn't visibly light up, a surround button seen as a wasted opportunity since it isn't customizable, and confusion about escaping registration mode. One found only two style variations per rhythm, fewer than a competing Casio model.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?