Casio Gets Its Groove on Globally With New Synthesizer Launch

DOVER, N.J., March 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- At Casio, evolution never stops. In 1986, Casio released the CZ-1, known as the company's most advanced synthesizer. More than twenty years later, Casio is engaging in a targeted marketing program to introduce its XW series of synthesizers to the global market.  Plans include signing renowned performance artists and SiriusXM hosts, The Crystal Method, as brand ambassadors and reaching musicians through exclusive events.

Created by combining a number of Casio's innovations and technologies over time, the XW series seeks to surpass past achievements and transform the way musicians express themselves. The XW synthesizers redefine what musicians should expect from a synthesizer by merging a number of features that currently do not exist in one instrument.

Announced at the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Show in January, Casio unveiled plans for returning to the professional musician market with the XW-P1 for recording pros and XW-G1 for Club DJs and dance music performers.  Both synthesizers are equipped with a step sequencer allowing artists to build and mix performances as they go, as well as a six oscillator monophonic solo synth that utilizes Casio's Hybrid Processing Sound Source.

The key difference between the two synthesizer models is that the XW-G1 features 420 built-in sounds, 25 multi-function keys and has the ability to sample. A 19-second sample looper captures internal sounds, as well as external instruments allowing the performer to create layers and overdub sounds on a whim. Sample sounds can even be saved in Flash ROM so they remain in memory after the keyboard has been powered off.

"This is an exciting time for Casio. We are not just producing musical instruments for the masses; we're going beyond sound by enabling aspiring musicians to express themselves and enjoy music on an entirely new level," said Stephen Schmidt, vice president of Casio's Electronic Musical Instruments Division. "The XW series is expected to play a leading role in this movement and shift Casio into previously untapped areas of the music industry."

The Crystal Method Serves as Casio's XW Brand Ambassadors

With the knowledge that Electronic Dance Music has seen massive growth in popularity over the last two years, Casio is pleased to announce The Crystal Method as their new brand ambassadors.  The Crystal Method, one of America's best known electronic artists with a career spanning nearly 20 years, two Grammy nominations and a platinum selling album, Vegas, under their belts, embraced the essence of Casio and the XW-G1 Groove Synthesizer.

"As artists, we need to be able to play live and mix on the fly – with the XW-G1, this becomes an integral and effortless element of our performances," said Ken Jordan, of The Crystal Method. "With its studio-like capabilities and quality sound, the XW-G1 allows us to adapt and branch out, as music consistently changes."

"The built-in step sequencer is what originally attracted us to the XW-G1. In the world of Electronic Dance Music, it allows us to develop tracks with multiple layers of complexity and animation – giving our music more depth and emotion," said Scott Kirkland, of The Crystal Method. "Additionally, the ability to load our own custom samples provides a more robust and unique performance for our audiences."

Providing everything from pulsing dance grooves to animated synth textures and arpeggios, the Step Sequencer in both the XW-P1 and XW-G1 is the first of its kind. With nine tracks for drums, basses, synths and chordal parts, four controller tracks for adding panning, filter changes and other animation to existing parts and eight patterns that make up each sequence; the user can build and mix their performance on the fly. Sequences can even transpose live from the keyboard, providing a completely interactive experience.

Following their recent March 14th appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Crystal Method will perform live, along with Enferno, an influential DJ in the Electronic Dance Music genre at Casio's XW-G1 launch party on March 30, 2012 at Highline Ballroom in New York City. Attendees will be able to see Casio's XW-G1 first-hand and in action.

For additional information on Casio's electronic musical instruments, please visit www.CasioMusicGear.com.

About Casio America, Inc.

Casio America, Inc., Dover, N.J., is the U.S. subsidiary of Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, one of the world's leading manufacturers of consumer electronics and business equipment solutions. Established in 1957, Casio America, Inc. markets calculators, keyboards, digital cameras, mobile presentation devices, disc title and label printers, watches, cash registers and other consumer electronic products. Casio has strived to fulfill its corporate creed of "creativity and contribution" through the introduction of innovative and imaginative products. For more information, visit www.casiousa.com.

About The Crystal Method

Heralded by the Village Voice as "one of the best live dance acts on Earth," THE CRYSTAL METHOD—who is Ken Jordan and Scott Kirkland—have been known for over a decade for their enduring dance floor anthems ("Now Is The Time," "Keep Hope Alive"), airwave smashes ("Trip Like I Do") and a willingness to collaborate with an array of talent–including rock's elite like Scott Weiland, Matisyahu, New Order's Peter Hook, Emily Haines of Metric and Filter's Richard Patrick, as well as the legendary Martha Reeves of the Vandellas. The duo has dominated the remix, film soundtrack, television, gaming and advertising worlds, most recently helping Victoria's Secret drop jaws with music for a TV commercial campaign, collaborating with soundtrack heavyweight Danny Elfman for several contributions to Hollywood blockbuster Real Steel, and were featured producers in and for the Hyundai presented music documentary Re:Generation. Their platinum-status debut album Vegas (released in 1997) is one of the biggest-selling electronic albums of all time, landing them in the top five of best-selling electronic acts in America. They scored the film London as well as the themes for TV shows "Bones" and "Third Watch" and were the first act to work with Nike for their running soundtrack series. Their most recent album, the Grammy-nominated Divided By Night, was released in 2009.  Look for more exciting things to come from the pair soon.

www.thecrystalmethod.com
@crystalmethod
www.facebook.com/thecrystalmethod

SOURCE Casio America, Inc.