Casio MZ-X500 User manual

1
MZX500/300-160-E-1A
EN
MZ-X500
MZ-X300
Firmware Version 1.60 User’s Guide

2
Firmware changes provided by Version 1.0X are those described below.
•Addition of a Pitch Bend Mode for Melody tones and Hex Layer tones
•Addition of a Portamento Mode for Melody tones and Hex Layer tones
•Addition of Decay Time Key Follow for Hex Layer tones
•Enhanced volume adjustment function for Drawber Organ tones
•Addition of a Percussion Mode for Drawber Organ tones
•Addition of user samples to the Inst Select (instrument selection) of Drum tones
•Addition of a Group setting for pads
•Addition of a Package load function
•Addition of sample data
•Other improvements in function
Firmware changes provided by Version 1.10 are those described below.
•Addition of User Sampling Sets
•Addition of functions to load or save all data or all pad data
•Other improvements in function
Firmware changes provided by Version 1.21 are those described below.
•Addition of variation number recording in registration memory
•Addition of the ability to specify the number of a variation to be played after an intro
•Addition of area number lookup when saving a registration
•Addition of sustain pedal operation recording during pattern sequencer recording
•Addition of selection of waveforms imported by an expansion tone for hex layer and drum tones
•Addition of functions for tempo syncing to sample pad setting item
•Addition of direct access shortcuts to the tone editing screen and accompaniment editing screen by holding down
buttons
•Addition of storage of externally input mixer settings
•Addition of direct button operations for modification of tone and accompaniment selection screen settings
•Addition of a setting to specify the initial startup screen
•Addition of a function to rewrite MIDI data header information used by the MIDI Recorder Mode
•Addition of a wav file loader function
•Addition of remaining memory capacity indication
•Addition of sample data
•Other improvements in function
Firmware changes provided by Version 1.31 are those described below.
•Enhanced Audio Recorder function and new mp3 player
•Folder data read and write support for USB flash drive operations
•Additional user accompaniment storage capacity
•New direct import from USB flash drive to accompaniment function
•Enhanced quantize settings for the pattern sequencer recorder
•New record repeat setting for the pattern sequencer recorder
•New Tempo option for registration filter items
•Note Preview sounds event notes when the Event Editor cursor is moved
•New MIDI Clock output setting
•Other improvements in function
Updates Provided by Firmware Version 1.10
Updates Provided by Firmware Version 1.21
Updates Provided by Firmware Version 1.31
Updates Provided by Firmware Version 1.40

3
Firmware changes provided by Version 1.40 are those described below.
•Addition to the MIXER EDIT function of the pattern sequencer the ability to modify the parameter settings of all
elements (Intro, Variation, Fill-in, Ending)
•Addition of the ability to delete specific recorded notes with the pattern sequencer recorder
•Addition of the ability to modify User Wave/User Inst names for Hex Layer and Bass Synth and Drum tones
•Addition of the ability to use sliders to control filter cutoff and resonance when selecting Hex Layer and Bass
Synth tones
•Addition of the ability to delete ZRA, ZAA, ZTA, ZPA, and ZAL files
•Addition of a shortcut to the user data selection screen by holding down a tone group button in the TONE area or
a rhythm group button in the RHYTHM area
•Addition of a user tone wave preload function
•Modification/addition of pad playback items
•Addition of pad recording setting items
•Addition of pad phrase recording items
•Addition of the ability to playback pad phrases with dedicated parts
•Addition of the display of the recorded tone of a recorded pad phrase
•Change of behavior when pad hold is enabled
•Addition of synchronized playback of pads to which phrases and/or chord progressions are assigned
•Addition of synchronization of all pads
•Other improvements in function
Firmware changes provided by Version 1.50 are those described below.
•Addition of Am to PLAY CHORD for PATTERN RECORDER recording
•Expanded maximum number of element measures that can be created with PATTERN SEQUENCER
•Support for copying between different elements with the PATTERN SEQUENCER Part Copy and Element Copy
•Support for selection of tones other than Drums for the Drum part and Percussion part with PATTERN
SEQUENCER
•Addition of items to REGISTRATION FILTER
•Other improvements in function
Updates Provided by Firmware Version 1.50
Updates Provided by Firmware Version 1.60

4
This section explains about user data compatibility between an old firmware version and the latest firmware
version.
•The following data, when saved with an old firmware version, can be imported with the latest firmware version:
user data (rhythm (AC7), normal tones (ZTN), versatile tones (ZVT), piano tones (ZPF), hex layer tones (ZLT:
MZ-X500 only), drum sound data (ZDR), drawbar organ tones (ZDO), music data (ZMF), music presets (ZMP),
registration (ZRM), pad bank (ZPB), sampling data (ZWT), phrase data (ZPH), chord sequence data (ZCD),
arpeggio data (ZAR), all tone data (ZTA), all auto accompaniment data (ZAA), all registration data (ZRA)).
•User data saved with the latest firmware version cannot be imported with an older firmware version.
Performing the firmware update procedure incorrectly can result in you are not being able to start up your Digital
Keyboard. Be sure to observe the points below.
• Back up user data in Digital Keyboard memory to a USB flash drive before updating the Digital Keyboard
firmware.
• Do not disconnect the AC adaptor or remove the USB flash drive from the Digital Keyboard while firmware
updating is in progress.
• Do not touch any buttons or keyboard keys, except as required for updating, while firmware updating is in
progress.
Perform the steps below to update.
1. Copy the “update.bin” firmware file to a USB flash drive.
•Use a USB flash drive that has been formatted to FAT32.
•Place the “update.bin” firmware file into the root (not a folder) of the USB flash drive.
2. Insert the USB flash drive from step 1 of this procedure into the Digital Keyboard’s USB flash drive
port.
3. On the MENU screen, touch “SYSTEM SETTING”.
4. Next to “Information”, touch “Enter”.
5. In the list that appears, touch “Execute” next to “Update Firmware”.
6. In response to the “Sure? Yes/No” message that appears, touch “Yes”.
•Firmware updating takes about 30 minutes. Do not touch the Digital Keyboard during that period.
•A progress bar will appear on the display to show you the progress of the update.
•The Digital Keyboard will automatically restart after the update is complete.
7. After the Digital Keyboard restarts, remove the USB flash drive.
This completes the firmware update operation.
If an error message appears and updating fails for some reason, perform the steps below to re-attempt updating.
1. Unplug the AC adaptor from the Digital Keyboard.
2. Correctly re-copy the “update.bin” update file to the USB flash drive.
3. Make sure that the USB flash drive is inserted correctly into the Digital Keyboard’s USB port.
4. Connect the AC adaptor to the Digital Keyboard.
User Data Compatibility
Updating Firmware

5
5. Press the Digital Keyboard’s power button to turn it on.
•If the update operation starts automatically, wait for about 30 minutes until updating is complete and the Digital
Keyboard restarts.
•If the Digital Keyboard restarts normally, go to the MENU screen, and touch “SYSTEM SETTING” and then
“Information”. Check the Digital Keyboard’s current firmware version. If it is not planned firmware Version, perform
steps 5, 6, and 7 of the update operation again.
•If updating is stopped by display of an error message, it could mean that there is something wrong with your
“update.bin” file and/or USB flash drive. Check for problems.

6
This section explains functions that are changed with firmware Version 1.10.
■Addition of a Pitch Bend Mode for Melody tones and Hex Layer tones
■Addition of a Portamento Mode for Melody tones and Hex Layer tones
(Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300; Hex Layer tone addition MZ-X500 only)
The editable parameters below have been added to Melody tones and Hex Layer tones.
•The Portamento On/Off parameter setting of Version 1.0X is now incorporated into the Portamento Mode as
shown below.
■Addition of Decay Time Key Follow for Hex Layer tones
(MZ-X500 only)
Addition of decay time key follow for Hex Layer tones by this version results in addition of the parameters shown
below.
Firmware Version 1.10 New Functions
Display Name Description Settings
Portamento >Enter This is a group of editable portamento parameters.
Portamento Mode Selecting “On” for this setting causes the portamento effect to be applied,
while “Legato” applies the legato effect. Selecting “Off” disables the
effects.
Off, On, Legato
Pitch Bend Mode This setting controls which keyboard keys are affected by the pitch bend
effect. To have the pitch bend applied to the note of the pressed key only,
select “Key”. Selecting “All” applies the effect to all sounding notes.
All, Key
Display Name Description Settings
Filter >Enter This is a group of editable filter parameters.
Decay Time Key
Follow
Adjusts the amount of change in the filter envelope decay time between
neighboring keyboard keys. A greater value represents greater change.
Increases the value shortens the decay time of the keyboard’s high range,
and lengthens the decay time of the low range.
–64 to 0 to +63
Amp >Enter This is a group of editable amp parameters.
Decay Time Key
Follow
Adjusts the amount of change in the volume envelope decay time
between neighboring keyboard keys. A greater value represents greater
change.
Increases the value shortens the decay time of the keyboard’s high range,
and lengthens the decay time of the low range.
–64 to 0 to +63

7
■Enhanced volume adjustment function for Drawber Organ tones
■Addition of a Percussion Mode for Drawber Organ tones
(Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300)
The drawbar organ parameters shown below are added by this version.
•The Leakage Noise setting of Version 1.0X has been changed to the Running Noise setting for this version.
■Addition of user samples to the Inst Select (instrument selection) of Drum tones
(Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300)
This change makes it possible to use the Inst Select item on the drum sound editable tone parameter screen to
specify user samples loaded from a USB flash drive or recorded with the pad sampling function.
•Note that only user samples for which Short is specified as the Length can be specified for a drum sound.
■Addition of a Group setting for pads
(Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300)
This update adds a Group function that makes it possible to alternate multiple pads with the pad Setting Item.
Display Name Description Settings
Volume Controls drawbar organ overall volume. 0 to 127
Click Level Sets the click volume. 0 to 15
Percussion Mode Specifies how percussion is sounded.
Select “Mono” for monophonic sound, or “Poly” for polyphonic sound.
Mono, Poly
Noise >Enter This is a group of editable noise parameters.
Running Noise Specifies the volume of the tone wheel signal (Running Noise) that is
always being generated while nothing is being played.
0 to 15
Tone Wheel
Leakage
Specifies the volume of signal leakage from other tone wheels (Tone
Wheel Leakage Noise) while something is being played.
0 to 15
Drawbar Leakage Specifies the volume of signal leakage from drawbars (Drawbar Leakage
Noise) that are set to level 0.
0 to 15
Display Name Description Settings
Group Assigns a group number (1 to 8) to a pad.
Performing a pad operation while the operation of another pad with the
same group number is being performed causes the ongoing pad
operation to stop as the new pad operation is started.
Off, 1 to 8

8
■Addition of a Package load function
(Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300)
A package groups multiple tones, Auto Accompaniment, and other user data into a user data file (ZPK).
Perform the steps below to load a package.
• If the package load operation will overwrite existing data that you want to keep, back up the existing data to a USB
flash drive before performing the operation below.
1. Copy the user package file (ZPK) to the “MUSICDAT” folder of a USB flash drive.
2. Insert the USB flash drive into the digital keyboard’s USB flash drive port.
3. On the MENU screen, touch “MEDIA”.
4. Touch “Load”.
5. Select “Package”.
6. Select the package file you want to load, and then touch “Select”.
7. A load package setting screen will appear, which shows a list of load destinations for the data in the
package.
•If the package includes user tone data, tone sub-categories will also be displayed.
•If the package includes user sampled data and Long is specified as the Length of the sample data, samples will be
displayed individually.
8. Specify a load designation of each user data item.
9. Touch “Execute”.
•This displays a package load confirmation message “Sure?”.
•If there is already data in the load destination in Digital Keyboard memory, a message “Replace?” will appear asking if
you want to replace it with the new data.
10. Touch “Yes”.
•The message “Please Wait” remains on the display while the operation is being performed.
•Do not perform any operation while this message is on the display.
•“Complete” appears on the display after loading is complete.
•To cancel the load operation, touch “No”.
■Addition of sample data
Sample data that can be assigned to pads is added with this version update. For specific details, see the Ver1.10
Appendix.

9
This section explains functions that are changed with firmware Version 1.21.
■Addition of User Sampling Sets
(Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300)
Sampling data specifications have been enhanced, and it is now possible to select User Sampling Sets.
A User Sampling Set consists of multiple sets of user sampling data, and you can select one User Sampling Set to use
from among of a total three sets (A to C).
The user sampling data in each set consists of 12 short samples (with a recordable time of about 3 seconds each) and
4 long samples (with a recordable time of about 9 seconds each). Use the procedure below to change the User
Sampling Set.
1. On the MENU screen, touch “PAD” to display the Pad menu.
2. Touch “User Sampling Set”, and then select from “Set A/Set B/Set C”.
3. When the message “Sure? Yes/No” appears, touch “Yes” to change the User Sampling Set.
4. The message “Please Wait” is displayed while the operation is being performed.
•After the User Sampling Set has been changed, the message “Complete!” appears.
•User Sampling Sets cannot be stored in Registration or Pad Bank.
•When you change the User Sampling Set, the sampling data that is loaded to the current pad bank changes
automatically.
■Addition of functions to load or save all data or all pad data
(Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300)
You can now load or save all data (ZAL) or all pad bank data (ZPA).
Use the procedure below to load or save data.
1. Insert the USB flash drive into the digital keyboard’s USB flash drive port.
•If you want to load data, copy the user file that you want to load to the “MUSICDAT” folder of the USB flash memory
device in advance.
2. On the MENU screen, touch “MEDIA”.
3. To load data, touch “Load All”. To save data, touch “Save All”.
4. If you are loading data, select the file that you want to load, and then touch “Execute”. If you are
saving data, choose a file name, and then touch “Enter”.
•The message “Sure?” appears to confirm that you want to load or save the file.
•If you are loading data and data is already present in the location where the new data is to be loaded in the Digital
Keyboard memory, the message “Replace?” will appear to confirm that you want to replace the existing data with the
new data.
5. Touch “Yes”.
•The message “Please Wait” is displayed while the operation is being performed.
•Do not perform any operations while this message is being displayed.
•After loading or saving is complete, the message “Complete” appears.
•To cancel an operation to load or save data, touch “No”.
Firmware Version 1.21 New Functions

10
This section explains functions that are changed with firmware Version 1.31.
■Addition of variation number recording in registration memory
(Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300)
The accompaniment variation number can be recorded to and recalled from registration memory.
The procedure below specifies a variation number and stores it to registration memory.
1. While accompaniment is stopped, press the SYNCHRO START button.
2. Press a VARIATIONbutton (1 to 4) so the corresponding variation number is flashing.
3. While holding down the STORE button, press a registration button (1 to 8) to store the variation
number in the corresponding registration memory area.
While accompaniment playback is in progress, selecting a registration memory area where a variation number was
stored using the procedure above will playback accompaniment according to the stored variation number.
(Selecting a registration memory area while accompaniment is stopped enters synchro standby.)
■Addition of the ability to specify the number of a variation to be played after an intro
(Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300)
The variation number to be transitioned to after the accompaniment intro is complete can be pre-specified.
The procedure below pre-specifies the variation number.
1. While accompaniment is stopped, press the SYNCHRO START button.
2. Press a VARIATIONbutton (1 to 4) so the corresponding variation number is flashing.
3. Press an INTRO button (1 or 2) so the corresponding intro number is flashing.
4. Pressing the START/STOP button plays the intro and then, after the intro is complete, transitions to
the variation with the number corresponding to the button pressed in step 2.
•The intro number and variation number specification in step 3 can be recorded to registration memory.
■Addition of the ability to view the area number when saving a registration
(Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300)
When the registration STORE button is pressed, the area button (1 to 8) that corresponds to the currently selected
registration memory area number flashes.
Holding down the STORE button as you press the flashing number button stores the registration.
■Addition of sustain pedal operation recording during pattern sequencer recording
(Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300)
Sustain pedal operation is included in recorded pattern sequencer recording, which makes it possible to change how
long keyboard notes are sustained.
Firmware Version 1.31 New Functions

11
■Addition of selection of waveforms imported by an expansion tone for hex layer and drum tones
(Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300)
Waveforms embedded in tones loaded from MEDIA can be selected with the hex layer tone and drum sound
editing screens.
The procedures below can be used to navigate to the waveform selection screen and select a loaded tone with an
embedded waveform.
•Hex Layer Tone: Tone 3Edit 3Advanced 3Layer 3Wave Number 3User
•Drum Sound: Tone 3Edit 3Inst 3User
■Addition of functions for tempo syncing to sample pad setting item
(Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300)
A Timing Sync setting has been added, which loops sample playback synced with the timing of the setting of the
pad to which the sample is assigned.
■Addition of direct access shortcuts to the tone editing screen and accompaniment editing
screen by holding down buttons
(Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300)
Shortcuts have been added to enable display of editing screens by holding down the SETTING group buttons
below.
Holding down the TONE button displays the Tone Edit screen.
Holding down the RHYTHM button displays the Pattern Sequencer screen.
■Addition of storage of externally input mixer settings
The externally input mixer settings can be saved by auto resume and in registration memory.
The parameters below are saved.
External Part: Volume, Reverb Send, Chorus Send, Delay Send, Line Select
■Addition of direct button operations for modification of tone and accompaniment selection
screen settings
(Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300)
On the tone or accompaniment selection screen, the [+] and [–] buttons can be used to scroll to the next or previous
data item.
Also, repeatedly pressing the same tone switch changes the sub-category.
Example: To select the second tone under E.Piano
Press the Piano button twice, and then press the [+] button once.
■Addition of a setting to specify the initial startup screen
(Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300)
A new Initial Display setting for the Advanced item of SETTING can be used to specify MENU, MAIN, TONE,
RHYTHM, or MIXER as the initial startup screen.
Display Name Description Settings
Timing Sync Syncs playback timing of the sample of a tapped pad with the playback
timing of Auto Accompaniment playback timing.
Off: No syncing
Beat: Forces correction of deviation in beat units.
Measure: Forces correction of deviation in measure units.
Off, Beat, Measure
Display Name Description Settings
Initial Display Specifies the initial startup screen. MENU, MAIN, TONE,
RHYTHM, MIXER

12
■Addition of a function to rewrite MIDI data header information used by the MIDI Recorder Mode
(Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300)
When you start playing, various mixer settings are recorded to the MIDI data header, which is used by the MIDI
Recorder Mode, as header information.
The added function can be used to rewrite header information by performing the procedure below.
•Rewritten Information
Parts
System Track (Port: B Part1- 5), Solo Track 1-16 (Port: C, Part1-16)
Parameters
Tone, Volume, Pan, Coarse Tune, Fine Tune, Bend Range, Reverb Send, Chorus Send, Delay Send
1. Select the user MIDI data to be changed by the MIDI Recorder Mode.
2. Display the Mixer screen, and change the parameter whose MIDI data you want to rewrite. Target
MIDI recorder header settings are those shown above.
3. After the changes are the way you want, hold down the Store button as you press the MIDI Play/Stop
button.
4. This will overwrite the MIDI header information with the current mixer settings and then display
“Complete!”
■Addition of a wav file loader function
(Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300)
In addition to the ZWT native sample data file format, general-purpose WAV files* can also be imported when
using the Load command on the Media menu to load sample data from USB memory.
WAV files are listed in the MUSICDAT folder along with the ZWT files.
* Linear PCM, 16 bits, Monaural/Stereo, 44.1kHz/22.05 kHz
•Depending on the storage location, 3 seconds (Short) or 9 seconds (Long) are cut from the data header of the
imported wav file, which is then converted to 44.1kHz monaural. WAV format is not supported when saving unit
data to USB memory.
■Addition of remaining memory capacity indication
(Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300)
The SETTING Information screen shows the current remaining memory capacity.
■Addition of sample data
•Tone data and accompaniment data has been updated.
The number of tones has been increased. (MZ-X300: From 900 to 950 tones; MZ-X500: From 1100 to 1150 tones)
For specific details, see the Ver1.31 Appendix.
Display Name Description Settings
Free Space Shows how much free space is currently available. –

13
This section explains functions that are changed with firmware Version 1.40.
■Enhanced Audio Recorder function and new mp3 player
(Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300)
This version adds an mp3* player.
*mp3 Format
•File name extension: mp3
•MPEG-1 Audio Layer3
•Sampling frequency: 44.1kHz/48kHz
•Bit rate: 32 to 320 kbps; Variable bit rate (VBR) compatible
•Channel: Monaural, Stereo
•Playable track length: 90 minutes max.
•mp3 format audio recording is not supported.
•In the case of an mp3 file created with VBR, the keyboard may not be able to obtain the proper track play time.
During mp3 play, you can view the information below by pressing the Info button.
File Name, Title, Artist, Album, Year, Genre, Time, Bit Rate, Sampling Rate (single-byte characters only)
(During playback of a wav file, only the following information is displayed: File Name, Time, Bit Rate, Sampling
Rate.)
A repeat function has been added.
An operation icon allows selection of OFF, repeat one, and repeat all.
•Selected repeat all plays all of the songs in a folder in the alphabetical order of their titles.
■Folder data read and write support for USB flash drive operations
(Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300)
When performing USB flash drive operations, you can now browse folder contents, navigate to the parent folder,
and create new folders. This added capability changes the USB flash drive file display, Media menu, playback
Media category, MIDI Recorder, and Audio Recorder.
•An arrow mark of a folder name indicates that folder contents can be viewed.
•A “ParentFolder” item in the list lets you return to the parent folder when required.
•Up to 10 folder nesting levels and 999 files are supported by these operations.
■Additional user accompaniment storage capacity
(Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300)
The storage area for user accompaniment data is increased from 100 items to 500 items.
Firmware Version 1.40 New Functions

14
■New direct import from USB flash drive to accompaniment function
(Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300)
The accompaniment function now supports direct loading of user data from a USB flash drive.
A Media category has been added to the accompaniment selection screen.
•Media category accompaniment data is not supported for recording with the MIDI recorder. Media category data
also cannot be edited with the pattern sequencer. To perform such operations, the accompaniment data must first
be loaded into Digital Keyboard memory.
•Accompaniment selected in the Media category cannot be changed while Audio Player playback or recording is
in progress.
■Enhanced quantize settings for the pattern sequencer recorder
(Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300)
Thirty-second notes and thirty-second note triplets are added for the pattern sequencer recorder.
■New record repeat setting for the pattern sequencer recorder
(Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300)
A new Loop On/Off function for the pattern sequencer recorder lets you control whether or not recording should be
repeated when the end of a loop is reached.
■New Tempo option for registration filter items
(Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300)
A new Tempo option is available for registration filter items.
■Note Preview sounds event notes when the Event Editor cursor is moved
(Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300)
While the Note Preview item in the Event Editor “Setting” is enabled, moving the cursor to a note number from
C-1 to G-9 in the event edit list causes the corresponding note to sound so you can check its pitch.
■New MIDI Clock output setting
(Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300)
A “Clock Out On/Off” items has been added to the MIDI menu to control output of the MIDI Clock, MIDI data
start/stop, accompaniment data start/stop, and more.

15
This section explains functions that are changed with firmware Version 1.50.
■Addition to the MIXER EDIT function of the pattern sequencer the ability to modify the
parameter settings of all elements (Intro, Variation, Fill-in, Ending)
(Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300)
This firmware version adds an “All Element” item to the MIXER EDIT screen. Changing a parameter setting while
the “All Element” item is turned on causes the parameter settings of all elements (Intro, Variation, Fill-in, Ending) to
be changed simultaneously.
■Addition of the ability to delete specific recorded notes with the pattern sequencer recorder
(Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300)
Specific recorded notes can be deleted with the pattern sequencer recorder.
To delete a previously recorded note, start recording and then touch and hold the “Notes Delete” item. At the point
where the note to be deleted occurs, press the keyboard key that corresponds to that note. If you hold down a
keyboard key while holding down the “Notes Delete” item, the note (or notes) that correspond the key that is
pressed will be deleted when playback reaches the point where it occurs. You can also hold down multiple
keyboard keys with “Notes Delete” to delete multiple notes during playback.
■Addition of the ability to modify User Wave/User Inst names for Hex Layer*1and Bass Synth*2
and Drum*3tones
(*1, *2: MZ-X500 only, *3: Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300)
Pressing “Rename” while the Hex Layer, Bass Synth tone top editing screen is displayed will change to the
RENAME TARGET SELECT screen where you can select either Tone or Wave for renaming.
Selecting Tone will display a tone renaming screen that is the same as that for the previous firmware version.
Selecting Wave will display a wave renaming screen for the currently selected layer.
Note that you cannot rename a wave if the wave being used by the layer is a preset.
Similarly, pressing “Rename” while the top Drum tone editing screen is displayed will change to the RENAME
TARGET SELECT screen where you can select Tone name or Inst name.
■Addition of the ability to use sliders to control filter cutoff and resonance when selecting Hex
Layer and Bass Synth tones
(MZ-X500 only)
Slider 8/16 can be used to control filter cutoff while the MIX slider can be used to control filter resonance. This
control is recorded by MIDI REC.
■Addition of the ability to delete ZRA, ZAA, ZTA, ZPA, and ZAL files
(Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300)
A “Delete All” item is added to the Media Menu.
Pressing “Delete All” displays a target selection screen that is the same as that for Load All and Save All. Selecting a
target displays a file list. Select a file and then press “Execute” to delete the file.
■Addition of a shortcut to the user data selection screen by holding down a tone group button in
the TONE area or a rhythm group button in the RHYTHM area
(Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300)
Holding down a tone group button in the TONE area or a rhythm group button in the RHYTHM area will cause the
top number of the user data to become selected. If user data is already selected, the same operation can be used to
select the top number of the data.
Firmware Version 1.50 New Functions

16
■Addition of a user tone wave preload function
(Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300)
A function is added that preloads the wave(s) of one or more user tones (preload tones) when power is turned on.
When you switch to a user tone that was created with Sample Manager using a tone that exceeds the recommended
size, there may be some delay before the user tone becomes available after you select it because of the time required
to load its waveform. This delay can be eliminated by preloading the tone.
Use the procedure below to configure preload settings.
1. Display the SYSTEM SETTING screen.
2. Touch “Preload Setting” to display the PRELOAD SETTING screen. The “Free Space” value shows
how much memory capacity is available.
3. Touch “Preload Enable” so it turned on.
4. Touch “Tone Select” to display the PRELOAD TONE SELECT screen. This screen shows the size of
the wave of each user tone.
5. Touching a user tone selects it as a preload tone. Multiple user tones can be selected. Touching a
selected tone deselects it.
6. The preload settings you configure will be applied the next time power is turned on.
•You can change how preload tones are combined by changing the “Preload Set” setting on the PRELOAD SETTING
screen.
•Note that the preload tone selected/unselected status is saved and loaded by All Data (ZAL) operations.
•If Free Space is low, there may be some delay before some non-preload tones becomes available after they are switched
to. If this happens, deselect some preload tones to increase the amount of Free Space available.
■Modification/addition of pad playback items
(Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300)
Setting items for pad playback are modified and added with this version.
Item Description Settings
Phrase Setting Items
Phrase Tone Enable Reflects a tone recorded for a phrase when the phrase is
played with a pad.
Off, On
Part Selects the part to play back the phrase. Multiple parts can be
selected for this setting.
B-X, A-01 to A-16 (B-X can be used for
PAD 1 through 8 only. X is fixed as 09
to 16 for each pad.)
Timing Sync Synchronizes phrase playback timing of a tapped pad with
Auto Accompaniment or another pad’s (phrase or chord)
playback timing.
Off, Beat, Measure
Chord Progression Setting Items (MZ-X500 only)
Timing Sync Synchronizes chord playback timing of a tapped pad with
Auto Accompaniment or another pad’s (phrase or chord)
playback timing.
Off, Beat, Measure

17
■Addition of pad recording setting items
(Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300)
Setting items for pad recording are added with this version.
■Addition of pad phrase recording items
(Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300)
An Upper 1 tone is recorded at the beginning of a phrase when recording a pad phrase.
•You can use “Phrase Tone Enable” in each pad’s “Setting” to specify whether or not the tone should be reflected
during playback.
•If “Phrase Tone Enable” is turned on when playing back a phrase with multiple parts, the tones of all the
specified parts will be changed to the recorded tone.
■Addition of the ability to playback pad phrases with dedicated parts
(Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300)
You can configure settings to specify playback of phrases using dedicated parts for pads 1 through 8.
•Dedicated parts are B-09 for Pad 1, B-10 for Pad 2, and so on up to B-16 for Pad 8.
•Pads 9 through 16 cannot play back dedicated parts.
For “Part” in the “Setting” of the applicable pad, “B-X” (X is fixed as 09 to 16 for each part) is turned on, while other
parts are off.
Tapping a pad plays the phrase using the specified part.
•Phrase playback can always be performed using the tone used for recording by turning on “Phrase Tone Enable”
and turning on only “B-X” for “Part”.
•Turning on “Phrase Tone Enable” and turning on A-01 through A-16 for “Part”, changes the manual and/or
accompaniment tone.
■Addition of the display of the recorded tone of a recorded pad phrase
(Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300)
When the data of the pad selected on the PAD screen is a phrase and the phrase has a tone recorded to it, the tone
number and tone name are displayed under the phrase name.
Nothing is displayed when the data is not a phrase.
•If the data is a phrase but there is no tone recorded, 0000 is shown as the tone number and “Not Recorded” is
shown as the tone name.
•To specify or change the tone of a phrase, touch “Pad Edit” and then touch “Event Edit” to display the Event Edit
screen. Next, insert a Tone event into the header. (For more information, see the separate Tutorial manual.)
■Change of behavior when pad hold is enabled
When pad hold is turned on and loop is turned off, a pad is automatically put into the off state after playback of a
phrase*1or sample*2, or chord progression*3is complete.
(*1, *2: Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300, *3: MZ-X500 only)
Item Description Settings
Phrase Setting Items
Phrase Tone Enable Specifies the setting of the “Phrase Tone Enable” item for
playback after a phrase is recorded.
On, Off (Initial default recording
setting for PAD 1 through 8 is On, and
Off for PAD 9 through 16.)
Part Used to specify the “Part” playback setting item part that is
turned on immediately following phrase recording. This
setting cannot be change for recording of PAD 9 to 16.
B-X (X is fixed as 09 to 16 for each
pad.), A-01 (Initial default recording
setting is B-X for PAD 1 to 8, and fixed
as A-01 for PAD 9 to 16.)

18
■Addition of synchronized playback of pads to which phrases and/or chord progressions are
assigned
Pads are synchronized not only to accompaniment, but also to the timing of pad phrases*1and chord
progressions*2.
Select the pad you want to synchronize, touch “Setting”, and then configure “Timing Sync” with the timing settings
you want.
Playback the pad where a phrase*1or chord progression*2is assigned and then tap the synchronized pad. Playback
will start synchronized with the play timing of the initially played pad.
(*1: Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300, *2: MZ-X500 only)
•A pad that has a sample assigned cannot be synchronized.
•Synchronization timing is in accordance with the beat of the rhythm selected when the pad is played.
•If a previously played pad is looped, play of a subsequent pad will be synchronized from the beginning of the
next measure of the looped pad.
■Addition of synchronization of all pads
All pads can be synchronized with accompaniment*1, another pad’s phrase*2, or a chord progression*3.
(*1, *2: Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300, *3: MZ-X500 only)
Touch “Bank Edit” and then touch ”All Pad Timing Sync” from the selection of items that appears.
Touch the timing you want to synchronize to (Off, Beat, or Measure).
In response to the confirmation message that appears, touch “Yes”.
The playback setting items of all pads are overwritten by the settings of “Timing Sync”.
•Settings are saved only upon a write of the PAD Bank.

19
This section explains functions that are changed with firmware version 1.60.
■Addition of Am to PLAY CHORD for PATTERN RECORDER recording
(Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300)
PLAY CHORD Am now also can be selected in addition to PATTERN RECORDER settings Off, C, C7, and Cm.
When creating a minor key accompaniment, selecting Am makes it possible to input data using only white keys.
■Expanded maximum number of element measures that can be created with PATTERN
SEQUENCER
(Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300)
Up to 32 measures can be specified for elements other than Fill-in on the ELEMENT EDIT screen of PATTERN
SEQUENCER. Up to four measures can be specified for Fill-in.
■Support for copying between different elements with the PATTERN SEQUENCER Part Copy and
Element Copy
(Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300)
1) Part Copy
Copying between different elements is possible while the Event Only setting is On. In this case, you can specify the
measure(s) to be copied. Parameters are described below.
•Source
Start Measure: All, 1 to 32
Specifies the start measure of the copy source. Specifying All copies all measures. If the number of destination
pattern measures is greater than the number of source measures, the copied pattern is repeated. Data that exceeds
the number of destination pattern measures is not copied.
Length: 1 to 32
Specifies the number of measures to be copied. This setting cannot be specified when All is selected for the Start
Measure.
•Destination
Start Measure: 1 to 32
Specifies the start measure of the copy destination. This setting cannot be specified when All is selected for the
Source Start Measure.
•If the status of the destination data is Fixed, the destination data is cleared and then the data is copied to the
destination.
•When the Event Only setting is On, the event when the C chord is played is copied. Data created with Cm, Am
and C7 may be different from the recorded data.
2) Element Copy
Data can be copied between different element types (except for Fill-in). You cannot specify the number of measures
to be copied.
■Support for selection of tones other than Drums for the Drum part and Percussion part with
PATTERN SEQUENCER
(Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300)
You can select non-Drums tones even for the Drum and Percussion parts on the PATTERN RECORDER screen and
MIXER EDIT screen.
■Addition of items to REGISTRATION FILTER
(Both MZ-X500 and MZ-X300)
Equalizer and Compressor items have been added to REGISTRATION FILTER.
Firmware Version 1.60 New Functions

20
MA1804-A