Contact: Lillian Ayala
HWH Public Relations
212-355-5049
layala@hwhpr.com

Cheryl Balbach
Casio, Inc.
973-361-5400
pr@casio.com

VISIT CASIO AT WINTER NAMM BOOTH # 6563

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CASIO ANNOUNCES NEW ADDITION TO CELVIANO PIANO LINE
AT 2005 NAMM SHOW
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New AP-80R Digital Piano Features an Elegant Wood Cabinet
Advanced Ensemble Features, and the Feel of a Grand Piano
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ANAHEIM, CA, JANUARY 20, 2005-Casio, Inc., Dover, N.J., in conjunction with its parent company, Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, introduces the AP-80R digital piano, its newest addition to the Celviano Piano line . The AP-80R now introduces the first cabinet piano with USB connectivity to Casio's Celviano line of fine digital pianos. The USB connection may be used with the AP-80R' s internal memory or with the integrated Smart Media Slot for song expansion and also for transferring and storing many types of musical data. The new AP-80R incorporates the tonal quality and touch of a fine grand piano in an upright, elegant wood cabinet. The AP-80R digital piano is on display at Casio's Booth # 6563 at the 2005 NAMM Show that opened in the Anaheim Convention Center today. The MSRP is $2,999.95 and it will start shipping immediately.

With the AP-80R, Casio extends its history of leadership and innovation in the digital piano category, by presenting advanced features, high quality feel and response, and traditional upright cabinet styling.

"For music lovers seeking an advanced ‘ensemble' piano with features such as a large library of on-board tones and rhythms, plus many built-in songs with lyrics that can be displayed right on the console, the AP-80R is a unique and elegant solution, and a great addition to Casio's Celviano line," said Robert Caputo, general manager of the Electronic Musical Instrument (EMI) Division, Casio, Inc. "This beautiful piano gives you the rich sound and authentic feel of an acoustic piano, matched by a sophisticated and stylish design. Its heirloom design and state-of-the art technology make the AP-80R a treasure for years to come."

The AP-80R uses Casio's proprietary "HL" sound source, which delivers stereo samples of world-renown full concert grand piano for beautifully rich piano tones. A "dual element" tone system uses separate samples for strong key pressure and light key pressure for realistic tones to match the incredible feel of the AP-80R's piano action.

An upgrade to Casio's popular AP-65R, the AP-80R includes 88 weighted, graded, hammer-action keys, 32-note polyphony, 258 Tones, 120 Rhythms, and 8 Digital Effects. For the first time, the AP-80R also features a microphone input (microphone not included) and a large LCD to display lyrics for built-in songs, or for SMF+lyrics data that can be readily downloaded from www.casiosongs.com and transferred via USB. The AP-80R also features dual headphone connections for teacher/student applications and a wide variety of accompaniment patterns for all types of popular music.

Complete specifications:

Specifications Subject to Change

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.