Yamaha TX802 vs. Casio VZ-10 M

[og_penson]

I'm thinking about getting one or the other. I've done my share of reading online and listening to demos and know both are quite different from your average analog-like subtractive synth and require some time to get used to, not the least because of the rather un-intuitive way of editing sounds.
Has anyone used both of them and can say something about working with them, their sound-possibilities and an overall opinion?

[plus321]

I had a TX802 for a long time. I hated it because it didn't have a data slider. I feel like it really makes a big difference when editing something that complex. I got a TX81Z later to replace it, but if I ever got another fm synth, it would definitely have a data slider. It's too annoying to program otherwise.

Anyway, other than that, the TX802 sounds great; does everything you expect. Never used the Casio.

[rhino]

EDIT: Welcome to the board!


Go for the Yamaha...although I like the VZ myself: Hell-in-a-can to program, but can scream, bark and fizz like nothing else. Don't look for "piano and strings", or "choral pad" sounds. Think more along the lines of "prying rusty nails out of a skull" vibe. What I'm trying to say, is the VZ is a specialty synth - it's best use is for seasoning...like garlic, wasabi, or broken glass.

EDIT: If you go for the VZ, be sure the display is working 100%. Casio used a propriatary LCD on the VZ and FZ synths, and AFAIK, there is NO substitute.

[Pro5]

TX-802 all day every day of the year.

[madtheory]

EDIT: Welcome to the board!


Go for the Yamaha...although I like the VZ myself: Hell-in-a-can to program, but can scream, bark and fizz like nothing else. Don't look for "piano and strings", or "choral pad" sounds. Think more along the lines of "prying rusty nails out of a skull" vibe. What I'm trying to say, is the VZ is a specialty synth - it's best use is for seasoning...like garlic, wasabi, or broken glass.

EDIT: If you go for the VZ, be sure the display is working 100%. Casio used a propriatary LCD on the VZ and FZ synths, and AFAIK, there is NO substitute.

Haha! Perfect description of the VZ. Having used both, I would say "neither". For me FM8 makes FM synthesis vastly more accessible than any hardware synth, and with better sound quality. Plus it can load DX/ TX sysex.

[Pro5]

Definitely more accessible and the sound quality is fine, but even as a heavy user of FM8 it gives me a completely different feeling/inspiration to using real FM hardware. Esp the DX/TX range that has some kinda edge that I just don't hear in the software - even if I run it out and back into my interface.

For those that want an FM rack though - the TX802 is the best choice imo. TG77 if you want something that is a bit smoother and more advanced but will lack the more instant 'DX' Vibe that the TX802 has.

[8bit9bot]

in 2001 i got the FS1R... used it for DX7 sounds exclusively... later upgraded (yes its an upgrade) to TX7 which sounds more full - and now i am on the TX802... i have never sold any of these synths without replacing them with another model - hardware DX7 sounds are essential for me - with an editing program it's super easy to edit the DX/TX's

i have never been a fan of casio CZ or VZ... they are more "low budget" sounding... literally they sound toy-like - but if you like really obscure sounds it's worth a shot

[minime123]

buy both.

[Mastropiero]

I have a FS1R and had a TX7 some years ago. However, if I had to choose I'd go with the Casio VZ-10m.

It's a highly underrated synth, but it's capable of (almost) everything. It even can sound like a FS1R and do some awesome formant stuff. Lush pads, agressive basses and leads... beautiful synth choirs, harps, bells, simmons-like drums, PPG-like sounds...

I suggest you to watch this demo I recorded some years ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24QYv1j-vEs

It's a bit long but it's worth listening to it. You'll discover some pretty sounds you didn't know the VZ-10m is capable of.

[madtheory]

Well, it doesn't do "formant stuff" (IMO to do that you need a formant filter) but you can get vocalish sounds out of it. It's very similar to FM but harder to program because the interactions are totally unpredictable, and the UI is a pain. But they do have some very, very good sounds that you wouldn't arrive at with other methods.