CASIO CZ's

[yamaha22]

can someone break down the cz's

i've read about them on the main site but it seems like some have better features than others.

i'm very interested in picking one up, it might come down to what's available but any help, please.

thanks

[jeeroj]

Mad Theory will be along in a bit,

basically from my limited info, the CZ-101 is the one to get.

the CZ3000 has more features and the CZ5000 has a sequencer. I never really worked out how to program it tho

also youtube has some good videos of them from some people with mad casio skills

[rhino]

Charming little synths. Basicly, you apply an envelop to a waveform, and the changing level of that envelop "warps" the original wave into a more harmonic-rich shape. Often compared to the DX7, but IMHO more like the "Transwaves" on the Ensoniq VFX.
The CZ-1 was the last of the line, and some say has the best keyboard... has aftertouch.
Don't expect the ear-grabbing realism of a mega-sampler. This thing has its own bright, tinny sound.
Definatly in a class by itself.

(sly, subliminal message: I have two for sale on this board. Take a look)

EDIT: If you like shrill, buzzy, razorblade tones, try a Casio VZ. Beware of the nightmare programing though.

[yamaha22]

Charming little synths. Basicly, you apply an envelop to a waveform, and the changing level of that envelop "warps" the original wave into a more harmonic-rich shape. Often compared to the DX7, but IMHO more like the "Transwaves" on the Ensoniq VFX.
The CZ-1 was the last of the line, and some say has the best keyboard... has aftertouch.
Don't expect the ear-grabbing realism of a mega-sampler. This thing has its own bright, tinny sound.
Definatly in a class by itself.

(sly, subliminal message: I have two for sale on this board. Take a look)

EDIT: If you like shrill, buzzy, razorblade tones, try a Casio VZ. Beware of the nightmare programing though.

don't have the money now,. won't be till next year probably.
you're prices are fairly high , no?

[jeeroj]

don't have the money now,. won't be till next year probably.
you're prices are fairly high , no?

give you time to save up

[moremagic]

don't have the money now,. won't be till next year probably.
you're prices are fairly high , no?

give you time to save up

or for you to get worn down on prices

I've never heard anything but the most cursory explanations on the differences between PM as implemented in the CZs and FM as implemented in the early DXs. Could someone perchance shine a little light on this topic ?

[101 Force]

I used to have a Casio CZ-5000. It's one of the few synthesizers I regret selling, and I'd definitely pick up another if I could find one for an inexpensive price. I've often heard others compare it to the DX-7 in terms of timbre, and while they share a few qualities I'd say the CZ-5000 is capable of wider degree of sound timbres (although honestly it's hard to directly compare it to the DX-7 if you know both of the instruments well). If you know what you're doing with it you can get some analogue-like timbres out of it, and even some high-resonance timbres, unlike the DX-7. As a result of the interface and the uncommon synthesis method it's not a synthesizer you can just sit down and get good sounds out of without some work and learning, but it's definitely worth picking up if you can find one for $200 or $300 in my opinion.

[Blue Monster 65]

No, for a CZ-1, I think Rhino's prices are pretty damn good, especially since he's serviced them.

I've had a couple of CZ-1's in my time - it's a monster board and capable of a lot, providing you take the time to learn how to program it. At least one other member here also used one as a master controller, too. The 101s are fun and portable, and each successive step up adds something (full-size keys, sequencer, etc.). If you dig around on You Tube, you'll find some decent demo videos of people who have really done their homework on how to program and get some great, analog-style sounds out of various CZ synths, along with the usual stuff.

[tekkentool]

I don't particularly like my CZ-1, Built quite solidly. and i understand that with a LOT of programming you can achieve quite a lot with them. But i don't particularly find it that fun to do so. Very methodical interface. I don't mind not having knob per function at all but it's a pretty slow interface. It would be much better if it had an alpha dial.

[Denms20]

I use my CZ101 live quite a bit, and have tried to work it into some studio stuff, but never ended up keeping what I recorded with it, always ended up using something else. I've found I love using mine at local blues jams, cuts through and gets real nasty. However, everybody else hates the thing and tells me to leave it at home.

[gordwiebe]

^^^funny!

If you have the time and patience the cz's can give you some good sounds (like most any instrument)... but, it can be a lot of work and trial and error.
I think most anybody would be happier with something from the dx series - especially with the help of computer editors.
I get my FM sounds from a dx200 (knobs!) and an alesis fusion (it just makes sense!).
And, no, the cz101 is not the best (unless you are judging on cuteness).

[tekkentool]

I'd recommend an ESQ-1 purchase before a CZ.

[tekkentool]

If you're interested though, this is great demo of some of the more esoteric sounds a CZ can produce.


this is good for use in a more traditional sense.


If you're willing to put in a LOT of effort. they're certainly worth it.

[madtheory]

Hi jeeroj, ya, I'm all over it

That effort could just be scouring the web for patches, getting a good patch librarian and just playing with the layering on the CZ-1. Keyboard feel is not bad either.

Here's the breakdown of features, a cursory description of the synthesis, and some of what happens under the hood:
http://madtheory.com/site/?p=320

Here's a more detailed explanation of PD synthesis:
http://www.electricdruid.net/index.php? ... dsynthesis

[moremagic]

thanks a lot, madtheory!
i was always confused as to how FM and PD were supposed to be the same exact thing, its good to understand the differences and the basic theory of operation.