The CZ-1 competes with the CZ-5000 for the best all around Phase Distortion digital synth. The CZ-1 has the most advanced keyboard of all the CZ series synths. It has a full 61-note 5-octave keyboard with velocity and aftertouch sensitivity. Very professional features from a Casio synth! Otherwise it is essentially a CZ-3000 (which is essentially two CZ-1000s or CZ-101s). With the CZ-1 you get 8-stage envelopes, 2 oscillators per voice and a whole lot more with relatively easy programming. Whereas the CZ-5000 may not have had as good a keyboard, it had the benefit of an on-board 8-track real-time sequencer which the CZ-1 lacked.

If you're looking for low-cost Yamaha DX-like sounds, the Casio CZ line of Phase Distortion synths are a good buy. For performance, the CZ-1 may be the best of the CS-series. Its dynamic keyboard and enhanced memory abilities make it ideal for live situations. Memory, MIDI and multitimbrality have all been upgraded in the CZ-1 making it one of the nicest budget synths ever to grow out of a consumer market.

20 VISITOR COMMENTS

cpeters

January 24, 2012 @ 11:40 pm

Just took mine into the shop. Bought it in 1988 and the battery is still good. The relay in the volume and stereo sliders have gone out and are getting replaced.

Paul

September 5, 2011 @ 7:24 pm

I meant to say that the relay problem effect the CZ-1; not the CZ-101.

Paul

September 5, 2011 @ 7:23 pm

I had a CZ-1 and it's little brother, the CZ-101. I wish I still had them.

There was a problem with a couple of relays in the CZ-101. They propbably need to be replaced, lucnus. Try this. Tap on it - I think they were toward the right side of the panel. If the sound is intermittently interrupted, then it's the relays.

pat

September 2, 2011 @ 1:03 pm

I just picked up a cz-1 and love it, but can somebody tell me where I can find an external cartridge? Are these kinda rare?

Carlo

July 16, 2011 @ 1:04 pm

Found one last week on this articles recommendation. It's a little old-school, but it seems to always amazes me...It'll be 20 years before I can use the full potential of this synth.

<4321>

 

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