Casio CZ-1

Casio CZ-1 Image
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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 CZ-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.

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Demos & Media

Casio CZ-1 Phase Distortion Synthesizer Preset Patch Demo
by
zibbybone
Sound Synthesis HandbookScanned and submitted to us by Olaf Wagner.
Sound Data HandbookScanned and submitted to us by Olaf Wagner.
ManualDownload the original owner's manual from SoundProgramming.net.

Specifications

Polyphony - 16 voices
Oscillators - 2 per voice
Arpeg/Seq - None
Filter - None
Effects - Chorus
Keyboard - 61 keys with velocity and aftertouch
Memory - 64 preset, 64 user patches, 64 patch external cartridge
Control - MIDI
Date Produced - 1986

Resources

Original image from Greg Fredericks.