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.

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.

lucnus

July 13, 2011 @ 11:04 am

just got one for cheap which for some reason has a very low volume output no both the line and the headphones output. had to raise the gain at my mixer to +20db (scary) to even hear anything. google told me that this seems to be a "somewhat" known issue but didnt offer any help.. did anyone encounter a similar problem and has an idea how to solve this? thanks in advance!

Roelf Staal

January 29, 2011 @ 5:16 pm

A nowadays hard to come by synthesizer.
Editing interface/button selection is easy to learn.
The CZ1 is capable of creating warm and characteristic sounds/timbres.
The most advanced in the CZ series.

girschwinn

November 6, 2010 @ 5:26 pm

just got one last week. one of my favorite playing keyboards yet. the aftertouch is great. some wierd stuff goin on with it though. chorus makes it act up, which [beep] s. still, great sounds and playability.

SIRSALAMANDER

October 16, 2010 @ 2:10 pm

Picked up one about 6 months ago for $80 in full working order. I prefer the control, sounds, and editing parameters on the CZ1 to the DX7. A great find and I highly recommend this piece for the budget musician. Also, just picked up the CZ101 for $60!!!! ALL HAIL CASIO!

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