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.

plikestechno

August 22, 2012 @ 11:31 pm

$150-$250 USD for the CZ-1 and VZ-1. $50-$100 at the most for the VZ-8m.

Vince

August 22, 2012 @ 6:08 pm

I've a CASIO CZ-1, VZ-1 and a VZ8m. I can't figure out a fair market value, Any help?

Vince

David

July 27, 2012 @ 4:20 am

Hey Philip, If you still have it and its in good condition I can offer you 1000dk if shipping to Norway (Oslo) isnt horribly expensive. Contact me at alpemannen at hotmail dot com

Jerry

July 10, 2012 @ 5:51 pm

The feature they describe as Ring Modulation sounds much more like soft sync to me.

Kari Sprague

June 5, 2012 @ 12:06 am

@Philip: I've seen fairly clean ones in working condition go for $200 US easy, sometimes more if they have ROMS, a case, and/or manual. I lucked out and got mine at a pawnshop for $100. I love it, like how it sounds, and its built solidly. At 65 or so pounds one certainly won't enjoy packing it around much! The velocity and aftertouch are nice and I am happy they added that instead of the rather useless sequencer the 5000 has. Basically you get very DX-7ish sounds for a lot less money, and in my opinion it is much easier to use and program than the DX-7. Great keys for not much money!!

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