A wolf in sheep's clothing, the CZ-230S uses exactly the same synthesizer technology as the CZ-101, mini keys included. But a few things give it more of a 'home' keyboard type image; firstly it had a built-in speaker; secondly it had 99 preset sounds with no way of editing them (only four of the sounds in the sound bank could be programmed by linking the synthesizer to a computer via its MIDI port).

However it had a built-in programmable drum machine (from the Casio RZ-1) and sequencer (step and realtime) which almost made it a workstation before its time. Midi in/out/thru was undoubtedly a first for a 'home' keyboard. Used by Vince Clarke of Erasure on the album 'Wonderland'.

Marc

January 3, 2012 @ 3:11 pm

My cz230s has no sound on the drum part....

I get full volume on the main voice bank but hardly any sound from the drums even at full volume. I have done the factory reset any ideas?? I don't really want to bin it....

M.

LaLa

December 22, 2011 @ 1:06 am

my Casio CZ-230S Digital Synthesizer got dropped & broke...I loved this keyboard as I would a friend, wrote many songs on it...I would LOVE to buy another if you have one for sale, PLEASE PLEASE contact me asap Hahadame@aol.com thank you sooooo much!

Tayfun

November 8, 2011 @ 6:47 am

I connected MIDI IN with MIDI OUT in my CZ-230s, so I had a tiny delay and an even fatter sound with the double played note, and I actually used this thing on stage (1988).
The last 4 (of 100) presets can be edited via PC.

And after this thing lost its memory because of "years without power supply", the presets loaded with random values, it did some really nasty sounds.
(Of course pushing some buttons during poweron resets this thing safely.)

ralph

October 4, 2011 @ 2:50 pm

My original unit was destroyed in a fire and i really love this particular instrument i am looking to replace it.

i am interested in purchasing a cz-230s casio in working condition please contact me at. rampersad008@comcast.net.

nwns

November 28, 2010 @ 9:48 am

I have just got one of these from eBay having had one in the late eighties, it is truly excellent. Mine is in the original box with manual and PSU! only cost £70.

Only issue is I used to have an editor for mine and I can't find one that works on Windows 7 x64, I may have to write one I suppose.

Sounds are a bit cheesy in places but they scream early Erasure :-)

<4321>

 

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