Casio CZ-230S
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'.
Demos & Media
Programming the Casio CZ-230s Sequencer
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 -
8 note
Oscillators -
2 DCO using Digital Phase Distortion Synthesis
#Instruments -
4 part multitimbral
Keyboard -
49 note mini keyboard (no Velocity or Aftertouch)
Memory -
100 presets
Control -
MIDI In/Out/Thru
Date Produced -
1986