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CZ-1000
Digital synthesizer
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My first synthesizer!!!My first "real" synthesizer, so it will always
have a special place in my heart. I bought this used in a small Rome music
store in 1987.
I upgraded to the wonderful world of "P.D."
(Phase Distortion) synthesis from my trusty Gem DSK-8, which my aunt bought for
me (thank you, aunt!) on 5/22/1986 (still remember the day!), because even
though the DSK-8 was capable of "realistic", that is- pcm sounds, and even some
mean weird sounds, I had occasion to play a Korg Poly-800 that belonged to a
school mate, and fell in love with it.
A "real" synthesizer sounded so warm, full,
interesting, and "polished", as opposed to the "plastic-sounding" home
keyboard I was used to.
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So, for the modicum sum of 300,000 lire (back
then the Euro was still in the dreams of some European functionaries) I became
the proud owner of a Casio CZ-1000.I spent
many nights programming new
sounds with it! I still have a notebook full of hand-written patches.
I was totally in love with the CZ-1000, and literally fell
asleep programming patches and recording the outcomes on my VestaFire 4-track
cassette recorder!
I higly recommend reading the
CZ-1000 (or CZ-101, it's the same) manual if you are starting in the world of
synthesizers!!! There are two books, and in the first there is an
excellent explanation of how synthesis works, hands on examples, etc... it is
how I learned!
The CZ series came after the mythical Yamaha
DX7, so Phase Distortion sounds similar to FM, but does have a character of its
own.
Don't forget to check out the "Internal"
presets! They are beautiful! To recall them, turn your unit upside
down, and press the reset button with a toothpick or similar object: Ta-da,
the Internal sounds are back.
The CZ is capable of a myriad of interesting sounds, the
Factory and Internal sounds are only scratching the surface of what the
PD synthesis can do...
I also have a couple of CZ patch books around,
I have to find them...
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Casio CZ-1000 audio demos
Note: I didn't have my Indigo I/O
with me when I recorded these samples, so I recorded through the laptop's
internal audio card. There is some background noise due to the laptops
card, and also to the CZ-1000 - the AD/DA converters and the technology of the
mid-80s weren't so perfect yet.
Patch name with
audio
demo |
My comments |
Preset bank |
01 BRASS ENS.1 |
Classic synth brass - |
02 TRUMPET |
I think for 1985 this was a very respectable
trumpet!! |
03 VIOLIN |
Captures beautifully the characteristics of a real
violin |
04 STRING ENS.1 |
Beautiful synthesizer strings!!! |
05 ELEC.PIANO |
Great programming! (sorry about the noisy
recording) |
06 ELEC.ORGAN |
Classic CZ organ sound!!! This patch was
used in a lot of classic techno and house tracks of the 1990s, and ended
up in the ROM of many E-mu keyboards and modules. |
07 FLUTE |
Beautiful emulation |
08 SYNTH.BASS |
Stupendous synth bass!!! I've always
loved this patch, and I used it heavily in my early tracks. |
09 BRASS ENS.2 |
With slower attack and filtered. |
10 VIBRAPHONE |
Classic sounds, similar to Yamaha DX7 and similar 6
and 4 operator synths. |
11 CRISPY XYLOPHONE |
Woody sounds are a specialty in the CZ series :-) |
12 SYNTH.STRINGS |
Beautiful, classic mid-80s syn strings |
13 FAIRY TALE |
Dreamy and charming... |
14 ACCORDION |
Very realistic |
15 WHISTLE |
Superbly programmed! |
16 PERCUSSION |
Press many keys at the same time, it's an applause
;-) |
Casio CZ-1000 specifications
Year of release: |
198_ |
Polyphony: |
8-voice |
Sound generation method: |
Phase Distortion (PD) |
Preset memories |
16 Preset, 16, Internal, plus optional on
cartridge |
MIDI: |
in, out |
Sound expansion capabilities: |
cartridge |
Sequencer |
no |
Arpeggiator |
no |
Effects |
ring modulation |
Casio CZ-1000 pictures
(click on thumbnails to enlarge)
Casio CZ-1000 manuals
Links
SITE |
Type of resource |
DESCRIPTION |
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Casio CZ-1000 review with audio demo |