Tag: Casio

Categories
Analog Accompaniment Keyboard Keyboard

Casio Casiotone 701

Analog Accompaniment Keyboard

Vintage, classic analog accompaniment keyboard from the early 1980s that features voices, drums, Casio auto-accompaniments, and the unusual ability to read bar code charts to play back songs and arrangements.

Casio Casiotone 701 audio demos

Casio Casiotone 701 photos

Casio Casiotone 701 manuals

Casio_Casiotone_701_ManualDownload
Casiotone 701 Easy instructionsDownload
Casiotone Lesson BookletDownload
Casiotone_Textbook_701_601Download

Casio Casiotone 701 Bar Codes

American folk songDownload
Cielito LindoDownload
Jamaican FarewellDownload
Red River ValleyDownload
The House of the Rising SunDownload

Casio Casiotone 701 specs

Year of release1981
Sound generation methodanalog
Number of keys61 keys (5 octaves)
Polyphony8-note
Preset Sounds20 (Pipe Organ, Briliant Organ, Diapason, Wood Wind, Tibia, Full Tibias, Flute, Piccolo, Jazz Organ 1, Jazz Organ 2, Piano, Electric Piano, Vibraphone, Marimba, Celesta, Chime, Oboe, Bassoon, Funky and Wah Brass)
Sound EffectsSustain, Vibrato (4 types) and 2 types of Electronic Sound Effects
Built-in rhythms16 (Rock, Rock’n’Roll, Disco, Slow Rock, Swing 1, Swing 2, Bossa Nova, Samba, March, Boogie, Waltz, Jazz Waltz, Rhumba, Beguine, Tango and Mambo, with Start/Stop, Synchro Start, Tempo Control, Balance Control, Tempo Indicator and 10 kind of “FILL-INs”
Auto-accompanimentCasio Chord switch (fingered/on), Accompaniment variation selectors (bass & chord), Accompaniment volume
Responds to velocityno
Aftertouchno
Displayyes
MIDIno
Sound expansion capabilitiesno
Sequencerno
Arpeggiatoryes
Memory Play FunctionsManual and MS memories (storing methods)
Note storage capacity: Max 345 steps
Chord storage capacity: Max 201 steps
Controlsbuttons, sliders
AccessoriesAC power cord, score holder, MS-1, Lesson Booklet, 3 AA size manganese dry batteries (loaded at the factory), polish cloth and dust cover.
Built-in speaker10 cm (4″) dia. x 1
OutputsOutput impedance: 5.0kOhm
Output voltage: High/2.1 V max; Low/0.2V max
Power consumption29 W
Dimensions127.5mm H x 958mm W x 341.5mm D (5″H x 37-3/4″W x 13-7/16″ D) including projections
Weight12.5 kgs (27.6 lbs)
Categories
Digital Accompaniment Keyboard Keyboard

Casio MT-100

Digital Accompaniment Keyboard

Casio MT-100 demo

Casio MT-100 photos

Casio MT-100 manual

casiotone_mt100Download

Casio MT-100 specs

Year of release1985
Sound generation methoddigital
Number of keys49 mini-keys
Polyphony
Sounds20 (organ, flute, trumpet, oboe, violin, piano, harpsichord, celesta, mandolin, funny, pipe organ, clarinet, horn, accordion, cello, elec. piano, vibrabphone, harp, elec. guitar, cosmic tone)
Rhythms12 (rock, pops, disco, 16 beat, swing, latin swing, bossa nova, samba, beguine, tango, waltz, slow rock)
Auto-accompanimentCasio Chord switch (fingered/on), Accompaniment variation selectors (bass & chord), Accompaniment volume
Responds to velocityno
Aftertouchno
Displayno
MIDIno
Sound expansion capabilitiesno
Sequencerno
Arpeggiatoryes
EffectsVibrato, Delayed vibrato, Sustain, Reverb, Graphic equalizer (350Hz, 500Hz, 1KHz, 4KHz, and 10KHz)
Controlsbuttons, sliders
AccessoriesFive D-size manganese dry batteries
Speakers8.0 cm dia. x 1 (output 1 W)
OutputsOutput impedance = 6 K ohms, Output voltage = 2 V (RMS)
Power3-way AC/DC power source;
– Home AC outlet: 100, 117, 220 or 240 V (plus minus 10 V), 50/60Hz, with optional AC adaptor AD-1
– DC: Batteries: Five D-size manganese dry batteries. Battery life = Approx. 18 hours.
– Car battery: with car battery adaptor CA-1
Power consumption3 W
Dimensions62(H) x 633(W) x 188mm (D)
Weight2.6 Kg. (including batteries)

Casio MT-100 links

https://www.casio.com/products/electronic-musical-instruments

Categories
Digital Accompaniment Keyboard Keyboard

Casio MT-18

Accompaniment keyboard

Casio MT-18 audio demo

Casio MT-18 photos

Casio MT-18 manual

mt-18-manualDownload

Casio MT-18 specs

Year of release1985
Sound generation methoddigital
Number of keys32 mini-keys
Polyphonymono
Sounds8 sounds (piano, harpsichord, organ, violin, flute, clarinet, trumpet, celesta)
Rhythms12 rhythms (rock, disco, 16 beat, swing II, swing IV, samba, bossa nova, beguine, tango, march, slow rock, waltz
Auto-accompaniment4 chords (Maj, min, 7th, min 7th)
Memory play– ROM Pack memory function
– Auto Play
– Melody guide I, II, Cancel guide
– One Key Play
Responds to velocityno
Aftertouchno
Displayno
MIDIno
Sound expansion capabilitiesROM packs
Sequencerno
Arpeggiatorno
Effectsno
Controlsbuttons, sliders
Accessories5 AA size manganese dry batteries (SUM-3), ROM pack
Speaker8.0 cm (2 1/2″) dia. x 1 (output = 1.1 W)
Output jackOutput impedance = 50 ohms
Output voltage = 1.6 V (RMS) max.
Power3-Way AC/DC power source:
AC: 100, 117, 220 or 240 V (plus minus 10V), 50/60 Hz, with optional AC adapter AD-1.
DC: 5 AA size manganese dry batteries
Power consumption1.4 W
Dimensions43 (H) x 515 (W) x 173 (D) mm
(1 3/4″ (H) x 21″ (W) x 7″ (D))
Weight1.0 kg (2.2 lbs) including batteries

Casio MT-18 links

https://www.casio.com/products/electronic-musical-instruments

Categories
Digital Polyphonic Synthesizer Synthesizer

Casio CZ-1000

Digital Polyphonic 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.

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…

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 laptop’s card, and also to the CZ-1000 – the AD/DA converters and the technology of the mid-80s weren’t so perfect yet.

Preset bank

Internal bank

Casio CZ-1000 specs

Year of release1984
Polyphony8-voice
Sound generation methodPhase Distortion (PD)
Preset memories16 Preset, 16, Internal, plus optional on cartridge
MIDIin, out
Sound expansion capabilitiescartridge
Sequencerno
Arpeggiatorno
Effectsring modulation

Casio CZ-1000 photos

Casio CZ-1000 manual

Casio CZ-1000 Operation ManualDownload

Casio CZ-1000 links

https://www.casio.com/products/electronic-musical-instruments

Categories
Digital Accompaniment Keyboard Keyboard

Casio CT-370

Accompaniment keyboard

The Casio Casiotone CT-370 is a light, portable, but surprisingly sturdy, well-built keyboard produced during the late 1980s.  Like all members of the Casiotone family, this instruments features many sounds and auto-accompaniments.  The CT-370 can be powered via DC adaptor, or by six D-size batteries.

To the left of the panel we find a single speaker.  Two (one on each side) would have been better, but there are many other Casio models that are stereo.  Under the Casio logo lays a green and white message: “Pulse Code Modulation” – this is to remind us that the CT-370 is based upon PCM samples.  In the 1980s, this was still a big deal.  Following to the right there’s a series of five sliders:  Power on/off, Main Volume, Accompaniment Volume, Rhythm Volume, and Chord type.  While the first four are self explanatory, the fifth slider allows you to choose the way your keyboard is set up:  you can have the full keyboard dedicated to one sound, with no left side auto-accompaniment, or you can set up two types of accompaniment, and the Casio chord feature (a simplified auto-accompaniment, where you press two keys and you get complex chords – useful for beginners).

Continuing to the right, there are three red buttons:  these are the Synchro/Fill-In, Start/Stop, and Intro/Ending controls.  They allow the user to: start the rhythm/accompaniment as soon as you touch the keyboard, start/stop the rhythm, and finally create a brief introduction, or finish in style with an automated ending.  Very, very useful for performing live.  Two grey buttons are dedicated to the tempo:  faster, and slower.

A series of ten grey buttons allows you to choose the rhythm, while a lone blue button toggles between two settings, to access the remaining ten rhythms.  The same for the Tone section.

Finally, two green and a yellow button that strangely are not well labeled:  the first green button allows us to mix and match any two of the preset tones, for a whopping 210 tone bank.  The second green button is the auto-harmonize, which harmonizes the right hand to the chord you’re playing on the left.  And lastly, the yellow button is dedicated to the demo song.

The keyboard itself feels pleasantly light, and while this may be very bad for piano sounds (especially since it’s not dynamic), it’s perfect for organ or synth sounds.  The back of the unit is very Spartan, with only the power connection, a 1/8″ mono output, and a tune knob.

This is not a bad keyboard, and now it may be even considered “PCM vintage” is there were such a thing 😉  The tone mix feature adds a lot to the overall sound – even though it obviously cuts the polyphony in half to five voices (hey!  that never stopped the Prophet-5 😀 )

Today, the Casiotone concept is still going strong, with the CTK-series.

Casio CT-370 audio demos

The Casio Casiotone CT-370 factory demo (“Night Birds”, by British group Shakatak. A very similar version of this demo is also featured in the Casio CSM-1 module (CSM-1 DEMO SONG) , and it sounds pretty similar – I suspect the on-board ROM is based on the same samples)

Tones

Rhythms

Casio CT-370 manual

Casio CT-370 manualDownload

Casio CT-370 specs

  • Portable and well built;
  • Several good sounds;
  • Auto Harmonize, mix sounds;
  • easy to use
Year of release1980s
Polyphony10-note
Presets20 (210 obtainable by linking two sounds together)
Rhythms20
Keyboard49 keys
Responds to velocityno
Sound generation methodPCM
MIDIno
Sound expansion capabilitiesno
Effectsauto harmonize
Controlssliders
Outputsmono
Displayno
Miscbuilt-in speaker

Casio CT-370 photos

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  • IM000547.JPG
  • IM000545.JPG
  • IM000546.JPG
  • IM000549.JPG

Casio CT-370 links

https://www.casio.com/products/electronic-musical-instruments

Categories
Digital Accompaniment Keyboard Keyboard

Casio CTK-601

Auto-accompaniment keyboard

Casio CTK-601 audio demos

(For web-space and time reasons, I recorded only the most significant, well-programmed rhythms and the most good-sounding and intriguing tones)

The two Casio CTK-601 factory demos:

Demo song 0
Demo song 1

Casio CTK-601 rhythms

Casio CTK-601 tones

Casio CTK-601 photos

Casio CTK-601 manual

CTK611 USER MANUALDownload

Casio CTK-601 specs

  • light and portable;
  • surprisingly some very good sounds;
  • good accompaniment programming;
  • powerful, crisp on-board speakers

A great little keyboard!  Best Buy used to sell these for very little money, and I got one new.  Its set of General MIDI sounds is pretty good, and the synthesizer section offers a great way to shape your own sounds very easily.

Year of release1990s
Polyphony24-voice
Presets200 (168 ROM + 32 User) tones
Rhythms100, with auto-accompaniments
Keyboard61 keys (five octaves)
Responds to velocityyes
Sound generation methodPCM
MIDIyes, in-out
Sound expansion capabilitiesNo
Effectsdigital reverb (Room, Stage, Hall)
Controlspitch bender (a bit awkward to use)
Outputsstereo output/headphones
Displayyes, LCD non-backlit

Casio CTK-601 links

https://www.casio.com/products/electronic-musical-instruments

Categories
Desktop Digital Polyphonic Synthesizer Synthesizer

Casio CSM-1

Digital Sound Module

Casio CSM-1 audio demos

Let’s listen to the well-programmed DEMO SONG – “Night Birds”, by the British group Shakatak (thank you Vincent de Mulder for the tip 😉 ) – showcasing the best sounds of this module. Melodically, I really like this song, especially from 1:06 to 1:20 and similar, where the classic “Autumn Leaves” harmonic progression is employed to great effect. The piano is realistic enough – for a module of this era. And the crowd really liked the performers! 🙂

The sounds

The drum machine

Casio CSM-1 Tone List

TONE NAMETONE NAMETONE NAMETONE NAME
PIANOCRASH CYMBAL 2COMPUTER GAME SOUND2ROBOT VOICES B
HARPSICHORDSYNTH-CYMBAL 2TIMBALE (MIX)ROBOT VOICES (MIX)
VIBCRASH CYMBAL 3COMPUTER GAME SOUND3HONKY-TONK PIANO
ORGAN 1SYNTH-CYMBAL 3HI AGOGOE PIANO
ORGAN 2CRASH CYMBAL(MIX)LOW AGOGOMARIMBA
BRASS ENSRIDE CYMBAL 1HI CONGA (MUTE)ORGAN 3
FLUTEGONG 1HI CONGAACCORDION
CHORUSRIDE CYMBAL 2MID CONGASTRINGS
JAZZ GUITARGONG 2LOW CONGAOBOE
BELLSTOM 1CONGA (MIX)SYNTH 1
CLAVI 1TOM 2HI CLAVEHARP
METALLIC SOUNDSYNTH-TOM 1LOW CLAVESYNTH 2
SYNTH ENSTOM 3CUCKOO 1-3CLAVI 2
BASS DRUM 1SYNTH-TOM 2CUCKOO & SMALL BIRDSFANTASY
BASS DRUM 2TOM 4SMALL BIRDS 1-3MIRACLE
SNARE DRUM 1SYNTH-TOM 3STREAM 1-5WOOD BASS
SNARE DRUM 2TOM (MIX)WAVES 1-7SLAP BASS
GATED SNARE DRUMCOWBELL 1SEA GULLS 1-5RAIN 1-12
RIM SHOTTRIANGLE (OPEN)CAR HORNS 1-7FROGS 1-7
CLOSED HI HAT 1COWBELL 2TRAFFIC 1-5INSECTS A 1-4
CLOSED HI HAT 2TRIANGLE (MUTE)LASER BEAMS A 1,2INSECTS B
OPEN HI HAT 1HI TIMBALE (MUTE)SPACE SHIP ENGINES 1,2APPLAUSE 1-7
OPEN HI HAT 2HI TIMBALELASER BEAMS B 1,2WHISTLES 1-5
CRASH CYMBAL 1COMPUTER GAME SOUND1EXPLOSIONS 1-3GUNSHOTS 1-8
SYNTH-CYMBAL 1LOW TIMBALEROBOT VOICES A 1,2GALLOPING HORSES 1-5

Casio CSM-1 manual

not yet found

Casio CSM-1 photos

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Casio CSM-1 specs

Year of release1980s
Polyphony12 voices
Responds to velocityno
Sound generation methodpcm sampled
MIDIIn, Out, Thru
Sound expansion capabilitiesNo
Misc:drum machine; stereo outs 
Multitimbrality4-part
Effectsno

Casio CSM-1 links

https://www.casio.com/products/electronic-musical-instruments