Casio CZ-1000

It isn't hard once you understand but it uses crappy lcd display and membrane buttons and editing is a chore. The problem is that it is not clear at all how the parameters affect the sound, even when reading the manual. It is easy to use but not quite easy to understand how to get the type of sound you want because it is a wack machine to program.

8 voices but if you double up oscillators you only get 4 note poly. It only has ring modulation and 'noise' modulation, which does not sound like noise but it is quite an unusual effect that can sound tastefully bad. It has only midi in/out and can handle basic midi and can be edited over midi.

This thing excels at punchy percussive sounds and really weird sounds. The keyboard is not velocity sensitive. It has only an LFO for vibrato. It has something like a filter although it does not work like an analog filter very well. It has 8 stage envelopes but be prepared to spend some time because they are not intuitive to program.

The best thing about this is the lo-fi DACs, it has a very warm crunchy sound you can't get with a PC emulator. Otherwise you can buy a VST that can do everything this can and more, but it lacks the lo-fi warmth and aliasing of this unit. The aliasing can be pretty nasty at times.

It has enough features to still be useful in a rig today and it's lo-fi crunchy sound is excellent when put through distortion or into a guitar amp.

This thing does punchy percussive sounds like nothing else. Casio is known for making toy keyboards but when this was made it was actually an attempt at the professional market. The Casio name is what keeps these things price low but it can surprise you, and it is quite warm sounding.

It only a pitch bend, and if you set the range too high it will scream in digital pain quite nasty sound.

Forget the presets there are tons of patches available free find a midi librarian and upload them. You only get 16 patches to save your sounds on it.

It will run on batteries too, and it is very light. No velocity or aftertouch though.

Seems to last despite that it looks like a cheap POS

It's like 20+ years old good luck

I like it, I like the sound, it sounds quite warm and it is excellent for punchy basses and percussive sounds. It is can also make very strange sound effects which can be amusing but kind of useless unless you make experimental glitch hop trip shoe glazed donut hole pre post progressive punk hop or whatever.

As already mentioned in other review, aside from 2 or 3 presets, the rest are pretty naff. However, once you master the editing process you can come up with pretty amazing stuff with this synth.
I've been using this synth since 1986 and have just about explored every corner of the programming process and there are some very cool sounds to be gotten out of it. You can get all the classic fat bass sounds, some pretty cool pads and electro leads (especially with the ring mod). The vibrato section offers 4 wave types and you can get some cool fx from it.
The PD step by step process allows you to add phasing and texture to your sounds. You can create an echo/delay effect by carefully programming the DCW and DCA sections, although using a seperate delay pedal is quicker and easier.
Programming the synth isn't something you can do with ease immediately, and like with many digital sythns you have to do a trial and error process, however with patience the results are rewarding. The screen is small not the brightest, but not a major problem.

Just 4 or 8 note polyphony can be frustrating. This is reduced to mono if you use this synth to it's max 4 voice multi timbral midi capabilties. This synth fits in better as part of larger set up, using just one voice at a time.
You can mix 2 voices together. This is only available in mono, but can create a fat sound if used right.
The modulation effect is very useful and will tighten up a lead nicely, or can give a metalic edge. Portamento does what it says on the tin. The 'noise' effect can produce some nice retro percussion sounds if you mess around with the pitch editing functions.
There is room for a memory cardridge, but i've never ownd one. Probably the best option is to go on line and get some patch software that will allow you create and save your sounds and upload them at will.
The keys are awful and have no sensitivity. Let the computer play it. Midi connectivity is a basic in and out, but no THRU. The midi settings are easy to follow.

The best sounds on this synth are the bass, pads and fx. It does not replicate 'real' instruments at all well. The synth was made in the early to mid 80's and the sounds reflect this. Anyone making 80's/electro/synth pop will benefit from CZ 1000.

The memory is reliant on battery power and this can be a drag. There is nothing worse than spending ages programming some great voices and finding they've all gone because the memory power ran out. Make sure you refresh your batteries, or you will lose all your hard work.
The programming cursor keys are now failing on my synth. I've used this synth to death and it is very old, which explains why. There have been times when i've resorted to thumping the cursor in order to get it to work. That said, I still use it today after 20 years ownership.

No experience of this.

A great synth. They can be bought at a snip these days. The market price is now reflected by todays higher standards. I paid quite a quite a bit for mine back in the 80's. I would definitely replace it if I had to. I find modern low bugdet synths very thin compared to this synth. It's not as versatile as todays synths, but it offers a better quality sound and a unique sound.

I think the CZ-1000 is very easy to use. You turn on the power, select a sound and tweak it. Yes its that simple. But.....if you are new to the CZ series Phase Distortion can take a while to get used to.

The CZ-1000 boasts some interesting features. There is no arpeggiator or sequencer but the pitch bend range is fully variable and so is the portamento time. Its really nice to have poly-portamento on a cheap little synth. There is also a great sounding ring modulator on board and 4 modulation waves to choose from. There is also noise. The feature i am forever using is the guitar pegs. If you are a total 80's freak like me then you might want to sling on your CZ-1000 for an instant pose-and-play experience. I sling on my CZ-1000 live and run at the audience. Very cool.

I don't use the CZ-1000 under MIDI control as im a total purist. You can expand the internal memory (16 patches) with a RAM catrage. The polyphony is mostly 4 voice so be careful you don't run out of voices.

The sound of the CZ-1000 is unique and reminds me of one band - Erasure. If you like Erasure than i reccomend this synth. But the CZ-1000 is such an experimental machine. The filter is really warm sounding and the envelopes are just endless (8 stages!). The sound is classic 80's and similar to FM but fatter. This little synth can sound very analogue at times. It can also do all the metallic FM stuff. Very flexible synth.

I can rely on my CZ-1000. I gigg it every week and its fine.

You can still get adaptors and stuff like that from Casio but thats about it really.

Everyone should have a CZ-1000. Its so light and portable and sounds great. They are also dirt cheap too. I can't belive how great my ??50 Casio is. I much prefer it to the DX-7 and will never part with it.

Just a quick note about the memory on the CZ1000. For those of you who don't have the manual, you MUST have batteries in the CZ1000 for the memory to store patches. The manual indicates that you can get a year of life out of 6 D cells if you just use the batteries for memory and not running the keyboard without an adaptor.

Most likely your memory is not broken, just put some batteries in.

Editing is easy once you get to know this synth. The preset sounds are horrible BUTT!! once you edit this synth you can program some excellent sounds with the 8 stage envelope and ring modulation. The presets dont do this synth justice.

The polyphony is 8 note but cut down to 4 note when using 1+2 and 1+1 line select. There are no onboard effects but delay and reverb is possible through clever programming of the DCA. Ring Modulation is present on the CZ and with it you can create awsome metalic sounds. The portamento is also another great feature.

Ok lets get realistic here....When you first turn on the synth you are bombarded with crap presets which you would expect to hear at a child's nursery. The presets definately don't do this synth justice as when you start editing you find out that this synth can produce brilliant sounds. The sweep sounds are awsome, the pads are fantastic and with the ring modulation you can produce wacky SFX. The basses are also good. Shame about the polyphony.

I've had problems with the memory on my CZ. I have created fantastic sounds on it but after a while when I switch on, I lose them. Other than that I have no other problems.

Didn't use it

This is a unique, cool sounding synth and if it were stolen or burnt to a crisp I would have to buy another one. I wish it had better polyphony but thats the only complaint. Well worth looking at secondhand.

very simple to navigate.you can save all of your button pressing
to syx files,which is a good idea,because the memory is erratic.

not many voices,no velocity,cheapo, but tolerable action.
full midi control.no onboard fx.

it is static,but fm synthesis is not static at all.very unique sounding synth.great for electronic music and pop.

reliable, as long as you dont drop it, or let the batteries go bad.
used it on many gigs.

parts were available in its time, but scarce now.

I got another one for 50.00,used. I've been using the cz1000 for 20 years.This synth is very inspirational.Although a bit aggrivating at times,and cheaply made, it puts out beautiful sounds.Some of the
Japanese presets are goofy, but, it just adds to the charm.
THIS IS MY FAVORITE KEYBOARD IN THE WORLD.I also have a moog rogue,
and an ensoniq eps,and many vstis.

i bought this baby in 2002. the presets are crap and i think they hide the truth very well. It's a very cheap buy and the awfull presets make even cheaper. (the dealer i got it didn't even think it was a synth...)
I have experience in programing synths and it took me just one hour to figure it out. The envelopes are a little dificult because they are 8 stage (!!!). The tiny LCD screen doesn't help but after all tere arent many parametres and hidden windows. Just hit the membrane button of the parametre u want to alter and set the value. I tried the MIDIQUEST demo and thinks are a lot better.

The polyphony depends on the number of oscillators u use,8 with 1 osc, 2 with 4. No effects, no velocity sensitivity, no sequencer, just SOUNDS.

If u work a little hard u won' t believe what this babe can do. Cheap organ sounds,fuzzy synths, envolving pads, SFX, pop-corn hits. There is no "classic" filter but DCW can act like one. Osc 6-8 have built in resonance so u can make some resonant sounds. The BIG advantage are the 8-stage envelopes. Pitch, DCW (filter) and DCA have their own dedicated envelopes (seperate for each of the 2 oscillators). No other synth even much more expensive can beat that. I thought it wasn't such a great think but i really miss them in other synths. Imagine evolving pitches, sweeps, volumes in 2 different oscillators in different 8 stage timing......... There is vibrato (LFO dedicated to pitch) portamento a rong modulator and an awfull digital noise generator. It' s so great and so funny. It's a little noisy but for this price and age it's a 10!

I really don't know. One time it erased all it's memory but i'm not sure if it was my fault.

I never had a problem 'till now so....

I love it, if it was stollen i would certainly try to find another one. It's worth every euro and even more. I love it's cheap look, nobody thinks it can create sounds. They usually get very impressed. It looks innocent but if u find one take it home and let it amuse u. I own some other much more expensive synths and i use VSTi's. When i'm bored or tired i just turn it on, put an external delay or a phaser Boss pedal and i really enjoy making crazy sounds. Yes, i even use it with my music...

The presets has said are pretty bad. I never got a manaul with it when i bought it used. I've heard the computer patch editor online sometimes has bugs so i've been reluctant to use it. Email me if this wrong or there is a good one since I the internal memory isn't working on mine. Without all that it is still easy to program.

I wish it was velocity sensitive but it survives quit well w/o. I really wish i also had a memory cartridge for it cos as said. I was blown away by it having midi capabilities and being a casio. IT would absolutely be so cool of a synth with the memory working - help.

I like the synth bass sounds that it can produce and the other wierd noises. The organ is nice to but kinda unrealistic. Portamento and vibrato are definitely a nice addition. Good sounds for experimental or electronic bands.

I would rely on it if the MEMORY (internal) was working so All my efforts programming wouldn't be lost forever except if I immediately recorded it but than I'd only have that and couldn't play it.

Like I said I emailed them a month ago requesting a manual but haven't gotten it yet. I think I'll try mailing them now.

For the 10$ I paid for it at a thrift store (got a discount cos I worked there) It's a really impressive machine. If i don't find a way to fix the internal memory or save patches somehow I'd even consider paying up to 150$ which is alot coz I'm cheap. email me anyone at sagaciousmagnanimous@yahoo.com if you could help my memory problem.

Crap Presets but a doddle to turn the presets into monster retro cheapo sounds. Editing is easy if you can figure out the menu, takes more time than a new VA knobby syth but if you pick a preset that is in the ballpark of the sound you want, you will soon be mutating it into something cool. Hard to get bad sounds out of it. No manual with mine but any synth jocky will be ok. New players might find it difficult though.

Very basic. No frills.

Realistic cheesy moog leads and cheapo dirty organ sounds are the mainstay of this little synth. Better than the modern VA synths at a fraction of the price. Mix perfectly in a band situation as they really cut the mix. Very nice moby style lush synth strings are also possible. Moog style basses are ok but need eq to fatten them up. No 303 squelches though. Lots of bizarre noise also possible. Brilliant for 80s synth pop or new wave styles. Only synth our band needs....and we have a few others.

Its 20 years old and still working....in fact everything on the thing is still working....just dont let the batteries run down as it can lose your settings if you do.

no

Better than a Yamaha ANX1, Nord Lead and as good as a Waldorf Pulse. For retro cheese nutters only though. Never as good as a minimoog but what is? Secondhand bargain machine....but make sure all the bits work before buying.

This gear is gold, I can say this because I've had one for three years. The programming is quite easy to understand, and if you need great sounds than this can boost your sound creativity. The presets however is quite boring.

The polyphony is not so bad. The keyboard is quite noisy. It has a quite loud chunk when pressing down a key. Havn't tried the MIDI out, but looks quite boring.

The sound is not that realistic, it has no onboard effects but you can create reverb / delay with the DCA envelopes. Quite static sounds. If you want SID similar sounds than this is it for you.

It is very stable, Though the power supply is not the best it is quite good on stage.

No opinion

No doubt a great synth for newbies. The only thing I miss is velocity / aftertouch