Casio CZ-5000

Well, the presets are close to useless with the exception of the jazz organ, which sounds really nice with portamento. To be honest I doubt there is a real situation where I would use the presets, but thats not why I bought it. Editing is quite tedious because of the sheer number of times one has to press the up and down buttons. On the plus side you can do alot with the editing.

16 note polyphony but if you want to bring out the full capability its 8 voices. As far as effects go they are easy to use and the portomento in particular sounds great.
It has a sequencer, but since thats useless to me I havent tried it out yet.

No velocity or aftertouch, but in a very 80's sounding synth its not really required. Presets are cheesy and static sounding but with the 8 stage filter editing you can get some very, very weird expressive sounds.

Had it or less than a week, no problems. But one week isnt much of a dent in its 20 something year life. Casio's have a reputation for sturdy reliable equipment. I plan to gig with this and thats a reason why I chose it.

If it were lost I would consider getting another one, I would be willing to pay a fair bit for it but within reason. I mainly use this as a rythym instrument, and thats why I love the 8 step filter, great for funk wah sounds.
I use this in conjunction with a vintage ARP, which I for basslines.. nothing like a vintage monosynth.

Preset sounds aren't really usable, for a noticable difference in editing I found through error that if you keep your finger on a (any) key whilst keeping your finger on either of the up or down value of whichever parameter your editing, you immediatly notice a difference in the change of brightness, attack etc. . . the reason why I mark the ease of use as a 4 is due to the sheer time consumption of working out what effect is achieved by doing what when changing values for the whole 8 stages of just 1 waveform, before continuing onto it's 8 stage amplitude.
Don't bother with the manual, it'll make the process seem twice as long. only revert to the manual for MIDI function

Initially 16 note polyphonic, but when using all 4 waveforms at once(which is recommended) then the polyphony is reduced to eight but sounds much better. no velocity, and doesn't respond to velocity data.
The MIDI function of this thing baffles me. On the it's eight track sequencer, the cz5000 allows you to choose how many notes polyphony you desire for each track (obviously if you're using four notes on track 1 & four notes on track 2, then you only get two tracks because you've already allocated the other six tracks polyphony) In MIDI mode, the only option you have is 'mono' mode, which means if your only using 2 MIDI channels, you can't allocate those of the other six's polyphony whether they're already in use or not, which is a waste

fantastic sounding synth once you've mastered the editing. I will not sell it. With patience, though it's never in it's life an analogue synth, it sounds closer to any analogue than yamaha's FM synths

The keys are fragile, but i would certainly rely on it for beefy sounds

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They're cheaper than cz101's and cz1000's from what I've seen on E-bay

First of all, I bought one when they first appeared.
Everyone was falling over themselves to get a Yamaha DX-7, and the CZ-5000 was just #different#.
I found it easy to use, BUT...... a lot of limitations.
Presets were generally ordinary or bland. The manual had a load of user-programmable patches, which generally were indifferent.
Having only the one 'split' and one 'layered' memory was really bad.

the sequencer is handly for some automation, but depends heavily on the backup battery bank, which is really badly placed.

16 note poly, single oscillator; 8 note in dual; 4 note in quad

Depending which preset/program you choose one of these will sound good, usually ;)
Chorus effect is nice, but needs stereo feed to realy do it justice
Another area where Casio really went wrong was the lack of velocity/aftertouch on the keys - Yamaha and Roland already had synths out there with the full thing on.
The sequencer is #ok# if ou have the patience. #Live# input is fine, but not brilliant. Key-based (note-by-note) could take hours!

As its a synth, realism isn't in the frame, and the problem with it being digital but not Yamaha's FM system is that you get the sharpness of digital, with no real flexibility. I was always frustrated by the lack of possibility in the oscillator bank.

Has to be said though, that it did a mean brass lead sound.

Fine, but the Sequencer locked up at some point.

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About three months after I'd bought this, I began to realise that I should have got the Roland A-Juno instead. That's really its problem - Casio tried to produce a good main synth, but they should have stayed with the CZ-1000 - better for a lead-line/solo, smaller, not trying to vye with the serious players.

I replaced this with a Jupiter 6. No comparison!

Programming is tedious, though not as complex as it sounds. Phase distortion synthesis is easier to understand the FM, but still not something I've had time to get good at, but I've got some good sounds from it. The manual explains it pretty well and I've found lots of patch tables on the Net...

Polyphony could be better at 8 voices, but it'll do - I use it mainly for bass noises and techno bleeps that don't need to be chords. For the age and the cost it's a pretty well featured synth imo.
No fx, except a chorus which makes no difference to the sound I reckon. Keyboards pretty good - no velocity sensitivity, but I don't use it much. Accepts a data cartridge to back up (never seen one)or can back up to tape - but not tried it. The midi seems to work fine on the simple bits - controls an MC303 fine and is controlled fine by one. I've seen some well complex info on the real deep midi stuff on the Net, but unless you're really desperate for editability I reckon it's too scary to approach.

The sequencer seems reasonably easy but I only used it once - will try again though.

Lets face it, the presets are shite - except the bass sound. I put it through a Zoom505 pedal and it turns in the wierdness central, but keeps tame enough not to mess up the fx. You can program some wicked stuff on it though - good for hard digital bass sounds and nasty techno noises.
Oh yeah... - try one of the bell sounds (glock I think, but i'm not sure) through serious distortion, delay and reverb - it's the business!!!
The sounds aren't that reactive or expressive but again that's not what to use it for really. Chunky sequenced basses, riffs and digital pads are where it's cool...

Hmmmm.... Gigged with it for 3 years and the only problem is that it's so bloody big it won't fit sideways in a car in it's hard case and most taxis get annoyed when you crush their parcel shelf.

But... It suddenly lost all my patches once. I don't know if that was 'cos the battery went?

Sometimes notes stick.

Never tried - Don't think they still admit to it's existance..?

If It died (doubt if anyone would steal it it's too big!) I'd probably get one of its smaller relatives. Think I paid a bit over the odds, but the hard case has been usefull for other gear too...
It fell out of favour after losing my patches and due to being too big and grumpy, but I have plenty of affection for it and it's featured on many tunes. To be fair I mainly multisample it now though - the size problem again. I brought it mainly on a whim 'cos I had some spare cash, needed a treat and wanted some harder bass noises. Don't regret it though.

Considering that this is basically a variaton on FM synthesis, it is stupidly easy to use this synthesizer. I learned the interface in about 5 minutes without a manual and within a few hours had several good patches. However, in comparison to subtractive synthesizers it is very slow to program, and if you're programming from the front panel it lends itself more to basses and leads than pads (which the 8-stage envelopes are better for). However, if you get a Sysex editor for it (If you can find a Sysex editor for a Casio CZ-101 or 1000, it'll work for this synth too), then you pretty much have it made. Without the assistance of a computer, I give it a five because while the signal path is easy to follow and understand, the programming is very tedious, especially for more elaborate patches. I don't have a manual, but honestly there are very few synths I actually need the manual for and this is definitely one of them.

For an 80's synthesizer, the features on this aren't half bad. The keyboard feels very light, which can make rhythmic playing very difficult and painful on the wrists. The board is 8 voice polyphonic for your standard 2 osc (or "line") patches, and goes up to 16 voices for one line patches. The built in chorus is kinda noisy, but works decently for fattening up patches. Unfortunately, there's no Unison mode on this keyboard, which could serve to truly fatten up the synth somewhat.

It can send and receive MIDI, but since it's keyboard isn't velocity or aftertouch sensitive and it doesn't receive those, it's not that great of an implementation. I haven't touched the onboard sequencer, but it's very basic and is more useful as a "scratch pad" than anything else.

It sounds plastic and 80's, which is why it's such a guilty pleasure. This instrument SCREAMS "hey look at me I'm a synthesizer" and has a very rough bite to it. I would never attempt to synthesize a real instrument on this, and on anything that needs any sort of warmth through a filter, I'd definitely look elsewhere. However, for solidly plastic sounding 80's sounds, I'd go for this synthesizer in a heartbeat. It can do basses that rival a Minimoog in terms of bubbling with personality (it's a very different personality, but you can definitely pull off some funk with this), does incredible leads, very strange pads and textures, and for bells and higher frequency stabs, it's brilliant. The only reason I give this a 9 is that while it can pull off all of these sounds, the only thing it can't do is "warm and thick" without the assistance of effects.

It's 20 years old. I only got it a week ago, but I've had no problems with it (other than the previous owner having stickers all over the back). The buttons are starting to wear down, but probably just need cleaning. I have done some pretty radical things with the programming and as long as you don't hack it through SysEx, it's solid as a rock. Whether or not SysEx hacking makes it any less stable I can't tell you, but for normal usage it's solid as a rock.

I would trust it in a live situation, though I'd probably put it in a nice solid flight case and leave nothing to chance. The keys wobble some, but are stable and don't feel like they are going to break off when I play them, though I don't have a heavy touch at all so you may want to be wary if you are used to playing a piano and haven't adjusted to the lighter action of synth keys yet. The wheels work perfectly fine, and the patch select buttons respond the first time (and I haven't even cleaned it yet).

Considering that this synthesizer was manufactured almost 20 years ago, you cannot get customer service on it.

If this were lost or stolen, I'd probably upgrade to a CZ-1 (same synth with velocity and aftertouch sensitivity and no sequencer).

I've been into synths for two years, and in my arsenal is a Clavia Nord Modular, a Korg OASYS PCI, and a Yamaha CS-15, along with a few softsynths and things laying around my studio I don't use much at all (Roland SH-32, for example). I have previously owned an Ensoniq SQ-80 and a Korg MS-2000. While this is digital, I cannot fake it on my Nord Modular without hours upon hours of effort and probably consuming a fair amount of DSP resources on it. If you're looking for THE 80's cheesemaker sound, there's no reason to not go for a Casio CZ, as this cost me $170 shipped ($120 for the board, $30 for shipping, and $20 because I felt like being nice that day since I know the guy). CZ-3000s and 1000s are even cheaper, and a CZ-101 is very cheap if you're willing to tolerate mini-keys.

I strongly advise against this being the only synthesizer in your setup, as if you are in a "normal" band (with guitars and drums) you will stick out like a hot pink highlighter. If you're in an electronic group, it's probably fine if you have a warmer polysynth to balance it out.

In terms of my advice for what polysynths you should have or get to balance this synth out sonically, I'd recommend something that has either a very smooth or very thick tone to it, and avoid things that may sound harsh. For VAs I'd recommend the Access Virus or Alesis Ion and not recommend Clavia's Nord Lead I or II (NL3 should play well, as it's smoother than the previous Nord Leads). For low end analogs I'd recommend a Roland Juno (60 or 106, with the 60 being slightly smoother), and not recommend a Korg Polysix. For the high end analogs I'd say a Roland Jupiter (6 or 8) or almost anything Oberheim (absolutely NOTHING plastic sounding about those), but I wouldn't recommend a Prophet 5 as those can be somewhat harsh with high cutoff frequencies. This advice isn't the Word of God or anything, just my recommendations for trying to have a good contrast in your setup. You may find that you're wanting to have a setup more slanted to harshness anyhoo, and honestly the CZ series are very unique synthesizers so they will play well with just about anything you throw at them.

It takes some getting used to if you're a synth user of the faders and knobs school, but the potential this synth has is truely remarkable. Each DCO has two assignable waveforms (you can pick any of 8), plus the waveforms can be edited to taste through their DCW envelope. ADSR can be approximated through the DCA, and all other effects are easily toggled and edited. The two-line LCD is hard to see under bad lighting conditions, but aside from that, I have no complaints.

Again, if you're used to faders and knobs, this thing will throw you for a bit of a loop. The totally digital data entry system is a bit stand-offish and it's hard to visualize an ADSR envelope into a numeric expression, but once you grasp that concept, everything else will follow.

I suppose I can't talk about any feature of the CZ series without mentioning the orgasmic 8-stage envelope. Well, it's all aces, no two ways about it. Though the soundscapes at your disposal with this system are truely marvelous, and difficult to replicate elsewhere, my biggest gripe is a lack of filter.

Aside from that, you get a sweet vibrato system that lets you choose sine, sawtooth, reverse sawtooth, and squarewave modulation, a ring modulation that is one of the most musical I've heard, and portamento/glide that is easily assigned. Everything beyond the up-to-four-voice oscillators and their seizure-inducing 8-stage envelope seems a bit anticlimactitc, but this synth has got some good features.

MIDI implimentation is rather limited. It sends key data, portamento data, pitch and mod wheel data, and that's it. It receives a bit more, but MIDI at that time was only 3 or 4 years old, so that was about as good as it got for that time. At any rate, it's decent enough to trigger most soft synths with reasonable efficiency.

There is no on-board arpeggiator, but the sequencer can approximate one reasonably.

I know I've gushed about the 8-stage envelope, but it really gives you the power to create a myriad of sounds. My only complaint is a lack of a filter of some kind, which will suck a little fatness out of it. However, when compared to Yamaha's DX series (and their soft synth counterparts), it's a bit more "shaggy" and warm. Even with its unbelievable tweakability, this synth is a pads/lead synth primarily, because it lacks the bottom-end usually present in Analog. It's quiet, though. Also, the stereo chorus adds texture.

My next purchase will probably be a Moogerfooger filter unit. I just prefer the sound of a filtered synth.

Well, it's lasted almost 20 years...

*snickers*

The CZ 5000 has really won me over to the CZ cause. I've been toying with synths for about 3 years, and I currently own an analog (Roland Juno 60) and a VA (Roland SH 32). The CZ has a good place in my setup, because I was lacking the harsh, cutting sound of a fully digital synth. While the reputation of Yamaha equipment is far more respected, Casio's phase distortion synthesis method is both easier to learn and capable of different sounds. However, if I had my little way, here's what I would have:

1.) An arpeggiator - Though the sequencer can be programed to arpeggiate, I would have preferred a simple up/down/up-down arpeggiator.

2.) A filter - Nothing sounds more digital than a non-filtered synth. Blecch!

3.) MIDI and Mod Wheel - Both of these functions have to be manually turned on to be activated. Petty, I know, but a gripe nonetheless.

4.) Faders and knobs - Yeah, I know, I'm a baby. I just like the idea of being able to real-time tweak. Oh well, beggars can't be choosy.

So far, I've really enjoyed the CZ, and I don't anticipate it'll be going anywhere soon.

I found the manuals to be very vague in their explanations of its various functions. Basically, I learned to use it by trial and error.

I purchased the keyboard primarily for the use of the sequencer. I am not a keyboard player. I programmed the sequencer in step-time for the purpose of learning new church choral music. I used each track as a particular voice.

The only thing on the unit that let me down were the individual pushbutton switches on the circuit boards. I found that all pushbuttons were the same type, so I removed the defective switches, and replaced them with switches from other parts of the synth that I seldom use.

It would have been a lot more convenient for me if it had had its own amp and speakers which could have been used for programming.

It's fun to work with. Not much space to experiment in - but in one word: fun. DX like sounds but it's really easy to work with.

No velo sense or aftertouch but this plus the light keys make this ideal for "vivace" solos. Data cartridges work fine. The sequencer sucks - but good for etches and yes, it needs extra battery power which is a bit weird but the hole sequencer is useless so this ain't count.

Sounds are amazing - even for a casio :). This time they ARE amazing. Brass 1 stands out - and the human voice is pretty (not at all or just a bit realistic but) charming. A bit like the Jarre lead in Chronologie III. And one REALLY can hear the CZ5000 on rendez-vous. If it means anything. Good old days... 10++

Works well.

Since my first SK Casio is in my heart - the CZ5000 is their last masterpiece. But this truly is.

The Manual is very brief. Programming this synth can be pretty hard, 'cause its not built as standard ADSR synths...

Cool data catridge, works perfectly. You can also connect a tape recorder, but i haven't been able to find one yet.! Two built-in effects, ring modulation and noise. But fun, though limited. Midi-in, midi-out. cool sequenser!

This is a very limited synth. Good for 80's music. some lead-presets are good at everything.
No velocity or aftertouch, but thats just retro :)

Never crashes! Always works

It's okay. rather have a juno!! It has some cool leads, but not any strings or bass-sounds that's worth using!

the presets sound really good, they were exactly what i was looking for when shopping about for an 80's digital synth. there are a couple of bass patches that are cool, but the vibes and organ stuff are sometimes even better for that. the string patch is rad, even with out editing, it sounds very stark and musical. you will need time to learn how to edit if phase distortion synthesis is new to you, but its really about learning how to navigate through its editing menus, at least for me. the manual is a bit cryptic, ive had to read things a few times over and realise what they were talking about. for example, it wasnt very clear how to erase a track on the sequencer, it would refer to erasing "partial data on a track while in manual mode." nothing lke, "this is how you erase a track". once i started getting the hang of the sequencer, i thought it was pretty cool. it has real time and "manual" [meaning, step record]. i use it to make phrases, not for making whole sequences. the sequencer is 8 part multitimbral. i use it with an external sequencer usually for just one patch, im not sure if its also multitimbral in that scenario. a patch editor oculd be evry cool, like soud diver, if they made it user friendly enough.

8 part polyphony. it doesnt haev velocity or aftertouch, but the amount of time you press a key can make a difference in some patches. for example, there is a drum/tom sound with delay, and if you keep your finger pressed down for a while, it decays quickly. and if you jsut quickly tap it, the sound opens up in a way. i suppose you could program any patch you want to do that. very expressive. im looking for a card for it at the mo, also for my CZ101, whihc is also rad. chorus is cool. i may have not spent enogh time with mne, but the mod wheel, the lfo is always at the same speed, and cant seem to find where youd program it otherwise. like i said abotve, the sequencer is cool, it has soem limits, but if your inspired enough you could make all sorts of tripped stuff on it. the quantisation goes up to 32nd notes.

the most realisitc patches are the vibes, organs and sounds of that nature [whihc goes for many other synths] i use its sounds specifically for their electronic nature, and recommend it for industrial/hard electronic bass and stabs and general noise. if your doing rock, id jsut get a newer more modern synth, unless you want to sound dated especially [not a bad thing]. in my case, doing noise, lectronic and folk, its one of my favourite key boards here.

seems very reliable. mine would distort intermittently while playing, after having not played it for a several months. it cleaned up somehow. i would take it to a gig, its rad to see a casio on stage. since im here i might add that for the CZ101, the power cord is an AC adapter. it falls out on mine frequently. could be a loose connection. and i dont ahve a acrd backup, so you could be playing for a while, made a rad sound, and you breathe on it and the power disconnects. the cz5000 has an IEC power cable, much better no probs.

neer tried, never would. id just take it to a synth repair place. i dont imagine that casio has support for this still.

id hate to lose this synth. i have a couple other casios, namely the cz101 and the FZ-1. fz1 is a baddass old sampler. it has a blue lcd screen, and it weighs a ton. cz101 is fun to take to friends places and jam with. the cz5000 stays in my studio. wouldnt sell it for anyting. im selling my jp8000, but keeping my casio. ive been making music since 92, with guitar as my primary instrument. over time i became more interested in synths, and now they are both my first instrument. i have a jp 8000 which i dig but am going to sell. i have an emu E Ultra 5000, a bad ass sampler, but the thing is i hate working on modules. i like big keyboards. likewise i ahve a Korg TR rack and Alesis DM Pro which i dig but am going to sell. the cz5000 is somewhat comparable to the yamaha dx7, tohugh the actually have unique osunds of their own. the dx 7 id frequency modulated synthesis, and the cz is phase distortion. they come from completely different areas, but both have a brownish 80s quality. id sya the dx seven is more rubbery and pliable, the cz more...not like that. its bass synth patch is like a body rising from the grave. thats a compliment. heehee. i wish it had a better menu screen, wish you didnt ahve to press so many buttons. the osunds inspire me though, and it was because of its name and stature that i bought it. its in its own class, even the dx7 had contemporaries with s8imilar sounds. the cz sounds very CASIO! i ouwld say its a bonus to every studio who had one.