I know there’s some fellow Cadio fetishists on here.
So there is a CZ-1000 and a VZ-1 available local to me right now, both mint. I’ve been looking for an old school synth to use as both a controller and to provide a different synthesis method to the Elektrons/Toraiz that I currently have. Had the CZ-101 back in the day and came to respect its abilities, but the VZ is like an exotic fruit yet to be tasted.
I know that the CZ is fairly simple but effective and the VZ is far deeper but less immediate. Which would you choose?
I guess it depends on what you aspire to get out of it. I mean, I can see the charm in some of the smaller, lo-fi casio keyboards; but niether of these synths are something I’d buy if I was looking for features, etc.
IMO the CZ can sound pretty close to a Juno or Oberheim with the right programming, and my time spent in a music store in the early 90’s with the VZ left a very favorable (but technically daunting) impression.
I had a host of Casio keyboards in my younger years, starting with an SK-1 when I was literally still just a kid. There’s certainly some nostalgia there for me. I maintain, however, that you’d have to have a particular reason to buy one now, over any modern synth. I mean, you’ve kind of said it yourself: i.e. one can sound like a Juno (as can a number of newer synths), and the other was a PITA to program.
That said, when faced with a plate of chocolate chip cookies, why do we carefully choose one over the others with every cookie we eat? I say, if you’re curious or feeling nostalgic, just buy the one you most like the aesthetic of. Which one is your favourite colour?
both of those are brilliant synths. Both have a distinct sound, but which ones sound do you gravitate too and inspires…should be where you come from in making your choice…huge fan of both (still own a cz-1 and 101). So as an old school lover of the arcane void which is 80’s synth programming, go with the cz-1000 (the low end is better), the cz for me at least has a much more versatile pallete, and with some effects, just gets better, it’ll be a synth you can always pull a useful sound out of no matter what type of music you do. the vz is great but at least to my ear is a bit glassy and to be honest, it just doesn’t have a sound to justify the extra effort. but at the end of the day it’s about how you like to work and what you think sounds good. Some kats like to sit with a synth for weeks and just make patches, other Kats make patches as they go for what they need. So sound + effort +results=
I had the CZ-5000 for a few years and recorded with it a lot. The sound is awesome and pairs amazingly with FM.
That said, compared to the CZ1000, the VZ-1 sounds crazy as well (and is clearly an objectively better synth).
I would probably make the decision on size if it were an issue. If not, stick to cost and features. I would love to have a VZ-1, but the CZ line was also surprisingly versatile and unique (as I’m sure you well know).
…also here…my first casio, when i was a kid was this pocket calculator thingi…vlz1, or whatever it was called…had that famous da da da pleep beat in it…looked a bit like the op1…loved it big time…and my first full size keyboard was also a casio…some early cz thing meets home organ in a fake wooden chassis…
and in my first electronic band, the cz 1000 was the thing…or was it the 500?..dunno…
does’nt matter what kind of casio u have…mine, are all gone…sad thing…i had a full flashback of overwhelming nostalgica when i was standing in front a vlz tone, that oversized pocket calculator thing again, last year at elektron studios…cenk had picked it from a second hand store in istanbul…my goodness…i became a child again for real…
so, i’d also say…choose the one that triggers u most…but pick one…in my case, it would be the cz…
That does sound pretty great. I wonder how time consuming it is to make patches? From the Bad Gear video it looks like what you creates disappears once you remove the batteries unless you have the optional device for transferring sounds.
From what I’ve gathered, the various CZ models are basically the same synth in different packages. The main differences:
CZ-101: 4-note polyphony and minikeys
CZ-230S: A preset version of the 101 with built-in speaker
CZ-1000: a 101 with fullsized keys
CZ-3000: 8 voices, chorus
CZ-5000: 8 voices, chorus, sequencer
CZ-1: 8 voices, chorus, velocity/aftertouch
The 230s is the Oberheim Matrix 1000 of the CZ range. The presets are pretty good though, and you can load new ones in by sysex on the last four patches. It’s got a programmable RZ-1 like drum box too, as well as auto accompaniments. Best of all though, it’s usually very cheap as it looks like a home keyboard.
However Edisyn is totally fun for exploring randomised patches or walking through favourite nice sounds for variations. You can also store and recall everything.
You can get used to it, though. CZ-101 was my first synth and since I had nothing to compare it to, I learned to program it with no particular suffering.
The 8 stage envelopes, with the sustain on whatever stage you want, is a very simple and powerful feature of the CZ series, which spoiled me forever.
Also, don’t underestimate the CZ for bass, plucks, and various percussion sounds. I actually think its pads aren’t very interesting, but that seems to be where people first go with it.
No opinions re the VZ. Seemed like a cool idea, but don’t remember ever hearing it do a sound I liked. Maybe it has secret powers.
Some on eBay for half the price of a 101. Is it the exact same engine with chorus and more?
Pros and cons of its bigger siblings vs 101 (beyond polyphony and keys)
