I'm actually hesitating between all 3 Casios ! Could you please let us know what are the pros & cons for each ? It seems the VZ is "cleaner" and less "experimental" than the CZ series... Thank you ! :)
@topheecheesecake It's all subjective judgement. Most people seem to prefer the CZ-101 due to portability. I dislike the CZ-101 the most, because its keyboard is very flimsy. The CZ-1 has sweet velocity response and very good aftertouch. VZ-1 is definitely the most advanced out of these, made out of metal, and it has graphical display. But after having the CZ fever, I sold all my CZ's. I still keep VZ-1 and two VZ-10M's because I have all the ROM cards. My advice: get a Roland D-5. I did.
@MichaelJHuman I believe that Yamaha actually used phase modulation to implement frequency modulation. Casio also used sine waves as sound base, and then changed the readout speed, where the first half of the sine waveform would be read faster than the second half, for instance. That would cause a "bent" sine wave. Casio called this phase distortion. So, I believe both companies might have used some sort of phase modulation. But I am not an engineering expert, so I don't know for sure.
@dvamateur The basic concept is essentially the same. But the Casio CZ series is MUCH easier to program, and the CZ's warm analog type sounds are FAR superior to the Yamaha synth sounds of the same era. The Yamaha DX7 has a cold thin sound.
@GandalfsBeard1 Well, it's all a matter of personal preference. If I had to choose one instrument, it would have to be a DX7 or D-50 for me. I recently sold my two CZ-1s. I still keep the VZ-1 just because I have full set of cards for it, maybe a wrong reason to keep it. I must say that I like the DX7 a lot. You can get some decent sounds out of it. And if you want more fatness, just dump the DX7 sounds into TX816, and get yourself for a great sonic treat.
@dvamateur Yeah, you're right about personal preference of course, and I did (still do actually) find that Yamaha's are useful for some timbres--particularly bell tones and airy ambiance. But it's worth pointing out that I don't really need to "dump" the CZ's into anything to get that fat sound (especially the CZ-5000). And I don't think anyone would really disagree that the CZ's are easier to program. My other favourite "vintage" digital synths are the late 80's Rolands and Korgs.
the cz mostly was trying to emulate an analog synth by using same sound pipeline but with the digital sound qualities, digital controled analog filter step at the end of the chain would be perfect.
@Surixurient But the CZ is adding harmonics in its DCW section, why would you want to have a filter to remove them back? To me it doesn't make much sense, since the CZ synthesis works through adding harmonics by varying the phase readout of the sine wave, which is totally opposite to a filter, which removes harmonics.
@Surixurient Yeah, I see. I actually sold my CZ-5000, which had missing sliders. It sounded very well, but the cosmetic condition wasn't good at all. Now I have two CZ-1 in totally pristine cosmetic condition, I mean, brand new like. However, from sonic perspective they give me some trouble when they're not warmed up. They need about 5 minutes of plying to clear its throat. Oh well, maybe its time for the to retire. Nonetheless, I like the cosmetic condition they are in.
I just picked up one of these at music go round for 150 in perfect shape with all sliders intact. I love it but really wish it had filters. Just imagining it with the powerful filters my casio fz1 sampler has. It would have slayed the yamaha dx7 in my opinion if it had fz1's filters.
@Surixurient Sliders? What sliders? VZ-1 has only one data slider (the other is volume). Anyway, the filter would kill the idea behind alternative synthesis methods for those synths. Keep in mind that the VZ-1 is not a subtractive synth.
@SPAZZOID100 The CZ series comes alive when you start programming your own patches. There are some truly monstrous sounds deep inside the Casio's heart! Also, compared with programming other digital synths, especially the DX 7, the Casio is a breeze! I find it very easy to program once you understand the 8 stage envelopes and the logical menu layout. Of course, it would be nice to have independent knobs for for each parameter but the same could be said for most digital synths of the 80's/ 90's.
@SPAZZOID100 That's the whole point of the CZ series, they don't need much work to program at all! And it's a little unfair to compare the CZ series with as JD 800. The CZ's have a unique sound thanks to the Phase Distortion sound engine and were designed first and foremost to be digital synths with their own identity. I agree that they aren't the warmest sounding of synths, but neither is a DX7. The JD 800 meanwhile is an analogue modelling synth, something that the CZ's never tried to be.
@SPAZZOID100 I got the JD 800 mixed up with the JP 8000 (which is the analogue modeller), I apologise for my mistake - oops! Yes you are right, the JD is a rompler synth and I too much prefer its layout and immediate interface to the CZs. However, it's still unfair to compare it with the CZs as they are two different types of synths, plus the first CZ was released in 1984 and the JD was released in 1991. The CZ range was competing with other 80's digital FM synths,
@SPAZZOID100 in the case of the CZ 3000/ 5000/ 1 they were competing directly with the DX7. The CZ with Phase Distortion can have a different sound to DX7's FM and they are MUCH easier to program in comparison. Could be easier I agree, but of the digital 1980s synths only some of the Yamaha PSS range (480 I think) has more immediacy of parameter control. Also the CZ's can produce some surprising results, often sounding like they are between FM and analogue.
@SPAZZOID100 Check out some videos on here of CZs doing their stuff, 'Angelica's Baby' has done some good stuff with a CZ 1, and a track called '1986' was done entirely on a CZ 3000. Even a CZ 1 preset demonstration shows the CZ 1 to have some good stuff on it straight out of the factory. However, as much as I like the CZ's I'd give anything to have an Arp Odyssey, Mini-Moog or even Prophet 5, but again, they are entirely different synths . Plus the price of the CZs today make them bargains!
@benanderson88 Well, they VZ series seems plentiful on eBay, albeit not in great cosmetic conditions. I used to have a brand new one in back in early nineties, and like an idiot I sold it, because I thought that the Roland D-70 that I also had was the way to go. Should've kept that VZ-1. But we all make mistakes in life, don't we?
@erolbrown I believe it's jazz organ, because this is the only factory organ patch on the CZ-5000. The CZ-1 has more organ patches, including piper organ and such.
I'm actually hesitating between all 3 Casios ! Could you please let us know what are the pros & cons for each ? It seems the VZ is "cleaner" and less "experimental" than the CZ series... Thank you ! :)
topheecheesecake 2 months ago
@topheecheesecake It's all subjective judgement. Most people seem to prefer the CZ-101 due to portability. I dislike the CZ-101 the most, because its keyboard is very flimsy. The CZ-1 has sweet velocity response and very good aftertouch. VZ-1 is definitely the most advanced out of these, made out of metal, and it has graphical display. But after having the CZ fever, I sold all my CZ's. I still keep VZ-1 and two VZ-10M's because I have all the ROM cards. My advice: get a Roland D-5. I did.
dvamateur 2 months ago 2
Had a Cz1000. could sit and happily program on it all night.
osummuso 2 months ago
I think your explanation is dead on true from what I have read.
MichaelJHuman 3 months ago
Didn't some Casio synths use phase modulation? That way they did not have to license FM modulation perhaps?
MichaelJHuman 3 months ago
@MichaelJHuman I believe that Yamaha actually used phase modulation to implement frequency modulation. Casio also used sine waves as sound base, and then changed the readout speed, where the first half of the sine waveform would be read faster than the second half, for instance. That would cause a "bent" sine wave. Casio called this phase distortion. So, I believe both companies might have used some sort of phase modulation. But I am not an engineering expert, so I don't know for sure.
dvamateur 3 months ago
@dvamateur The basic concept is essentially the same. But the Casio CZ series is MUCH easier to program, and the CZ's warm analog type sounds are FAR superior to the Yamaha synth sounds of the same era. The Yamaha DX7 has a cold thin sound.
GandalfsBeard1 2 months ago
@GandalfsBeard1 Well, it's all a matter of personal preference. If I had to choose one instrument, it would have to be a DX7 or D-50 for me. I recently sold my two CZ-1s. I still keep the VZ-1 just because I have full set of cards for it, maybe a wrong reason to keep it. I must say that I like the DX7 a lot. You can get some decent sounds out of it. And if you want more fatness, just dump the DX7 sounds into TX816, and get yourself for a great sonic treat.
dvamateur 2 months ago
@dvamateur Yeah, you're right about personal preference of course, and I did (still do actually) find that Yamaha's are useful for some timbres--particularly bell tones and airy ambiance. But it's worth pointing out that I don't really need to "dump" the CZ's into anything to get that fat sound (especially the CZ-5000). And I don't think anyone would really disagree that the CZ's are easier to program. My other favourite "vintage" digital synths are the late 80's Rolands and Korgs.
GandalfsBeard1 2 months ago
Congrats on the Harold Faltermeyer - that takes some doing!!
templarseries 4 months ago
Ja, ich benutze es auch seit 1989, mitlerweile mit Midi Sounds von Roland für Aufnahmen. Es geht nicht kaputt.
TECHASKI1 5 months ago
8:02 my favourite typical casio sound
HatredPrime 5 months ago
can you use this for vsts?
FACKofficialchannel 7 months ago
@FACKofficialchannel What is vsts? Something having to do with Steinberg's VST?
dvamateur 7 months ago
@dvamateur vst stands for virtual studio technology, they are software synths.
Ianues 6 months ago
@FACKofficialchannel you can control a vst that is running on your computer but i believe you can't run a vst on any of these synths
Ianues 6 months ago
casio freak
CoolColJ 9 months ago
No.... woman, no cry! Beautiful way to start a video! Thanx.
mindstormsabrewin 10 months ago
MY favorite part 8:01-8:13 :)
Newcomingmusic 1 year ago
@Newcomingmusic Yo! Mine too...
dvamateur 1 year ago
nice performance man!
spikegr12345 1 year ago
Enjoyed you playing
FondueBrothers 1 year ago
the cz mostly was trying to emulate an analog synth by using same sound pipeline but with the digital sound qualities, digital controled analog filter step at the end of the chain would be perfect.
Surixurient 1 year ago
@Surixurient But the CZ is adding harmonics in its DCW section, why would you want to have a filter to remove them back? To me it doesn't make much sense, since the CZ synthesis works through adding harmonics by varying the phase readout of the sine wave, which is totally opposite to a filter, which removes harmonics.
dvamateur 1 year ago
@dvamateur cz5000 never used the vz. granted it only has 2 sliders well but when i looked on ebay they are always missing.
Surixurient 1 year ago
@Surixurient Yeah, I see. I actually sold my CZ-5000, which had missing sliders. It sounded very well, but the cosmetic condition wasn't good at all. Now I have two CZ-1 in totally pristine cosmetic condition, I mean, brand new like. However, from sonic perspective they give me some trouble when they're not warmed up. They need about 5 minutes of plying to clear its throat. Oh well, maybe its time for the to retire. Nonetheless, I like the cosmetic condition they are in.
dvamateur 1 year ago
I just picked up one of these at music go round for 150 in perfect shape with all sliders intact. I love it but really wish it had filters. Just imagining it with the powerful filters my casio fz1 sampler has. It would have slayed the yamaha dx7 in my opinion if it had fz1's filters.
Surixurient 1 year ago
@Surixurient by one of these I mean the cz5000
Surixurient 1 year ago
@Surixurient Sliders? What sliders? VZ-1 has only one data slider (the other is volume). Anyway, the filter would kill the idea behind alternative synthesis methods for those synths. Keep in mind that the VZ-1 is not a subtractive synth.
dvamateur 1 year ago
Nice excerpts of Chick Corea... cool demo!
Colpocorto 1 year ago
An entire inprovisation on Axel F. Love it!
warpto80 1 year ago
this needs knobs
SPAZZOID100 1 year ago
I've owned all the cz synths...sound too cold & static to me.
Plus, the programming is tedious without an array of knobs.
SPAZZOID100 1 year ago
@SPAZZOID100 The CZ series comes alive when you start programming your own patches. There are some truly monstrous sounds deep inside the Casio's heart! Also, compared with programming other digital synths, especially the DX 7, the Casio is a breeze! I find it very easy to program once you understand the 8 stage envelopes and the logical menu layout. Of course, it would be nice to have independent knobs for for each parameter but the same could be said for most digital synths of the 80's/ 90's.
1986uno45s 1 year ago
@1986uno45s
I just don't think the results are worth the work you must put in.
I have a lot more fun with my digital JD-800, and the results are fatter and more warm sounding
SPAZZOID100 1 year ago
@SPAZZOID100 That's the whole point of the CZ series, they don't need much work to program at all! And it's a little unfair to compare the CZ series with as JD 800. The CZ's have a unique sound thanks to the Phase Distortion sound engine and were designed first and foremost to be digital synths with their own identity. I agree that they aren't the warmest sounding of synths, but neither is a DX7. The JD 800 meanwhile is an analogue modelling synth, something that the CZ's never tried to be.
1986uno45s 1 year ago
@1986uno45s
I owned the entire CZ line, and I do not like the programming interface one bit.
The JD is not an analog modeler, btw--it's a rompler, but with analog controls--a true joy to program, and even look at.
It's sounds range from metallic/bellish D-50 types of sounds, to warm analog leads and strings.
I never could get anything half as interesting on the CZ line.
SPAZZOID100 1 year ago
@SPAZZOID100 I got the JD 800 mixed up with the JP 8000 (which is the analogue modeller), I apologise for my mistake - oops! Yes you are right, the JD is a rompler synth and I too much prefer its layout and immediate interface to the CZs. However, it's still unfair to compare it with the CZs as they are two different types of synths, plus the first CZ was released in 1984 and the JD was released in 1991. The CZ range was competing with other 80's digital FM synths,
1986uno45s 1 year ago
@SPAZZOID100 in the case of the CZ 3000/ 5000/ 1 they were competing directly with the DX7. The CZ with Phase Distortion can have a different sound to DX7's FM and they are MUCH easier to program in comparison. Could be easier I agree, but of the digital 1980s synths only some of the Yamaha PSS range (480 I think) has more immediacy of parameter control. Also the CZ's can produce some surprising results, often sounding like they are between FM and analogue.
1986uno45s 1 year ago
@SPAZZOID100 Check out some videos on here of CZs doing their stuff, 'Angelica's Baby' has done some good stuff with a CZ 1, and a track called '1986' was done entirely on a CZ 3000. Even a CZ 1 preset demonstration shows the CZ 1 to have some good stuff on it straight out of the factory. However, as much as I like the CZ's I'd give anything to have an Arp Odyssey, Mini-Moog or even Prophet 5, but again, they are entirely different synths . Plus the price of the CZs today make them bargains!
1986uno45s 1 year ago
@benanderson88 Well, they VZ series seems plentiful on eBay, albeit not in great cosmetic conditions. I used to have a brand new one in back in early nineties, and like an idiot I sold it, because I thought that the Roland D-70 that I also had was the way to go. Should've kept that VZ-1. But we all make mistakes in life, don't we?
dvamateur 1 year ago
so cool man. this is amazing
MemoOnUtube 1 year ago
Could you tell me the name of the organ patch at 6:40 please?
Cheers
erolbrown 1 year ago
@erolbrown I believe it's jazz organ, because this is the only factory organ patch on the CZ-5000. The CZ-1 has more organ patches, including piper organ and such.
dvamateur 1 year ago
@dvamateur - Many thanks
erolbrown 1 year ago
Very nice!
jimstout 2 years ago
By the way, are you on the VSE forum? if you are you know how much info is there, and if not you'd enjoy the synth talk! very cool folks.
smackyjack 2 years ago
@smackyjack Never heard of VSE. What is it?
dvamateur 2 years ago
Vintage Synth Explorer.
smackyjack 2 years ago
vintagesynth*dot*com
smackyjack 2 years ago
@dvamateur : Vintage Synth Explorer
Nord72 1 year ago
Very cool, man. I just wish Casio had made more Pro equipment. The few pieces they did build, were really good and very under rated.
Very fine demo of both the VZ-1 and the CZ 5000 Thank you for posting it Those are a couple of well maintained synths.
What is that tune you're playing at around 3:38? That's really cool.
smackyjack 2 years ago
@smackyjack You're saing more like 4:00? That's Chick Corea's Got a Match.
dvamateur 2 years ago
Yeah, yeah. I thought that sounded familiar, I just couldn't place it.
smackyjack 2 years ago