CASIO CZ-1 Phase Distortion SYNTHESIZER

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"The CZ-1 synthesizer competes with the CZ-5000 for the title of most advanced in the CZ series. The CZ-1 had all the features of the CZ-5000 except the sequencer. However, the CZ-1 doubled the memory, was multitimbral, also stored splits and layers as "Operation Memories", added velocity and aftertouch sensitivity to the keyboard, along with programming parameters to control how velocity and aftertouch pressure would affect the sound. In this respect the CZ-1 is the most advanced CZ synthesizer. The CZ-1 also featured a backlit display - a small but nice improvement over the rest of the series.

It has a full 61-note, 5-octave keyboard with velocity and aftertouch sensitivity. Very professional features from a Casio synth! Otherwise it is essentially a CZ-3000 (which is essentially two CZ-1000s or CZ-101s). With the CZ-1 you get 8-stage envelopes, 2 oscillators per voice and a whole lot more, with relatively easy programming.

Polyphony: 16 voices; Oscillators: 2 per voice (DCO, DCW, DCA); Keyboard: 61 keys with velocity and aftertouch; Memory: 64 preset, 64 user patches, 64 patch external cartridge; Effects: Chorus; Control: MIDI.

This has plenty of Yamaha DX-like sounds with a unique use of Phase Distortion synthesis to get them. For performance, the CZ-1 may be the best of the CZ-series. Its dynamic keyboard and enhanced memory abilities make it ideal for live situations. Memory, MIDI and multitimbrality have all been upgraded in the CZ-1 making it one of the nicest synths ever to grow out of a consumer market. As an older piece of gear, I am selling it on an as-is basis and am offering no guarantee. However, as I said, I did test it and put it though it's paces and it was working fine."