Bad Gear - Casio HT3000

[@AudioPilz]

Audiopilz: *slaps roof of YT channel* Full Tracks, Extended Jams, Sample Packs: www.patreon.com/audiopilz

[@chillwalker]

Bitte mach doch mal den Casio CZ230s. Mein erster "Synth"

[@peterjones596]

Great work, you really can polish a turd! I'm now tempted to dig out my Casio CT1000P... A turkey that escaped christmas!

[@dillipphunbar7924]

86+k...your meme magic is finally paying off. Any thoughts on 100k special episode? How about some more cameos like with Alex the Ball...bet you can't get Cuckoo on.

[@AuntAlnico4]

Bad gear arturia minibrute 2s is a great contender for bad gear. It's 👎 bad.

[@elphive42]

Please do a video on GarageBand! I think it’s given a lot worse reputation than it deserves by a lot of the internet, and it’s actually a pretty decent DAW for a phone app.

[@camillaquelladegliaggettiv4303]

"last affordable vintage synth" until tomorrow

[@AudioPilz]

It's usually just a small spike;)

[@GizzyDillespee]

And...... it's gone

[@AgonalRhythm]

There must be some Florian 🤝 Reverb backroom deal

[@luisbarrera5740]

Yes.

[@blakekennemer1166]

They’re already pretty rare, at least when I was in the market for an HT6000

[@fraknoise8523]

Casio is a very odd brand, with an approach on synthesizers like they never look outside if there is anyone else making synths as well. This results in sometimes very nice instruments, often loaded with functions no one ever wants or needs, exept when you do of course. And a very different sound. Thank you for giving this instrument the 'Bad Gear' status. It deserves it.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!!! Have you ever checked out the very first Casio product?;)

[@fraknoise8523]

@@AudioPilz first (preset) synth you mean? The Casiotone series? I have the CT201, lovely instrument with a sweet tone. Or do you refer to something else?

[@althejazzman]

@@fraknoise8523 Maybe he means the VL-Tone. Because everyone needs a synth / calculator.

[@slipknotboy555]

True, but some of them are bangers, and they have multiple '80s lines that could be worth looking into; the CZ Phase distortion synths, the VZ "interactive phase distortion" synths, the FZ samplers, and of course, the HT/HZ line mentioned here (though, most of us here probably know about them, heh) Edit: Oh, and the humble SK series, for some very basic but nicely lo-fi samplers, of course

[@jamesmcn0000]

@@AudioPilz 🔥

[@FatNorthernBigot]

The built-in speakers say "gig with this, and people will point and laugh." (However... Your jam was exquisite, as always)

[@AudioPilz]

Damn, so true!!!

[@HowToLootBrazil]

On Christmas Eve in 1987 I got a KS61-midi which is a 1:1 copy of the Casio HT-3000 just licensed by Hohner. I played it about two years until I got an Amiga and programmed my first tracks on Soundtracker where I didn't need a keyboard. Then I grew older, got into metal, grunge and rock music, had my first band etc and the KS61became a dust trap in numerous attics throughout the last 30 years. A few weeks ago my wife felt like learning the piano but all I had was midi controller keyboards, so I got this from the attic. When she turned it on I instantly got back in time hearing those pretty odd presets. I remember how tedious it was to create my own sounds using the control wheel and how they were mercilessly deleted when plugging off the keyboard (eventually I got a memory card which, unfortunately, I don't have any more). Anyway, as I watched this video, I really enjoyed what you can actually do with these sounds when you run them through proper effects, so I'm now determined to use at least one sound of this oldie on every track of our new album. Just because 😅 Thanks for uploading this, that was very much inspiring

[@PlainlyDifficult]

It sound cheesingly brilliant! Ps love to see your take on the addiction that is modular

[@AudioPilz]

I try to stay away from modular. Too addictive!!!

[@paulbmorgan]

My parents paid around $500usd for an HT3000 one Christmas for me back in eighties, I will always be grateful to them because it was (and still is) a lot of money for a Xmas gift. The HT3000 replaced my Casio MT500, so it was a big upgrade for me at the time. A Roland E10 replaced the HT. Nice to hear the Casio again after all these years. I never lusted after another Casio synth after the HT, although the FZ1 would have been nice. Anyway, I just checked the listings where I live, and there is a mint HT3000 for sale for $665usd. Best of luck to that seller... thanks, Florian, great episode.

[@rachelar]

Why wish luck to sellers who inflate prices beyond reason? Oh, you were being sarcarstik

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you! Wow, priced got insane quickly

[@oblongtom]

£100 on ebay here!

[@paulbmorgan]

@Chris Loughlin £100...seems a fair price. I live in Istanbul, unfortunately (unless you get really lucky), synths and electronics in general are steeply priced here, on the flip side, whatever you buy does hold its value.

[@RockmannMusic]

@@oblongtom I would not even take it for free : )

[@inthefade]

I love the sound of scrolling through wavetables.

[@AudioPilz]

Same here - so relaxing!!!

[@mozkuthehermit5909]

This must be really limiting synth and yet still Audiopilz did give us good jams

[@AudioPilz]

❤️

[@fraknoise8523]

Its not limited I think, just very Casio. That gives you sounds of a alternate universe.

[@travisthornton1792]

Tasty rememberries from @audiopilz

[@niiranen]

True. The rememberries was a nice tune!

[@kgbstudio]

not limited at all, its a workstation + synth

[@tonalaxis_AXiS_MODULAR]

That last track ticked all the boxes.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@wilorules]

SO glad you did a video on this!!! I've been asking for ages!! Love your work mate

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@wilorules]

Casio FZ1 plz lol

[@basspartout]

"One is a cheap toy with poor sounds and built quality, the other is a Casio" 😂😂 Brilliant as usual!!

[@AudioPilz]

That one had me rofling;)

[@MeeperDude45]

Yes, brilliant ;-)

[@dakoiaa]

Casio is a great brand that allows many to access music with reliable and reachable instruments, ranging from "toys" that sound stable for decades to complex and unique synths offering wide space for creativity.

[@kaitlyn__L]

🎶 Yama-yamaha, Yama-yamaha, Yamaha, Moog and a Casio 🎶

[@117lyrics]

just wanted to say the production value on your videos is insane given your upload frequency. were i not a broke student i'd support you on patreon

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@stockwellengineeringhints3527]

This is my first proper synthesiser, and my favourite. Some of the tones are a bit cheesy, but some are very very nice. It has a strange lo-fi character. It makes me so happy to see it featured on your show.

[@AudioPilz]

😀😀😀

[@drphiI]

Caught this right as it debuted! Nothing like Bad Gear before work on Friday 👍👍

[@AudioPilz]

Have a nice weekend!!!

[@KattKirsch]

I feel like a dreampop band that just ran this through a Microcosm could probably drop my album of the year, tbh.

[@AudioPilz]

Agreed, it has that sound!

[@JJohnkkttran]

My prayers have been answered. I've been asking about this one! Such a weird and funky "groove box". Definitely the last affordable vintage synth. Love the sound of this thing more than the similar Korg Poly 800

[@AudioPilz]

😀Nice!!! Yeah, the Poly800 is strong in this one!!!

[@trebleboost7]

Interesting - I feel the same way with my HT-700 as an owner of the Poly 800 years ago.

[@JJohnkkttran]

@@trebleboost7 I’ve always wanted the HT-700, and it’s actually the synth I’ve most requested he review! Considering this synth is similar, I take this as a win. Was super stoked he did a chill wave jam here because that’s exactly why I like the 700/3000. It’s icy cool, sounds great for that sound in particular where as the poly 800 is just kinda bleh. This thing sounds like a budget Akai AX-60 to me. How has it been owning one?

[@trebleboost7]

@@JJohnkkttran It has been a lot of fun, but I need to tap into my music creativity much more. It is my go to immediate synth though when I want to try something out. For instance, I tried Midi2Guitar to play it from a guitar, and for Christmas I got the TC Helicon two channel Go! interface and recorded a quick loop into my iPhone (GB) and then tried a mono in with the piano through a fuzz pedal. Plus it is just fun to just sit down and play. We used it once at church for a song that had a very raw sawtooth patch and it nailed it. I had considered selling it to fund other bigger boys back in the day but nah -it's just fun. I too, got a little tired of the Korg, although it had some warm brassy 4-note stacked osc sounds I liked and even some very simple string pads that stacked OK.

[@fatkev1983]

FINALLY! A CASIO HT! YES, I AM SHOUTING! I have the bigger brother, the HT6000, and I love it, despite its shortcomings. Got it for £50, which also helps. As for the storage issue, you can mod the battery bay to take a power bank that can be recharged via USB, allowing you to do away with the DC adapter too. I also sample patches that I really like on my ol' EMU ESI for extra safety. There was someone trying to recreate the RA100 RAM card... but seems they gave up, sadly.

[@AudioPilz]

😀😀😀

[@atommachine]

My Ram card stopped working quite annoying as i lost my patches, i have a large book now and D batteries every year.

[@RaveTracks]

Really glad you featured this little gem. Great vid as always and I think you summed it up perfectly. For anyone who's interested the Casio HT-700 has the same synth engine but in a smaller mini key package. It also won't take up as much precious studio real estate.

[@AudioPilz]

Nice, I have to check the smaller one out!

[@McHale72]

Confirmed. I had the HT-700 and the HT-3000. I threw the 700 away when I got my DW-8000 and traded the HT-3000 away years later for a crappy guitar. I miss them both now. :(

[@kenzieprice6745]

HT 700 does not have a modwheel or respond over midi...

[@trebleboost7]

@@kenzieprice6745 It responds to note events for sure - I used Midi2Guitar to play it from my axe, but I think perhaps you are talking about pitch events?

[@kenzieprice6745]

@@trebleboost7 I should have clarified. It does not a have a modwheel or respond to modulation(vibrato)/mod wheel change over midi. A very unfortunate limitation as that is a big part of how I make the most of my sounds with the HT-3000. It would be so nice to have the HT-3000 in a smaller package but Casio wanted it as an upgrade I guess? With the HT 3000, you have to engage a "mod on button" to use it. Maybe that can be added to the HT-700 by modding it.

[@dakoiaa]

Casio is a great brand that allows many to access music with reliable and reachable instruments, ranging from "toys" to complex and unique synths offering wide space for creativity, all sounding stable for decades.

[@AudioPilz]

Word!

[@cyphercracker]

Oldschool Detroit 😊 This one went under my radar. Chasing one! Thank you!

[@AudioPilz]

😀😀😀

[@0xABADCAFE]

Something about that percussion is really nostalgic. For reasons I just can't explain though, the first jam reminds me of the incidental music from the original Total Recall movie. I think it might be the chord pad in the background. Final jam is really nice!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!! Yeah, that one is a time machine

[@djcomfyfroggywitch]

that finale was tight!! such good visuals too

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@deadscenerecords]

What a superb homage to the big brother of my first polyphonic synth, the HT-700.

[@AudioPilz]

😀😀😀

[@MistabishiTV]

Nostalgia spasm. Grew up with a Casio Porta sound in the 80's as a kid. Never modded it but would record to an old Sharp dual tape deck, and kept over dubbing, slowing the tape deck down with my finger (the front panel of the left tape deck had fallen off) to get microtones, and adding Dolby noise reduction and bass-boosts etc. Those drums are an instant childhood memory trigger. Might be time for a Casio ebay spree... and ofcoirse thanks a million for another absolitely brilliant vid!!!

[@AudioPilz]

Did the same back in the days - nice!!!

[@MariusGarage]

The final track is the most interesting never heard in your channel 👏👏👏 i have a Casio Ht-700, another little monster of the abyss to discover.. thanks for your amazing work and videos!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@maninblack9000]

Habe hier in meiner Synth Sammlung Sammlung den großen Casio HT6000 stehen, den ich im Top Zustand zum Trinkgeld Preis von 50€ erstanden habe! Habe von Casio noch CZ101 mit SZ1 Sequenzer, FZ10 Sampler, den VZ1 in der silbernen Hohner Version HS2 und die beiden Casios XWP1 und XWG1! Alles tolle Synthesizer für Kenner, wenn man sich damit beschäftigt und selbst Hand anlegt!

[@AudioPilz]

Geile Sammlung!

[@maninblack9000]

@@AudioPilz... Ja, habe ein "paar" Synthesizer in meinem Leben angesammelt😂🙈

[@SiliconBassist]

This thing seems interesting. I like the waveforms a lot. Awesome video! Your jams and finale are inspiring as always, and the humor is great!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@jabelsjabels]

dang, I was taken aback by the quality of that first pad sound you played. Very tasty

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@subwaygaragemusic]

I remember 8 Bit Guy covered this a few years back. Great to hear your take on it! Edit: The keyboard that 8 Bit Guy covered is a 700, not a 3000. Still in the same range tho.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! It's supposed to be the same synth engine AFAIK

[@keyhoarder]

yeah i believe it's the same but with mini keys i have the preset version of this (40 on the panel, 40 accessible via midsi), casiotone mt 600

[@PolaroidsofthePyramids]

Great job as always! I think you just convinced me to install the filter mods on my HT-700!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@demokid2000]

Wohoo! My first "synthesizer" I owned where a HT-3000. I was a paper-boy for a year to save up to buy it. I visited the music store several times each month dreaming of buying the synth but above the HT3000 stood the might HT-6000, costing 9600SEK (20000 USD) back in 1988... 3 Vulture Culture

[@AudioPilz]

Wow, that's damn expensive!!!

[@demokid2000]

@@AudioPilz The HT3000 costed 387 USD in 1988, today it would be 957 USD :D

[@olafwagner]

Wow, I had this synth as a kid in the 80's. This was the synth that I 'upgraded' to when I outgrew my fist keyboard which was a Casio MT-800. I must admit that I truly loved them both back in the day. Thank you for this trip down memory lane

[@AudioPilz]

Always a pleasure!!!❤️❤️❤️

[@budgetguitarist]

I'm really impressed by the music in this video coming from this truly bad keyboard. Wonderful job. I can understand the folks who had one back in the day and look back fondly, but it truly is bad gear. I almost like the episodes with actual bad gear the most. It's always interesting to hear what can be done with the bottom of the barrel. And it shows that creativity is more important than gear.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@PassengerPigeonsLE]

I’ve got the smaller mini-key version of this, and I love it! There’s some uniquely evolving waveforms in it, and I just love the engine in it, sounds full but nasty, oddly thick but clearly digital!

[@PassengerPigeonsLE]

I should also add that I’m a bit of a sucker for these accompaniment keyboards, I have a Roland E-30 in my otherwise ‘legit’ vintage digital setup, which is the household version of the D50, gives me all the classic (though uneditable) presets!

[@AudioPilz]

Nice!

[@dvamateur]

One has to keep in mind that when the Casio HT-series came out, analog synthesizers were considered obsolete. These were the times when the most desirable synthesizers were the Korg M1, Roland D-20, and Yamaha V50, and even more desirable were samplers, like Casio's own FZ-1. These were the times when an instrument had to have "digital" written on it to sell. Nobody wanted to have anything to do with analog technology at that time; consequently, the Casio HT-series were not big sellers. They were going for half the MSRP brand new from Sam Ash, Manny's Music, and the likes. Casio also had a very advanced digital synthesizer at the time called the VZ-1; however, since the VZ-1 had no build in samples, it immediately went on clearance prices, brand new for $460, even when the MSRP was $1499.

[@AudioPilz]

It's funny how things come in cycles...

[@routinehead2481]

I absolutely love the fact that you showed Eugene H. Krabs in this video. I seem to remember him in one of your earlier videos. I could never work for him though.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you! Agreed!

[@Rompler_Rocco]

I am in heaven! You crushed it!! And managed to gratify my 3 years of lobbying for the HT-700 without even exposing it! Or the Hohners. Plenty of 80's gems may still find their way to yard sales 🙏👍👍💯💯

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks, Rocco!

[@trebleboost7]

Picked up an HT-700 at a garage sale indeed, several years ago. $15.00. Before I knew what it actually was.

[@Rompler_Rocco]

@@trebleboost7 That's amazing! Glad it found the right home. Reminds me of a time I went to a pawn shop where they had a whole bin of SK-1's for $6 each (...stupid me only bought ONE) 🤦‍♂️

[@Gorpisnorb]

This channel is ticking all the boxes..

[@AudioPilz]

❤️❤️❤️

[@yeahright73]

AudioPilz: Keeps calling things bad gear. Also AudioPilz: Keeps cranking out sick jams with said things. Okay, next try a Yamaha PSS-480!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Great suggestion!!!

[@xa1a]

The main takeaway from this video is that a hell of a lot of things are called HT3000! And also that Casio at that point seems to be using the same buttons from the Yamaha PSR series (at least the green and purple ones!) Another awesome video sir! :) Auf Weidersehen!

[@AudioPilz]

Bis zum nächsten Mal;)

[@xa1a]

@@AudioPilz Ich mag es zu lernen Deutsch an Duolingo! Haha! I think thats almost right! :) Cheers mate!

[@thedeepblueskys]

This is a gem of a synth. Totally weird but it would be really fun to run threw pedals. Never seen it before but I can hear the potential. Reverb sellers just increased the price after viewing this video lol PS: that filter mod is essential 👊🏼

[@AudioPilz]

Filter mod is essential indeed!!!

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

Yep I have one which I bought for 25 UK pounds about 4 months ago, straight away I had to do the filter mod lol

[@thedeepblueskys]

@@AdamTheAd-vanc3d awesome 👏🏼 I would my self. I have a bunch of old school Casio’s and Yamaha’s that I’m gonna do the same with, if possible.

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

@@thedeepblueskys 100% its a must .💪🏾🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@erikavery1105]

WUT, Already? Dammmn, Reverb! 😲

[@armignac]

The last sound was really amazing! Gotta say, crazy what some stuff can do

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@batican8367]

That last track was so sick. Wish I could hear a finished version.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!!! Full tracks and extended jams can be found on my Patreon (shameless plug;)

[@jacobburgio777]

Damn some of my favorite jams on the channel coming from a $200 Casio lol. Found your channel a few months ago and already almost caught up on all of the videos - probably replayed the M:S witch house beat a dozen times! Hoping to see one with a Korg Prologue before I sell mine (had some serious buyers remorse since picking up) or the Synthstrom Deluge (which has become the eternal centerpiece of my dawless setup - that I will probably never sell lol). Looking forward to more!!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!! Great suggestions!

[@demokid2000]

As usual great and fun video. You are creating amazing tracks with the synths you review!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@helisoma]

@8:08 even if your jams were so-so, your reviews would still be terrific...but the jams are awesome! 🙀😤😎...such a combination of humor, pure technical prowess and musical creativity...such an underrated channel 👍🏻

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@ricjenner1120]

Wow, I just stumbled across the Casio HT6000 yesterday, and then this video comes out about the 3000. The 6000 is a full featured analog polysynth disguised as just another bulky workstation.

[@AudioPilz]

Much recommended!

[@fraknoise8523]

The HT6000 is in my opinion a very special synth. And because it is velocity sensitive (with the parameters for that adjusted) it sounds quitte different from the HT3000. It sits in the corner of early digital synths like Microwave or Prophet VS, but without all the movement in the sounds. But more than that it sounds like a Casio, which means it sits in the realm of leftfield synthesizers. I never really got it what drives Casio, they are so original and at the same time out of line with what is happening in the rest of synthesizerland. For me that makes them special, I just love their sounds. Though not for tasks of course.

[@atommachine]

Had one since 1990 use it last year on Epaphraze track through effects , its a cracker.

[@drillbag]

i have a Casio HT-700 stored away here, it's a very similar synth, crazy sounds and 3 parts accessible via MIDI!! i'll have to get it out and have a muck around, i love the flowery meow sounds it makes!!!

[@AudioPilz]

❤️❤️❤️ flowery meow sounds❤️❤️❤️

[@EHiggins]

I will never get tired of the "Fill/Phil"!

[@AudioPilz]

😀

[@ruskerdax5547]

Your ability to get something that sounds good out of the old Casio HT3000 is pretty impressive. I had one of these when I was a kid, but never knew about like a quarter of these features cause I didn't have the manual. It was what introduced me to synthesizers, though!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!!! Manual is essential here!

[@DetroitMicroSound]

I've had a CZ-101 since 1990, when they were really uncool. I got it really cheap. It can actually make some great sounds, when you run it through good effects. Tweaking from the panel using buttons is surprisingly effective in realtime, if you peck at them. Never messed with this.

[@AudioPilz]

Nice!!!

[@DetroitMicroSound]

@@AudioPilz I still say, the CZ-101 is totally underrated.

[@panamaJ]

Still a cracking little synth! Still got mine 🙂

[@OneAndOnlyMe]

My first keyboard was the HT-700! I loved it.

[@AudioPilz]

Nice!

[@markgriffiths5122]

I think this shows that with a decent composition and playing and a minimum of basic FX any synth can make decent music. I would however like more information about Battcoin.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! I put my entire life savings into Battcoin;)

[@NachoMartyMeyer]

great waveforms and great filter, beautiful sounding synth! love this! great demo!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@jaymakak]

The Casio CZ-5000 was a pretty versatile beast.

[@mrz80]

The CZ series were really interesting synths. Much different (and more versatile and better sounding) engine than the HZ/HT series. The CZ-1 was the one everyone lusted after 'cause the keyboard was velocity sensitive with aftertouch.

[@AudioPilz]

😀

[@Gezira]

Feels like an original, old school Bad Gear episode, cheap and tasty. Well done, as usual.🙂 Regarding the synth, I can testify to its "professionalism", about ten years ago I used the HT-700 for a television commercial, the customer was very satisfied, they even asked me where the sounds came from, which they rarely do.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@Drinkyoghurt]

This channel shows me that no matter what I buy, I suck because I'm not an Austrian synth mastermind.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks but don't worry, it's just the gear;)

[@doktorhopfenmachers5717]

Wow, Du hast aus der Mashcine mehr herausgeholt, als drinsteckt ;)....grossartig die low budget user anzusprechen

[@AudioPilz]

Vielen Dank!!!

[@jedkronfeld6948]

I have an HT-700 and I've gotten a lot of use out of it. the keys are kind of crappy and the big dial is kind of tedious but I've gotten into the practice of writing out all my patches on index cards and it feels really cool to keep them handy like that. the built in organ sound is great too, I use it all the time

[@AudioPilz]

Nice!!!

[@dadamongol]

Ha! Got one just after your video was released. Very affordable, great sound, i am in love with it. Unfortunately I now have to sleep outside to make room for it in my apartment. But it is worth, no doubt.

[@AudioPilz]

Priorities!!!😂

[@demonicsweaters]

I used to have the HT-700, and interestingly on these synths, even though there's no internal battery, if you changed the batteries fast enough, like within a minute or two, it will save the internal patches. At least mine would. Overall the HTs make some pretty cool and unique tones.

[@AudioPilz]

Nice one!!!

[@kaitlyn__L]

Must be a decently big capacitor inside! Which perhaps will need replacing in some units today

[@PerChristianFrankplads]

My first synth! I used it to e.g. recreate sections of "Relax (New York Mix)" by Frankie Goes To Hollywood. I seem to remember that it sounded pretty close to what Trevor, Stephen and Andy made in their ultra expensive Sarm studios. But I'm sure I'm wrong, and maybe it's good that I don't have any cassette recordings of that... Thanks so much for bringing back a lot of memories! And the memes are as always amazingly absurd. Keep it up!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!! Stick around!!!

[@midnightcassettelibrary5171]

I’ve got the cheaper and smaller Ht700. It’s not pleasant to program but I actually love the sounds I can get out of it. I run it into a Phase 90 pedal and add some reverb as well…sounds really good. Honestly these Casio’s are capable of “lush” sounds if you don’t mind some grittiness. Personally it’s a sound I find a lot more interesting than more polished sounding higher end gear. These units are sleepers cause the speakers make them look like generic keyboards limited to some presets but there are actual filters on these manchines!

[@AudioPilz]

Agreed, pedals really make them sing!

[@pakey423]

@ 1:01 The Casio CZ-5000. My first synthesizer. And for a digital synthesizer very easy to program & to create your own sounds. @ 4:28 Same drum sounds as in the Casio SK-8. And probably in the other SK-keyboards as well.

[@AudioPilz]

👍

[@hvhvgitaar]

Another masterpiece (and I don’t mean the synth). Thanks 🙏

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@jfrlucas]

My first synth. I bought it second hand in the late 80's. I found the sound so bad that for a while I thought it might have been damaged. This video proves my synth is fine. Thanks for that. I'm amazed that you managed to get usable sounds for your jams. I don't recall I ever managed to trigger the drum sounds via MIDI. You forget to add that the keyboard is not velocity sensitive. Oh, I have a RAM card. Maybe unusable now as these things are battery operated (it's RAM remember).

[@AudioPilz]

Nice! The RAM card is super rare

[@klontjespap]

man your tracks are always the bomb, always feeling up the synth and seeing where it can perform strongly, it's amazing how you can find a positive in anything and can work it in a practical way. most of the bad gear episodes are at least half-praises (this one is one of the weaker synths ones though), that's how optimistic you are about their usability, and you always manage to deliver something tasteful, gotta love it. some people may nitpick on how the wet signal through pedals kind of is cheating and can make anything sound good, not untrue, but i don't see the problem it's a perfectly great showcase of how they can be used in a real live setup, and there's nothing wrong with finding ways to make something sound gud, right? :D besides, i think a lot people underestimate how well proper envelope settings can work from even the most basic bitch synths with just 1 oscillator, especially if you can ride that decay and release with an analog slider or knob on the ADSR to emulate reverb and delays chip-tune style, if the synth lets you ride ADSR next to the filter, you're pretty golden already just the simple filter circuitbend on this bitch makes it sooo much more versatile too

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@axs203]

Casio should take what is best about this and repackage it but make the interface easier to use. It really is a gem. It sounds great in your video as well. It's got Fizmo vibes to me. The low bit drum machine sounds so good. It also looks quite good. It's quite quirky like a lot of their stuff. That bass also sounds great. They should rebuild this synth, put some knobs on it, give it 8 track multitimbrality and put a sequencer in it and give us thousands of drum patterns and fills. Keep the sounds the same. I reckon so many people could do some new cool tracks with a synth like this. They need to build on their heritage. I've got an HT700. I play around with it so much as it is so immediate. Their previous synths ( the PX and GW ) were confusing to sequence. They need to unlock what it is in this synth and make it easy to make music on for a new generation. Come on Casio - you can do it!

[@AudioPilz]

Agreed! A new Casio flagship would be great!

[@drumkick2315]

Great channel. Heavy editing and even heavier insights. Love his accent, it is like traveling with Deutsche Bahn ten years ago. They don’t make such accents any more. It’s a pity.

[@AudioPilz]

DANKE!!!

[@JDStoneCreations]

I might have compounded the price rise of these years ago, having bought 2 under £40, modified and then sold them on eBay for over £180 🤣 I still have its beige cousin the Hohner KS61 (which amazingly came with the RAM card!), its just such a weird synth I don't think I'll ever part with it!

[@AudioPilz]

Nice, the Hohner!!!

[@AaronWelchMusic]

I have it's little brother, the HT700, it's got some fun charm to it, and I've done a bit of circuit bending on it too!

[@AudioPilz]

Nice!!!

[@LazarusWilhelm]

This series is insane.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@trebleboost7]

I picked up an HT-700 at a garage sale by my home for $15. It is just so amazingly fun and immediate. When I bought it I didn't know anything about it and didn't know they hybrid nature of it. Very cool.

[@AudioPilz]

Nice find!!!

[@keyhoarder]

how many years ago?

[@trebleboost7]

@@keyhoarder Probably about 5 or 6 years ago. At that time they seemed to be even more valuable. Have tried to find the RAM card but that seems quite difficult. Same with finding a 20,000 note sequencer expander for an ESQ-1. Plenty of SQX10's out there. BTW I still took a little mild heat from the missus for the Casio haha.

[@popfortyfive]

I only watch Bad Gear when I have time to pause a video 84 times

[@AudioPilz]

That's a wise choice!!!;)

[@anthonyhall2483]

Love my HT700 (also recently updated with the cut off and resonance mod 🙂)

[@AudioPilz]

Nice mod!!!

[@miamha]

That's a very good point, why not have analogue filters on cheap home keyboards? It's weird that they don't.

[@AudioPilz]

...or on an OP-1 Field;)

[@Spikeypup]

Woo Hoo FIRST! AudioPilz....You're the best!

[@AudioPilz]

Yeah!!! Thanks!

[@nickfbatombrew1436]

An impressive sound from such an obscure home keyboard some reminiscent of the CZ range and could be worth exploring in depth Great video Ronald Reagan and a pen and paper impressive..👍☢️😊

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!!!

[@fraknoise8523]

CZ range have a very different synth engine, and also very different sound. The HT serie sounds like nothing else.

[@nickfbatombrew1436]

@@fraknoise8523 the engines may be different but the sounds are similar 👍☢️

[@theh0r5e90]

bring up something I honestly forgot about thank you again

[@AudioPilz]

Always a pleasure!!!

[@DarkSideofSynth]

Sweet synth! Upvote this comment if you want Florian to adventure into song mode on any machine by the end of winter ;)

[@AudioPilz]

Nooooooooooooooooooooo!

[@DarkSideofSynth]

@@AudioPilz Song mode is your friend, song mode is not evil... muaaaaaahahha! 😈

[@synthlord2368]

Happy Friday Florian! Wow! As many Casios that I've seen, I've never seen with parameter knobs / faders. All I've ever seen them with were cheesy presets.

[@AudioPilz]

Have a nice weekend!!! There are quite a few tweakable Casios as well...

[@Nightingale1887]

The Casio drum sounds still give me PTSS.

[@AudioPilz]

I feel you!!!

[@luciengrandjean1936]

Finale incroyable!! Bravo

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@uly1981]

Sounds better than it looks but with a naming scheme worthy of a calculator watch. Do we get a Casio run after you annihilated the complete AIRA line?

[@AudioPilz]

Definitely a few nice Casios around. Damn, did I really cover the whole AIRA range already???🥹

[@uly1981]

@@AudioPilz no idea, they all look the same to me

[@audiocoffee]

@@AudioPilz I have a crapio keyboard. I get more out of it letting the cat walk across it 🤣 and that's when it's turned off!! 🤣🤣🤣🐈‍⬛

[@unclemick-synths]

Great video 👍. That clap is so nice. Lots of usable sounds. Something has to sit back and let other synths be the stars - you can't have every patch in a mix waking the neighbours!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@Area51Resort]

You are absolutely amazing! How you can take a certifiable POS like that and make some incredible music with it. But then that's just what you do. You have a great musical talent along with your super ability to find and work obscure so-called musical instruments from yesteryear. Nicely done!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@jackispax1633]

I have the baby siblings, the MT-600 and CT-630. Mostly cheese but a few of the presets are gold. I love the strings with a simple phaser effect. I'd love to find the 3000 or 6000! Another great video, thanks!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!!!

[@SmallWorldBigThings]

So the calculator instead of a Good Gear MC-101. Interesting choice ;) Thanks for next amazing episode of a Bad Gear!

[@SynthsandSounds]

You call one of the most innovative 80's synth companies "calculator"? Blasphemy!

[@SmallWorldBigThings]

@@SynthsandSounds ;)

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!!! Hey, one piece of gear at a time;)

[@logo2motion186]

I used to have the Casio HZ600, which is basically the same synth engine, with the same presets, but without drums or accompaniment function. This video has brought back some good memories.

[@AudioPilz]

😀😀😀

[@jooei2810]

Had a Casio CZ-1000 synth back in the 80s, was a fun little instrument, wish I still had it…

[@AudioPilz]

Classic!

[@GavinLyonsCreates]

Absolutely! there's still picking to be had out there! About three weeks ago I picked one those heavier picking up at 22Kg. The Kurzweil SP2X from the deeper picking parts of Lower Austria. An impress full size keyboard, nice piano, Rhodes emulation and I do particularly like the Voice Synth too. Doubling up as a midi keyboard/controller for my Minilogue XD when I'm not practising those scales. It has 4 midi channels that can have the levels controlled. Then sequenced via the Circuit Rhythm including the built in drum samples.

[@AudioPilz]

Nice find!!!

[@slipknotboy555]

The HTs/HZs are actually kinda cool, despite their limitations. I have direct experience with the HT-700, as I got one as a gift for my little sister (so she could have a synth of her own; she plays piano, and absolutely smokes me in key playing ability. Though the 700 has tiny ass keys of course, heh). The bigger, rarer 6000 not only has a filter per voice, but double the Osc waveforms. Great episode as always! The visuals on the finale jam fit it so well (though, that's always the case here)

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@slipknotboy555]

@@AudioPilz You're very welcome! It's really cool how many of your comments you reply to, btw

[@mayachun7778]

hey i had one of these in high school! got it off craigslist for like $50 and i loved it

[@AudioPilz]

Nice!

[@jooei2810]

Nice tunes as always, the second one is really atmospheric.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@GizzyDillespee]

I've owned the rompler in this same livery (CT-630) since it was new. It has the same exact accompaniments that you showed. Chord mode is cool for The Prodigy chords... I'm glad you showed that for a second. Based on my experience... even though the HT is an actual synth, and not a Casiotone rompler, I still wouldn't pay more than $200, unless it had been recapped.

[@AudioPilz]

Fortunately you can still find them cheaper that that...

[@JeffPalmer83]

Man, that dream/vhs/lo-fi jam was *chef’s kiss*

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@inthefade]

Wow KZbin actually notified me on Friday for once.

[@AudioPilz]

Wow, the algo is on my side!!!

[@saroroot7535]

Love this episode.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@ILIKESCIFI]

I love your Lost quote in this one hahahahahaha - veeeeeeeeeeeerry well done, Sir!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks, Jot!!!