BOO-cast - Synth of the Month: Casio CZ-101

This segment comes from BOO-cast #21 (bit.ly/boocast21). BOO-cast is a monthly livestream about being in a DIY synthpop band. We answer your questions, play songs, meet guests, talk synths and share stories.
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[@Farold_Haltermeyer]

Wow, yes 100% this needs a comeback. Had forgotten how evocative it was!

[@petercarrington948]

Hopefully Behringer is watching!

[@vampolascott36]

I've had the full size CZ-1 since the '90s. It still works!

[@RobertSaintJohn]

The epitome of a BOO synth. I am constantly impressed by the reverence this little gem has maintained after nearly four decades. My first and still one of my favorites

[@BOOelectric]

It is lovely! Honoured that you think it suits us!

[@andyturner3056]

Was my 2nd synth after the Roland Sh-101. Loved it. Had a 2nd hand CZ-5000 in the 90s. Now THAT was a beast

[@BOOelectric]

Lovely! The 5000 is something I've secretly coveted for many years.

[@kevbob]

I bought one of these when they came out at Macy's of all places. (My Macy's card was the first credit card I had.) This is a very useful keyboard, and while I haven't had it for a few decades, it is well remembered by me.

[@BOOelectric]

Bad Gear Florian just did a video on it, so if you plan to grab another one, better do it quick before the prices go nuts! Thank you for your comment, this is definitely the best first use of a credit card I've ever heard!

[@kaleidophon]

Back in 1987, I was using the 101 with an Atari ST running Pro-24 (Precursor of Cubae) in it's multitambral (mono) mode which allowed 4 uniqe voices to be multi-tracked. I also had CZ Android, a voice 'librarian' that used MIDI exclusive messages to store patches on disk. This got around the 16 patch memories limitation. That was a really efficient set-up.

[@BOOelectric]

I bet it sounded gorgeous!

[@baddriddimworkshop]

I got the moog, the arp, the prophet, blablabla ; well no matter what, my cz1000 is at the top of my list with the biggies, and even in nowadays it is a very usefull synth, and it fits in a mix too, and it wont sound shy next to any big pro generator. If there is a come back i just hope i wont come from the copycats building crap for the garbage within 5 to 10 years.... the texture, the warmth, the waveshapes... damn i love those cz synths... most underated synth ever... The heavyest mono bass sounds you can get out of anything, ultra soft to ultra wild, i could talk about thios synth for hours, thanks for the vid man, this was great... a great renewal would involve 61 keys and poly aftyertouch, not a vl size thing the sound, versatility and dynamics would deserve more that just a mini thingy remake... and variable controls of course, and a knob for the dcw(could be compared to a timbre knob on a bucchla); wow!

[@BOOelectric]

Yes, I think I agree, it would make more sense bigger rather than smaller... Or maybe we could have both? But regarding the copycats, I've been tipped off that B are releasing a "cz1" in their tiny, sub-volca size format... I don't know it will sound, or even if I will bother to try it, but someone is doing PD again, which is something, I suppose. Just wish it was Casio realising how unique and special and loved these synths were, and are.

[@baddriddimworkshop]

@@BOOelectricyes, i agree all the way, that CASIO PD really gave great results and taking it from there in a nowadays environment would be nice. imo, i could trick any blindfolded synth fanatic if comparing the sound of a juno and the one of a CZ. i dont know why i love those CZ's so much (but i'm not alone), maybe it's because of the rebel side of me, it's really affordable, and never got the credit it deserved, i'd love to see alex ball play witrh one lol. I'm an audio electronician, i build stuff for sound systems and dub producers mainly, but lately have been working on my first love, analog synths, and i have been searching to find way to achieve similar sounds, or to "phase distort" oscilators (fm that's easy) OH DAMN, and idea just poped up! it's possible to use a stage that morphs from one waveshape to another, it's like a fader pot but instead of mixing levels by fading it morphs shape on one side to the other, so if i put let's say a saw wave on one side and a sine wave ont the other, and then control taht morph with enveloppe, i should be able to achieve something similar, THANKS MAN! oh and just to say the analog synth stage i found that really brings one in PD territory is the wave folder, all this is so interesting, i can wait for the day i'll be able to produce these things in polyphony lol, might aswell make a petition. Hey maybe we should make an international "BRING BACK THE CZ" movement, and make a trolling influence hasselling operation towards Casio until they release a new 2024 PD SYNTH, and they'll nee to make a cheap bedroom version for twelve year old synth snobs like you use to be, and a heavy 61 key version for the big brothers... i'm pretty shure we could find fanatic memebers, and it's okay if we arent a bunch, historey is writen by actrive minoritys... I'm waiting to finally be ablke to legally move in my new place before is astart my new channel, but i think i'm gonna try to see if i can create the CZ riots, with crazy live demos and stuff lol..

[@BOOelectric]

@@baddriddimworkshop Haha! CZ riots?! That's surely he first time this concept has been voiced! Give us the heads up when you start your channel, and keep us posted on the CZ direct action force!!

[@baddriddimworkshop]

@@BOOelectriclol

[@martinbarrett6249]

When I was a teenager, with no money, a friend of mine had the CZ101. It was a fantastic synth. I remember it sounding great.

[@BOOelectric]

Always good to have friends with synths! My first encounter was in 1986, when the school music department was suddenly full of synths, just as I was leaving, and indeed the school closed the next year. I'm pretty sure the music teacher had some kind of "scheme" going!

[@h2o1969]

I have a 1000 that i found in a dumpster. At first it did not work until i cleaned it up. In the programing section, i cannot fet it to turn on wave 2. Because of rhis, i have not messed with it much. That sound you made is beautiful. I need to sitdown with mine for a bit.

[@BOOelectric]

Thank you! There are several videos up on KZbin of cz fixes, but some of them are way above my brain grade. I hope you can derive some joy from your cz soon!

[@h2o1969]

@@BOOelectricYour tutorial should help a lot even with the funky button.

[@resynthesizer4565]

These can sound very analog, or just as FM ish. Love mine. I also have the CT-6500.

[@unemployablegraduate]

My first ‘proper’ synth was a CZ-1000 and I really miss it. I made some lovely pads with that thing back in the 90s.

[@BOOelectric]

It's lovely, isn't it?

[@ThomasStuartTanner]

It has made a comeback, sort of by Arturia with the CZ-V, well worth a look as you can download a free demo.........

[@zhexum]

I’ve had one of these for years and never figured out how to even begin to program it!! I bought a CZPL which has a ton of sounds, but now I might actually be able to use this thing myself. Woo!

[@BOOelectric]

That's great to hear! So glad the vid is helpful to you!

[@kentaccordionist]

Bought a CZ1000 last year. Haven’t done much with it yet as I also bought a ton of other more capable synths. But I do love the sound of phase distortion, it’s kinda unique.

[@BOOelectric]

It's limited, but it's got a vibe.

[@urbanjordan]

I just found a CZ-1000 in my parents' closet. Trying to figure this thing out. Managed to get some cool patches so far.

[@BOOelectric]

Wow! Congratulations! I won't ask what you were doing in your parent's closet... :)

[@BayMud]

Just finally picked one of these up and this is the most helpful video by far. Thanks!

[@BOOelectric]

Glad it helped! Thanks!

[@GoldstromsWerkstatt]

So great a mini synth. If you only try the "fairy tale" sound once, you will never let it go! But sssshhh - keep this secret your own.

[@BOOelectric]

A gorgeous sound!

[@radioblogtirana]

great synth

[@jpgiraldomusic]

Amazing detailed video. I thought mine was broken, didn’t know how to edit. What an amazing synth. Sounds so full. Behringer must copy this if casio is not making it!

[@BOOelectric]

Thank you very much! Fingers crossed that Casio one day re-discover what they made!

[@RichTeer]

Very cool video, it reminds me that I should dig out my CZ-1000 (the CZ-101’s full sized brother). Vince Clark used to use a whole bank of CZ-101s controlled by his BBC Micro back in the day.

[@BOOelectric]

Happy digging sir!

[@RandyPiscione]

Great video, now I'm inspired to get back into mine. Not sure if you mentioned this, and apologies if I missed it, but one very unique feature of the CZ-101 at the time was that it was 4-part multitimbral over MIDI. This was incredible back then.

[@BOOelectric]

Thank you! No, your right, I didn't mention it in the video, but we talked about it in the BOOcast after the showing of the video... Thanks for bringing it up here! A very special synth.

[@RJJNY]

Great synth. Did a gig at Dingwalls in the mid-80s where the band was two CZ-101s, one being played and the other sequenced in 4-track mono multitimbral mode by a Yamaha QX21 with an RX21 providing drums. Remember we'd programmed covers of Jonzun Crew - Space Cowboy and The Ramones - The KKK Took My Baby Away as encores. But nobody wanted an encore, which was probably for the best.

[@BOOelectric]

Haha! They didn't know what they were missing, the fools!! I bet it sounded great thru the pa. 😁

[@BasedFrequency]

That first patch is magical

[@BOOelectric]

Ah, thank you!

[@althejazzman]

I've been enjoying my CZ-101 a lot recently. I forgot how immediately rewarding it is. The ability to make a double waveform, modulate it with another waveform, and then stack it with another preset is huge. I would love a memory cartridge for it though! I also still find inspiration on my MT-400V. I have several videos of trying to get the most out of that on my channel.

[@BOOelectric]

Thanks for sharing! I'll be checking those 400-V videos out! I always wanted one when I was a kid, but it was not to be :(

[@althejazzman]

@@BOOelectric There's plenty available still. Very reliable little things, but both have gone up in value 2x/3x since I bought mine.

[@user-lw8dr6xx8i]

I have CZ101 that was dirty af. So I opened it up and literally hosed it down with water. Then let it dry out for a few days, reassembled it, and it was good to go. Awesome synthesizer.

[@BOOelectric]

Blimey! That was a brave move!!

[@russ254]

The CZ series was originally designed to be “three season” instruments, suitable for use in inclement weather.

[@BOOelectric]

@@russ254 Wow! but only three seasons? What happens in season four, i wonder?

[@malcolmbliss777]

My first synth. Bough one at Goodwill for $22 in 1998. I owned one in 1988, but I was in no position to do anything with it. Right away I traded it for a set of Simmons SDS pads and an SDS brain. Each stop signpad made 4 sounds, including a useless lion roar. I traded my 1998 CZ-101 (it was mint) for an Alesis D4. Which was a good thing, 2 years later I needed the D4 for a Las Vegas Irish Show Band; in 2000. I digress. My point being I have had the Arturia version on my MacBook Pro for a year or two now. Love it all over again.

[@BOOelectric]

That's quite a history you have with this little Casio! I must try out the soft versions, everyone seems to love them!

[@malcolmbliss777]

@BOOelectric The Cz101's are all famous for sounding a bit different from each other. I think it has more to do with aging components. My 1988 cz101 was a dog. The 1998 one sounded much better. The Artuia version on my MacBook Pro sounds amazing, as far as fidelity is concerned.

[@kaitlyn__L]

It’s certainly very clever, and capable of making nice reedy organ or accordion type sounds. And the phasing effect when “filter sweeping” definitely sounds neat, especially in “resonant” mode. But those upper harmonics/overtones in some patches always set my teeth on edge 😬 your one isn’t as bad as some others I’ve seen demoed (which is consonant with your “apparently some sound different” part); but they’re still there. (Edit: though some of your patches had it much closer to my memory; maybe you just “had the filter closed” more than some other demos.) If only there was also a real LPF, not adjustable but just to chop off the very very top end (16-18kHz maybe?) then I’d LOVE this thing. As it shipped, I just really struggle with them. (Or, perhaps they were never meant to do that, and every unit I’ve seen demoed in the last 20 years is at least a little bit wonky? But at least AIUI, some of these would be unavoidable from the phase-distortion method. And it’s not like a fully-open square wave bothers me in the same way.) ANYWAY, regardless, I loved your little finishing ditty. Nice and simple and haunting.

[@BOOelectric]

Thank you! Yes, the digitalness can sometimes be a bit sharp, but more so on the FM synths, in my opinion. It's possible there's some aliasing or something that your ears are more sensitive to than mine... I'm basically deaf above 3k! I suppose you could put it thru a filter to cut the highs off a bit, or even some eq might soften it. They're not as warm out of the box as some, but it's all horses for courses!

[@kaitlyn__L]

@@BOOelectric yeah, it wouldn’t make a difference on an actual track because you’d want to put a wide band-pass around its main characteristics anyway. I am very sensitive to high end aliasing sounds 😅 some of the Prophet VS waves put me on edge too. But at least that has a real filter built in so I don’t mind listening to them being played.

[@kaitlyn__L]

@@BOOelectric just realised I didn’t make clear, the core tone is not particularly “sharp” at all! It definitely emulates an analogue filter better than any common DX FM tricks. It’s just that top top end 😣

[@ericyates7536]

Lovely video. Would love your thoughts on the recent ALM Cizzle module.

[@BOOelectric]

Thank you very much! I haven't heard the Cizzle yet, but I'm sure it'll show up at Superbooth. If I can get my hands on one I'll try to post something.

[@Farold_Haltermeyer]

I got one again. Entirely your fault!! Damn I’d missed this thing

[@BOOelectric]

OOps!!! Sorry!

[@lundsweden]

Why Casio has never released a CZ series synth since about '87 or so, I'll never understand!

[@BOOelectric]

Its a mystery. So unique, loved by almost everybody, yet completely abandoned.

[@lundsweden]

@@BOOelectric I guess that era was peak synthesizer. Maybe there were too many players in the game to be profitable. After all around 85-87 we lost Moog, Sequential and Oberheim and almost Korg. Maybe Casio's strategy was to retreat to their familiar territory of home keyboards. Kawai did the same about a decade later (well they retreated to digital pianos and acoustic pianos).

[@BOOelectric]

You might well be right there. It's obviously a boardroom decision, rather than a creative/engineering decision. A cz nowadays would be ⚡

[@Wulfcry]

The wait is still for behringer cz-1

[@chinossynthesizer705]

Can you do filter resonance sounds with fm synthesis? might have to buy a casio for analog sounds. I used have a sq-80 i made amazing sounds but it was piece of shet and it broke. If you need my special sq-80 patches im willing to send em to you.

[@BOOelectric]

That's very kind of you, but I don't own one... And yes, it is possible to emulate resonant filter stuff with FM, but it's quite involved, and results can vary with the experience levels of the programmer... I, for one, am rubbish at it!

[@karinegrandvoinet2038]

at the beginning : are there the factory presets ? is there a way to MIDI dump custom presets ?

[@BOOelectric]

Yes, it's factory sounds at the start, and I'm pretty sure there are librarian apps that can store your sounds, though I haven't used one before...

[@DIYTAO]

@@BOOelectric Virtual CZ works both as a softsynth and librarian. Old CZ:s had a bit limited midi implementation and little CPU power so one needs to be carefull. I've hoped for years that someone would remake CZ like synth. Sound generation was unique and the Envelopes were most versatile I have ever seen. No other syth (that I know of) can give multiple stages after Sustain point. Allmost all synths are with 'analog' ADSR:s that are extremely limiting at sound design. Of course some improvements to User interface, mod-matrix and couple LFO:s would be nice bonus.

[@BOOelectric]

@@DIYTAO Thank you , I'll check it out today! Yes, I agree, a new CZ, prefferably by Casio, with a modern cpu and more friendly interface would be great. I wonder if we should all email Casio?

[@DIYTAO]

@@BOOelectric Note that I have not had real CZ for decades so I have not tested Virtual CZ sysex-functionality myself, but based on what I have read it should be quite good. Emailing Casio? Somehow I doubt there's anyone that cares at all. But with the E-bay prices I have seen lately (working 101 is 400€ and CZ1 over 800€) they *should* care, since there definitely are people interest having real synth and not just 3rd party VST-emulation.

[@BOOelectric]

@@DIYTAO ALM/Busy Circuits and Behringer have PD synths coming out this year too, though I haven't heard either, but maybe this will be a klaxon for Casio along with the second hand prices. The amount of love for these things shouldn't be ignored, but yeah, I guess trying to get through to a big corporation and influence their decision making is a bit pie-in-the sky... I live in hope!

[@juangiraldo2182]

How did you split the keyboard in long and short notes at the beggining?

[@BOOelectric]

It's not actually split across the keyboard... One line has a short attack and short-ish release, while the other has a slow attack and long release... The effect being that if you play quick notes, the sound you hear is mostly line one, with a quick envelope, but when you hold the notes down, line two comes into play, with a longer release. Hope that helps!

[@dr.feelicks2051]

One thing your future self will get a kick out of is: left without batteries, over time the user memories become scrambled leaving some parameters sitting well outside their programmable range allowing you to program around what chance grants ✌️ quite a while as i recall Just look for values with ascii that is irrelevant

[@BOOelectric]

Yes, I've had several instances of memory scrambled audio happen since I've had the cz... It can be quite amazing the things that come out of it!

[@dr.feelicks2051]

@@BOOelectric even a 9v wired into the battery bay keeps user progs intact

[@BOOelectric]

@@dr.feelicks2051 Yes, I literally just saw a video demonstrating that... I think I may indulge!

[@juliaseppi2205]

You can do this with software on a computer, no need to risk battery leakage.....

[@outaspaceman]

You’ve heard of “Cizzle” by now..?

[@BOOelectric]

No I hadn't, thanks for the heads up... Seems synchronicitous, if that is, indeed, a word. Good to see that Behringer's "soon to be released" CZ 1 is not going to be the only new PD item this year.

[@outaspaceman]

@@BOOelectric Oh, let me tell you about “timing..” I’ve just dug out the CZ101, got it speaking with an iOS app, found some patch banks for download, and am feeding it into my Modular Synth.. Then this new module appeared in my feeds..😧 (I doubt I’ll be buying one..😬)

[@BOOelectric]

@@outaspaceman Me neither! Love your channel btw, superb stuff.

[@juliaseppi2205]

@@outaspaceman Cizzle sounds amazing. I'll be getting one even though I have a CZ, CHEERS.

[@RebeccaTurner-ny1xx]

I had several Casio PD synths in the 1980s and thought they were kind of okay, nothing great. Their used prices now are not high and you can get much more capable synths for similar money.

[@BOOelectric]

Yep, that's very true.

[@chinossynthesizer705]

Would rather use a casio synth or a dx7 exactly.

[@rjakiel73]

Sure there may be better synths for the money but it’s not just about better all the time. With the stable I have here I find a TON of enjoyment with all of them but nothing beats a DAWless jam with the older synths and their unique quirks. Even more fun is tossing in a few TE Pocket Operators and doing some really wild sh*t. Granted I could reproduce that whole thing on my MODX7+ alone but that just sucks the damned fun out of it.

[@BOOelectric]

@@rjakiel73 Here here!! Well said.

[@juliaseppi2205]

Sometimes just the sound/vibe out ways features/bells/whistles

[@GaitaPonto]

awesome little synth that I`ll never sell. casio abandoned creativity.

[@BOOelectric]

Yes, and now that Behringer and ALM Busy Circuits are dipping their toes in PD, hopefully someone at Casio will realise what they've left behind, and build something new!

[@rasmusasd3868]

Burzum

[@chinossynthesizer705]

Why is my dx7 crying.

[@BOOelectric]

Have you tried giving it a cuddle?

[@woef]

the cold metal cuddle vs the warm plasticey hug