Casio CZ-1 Phase Distortion Synthesizer - Part 1 - Overview

[@emmerikito]

in the 80´s i dreamed of having this keyboard....now i own it... i love it! you gave me the tools for use my cz 1 at its full power... thank you !

[@RunningonairMusic]

Glad it helped!

[@macronencer]

I'm looking forward to this series. I had a CZ-101 myself, back in 1985, and the only recording equipment I had were two cassette decks and a mixer, so I used to using tape-to-tape bouncing to make songs. I still have them, they're on my phone now. Mostly rather shoddy work but so nostalgic!

[@RunningonairMusic]

Getting a bit long in the tooth now but hopefully they're still worth watching. :-)

[@KeirMurphy]

Enjoying this. I have a CZ-5000 which I've barely scratched the surface with (typical "too much gear" issue) but the video inspires me to power it up again! thanks!

[@RunningonairMusic]

Glad you're getting something from it. Many thanks!

[@endorphinsmusic]

Thanks for an excellent video. I just got my CZ-1 (sounds absolutely amazing) and this video was just what I needed.

[@RunningonairMusic]

Glad it helped!

[@youjuhwan9697]

Absolute Fantastic Video.

[@RunningonairMusic]

Many thanks!

[@david-galindo-936]

Just discovered this series. I have both the CZ-1 and the CZ-101. I have great affection for this line of synthesizers. Thanks for doing these videos. I’m looking forward to learning more and hearing your suggestions on getting the most out of the CZs!

[@RunningonairMusic]

Thanks for the encouragement, just finishing up part three. Should be out soon.

[@Paulcvids]

Hey David. I have a CZ-1, though I always pine for a 101 (as I loved mine in my youth). The 1 is so lovely, but decidedly un-nimble in its vibe. But it’s so difficult to justify the 101 when one owns the cz-1. Wondering if you could comment about why you ever reach for the 101 over the 1?

[@david-galindo-936]

Paul Curreri Great question! I felt the same way about justifying having both the CZ-1 and CZ-101 but I can say that there are times I want to add the CZ sound and pulling out the 101 is much more convenient due to its smaller size. And although the CZ-1 has more polyphony and the keyboard action is much better, for some reason the vibe, design and look of the 101 just inspires me.

[@michaelfowler3187]

Amazing sounds and riffs and just thoroughly enjoyed the audial experience let alone the helpful video bits

[@RunningonairMusic]

Thanks!

[@PabloSintesMartinez]

I owned (briefly) a CZ101, then exchanged it for a CZ1000, basically a CZ101 with regular size keyboard. I loved them! Cool sounds! Beautiful synths!!!

[@RunningonairMusic]

I started with the 101 too.

[@MrKayMrKay]

I had a CZ-5000 back in the days, and it was magnificent

[@RunningonairMusic]

I've only had the CZ-1 and CZ-101.

[@MrKayMrKay]

@@RunningonairMusic Awesome synths! M deepest regret is selling it to buy a Roland U20.

[@RunningonairMusic]

not too late to buy it back. I sold my 101 in 2003 bought a CZ-1 in 2016. :-)

[@Kaspar_Houser]

That Electric Piano was beautiful!

[@RunningonairMusic]

Some nice sounds on th cz.

[@maxmatson1578]

The "CZ-3000" was my very first synthesizer.🎹🎧💫😵👌😎👍

[@RunningonairMusic]

Not tried that. Do you have any CZs now?

[@maxmatson1578]

@@RunningonairMusic No, I lost that synth unfortunately years ago. It was a B to program, but I still love the sounds that it made!🎹👌 Unfortunately, I didn't know at all what I was doing back then so I really had no clue about synthesis in general. And with basically just press buttons, And hope I would come out with something interesting? Sometimes I did! I remember this one sound I made sounded like synthetic Thunder, and another came out like giant exploding synthetic fireworks! Unfortunately, also none of the recordings from that era made it to this day either.😵😅 I wish I still had them. But at least I still got gear now, and I'm still making music.

[@RunningonairMusic]

@@maxmatson1578 It would have been good to hear those sounds now. It might be worth checking out the plugin boutique Virtual CZ, the programming might make more sense now. :-)

[@maxmatson1578]

@@RunningonairMusic That's definitely something I like to check out in the future.

[@lfomelody756]

I love the CZ1 and CZ 1000, for those who are curious, I posted some experiences that I did on mine!

[@RunningonairMusic]

Cool

[@barrnycharlton8951]

great video

[@RunningonairMusic]

Thanks

[@squishmusic]

Do you know anything about the Casio DM100 - I hear its very rare?!

[@RunningonairMusic]

No not heard of that.

[@squishmusic]

@@RunningonairMusic its a double keyboard. The top is an SK1 sampler and then a lower regular keyboard. Kinda funky looking :D

[@squishmusic]

but its not a PDS as I had hoped.

[@RunningonairMusic]

@@squishmusic just looked it up. That is an odd piece of kit. Looks like it escaped from the 70s :-)

[@squishmusic]

@@RunningonairMusic :D Now I see 3 for sale s/hand locally. They are all coming out of the woodwork :D

[@altenmuenster]

I am recognising some V Beats in the outro.. ;)

[@RunningonairMusic]

Yes, lovely crunchy snare that everybody hates :-)

[@benmckinney2941]

With the pitch envelope you can make a killer kick drum on the cz 101.

[@RunningonairMusic]

Good tip. Might give that a go next time I get synth out.

[@blakekennemer1166]

Nice video. I’m planning on buying one soon. I got the opportunity to play a CZ-1 a week ago and I loved it. Would you say the CZ-1 is worth the extra money for the features compared to the other models? I wouldn’t wanna miss out on them if they make a significant difference, but the price of the CZ’s has gone up recently.

[@RunningonairMusic]

The main benefit is the velocity sensitivity, it's the only one that has that. The 5000 has a sequencer, so it depends if that's important to you. It also has more polyphony than the basic 101 and 1000, so yeah it is the top CZ in most ways. It looks like all old synths are getting more expensive, from what I've seen.

[@umbromaniii8813]

nice sounding track mate

[@RunningonairMusic]

Cheers, hopefully get it finished by the end of the series.

[@tonycannatamusic]

CZ-5000 is great but sequencer is too complicated, the CZ-1 is the best of the bunch.

[@RunningonairMusic]

The velocity options are a nice extra.

[@JohnSmith-ut9ti]

Godamn Zed! Zeds dead!

[@RunningonairMusic]

Well, actually not. :-) www.mentalfloss.com/article/62639/why-it-zed-britain-and-zee-america

[@JohnSmith-ut9ti]

@@RunningonairMusic There is no I in the end of Aluminum either!!!! Haha Cheers!