CASIO HT-3000 - Trash or Treasure? | Review

[@CasioChaosTheory]

To cover some of the points raised in your video: The drums sounds are apparently (mostly) the same as the Casio RZ-1 drum machine. Considering how much RZ-1's go for these days, the HT's are a very cheap way of getting the RZ sounds in a programmable unit. User memory back up - apparently none of the HT's ever had any internal battery/ compensator back up of the user sounds and rhythms (same as with the CZ101/ 1000). To keep your user programmed sounds and sequences, keep a full set of batteries in the synth and then it won't lose them on power off. Another option is to keep it plugged in to a power adapter at all times (not very practical unless it's part of a permanent set up). One interesting thing I found, is that if you keep the power adapter connected to the synth, but unplugged from a wall power outlet, there's often enough residual power left in the PSU windings to keep the user memory intact. I found this out by unplugging my HT6000 from the wall socket when I went away for a month, and when I came back and plugged it back into the wall AC socket, turned it on and all my user patches were still there! Oh, and as long as your HT 3000 is connected to a power adapter or has batteries installed, it shouldn't lose its user patches if it auto powers off. Speakers still playing even when the synth is connected to line out - easy way to solve this. Just stick a jack plug into the headphone socket! The line out is independent of the headphones, and a jack in the headphone socket will silence the speakers. HT 6000 Polyphony - the 6000 has the same 8 note polyphony as all the other HT synths. Where it differs is that it has eight independent filters for the main voice, so it won't re-trigger the filters if you hold down a chord and simultaneously press another key. Technically, all the other HT's (and HZ) are paraphonic, with only the 6000 being fully polyphonic. Also, the other HT's are effectively single 'oscillator' synths for the main voice. The 6000 can use 4 'oscillators' ('Lines' in Casio speak), though all four oscillators have to use the same selected wave form, which is a bit of a bummer. However, each can be independently detuned to get that thick and lush "Supersaw" type of sound. Other major differences in the 6000 are that it has double the number of wave forms to select from, plus it can also do ring modulation. It has more onboard sounds and rhythms to select from, and it's also the only HT with a velocity sensitive keyboard. Very usefully, it has two data entry wheels that makes it easier to program compared with the other HT's. VCF - the onboard filter(s) is(are) a genuine Voltage Controlled Filter(s) under digital control. As you pointed out, the adjustable resolution for cut off and resonance is small, plus the filter doesn't go into self oscillation at high resonance. However, a few simple modifications can tap into the filter circuit and take cut off and resonance control to external potentiometers (this also applies to the preset MT600 model). When this is done, you will have stepless, smooth sweeping over a much wider range, and the filter resonance can be pushed into self oscillation. Search KZbin for examples (type "modified Casio HT 700" into the search box) to see examples of where people have done this. The KZbin channel "rolandsh1000" is a good one as he extensively modified his, plus he also has a link to the modification details and schematics. Stereo Chorus effect - I believe that this is also analogue. Sadly it only has three settings though it does sound good and adds a lot to the sound. It's possible that it can be tapped into to vary the speed with a potentiometer for a greater range, though to be honest the three settings it has normally suffice. Lastly, I would add that the main drawbacks to the HT/ HZ spectrum dynamics range are that despite having MIDI, they do not have SYSEX or CC, meaning that they cannot be programmed via MIDI controllers or DAWs. A real shame, as multi-knob real time control of their parameters would really open them up, as well as make it easier to store patches via external sources. Also they are very lacking in bass frequencies and not much use as synth basses. The 6000 model has a trick with the ring modulation feature whereby detuning oscillator four to a certain value generates a sub octave. It's no snappy Juno 60 style bass, but it's something a little more useful. Sorry for all the responses, just wanted to share a lot of information with you as it's great to see someone with the same passion for these older Casios. I totally agree with you in that the HTs have their uses if you can get them for a good price (50 EU/ USD/ GBP is reasonable, except for the 6000 model that will easily fetch double that), but they are no match for a (considerably more expensive) Roland Juno 60 or JX-3P. They can be very usable in a budget studio, and can be used as a sole sound source for an electronic style song (I've recorded a couple with just my HT 700). Strangely as well, even though the HT 6000 has so much more power and features, somehow some of the sounds in my HT 700 sound sweeter and more analogue. I keep meaning to program the same patch in both my 700 and 6000 to see if there really is a difference or if the 6000's presets were made to be more digitally sounding (or used the ring modulation feature more). One day I'll get around to it. In the meantime, I enjoyed your video and I look forward to your next next episode!

[@SynthsandSounds]

Wow, you really completed my video, thanks a lot! As I try to make videos regularly, I don't have the time to put all too much effort into research, while I try to give some input for somebody that has no idea about it. From what I've seen on some other smaller youtube channels, I feel like my videos deliver more detailed insight than many other small channels, even though I might include some small mistakes sometimes :) I take it as positive signal that a real professional like you can still enjoy my video :)

[@toitoitoy]

CCT, thanks for so much info, read your helpful comments under other HTseries ytube videos. HT6000 is a poorman DW6000:). What do you think about reverse-engineering HT6000 to add Sysex to it?

[@CasioChaosTheory]

@@SynthsandSounds - your videos are excellent, informative and well put together. The best thing about them is that they are clearly made by someone who has genuine enthusiasm for these older synths, and that's what appeals to me most of all. Having owned models such as my HT 700 and 6000 for some years, I have acquired a lot of information about them along the way and am always happy to share this with like minded Casio fans. And I've had my FZ-20M sampler since 2013, and you got way more out of your FZ-1 in the short time you had it than I have out of my FZ-20M in 7 years! BTW, I wouldn't regard myself as a 'real professional' (though I have worked as a professional musician many years ago), I'm just another synth and Casio fan like yourself :-) Hoping to get my channel off the ground more in the very near future, and will be featuring many of my Casio collection too. Once again, keep up the good work and let's show the world just how good those Casios can sound!

[@CasioChaosTheory]

@@toitoitoy - glad to be of help! Yes, the HT6000 is indeed a kind of poor man's DW8000, though with its chorus instead of the 8000's digital delay, it might be closer to the chorus equipped DW6000. Nowhere near as beefy sounding as either DW, and the DW's are renowned for having a wild analogue filter that really makes their sound great. A reverse engineered HT6000 with added SYSEX would be fantastic, kind of similar to the KiwiTechnics upgrades for older synths (I have the Kiwi3P upgrade in my Roland JX-3P, and it makes an already nice but limited synth much improved with loads of new features and capabilities). As mentioned in my other post, with full SYSEX and CC, the HT 6000 would really come alive, and maybe add in the ability for each 'line' to select an independent wave form, the sonic possibilities of having four different wave forms cycling independently would sound immense. Sadly, due to the rarity of the HT 6000 and also that they use lots of SMD components, re-engineering and upgrading them would be a challenge plus the market for such an upgrade would be too small to justify development and production :-(

[@kgbstudio]

wow what an awesome and helpful reply thanks

[@AndrewChicco]

Bringing back some awesome memories. As a 13 year old I had no idea what all the sound mods are for... now to talk my brother into giving it back to me 30+ years later.

[@thisisnev]

You touched on a really handy feature of the HT-3000 - its ability to function as a bass and chord sequencer with the ability to change key on the fly. It's really handy for improvising around a theme.

[@brightstarlit]

I just got one for free with the purchase of a Kawai K3 :)

[@CasioChaosTheory]

As to what synthesis the HT's used, I suspect it is an advanced evolution of "Consonant Vowel", a synthesis method that Casio started using with their very first home keyboard, the 1980 CT 201, and in the majority of their home keyboards for the first half of the 1980's. They did experiment with a form of Sine Wave synthesis, of which only a few models used this (your CT701 is one, the CT1000P and the MT70 are two others) but they dropped this around 1984 and continued with Consonant Vowel and of course Phase Distortion that was introduced in late 1984. They also used the Walsh Function synthesis for the VL-1 and a couple of PT models, and I think also their musical calculators and watches, but not on any bigger keyboards. A little earlier in 1984 they also released their then flagship model, the CT6000. It was preset only, but had some very advanced features such as the ability to layer sounds, unison modes, chorus modes, an adaptive rhythm/ accompaniment section, a velocity sensitive keyboard with after touch (in 1984!) and a pitch bend wheel. Listening to the sounds on it (I also have a CT6000 in my collection) it does appear to be based on Consonant Vowel, which would make sense as that was Casio's primary sound engine until Phase Distortion (and the SK samplers) of 1984/ 5. As they had already developed this advanced form of Consonant Vowel synthesis engine as seen in the CT6000, maybe they just want to recoup some of the development costs plus make a cheaper synthesizer than those in the CZ range (perhaps Phase Distortion circuitry was expensive to make?) Therefore, as they had already developed the CT6000's technology and had in house access to it, they expanded on it further to make it editable and added the analogue filter(s) from the MT-400V/ CT410V (both which also used the earlier Consonant Vowel sound engine). In fact, the HT's almost look to be an evolution of the MT-400V/ CT-410V, taking those models and making them editable and more synth based. I am of course speculating somewhat, but I can't see why Casio would develop a brand new "Spectrum Dynamics" synthesis method just for a few models in the latter 1980's! Especially as analogue style subtractive synthesis was seen as woefully out of date and out of fashion in that time period. Oh yes, don't forget that though you can edit quite a few synth parameters, it's not quite fully programmable. You can select from multiple wave forms, but you can't actually edit the wave forms themselves i.e. there is no wave form ADSR function. You can of course edit the wave forms for the Amplifier and the Filter envelopes, so I guess it is really semi programmable. Still, you can have a lot of fun editing it!

[@kenzieprice6745]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the HT line. You gave me good insight and things to consider with the line. There isn't much talk and info about this series around on the net, so this KZbin comment is a nice contribution. Do you have a blog or anywhere you write your thoughts about your collection? I think it would be a great resource if you did and I would be interested.

[@djstephennicholls]

I have the Casio Ram card with my Casio HT6000 bought it for £1 at a charity shop about 15 years ago lol

[@DCF234]

OMG. You're completely recreating my teenage years 😳😍

[@CasioChaosTheory]

Hey Jochen, nice review of the lesser known Casio HT 3000! I have an HT700, an HZ600 and an HT6000 in my collection (along with a couple of RA 100 RAM cards), and they certainly have an interesting character and some usable sounds. Your HT 3000 is one of Casio's "Spectrum Dynamics" 'prosumer' (half home keyboard, half pro keyboard) series of keyboards from the latter 1980's, and quite unusual considering the other keyboards Casio were putting out at the time. They had their home line of keyboards, mostly the MT/ CT line, and of course the SK samplers. Meanwhile, at the pro end there was the CZ, VZ, and FZ range, along with the RZ-1 drum machine and the AZ-1 keytar. The HT's seem to sit somewhere between the *Z pro series and the MT/ CT/ SK home keyboards. The complete range of Casios using Spectrum Dynamics are: MT 600 - preset only (no adjustable synth parameters), no user access to the filter controls though the filter is on the circuit board HT 700 - Baby of the family with mini keys. Kind of to the HT range what the CZ 101 is to the CZ range HT 3000 - Basically the same as the 700, except with a full sized 5 octave keyboard and the option to split the keyboard with upper and lower tones, plus a modulation wheel in addition to pitch bend. Otherwise identical sounds and features to the 700. HZ 600 - An HT 3000 minus the speakers, drums and rhythm. It's looks are very heavily based on the 1985 Roland Alpha Juno! HT 6000 - Big daddy of the range with a LOT more features, some considerably more powerful. What is surprising is the synth engine used in the Spectrum Dynamics series, especially considering the huge progress Casio had made with the CZ/ VZ Phase Distortion synthesis. Instead of making less powerful versions of Phase Distortion for their consumer keyboards (which is what Yamaha did with their FM technology - most of the late 80's home Yamaha keyboards used reduced operator FM synthesis), my suspicion is that Casio instead dug up an older synth engine of theirs and expanded on it. The "PCM" printed on your HT 3000 is misleading as many thought the HT's used an early form of PCM for the synthesis. The give away is the HZ 600 that doesn't have the built in drum machine - no mention of PCM anywhere on that model! Likely the PCM aspect only applied to the drum sounds, which makes sense seeing as PCM synthesis was in its infancy around 1988 and generally not yet available on home keyboards, but with very short samples only needed for drums it was cost effective to be used for percussion sounds.

[@mrz80]

Had an HZ-600 for several years. Bought it instead of a DX-21 'cause of the 5 octave keybed. Not sure if that was the right choice or not. :) I did manage to get a decent pipe organ sound out of it; that was the organ at my wedding. Sold it cheap at a yard sale. Now that I'm getting back into electronic music I kinda regret that. :)

[@ASH-ou4cg]

Very neat little ditty you came up with! This thing seems like a nightmare to use in my eyes, but you know it well and managed to squeeze something unexpected from it. Great job!

[@wiresounds135]

if you plug a headphones plug in front, then the speakers are muted. I use just a plug without headphones and I use the line out as usual. Some years ago I got one for 60 euro and 30 for postage. I specifically got it for lofi sounds. Boards of Canada in a keyboard, of some sort.

[@wiresounds135]

@@universoencantado336 No velocity or aftertouch keyboard. It has pitch bend, modulation and sustain. Find the manual on the internet for more info

[@marcelodiana82]

Nice video and smart advice at the end! Keep going!!

[@sunnymuffinsmuffysunnins4744]

Thanks for this video. It got me onboard buying one in absolute mint condition, it looks brand new. Love the sound and it suits my productions just fine.

[@xidoxido7080]

For me it is a treasure without doubt! :) so immediate and so good sounding! I still have so much fun with it :) thanks so much for your reviews, love your channel!!

[@user-JM1967]

Great Casio! I still have a CT 510 keyboard from 1987.

[@SyncdAlien]

Nice demo and review, thank you.

[@myshelby500gt]

Hi your video and Casio Chaos Theory information was very useful. I have just purchased a HT 6000 on ebay at a great price as they are very rare to find in the uk so i guess i was lucky and looking forward to receiving it. keep up the great work.

[@SynthsandSounds]

The HT-6000 is awesome! Enjoy it, thanks for the compliment :)

[@Legend-nl4vy]

Can I ask how much you bought it for? Curious since they start at like $400 while being listed. Where did you find it online? a thrift store? I swear I'm gonna find me a good synth for cheap at a thrift store one day. I got me a Yamaha psr 4500 or 4600 (coming in the mail and the picture was terrible so I couldn't tell) for $25 online.

[@kieranmasonmusic4617]

I love my casio ht 3000. I have a few keyboards from different companies but I just love using the ht 3000, It's such a fun one to use.

[@kieranmasonmusic4617]

@@universoencantado336 hi ricky. I haven't used it as a midi controller. It does have midi ports on it. I have a cable for it but never done it. I just use it as a normal keyboard sorry.

[@alfonsemusic]

Really nice in-depth review! I'm coming back around to liking my HT700 after finding the programming a bit irritating - it's one of those where just as you're thinking "maybe I'll sell it", you come across a useful sound while just tinkering with the parameters - there's a demo track on my channel that starts with a gritty menacing filter sweep that I'm not sure I would have found on another synth. The resolution of the filter control does lead to some obvious 'stepping' if you adjust it live, but a bit of delay/reverb can help smooth out the sound until it's not too noticeable.

[@baddriddimworkshop]

being in the "digital" reggae/dub scene i finally got my hands on a casio CZ lately and have been diving into casio's digital synthesis techniques, and i am discovering that before the 90's they designed a few highly interesting programable synths that are really under rated, wich is great because you can find em for really interesting prices (let's not tell everybody so it stays that way). analog madness has gone far over what the technique deserved imo, there are lotsa type of sounds you cant get with analog stuff, and sometimes i yhave a tendancy to think people are about it just because they are expensive and because of fation, no how come all those companys are remaking stripped down versions of old analogs if it awasnt the case? this being said, there are more and more new things coming out that do FM, and i have a feeling that the next hype will be casio style phase distortion synthesis, wich is really not as easy to achieve as analog things that are just made with a couple ofcommon chips that are reedited for low costs in nowadays. i need to know more about these synths...

[@jepizarrop]

your videos are my favorite netflix show god bless

[@SynthsandSounds]

I myself and the netflix officials appreciate your compliment! Thanks a lot and stay tuned for more awesome series on netflix

[@asherchapman2237]

Hey there, great video! Do you have any idea how to program in the Fill? I started programming beats and bass sequences after watching this video. I just can’t get my head around programming a fill yet.

[@SynthsandSounds]

Hey Asher, thank You! According to the manual, programming the fill works similar to programming the regular beat. You just have to press the fill button instead of pressing the play button to start the recording. I can't replicate it right now and quite some time has passed since I worked with it, but I hope this helps!

[@asherchapman2237]

@@SynthsandSounds thankyou for the reply, I just got given an old HT-3000. I’ll keep trying and see if I can figure it out. Did you get a physical manual with the keyboard or did you find the information online? I’d love to have a look at the programming section of the manual. I’m just going off your video, great content by the way, I’m a fan !

[@SynthsandSounds]

@@asherchapman2237 I don't have a physical manual, but you always find something when googling for "XY user manual". As an outdated tech reviewer, RTFM is my second name. Glad You enjoy my content - more is coming soon, promised

[@faolini]

This should be great for Dungeon Synth, am I right?

[@AdamSpade]

Love me some Casio HT series.

[@TomahawkMcBear]

I like your sense of humor and CASIO

[@mediocreatbest_]

Got one at Goodwill for $20 which was a price i couldn't pass up!!

[@rachelar]

Def worth it

[@dadautube]

overall, the 1980s was the height of the start of an era of compact yet very powerful electronic keyboards by a number of manufacturers ... and if you find them in good working order today, they're still quite useful and great to work with! let's not forget: we live in an era now some people have recreated the mid-1970s *analog* Moog and multi oscillator synthesizers again! that means electronic instruments reached their full evolution in those times and the only thing that's different now is the size of the circuitry in use, which has surely gotten smaller ... but those 'old' instruments were already small enough in their time too! i still enjoy playing with most of these 'ancient' beautiful keyboards today! they're perfect! :-)

[@SynthsandSounds]

That's exactly the reason why I just a few days ago added a Moog Grandmother into my collection of 1980s keyboards! It was my first investment once I was able to afford something like it

[@stephanegagne5779]

I have a ht 3000 yes , very enthousiastic instrument , super fun

[@takethefearoutthegear6229]

Love you videos please do some more all the best from take the fear out the gear

[@xsm5525]

I got the HZ600, I'll be honest it's very cold and thin BUT, nothing else sounds quite like it, and that cold and thin part can be a blessing in some ways, mainly for it cutting through the mix without you needing to do anything. also, they sound kind of meh dry, so I stick my hz600 through some pedals like the boss ce-2 and a strymon reverb and it makes it sound amazing if I'm honest.

[@SynthsandSounds]

Yes! Any flaw can be a feature, if You look at it from the right persperctive. And pretty much anything can sound well if You just add enough reverb :)

[@axs203]

I do like your channel and your manner you seem like a cool guy!

[@SynthsandSounds]

Thank you mate, i appreciate that a lot! I promise there's gonna be a new video soon

[@griseldasardas7648]

Hi! I have one of these. really love casio sounds but it doesn´t save the sounds I program. Could it be an inner battery problem? Do you know if there is any way to cancel the auto power off function? Thanks much!!!

[@SynthsandSounds]

I've had a deeper look into it since I did the video. Yet I didn't find any solution either to the auto power off function nor I managed to save any sounds unfortunately

[@lundsweden]

I think the CZ series were well respected even back in the 80s, The FZ1 was also well regarded, but Casio never followed up these pro lines, preferring to make home keyboards since then.

[@SynthsandSounds]

The CZ-101 sold incredibly well, and the FZ1 was definitely incredibly well thought through! Do You have any idea for what reason casio didn't follow up?

[@matiasmartinez7208]

@@SynthsandSounds casio got sued by Yamaha on the cz line since phase distortion is really similar to frequency modulation and stopped doing stuff w that. the ht line was kind of a follow up bc of the lawsuit

[@SynthsandSounds]

@@matiasmartinez7208 Do You have any sources for this information? I find it interesting, but I can barely believe it since phase distortion is related to fm but at the same time quite different. The later VZ-1, on the other hand, uses "interactive phase distortion", which is basically a clone of yamaha's fm method. The VZ-1 and the HT series came to the market almost at the same time, which contradicts that it all goes back to the lawsuit You mentioned.

[@matiasmartinez7208]

@@SynthsandSounds i looked it up and couldn't find much info apart from random posts, i don't remember where i read it so maybe it wasn't true. but, on synths like the sy77, since the fm is way more extensive, it's really clear how they're almost the same, since you can do feedback loops between ops and carriers, you can get the same sounds you'd have on a cz 101 for example. ill research a bit more on it and write a new comment w proper info tho. !!

[@elijahlucian]

thanks for the video dude. Good chune too :)

[@SynthsandSounds]

Thanks for the compliments :)

[@unyu-cyberstorm64]

I have a WK-1800, it is very capable, and I would love to see what you can do with it if you had direct addressing abilities on the hardware

[@joolsmusik1503]

Hi thanks for all of the vids. How do you MIDI out to your DAW? My HT-3000 isn't recognised in 'Receive From' in Studio One 4.6. Thanks

[@SynthsandSounds]

How do you send MIDI into your DAW is the more important question. You will probably have some kind of MIDI to USB interface. Since MIDI is a very ancient and primitive standard, your HT-3000 will never pop up in your DAW. You will just see some kind of MIDI input device. If you don't get any MIDI signal, I would first blame your MIDI to USB interface. If you manage to set that up properly, your HT-3000 shouldn't cause any problems.

[@joolsmusik1503]

Hi, thanks for the reply. I just solved it, I had to assign the HT both as a keyboard AND as an instrument as external devices in the DAW. I use a USB96 interface. Can't hear the HT's sounds (yet), but can trigger the plug ins. I followed this article, section 2 explains. Thanks David Attentuator 🤣 great stuff! Studio One 4 - How Do I Setup a MIDI Hardware Keyboard/Synthesizer in Studio One 4? - Knowledge Base | PreSonus support.presonus.com/hc/en-us/articles/360003350652-Studio-One-4-How-Do-I-Setup-a-MIDI-Hardware-Keyboard-Synthesizer-in-Studio-One-4-

[@avva3802]

Thank you for the video and blessings in Jesus Christ name.

[@JeremySee]

Hey buddy! What's the multi-tier keyboard stand you have behind you in the first few mins of your video? Thanks.

[@tommitoivonen3624]

Looks like Jaspers, maybe 6d-120B.

[@SynthsandSounds]

Hey Jeremy! It is a Jaspers 5D-120B. They easily are the best rack-like synth stands you can get, they're greatly customizable and look nice on top in their matte black finish. But on the other hand, I paid more for it than for most of the synths that rest on it. I've been discussing it in a recent video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4CmkKisfLxor5I

[@JeremySee]

@@SynthsandSounds great stand! Shipping to where I am costs $150 USD 😳

[@SynthsandSounds]

@@JeremySee Damn. Then it's wise to hope for another one to show up i guess

[@mrz80]

The HT-3000 has come up in the world; Florian's covered it on Bad Gear :D

[@rachelar]

Oh really

[@laurailisei2221]

Hi, thank you for your video. I also have one at home. Do you know, if there is a "sustain pedal" for this model? Thanks.

[@stockwellengineeringhints3527]

Yep, just plug a sustain pedal into the back, any will work.

[@stephanegagne5779]

Wow , I own one, its a funny gear yes, thanks , realy good vid , your good !

[@jenishjustin]

You can install batteries in HT 3000 to save your recorded rhythm or voice.

[@Medniex]

Really interesting sounds. I wonder how it blends together with some more synths and effects.

[@SynthsandSounds]

That's a good question to be answered in another video!

[@Medniex]

@@SynthsandSounds that would be awesome

[@JohnMichaelBurns]

I stuck a load of batteries in mine. I don't use it on battery power but what the batteries do is they allow the synth to retain the 20 presets in the "internal" section. I stuck these batteries in several years ago and they are still going strong, retaining the memory. Cost me like £6 for the batteries. Not bad. I inherited my synth from a friend of my dad's who gave it to me in like 2008 for free. Here's a midi track sequenced through the HT-3000: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHSmd36cn5iphJI For the internal speakers issue I always just plug my cable into the headphone jack. So far as I can make out the sound quality from the headphone jack is the same and the same output level as the 2 line out jacks. A big issue with this synth, which I don't think you covered, is the quiet digital whining tone which is audibly every time you play a note. This is the biggest problem with this synth IMO although I can live with it. Another thing is that the waves all sound very harsh and shrill to me so that the synth only sounds nice when you have the filter set halfway, cutting most of those harsh frequencies. It's a synth which only sounds good with very dull tones, it doesn't have nice bright tones. All in all it's kind of a thin, cold synth which still has a bit more warmth and charm to it than your typical soft-synth, probably thanks to the analog filter. I have very mixed feelings about it but I quite like it all the same and have no plans to sell it.

[@baddriddimworkshop]

Oh, i forgot something, you can chage that condensator (capacitor) used for memory very easyly, if you need help, i can help you for that, maybe we could even find a way to replmace it with a battery...

Love this instrument! I have two of these :-) And I have one RAM-card, that solves the memory problem. I am still looking for an HT-6000, though.

[@bloodyhell6378]

Dunno if anybody pointed it out yet, but afaik the LFO was not able to modulate the filter in any of the HT/HZ synths.

[@SynthsandSounds]

Noone has pointed that out yet! Thanks for the correction, you're totally right!

[@delscoville]

I suppose the 6-bit parameters are better than the 4-bit (16 steps) registers the Commodore 64 has. But I still love the SID chip. It's too bad the HT-3000 has all those parameters hidden behind a single knob and tiny display. One of the fun things with analog synthesizers is having all those knobs within reach while playing live. Searching though parameters on the little display while playing live is problematic at best. This is also why I don't particularly like VST synths. But there's solutions if you get the right midi controller, like Arturia Keylab and Analog Lan/V Collection, etc.

[@dirkhorst2296]

Hello, you have a lot of synths, wich of them would you recommend to buy? If you compare price (used market) and performance?

[@SynthsandSounds]

Hey Dirk! That's a really tough question! I could answer this question very differently depending on what You want to spend, what kind of "performance" You want and and what You consider a good deal. So I attempt to answer generally: 1. Anything that goes for significantly less than the lowest price on reverb.com, is a good deal. 2. Having 100 Bucks: Look for Casio HT series. 500 Bucks: Korg Poly 800, Casio CZ and FZ series, Yamaha CS01, Roland Alpha Juno. Keep in mind that none of these is a good beginner's synth, except for the CS01. Also some are pad machines, others excel in bass lines. No synth is perfect for everything. When looking for second hand gear and want a good deal, it's most important to stay open minded. Watch videos as mine for inspiration, keep in mind what You liked, and check online marketplaces regularly. You will never find exactly what You want. But when finding something interesting, look it up on KZbin whether it fits Your needs, make sure it is decently prized and get something You did not expect. Vintage prizing: Casio is still affordable, Korg is a middle ground, Roland and Yamaha have gotten expensive, good luck finding any vintage moog. Generally, Button synths are way cheaper on second hand market, e.g. Roland Alpha Juno is way cheaper than a Roland Juno-106, since it has no faders and is less desirable.

[@dirkhorst2296]

@@SynthsandSounds thank you for your answer.

[@SynthsandSounds]

@@dirkhorst2296 make sure to watch my "vintage studio for less than 1000€ video". It's outdated on the pricing, but the general recommendations that I give there still fit

[@dirkhorst2296]

@@SynthsandSounds I would like to have a solton programmer 24, but it is very rare and expensive, about 2500 Euro. Nothing compare with this "cheep" casio synths. I had a cz5000 and liked it a lot.

[@SynthsandSounds]

@@dirkhorst2296 I see You're quite knowledgeable! Sorry if my tips were more in the beginner's range, it's who asks me most questions. If You are looking for something like the solton programmer 24 (what an amazing piece! I had never heard of it!), You might want to look for a Elka EH105 or some other mid to late 80s italian synths. The EH105 comes as a keyboard form factor (and is sold for old keyboard prices), and while it doesn't have a fully programmable engine, it has some levels of customization to its sounds and a really nice sounding drum machine that exceeds any of my other keyboards by functions (fully programmable beats) and sound.

[@marcvsmcmlxxiii]

Excelente. Gracias.

[@GuyFromNet]

Could you make sample packs out of your fz-1?

[@OpenGL4ever]

17:13 Why don't you just connect a battery with a diode in parallel with the capacitor, with the diode then connected in series with the battery? This should prevent the current from flowing back into the battery. And you can also replace the old capacitor with a new one.

[@toitoitoy]

Auto power off can be turned off on HT-6000, give it to some technician the small mod could be done to use a battery to save sounds in memory

[@janne-mikaeljarwinen9750]

I've got a HT-3000 for dirt cheap 3~4yrs ago.it's capable of quite useful, nice sounds,mainly thanks to its vcf. anyway, you told that the HT-6000 can be modded to bypass the auto power-off function - could the same thing be done on HT-3000 and also on HT-700 ??

[@pascalvanelstlande6954]

As a casio fan you oalso have one of my most appreciated synths the Roland Jx8P.

[@pascalvanelstlande6954]

@@universoencantado336 I don't use it as pc controler. I think the first generation midi is not so suitable to control a PC. I therfor use en Studiologic VMK 176 with usb

[@ricoF71]

Hi! Just found your channel and subscribed! By the way, why didn't you mention the monstrous VZ-1 synth? I had always wanted it since the 90s... I had a strong feeling that there is a beast under the hood, who did not get enough marketing like Roland and Yamaha synths did back in the day. Although I ended up collecting Roland synths (after being sidetracked by people who says that Casio synth is a pain in the @$$ to program because of its unintuitive user interface and steep learning time) Yanni used it, although it did not become the forefront synth of the Casio line up as intended, but that beast inside VZ-1 awaits for people like us to awaken it in this era.

[@SynthsandSounds]

Hi and thanks for the sub :) I am of course aware of the VZ-1 and I have been keeping an eye on it for a long time. Unfortunately I couldn't get my hands on one so far, but I hope I will get my chance one day. It's a bit of a weird one tho since it works totally different thant the CZ or HT series. The CZs and HTs are basically semi-analog synths that digitally control analog circuitry. The VZ on the other hand copied Yamaha's FM synthesis which is a totally different approach to Synthesis in comparison to anything else that Casio made. So it's quite hard to talk about it when you never played on one. I hope some day in the future I will feature a VZ synth on my channel!

[@tomasmulcahymusic]

@@SynthsandSounds Love your channel. The VZ kinda works like a CZ, similar envelopes and structure of layering although you get 8 lines instead of 2 and then you can layer 4 of those. But as you say it is FM, and rather horrible to use even a DX-7 is better! There is no analogue circuitry being controlled in the CZ. It is actually an FM synth, but the user interface is obviously like a subtractive synth. The only thing analogue in the HT is the filter- and I am not even sure about that, because it is probably more like the filter in the FZ which is a strange analogue-digital hybrid I don't really understand myself. Rainer Buchty explains it on his site.

[@victorfields7245]

It’s a good synth to use in a concert ?

[@SynthsandSounds]

That really depends on the concert. I'd say that the build quality, while being plastic, is solid, which is important for gigs. Also it could run on batteries, but I guess buying large D-cells gets expensive over time. If you want to use it as a MIDI keyboard to play other hardware, it comes with the downside of not having velocity sensitivity, so I wouldn't recomment it as a master keyboard

[@victorfields7245]

@@SynthsandSounds it’s a small concert, just want to plug on a amp

[@SynthsandSounds]

@@victorfields7245 If you like the HT-3000's sounds, go for it! it's surely suitable to plug it into an amp

[@claytonlevibrown]

sounds very synthwave

[@timkleylein7833]

Where is the best place to find cheap synths like this?

[@SynthsandSounds]

Online secondhand platforms. They vary from country to country. In Switzerland it's "Tutti.ch", in Germany it's "ebay kleinanzeigen", i guess in the United States it would be craigslist. Check out my "Full Vintage Music Studio for 1000$" video where i talk a bit more about how i acquire gear

[@toitoitoy]

Thanks for your efforts to make this video. Good job. Too bad no sysex on these machines, I hope somebody designs a retrofit upgrade like kiwitechnics for these series.

[@toitoitoy]

There it an attempt to make an editor for 3000 on Github github.com/Rsl1122/Casio-HT-3000-Editor. You can do a filter mod too www.legoluft.de/tech/bending/e-casio-ht-3000.html

[@SynthsandSounds]

Yeah I've seen the legoluft homepage, looks pretty interesting! I'm not sure tho whether I should invest further into the HT-3000, I have some other Casios that crave for my attention as well :)

[@massebassepearpung]

When I was young HT-3000 was my dream keyboard. But it was to expensive. I had to stick with my Yamaha PSR-560. Then Casio introduced the HT-6000. It was so expensive I didn´t enjoyed the brochure. I would never ever afford ha HT-6000 I thought. That was about over 30 years ago. Some years ago I finally got one. Well, it wasn´t that magic as I remembered as a 15 year old kid, but it´s kind of fun. :-)

[@SynthsandSounds]

It's very interesting to see how time puts things in relation to each other. Once this was much looked after, today some guy is happy to get rid of it for 30 bucks. I really wonder what stories my HT-3000 could tell my from its 30 years. I only know it was bought in a local music shop by a sticker, but who knows whose dream was fulfilled once by getting this keyboard?

[@massebassepearpung]

@@SynthsandSounds When people figure out it has analog filters with resonance it will go for 300 bucks. :-)

[@celsohinnigerbarros3722]

I have an HZ600!

[@mrz80]

Had one years ago. Kinda miss it. :)

[@getjervis]

FZ1 - FTW!!!

[@SynthsandSounds]

I hope you've seen my video on the FZ-1 where I try to make it sound as fat as a jupiter-8. I really love it!

[@getjervis]

@@SynthsandSounds you know, I haven't! But I will know.. i had an FZ1 in the late 90s.. then got an FZ10m, which 8 still have.. such a powerful synth as well as sampler

[@bloodyhell6378]

I have the HT700, the same as the 3000 but portable and the first HT after the HZ600. I love how the filter retriggers like in those old string synths like Crumar Performer and Arp Omni, etc. I also dig the SD synthesis where the waveform "morphs" between two or three different timbres, hence the extra parameters in the DCA envelope.

[@DoctorNemmo]

I got one for cheap on ebay and it has a great pad sound.

[@DoctorNemmo]

@@universoencantado336 I haven't tried it as a controller, but i'm pretty sure it doesn't have aftertouch.

[@MoonLanta]

ya ya i like

[@gwEmbassy]

I thought the lead sounds were pretty excellent, and I'm also into the usability of Casio stuff. The bass and the drums were probably a bit too weak sounding for me. One Casio piece I would like to try is the CZ230S. I don't have GAS myself for the HT-3000 after your video, but I did think it was pretty cool :)

[@SynthsandSounds]

It is pretty cool, but you're right that the drums and bass are a bit weak. I already upped the low on the EQ a bit. It might work as a standalone drum machine with some fx added, but then it has quite some background hum and is way too bulky as a drum machine. My CZ-5000 uses the same voice architecture as a CZ-230 from what I've read, and I can say that you can create quite some interesting sounds with its analog-digital hybrid architecture! Without a sysex editor, sound editing is quite a pain as well though.

[@gwEmbassy]

Synths and Sounds I have a CZ101, but sometimes we just want things right? ;)

[@SynthsandSounds]

@@gwEmbassy Ture :D

[@christopher9000p]

Picked one up on Kijiji for just $50! Also scored the HT6000 on ebay for $500.

[@SynthsandSounds]

Not really sure whether you need both

[@christopher9000p]

@@SynthsandSounds Both have their own sound, even though they both use the same synth engine. I originally got the 6000, but then someone was selling a 3000 for only $50, so I thought: "Why not?"

[@kenzieprice6745]

@@christopher9000p I definitely agree they sound different. How are you liking the two so far?

[@christopher9000p]

@@kenzieprice6745 They're both pretty decent, although part of the reason I got the 3000 so cheap is because the DC in doesn't work; only batteries work. I know someone who fixes keyboards, but just haven't gotten around to bringing it over to him yet (he lives on the other end of the city). I find with a little outboard reverb and chorus the 6000 can do some nice ethereal pads, I haven't really played around with the 3000 much as I can only run it off batteries.

[@kenzieprice6745]

@@christopher9000p Yeah it shouldn't be more than a $15-$20 job getting a new DC power port put in. The HT-700 has sort of an analog/chiptune crunch to it and is really inspiring. I think you will really like your 3000 so dont give up. They are becoming very recognized. I am still trying to find out how to incorporate the Ht-6000. The sound editing really takes time and there is a lot to explore. I agree it seems suited for very unique pads and also trance like music leads and such. What kind of music do you gravitate with yours?

[@zankywatanabe9400]

Can we play some Trance music with this thing?

[@SynthsandSounds]

You sure can! I did a jam on it that had all Faithless - Insomnia vibes. I'll include it in my next vlog

[@pizzagogo6151]

Thanks that was interesting, I like seeing lesser known synths. As a bit of a Casio (& Kawai) fan I was hoping this would be a bit of a unknown gem.....the waveforms are good and it has some great features, but that programming looks painfully difficult, however the biggest issue (& I’m not a purest don’t have any issue with digital filters) is the filter just sounded bad!😒, the stepping was just terrible.... thanks for demoing though! Ps. Good luck with finding an RA100 card I’ve been looking one for my VZ for a couple of years and have just given up the are so damn rare & expensive!

[@SynthsandSounds]

Yeah I just found a couple of RA-100 overseas, all costing 100+ USD plus huge shipping fee. It really doesn't sound good enough to justify a puchase! A VZ is still missing in my casio synth collection, I really hope I can get my hands on one of them.

[@thisisnev]

I managed to get an RA100 card for my HT-3000 for £17 a few years ago, with a free Hohner KS61 (i.e. another HT-3000) and gig bag thrown in. Couldn't believe my luck!

[@pizzagogo6151]

@@thisisnev nope I've never even one! So lucky you👌

[@wilsonjaksetic6009]

I was lucky and picked up a Casio HT-6000 for cheap as chips, in great condition. Had no idea what it was, just loved the look of it and could tell it was a flagship synth. The next day, I snapped up a RA100 card for $150 (including delivery), all the way from France to Australia (it’s not here yet!). God, the HT-6000 is like a budget Roland Super Jupiterz

[@matiasmartinez7208]

yoo i got the ht 600 for 30 pounds, quite the synth! really interesting

[@SynthsandSounds]

Ayyy congrats!

[@someone_n]

I have HT 3000

[@SynthsandSounds]

@@universoencantado336 I'm pretty sure that the keyboard has no velocity sensitivity. In general, the keys don't feel very good, I wouldn't recommend to use it as a controller

[@jakob393]

Jochen! Thanks for this fantastic review. I happen to have two (!) of these CASIO RA-100 RAM Cards - that are BNWT SS MC (... Brand New With Tags - Still Sealed - Mint Condition) Hit me up if you are interested! :) Cheers!

[@theamazingogre]

im getting one of these from my dad

[@miguelrejas5034]

The only good attemp from Cazio to enter the Pro line was the CZ line synths and the later VZ-1 a phase distorsion soung engine (not FM). End of the history.. maybe some might count the FZ-1 but not worldwide marketed. Their strenght is the home keyboard line and for study. These pcm are the same found on the ToneBank line.. not even WK. Sounds are pretty amateur even with the "control added" years later.. Casio put good effort to deliver a decent piano line and stage pianos along the arranger line which compete against PSR/PSR-S and PSR-SX. Menthion apart, the Tyros. In Roland the EM arranger line. To compete against Yamaha's flagship synth, Roland, Nord, Dexibell, Kurzweil, Prophet, Moog... CASIO has nothing truly amazing to offer. But in the arranger line business and economic stage pianos.. they saw an opp and they're doing very well.. their strenght PRICE/VALUE.

[@SynthsandSounds]

The FZ-1 was Casio's pinnacle of pro gear in my opinion. It was quite widely spread, with the Hohner HS-1 being a rebranded casio that was sold in europe. I have one as well if you want to check out my video on it, I managed to get some amazing sounds out of it

[@mrz80]

Casio's doing a bang-up job in the digital piano space. Their Privias are every bit as good as the much pricier Roland stage pianos everyone lusts after.

[@gilbertosesparza1265]

These keyboards were too advanced for its times..

[@timrichmond5226]

I mean there is type of person that this would appeal to, but in this day and age this keyboard is just naff... to be honest, they were naff in the time too even by Casio standards. The best Keyboard Casio launched was the CZ range, the CZ 101 was awesome though with mini keys it wasn't for everyone...

[@SynthsandSounds]

The HT/HZ series surely can't keep up with the CZ series. But it always depends on your point of view. If you look at it as being a normal keyboard, it might appear naff to you. But if you consider it to be a weird sound machine that might add some 80's/lo-fi/weirdo sounds to your tracks, it fits nicely in its niche. Let's say, you do want your song to sound somewhat like a cheap 80s keyboard. Having a fully editable cheap keyboard engine is a really cool feature. It even comes with some good midi connectivity that you don't necessarily find on 80s keyboards. You just have to embrace the HT's naffiness that is so typical for 80s keyboards, and it turns out to be one of the best of its class! Obviously, my CZ-5000 will always take a bigger spot in my heart, and so does the Casio FZ-1 and even the Casiotone 701. But I'm just the type of person that really loves Casio's old music gear!

[@timrichmond5226]

@@SynthsandSounds but there are a near-infinite number of soft synths that can easily replicate that, but as you quite rightly pointed out, each to their own :)

[@nachom1971]

VZ-1 is awesome

[@midininja3790]

I have one of these sitting next to my desk, ready for me to repair (new transistor in the power unit). I wrote this tune with it... soundcloud.com/midininja/have-you-met-the-bees

[@SynthsandSounds]

Cool Track! Sounds like a pretty cool setup you got there

[@midininja3790]

@@SynthsandSounds Thank you! The HT-3000 is circuit-bent with pitch variability on the drum section. The "scratchy-wah" at the end is HT-3000's "disco" pattern and the guitar-ish sound is the same pattern with the fingered chord function playing two notes an octave apart, all being gated and delay added through the Electribe EA-1, then put through a Boss Metal Zone and JD crybaby wah. There is some "benguine" pattern in there too somewhere (pretty sure).

[@yadgar1969]

Your English sounds so German... is it?

[@elijahlucian]

again, we have to choose sometihng with this...... "wheel" lol you hate the wheel

[@SynthsandSounds]

Well, it's cool to have a fully programmable engine - but once you've used the Alpha Juno's wheel, this is just a terrible wheel in comparison

[@elijahlucian]

@@SynthsandSounds that's totally fair. one of these are on sale here locally and I'm still on the fence. it does still look super fun. I definitely don't like menu diving to do stuff tho. (so I'm kind of with you on the wheel thing)

[@SynthsandSounds]

@@elijahlucian I actually just very recently got my first fully analog synth (Moog Grandmother). So before that I was very used to go menu diving on synths like a Roland JX-8P, MicroKorg or Casio CZ-5000. And it's not worse on the HT Series than on any of those. It's not necessarily fun to spend your time in menus, but it's not too bad on the HT-3000 either. And it really is super fun. If you don't have to pay a triple digit price it's a good buy even if you might not use it a ton. You will have some fun hours vibing like it's '88 - I promise!

[@no15minutecities]

gloat video

[@misterspock2474]

Trash

[@АлексйУваровъ]

Not worth it

[@lanchanoinguyen2914]

14:51 it is a trash,good for collection but nothing not worth it.lmao by the way

[@suddendeath5811]

Terrible colección …saludos desde Trelew argentina …