CZ Basics
2018-01-01
Overview Of Casio CZ Synthesizers
Casio produced the CZ line of synthesizers from 1984 into the 1990s. When the CZ-101 was released in 1984, there were other digital synthesizers available (notably Yamaha DX-7), but they were big and expensive. The CZ-101 was pint-size, affordable, digital, and easier to program than the Yamahas. Despite Casio’s reputation for making simple home keyboards, the CZ line are deep and usable.
Most Common Models
The line drawings in this table were taken from the Operation Manual for each model. They are in scale relative to each other. The small images are 1px = 5mm, and the large images are 1px = 1mm.
Model | Image | Features | Remember Me |
CZ‑101 |
676 × 208 × 70
|
49 mini keys |
First pint-size, affordable digital synth. |
16 preset, 16 user tones |
pitch wheel |
|
CZ‑1000 |
785 × 300 × 90
|
49 full keys |
CZ-101 with full-size keys and membrane switches. |
16 preset, 16 user tones |
pitch wheel |
|
CZ‑3000 |
1025 × 341 × 125
|
61 full keys |
More features than CZ‑1000. |
32 preset, 32 user tones |
pitch wheel, modulation wheel |
stereo chorus |
CZ‑5000 |
1025 × 341 × 127
|
61 full keys |
CZ-3000 with an 8-track sequencer. |
32 preset, 32 user tones |
pitch wheel, modulation wheel |
stereo chorus |
CZ‑1 |
1025 × 341 × 127
|
61 full keys |
Most advanced model. |
0 preset, 64 user tones, 64 operation memory |
pitch wheel, modulation wheel |
stereo chorus, velocity, aftertouch |
Less Common Models
If anyone has the Operation Manual for the CZ-2000S or CZ-2600S, I would like to have a copy.
Model | Image | Features | Remember Me |
CZ‑230S |
806 × 206 × 76
|
49 mini keys |
Preset version of CZ-101, with RZ drums, and a speaker. |
96 preset, 4 user tones |
pitch wheel |
|
CZ‑2000S |
|
61 full keys |
CZ-3000 with speakers. |
32 preset, 32 user tones |
pitch wheel |
stereo chorus, modulation slider |
CZ‑2600S |
|
61 full keys |
Rare. Best guess, based on interweb, is a CZ-2000S with stereo speakers and RZ drums. |
32 preset, 32 user tones |
pitch wheel |
stereo chorus |
The CZ models that included speakers were not imported into North America.