Synth Museum

"Synthesizer preservation via research and education."


The Web SynthArk

VZ-1

Casio VZ-1

VZ-1
VZ-1

Released: 1988

MSRP: $1399US

Synopsis:

The VZ family was Casio's second generation digital "Interactive Phase distortion synthesis". method, replacing their CZ family. The envelope based phase modulation (i.e. "DCW") was replaced by oscillator based phase modulation. (a.k.a. Hohner HS-2) Architecture Class: FM.

Ebay Description:

The Casio VZ-1 is a (pressure and velocity sensitive) 61 key, 16 voice multitimbral digital synthesizer, featuring 8 oscillators (with various phase/ring modulation arrangements), dedicated 8 stage pitch and amplitude envelopes per voice, along with vibrato, tremolo, portamento, 64 presets and MIDI.

Physical

Form Factor Dimensions Weight Audio Input Audio Output Communication Port Control Input Control Output Switch Input Power
61 keys W:1060mm D:324mm H:93mm W:41.75in D:12.75in H:3.69in 12kg 26.5lbs no dual mono mix MIDI: IN OUT THRU volume assignable no sustain program increment 16W AC

Interface

Compatibility Multitimbral Memory Program Memory External Storage External Programming UI Input UI Output
VZ-1 VZ-10m VZ-8m User:64 RAM card:64 ROM card:128 User:64 RAM card:64 ROM card:128 card: RC-100 (ROM) card: RC-110 (ROM) card: RC-120 (ROM) card: RC-130 (ROM) card: RC-140 (ROM) card: RA-100 (RAM) MIDI SysEx menu based graphic LCD display

Architecture

Multitimbral Polyphony Unison Architecture
Combination:4 Multi-channel:8 Normal:16 Combination:4 no Up to eight oscillators, divided into pairs. The output of each pair of oscillators is either phase, ring modulated, or mixed. Each pair of oscillators can then phase modulate the next pair or be mixed to the main output.

Output

Effects Pan Modulator Volume Modulator Headphone
no no pressure Mod1-Wheel Mod2-Wheel pedals Tremolo yes

Control

Arpeggiator Arpeggiator External Sequencer Sequencer Memory Sequencer External Continuous Program Change
no no No N/A N/A Pitch-Wheel Mod1-Wheel Mod2-Wheel MIDI-PitchBend MIDI-CC1 MIDI-CC5 key MIDI pedal (inc) velocity

Keyboard

Key Pressure Chord Memory External Control External Sustain Key Scaling Velocity Curves
channel no MIDI pedal 6 points 8

Source

Name Signal Class Waveform Octave Range Amplitude Modulator Harmonics Modulator Pitch Modulator Wave Assign Modulator
M1 digital Samples saw1C0 saw1C4 saw1C8 saw2C0 saw2C4 saw2C8 saw3C0 saw3C4 saw3C8 saw4C0 saw4C4 saw4C8 saw5C0 saw5C4 saw5C8 sineC0 sineC4 sineC8 noise1 noise2C0 noise2C4 noise2C8 +9 no no pressure Vibrato Mod1-Wheel Mod2-Wheel pedal PitchEG portamento no
M2 digital saw:5 sine square noise:2 +9 no phase:M1 ring:M1 pressure Vibrato Mod1-Wheel Mod2-Wheel pedal PitchEG portamento no
M3 digital saw:5 sine square noise:2 +9 no no pressure Vibrato Mod1-Wheel Mod2-Wheel pedal PitchEG portamento no
M4 digital saw:5 sine square noise:2 +9 no phase:M3/M1-M2 ring:M3 pressure Vibrato Mod1-Wheel Mod2-Wheel pedal PitchEG portamento no
M5 digital saw:5 sine square noise:2 +9 no no pressure Vibrato Mod1-Wheel Mod2-Wheel pedal PitchEG portamento no
M6 digital saw:5 sine square noise:2 +9 no phase:M5/M3-M4 ring:M5 pressure Vibrato Mod1-Wheel Mod2-Wheel pedal PitchEG portamento no
M7 digital saw:5 sine square noise:2 +9 no no pressure Vibrato Mod1-Wheel Mod2-Wheel pedal PitchEG portamento no
M8 digital saw:5 sine square noise:2 +9 no phase:M7/M5-M6 ring:M7 pressure Vibrato Mod1-Wheel Mod2-Wheel pedal PitchEG portamento no

Envelope

Name Level Rate Loop Polarity Trigger Level Modulator Rate Modulator
PitchEG 8 8 no yes no key velocity key velocity
M1AmpEG 8 8 no no no key velocity key velocity
M2AmpEG 8 8 no no no key velocity key velocity
M3AmpEG 8 8 no no no key velocity key velocity
M4AmpEG 8 8 no no no key velocity key velocity
M5AmpEG 8 8 no no no key velocity key velocity
M6AmpEG 8 8 no no no key velocity key velocity
M7AmpEG 8 8 no no no key velocity key velocity
M8AmpEG 8 8 no no no key velocity key velocity

LFO

Name Waveform Delay Polarity Sync Delay Modulator Level Modulator Rate Modulator
Vibrato saw:up saw:down square triangle no yes no no pressure MIDI-CC pressure MIDI-CC
Tremolo saw:up saw:down square triangle no yes no no pressure MIDI-CC pressure MIDI-CC
FM Models
CZ-101 CZ-230S CZ-1000 CZ-2000S CZ-3000 CZ-5000 CZ-1 VZ-1
VZ-10M VZ-8M