| Model |
Released |
MSRP |
Synopsis |
Ebay Description |
 |
1985 |
$499US |
The CZ family was this consumer electronics manufacturer's first foray into the professional synthesizer realm. Casio brought a unique spin to digital synthesis with their digital "Phase distortion synthesis" method (similar to FM). In 1988, Casio replaced the CZ family with their next generation VZ line. |
The Casio CZ-101 is a 49 (mini) key, 8 voice digital synthesizer, featuring dual oscillators (8 waveforms with ring and noise mod), dedicated 8 stage pitch, phase, and volume envelopes per voice, along with vibrato, portamento, 32 presets (16 editable) and MIDI. The CZ101 can be powered by batteries (6 D) or 9VDC adapter. |
 |
1985 |
? |
CZ-101 with sequencer, speaker, rhythm patterns, and no front panel (MIDI only) programming. |
The Casio CZ-230s is a 49 (mini) key, 8 voice digital synthesizer, featuring vibrato and portamento, 100 presets (4 editable via MIDI only), 4 track step sequencer, PCM based rhythm machine, a built-in speaker, and MIDI. |
 |
1985 |
$649US |
CZ-101 with full size keys |
The Casio CZ-1000 is a 49 key, 8 voice digital synthesizer, featuring dual oscillators (8 waveforms with ring and noise mod), dedicated 8 stage pitch, phase, and volume envelopes per voice, along with vibrato, portamento, 32 presets (16 editable) and MIDI. |
 |
1986 |
? |
CZ-3000 with speakers |
The Casio CZ-2000S is a 61 key, 8 voice multitimbral digital synthesizer, featuring dual oscillators (8 waveforms with ring and noise mod), dedicated 8 stage pitch, phase, and volume envelopes per voice, along with vibrato, portamento, 64 presets (32 editable), dual speakers, chorus, and MIDI. |
 |
1986 |
$899US |
CZ-1000 with an additional octave, 2x patch memory, chorus and some performance enhancements |
The Casio CZ-3000 is a 61 key, 8 voice digital multitimbral synthesizer, featuring dual oscillators (8 waveforms with ring and noise mod), dedicated 8 stage pitch, phase, and volume envelopes per voice, along with vibrato, portamento, 64 presets (32 editable), chorus, and MIDI. |
 |
1985 |
$1195US |
CZ-3000 with 2x polyphony and a sequencer |
The Casio CZ-5000 is a 61 key, 16 voice multitimbral digital synthesizer, featuring dual oscillators (8 waveforms with ring and noise mod), dedicated 8 stage pitch, phase, and volume envelopes per voice, along with vibrato, portamento, 64 presets (32 editable), chorus, 8 track real or step time sequencer and MIDI. |
 |
1986 |
$1399US |
CZ-3000 with pressure, velocity, 2x memory and polyphony. |
The Casio CZ-1 is a (pressure and velocity sensitive) 61 key, 16 voice multitimbral digital synthesizer, featuring dual oscillators (8 waveforms with ring and noise mod), dedicated 8 stage pitch, phase, and volume envelopes per voice, along with vibrato, portamento, 128 presets (64 editable), chorus, and MIDI. |
 |
1988 |
$1399US |
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) |
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. |
 |
1988 |
? |
Rack version |
The Casio VZ-10m is a (pressure and velocity sensitive) 2U rack, 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. |
 |
1988 |
? |
Rack with guitar and wind controller modes, but half polyphony |
The Casio VZ-8m is a (pressure and velocity sensitive) 1U rack, 8 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, guitar and wind controller modes, and MIDI. |
