Casio CZ/ VZ/ FZ - Pro Series

At 01:34 AM 06/12/2001 +0200, you wrote(re: SY99's)
>I don't know maybe because of it's sampling ability or they're possibly
>rare... as far as I remember they haven't been sold as well as the other FM
>synths...

Although there's little difference in the AFM/PCM sections with the notable 
difference of being able to use your own samples as operators (which is 
very difficult to make useful), there's

a few of the great things about them:
----------------------------------------------
*Much* better effects section.  Lots more modulation possibilities (I 
forget which Yamaha reverb it's the equivalent of.)  However, the SY99 has 
to "translate" patches from the SY /TG 77 because the effects are so 
different, and it doesn't do a great job.  (Get Soundiver.)
-
76 keys feel great - very solid (described as "semi-weighted", but really 
nothing like a weighted keyboard, very "synthy").

Very basic master controller features - 4 zones w/midi filtering.

You get an extra mod wheel - 1 pitch, 1 mod, 1 assignable mod.  Breath 
control input, assignable footswitch, assignable pedal (and
master volume.  Data entry slider is assignable too, I think.

Respectable sequencer.  Not the easiest to use, but nice.

Basic midi data filer - save/dump patches from other synths.

Built like a tank.  Nice metal chassis.  Be careful lifting it, never drop it!

A few not so great things:
----------------------------------------------------
You're stuck with a 720K drive.  There was a company called "Megafloppy" 
that sold a retrofit hardrive that emulated a floppy drive, but I think 
they're out of business.

Only 1 midi in/out/thru - woulda made a much better controller otherwise.

In my experience learning to use the sequencer was a little maddening.

To me , it's more than a "fadish" keyboard, it's a classic.  If you can 
find one in good shape with the LCD backlight still working and the sample 
memory, for a fair price, I doubt you'll regret it.  It takes up a fair 
amount of room, but even if you get tired of the synth it's still a better 
controller than a lot of keys you'll find.

--- Francis