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Casio CZ/ VZ/ FZ - Pro Series

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RE: [CZsynth] Bye to the list + 8 bit sound recommendations

2005-01-22 by Scott Nordlund

>p.s. if you have any recommendations for an 8 bit sound
>synth please reply to this mail, I would like to know
>what are my options. Portable racks are very welcome.
>No samplers please, that's what the computer is used for :D

The Ensoniq SQ-80 is the best I can think of.  But it's only available as a 
keyboard.  There is a rack, the ESQ-M (which I have) but it's somewhat cut 
down (no disk drive, no sequencer, only 32 waveforms instead of something 
like 75).

The Casio HT-6000 is a nice, though also keyboard-only and limited in some 
ways (and hard to find!).  Strictly-speaking it's not 8-bit, but the 
waveforms are very coarse and have lots of weird high harmonics (though 
there is almost no aliasing).  Not terribly versitile but it's got a great 
unique sound.

The Korg DW-8000 is another good choice, not as nearly as complex as the 
SQ-80 but I think it's got a warmer sound, and better filters.  The Kawai 
K3, as I understand, is a similar machine in a lot of ways.

Aside from that, the early 4-operator Yamaha FM synths (like the FB01) are 
supposed to have 10-bit DACs.

And more expensive stuff... the PPG Wave, Waldorf Microwave, etc.  You could 
also put the Sequential Circuits Prophet VS into this category too (though I 
think it had 12-bit waveforms).  I don't know all that much about those, 
though.

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