Casio CZ/ VZ/ FZ - Pro Series

I just found a CZ 1, and bought it for fifty dollars. turned on It is
dead. the screen and all the buttons work but the Keys don't produce
sound. It worked for a second when the portamento button was pressed,
but never after. Has anyone experienced this with a CZ 1? any advice?
I've been hobbying with electronics for a while, but I'd like all the
information I can find before I crack the case, if it's needed. And
I'm interested in the Atari 1040. Does anyone know any details for
procurring one, cheap if not free?

Normal practice is to turn it on and check it BEFORE you part with your cash.

However, have you tried MIDI-ing it up to see if the problem is just
isolated to the keyboard?

On 9/28/06, illuminatusraw <illuminatusraw@...> wrote:
> I just found a CZ 1, and bought it for fifty dollars. turned on It is
> dead. the screen and all the buttons work but the Keys don't produce
> sound. It worked for a second when the portamento button was pressed,
> but never after. Has anyone experienced this with a CZ 1? any advice?
> I've been hobbying with electronics for a while, but I'd like all the
> information I can find before I crack the case, if it's needed. And
> I'm interested in the Atari 1040. Does anyone know any details for
> procurring one, cheap if not free?
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

It could be a multitude of symtoms but try these first which may help  source 
the problem:
 
1. Connect your CZ to another midi sound source and see if the keyboard  
controls it, if it does then the keyboard is fine, if not then it's the keyboard  
controller IC.
 
2. Reverse this and see if the midi sound source (which has a keyboard  
preferably) plays the CZ  sounds. If yes then again its the keyboard  controller 
IC, if no then the CZ has some other internal problem, Probably the  internal 
line amplifier.
 
3. Try turning up your external amplification and see if whilst playing the  
CZ you get any clicking or hissing from your amp. If, yes then it may well be 
a  component that has failed in the amp circuit. If, no then again the 
keyboard IC  (matrix) has failed.
 
*It may well be the actual sound circuitry that has failed. In that case  you 
will be very lucky to repair it since it uses bespoke Casio IC's which  
haven't been in production for 20 years. I would recommend you refer this  machine 
to a qualified engineer in this field. It will be worth it as it's a top  
synth.
 
Hope this helps.
 
 


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I agree with Jez. MIDI-up the keyboard to a synth module or to a 
computer with some software that displays or responds to MIDI data.  
If the CZ is sending out MIDI data, it may be a problem with the CZ's 
audio.  (I seem to recall people here writing about a couple of audio 
problems.)

If there is no MIDI coming out from the CZ, see if you can get your 
$50.00 back.

If all the buttons, and the display works, that is a good sign.

Good luck.

--Steve

--- In CZsynth@yahoogroups.com, Jez <jezosaurus@...> wrote:
>
> Normal practice is to turn it on and check it BEFORE you part with 
your cash.

> 
> However, have you tried MIDI-ing it up to see if the problem is just
> isolated to the keyboard?
>

I still need to get a MIDI-USB Interface connector. I'll probably 
run it through my friends MIDI controller. I purchased It for fity 
so I could use It as a Module in a worst case scenario, even if the 
keyboard and the module is bunk I'll only be out fifty bucks, which 
isn't too much of a problem, I am a gambler anyway.









--- In CZsynth@yahoogroups.com, "steve_the_composer" <smw-mail@...> 
wrote:
>
> I agree with Jez. MIDI-up the keyboard to a synth module or to a 
> computer with some software that displays or responds to MIDI 
data.  
> If the CZ is sending out MIDI data, it may be a problem with the 
CZ's 
> audio.  (I seem to recall people here writing about a couple of 
audio 
> problems.)
> 
> If there is no MIDI coming out from the CZ, see if you can get 
your 
> $50.00 back.
> 
> If all the buttons, and the display works, that is a good sign.
> 
> Good luck.
> 
> --Steve
> 
> --- In CZsynth@yahoogroups.com, Jez <jezosaurus@> wrote:
> >
> > Normal practice is to turn it on and check it BEFORE you part 
with 
> your cash.
> > 
> > However, have you tried MIDI-ing it up to see if the problem is 
just

> > isolated to the keyboard?
> >
>