Casio CZ/ VZ/ FZ - Pro Series

I apologize,should have read previous mails fully.
Is the CZ the only Casio machine that use's the RA3? also is there  
another model of Cartridge that will work with the CZ?

Jason.

Yes, the CZ is the only Casio range that uses the RA3 (and also the RA5 for
the bigger CZ's).

I think there was an after-market cartridge available called an 'EzCz' or
'EzeeCzee'. I've never seen or used one though, other than in pictures.

On 24 March 2012 15:35, Jason Adkins <jason_ralf808@tiscali.co.uk> wrote:

> **
>
>
> I apologize,should have read previous mails fully.
> Is the CZ the only Casio machine that use's the RA3? also is there
> another model of Cartridge that will work with the CZ?
>
> Jason.
>  
>


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

So does the RA3 work in bigger CZ's? and what do you mean by bigger  
CZ's?
What does the VZ range use then?

On 24 Mar 2012, at 16:47, 350ypvs@... wrote:

> Yes, the CZ is the only Casio range that uses the RA3 (and also the  
> RA5 for
> the bigger CZ's).
>
> I think there was an after-market cartridge available called an  
> 'EzCz' or
> 'EzeeCzee'. I've never seen or used one though, other than in  
> pictures.
>
> On 24 March 2012 15:35, Jason Adkins <jason_ralf808@...>  
> wrote:
>
>> **
>>
>>
>> I apologize,should have read previous mails fully.
>> Is the CZ the only Casio machine that use's the RA3? also is there
>> another model of Cartridge that will work with the CZ?
>>
>> Jason.
>>
>>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

a card> ra500

--- In CZsynth@yahoogroups.com, Jason Adkins <jason_ralf808@...> wrote:

>
> So does the RA3 work in bigger CZ's? and what do you mean by bigger  
> CZ's?
> What does the VZ range use then?
> 
> 
> On 24 Mar 2012, at 16:47, 350ypvs@... wrote:
> 
> > Yes, the CZ is the only Casio range that uses the RA3 (and also the  
> > RA5 for
> > the bigger CZ's).
> >
> > I think there was an after-market cartridge available called an  
> > 'EzCz' or
> > 'EzeeCzee'. I've never seen or used one though, other than in  
> > pictures.
> >
> > On 24 March 2012 15:35, Jason Adkins <jason_ralf808@...>  
> > wrote:
> >
> >> **
> >>
> >>
> >> I apologize,should have read previous mails fully.
> >> Is the CZ the only Casio machine that use's the RA3? also is there
> >> another model of Cartridge that will work with the CZ?
> >>
> >> Jason.
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------------
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
>

Yes, the RA3 works in bigger CZ's. The RA5 is similar except with more
memory (32 patches instead of 16 - I think)

Bigger CZ's = CZ 3000, 5000 and CZ-1. Same sound engine as the 101/ 1000,
doubly the polyphony, ability to split the keyboard,  64 patch locations
(3000/ 5000) or 128 (CZ-1), onboard chorus, sequencer (5000 only),
velocity/ aftertouch (CZ-1 only), backlit display (CZ-1, if it still
works!)

The VZ uses a totally different type of memory card. I think they are much
slimmer (almost like a thick credit card), like the RA cards used in the HT
range of Casios.



On 24 March 2012 17:35, Jason Adkins <jason_ralf808@...> wrote:

> **
>
>
> So does the RA3 work in bigger CZ's? and what do you mean by bigger
> CZ's?
> What does the VZ range use then?
>
>
> On 24 Mar 2012, at 16:47, 350ypvs@googlemail.com wrote:
>
> > Yes, the CZ is the only Casio range that uses the RA3 (and also the
> > RA5 for
> > the bigger CZ's).
> >
> > I think there was an after-market cartridge available called an
> > 'EzCz' or
> > 'EzeeCzee'. I've never seen or used one though, other than in
> > pictures.
> >
> > On 24 March 2012 15:35, Jason Adkins <jason_ralf808@...>
> > wrote:
> >
> >> **
>
> >>
> >>
> >> I apologize,should have read previous mails fully.
> >> Is the CZ the only Casio machine that use's the RA3? also is there
> >> another model of Cartridge that will work with the CZ?
> >>
> >> Jason.
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------------
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
>
>  
>


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

Hi,

are any of the HT series of Casio's worth buying?

J

On 24 Mar 2012, at 18:05, 350ypvs@... wrote:

> Yes, the RA3 works in bigger CZ's. The RA5 is similar except with more
> memory (32 patches instead of 16 - I think)
>
> Bigger CZ's = CZ 3000, 5000 and CZ-1. Same sound engine as the 101/  
> 1000,
> doubly the polyphony, ability to split the keyboard,  64 patch  
> locations
> (3000/ 5000) or 128 (CZ-1), onboard chorus, sequencer (5000 only),
> velocity/ aftertouch (CZ-1 only), backlit display (CZ-1, if it still
> works!)
>
> The VZ uses a totally different type of memory card. I think they  
> are much
> slimmer (almost like a thick credit card), like the RA cards used in  
> the HT
> range of Casios.
>
>
>
> On 24 March 2012 17:35, Jason Adkins <jason_ralf808@...>  
> wrote:
>
>> **
>>
>>
>> So does the RA3 work in bigger CZ's? and what do you mean by bigger
>> CZ's?
>> What does the VZ range use then?
>>
>>
>> On 24 Mar 2012, at 16:47, 350ypvs@... wrote:
>>
>>> Yes, the CZ is the only Casio range that uses the RA3 (and also the
>>> RA5 for
>>> the bigger CZ's).
>>>
>>> I think there was an after-market cartridge available called an
>>> 'EzCz' or
>>> 'EzeeCzee'. I've never seen or used one though, other than in
>>> pictures.
>>>
>>> On 24 March 2012 15:35, Jason Adkins <jason_ralf808@...>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> **
>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I apologize,should have read previous mails fully.
>>>> Is the CZ the only Casio machine that use's the RA3? also is there
>>>> another model of Cartridge that will work with the CZ?
>>>>
>>>> Jason.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ------------------------------------
>>>
>>> Yahoo! Groups Links
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

Yes, the HT range are somewhat bargains at present.They are actually real
analogue synths (with DCO's, digitally controlled analogue oscillators) and
genuine analogue filters. There are four models in the range:

HT 700 - mini key version, single DCO, with rhythm section and speakers
HT 3000 - full size version of the HT 700, with an additional mod wheel and
midi thru socket
HT 6000 - Flagship of the range with four DCO's (!), extra accompaniment
section and extra drum kits/ rhythms. Also has more memory for patches.
HZ 600 - same as a 3000 minus the accompaniment section/ speakers. Made to
look more 'pro', very much styled like an Roland Alpha Juno.

The 700/ 3000 have two filters, one for the single DCO main voice and one
for the rhythm accompaniment. The 6000 has nine (yes NINE!) filters, one
for each voice and one for the accompaniment section. This means the filter
doesn't re-trigger for a note playing when another key is pressed. There is
also the HZ 600, which is a 3000 minus the accompaniment section and minus
the speakers.

The plus side for all of them is they sound good as standard and can also
be modified to give real time and wider ranging access to both filter cut
off and resonance (rather than going through the menu and being limited to
32 steps), plus the filter can be tweaked to go into self oscillation. They
can also sound very sweet and very analogue once you start experimenting
with the parameters. The downside is that they lack bass and can't be
octave dropped any further without modification. They also have rather
limited modulation options compared with more expensive synths. There are a
few videos of modified HT 700's and some good examples of what they can do.

Standard HT 700 demos (these are multitracked, they really show off what
the little machine is capable of!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYS9npy_CMI&list=FLMCLQ9uz3P6b0zyxSMPFPtQ&index=45&feature=plpp_video


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ehn1f3OfSh4&list=FLMCLQ9uz3P6b0zyxSMPFPtQ&index=44&feature=plpp_video


Modified HT 700:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PZfE2Je2bM

Modified MT 600 (a preset/ non programmable version of the HT 700):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMi6kqhd_1M


Casio HT 6000 demos (from the same guy that did the standard HT 700 demos
above):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zmtw8tP-KFo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBDtDy1urfQ


And an example of the many type of sounds you can get out of the 6000:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oju0-XvkXyo


As to which model to go for, a lot has to do with availability. The HZ 600
is probably the rarest, and not really worth having over the 700/ 3000,
which have the same sound engine and extra features/ onboard speakers. The
HT 6000 is also very rare, I see 2, maybe 3 a year turn up on UK Ebay. The
HT 700 is fairly common, along with the HT 3000. The 3000 has full sized
keys, a mod wheel and midi through, whereas the 700 does not. Otherwise
they are identical in terms of sound/ accompaniment.

I have both a 700 and 6000, and strangely enough the 700 seems to sound
more 'analogue' despite only having a single oscillator compared with the
6000. The 6000 is indeed a fairly powerful machine (though somewhat
limited) and can even sound quite digital at times. The 700 (and 3000) do
seem to sound a little more sweet in comparison, especially when modded.

As said, the 700 and 3000 crop up fairly regularly on sites like Ebay. If
you want an HZ 600 or HT 6000, be prepared to look long and hard as they're
considerably rare. And people that do have them tend to want to hold on to
them!

Whichever model you go for, they make an excellent compliment to a CZ! :-)


On 24 March 2012 18:11, Jason Adkins <jason_ralf808@tiscali.co.uk> wrote:

> **
>
>
> Hi,
>
> are any of the HT series of Casio's worth buying?
>
> J
>
>
> On 24 Mar 2012, at 18:05, 350ypvs@... wrote:
>
> > Yes, the RA3 works in bigger CZ's. The RA5 is similar except with more
> > memory (32 patches instead of 16 - I think)
> >
> > Bigger CZ's = CZ 3000, 5000 and CZ-1. Same sound engine as the 101/
> > 1000,
> > doubly the polyphony, ability to split the keyboard, 64 patch
> > locations
> > (3000/ 5000) or 128 (CZ-1), onboard chorus, sequencer (5000 only),
> > velocity/ aftertouch (CZ-1 only), backlit display (CZ-1, if it still
> > works!)
> >
> > The VZ uses a totally different type of memory card. I think they
> > are much
> > slimmer (almost like a thick credit card), like the RA cards used in
> > the HT
> > range of Casios.
> >
> >
> >
> > On 24 March 2012 17:35, Jason Adkins <jason_ralf808@...>
> > wrote:
> >
> >> **
>
> >>
> >>
> >> So does the RA3 work in bigger CZ's? and what do you mean by bigger
> >> CZ's?
> >> What does the VZ range use then?
> >>
> >>
> >> On 24 Mar 2012, at 16:47, 350ypvs@... wrote:
> >>
> >>> Yes, the CZ is the only Casio range that uses the RA3 (and also the
> >>> RA5 for
> >>> the bigger CZ's).
> >>>
> >>> I think there was an after-market cartridge available called an
> >>> 'EzCz' or
> >>> 'EzeeCzee'. I've never seen or used one though, other than in
> >>> pictures.
> >>>
> >>> On 24 March 2012 15:35, Jason Adkins <jason_ralf808@...>
> >>> wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> **
> >>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> I apologize,should have read previous mails fully.
> >>>> Is the CZ the only Casio machine that use's the RA3? also is there
> >>>> another model of Cartridge that will work with the CZ?
> >>>>
> >>>> Jason.
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> ------------------------------------
> >>>
> >>> Yahoo! Groups Links
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------------
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
>
>  
>


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