Conference napalm::commusic_v1

1281.0. "Casio CZ Series Officially Discontinued" by AQUA::ROST (Bimbo, Limbo, Spam) Sun Mar 27 1988 12:43

Here are two replies from USENET concerning the dicontinuation of the CZ 
series and the new "upscale" VZ series.
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  Here's a brief synopsis from a call to Casio's main offices in Dover, NJ.
 
1) The CZ series is being completely discontinued.  There is a significant
   number of CZ-101s left, as well as CZ-1s.  When these are gone that's
   it.  47th St. Photo in New York is reputable and has 101s for about $200.
 
2) The CZ series is being replaced by the VZ series.  Initially the only models
   available will be the VZ-1 and the VZ-10 (rack mount VZ-1).  The retail
   prices are $1399 and $1199 respectively.  These models are aimed at a 
   higher level (like the FZ-1) than the CZ series.  They're supposedly based
   on an enhanced PD like sound generator.  The magazines claim the new sound
   is very high quality, rich and fat.  Casio claims it will start shipping
   in July.
 
3) The sampler series includes the FZ-1 and FZ-10 (rack mount FZ-1).
 
     Because Casio equipment often is available at a SUBSTANTIAL discount 
by mail order, we can look forward to (using CZ-1 discounts), a decent synth
for $500-$700.  I personally think that Casio is making a mistake by 
not offering a low end synth like the CZ-101, it will be missed.  (I don't
consider other Casio keyboards to have any quality at all, especially the
HT home synth series.)
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In a recent call to a mail order house I too heard that Casio would
discontinue the CZ line. The last issue of MUSIC TECHNOLOGY (if you read
*.synth, subscribe to MT today!) spoke of a new 16 voice "fat" Casio synth
called the VZ-1 which uses "interactive phase distortion, or iPD".
I then spoke with my local dealer, and he reiterated the last sentence and
expanded upon it. Apparently the VZ uses a sound source which consists of
two lines, like the CZ, but the wavetable-read-rate of one (line, source,?)
can be effected by another. Then, several sources are combined using various
algarythms to form a voice. Also, the VZ is menu oriented, and uses the
large LCD display found on the FZ-1, so a rack mount version may soon
follow, as is the case with the new FZ-10M. I want one, buy it for me.

    
    I aree with the remark that "..Casio is making a mistake by not
    offering a low end synth like the CZ-101."  I have a CZ-1000, which was
    my only way into the world of synthesizers.  Without the CZ-101 and
    CZ-1000, it's going to be a lot harder for people to get that first
    synthesizer--kind of like the new homeowner's market in the Boston
    area; the CZ series was the condo of the synthesizer market; a
    way to own something worthwhile without going completely broke...
    
    There's a lot of problems with CZ series, but the power you get the
    for the buck can't be beat.
    
    Peter