Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated .

Average Price: $350

Budget/Beginner

$500

$1501+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

The Casio CZ-101 is a classic synthesizer that holds a special place in the hearts of vintage synth enthusiasts and modern musicians alike. Released in the mid-1980s, it introduced the world to Phase Distortion Synthesis, a unique method of sound generation that offers a distinctive timbral character compared to traditional analog or FM synthesis. This compact powerhouse features 49 mini-keys, making it both portable and versatile for live performances or studio sessions.

Despite its size, the CZ-101 is packed with functionality. It offers 8-voice polyphony, allowing you to layer complex sounds without dropping notes. The synthesizer includes a range of onboard controls, giving you the ability to tweak parameters on the fly and craft a wide variety of sounds, from lush pads to sharp leads. With its intuitive interface, musicians of all levels can easily navigate and program the synth to fit their musical needs. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a budding enthusiast, the CZ-101 provides a robust platform for creativity.

Key Features:

  • Phase Distortion Synthesis for unique sound creation
  • 49 mini-keys, perfect for portability and performance
  • 8-voice polyphony for rich, layered sounds
  • Onboard controls for real-time parameter adjustments
  • Intuitive interface suitable for all skill levels
  • Classic vintage sound with modern versatility

Product specs

Brand Casio
Model CZ-101 49-Key Synthesizer
Finish Black
Year 1985 - 1988
Categories Digital Synthesizers, Keyboard Synths
Analog / Digital Digital
Key Size Mini
Keyboard Action Synth Action
MIDI I/O MIDI Input, MIDI Output
Number of Keys 49 Keys
Polyphony 8 Voices

FAQs

What type of synthesis does the Casio CZ-101 use?

The Casio CZ-101 uses phase distortion synthesis, which is unique to Casio's CZ series and allows for a wide range of digital sounds with complex harmonic structures.

How many voices of polyphony does the Casio CZ-101 offer?

The Casio CZ-101 offers 8 voices of polyphony, allowing you to play up to 8 notes simultaneously.

Is the Casio CZ-101 compatible with MIDI?

Yes, the Casio CZ-101 features MIDI Input and Output, enabling it to connect with other MIDI-compatible gear for expanded performance and recording possibilities.

What is the key size of the Casio CZ-101, and how does it affect playability?

The Casio CZ-101 has mini keys, which may require some adjustment for players used to full-sized keys but make it more portable and compact for on-the-go use.

Can the Casio CZ-101 be used for live performances?

Yes, the Casio CZ-101 can be used for live performances, especially given its portability and MIDI capabilities, though its mini keys might be a consideration for some performers.

RetroSound

RetroSound

CASIO CZ-101 PD-Synthesizer (1984)

Video thumbnail for CASIO CZ-101 PD-Synthesizer (1984) by RetroSound

CASIO CZ-101 PD-Synthesizer (1984)

RetroSound

RetroSound

Video thumbnail for Casio Keyboard CZ-101 (1986) by XippVid

Casio Keyboard CZ-101 (1986)

XippVid

XippVid

Video thumbnail for FIVE MINUTES WITH  CASIO CZ-101 by sonicstate

FIVE MINUTES WITH CASIO CZ-101

sonicstate

sonicstate

Video thumbnail for Casio CZ-101 | How Does it Sound? by JAde Wii

Casio CZ-101 | How Does it Sound?

JAde Wii

JAde Wii

Video thumbnail for Best of CASIO CZ-101 Synthesizer ~ RetroSound Demo by RetroSound

Best of CASIO CZ-101 Synthesizer ~ RetroSound Demo

RetroSound

RetroSound

Video thumbnail for Casio CZ-101 - Polyphonic & Ambient Sounds by LFOstore

Casio CZ-101 - Polyphonic & Ambient Sounds

LFOstore

LFOstore

Video thumbnail for BOO-cast - Synth of the Month: Casio CZ-101 by Battery Operated Orchestra

BOO-cast - Synth of the Month: Casio CZ-101

Battery Operated Orchestra

Battery Operated Orchestra

Video thumbnail for Casio CZ101 - Part 2 - making some sounds and dodgy midi by Bonzo Music

Casio CZ101 - Part 2 - making some sounds and dodgy midi

Bonzo Music

Bonzo Music

Reviews

PROS

  • Produces unique digital synth sounds, unlike any other synth

  • Offers solid synth bass and 80s style synth sounds

  • Capable of professional-level sound production for studios

  • Supports SysEx patch loading for enhanced sound capabilities

  • Fooling even experts with its realistic sound reproductions

  • Phase Distortion Synthesis offers distinct sound from FM synths

  • Straightforward to program with helpful diagrams

  • Polyphonic, compact, and versatile without sound design limitations

  • Runs on batteries, enhancing its portability

CONS

  • Volatile memory loses programs if unplugged or batteries are low

  • Limited MIDI implementation; nearly no parameter control via MIDI CCs

  • Requires 6 D-cell batteries or a mod for preset saving

  • Tone considered soft, may require EQ adjustment for sub frequencies

  • Limited waveforms per digital oscillator, affecting sound shaping

  • Some find it difficult to use and not intuitive

  • Mini keys may be considered low quality by today's standards

Critic Reviews

~ajxs/Casio CZ-101 Review

ajxs.me

The Casio CZ-101 offers a quirky, nostalgic throwback to 80s digital synths with its distinctive phase distortion synthesis, making it a fun choice for enthusiasts seeking unique sounds. However, it falls short when compared to Yamaha's FM synths, lacking versatility and build quality. While it excels at producing metallic and percussive tones, its limited sound palette and cumbersome battery requirements may deter serious musicians. The CZ-101's interface provides an intuitive patch editing experience, but its overall value is questionable given more capable alternatives like the DX7. Ideal for fans of vintage sounds, but not a beginner's go-to.

Casio CZ-101 | Vintage Synth Explorer

vintagesynth.com

The Casio CZ-101 is a compact, budget-friendly synth packed with features that belie its size. It offers Phase Distortion synthesis, allowing for rich, analog-like sounds similar to the Yamaha DX series but at a more affordable price. The 8-stage envelope design and digital waveforms provide versatile sound design capabilities, ideal for creating unique textures. However, its small keys and limited patch storage may not suit all users. Additionally, programming can be challenging without a solid understanding of waveforms. Despite these drawbacks, the CZ-101 remains a favorite for its portability and surprising power, making it a valuable entry-level synthesizer.

positive

Casio CZ-101 (IT Jan 85)

muzines.co.uk

The Casio CZ-101 is a groundbreaking, budget-friendly synthesizer that impresses with its eight-note polyphony and innovative phase distortion synthesis, which is easier to grasp than FM synthesis. Its compact design and MIDI capabilities make it a versatile stage companion. However, the mini keyboard and limited storage for user-programmable sounds may deter some musicians. Despite this, the CZ-101 offers excellent sound quality and programmability for its price, making it a popular choice among musicians.

positive

Casio CZ-101: The Classic Synth That Went Head to Head With the DX7 - gearnews.com

gearnews.com

The Casio CZ-101 may appear toy-like, but it revolutionized affordable polyphony in 1984, rivaling contemporaries like Yamaha's DX7 with its unique phase distortion synthesis. Praised for its programmability and distinctive sound, this compact synth was the entry point for many budding musicians. It remains relevant today, offering a blend of analog warmth and digital precision. However, potential buyers should note the need for modifications like a backlit display and relay changes. Despite these quirks, the CZ-101's legacy in shaping electronic music is undeniable, making it a nostalgic yet valuable choice for synth enthusiasts.

positive
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 6 Reviews and 24 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
nolace

Unique synth, wish Casio still did entry level stuff like this

The tone is pretty soft even with harsh waves. Most of the Casio stuff seems to have sub frequencies filtered off, even if you have the octave set to those low notes. I used to bump up the eq below 100hz to get sub frequencies with this. This synth uses Phase Distortion Synthesis, which people compare to FM synths however it's different enough from a DX7 imo - you can choose different waveforms as opposed to only have sin waves but still have morphing sounds, turning a saw to a sin as a example.The softness lent well to ambient type sounds.

jimmarchi1

cool early digital synth

this is a really cool entry level phase-distortion synth, the CZ series was Casio's answer to FM digital synths that took over the world in the mid 80s....... like a nastier dx7 that's easier to program.... for some reason I never use it though. For performance the keyboard just doesn't stack up to the DX line, even a chintzy 4 operator DX100 has a better keyboard in my opinion.... and the DX7mk2 just schools it. I don't know if the higher end of the CZ range is any better, but with all tis capable of I wish it were more fun to perform on or that it was just a desktop module.... the size and unplayability relegate it to very casual use these days like my ESQ1 which is equally unique sounding but chintzy.

digitl

Under-rated and far out

Good synth but tiny keyboard is not useful for a player. Programmer is interesting with the 8 stage envelopes- can shape sounds beyond other synths, but only in a limited way since just a few waveforms per digital oscillator are available. Still best bang for the buck out there.

Experimental CZ-101 track.

https://youtu.be/zgHFOBwzc3g

Roles:
Genres:
youngsuzuki

Its really good

very difficult to use but if ya get used to it its very beast.

grit_neverlab

To FM or not to FM

I never heard this type of FM which Casio called Phase Distortion but it's niceeeee. Incredible versatile envelopes, resonant basses; 'THIS IS NOT A TOY!'

summedanddot

Good piece to have ...

evreybody should have a cz101 in there collection

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Joe Zawinul uses Casio CZ-101

Joe Zawinul

Keyboardist

Weather Report

...
Verified via Soundonsound

"Zawinul did not stop at the Wurlitzer and Fender Rhodes electric pianos he used in the 1960s. By the late 1960s he was extending his sonic palette with effects like phase shifters, Echoplexes, wah-wahs and ring modulators, and when synthesizers came on the market he was among the first to buy one (the EMS Putney). The list of synthesizers he has used since then — among them the ARP 2600, Rhodes Chroma, Oberheim Four-voice and Eight-voice, ARP Quadra, Sequential Prophet 5 and Prophet T8, Korg Trident, Oberheim Xpander, Korg VC10 vocoder, Emu Emulator, Casio CZ101, Korg DW8000, DSS1, DSM1 and M1 — reads like a synth museum's treasure list."

See how Andrew Eldritch uses Casio CZ-101

Andrew Eldritch

Singer, Drummer

The Sisters of Mercy

...
Verified via The-sisters-of-mercy

"Yes, it's more or less a children's toy, but it starred as the tinkly piano noise and half the bass on 'Never Land'. A certain Californian lady ran off with the original unit, but forgot the manual, so she won't have got far (especially with a sack of potatoes down the back of her knickers)."

See how Samiyam uses Casio CZ-101

Samiyam

Music Producer

FLYamSAM

...
Verified via YouTube

At 20:30 you can see that my son Samiyam is using a "CZ-101"

See how Ginger Root uses Casio CZ-101

Ginger Root

Singer, Bassist

...
Verified via YouTube

In the Loretta music video on YouTube, you can see Cameron playing a Casio CZ-101 at 0:43, at 1:20, and at 2:28. Notice the pitch bend wheel that is located on the top left of the synth and the strap knob on the bottom right which are features of the CZ-101.

See how James Ferraro uses Casio CZ-101

James Ferraro

Music Producer

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo you can appreciate that is playing a CZ101 as well an SK1 and using a Toneworks multipedal.

See how Deb Demure uses Casio CZ-101

Deb Demure

Singer, Guitarist

Drab Majesty

...
Verified via reverb.com

On the Reverb site Deb Demure talks about his guitars, pedals, amps, synths and softwares he uses in Drab Majesty

See how Claudio Narea uses Casio CZ-101

Claudio Narea

Singer, Guitarist

Los Prisioneros

...
Verified via YouTube

These synthesizers were used during the recording of "Pateando Piedras" album and in their live performances

Casio CZ-101 and CZ-1000 can be seen for example in the minutes 52:32, 58:05 1:01:14

See how Sonic Boom uses Casio CZ-101

Sonic Boom

Guitarist, Composer

Spacemen 3

...
Verified via Sonic-boom

Included in Sonic's official equipment list

See how Midge Ure uses Casio CZ-101

Midge Ure

Singer, Guitarist

Ultravox

...
Verified via Muzines

Although he's far from a virtuoso keyboard player, Midge prefers to arrange and perform his own keyboard lines allowing him, "to get it just right." Apart from the aforementioned Yamaha PS6100 keyboard he previously used one of Yamaha's cheap-ish "Portasound things with one speaker and preset rhythms." While using the PS 6100 as a compositional tool (and more recently Casio's CZ101) most of his studio work is carried out on the Emulator II sampling keyboard. With samplers being used on everything from Frankie Goes To Hollywood to Bruce Springsteen (his 'snare' sound) Midge brings in the Emulator only when it has a specific task to fulfil.

See how Arthur Russell uses Casio CZ-101

Arthur Russell

Composer, Music Producer

...
Verified via Gearslutz

In a photo featured on Gearslutz, Arthur Russell is seen using a Casio CZ-101 synthesizer.

See how John Linnell uses Casio CZ-101

John Linnell

Singer, Keyboardist

They Might Be Giants

...
Verified via TMBW: The They Might Be Giants Knowledge Base

"But by the time we were making our first record, we were using a lot of other things, like a Casio CZ-101. Great, great instrument. That was the portamento noise at the beginning of "Chess Piece Face." We were pretty heavily into the Casio scene at that time."

See how Peter Kember uses Casio CZ-101

Peter Kember

Guitarist, Keyboardist

Spacemen 3

...
Verified via reverb.com

Peter Kember is confirmed to use the Casio CZ-101 synthesizer, as highlighted by Adam Douglas on Reverb.com. The article states, "Of course, he added vocals, some percussion, and digital synthesizers as well, of which he owns a lot, from a Casio CZ-101 through to a number of home-model Yamaha PSR units."

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Casio CZ-101, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Yamaha DX7
Yamaha DX7 Synthesizers
10
Roland Juno-106
Roland Juno-106 Synthesizers
5
Akai S1000
Akai S1000 Audio Samplers
4
Roland JX-8P
Roland JX-8P Synthesizers
4
Roland JD-800
Roland JD-800 Synthesizers
4
Roland SH-101
Roland SH-101 Synthesizers
4
Yamaha TX81Z
Yamaha TX81Z Sound Modules
4
Oberheim Xpander
Oberheim Xpander Synthesizers
4

More Casio Synthesizers

Casio HT-700

 

 
Sly Stone Synkro
2 artists using
Casio SK-8

$19.99 - $191.06

 
OMFG Dan Deacon Brian Borcherdt
3 artists using
Casio CT-201

 

 
The BBC Radiophonic Workshop Malcolm Clarke
2 artists using

Accessories & Related Items

Community setups

Similar

Gear Guides

  • Added to Equipboard on by

    gchiaren
    gchiaren

    Gear IQ 37552