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Average Price: $900
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$700+
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Description
The first 16-bit sampling synthesizer in Japan. The FZ-1 was the premier Casio synthesizer model at the time, providing 16-bit handling of all sampling—a technique in the spotlight at the time—to enable playback with high sound quality and satisfy the exacting demands of even pro musicians. It also featured a large graphical LCD display, enabling waveform editing and making adjustments possible for superior usability.
https://web.casio.com/emi/40th/history/fz-1.html
Product specs
| Brand | Casio |
| Model | FZ-1 61-Key Synthesizer |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 1986 - 1987 |
| Made In | Japan |
| Categories | Digital Synthesizers, Keyboard Synths |
| Analog / Digital | Digital |
| Key Size | Full Size |
| Keyboard Action | Synth Action |
| MIDI I/O | MIDI Input, MIDI Output, MIDI Through |
| Number of Keys | 61 Keys |
| Polyphony | 8 Voices |
FAQs
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What type of sound engine does the Casio FZ-1 Sampler use?
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The Casio FZ-1 uses a digital sound engine with sampling capabilities, allowing you to capture and manipulate audio samples for creative sound design.
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How many voices of polyphony does the Casio FZ-1 offer?
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The Casio FZ-1 provides 8 voices of polyphony, enabling you to play multiple notes simultaneously for more complex musical compositions.
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Does the Casio FZ-1 Sampler have MIDI connectivity?
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Yes, the Casio FZ-1 features MIDI Input, Output, and Through, allowing it to interface with other MIDI-compatible devices for expanded control and integration.
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What is the keyboard action type of the Casio FZ-1?
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The Casio FZ-1 has a synth action keyboard, which is designed for a responsive and flexible playing experience suitable for electronic music styles.
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How many keys are on the Casio FZ-1 Sampler?
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The Casio FZ-1 features a 61-key full-size keyboard, providing a broad range for performance and composition.
Videos
mylarmelodies
CASIO FZ-1 Sampler Demo
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Casio FZ-1 Sampler.
Features and functionality
Build quality
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Owners frequently encounter issues with sticky and clacky keys, although the keybed is praised for its nice aftertouch.
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Comparisons
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The FZ-1 is noted for its more hi-fi sound and unique switched-capacitor analog filter, contrasting with the Akai's sample coloring capabilities.
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User experience
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Though the FZ-1 has more menus due to its features, users find it straightforward to use, contrary to its reputation for being complex.
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Use cases and applications
Value and pricing
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Owners have acquired the FZ-1 for as low as $75, highlighting its affordability compared to its capabilities.
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Setup and maintenance
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Cleaning key contacts with rubbing alcohol and a q-tip can remedy dead keys, a common maintenance tip shared by users.
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Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 5 Ratings
278
Artist usage
Add artist
IN ADDITION TO his work with electronic percussion devices, Erskine has jumped headfirst into the synth and MIDI fray. His home studio contains a Casio FZ1 and CZ101, a Roland Super JX, a Korg DW8000 and Poly 800, a recently MIDI'd Oberheim OBXa, a Yamaha DX100 and Yamaha RX5, PMC1 and TX816.
"It was the sort of vibe we wanted to capture for 'Pacific State', so we sampled up some chords on a Juno 106 — when you put the chorus on it and put on loads of filter so that it's quite muted, you get that warm atmosphere, and we sampled that into a Casio FZ1 keyboard as a chord: one note on the keyboard would play that chord, and the same chord was played on a Roland D50 using the 'warm strings' preset. The pad sound was therefore a combination of those two things layered, with some additional filtering on the FZ1."
In the MusicRadar Tech studio tour video, the Freemasons are shown using the Casio FZ-1 Sampler.
Mastelotto isn't shy with electronics. He used "a fair amount of samples" for composite snare sounds, including three alone for "King for a Day," played on a Roland Octopad, and the overtone of "a very ringy Ludwig similar to a tube-lug snare" sampled on an Akai S900. The drummer and his tech Paul Mitchell bent the samples with a warp function "to a note that sounded good" for each track. Tabourine-shaker, congas, tablas and other oriental percussion came from Casio FZ-1 samplers. A Yamaha RX5 drum machine crops up on the fade of "Hold Me My Daddy"; elsewhere Mastelotto used an MX8 MIDI patch bay to increase the velocity of a LinnDrum fed into a Yamaha QX2 program. An old Simmons SD55's kicks and snares are on "Chalkhills and Children" and "Poor Skeleton Steps Out." There's a Pearl SC-40 on "Cynical Days" -- "similar to a tambourine but more of a bongo" -- and "Garden of Earthly Delights," "for a low kick that bends up like a tabla." "Garden" also employs a Roland TR727 drum loop. And Mastelotto still uses sticks: Pro-Mark 5Bs or 909s, "butt-end."
David Rosenthal is confirmed to have used the Casio FZ-1 Sampler during the Heavy Nova tour with Robert Palmer in 1988-89, as evidenced by a photo from 1989 that is featured on his official website.
Jools Holland's equipment list, from the January 1993 issue of Music Technology:
(Helicon Mountain studios)
Instruments: Casio FZ1 Keyboard Sampler Casio FZ10M Sampler Module w/80-disk sound library Casio VZ1 Synth Hohner Clavinet Korg CX3 Organ w/Leslie 145 Cabinet Yamaha C5 Grand Piano Yamaha DX7 Synth
Recording: Atari 1040ST w/Steinberg Pro24 and C-Lab Creator sequencing software Fisher CD Player Revox PR99 two-track Saturn 824 24-track (Dolby SR on arrangement) Soundtracs Quartz 48-channel in-line desk (96 inputs on mixdown) Casio DA1 DAT Recorder Casio DA2 DAT Recorder XRI XR300 SMPTE Synchroniser
Effects: Drawmer Gate Drawmer Dual Compressor/Limiter Eventide Harmonizer Lexicon 480L Reverb Lexicon PCM70 Multi-effects Processor Roland SDE2000 Digital Delay SA PPE 240 Teac Graphic Equaliser Yamaha REV7 Reverb Yamaha R1000 Reverb Yamaha SPX90 (x2) Multi-effects Processor
Microphones: Neumann U87, AKG, Shure, PZM
In this Youtube video, at 0:13 seconds into the video, you can see the distinctive blue directional pads of the Casio FZ-1 on the top of Dan's synth stand.
"I do almost all of my music work out of my studio at home. Ok, here goes: I use a pair of Adats, a Soundcraft Ghost for mixing, a bunch of outboard Symetrix and Lexicon processors for dynamics and effects, and an Eventide Ultraharmonizer DSP4000 for pre/post processing and vocal effects. For keyboards I use a mix of older and newer stuff. I have an old Prophet 5, a Casio FZ-1, a Roland MKS-50 with a programmer and an Oberheim Matrix 6. For newer gear, the Roland JP-8000, MC303, and the Novation BassStation are nice for creating new sounds quickly. I also have a little Korg 01/wR with a software programmer that can be coaxed into making some fat sounds (no analog filter tho). I'm pretty religious about not using presets, so I really favor the more programmable synths.
A lot of the recording and arrangement happens inside a PC; I run Logic Audio 2.5 for digital recording, post-processing and midi arrangement. I use an Audiomedia III card for digital transfers to and from a Tascam DA-30 dat. For guitar I use my trusty Les Paul through a Marshall half-stack, with an Oberheim Echoplex on the fx loop. "
Album Usage
The Casio FZ-1 Sampler has been featured on the following albums:
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 FZ-1 Sampler, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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