Casio CT-6500 (1986)
A 61-key preset synthesizer and MIDI arranger, positioned as a successor to the CT-6000 series.
Overview
The Casio CT-6500 is a keyboard synthesizer made in 1986. It is identified as the successor to the high-end PD home keyboard CT-6000. It is a preset synth with built-in sounds and features, and it has MIDI for sequencing and arrangement. It has 61 keys and carries the Casiotone branding. It has sounds and features you don't commonly find on other Casio keyboards of the era.
Specifications
| Keyboard | 61 keys |
| Polyphony | 10 notes |
| Oscillators | 2 per voice |
Design
The CT-6500 is a preset synthesizer built around the architecture of the Casio CZ-5000. The design shares similarities with the 4-voice polyphonic PT-30 keyboard.
Context
The CT-6500 followed the CT-6000 and continued Casio's line of home-oriented PD keyboards. It introduced features like Scratch Sound, which anticipated later innovations such as the Rapman. Casio marketed it to users who wanted advanced sound manipulation and arrangement in a home keyboard.
Market
Units turn up on the secondhand market, often described as in good condition or already sold. A common reported problem is malfunctioning buttons and lights. Some users note the keyboard is large, which hurts portability.
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