Casio CZ-1000 (1984)

A programmable 8-voice digital synthesizer using Phase Distortion synthesis, released as part of Casio's entry into accessible synthesis.

Overview

The Casio CZ-1000 is a 49-key synthesizer released in 1984 as part of Casio's CZ series. It was made for musicians who wanted to create and modify their own sounds. It has full-size synth-action keys and 8-voice polyphony with 32 preset/user tones. The sound engine is Phase Distortion (PD) synthesis, and you edit sounds from the front panel. Casio marketed it for home and entry-level studio use. There are no built-in speakers, no accompaniments and no sequencer. It does have MIDI and line-level audio outputs.

Specifications

Number of Keys	49
Key Weight	Synth action
Key Size	Full-size
Touch Sensitive	No
Aftertouch	No
Number of Voices	32 (preset/user tones)
Polyphony	8 voices
Sound Generation	Phase Distortion (PD) synthesis
Preset/User Tones	32 tones
Sounds Editable	Yes
Accompaniments	No
Recorder/Sequencer	No
Tutorials	No
MIDI	Yes
USB	No
Tablet Connectivity	No
AC Power	Yes
Batteries	Yes (type/count not specified)
Speakers	No
Audio Out	Yes, line-level outputs
Audio In	No
Sustain Pedal	No
Soft Pedal	No
Expression Pedal	No
Year	1984 (release year)
RRP	$649

Design

Phase Distortion Synthesis makes timbres by distorting the phase of a sine wave. It does this with variable increment rates in a phase accumulator. Sound generation uses Digital Controlled Oscillators (DCO), Digital Controlled Wave (DCW) and a Digital Controlled Amplifier (DCA). Modulation comes from Envelope Generators (EG), a Low-Frequency Oscillator (LFO) and additional modulators. You program it from the front panel or with optional software. The layout is meant to be more intuitive than FM synthesis.

Context

Casio developed the CZ-1000 in response to competitive pressure after the 1983 launch of the Yamaha DX7. It is a full-size variant of the CZ-101, and in the CZ lineup it sits between that model and the flagship CZ-5000. The series was inspired in part by collaborations such as the "Cosmo Synthesizer" project with composer Isao Tomita. Aimed at home and entry-level studio users, the CZ series brought programmable synthesis to a broader market. It sold in large numbers, with the CZ-101 and CZ-1000 together moving around 115,000 units.

Market

CZ synthesizers are still cheap on the used market, even though notable artists like Vince Clarke of Depeche Mode and Erasure used them. The CZ-1000 can produce metallic, percussive and organic sounds, which helped build its cult status. Its organ preset shows up in early 1990s rave productions.

Market Value

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ CASIO CZ-1000                                                   Nov 2026 │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ High      $696                                    Latest            $500 │
│ Median    $449                                    Trend                — │
│ Low       $217                                    Volume               — │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│   $700 ┤                                                                 │
│        │                                                .                │
│        │                                                                 │
│   $486 ┤                                                                .│
│        │                                                                 │
│        │                                                 .               │
│        │                                                                 │
│   $200 ┤.                                                                │
│        ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────│
│    vol │█                                               ██              █│
│        └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────│
│         2025-12                      2026-04                      2026-08│
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

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