Behringer has announced the launched of its super portable CZ-1 Mini, channelling a classic Casio synth of the ’80s.
It features three voices, 12 phase distortion oscillators, 27 touch-sensitive capacitive keys, 16-step sequencer and arpeggiator.
Back in the 1980s, instruments like the Casio’s CZ range used phase distortion synthesis. Behringer has released its homage to the Casio CZ-1, in a portable device.
Phase distortion first came onto the scene in late 1984, with Casio releasing a number of keyboard instruments utilising the technology over the following few years — initially with the CZ-1000 in 1984, CZ-5000 in 1985, and the CZ-3000 and CZ-1 in 1986 — and aimed at enthusiast musicians thanks to a lower price point.
The CZ-1 Mini faithfully reproduces the quirks and idiosyncrasies of those original ’80s keyboards, as well as implementing into a hybrid setup.
It features the same waveforms: sawtooth, square, pulse, double sine, saw pulse and three resonant waveforms, combining to create up to 33 different waveform types. Also the classic eight-stage envelope generator, used for adjusting pitch, timbre and amp; classic line modes; detune; plus a hybrid analog low pass filter and built in chorus effect; four vibrato waves, plus many configurable options and compatibility with the original Casio CZ SysEx format.
Specifications
Synthesizer Architecture
- Number of voices: 3 Voice
- Type: Hybrid architecture
- Oscillators: 12 Phase distortion
- LFO: 2
- VCF: Analog Low-Pass Filter
- Envelopes: 6
Connectivity
- Power switch: Push button on/off
- MIDI In: 5-pin DIN / 16 channels
- USB (MIDI): USB-C
- Headphones: 3.5 mm TRS, stereo, max. 5 mW 32 ?
- Sync: Input
USB
- Type: USB-C
- Supported Operating Systems: Windows 10 and above / Mac OS 13 and above
Volume
- Control: Volume: 0 to 10
Control Section
- Switches: Prog ±/ / octave ±
Arpeggiator
- Capacity: 3 patterns
- Switch: Func
Chorus Section
- Controls: Rate / Depth
Sequencer Section
- Capacity: 16 steps, 16 patterns
- Control: Tempo
- Switches: Memory write / Function / Play/active / Record/erase
Analog Filter Section
- Controls: Cutoff / Resonance
Keyboard and Controls
- Keyboard: 27, capacitive touch
Power Requirements
- Mains connector: Micro USB
- Indicator: Power LED
Physical
- Standard operating temperature range: 5°C – 45°C (41°F – 113°F)
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 42 x 193 x 124 mm (1.7 x 7.6 x 4.9″)
- Weight: 0.36 kg (0.79 lbs)
