Mikexception

Gulfport, Mississippi?

Yes, In 86 I was a crew member on poilsh merchant ship loading there and had just one afternoon to look for. That's how things happen

I quickly looked on the internet to find any downloadable content for the Mz 2000. I only found patterns and rythms. I couldn't find any sounds. Do you know any place to donwload sounds? Is the mz 2000 compatible with other keyboards , so i can download sounds for the other compatible keyboards. How can i convert these sounds into mz 2000 ?

thanks again

I never tried.  It seems to me better  to use synth function to adopt factory sounds.

Small update to my post:

Thanks to friends in this forum I found photo of my first keyboard in 1986 - it was in fact MT 52 purchased in second hand in Gulf Port LA. . Isn't pretty ???

Next were MT 210 and MT 540

Μy second question is that, are they any variables on auto accompaniments without changing the drum rythm ? or shall i have to programm them from the sequencer from the very beggining ? are any sounds, rythms available for downloading. The instrument has so great feeling and potential and so little i can find about it on the internet.

Thanks guyz for the advice

Not sure if You ask about new variation with no changing drum rhytm (variation is to given rhytm) or chords  variation with it's perc line unchanged. If second than:

   Althought the preprogrammed variations with percussion rhytm preserved are not provided - (any time we change variation, precussion is altered to new variation), you may alter chords in the same variation   by programs, ESP, volume, octaves, EQ  and so on  part within  mixer pages . Such quick but simple variations are provided by "combination" button where part on/off has 4 levels.

Rgds..

Thank's for advice.. My modem cable works with CTK-900. Only software like Cakewalk is not present

Oh I see what you mean.  Those songs that soundcloud is playing after mine.  No, that's not me.  I think that is Mike Martin from Casio America playing that on the new PX-5S. The PX does sound good.  It sounds even better in person than it does on soundcloud.  Much better piano than the MZ.  

 

 

 

I use this with the MZ.  E-mu Xtab.  The MZ's computer host plug is outdated and useless.  

 

 

 

I think Casio's software only works over the usb ports on their keyboards.  Not sure if this applies to all of them but it does make sense. 

 

 

 

I think you did it the best way.  Good job!

Now I am puzzled again with PC connection   I see You used similar  MIDI/USB converter  connecting  with MIDI in/out. That's what I was trying  using Casio Management  Software to recognize, but with no respond. What PC/Mac software recognized  MZ in Your case?

Hi Mike.,

 

Who did the piano tune?  Do you mean the sound files I posted?  I made them.  

 

Expression pedal....I never did get one for the MZ.   I wanted to but got distracted with too many other projects and never got around to it.  You did give me an idea with those midi control numbers though.  I can use the px-5s sliders to send additional dsp control to the mz beyond the 2 parameters that are available on the mz. The midi implementation manual outlines all of the possible dsp controls in the mz.  What's available over midi is way beyond what's on the front panel. 

 

http://www.casio-europe.com/euro/downloads/emi/MZ2000_MIDI_E.pdf

 

Also, there's a way over midi to command the MZ to bulk dump it's memory contents to a computer over the midi cable but I don't know enough about midi to know how to do this.  

 

And good job on the key repair!   I have some TV remote control buttons that could use some conductive paint on their buttons.  Casio seems to be using more durable conductive coatings on their rubber buttons.  As old and as well played as my MZ is it still works great.  Not a sign of trouble. 

I mean the background piano after two main files.  Is it played by You?

I am also not experienced in MIDI. I use it only to connect keyboards together. What  I expect is that for this deeper commanding is required connection to computer and any specialized MIDI programm. . Or may be the virtual sound machine equipped with MIDI interface. But watch out - problems may come if any parameter cannot be reseted by standard resetting..  First problem is MZ has PC/Mac  connection with unusual plug    I had checked standard  MIDI to USB converter ROMIO/ESI used before for dumping/loading  data to CTK-900/WK3700 with  CASIO Music Data Management Software   - no result.  USB stick device is good option  to store in computer or just keep in it...

I agree Casio Japan does good quality rubbers but in CTK-900 produced in China dashboard controlls rubber gave up 80% within 7 years. CME quality? Strangely no one key failed. And as expected service in Warsaw was only deeply surprised. Now I did all dashboard contacts CTK-900 painted and works at touch. Some guys advice to stick new rubber plates to existing - I tred it but then height of rubber rises and must be cut - it makes a mess with jump of buttons. I find my idea accurate and with no permanent damage.. Styil waiting for failure as silicon rubber  sticks to  paint badly but its only vertical force With 88 keys in CME still no  trouble with any.

By the way - restoring of my CME UF-8 was not simple. It's im my You Tube clip

Hi,

I've checked two files and I liked more first one. I see it's PX5S? But the  the piano tune I liked even more. Exceptional.

Last time I managed to restore my hammer key controller CME-UF8 and now my MZ-2000 has better  keys by MIDI. It makes difference. It's also good  to connect  an expression pedal to MZ. I couldn't get original one ,so year ago I converted purchased in music shop  simple volume pedal for vocalist to do  job of  options from expression pedal menu. I learned to controll MZ expression by CME -UF8  "control  pedal out". This is  even faster way of switching this menu  functions. It can be switched by controller MIDI communicates for expression pedal ; 11 for volume expression, 76,77  for DSP 1 and 78,79  for DSP 2 parameters.

PS. Hmm.... who did this piano tune?

Thank You for this quick response. That all makes good sense

Rgds.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  If you decide to get a PX-5S, this is the place for help in using it.  Lot's of owners to help, including me and lot's of free sounds to download including ones I've made.

 

BTW.  I'd love to share some of the patterns and sounds I've made for the MZ-2000 but it seems no one else with an MZ has a working floppy drive in their computer anymore.  I wonder why?  

As You may expect I have working one in my Dell GX280. I am hardly reformovable he he.

But used last time  two years ago when I tried to read my floppy discs with MZ data - another problem. During cleaning my MZ floppy I had to move head adjustment and now it is reading only its own later records.  For my registration and sound records it.s enough.  .

I found Mike Martin explanation about making user tones -  it looks good   . 

Rgds.

Hey Mike,  I noticed you had a file uploaded in the PX-5s section.  The admins of this site deleted that because it was not in the proper location. There's currently no category for files like the MZ-2000 demo MP3.  

 

 

The manuals are not written clearly.  Go to page E-11 thru page E-18 of the tutorial manual.   There's charts of all of the editable parameters for 3 types of user tones.  Melody Tones (basic tone)  Drum Tones (yes the PX5 can edit drum tones down to each individual note)  and Hex Layer Tones (a 6 layer tricked out version of the previous 4 layer tones in the MZ). 

 

Mike, so much has changed since the MZ-2000 that it is difficult to explain it all.  User tones on the MZ had to be stored in user slots with a max of 40 and there was only 1 type of tone.  The PX5 has 220 slots divided among 3 different types of tones.  There's another difference.  User tones can be saved in a new way.  What was called registration on the MZ is now called stage settings.  User synth tones on the PX5 will be saved inside of a stage setting where they live.

 

 

 

No need for photos of synth screen.  That sounds like to much work.   Thank you anyway.

 

 

BTW....Nice Piano tune and sound.

I even do not know how long I've been experimenting from time to time with few pianos -started from purchase and ended 6 moths from now -3 years . Thank You for turning my attention to PX - with OMV  price  it's good deal for such highly packed machine but in Poland may be much more.  If CME fails more and I can't repair  PX would be my choice for hammer action- keys much better than CME plus all stuff is unparallel...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Hi Brad,

The difference is obvious.  . By ear judgement is bloody tricky - sometime the sound sample is just taken from such sounding  instrument and only that  may be adopted like in mixer of MZ-2000. General EQing for me is too much. . I don't complain because for piano example - there is a lot of instruments and producer selects only those which are acclaimed by customers. Example  when I used WK-1800 my friends were amazed with piano tone while I disliked - of course it was my instrument so I didn't argue    . Earphones are crazy different too - I had them a lot and no one was transparent, more, no one can be transparent due to human ear shape too near.  . I took me many years how  to recognize that sound more or less  properly presented, even not pleasant one. Basic condition is that all sounds of all instruments and other noises should be  clear and natural

I could only read manual to PX -5S - no word about synth function, only part E-14 says about modifyng and editing sounds. It's not what I mean. Then I tried tutorials moves from Casio markieting - not a word about Envelope, LFOs, DSP like CTK-900 or MZ in four layers has, how to save user tone. So if there is synth section for user then you have to forgive my opinion based on this.

I send my piano file - if You accept quality and need to have like this at MZ-2000 I will pass to You all settings in form of photos of synth screens. Other way is problem because my flopy does not coopearate with floppy in PC. Time between 01,00 and 01,25 min is factory MZ-2000 Grand Piano1

.

rec1227-192622 piano.mp3

Mike, have you looked at the PX-5S?   It's the only new Casio that was able to pry me away from the MZ-2000.  

Thanks Brad,

I looked at PX-5S - Its beautifull. Anyway  Also You did best to keep MZ-2000 too. New model doesn't have synth section which is  rich in MZ and it is my point of interest. I can't say much but may be there are more functions not replicated in PX.. I see also they upgraded soft in May to extend some so it is promising.  I already would wish to have them both as well - PX specially for piano futures like hammer key, triple sensors, string resonance function, standard MIDI connection. For "empty type" piano tone I managed to create on MZ customer piano with two tones and it is matching what I hear on my CDs - no point to be unhappy. I often create tones to use because I am very fond on sound - my other hobby is construction of top audio columns  - I did in my life about 20 systems while purchased in store only one pair. Adviced by all and I used them  two weeks . So if you mention about speakers in MZ and PX and loosing midrange it flashes lights for me . I couldn't find anything about PX speakers and output power in manual - does it have ? My conclusion is that what we hear is just team of speakers. Casio MZ has strongest speaker system I saw. in keyboards - inside there are properly done bass chambers and that is why it sounds so rich. For tone  test all effects and master must be off and no reverb nor Chorus. I also pay high attention to midrange. My impression  is that MZ-2000 has no (present on out jacks)  EQ fo speaker system but  all worldwide  crossovers make mess on cross frequency.  And MZ has naturally one of them.

Rgds.

P.S About sound problems I have my Web page Michal Czabajski D.I.Y. Non Fatique Sound System

On 12/23/2013 at 5:17 PM, Brad MZ PX said:

Yes...the buttons hold up nice.   Even the data wheel has endured an amazing amount of spinning.  I wore off the paint on my data wheel. 

 

As far as EQ Flat.....I suspected that the EQ Flat setting was supposed to remove the custom EQ that is applied to the sound generator.  Years ago I noticed that the MZ's sound is EQ'ed for it's own speaker system and there is no way to flatten the EQ for recording from the line-out jacks.  One would think that EQ Flat would do it but NO.  I've resorted to reversing the EQ curve myself by ear using the EQ in Cakewalk when I record the MZ.

Hi Brad,

Strange about  this EQing.  I must check it out.

Rgds.

Mike, have you looked at the PX-5S?   It's the only new Casio that was able to pry me away from the MZ-2000.  

Thank You Brad - It looks like still hot modell. Just checked data. Impressive 256 poliphony - wow!  In my past I discovered that each new model lacks something what was usefull in previous - ex for MZ I adopted  myself expression pedal for it's expression and this one has two pedalss instead three.. But I am having troubles with my hammer UF8 - (key rubbers, bad expectation). I would be happy to have this PX5S keys - three contacts is excellent. I am going to see more details ..... even so small as price tag   Can You advice?

Rgds.

Hi,

Nice to read that  more people  keep going on their own way.

I also do not stop and my fascination with white and black keys iis life long. When I was 16 I was given a broken toy keyboard  with nothing except multi resistor inside. I made an oscillator and this way ...I couldn't get even a gama .

But a dream survived and one day in 1986  I saw a guy who had had Casio MT with small keys and a big talent to use them. This way I discovered what I wanted.

Next month and after I had one by one: used Casio MT ...(?) - very small brown with sliders to programmm rhytm section (may be MT40 - was such?) , new  Casio MT 200, Casio MT.. (250?)  with set of eight square push buttons to select  special sound effects. I wanted Casio CT1000 but finally left to work in Singapore where it was not on sell. I was  lured by Yamaha PSR 400. But my wish after Casios was to have natural instruments and it wasn't in Yamaha  No much to engage in too. Again I sold it and decided another market flyer - Technics  . This time it was serious piano - Digital Ensamble PR170. 60 kgs, beautifull sounding and nice in use. After 5 years it was really good to pass to my dougther. I was already dreaming about synth section and custom rhytm section. This time, in 2002 with loan in hand  I had a choice between Casio WK1800 and Casio MZ-2000. Looking at price tag it was one only  choice - WK1800. What went wrong? The grand piano wasn't a match to Technics and keys were light. Piece was long and weighted 11 kg - too much to take easy to air travelling (working in other countries, continents  I coudn't bear not to have one with me  for free time). But very good for own music creations  . In 2006 I needed smaller - next choice was CTK-900 - 5kgs, "portable". I must say it is very good instrument with interesting effect  and synth sections. Really good Grand Piano may be produced and it is  only small part of it's goodness   Special advantage of CTK-900 (for me) is that producer left not blocked posssibility to include percussion set in each of accompaniament channell - great fun. For home use I added MIDI hammer 88 keys controller CME UF-8 -good combination due to interesting cooperation between controllers and keyboard effect parameters. You may find 

Then I looked for any strong user  programmable and stationary keyboard and in 2010 I reminded about  forgotten Casio MZ-2000. Since then I have no more ideas - for my kind of use nothing could be better.   So as all of You can see it's easy and quick tway o match keboard to our dreams.

Rgds.

1)  My MZ is the first model year (2000).  It never did any jingle during boot up and I owned 2 different MZ's that year.   The first one, I had to exchange for a new one because something on the main board burned out within the first week.   The jingle may have been added in 2001 or 2002.  I would love for you to post a video of it's jingle during boot-up.  I had no idea later models did that.  

 

2)  Yes, it does that.  I think it's a feature.  If no sound is detected from the inputs during boot-up then the system deactivates them.  That's my theory.

 

3)  Interactive accomp has more effect in some patterns than others.   It's normal.

 

 

Now for my question.  In the Master DSP effects,  EQ FLAT,  does it sound like that setting does anything? 

Thank You.

No - EQ Flat in my one doesn' change - only level works(what for?) . Other it's controllers have no designation even values on screen  may be adjusted. I suspect  that Casio would develop this modell if continued. I respect for what they already did, and even  small bugs may be forgiven in such completly new design, and with short time for feedback. I also bless them for rubbers an contacts. No any problem in my piece after about 10 years. I have also CTK-900 and this one almost all dach push buttons contacts made with rubber failed after 4 years - I sticked new rubber covers to them - tricky job. Service gave me lot support telling that it is unusuall so obviously they have no remedy ..

PS This partly  jingle comes only sometime and it's only one  "reach" sounding tone like evaluated  Orchestra Hit.

Rgds.

Good idea for the buttons.  I do like having lot's of buttons.   Makes things quick to choose.   I've had my MZ-2000 for 13 years.   Now I have the PX-5s as well.  It's better than the MZ in many ways but not others.  I still need both of them.  

 

FYI, We can share files for the MZ on this forum in the download section.  We'll need to use the "other Casio products" section for now.  If we get enough files we may be able to make our own category.

13 years is great experience. Great option  to to ask difficult questions. I purchased my MZ 3 years ago as second hand and it is already a factor - 1) I wonder about my one is booting at start - there is a jingle by the way. My MZ jingles only sometimes and never in full - it's not from the begining only the reverb of it. Had You such experience with Your? 2) Microphone jack is very often not activated at first booting - if is deaf  I need to switch off and restart - second is always positive.    3) Still I have doubts about "interactive accomp" - works for some programs good but it is no more then 50%. Could it be normal?

Rgds.

Hi Brad ! Yes, I mean the internal battery for memory backup. She worked for nine years, then the display started working intermittently, then stopped completely incorporated. I had the address of the website where you can order the original battery, it seems in England, but I lost it.

  Casio MZ 2000 I felt very comfortable even used as midi. Mechanic keys very comfortable.

 

 

Hi Mike ! I also tried to replace the battery yourself. But I'm not such a good specialist in repairing electronics :-)

You are right it is necessary to find a good specialist. But unfortunately I lost the original battery and now I do not remember its characteristics.

HI, I looked and found a battery which was my choice one of two  - both had the same diameter -this one is CR2450 and  for me as I remember was looking promising also. The only problem  is that original has attached leads and is pemanently soldered to main board. If that is solved then any 3V lithium battery will do.

Rgds.

Mike,  I have watched your videos on youtube.  Very good.  I think you are the most active MZ-2000 user on youtube.  One question.  What is the different colors on your buttons for?

Hi, it's just aid to help to klick right button. I am not sure if averybody realises that with MZ-2000 I counted something about 130 switches on dashboard - it's great  advantage in access time comparing do access through menus but then for some panels makes a bit confuse to be sure to choose without reading. With more colors it's easier. I  cut by whole cutter round transparent filters sticked  with double sided tape and it helps a littele to avoid wrong step. It may be removed without trace. Special attention I had to put to One Touch button - this one removes all done last time settins and replaces with OTP - too bad if it was not in registration.

You are right - I didn't want to be no 1 but competition sleeps . I am not dedicated MZ-2000 user - this is simply my last choice. Very begining was back in 1986 with small Casio MT which was already outdated purchased in second hand shop in US near N.Orleans. then were two more small MT's, after Yamaha PSR400 then Technics Digital Ensamble  PR170 and great return to Casio - WK1800, CTK900. What else could I buy next ???

Adiitionally I have  controller CME UF8 to drive Casios by MIDI and in my opinion hammer keys with Casio Piano Grand make nice change and allow more keys and controlled  with knobs on CME   sounds. I do not advice it too much because of lost areal at home but just say.

Rgds.

Hello! Very glad I found your sayt.U I have a Casio MZ 2000, but the deadline batteries ended four years ago. Really want to spice up the workstation, but can not because CASIO services in Russia are no longer suitable batteries. Can you advise me where you can buy the original battery? Sorry for the mistakes, I use a translator.

I did the replacement in advance when instrument was 10 years old. Also in Poland Casio service is  simply psyhological . I decided to buy the same 3 V   bigger even battery (thicker a bit) and made Do It Yourself round  plastic adaptor box closed with  thread  and wires leads out and carryed attention to the same polarity. .  It made soldering possibile without overheating  the battery. Originall one has leads welded.  I don't know  about all data in case of too low battery - I did it parallel way  to avoid unenergising.  Rgds.

PS - I am used to make all electronic repairs myself , You may ask qualified someone.

Hello "workstationers"

Having read Your questions I may say I had the same. I do not want to write here manual but just give You what's in my experience. This Casio  wonder is in my opinion desiganted not for simple fast use - for such job Casio  implemented One Touch Preset - it's not for me . Casio MZ 2000 is for job worked out by demanding owner.  Although menus are very clear and access to everything is terrifing  user must remember where some blocades are and what is not a simple stamp in registration -

1) I must admit there is one  problem. Registration shall nicely  memorize  all DSP settings  except customer reverb level and chorus level for programs included by user in "Effect" chart. Any time registering is recalled and  DSP is changed it changes  this settings back to  predefined. My way is then to keep Tone DSP  unchanged within full performance - Tone DSP Hold "on"  is usefull.

2) Take care - this is important field - if You have it "on" then original MZ programs which need their designated DSP's will not get their DSP presets and their  sound will be altered in unnatural ways. If we need natural factory sound please first take this Hold to off. 

3) Depending on mixer page 2 DSP setting Reverbs and Chorus has separate settings for DSP mode  - first is in effect menu -second  with DSP "off" it is  in mixer menu.

4) Watch SETTING/accomp/chord menu - this usefull blocades make surprises when forgotten  -thats why sometime we can't get the same as usuall -  example  tone is not vanishing .

5) Synth option has two sections - one is for continuous access - other "detail" for memorizing and deep settings. . But setting of both are included in "save" operation in second section . Without if you make change in first section it will be reseted back to zeros with change to new instrument. Making own sound covers both sections - after You memorize deep settings you may alter first section, and to keep it permanent it you must go back to deep section to make "save" again.

6) Synth section requires imagination of programm shape - if parameter is  short or small it will be no result when adjusting other  parameters for longer or bigger values. But is must be this way.

That is few for beginning. Good experience is also that the longer this instrument is in use and programmed the less job is to do for new  arrangement - Musician style  (if has any -....uuups..) is better and better memorized.

If You wish to see what I am doing the best is to write to google :mikexception and then go to my  channell in Youtube