ta152c

Hello Tony.

The keys are really hard to find; best solution is to attach a MIDI keyboard to it.

You could maybe 3D print them?

£

On 5/9/2015 at 11:00 PM, Chas said:

 

That is an excellent deal, especially as the RA100 Ram Cards on their own can fetch  £50 (in the UK). It seems weird that you can often get the RA100 card for a bargain if it comes with a keyboard. I got my second RA100 with a mint, boxed HT700. I think I paid approx. £40. I could easily split them and sell them both for that same price each (but I won't, I want to keep them!)

 

The HT700 is for all intents and purpose a baby HT3000, with mini keys and minus the modulation wheel. They are otherwise identical in features and sound. I like my HT700 purely because it is so accessible and portable, I can just pick it up and plug it in anywhere. Also, I find the smaller HT's sound more analogue than the HT6000, despite having only one oscillator compared with the HT6000's four. Maybe it's because the HT6000 uses its ring modulation a lot, or maybe Casio gave it more 'bell' sounding waveforms as was all the rage with the in vogue FM synthesizers in the 80's.

 

The other rare model in the range is the HZ600, the 'pro' version. Styled very similar to a Roland Alpha Juno and designed to appeal to those who feel that a 'pro' keyboard shouldn't have built in speakers or drums/ rhythms. Despite the 'pro' tag, it's just an HT3000 minus the speakers and rhythm section and certainly not worth a premium. I have one, but only because it cost £10 and was too good a deal to pass up!

 

As you already have an HT3000 I would definitely say go for the HT6000 next, as with the 3000 you already have every function available on all the lesser HT's. However, if you find an HT700 for a good price then grab it as its portability makes it so much more fun to use anywhere. One thing to bear in mind though - you cannot swap the RA100 cards between a 6000 and and the lesser HT's, and vice versa. The 6000 has extra functions/ features and uses a different layout on the RA100 (when formatted) to the other HT's. That's why I have 2 x RA100's, one for my 700's and one for my 6000's. The cards will work on any HT/ HZ, but you have to format them first and it will then store data in the format applicable that model. 

If you (ever) decide to part with the HZ600 let me know (UK).

David.

I had one, but gave it away. The one I'd love to get is the HZ-600 'SD' one, sounds like a Roland Alpha-Juno 1.

Casio synths were stunningly good and really easy to use. So is a DX7, all that nonsense spouted about 'needing programming skills' etc. Most of the time you only alter a few parameters. CZ-1 is a beautiful synth to use.

David.

Cheers mate.

Apparently the keys for the CZ230S are not the same *but* if you ever decide to open up both and the keys are the same, please let me know?

My CZ-101 works perfectly, great wee synth.

Regards,

David.

Nice!!!

Hello.

Do any forum members know where I might get a replacement B key for the above synth? 

Or, is there an equivalent replacement? Its really nice, has lovely CZ sounds and drums from the RZ-1.  Pic enclosed (ebay). Key contact still works! Casio and Yamaha stuff lasts forever, only batteries are their Kryptonite  

Thanks.

David.

Have any other users noticed a fair bit of distortion when pressing more than 3 keys on this? 

Taking the volume down does help but just wondering. Also, has anyone tried hacking/circuit bending the vibrato (LFO) to get more control over it?

I'm loath to do it but its such a nice wee keyboard that I think it would be a worthwhile modification.

In other news, I'm really tempted to get a VZ-1- any thoughts?

Pic attached is of some clouds I saw a few weeks back, btw.

I have a CZ-1- tore my shoulder muscle carrying it. 

Great synth though, best one I have.