CASIO VZ-10M Still worth 75 euros ?

Discussion in 'Synthesizers' started by Olymoon, Oct 29, 2020.

  1. Olymoon

    Olymoon MODERATOR Staff Member

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    Hi Guys, I could buy a CASIO VZ-10M for 75 euros.

    Any of you have experience with this synthesizer?

    Does it worth this price?

    Thanks in advance for your experienced answers.
     
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  3. fiction

    fiction Audiosexual

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    I would buy it. I had a VZ-1 and its Phase Mod operators sound different from the DX7, plus you can route them in ways you couldn't on the DX. It has a character of its own.
    But be prepared for some fiddly sound design, I had used emagic SoundDiver for editing it, dunno what editors are available today.
    I wouldn't buy it for its presets, rather for creating my own new sounds.
     
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  4. _mahsofabish

    _mahsofabish Guest

    now that's a deal... I've paid mine 400€ a couple of years ago...
     
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  5. fiction

    fiction Audiosexual

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  6. Always Grateful

    Always Grateful Kapellmeister

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    I brought mine for £180 VZ10M (pulse modulation Casio Version of FM). It's like a DX7 (FM), D50, and Wavestation for Pads and Bass sounds. Worth it.
     
    Last edited: Oct 29, 2020
  7. fiction

    fiction Audiosexual

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    No PCM samples inside this box and no wave sequencing.
     
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  8. angie

    angie Producer

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    I have it.
    I'd buy another one at that price
     
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  9. SineWave

    SineWave Audiosexual

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    Yes! It's a rack version of VZ-1. That's a very cute phase modulation analogue synth with digital oscillators. I would rather have FZ-10M [same screen] sampler which is pretty unique, but VZ-10M is still rather ace and I would have it in a blink of an eye, especially at that price. It's not as great as CZ-1, but still very interesting to play with. Phase modulation synthesis is an interesting approach similar to FM/Yamaha DX7 which I've always been a fan of, both FM and PM, I mean. You can get some weird Aphex Twinish sounds just tweaking around a bit.

    There is a MIDI editor for it in MIDI Quest software. I use VirtualCZ VST sometimes when I need something weird, say 60s sci-fi sounds. :)

    The one problem I know of with this whole Casio VZ/FZ series of synths from that time is the screen. The backlight will be very dim unless the owner changed it. I think the replacement backlight could still be found somewhere, possibly e-bay. I replaced it on my Akai S3200 and it was just $12 or something and easy to do.

    Have a nice time playing with it, Oly! :wink:
     
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  10. mr.personality

    mr.personality Producer

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    Have 2. One bought new, another used. Haven't used them in two dogs' age. I'm just not disciplined enough to get into programming these things, heh. Remember their output level was really low.
     
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  11. odod

    odod Rock Star

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    i guess that's a steal! ..recently i just bought EWQL diamond, Soundtoys, and Slate for 150$ .. a friend retired from music world he decided to gave up his iLok .. and i can pay 3x .. anything goes cheap .. buy it, you might resale it one day for higher price
     
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  12. Olymoon

    Olymoon MODERATOR Staff Member

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    Guys, I can't thank you all enough for your ref and constructive answers.

    I was unsure, but I'm gonna buy it today.

    As a professional synth programmer, I'm not affair to dig into its comlex structure, specially if I can use an editor like sounquest.

    Thanks again to all of you.

    May the muses be with you.
    :bow::bow::bow:
     
    Last edited: Oct 29, 2020
  13. Always Grateful

    Always Grateful Kapellmeister

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    Hi Casio project was an FM synth , but they called it Phase distortion, The comparision to Wavestation was on pad and string sounds. I also own a Kawai K1 has similar tonal qualities. More on VZ10 http://www.vintagesynth.com/casio/vz1.php
     
  14. Olymoon

    Olymoon MODERATOR Staff Member

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    Well the vendor, now says it's reserved ... It seems I was too slow on this one.
     
  15. SineWave

    SineWave Audiosexual

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    Really sorry. :(

    I'm on a lookout for Prophet 3000 and FZ-10M... Samplers with analogue filters. :P Emulator III is still too expensive for me. It will always be too expensive, I guess. E-Max II is a less expensive alternative, but I prefer modules/racks.
     
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