Help remembering an old 80's synth

[Synthoid]

I was thinking about my first keyboards when I started playing in 1984. I had just subscribed to Keyboard magazine back then and was drooling over all the toys I couldn't afford, especially the Synclavier and Fairlight.

 

But I'm specifically trying to recall a keyboard that was released in the mid to late 80's (not made by the big three btw).... it was dark gray plastic, with a small rectangular display, 61 keys, with square buttons on the front panel. Also kind of boxy looking with no knobs and very few sliders IIRC.

 

Any help is appreciated.

 

 

[Winston Psmith]

I was thinking about my first keyboards when I started playing in 1984. I had just subscribed to Keyboard magazine back then and was drooling over all the toys I couldn't afford, especially the Synclavier and Fairlight.

 

But I'm specifically trying to recall a keyboard that was released in the mid to late 80's (not made by the big three btw).... it was dark gray plastic, with a small rectangular display, 61 keys, with square buttons on the front panel. Also kind of boxy looking with no knobs and very few sliders IIRC.

 

Any help is appreciated.

 

 

Sounds a lot like one of Casio's CZ series? The CZ-1000 or maybe the CZ-1?

 

Casio CZ-1000 VIntage Synth Explorer

 

Casio CZ-1

 

 

[RedKey]

Casio CZ, Kawai K3, Oberheim Matrix 6, Ensoniq ESQ/SQ80 come to mind.

 

[Synthoid]

Hey that was quick... thanks!

 

It was the CZ-5000 actually. I remember our drummer bought one. Don't know if he actually knew how to play it though.

 

 

[Dr Mike Metlay]

.... it was dark gray plastic, with a small rectangular display, 61 keys, with square buttons on the front panel. Also kind of boxy looking with no knobs and very few sliders IIRC.

It is a bit saddening to think just how many synthesizers of that era fit that description...

 

[Synthoid]

This is true.

 

At least the CZ series didn't have those awful membrane buttons.

 

 

[David Emm]

This is true.

 

At least the CZ series didn't have those awful membrane buttons.

 

 

Agreed, ugh, although they were certainly seductive while they lasted. I sometimes felt like a junior Fred Frith or Partch, configuring things perilously just to see what came out. Few people here are complete strangers to trying to figure out which box of five in a hardware chain has gone on the fritz. (I learned to start with the noise gate on the end. It was under the most stress! ) Disturbingly, my brain has been overheating lately and warping the mylar overlays on the part that remembers names on the fly. There's no time to google some things.