Author's product rating: 
| Advantages: |
Sounds great . Easy programing menu style system . Seprate buttons for most functions . Built like a tank . |
| Disadvantages: |
Sequencer doesn't really work with midi, and I can't make it loop . No midi thru . |
| Recommend to potential buyers: |
yes |
I picked up one of these on Ebay. This thing sounds really nice,but it has some limitations. If you know what they are and just work around them, you can get a really great sound for really cheap. Digital bliss.
It's really nice to have seperate buttons for most functions. This really helps change settings quickly on the fly, in the dark. I hook up a midi cable and play something with another
keyboard that I know is going to keep playing in time, and the thing sounds sick. I was so inspired by the sounds I decided to capture some of it in the on board sequencer, but unfortunately the midi just wouldn't seem to work, at the same time as the sequencer. Basically this makes the sequencer useless for me, since either you have to play the piece in perfect time (not gonna happen) or record it in step mode (pain in the rear)
For the price though, these can't be beat. If you don't have one of the professional line of older keyboards from
casio, then these will be the best investment you could make to expand the types of sounds you are capable of producing. If you have a sampler, your going to be in heaven.
I've seen the CZ-101 which has much less options and features, without the ring modulator and on board chorus, and more primative midi, for sale in local
music stores for over $300.00 so if you see a CZ-5000 on ebay for under $200.00 go for it! These things were almoast $3000.00 new in 1985, so somebody put alot of work into them, and that's very apparant in the sound!
