Casio FZ-1 > Reviews > Dirt is our business

Author's product rating:   

Memory
Range of sounds included
Value for money

Advantages:	THAT filter, very easy to use, graphical editing, warm sound
Disadvantages:	monophonic outputs, not much memory, takes a while to load up disks

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

It comes as no surprise that most of the artists on Warp records own an FZ-1 sampler. This sampler only has a passing aquaintance with clean sounds preferring to grind everything up into a mass of Aphex Twin-esque crunching. The FZ-1 has a maximum sample rate of 32Khz and although casio claim 16 bit sampling, rumours have it that it is more like 12 bit sampling with 16 bit processing. This is what gives it the unique sound that is loved by artists such as u-ziq, Global Communications and Underworld. Once you recognise the sound you can hear it all over the Dubnobasswithmyheadman album. It is capable of producing fairly clean samples but this is not the point, if i wanted clean samples i would use my e-mu E6400.

The standard FZ-1 comes with 1MB memory although this can be expanded to 4MB if you can find a dealer. 1MB is just enough for 14 seconds sampling in mono at 32KHz. It may not sound like much but i have never needed more due to some extent to the ability to copy and edit samples without taking up extra memory. Around the back you will find 8 monophonic outputs and one polyphonic mix output. The monophonic outs are not really a problem as the FZ-1 is only 8 note polyphonic anyway. Samples are edited graphically via the backlit screen with the ability to zoom in to a single cycle of a waveform so no more fumbling in the dark for loop points.

It's in the sample editing pages that the FZ-1 really shines. Each sample can have it's own LFO and eight stage amp and filter enevlopes assigned to it along with the ability to assign MIDI velocity to most parameters. The envelope shapes can even be viewed on the screen. The looping facilities are unique as far as i am aware in that you have the option of setting up eight different loop points in each sample with the ability to define how long each loop will cycle for. This can create some insane noises.

The best feature of the FZ-1 is it's resonant filters. Theres none of your analogue pretentions here. The digital resonance on this filter can produce some of the most savage or subtle crunching and squeaking i have ever heard. For sheer sonic destruction power this filter is unrivalled. This is the reason so many Big Beat and Trip Hop artists use this machine.
There is also a basic onboard synth section which only supplies basic waveforms (although it is possible to create your own) but with a bit of work you can create some good bass and general squelching flatulance.

Basically i love this machine. It was my first real sampler and i could not have made a better choice. Even though i have never owned a manual the operating system is so easy to use that i have never needed one. The FZ-1 is the exception to the rule that samplers should not be recognised in action. If you write any kind of experimental music or just want some warmth and dirt in your tunes then get one, you won't be disappointed.