Behringer has announced the CZ-1 Mini, another new addition to their new line of portable vintage synths, this time a $99 Casio CZ-1 replica.
More than two years ago, Behringer announced the development of the CZ-1 Mini. It’s a portable, super-affordable hybrid Synthesizer inspired by the Casio CZ-1 from 1986.
It took a while, but it’s finally finished. Behringer has today released the CZ-1 Mini Synthesizer. It’s ready for pre-order at Thomann, Sweetwater, and other retailers.
Behringer CZ-1 Mini Feature Set (Official)
The CZ-1 Mini is a hybrid 3-voice phase-distortion Synthesizer and one of the most comprehensive instruments in the Behringer Mini series.
The core consists of a digital engine that authentically reproduces the sound and features of the Casio CZ-1 engine, with support for the original SysEx files. It has eight waveforms (saw, square, pulse, and three resonant waveforms) that can be combined.
On the hardware, you can tweak the engine with dedicated buttons for the DCOs, DCW, and DCA 1.
Unlike the original CZ-1, the CZ-1 Mini has only three voices (16 voices original) but an analog 24dB lowpass filter with tweakable resonance. The latter also has a dedicated filter envelope and LFO for sound shaping.
Also onboard is the unique 8-stage envelope generator, which provides envelopes for pitch, timbre, and amp. To refine the sound, it also has a built-in studio-grade chorus and 4-wave vibrato FX at the end of the signal chain.
In terms of playability, it is no different from other mini synths. You can play it either with a touch-sensitive keyboard or with the built-in multimode (3-pattern) arpeggiator and 16-step sequencer.
In the top section, you have a power-on/off button, a USB-C port for powering, a volume knob, a headphone socket that also functions as a line output, a sync in, and a 5-pin MIDI input.
According to Behringer, the CZ-1 Mini has comprehensive MIDI implementation, including NRPN/CC control for all parameters and bulk load/save. Thus, it’s also possible to create editor software for it.
First Impression
If Casio doesn’t reissue the CZ series, Behringer will, and what they have created here sounds very nice in the first demo. As with the other Minis, the user interface is pretty packed and doesn’t have the best workflow. But I think you can get used to it.
Alternatively, there will surely be third-party editor presets, or you can use the original presets as a template.
Behringer CZ-1 Mini is available now for pre-order for $99/£89/89€. Depending on the retailer, it may take a few weeks to months for the first batch to arrive.
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Update from January 29, 2024
NAMM 2024 is done. In Banaheim the lights still seem to be on. After UB-X, JT-16, and the surprising RD-78, there is now an update to the CZ-1 Mini Synthesizer, initially announced in May 2023.
The features have been known for a long time. Phase distortion synthesis à la Casio with analog filter and sequencer for $99. New photos are here. These are the first pre-production sample units of the CZ-1 Mini. Looks good to. I’m looking forward to the first sounds.
Behringer FB post
The momentum keeps building as we introduce CZ1 Mini, an extraordinary reproduction of Casio’s CZ synthesizer engine, combined with an analog filter.
With its exceptional phase distortion synthesis, the sound the CZ1 Mini produces is unparalleled.As we near the resolution of the chip crisis, we are intensifying our efforts to deliver all our pending products. This final tooling sample will now undergo beta testing and, upon successful completion, it will enter production, further fueling our excitement:-) Synths for all!
Article from May 4th, 2023
Let’s continue with the permanent guest and permanent topic Behringer. Besides the official presentation of the handy Perfect Pitch PP1 module, they also show a new idea for the next mini Synthesizer. Last year there was a big wave of announcements of various micro and mini synthesizers that go in the direction of Volca.
So far there is no information on when the small synthesizers will come to the dealers. Behringer says in the post they are currently rolling out them. Today they announced another one with the CZ-1 Mini.
Behringer CZ-1 Mini
According to Behringer, the CZ-1 Mini is currently just a drawing and not a finished instrument. It is modeled after the unique Casio CZ-1, a phase distortion Synthesizer from 1986. The original synth had 16 voices, two oscillators per voice, a chorus, and more.
In the FB comments, Behringer says the CZ-1 Mini will have 4 voices of polyphony. On the interface, we see the classic features of the CZ synthesizer like the controls of the DCOs, DCWs, DCAs, and dedicated line button. Interestingly, the CZ-Mini will have an analog filter with cutoff and resonance control. That could be an interesting mix.
Further, we see a display, the available waveforms, a volume pot, a headphone socket, sync, and a regular MIDI input. It can be played via MIDI or a touch keyboard including various controls, a built-in arpeggiator, and a step sequencer with motion.
Like the other micros/minis , this could also be an interesting Synthesizer for small money. I’m not sure yet if controlling a CZ engine is that sexy on a small synth though. But we’ll see that in the future.
Behringer CZ-1 Mini will be available for $99. Availability TBA.
More information here: Behringer
This may actually get Casio to do a reissue.
Certainly hope so, because this four voice thing is a joke. Raise the price $20 and give us at least.
as a concept. not bad; although the CZ sound is kind of a one trick pony for me. i like this little form factor for the other models. hope I can come up with a gimick to rack mount them.
4 voice no good. We actually want 16 or more. It’s digital after all.
Can’t agree more. $100 for a 4 voice is a total waste of money, and even worse, a waste of silicon in a massive shortage.
analog filter (per voice, i imagine)
Cool. See you in 2027.
I see no ring mod or noise which were a big part of what I loved about the CZ.
probably in the menu or so
Another Behrender that amounts to nothing .
A bit silly including an analogue filter. Each original CZ voice had a DCW (waveshaper) and envelope which did a fair job of simulating a filter. Putting the resultant true polyphony through a single VCF would be counter-productive. But since it’s just a concept, it’s quite possible that it hasn’t been properly thought through yet.