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+--- Thread: VZ-8M (/showthread.php?tid=14624)
VZ-8M - SynthWizard - 04-03-2020
VZ-8M
<div><span>VZ-8M</span>
<div class="field field--name-field-specifications field--type-double-field-extended field--label-above">
<div class="field--label">Specifications</div>
<div class="field__items">
<div class="field--item"><div class="double-field-extended form-group"><span class="specification-term" title="Polyphony" data-content="The number of voices (notes) a device can produce simultaneously. Typically, a monophonic device can only play one note at a time. A Duophonic device can play two notes at a time. A polyphonic device can play two or more notes at a time." data-placement="top" data-trigger="hover" data-toggle="popover">Polyphony - </span>
<span class="specification-value">8 voices</span>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field--item"><div class="double-field-extended form-group"><span class="specification-term" title="Multitimbral" data-content="A synthesizing instrument that can play two or more timbres (also called sounds or patches) at the same time. A typical multitimbral tone generator can play, for example, the brass, piano, and violin parts all at once." data-placement="top" data-trigger="hover" data-toggle="popover">Multitimbral - </span>
<span class="specification-value">8 parts</span>
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</div>
<div class="field--item"><div class="double-field-extended form-group"><span class="specification-term" title="Oscillators" data-content="An electronic device which generates a periodic signal of a particular frequency, usually a sine wave, but sometimes a square wave or other waveform. In an analog synthesizer, oscillators typically produce regularly repeating fluctuations in voltage - that is, they oscillate. In digital synthesis, an oscillator more typically plays back a complex waveform by reading the numbers in a wavetable." data-placement="top" data-trigger="hover" data-toggle="popover">Oscillators - </span>
<span class="specification-value">8</span>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field--item"><div class="double-field-extended form-group"><span class="specification-term" title="Waveforms" data-content="A signal, either sampled (digitally recorded) or periodic, being generated by an oscillator. Also, the graphical display of a sound pressure wave over time." data-placement="top" data-trigger="hover" data-toggle="popover">Waveforms - </span>
<span class="specification-value">Saw Down, Saw Up, Sine, Super Saw, White Noise</span>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field--item"><div class="double-field-extended form-group"><span class="specification-term" title="LFO" data-content="Low Frequency Oscillator. An oscillator especially devoted to applications below the audible frequency range, and typically used as a control source for modulating a sound to create vibrato, tremolo, trills, and so on." data-placement="top" data-trigger="hover" data-toggle="popover">LFO - </span>
<span class="specification-value">2 LFO with Saw Down, Square, Triangle</span>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field--item"><div class="double-field-extended form-group"><span class="specification-term" title="Controls" data-content="On-board rotary knobs, linear sliders, and push-buttons or switches that may be used to edit various parameters." data-placement="top" data-trigger="hover" data-toggle="popover">Controls - </span>
<span class="specification-value">MIDI In/Out/Thru</span>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field--item"><div class="double-field-extended form-group"><span class="specification-term" title="Memory" data-content="Storage capabilities for user programmed settings, patches, sequences, waveforms, and so on." data-placement="top" data-trigger="hover" data-toggle="popover">Memory - </span>
<span class="specification-value">64 Patches RAM, 128 Patches ROM, </span>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<span><a title="View user profile." href="http://www.vintagesynth.com/user/406" lang="" about="http://www.vintagesynth.com/user/406" typeof="schema
erson" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="">Naomi Bolton</a></span><span>Sun, 03/29/2020 - 07:17</span>
<div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>The VZ-8M is a 1988 synthesizer by Casio that only lasted a few years until it was discontinued in 1991. It is a 1U-high 19" expander that only offers 8 voices of polyphony, which is half of what the VZ1/VZ10M's have. The VZ-8M makes use of Casio's IPD synthesis, which consists of eight sound modules that can be configured the DCO and DCA each one has. The DCO for each module has eight possible waveforms to draw from instead of relying on traditional sampled or synthesized sounds.<br><br>
The 128 preset Normal patches and 128 preset Operation memories of the VZ-8M can be expanded with 128 more of each using a ROM card. This card slots into the front panel and you can also save 64 Normal and 64 Operation memories of your own onboard along 64 of each using an RAM card. Also, the VZ-8M features MIDI SysEx so you can transfer the internal memory.<br><br>
The VZ-8M was of special interest to people who use MIDI guitars and MIDI wind controllers as it includes special modes for both these instruments as well as the more traditional keyboard performance mode. This is no surprise as Casio produced these instruments. The preset sounds feature all the usual electric pianos, electric organs, and other instruments with a bright, digital sound that was common from synths of that time period. Unfortunately, it also means that the sound is very dated and has been surpassed by a lot of other synths in the meantime. The limited polyphony is also an issue, but understandable as Casio appears to have aimed this synth mostly at MIDI guitar and MIDI wind instrument players. Keyboard players, on the other hand, will probably rather want to opt for something with more voices, such as the VZ-10M.<br><br>
The VZ-8M features a flat black finish while the front panel is anodized brushed aluminum. It includes a rotary Volume knob, card slot, headphone socket, the power on/off switch and 24 switches. One of the downsides of the Casio VZ-8M is that programming can be a really tedious process. The 2x16-character LCD is extremely small and even though it is backlit, it is very hard to read anything on it unless you are looking at it from the right angle. This, in conjunction with the limited amount of buttons, makes for a frustrating experience, so editing via a computer is highly recommended. The rear panel holds the MIDI In/Out/Thru sockets, left and right audio outputs and mains connector.<br><br>
Despite its limitations, the VZ-8M was pretty powerful for its day and could deliver very unique sounds. However, these days the VZ-10M with its 16-note polyphony and larger LCD is a better option or even the VZ1 if you want a keyboard with the synth.</p></div>
<div class="field field--name-field-make-er field--type-entity-reference field--label-above">
<div class="field--label">Make</div>
<div class="field--item"><a href="http://www.vintagesynth.com/taxonomy/term/842" hreflang="en">Casio</a></div>
</div>
<div class="field field--name-field-year field--type-integer field--label-above">
<div class="field--label">Year</div>
<div class="field--item">1988</div>
</div>
<div class="field field--name-field-musical-genre-er field--type-entity-reference field--label-above">
<div class="field--label">Musical genre</div>
<div class="field__items">
<div class="field--item"><a href="http://www.vintagesynth.com/taxonomy/term/775" hreflang="en">Electronic music</a></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field--name-field-synth-type-er field--type-entity-reference field--label-above">
<div class="field--label">Synth type</div>
<div class="field__items">
<div class="field--item"><a href="http://www.vintagesynth.com/taxonomy/term/779" hreflang="en">Digital</a></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field--name-field-interface-features-er field--type-entity-reference field--label-above">
<div class="field--label">Interface features</div>
<div class="field__items">
<div class="field--item"><a href="http://www.vintagesynth.com/taxonomy/term/783" hreflang="en">Vintage</a></div>
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</div>
<div class="field field--name-field-format-er field--type-entity-reference field--label-above">
<div class="field--label">Format</div>
<div class="field__items">
<div class="field--item"><a href="http://www.vintagesynth.com/taxonomy/term/787" hreflang="en">Rack-mount</a></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field--name-field-sound-types-er field--type-entity-reference field--label-above">
<div class="field--label">Sound types</div>
<div class="field__items">
<div class="field--item"><a href="http://www.vintagesynth.com/taxonomy/term/790" hreflang="en">Synthetic</a></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field--name-field-price-range-er field--type-entity-reference field--label-above">
<div class="field--label">Price range</div>
<div class="field__items">
<div class="field--item"><a href="http://www.vintagesynth.com/taxonomy/term/795" hreflang="en">Less than $500</a></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field--name-field-image-er field--type-image field--label-above">
<div class="field--label">Image</div>
<div class="field--item"> <img src="http://www.vintagesynth.com/sites/default/files/2020-02/CasioVZ8M.jpg" width="800" height="89" alt="Casio VZ-8M" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive"></div>
</div>
<div class="field field--name-field-files field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-above">
<div class="field--label">Files</div>
<div class="field__items">
<div class="field--item"> <div class="file-item">
<a href="http://manuals.fdiskc.com/flat/Casio%20VZ-8M%20Owners%20Manual.pdf" class="file-title">Casio VZ-8M Owner's Manual</a><span class="file-description">Casio VZ-8M Owner's Manual</span>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field--name-field-youtube field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-above">
<div class="field--label">YouTube</div>
<div class="field__items">
<div class="field--item"> <div class="youtube-field" data-pid="17331">
<div class="field-image">
<div class="field field--name-field-youtube-link field--type-youtube field--label-hidden field--item"><img src="http://www.vintagesynth.com/sites/default/files/youtube/gOfLvrFGlcU.jpg" alt="Embedded thumbnail for VZ-8M > YouTube (previous revision)" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive"></div>
</div>
<div class="wrapper-fields">
<div class="field-title">
<div class="field field--name-field-youtube-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item">Probando el Casio VZ-8M</div>
</div>
<div class="field-author">by
<div class="field field--name-field-youtube-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item">M. Ramon Lopez</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field--item"> <div class="youtube-field" data-pid="17336">
<div class="field-image">
<div class="field field--name-field-youtube-link field--type-youtube field--label-hidden field--item"><img src="http://www.vintagesynth.com/sites/default/files/youtube/oSx09i51Ofw.jpg" alt="Embedded thumbnail for VZ-8M > YouTube" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive"></div>
</div>
<div class="wrapper-fields">
<div class="field-title">
<div class="field field--name-field-youtube-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item">Casio VZ8M part 1</div>
</div>
<div class="field-author">by
<div class="field field--name-field-youtube-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item">ISOTROPOSPHERE</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="field field--name-field-user-rating field--type-vs-synth-rating field--label-above">
<div class="field--label">User Rating</div>
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<div class="field field--name-field-texture field--type-list-string field--label-above">
<div class="field--label">Texture</div>
<div class="field--item">Polyphonic instruments</div>
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<div class="field field--name-field-disqus-comment field--type-disqus-comment field--label-above">
<div class="field--label">Disqus comment</div>
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