Behringer today shared a sneak preview of their CZ-1, a portable synth inspired by the classic Casio CZ-1 Phase Distortion synthesizer.
It is a 4-voice polyphonic synth in Behringer’s Mini line, a set of small desktop synths designed to compete with the Korg Volca line. While some might consider the Behringer CZ-1 to be a knockoff of the Casio CZ-1, the mini-synth is so stripped-down that it’s more akin to what Korg did with the Volca FM, a new design that takes inspiration from vintage synths, but doesn’t really copy any specific vintage synth.
The Casio CZ-1 was the company’s top-of-the-line CZ keyboard, featuring a 61-note keyboard with velocity and aftertouch, 16-voice polyphony and some interesting features, like 8-stage envelopes.
Details on specifications and availability are to be announced, but Behringer says that they are targeting a $99 price point.
Analogue Solutions has introduced Colossus Quartz Synthesizer Expanders, a new range of add-on synth expanders for their Colossus range.
Colossus Quartz is essentially the Colossus Slim, but divided into four equal parts. This allows users to gradually build a complete system or use individual sections as an expander for Colossus or other modular systems.
Analogue Solutions says that “There are no gimmicks – this is pure synthesiser. A huge sound enclosed in a solid metal case wrapped in wood. No expense has been spared to bring this incredible machine to life.”
Features:
AS250-VCO This has a bank of 12 vernier VCOs, plus 2 Noise Generators, Random Voltage, Sample and Hold, Matrix Panel.
AS250-Mod This features 4 VCAs, 4 Envelopes, 2 LFOs, LCD Dual Channel Oscilloscope (can be upgraded to single channel CRT), Touch Keyboard / Sequencer.
AS250-VCF This has 8 Filters (4x SEM type, 4x Moog type), 8 VCAs, 2 real Spring Reverbs, 2 Ring Mods, 2 Slew Generators, Matrix Panel.
AS250-Seq This features a 64-step analogue sequencer, 4 Moving Coil Meters, Stereo Mixer, 2 Joysticks, 2 Multiples, and 2 Sub-mixers.
All systems feature a full set of 3.5mm jack sockets for patching.
All the voice and modulation circuits are 100% analogue. There digital elements to the sequencer control, similar to the design of the original EMS Synthi 100 that the Colossus is inspired by.
Colossus is large scale, featuring large knobs that control metal shaft potentiometers. VCOs have multi-turn verniers. The two enormous pin matrix panels dominate the panels are expensive Swiss-made broadcast-quality signal routers.
There are two spring reverbs, a touch keyboard, a step sequencer, moving coil meters, joysticks and “an immense expanse of jack sockets for additional patching within or without the system.”
