Synthesizer enthusiasts have a new reason to celebrate as Behringer introduces its latest offering to the ever-expanding budget synth market. The CZ-1 Mini, priced at just $99, revisits the distinctive sound of Casio’s iconic CZ-1 synthesizer from the 1980s while considerably reducing both size and cost.
Behringer’s $99 CZ-1 Mini reinvents Casio’s classic synthesizer for modern musicians seeking vintage sounds at budget prices.
This compact instrument leverages hybrid phase distortion synthesis, capturing the essence of the original while incorporating modern enhancements that address some of the vintage model’s limitations.
Unlike its predecessor, which featured 16-voice polyphony, the CZ-1 Mini offers three voices, prioritizing sound quality and portability over extensive multi-note capabilities. The addition of an analog 24dB low-pass filter with adjustable resonance brings warmth that was strikingly absent from the original’s purely digital architecture.
Musicians can shape sounds using Digitally Controlled Waves paired with extensive eight-stage envelopes affecting pitch, timbre, and volume parameters. The CZ-1 Mini offers 33 waveform combinations that provide exceptional sound design flexibility. The synthesis engine supports eight waveforms including saw, square, pulse and three resonant variations.
Performance capabilities center around a 27-key touch-sensitive keyboard that responds to playing dynamics, allowing for expressive control despite the instrument’s compact footprint. USB-C connectivity handles both power and MIDI communication, while traditional 5-pin MIDI DIN inputs maintain compatibility with older hardware.
The CZ-1 Mini further extends its creative potential through a 16-step sequencer capable of storing 16 different patterns, complemented by a built-in arpeggiator with three preset patterns. For home studio producers, the CZ-1 Mini can easily integrate with other audio interfaces without requiring professional studio equipment.
The synth’s sound palette expands through onboard effects, including a studio-grade chorus with adjustable rate and depth, plus vibrato offering four selectable waveforms. Sound designers can experiment with creative layering techniques to produce immersive underwater atmospheres and textures reminiscent of submerged vocals.
These modulation options, combined with the analog filter‘s resonance capabilities, enable sonic textures ranging from subtle to dramatic. The instrument’s boldly minimalist design pays homage to Casio’s original aesthetic while shrinking it to a desktop-friendly format.
For musicians seeking the distinctive phase distortion sound without investing in vintage hardware, Behringer’s affordable recreation represents an accessible entry point to this unique synthesis method, balancing historical authenticity with practical modern features in an impressively compact package.
