The Casio FZ-10M is a 3U rack-mount, 8-voice multitimbral digital sampling synthesizer released in 1987.
Key Features
Sampling: 16-bit digital sampler with variable sampling rates (9 kHz, 18 kHz, 36 kHz).
Memory: 2MB internal (expandable), allowing up to 116 seconds of sampling at 9 kHz, 29 seconds at 36 kHz.
Polyphony: 8 voices.
Sound Sources: Additive synthesis (up to 48 harmonics), oscillator (5 waveforms or hand-drawn), and sampling.
Filter: Digital resonant low-pass filter (24dB/octave).
Envelopes: Dedicated 8-stage filter and amplifier envelopes per voice.
Connectivity: XLR inputs/outputs, MIDI (In/Out/Thru), and a 3.5" HD floppy disk drive for sample storage.
Display: Large graphic LCD for waveform editing and monitoring.
Voice Storage: 64 basic voice memory areas, with 8 separate keyboard setups (Banks), each containing up to 64 voices.
Editing: Real-time waveform editing, truncating, looping, LFO, velocity sensitivity, and more.
Sound Generation and Synthesis
Additive Synthesis: Up to 48 harmonics, allowing for complex sound design.
Waveforms: Sawtooth, square, pulse, double sine, saw/pulse, random waves, and hand-drawn waveforms.
Sampling: 16-bit, 9–36 kHz variable sample rate, with up to 116 seconds of sample time at 9 kHz.
Waveform Editing: Graphic editing on the LCD, including truncating, looping, and reversing samples.
Connectivity and Data Management
Inputs/Outputs: XLR inputs and outputs for professional audio connectivity.
MIDI: Full MIDI implementation for integration with other gear.
Storage: 3.5" HD floppy disk drive for saving and loading samples, voices, and banks.
Data Dump: Full and partial data dumps for backup and transfer.
Notable Features
Hand-Drawn Waveforms: Unique feature allowing users to draw their own waveforms.
Cross-Mix and Reverse Write: Advanced functions for mixing and reversing samples.
Built-in Effects: LFO, DCA, and DCF envelopes for dynamic sound shaping.
Durability: Built for both studio and live use, with a robust design.
The Casio FZ-10M was used by notable artists like Aphex Twin and was praised for its warm, dynamic sound and hands-on editing capabilities. While dated by modern standards, it remains a sought-after piece for collectors and enthusiasts of vintage samplers and synthesizers.
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