Behringer CZ-1 Mini: A Pocket Full of Phase Distortion – Available Now!
A Mini-format 3-Voice Hybrid Synthesizer
4,3 / 5,0 | 
The CZ-1 Mini pocket synth finally makes it into stores, taking 80’s Phase Distortion and squeezing it into a box the size of a paperback – now available!
Better Late Than Never!
The Behringer CZ-1 Mini has been on the cards for almost two years since Behringer first announced its existence. Then, on January 30th, 2024, they informed us that beta testing units had been sent out, and we didn’t hear anything again until NAMM this year, when it, along with some other long-awaited instruments, appeared in public for the first time!
Now it is finally available in stores and we can hear what it sounds like! Not a lot has changed from when we first saw it, except for a few visual design tweaks, so let’s take a look at the specs. First up, it’s a 3-voice synth that employs the Phase Distortion method employed by Casio in the mid 80’s to great success.
As everyone rushed to catch up with Yamaha, Casio, who had been more associated with calculators and digital watches, upped their game from the likes of the VL-Tone and came up with a synthesis method that rivalled FM.
The CZ-1 Mini
The CZ-1 Mini retains the same eight waveforms and twin DCOs of the original Casio CZ synths. These are capable of creating 33 different waveforms when combined. These are then manipulated by digitally controlled waves (one per DCO) that mess with the magnitude of the phase distortion being applied.
The eight-step envelope generator is here, too, which can be applied to pitch, timbre and amplitude. The three voices can be played monophonically, polyphonically or stacked. Added to all of this is an analog filter and chorus effect that did not exist on the originals.
The vibrato wave section acts like an LFO, and there’s a 16-step sequencer for you to create your own patterns, as well as a three-pattern arpeggiator. The unit is powered by USB-C and features a 5-pin MIDI In port as well as a Sync port and MIDI over USB for easy connectivity with a number of different devices.
On a unit this small, the screen can’t be much more than a small affair, but they’ve shoe-horned in a tiny OLED screen that should be enough for most people. Whilst most people will probably hook up a controller, the touch-sensitive keyboard that’s built in will work for noodlers on the move!
One very cool feature is that the CZ-1 Mini supports the original CZ sysex so I’m sure there’ll be some online repositories of old patch data getting some hits soon!
More Information
The Behringer CZ-1 Mini is now available from Thomann* for just $88.00 / £75.00 / 89.00€.
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4 responses to “Behringer CZ-1 Mini: A Pocket Full of Phase Distortion – Available Now!”
We’ve heard a rumour that the CZ1 mini will get a firmware update soon, similar to the Pro VS mini, making it 4 voice or even 8. Behringer may be putting out a CZ1 or CZ1000 clone later, with ALL the functions of the original, so you shouldn’t expect many more features on the CZ1 mini, other than perhaps a polyphony increase.
Behringer seems to always have to play favorites with dealers. Estimated to not be available here in the U.S. until MAY 2026. I hear Canada usually has to wait until even later, often much later. I’m just tired of Behringer always announcing products way before they’re ready to deliver them.
where’s the noise? That’s no CZ then. Very strange omission, init?
If they’d bang it up to 6 note poly it’ll be mandatory to own one. Mr Muller will have a VST controller with 200 presets before long. They haven’t beaten the Pro VS Mini yet, that’s probably the best one so far. Up the polyphony!