CASIO: Understanding the Casio HT Series

Casio is proud to introduce a line of synthesizers called the HT line. We are calling these "home synthesizers." This is not to say that most synthesizers are not usable in the home, but rather we have sought to create a programmable synthesizer with somewhat simplified parameter controls and MIDI capability plus the auto-accompaniment features of our consumer level keyboards in expanded form. Hopefully this will introduce synthesis to those who have found it too complex on other machines, provide a powerful easy-to-use sequencing peripheral at a good price, and offer programmable sounds on a full-function Casio keyboard for the first time. .

The HT-700, 3000 and 6000 are synthesizers with preset tones and locations where user-programmed tones can be stored. They utilize a new means of digital sound generation with analog-type control, a familiar and easy-to-use format. 41 different parameters are accessible for editing and storage, and data is controlled and entered using a single dial on the front panel. The HT-700 and 3000 are single oscillator machines, while the HT-6000 offers a 4-oscillator system in which your choice of waveform can be detuned against itself up to three times for richer sounds. The HT-3000 and 6000 also offer split keyboard capability, and sounds can be created for both sections of the keyboard. The user can choose between 31 different waveforms for upper tones and 15 for lower tones. Control for editing of these waveforms is digital, but the parameters are in the familiar analog format: DCO/LFO, VCF and DCA.  A wide range of digital and analog type sounds can be created with these parameters in an easy to use fashion. The HT-6000 offers an initial-touch sensitive keyboard as well.  Sound programming cannot be done in conjunction with your computer (as these machines do not have system exclusive), but all the controls you need to modify sounds are on the face panels.

	In addition, the HT line marks the first time Casio has combined sound programmability and a keyboard with all the auto-accompaniment and memory functions normally found in our consumer line instruments. The HTs have the Casio Chord method of fingered or one-finger automatic chords, which provide bass and chord patterns (the chord tones are programmable). There are preset rhythms using great PCM percussion sounds, and locations which are user programmable. Into these locations can be stored rhythm patterns and also patterns for the Bass and Chord voices for the automatic accompaniment. This new feature allows the user to create the figures that the auto Chords will play, whether in Fingered or Casio chord operation. The patterns created can be organized into a song form using the Chord/Operation memory, which will store two different songs. This is not a real-time (or "as you play" memory), but rather stores
a series of auto-chords allowing you "hands-free" accompaniment.

	The MIDI terminals built into these machines enable them to be connected to a computer or stand-alone sequencer for recording and multi-timbral playback of music. When receiving data from an external sequencer the HTs can be set up with the 4-note polyphonic melody section set to one channel, the 3-note polyphonic chord section set to a second channel, and the monophonic bass sound set to a third MIDI channel. The HTs can also be connected up to other MIDI keyboards, and for the first time the auto-accompaniment note data is sent over MIDI, so one or more additional keyboards can reproduce the bass and chord patterns along with the HT. The HT-3000 also offers seperate MIDI channel send/receive when set in the Split keyboard mode.

The optional RA-100 RAM card is an all-new format to store data on. Its sleek design takes up a minimum of space, and each card holds melody tones, accompaniment tones, user-programmed rhythms and accompaniment patterns, and Chord/Operation memories. There are, of course, memory locations already in the instruments for storage of sounds and accomapniment patterns, so you would only need the RA-100 in the event you run out of storage space in the INTERNAL locations.

Other features include Stereo speakers, Auto-Harmonize (not on HT-700), Pitch Bend, Stereo Chorus, dual line outputs and Sustain pedal inputs (even the mini-sized HT-700!)

The HT line marks the first time Casio has combined sound programmability, MIDI, and a keyboard with all the auto-accompaniment and memory functions normally found in our consumer line instruments. It offers the novice and semi-pro musician with a powerful MIDI and sequencing peripheral that can help them to play their music after creating the sound of their instrument.