# CZ App for iPad > Digital synthesizer app replicating Casio CZ-series with PD sound source and MIDI support. (iPhone/iPad app by CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD..) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cz-app-for-ipad/id954171519 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.](https://appshunter.io/developer/456569836) - Category: Music - Price: $14.99 - Rating: 3.80/5 from 8 App Store ratings · 23 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 8.0 · 33 MB - Languages: American English, Japanese - Released: 2015-01-20 - Data updated: 2026-06-10 - Monetization: paid - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cz-app-for-ipad/id954171519/reviews.md ## What is CZ App for iPad? 【Recommended model】iPad mini 3、iPad Air、iPad Air 2 This app reproduces the functionality of Casio’s best-selling CZ-series models, such as the CZ-101 (first released in 1984), and also includes new functions. Featuring a built-in 4-part PD (phase distortion) sound source, its 36 waveforms are capable of generating an extensive and diverse range of sounds. The created tones can also be played on MIDI-compatible instruments. ======The PD sound source system======== 　 Phase Distortion (PD) works by distorting a sine wave when it is read so that various different waveforms are produced.At the time, it was a ground-breaking system for generating waveforms other than simple sine waves. In the CZ series, 8 basic waveforms were generated by the PD sound source, with pairs of those 8 waveforms cascaded to provide a total of 33 waveforms. ----- An extensive parameter set to allow richly varied sound creation ----- Two block configuration systems are provided for each of the DCO, DCW and DCA ・ WAVE FORM (DCO1/DCO2) 　Parameters to set basic waveforms. 8 basic waveforms can be selected for each of the 2 sound sources. You can play with a wide range of sounds based on eight basic waveforms and 28 combinations of those basic waveforms—for a total of 36 types of waveforms.　 ・ KEY FOLLOW 　One Key Follow feature (DCW1/DCW2) controls waveforms based on the upper and lower extent of the keyboard's register while the other Key Follow feature (DCA1/DCA2) controls the envelope duration based on the keyboard's register. ・ DETUNE/LINE SELECT CZ-series synthesizers allowed users to choose from 4 types of line output (1, 2, 1+2 or 1+1) depending on the purpose. Using 2 DCOs allowed the use of detuning to fine-tune the pitch shift in the two systems to within ±4 octaves, which is useful not only in creating a chorus effect, but also for producing sounds with specific harmonics emphasized. ・ RING/NOISE MODULATION Ring modulation can be used to produce metallic tones that include non-integer harmonics, while noise modulation is effective in creating percussion-like sounds.　　 ・ ENVELOPE GENERATOR An envelope generator is provided for each DCO, DCW and DCA core block in the two systems, which makes it possible to vary the tuning, tones and volume over time. -----Play along to your favorite audio files----- You can use the keyboard to play along to audio files on an iPad. -----Multi-play mode combines keyboard layouts to allow new ways of playing The new performance interface lets you can combine 2, 3 or 4 keyboards, or even flip the layout so that other people can play along with you. -----MIDI Player----- It is possible to play by reading the SMF. The maximum number of MIDI channels is 4. -----Supports external MIDI instruments and inter-app collaboration----- ・Inter-App Audio (iOS 7 or later) ・Audiobus compatible (input only) ・Playable using an external MIDI keyboard(via a third-party MIDI interface, an Apple Lightning-USB camera adapter* plus USB cable, or the Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit* plus USB cable) ・Virtual MIDI ・MIDI over Bluetooth ## Key features - Phase Distortion (PD) sound source - 36 waveforms for diverse sounds - Play along to audio files - Multi-play mode for collaborative performance - External MIDI instrument support - Inter-App Audio and Audiobus compatibility ## Recent user reviews (10 of 23) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cz-app-for-ipad/id954171519/reviews.md ### 1/5 — So far so good but support?? Not really.... *2020-08-25, version 1.1.4* As one other reviewer essentially said, this ain’t the CZ I know and love. If they came out with a reasonably faithful recreation that would accept sysex dumps I’d pay again for it. Look at KQ Dixie which sounds great and imports thousands of DX7 sysex files. Plus there’s an online random patch generator. Such an app based on the CZ would be awesome! Has anyone found a way to contact support? I'm enjoying it so far but getting random crashing when loading user presets. I haven't found any link to support which is the downside of using apps created by the big companies. With the smaller ones you're likely to be able to speak directly to the dev. Otherwise it's great. ### 3/5 — Where is the electric organ? *2020-06-03, version 1.1.4* I purchased this app solely for the electric organ that the original had but I don’t see it on this APP. Is it not The app. ? ### 5/5 — CZ-101 Revisited! *2020-02-07, version 1.1.4* I used to have the CZ-101 back in 1985, and regret selling it ever since... then THIS came along! Nice to revisit the odd plucky sounds, the crazy multi-stage envelopes, the otherworldly pads. Nice work, Casio! ### 3/5 — This app has potential *2018-01-15, version 1.1.3* Great sounds can be achieved with this synth emulation. However it does need a bit more to turn it into a 5-star app. 1. Enable velocity to be played with the screen keyboard 2. Allow user to create folders, with 2 columns in a wider preset list 3. Fix the non-responding keyboard on lower part of the keys 4. Allow more precision when changing envelope parameters ### 3/5 — Great emulation of an often overlooked classic synth *2017-12-30, version 1.1.2* I had a CZ-1000 back in the day. Really liked the custom sounds that could be made with it, but programming was rather tedious. This app makes programming fun and adds some great internal effects. Having a blast in nostalgia-land recreating those great old noises. Now for the quibbles: I've only been noodling around for a couple of hours so I'm sure there's more to learn and explore, however the latency with a MIDI controller is bugging me. There does not seem to be a way to adjust it. The app also seems to only have four notes of polyphony when utilizing both oscillators. Mono mode is cool, though. CPU is easily maxed out with chords on sounds that utilize all of the internal effects which introduces audio drop-out and ugly digital distortion. Really wishing for MIDI learn so those awesome envelopes could be controlled easier with perhaps some more accuracy. Still a great, unique sounding synth that brings back fond memories. Glad I got it on sale as it is still pricey for some of the limitations as synth-apps go. Updates seem to have slowed to few and far apart, so it is likely my wishlist will go unfulfilled. Two stars off as it is an average UI for a premium price. Full price would have ticked me off with the short falls. ### 3/5 — Glad I got this one on sale *2017-12-08, version 1.1.2* Good synth esp if you like the OG CZ but for me I’d have been upset if I paid the full 19.99 it usually costs... ### 1/5 — buggy, could use updates, zero support 😡 *2017-03-02, version 1.1.1* CZ synths are wonderful and this is a nice emulation from the actual company. 8 stage envelopes rule. Some things don't work right however. Envelopes seem buggy. Also it accepts midi program changes but doesn't reflect them in the program name. The mod wheel input doesn't seem to scale properly and it steps a lot. I also seem to get more stuck notes than expected. Some of the limitations of the original are accurate I think but it would be nice to have a mode where you could go beyond them, or where envelope changes didn't step, for example. And Casio you just need to fix the annoying bugs which make it close to unusable sometimes. Also support is a joke - it just sends you to the advertising page. This app has a lot of potential but isn't there yet. Don't let it die Casio! A great app is waiting to be born! ### 3/5 — Pretty decent but overpriced *2016-10-13, version 1.1.0* I've owned a CZ101 since 1986. I love this synth but was always irritated at the flawed hardware design where the internal memory always got "buggy" if you didn't turn the unit on every single day. After getting my iPad and seeing this app I was very excited that I might be able to replace using my hardware CZ. First of all, $20 is way too much for this app when you can get Waldorf's Nave for the same price, and Thor & iProphet for even less. That being said, I partially disagree with the other review stating this is not a faithful reproduction of the original CZ. I pulled out my old data sheets & was able to create some of my old favorite patches pretty accurately. However it was very tricky since you have to draw the waveforms instead of programming them. This does make it more difficult to replicate. One does need a great deal of patience to program this app, so that's something to consider if you plan to purchase. Additionally, the other reviewer was correct in citing issues with crashing. For me this seems to happen most during editing/creating new patches. Definitely something Casio needs to address. If it weren't for the aforementioned criticisms, I would have given 5 stars. Despite this I'm quite pleased with this app overall. ### 3/5 — Casio CZ *2016-08-24, version 1.1.0* Tends to crash after a few minutes, usually while editing a preset, annoying. Sounds good, layout good, but really needs value boxes for editing parameters, touch screen editing of envelopes is nigh on impossible for exact values, prodding screen with finger is not always the best for editing synths, imo. Mod wheel waveform selector display doesn't correlate with waveform sound. ### 1/5 — Not a faithful reproduction and buggy to boot! *2016-05-31, version 1.1.0* Was very excited to see an "official" CZ emulation from Casio! The demo video was not great, but nonetheless, I figured I would give it the benefit of the doubt. The CZ-101 was my very first synthesizer, and I still have a pristine CZ-1000 setup next to me -- safe to say, I have more intimate knowledge of the "CZ sound" than any other instrument in my studio! First, the good stuff: The interface is nice, and grabbing the "handles" on the 8-stage envelopes is a nice idea. Being able to stack 4 voices is a great addition, and the factory presets (though paltry in number) are actually pretty nice -- production-ready even! -- and demonstrate what this synth is capable of sounding like. That said, it is NOT a good CZ emulation at all! I have a few go-to sounds that I tried programming from my old patch sheets and they sound NOTHING like the original versions. I am not talking slightly off, but rather *completely* wrong! (By way of comparison, Plugin Boutique's Virtual CZ VST application is almost spot-on compared to the hardware, so something is definitely amiss with this app.) Though the methodology for editing the envelopes is good in its intention, it is, in practice, quite fiddly. You cannot hone in on exact values sometimes, and the handles frequently "lock" and become undraggable until you lift your finger and grab it again. The app also frequently crashes. I experienced numerous crashes in the first hour of use when selecting an envelope to edit, when trying to save a patch, when trying to delete a patch, and when trying to select *any* user patch after that delete operation failed! Let me explain that last one better... I programmed a patch called "Harmonic Spectrum". Upon realizing that it did not sound the way I expected, I went into the menu to delete it from my user patches. The app crashed. When I opened it again, "Harmonic Spectrum" was now named "CASIO+a long string of random numbers". I tried selecting it. Crash! Restarted and tried selecting one of the other custom sounds I made. Crash! (And the option to delete any of the user sounds was now gone!) I ended up deleting the app from my iPad entirely -- resulting in the loss of all my custom-programmed patches! -- in order to restore it to "normal" operation. Very disappointed that I forked out $20 for this app. Maybe a future update will fix some of the stability issues after which I might trust it more. Fingers crossed that an engine update is in the cards as well, because while this synth "evokes" Casio a bit, it still doesn’t sound quite like a CZ. If it were $2.99 instead of $19.99, it might be OK, but for now, your money can go much further elsewhere. ## Frequently asked questions about CZ App for iPad ### What are the recommended iPad models for CZ App? CZ App is recommended for iPad mini 3, iPad Air, and iPad Air 2. It is designed for iPad devices and supports Inter-App Audio from iOS 7 onwards. ### How does the PD sound source in CZ App work? The Phase Distortion (PD) sound source distorts a sine wave to produce various waveforms. It generates 8 basic waveforms, which can be combined in pairs to create a total of 36 waveforms for diverse sound generation. ### Can I use CZ App with external MIDI instruments? Yes, CZ App supports external MIDI instruments via a third-party MIDI interface, an Apple Lightning-USB camera adapter, and a USB cable. It also supports MIDI Player functionality for reading SMF files with up to 4 MIDI channels. ### What is the price of CZ App? CZ App is available for a one-time purchase of $14.99. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements mentioned. ### How often is CZ App updated? The latest version of CZ App is 1.1.4, last updated on February 14, 2018. The app was initially released on January 20, 2015. ### What is the age rating for CZ App? CZ App has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users. This rating indicates general appropriateness for children and adults. ### Does CZ App offer a free trial? The provided information indicates that CZ App is a paid application priced at $14.99. There is no mention of a free trial period being offered. ### What are the new functions in CZ App compared to older models? CZ App reproduces the functionality of Casio's CZ-series models and includes new functions such as playing along to audio files on an iPad and a multi-play mode that combines keyboard layouts for new playing styles. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.1.4 — 2018-02-14 This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon. ・Fixed bugs. ### 1.1.3 — 2018-01-15 ・Supported the File's app. *iOS 11 or later ・Fixed bugs. ### 1.1.2 — 2017-03-13 ・Information was added to the overview. "Chordana Play English version Release Anniversary Sale" ### 1.1.1 — 2016-12-15 ・Fixed bugs ### 1.1.0 — 2016-03-22 - Changes will be reflected in the sound when manipulating envelope while pressing the keyboard - Added MIDI player function - Added Bluetooth MIDI connection to config menu - Added ON / OFF switch of background audio to config menu ## Apps similar to CZ App for iPad | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [bismark LeftHanded](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bismark-lefthanded/id601767831) | 4.0 (3) | $4.99 | Music | | [SWAM Clarinet](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/swam-clarinet/id1458122709) | 5.0 (6) | $29.99 | Music | | [FM4](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fm4/id910545680) | 4.6 (19) | $6.99 | Music | | [SpringSound](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/springsound/id866583243) | 4.2 (19) | $2.99 | Music | | [Hyperion Synthesizer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hyperion-synthesizer/id1247269157) | — | $4.99 | Music | | [OPL AUv3 FM Synth](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/opl-auv3-fm-synth/id1516617949) | 4.5 (21) | $9.99 | Music | ## More apps by CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD. - [EXILIM Remote](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/exilim-remote/id640856022) - [Chordana Tap](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chordana-tap/id675014142) - [Chordana Viewer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chordana-viewer/id711042441) - [CASIO WATCH+](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/casio-watch-plus/id760165998) - [EXILIM Link](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/exilim-link/id904148679) - [C-Assist](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/c-assist/id906611059) All apps by CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.: https://appshunter.io/developer/456569836 --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*