Casio MT-68 keyboard review with Anders Jensen

[@AndersEngerJensen]

*EDIT: It seems that the some of the codes included in these cassettes, are wrong and point to other downloads than Silverimage. I'm sorting this out with the providers and will include new codes with every purchase. Everyone who's bought one and got a faulty one will receive one too.* I have to thank David for having me over at his place while visiting the US on my vacation. It was great fun seeing where the magic takes place and also for giving me the challenge to make something with this keyboard. And for bearing with me, not being so used to be in front of the camera as you other youtubers. ;) Hopefully it turned out pretty OK all in all.

[@EpicLPer]

Still never heard back from you about that Cassette btw :P

[@l3p3]

Anders Enger Jensen, I have to write: I like your kind of music. This is the first time I really noticed it.

[@benh.635]

You do great work! I am a really big fan! :)

[@mrc14_2]

Anders Enger Jensen Im swedish

[@-taz-]

I knew it was KQ5 in under 1 sec.!

[@karlpountney]

This keyboard was my Christmas present in 1984 and I loved it. Sold in the UK at Argos, the keyboard was very popular and almost sold-out in the area I lived. Mum had to drive about 50 miles to pick up one on Xmas eve. It passed to my son when he got interested in music and he made it sound way better than I ever could. Great review.

[@turpialito]

Karl Pountney God bless Mums who go out of their way for their children.

[@MrDuncl]

These were absolutely cutting edge technology back then. Only a couple of years earlier all you had were professional keyboards costing five times as much, Bontempi organs which gave one sound using a fan and reeds, or a Stylophone.

[@RetroPlus]

That's nice, they must be quite durable and you must've looked after it.

[@notanotherrcchannel]

They're great. I have one and it is doing well. One key is a little wonky, but that's about it!

[@renecuevas4128]

Hi this was my Christmas present also in 1984 in USA I played in our church for about 3 yrs,,,,all people in church were amazed of the sounds I was able to play,,,unfortunately some kids sit on top in the back of our car and was reduced to pieces,,,,but I love this simple but amazing keyboard. I got bout 10 more Yamaha kboards till 2019,,still playing in CHURCH. Amen.Great video tnks,,,God bless you

[@onedeadsaint]

the raw version of that song is a testament to Anders' skill because it *still* was amazing!

[@obsoletegeek]

Anders Jensen's music is eargasmic.

[@EVRLYNMedia]

The Obsolete Geek hu

[@marcelofrau8818]

The Obsolete geek :D Yes, I can totally agree with you.. His music is awesome!! (Please do more videos on your channel..)

[@gideonruben187]

The Obsolete Geek well it's a kind of obsolete eargasm

[@HunterZBNS]

The Obsolete Geek yeah, I had the biggest grin while watching.

[@альфредпетрович-д7р]

this music is a bit overprofessional, if you know what i mean (and i mean cheese)

[@appleontheapex]

Hi David! I'm glad the keyboard made it there in one piece. I wasn't expecting it to be featured in an episode with a special guest - so that's very cool indeed! Didn't realize this keyboard was so capable in the hands of someone who knows what they are doing, unlike myself. Enjoy it! - Alex King

[@AndersEngerJensen]

appleontheapex Great donation, Alex! It worked out much better than I initially thought. The keyboard is actually quite cool. :D

[@The8BitGuy]

I was not familiar with the keyboard until I received it, so I was pleasantly surprised with what it could do. I like it much better than the Casio CA-100 I featured in the previous episode, despite being 7 years older.

[@JustinKComer]

and the manual bass!

[@diggydude5229]

I love that arpeggiator! It was on several Casio keyboards in that hardware family, but the MT-68 version was the best.

[@daeone1514]

yes this vid has inspired me to start back getti small keyboards like that cause they just proved that talent can rock out anything, then as a music producer, these little boards can help you bring a whole other sound to the game.

[@l3p3]

You have such a nice teamwork: The one plays on it while the other one takes it apart.

[@strangejune]

but do they take it apart while playing?

[@woutermollema]

Taking it apart is play-time. At least no need for a line-out mod on this one.

[@jrs4516]

that drum sound, even though it sounds horrible, is instantly recognisable to anyone who played a recreational grade casio keyboard in the 80's or early 90's.

[@Caspiankhw]

Thank you both for teaming up and making this! :)

[@TheGeekPub]

He's pretty damn talented. He's also using the right tools.

[@bakonpancakz]

Damn right

[@Halterung01]

7:29 Because you know a tool is only perfect when it needs at least one big fat dongle in order to plug in anything.

[@RodBeauvex]

A good musician can better utilize a plastic kazoo than a bad one can utilize a multi-grand workstation.

[@RetroPlus]

@@RodBeauvex Not true, kazoos are incapable of sounding good

[@personalbyedl]

I thought he snuck some drum loops and a better VST instruments in there... lol

[@personalbyedl]

Awesome video. I got this keyboard for my 17th birthday in 1984 and tried to make my first music album with it. Such memories.

[@LMacNeill]

Very surprising sounds from that thing. Quite impressive! Of course, having a modern computer to do the effects and editing certainly helps. But even the song without the effects surprised me. Good job!

[@Qardo]

LMacNeill That is pretty much all music these days...if you don't use a computer to work on music. You are an "artist" to most people. Yet the moment the computer enters the picture. People seem to complain.

[@kaitlyn__L]

all these people nowadays! using multi-track recorders! back in my day we had to get 2 tape recorders and manually sync them and re-record over every part! (just to clarify, i'm riffing off of what qardo's saying)

[@kenrainforth6968]

I watch both your channels, I don't think I've ever seen you smile as much as you have in this video, it's also the smile you give when you respect someone and appreciate their friendship. Great video, really enjoyed it. I stay tuned for more episodes on here and 8-Bit Guy. Cheers.

[@CattoRayTube]

David, your production values get even higher with each video you create. The extra camera in this one was a good addition.

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

It's worth mentioning that this keyboard is hackable to add a sustain pedal. It shares a synth chip with the Casiotone CT-410v so I found the pin out over at the Tablehooters website and added a sustain socket to mine and removed some passive filters from the output of the presets which makes them less muddy sounding. Makes for a much nicer instrument to play. Nice work btw!

[@onedeadsaint]

loved the colab on this episode! felt very special!

[@SuperWave86]

I loved the raw version!! Sounds good and very innovative to use this keyboard using different sounds to substitute the sound you want!! Love it!!!

[@KeithSurvell]

Great video as always - and it was great to see Anders as well! Wonderful job with the song using that keyboard - both with and without the software effects. Loved it! Thanks for making these videos! :-)

[@RobustEnigma]

I really love the versatility you were able to get out of this old machine. I especially loved seeing how, with a couple of added effects, it could even withstand the test of time. This video blew me away guys! Thanks for the high quality content. :D

[@Spiderelectron]

Ahh! The MT-68 (in white) was my first ever keyboard - at about age 10. I wen't on to become semi-pro pianist & keyboard player player, currently playing Roland FP-7, Roland EP-880 and Korg Triton. Thanks for the memories!

[@oscarcordero1732]

When I was 13 my father gifted me a new Casio CT300 and later I exchanged for a Casio MT68, I enjoyed a lot to play this mini keyboard due to the many functions it had; with each rithym you had 4 variations of bass, chords and arpeggios to combine and also independent volume control for rithym and bass, also two differents kind of vibrato and sustain and reverb and another butyon for "cosmic effects"; I played this keyboard in a church for many years...and my music teacher in 3rd grade had this keyboard too.

[@biostemm]

In a way, it's more impressive when a musician can create great music using a more limited set of instruments...

[@SovereignGraceToday]

Another awesome episode. Your shows are always so informative and interesting!

[@Jones12ax7]

Since I started playing, at the mid of 90's, I hear people complaining that they aren't any good playing because they lack good equipment. This is a proof that a good musician can workaround this. Congratulations!

[@abbasraza2493]

This is so good! That built-up to 9:54 was amazing. I hope you bring him more often, or atleast every once in a while.

[@dmnsonic]

Man, what a music! In Brazil we have a passage that says "took out milk of a stone" and this guy made this, made a beautiful song with a simple keyboard! Perfect!

[@t0m_mcc]

DMN_Sonic - Rockin' the games! That's interesting we say to take blood out of a stone!

[@erichkohl9317]

In my opinion, even the 2nd version (the dry/raw take) was really good. Just shows what a talented musician can do with "not so professional" boards. Had such a nice melody and chord progression.

[@MrVadymMykh]

David and Anders!!! What a day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@marcelofrau8818]

Very impressive! Great work and great, great song and great video! Thank you 8bit guy and keep doing more episodes on 8bit keys channel :D

[@moxdox1529]

The software Anders was using is Digital Performer, you can see the name in the bar on the top of the screen.

[@adastra123]

BRAVO !!!!!!!!! A standing ovation . I used to own one back in the day and multi tracked using my own home made multi track set up with two tape recorders , tapes were expensive and so I used the left and right input to the tape deck and bounced to an external walkman. Then swapped the tapes and played the two tracks onto the left channel and played into the right then swapped again. Of course the signal to noise ratio was halved every time and the pitch dropped ever so slightly and I had to tweek the pitch at the back of the keyboard to stay in key. Bravo to you all on this channel brought back some great memories.

[@BrienMalone]

What I thought was really amazing is Anders internal metronome. When he is noodling, he is tapping in perfect rhythm.

[@ilpatongi]

Brien Malone Well That’s one of the first things you learn when you play an instrument

[@RetroPlus]

His timing is pretty on point

[@LotoTheHero]

This was really awesome! It's great Anders was able to stop in and do a collab while he was on vacation. :D

[@Scribblersys]

1:14 The download code is still barely visible through the tape.

[@Spikemonkey80]

Came here to say the same thing. I upvoted so they see. They may want to put a different code in that one or re upload with a better cover up.

[@Stone177]

Something like that : RKGFCYC6

[@リーリ-t9d]

I would agree on this

[@TopazTK]

Used!

[@リーリ-t9d]

That's too bad!!

[@jonathanhandsmusic]

Very cool ! I bought an MT68 for $4.00 at the thrift store and am having a good time playing around with the sounds. Anders really brought out the potential in the old school keyboard. Thanks for posting!

[@ryanashford3672]

Yes!! A new 8 bit keys video!

[@markinnes4264]

Fabulous video , both of you! Anders made such a great song! Really capturing the electro-pop feel of the early 80s.

[@austincerza2247]

such wholesome comments :) great video guys!

[@themusicicreate]

I really enjoyed this approach to include the raw audio from the keyboard as well as a more put-together song with additional audio effects and drums. I think that's more true to how a musician would interact with the keyboard, and a valid means of critically analyzing it.

[@lactobacillusprime]

Anders did do some magic with the keyboard. Love the enhancements. ' Just the keyboards ' was cool.

[@ACTNRPLY]

Man I really want that shirt. I would buy one in a heartbeat. Also, I couldn't help but notice how nervous Anders was in front of the camera until he started working on the keys, then he was a lot more comfortable. Great episode as always David. Anders you did great as well! Keep it up!

[@GROENAASMusic]

NORWAYYYY! So what is it with this channel and Norwegians anyway? :p I mean, you get a surprising amounts of packages from Norwegians.

[@cleverlyblonde]

They seem to be into electronic music. See Røyksopp ;)

[@GROENAASMusic]

Kara Elle I know Røyksopp. They're pretty good!

[@bimmovieproductions6352]

JarAxe Norway is the best, and I am norwegian

[@mutatedgeek8040]

Most Norwegians are suprisingly nerdy.

[@GROENAASMusic]

@@mutatedgeek8040 Not that much of a surprise to us. We're kinda used to it.

[@MercuryK52]

Great video as always! Impressive what you managed to do with that Casio! Awesome collab! ;)

[@EpicLPer]

I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS COLLAB SOOOOOOOO LONG! Awesome!

[@l3p3]

EpicLPer Stop writing in caps, please.

[@Iliek]

I hope you find some usefulness in your life.

[@mayravixx25]

Hello. Just wanted to say, regarding that issue with my device I told you about, I ultimately decided to just buy a new one. There really wasn't much I could do :p

[@dumdum7786]

Its been only 527 years stop bitching lol

[@deelan_]

This idiot is using his mummys credit card to rent youtube comment like bots.

[@marti-jp]

Wow, crazy timing. I just bought a Casio MT-100 last week, which is pretty much the same as the MT-68 except for some controls. Great video, as always!

[@electronash]

Looks like the keyboard is using a few analog synth circuits for the drums. So, things like "BD" and "SD" on the silkscreen likely refer to "Bass Drum" and "Snare Drum" etc. The trim pots are therefore probably just for the tuning of each drum sound. On many NEC chips where the part number starts with "PD", it's often a shortened form of "uPD" (Greek letter mu added), so "Micro processor". I'm not sure what the D means though, probably "Digital"? lol The same "PD" code is used on many NEC DRAM / SRAM chips too, so go figure.

[@ivanl.8201]

Anders Jensen's song sounds fantastic. I've noticed that quite a few Scandinavian artists are SO skilled in taking a lot of lo-fi, cheap gear and making absolute miracles out of it. I've been listening to the Radio Dept (a band from Sweden) for years, and what they can pull out of the simple tones and beats is just beyond amazing!

[@Droply...]

You guys need to replace the code on that mp3 download it's visible and its already taken :P

[@Emelin-cr8nc]

Ender Running I tried it

[@laurensnieuwland4657]

Tutorials By Emelin aaaaand?

[@dopeless]

I think they made it on purpose ;)

[@marksmorphs]

I had this keyboard. Got it when it came out in 1983 and just gave it to my nephew a couple years ago. For such a tiny keyboard, it really had a lot going on in it. I loved it. Glad to see a review and appreciation of it.

[@mudpug9413]

Anders Jensen, That's Such a norwegian name

[@dokols]

Just as common in denmark I would think. Very scandinavian.

[@fleischer444]

And in Sweden :)

[@kontext5338]

Or Anders Jonsson :)

[@hobbified]

Norwegian would be more likely to be Jenssen, I think.

[@dokols]

hobbified Nope, the single 's' in -sen names is far more common.

[@benharyo]

I have a late-model Casio CTK (bought in 2015) and even with such modern technology I can't play as good as Mr. Jensen. Wonderful skills!

[@ocha-time]

"You may know this", first six notes I was like KING'S QUEST V

[@GadgetoidUK]

To see the keyboard I spent much of my childhood playing so masterfully played is phenomenal. I don't begrudge the enhancements and effects, it sounds absolutely stunning! Sheeesh. Even the raw version sounds great.

[@QLTD]

10:47 the raw music is as good as the enhanced one! great job! and that sticker on the download code it didn't help much

[@germanschindler8781]

Best episode ever! I really enjoyed it, congratulations!

[@dokols]

Gøyalt å få se Anders in action. Norsk kvalitet :p

[@bimmovieproductions6352]

Helt enig altså, han er flink

[@trekintosh]

Liking the new intro theme, 8BG! Always nice to hear a new version come up.

[@black_squall]

Really cool track Anders!

[@ababababeebababa]

I just this on 8-bit guy ... and the wild thing is this may have been my first keyboard, I get in in 1983 as a hr high kid. I had a lot of fun with it, but never made anything remotely close to what you did. You are a true talent !!

[@FaSMaN]

It actually sounds better Raw, might just be my ears XD

[@Chaos89P]

For me, the first sounded like the background to an 80's movie soundtrack, while the Raw version sounded like its computer game counterpart.

[@misterhat5823]

Adding the effects isn't really using this keyboard in my opinion.

[@jazzmaster909]

So i guess using a Guitar pedal on a Les Paul means your not using a Guitar then? Just because you like the Raw sound better does not mean the edited version is any less better or legitimate than the raw.

[@natashag8398]

Mister Hat of course it is lol...

[@Coolshows101]

I was looking for a comment that said this. I agree.

[@MushOfficial]

I have been massively looking forward to you reviewing this keyboard. Thank you!

[@shessometimesdoublechocola5410]

LOL, nice discontinuity: "I'll start Anders working on some stuff with this keyboard, but meanwhile we're gonna take it apart while he works on it!" Hehehe.

[@HunterZBNS]

Awesome! Two of my favorite music dudes on the same show. Thanks to Dave and Anders for putting this together!

[@SpeedySPCFan]

It's amazing how that King's Quest V music sounds a billion times better on a toy keyboard than it does in the original MIDI, hah!

[@electronash]

SpeedySPCFan Depends which synth or sound card you're comparing it to. :p

[@SpeedySPCFan]

Does it? I thought the MIDI the town theme used was just garbage since I couldn't find a single good version of it on KZbin.

[@electronash]

SpeedySPCFan Ahh - I just did a search too, and I see what you mean now. lol The original sounds pretty bad tbh, even on something like an MT-32. The song had lots of weird sounds in too, which I guess are meant to be a bustling town? (SPC, as in SNES? I've been slowly working on some SNES FPGA stuff, but I haven't tackled the SPC yet. ;) )

[@SpeedySPCFan]

The SPC comes from the anime Samurai Pizza Cats. I'm not really a big fan of the show anymore but I can't change my name on KZbin to be *just* Speedy, otherwise I would have taken SPCFan out of my name. Funnily enough I'm not a huge fan of the SNES or its soundchip; I much prefer the YM2612/PSG of the Mega Drive and the OPL3 in a lot of mid/late-90s soundcards/computers.

[@Mostlyharmless1985]

Speedy the actual midi is entirely dependent on what patches you send through it.

[@GermanFleitas1989]

Great idea to invite people to the show ;) Now I'm listening Anders through SoundCloud. Thank to both for the music!

[@thegardner80]

Could you do another, more in depth review of the MT-68? This video is more like a review of Anders Jensen, who is really cool, so i liked the video, but the keyboard itself got a short shrift. The MT-68 is a mostly analog synth that sits at a weird nexus between analog, semi-pro, but before PCM. There are some cool features for the time that I think deserve a more in depth look on their own terms.

[@ManosS40]

I have been waiting for ages for this review. Yes I am a proud owner of the MT-68!!! For over 30 years!

[@panzerdragon1121]

The Nordic are magical music makers.

[@RetroPlus]

Indeed

[@BrandonCallender]

I swear, your production quality goes up every episode! Glad my Patreon dollars are being used effectively!

[@MarkTheMorose]

One mystery for me: why does KZbin bother to put a dislike option on 8-Bit Keys and 8-Bit Guy videos? It seems superfluous.

[@The8BitGuy]

beats me. But every time somebody does avail themselves of the opportunity to use it.

[@brianpinkerton9339]

Beautiful! This song makes me smile. Good work!

[@Mostlyharmless1985]

Of course the Norwegian noodles out a polka when playing with the keyboard for the first time. I love it! =)

[@AndersEngerJensen]

Mostlyharmless1985 Wel, it was mostly to tie in King's Quest 5 and the Town scene though. ;)

[@danerd8978]

Im polish and I cannot help make a song without Accordions.

[@alfr83]

Very nice video ! The raw version without enhancements sounds surprisingly good !

[@mr.nobody6829]

The hair style is identical to the image on your T shirt.

[@StephenAngelico]

Great to see how Anders Jensen creates all that music! On a completely unrelated note, I want to thank you, David Murray, for all the restoration videos. I have a Roland SK-50 which was awfully dirty (arguably worse than anything I've seen on this channel). I didn't take it apart, but the tips on cleaning have been very helpful nonetheless (I just used isopropyl alcohol on it since there were a lot of hard stains). Some of the buttons are hard to press and the plastic overlay for the buttons is coming unglued (can you advise on what glue to use?), but the keyboard is fully working. I can't play any sort of keyboard, but the SK-50 has MIDI ports and RCA line out, so I hooked it up to my PC and use it as my MIDI sound module. It sounds awesome! Much better than the default Timidity sound fonts. Pity I can't use it as an MT-32 though. :( It would be epic to play DOS games with MT-32 sound fonts.

[@IdealIdeas100]

When he started playing some of the Electric Guitar I thought he was gonna play "what is love"

[@senhorlampada]

Rewatching this... You guys are pure gold

[@johnwongtw1]

Im in Asia, how do i order the cassette tape? Do you ship to Asia? Hope to get one of the 5 signed copies!

[@Mezurashii5]

The copies he signed in this video are for US distribution, but maybe he did the same thing for the rest of the world off camera too.

[@JoaoBenoSchreinerJunior]

Cool video, and great guest! I wish you had showed more about the keyboard functions, like that effects you mentioned, and some sounds from it...

[@BugzKiller]

HEY!! Wolfenstein Tee!!

[@feropont141]

I can't go a day without watching you David Murray. I really like you videos. Your my best fan. Please reply to me!

[@Saghetti]

The blue tape didn't do a good job... KRGFCYC6

[@jwproductions5070]

Congratulations on hitting 100,000 subscribers! I love all your videos.

[@JohnMiller-li3nq]

As a music major myself, I approve.

[@mattleythegreat]

A brilliant episode as always David. Nice to see Anders too - great music

[@twjonckheere]

I like the RAW version the best. Keep it simple. :)

[@Cardthulhu]

I like how you were so excited to be around Anders. Also, you need to stop being so hard on yourself. You're a pretty amazing dude.

[@jackdeespadas]

Anders, cheating all the way to awesome.

[@checktheevidence]

Great fun! Interesting to see it all constructed! Thanks for rmaking this!

[@timbrennan3360]

Enjoyed the 2nd version better, less is more !!

[@toasTr0n]

David, you looked giddy with excitement the entire time about having one of your favorite musicians over to jam with you. I'm really glad y'all were both able to make this happen! Great show!

[@The8BitGuy]

hahah.. Yeah, I'm a big fan of his work and he's a big fan of mine. So it was a cool collaboration.

[@BersekViking]

The raw version was best!

[@pranaytony]

This Piece is Fantastic! Surprised & Felt Happy to hear that great piece!

[@genericgreensquid6669]

I always see thar anders guy in the retro coputing comments sections.

[@isragu6186]

Pretty awesome video and badass guest!

[@sophiesnow9394]

Never closed pornhub so fast

[@yourick1953]

haha

[@brandonacosta5312]

Kukac Mr. holy shit I did the same

[@yaboi9156]

Kukac Mr. 😂😂

[@dubsy1026]

Way to be completely unoriginal

[@HuntersMoon78]

Go be boring somewhere else Mr. Grumpy Arse Dubsy 102

[@krushingbro6620]

this goes to show once you have a grasp on melodies and what constitutes musical structure and get your theory down and work it into practice it eventually doesnt matter what the instrument, you can make it work. 👍

[@jigler]

You can see the code at 1:14

[@TheGeekPub]

No you can't. It's got a blue piece of masking tape over it.

[@jigler]

Mate, I wouldn't make this comment if I couldn't. If you look carefully you can see that the code is KRGFCYC6.

[@ky-gp4sz]

TheGeekPub You're right. You can't tell that the code is KRGFCYC6

[@TheGeekPub]

You have better eyes than I do then.

[@danz409]

you can. but by time this goes live. hopefully it will be claimed besides. HOPEFULLY most people here won't be a twat and steal a "indie" album, if you like the music. buy it and support the artiest!

[@CardboardSliver]

Both versions of the little demo were fantastic. I'm glad David let us hear it without the effects, it actually sounds really good! Not saying the edited version wasn't, it was an amazing little tune. For just a toy, that little keyboard has some power!

[@JamesSpeiser]

56 people aren't nerds in their 40's

[@w0mblemania]

Some us are older, and even nerdier!

[@jacksanfratello7142]

Anders Jensen: Thank you. As a kid on my home from a camping trip I remember one of the more hippyish dads in our group popped in a vintage electronic mixtape. From then until now I have searched and searched for that sound.