Casio SK1 - the OG lofi sampler!!

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The Casio SK-1 is one of the coolest lil retro keyboards available.
This 80's legend brought sampling to the masses, and it is still fetching a tidy price to this day. In this video I get creative with the many cool features and make some crunchy music!
#lofi #sk1 #sampler
0:00 - Intro
0:43 - Basic Features and Sounds
6:01 - Drums
8:08 - Sampling!
10:36 - Line-in Sampling
12:08 - Helios City Sample
13:41 - Vintage Synth Sample
14:50 - Beat Intermission
15:59 - Sequencer!
17:20 - Outro Music and Chat
PATREON
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SOCIAL MEDIA
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MUSIC
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open.spotify.com/artist/46c1Q...

[@CockySoupNazi]

I forgot I had one of these in my basement that I bought at Value Village for $3.99. All these years and I thought it was broken, the power plug was dirty. Unbelievable sounds you're getting out of this little keyboard.

[@robotwrench]

$3.99? you got lucky!

[@ryananthony4840]

I remember when these came out, I was 10 or 11 years old and wanted one so bad...... got it for Christmas and loved the hell outta it!

[@rocknreplay]

Yup, me too, my mom bought me one. They were $99 (US). I recently paid $135 for one on-line! LOL

[@ryananthony4840]

@@rocknreplay lmao!

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

The SK-1 my brother and I shared was the second electronic keyboard we had (after a secondhand Hammond spinet organ) and the third keyboard we had overall (after a George Steck upright grand piano). We ended up getting it as a birthday present for my brother and me (our birthdays fall within a week) after our cousin brought her to a family holiday dinner in December 1987. Back then, I only saw it as a toy. I didn’t have any concept that it was considered to be a synthesizer or of all the different things you could do with it that were genuinely musical. What eight-year-old would, other than Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart?

[@Drinkyoghurt]

What I'm wondering is how you've managed to remove the buzzing that seems to happen no matter how low I set the volume. I can't use any sounds that I've recorded, which sucks because it's actually amazing for resampling old tracks and making something new from it. Edit: If anyone is reading this, I had a 2200uf 16V input filter capacitor go bad. I replaced it and it's silent now.

[@TheUnperson]

Glad to hear it! And well done for troubleshooting that - I'd hace had no idea lol

[@greg20152015]

Feel like I'm 10 all over again! I LOVED mine! You did some very interesting effects here!

[@TheUnperson]

I assume you sampled your burps back in the day too? lol

[@greg20152015]

@@TheUnperson ummm. That was the absolute first thing I did! Then farts.

[@alladreamwedreamed]

​@TheUnperson we all did 😂 this was my 9th or 10th bday present and all the kids at the party took a turn burp sampling 😂

[@donaldpriola1807]

Still have mine! I used to sell them in the 80s, at a "Catalog Showroom", an instinct business type in North America. I went back to this after I learned a lot about synthesis, and it's like a new instrument for me. Thanks for your work here; you're very creative with this machine, and it's inspiring.

[@TheUnperson]

Wow that’s cool! I love the feeling of revisiting something, with more knowledge, and experiencing a deeper appreciation ☺️

[@alieneye04]

I've had an SK1 since they came out. At the time it was a very expensive buy for me. I've now gone on to have big Casio's, Roland's, Korg's, and modular. I still go back to my beloved SK1 when I want a bit of inspiration! A great little bit of kit and very underestimated by many. Great video! I hope people search out for an SK1. A great little, cheap addition to your arsenal. Thanks for the upload. Be Well..................

[@TheUnperson]

It’s amazing that this little keyboard is still working and inspiring musicians after all these years! Cheers for the comment ☺️

[@OPdbx]

oh I didn't know you could adjust the volumes of the individual sines from the additive synth! I literally just brought my SK-1 back home from my mom's lol

[@TheUnperson]

Nice - perfect timing! XD

[@bluestone9726]

That's a great friend you've got that gifts you something like that (maybe your gifts video gave some ideas). I've occasionally exchanged similar gifts with some of my friends in music. Big or small, it's always appreciated. Nice and chill video as always. I especially liked the beat intermission!

[@TheUnperson]

Musicians exchanging gifts is a great thing!! :D

[@shonthelawn]

I've had this keyboard for eight years and it's still my favorite piece of gear I own. I hope it never breaks. Great video - I never knew you could save your "syntha sizing" setting by hitting the memory button!

[@dennisarp2143]

very cool;) tomorrow my sk-1 is coming...that´s why I got here, just wanted to get a little inspired by a youtube video, and I exactly found what I was searching for - thank you very much!

[@MrMarcLaflamme]

I'm pretty sure I've heard that brass ensemble sample in some Amiga mods. And that Tiptop delay is fantastic! (And I keep editing this comment while listening!) Delay + Data Bender = killer combo! Finally the outro jam is giving me some heavy early Orbital vibes (minus the fizzy disco beat).

[@TheUnperson]

I reckon that brass ensemble patch will be in a love of stuff. You're right about the Tiptop delay - I should make a vid about that module!

[@georgegeez8708]

I used to have an original SK-1 back in the late 80s early 90s. I also had an SK-5 which is great too. I ended up getting the SK-5 after seeing old hip hop group De La Soul in an interview in their studio where they showed it off and mentioned that it was their sampler in the making of the album 3 Feet and Rising. Don't remember what ended up happening to them later on. Fast forward to fall of 2021, I bought the Radio Shack version of the SK-1 which is called the Realistic Concertmate 500. It is literally the same keyboard rebranded. I paid $40 USD for it in mint condition. I also ended buying the SK-5 mint in the original box as well to join my synth collection. Both are definitely great little synth weapons to own. Great video. 👍👍👍👍👍

[@TheUnperson]

$40 for a mint SK-1! That's good to know about the Concertmate range - i will be keeping my eye out for those!!

[@georgegeez8708]

@@TheUnperson Yeah man. The Concertmate 500 is the SK-1 in disguise. Nothing different but the name. You're better off buying that than an over priced SK-1.

[@A_random_NPC]

This was an amazing video, you’ve got a new subscriber

[@TheUnperson]

Thank you! ☺️

[@pongtrometer]

Gr8 overview. Super lush track at the end….happy melancholic ending 👾👺

[@rachelkeyte1002]

It’s an amazing machine! Great demonstration there from you as well. I just bought an SK5 on eBay.

[@TheUnperson]

Oh nice! Is that the one with drum pads and sample pads? I hope to grab one of those one day :)

[@rachelkeyte1002]

@@TheUnperson yes that’s correct. I also just bought an S K one yesterday because it’s said that it’s a better machine, though the SK5 does better sampling but that’s all.

[@ryanpenrod1859]

I had one of these when I was a kid... another thing I wish I would have kept. I loved playing around with those quirky beats and that weird echoey vocal instrument.

[@user-ux5hp6vp2t]

I like your style, so simple yet impactful

[@ChrisBrooker]

I got gifted a circuit bent sk-1 that unfortunately bit the bullet during s film score i was working on a couple years ago. Definitely one of the most inspiring pieces of gear i've ever owned!

[@TheUnperson]

I'm sorry to hear about your loss! Tho they do say it's better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all :P

[@vapourmile]

I think one thing you missed is because the sample length was automatically set you could sample a click or something of very short duration so the sample would repeat so quickly it became a tone and you could create synthesis like that. You joke about it but, given its price and date, I think it sounds great. :)

[@itsjohnmarknelson]

Absolutely incredible! Great video!

[@TheUnperson]

cheers man! Such a fun keyboard even after all these years :)

[@nila_bcn]

It sounds even better than I expected, I like it😊

[@TheUnperson]

I loooove it XD

[@stoatystoat174]

Can use it through guitar pedals too, if you put the volume low. Glad i bought one :) The Pipe Organ (without vibrato) through a bass guitar chorus pedal sounds qualily

[@mrt7152]

I had a sk-5 and a buddy of mine the sk-1, and we borrowed the machines from each other. I could never make out which one was better. Both are very cool. Cool vid, sounds really groovy the things you do with it. Whiteout the ad on, they sound very dry.

[@theComaCalling]

What’s your secret to getting all the high end noise out of the signal from the unit? This has got to be the best demo I’ve seen of these machines! Bravo!

[@TheUnperson]

I did do a bit of EQing in ableton post. I guess you could say that the noises adds character? Lol

[@theComaCalling]

@@TheUnperson I found out last night while running mine through my NST-1 that a TRS cable helped a ton with noise. Thanks for the inspiration and great, informative videos!

[@isofmilk]

I love the lofi sounds you get out of this little guy, especially paired with your setup. Do you have a video tour of your board or can you list components? I'm looking to get into building out my synth arsenal lol

[@TheUnperson]

cheers man! I made a vid recently talking about my live set which talks about the rack in a bit more detail. There's also a link in the description to the modulargrid website with all the gear details :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKGknISwqc6Nn5Y

[@andrewsmyth1652]

Great gift. Excellent video

[@stofopdenaald132]

Found one in the trash today at work, bit beat up, but it works 😁 can't wait to try it out

[@TheUnperson]

What a find! Enjoy ☺️

[@RetroPlus]

14:13 Oh wow that sounds delicious

[@TheUnperson]

Thank you!!

[@planetplex]

Another great video man! eBay is my next stop lol

[@andilauscher]

Just got myself one of this. . . That Video helps for an easy start. . Thank you for this 🙏

[@TheUnperson]

Cheers! Hope you’re enjoying the LoFi goodness!

[@andilauscher]

@@TheUnperson yeah. slowly im getting deep. She's really cute in many ways 😉

[@user-ee6hj6je6m]

I have one that I bought at a yard sale for $5. I knew a DJ that used one to sample during his gig. So I had to have one.

[@TheUnperson]

5 bucks!! What a bargain :D

[@mervintoot]

The SK1 is fab and I can recommend the SK5 too which has a few more features

[@TheUnperson]

I’ve currently sent my SK1 away to get circuit bent ~ can’t wait to get it back!

[@mkwise7748]

This is great. Apologies if I’ve missed it somewhere but what’s the other gear you’re using? I saw the OP1 but what was the FX box? Thanks

[@danielgagnon6468]

IN MUSIC, LESS IS MORE. THIS ONE SOUND PRETTY LIKE ART OF NOISE RECORDS

[@TheUnperson]

Love Art of Noise!

[@deanandthebeans857]

If Casio started making these again for £100 they would still sell by the bucketload!

[@TheUnperson]

A new version with some more options but still lofi and crunchy would be amazing!

[@j1m1j3nkins5]

I never subtract these instruments in my studio I only add them. I've got 4 right now. I never plan on getting rid of them

[@TheUnperson]

I’ve only got one but I’m thinking of getting it circuit bent! 😎

[@soundwithoutsoundbutwithso7884]

Awesome. Can it play a different sample per key? Or is it just one sample chromatically across all keys?

[@stanislavsidorov5631]

Amazing❤

[@plantain.1739]

What magical ass delay are you using, my god.

[@TheUnperson]

haha! It's the z5000 from tiptop audio :)

[@manuelsirotti3793]

Great video for a great machine. Love old Casio ! Can you tell me the name of the module effects …? Thanks man

[@link7459]

Yo I just picked one of these bad boys up for $5 at goodwill!!

[@TheUnperson]

What a bargain!!!

[@artificium_]

oh the possibilities! i think i need to say screw getting a midi keyboard and get one of these

[@TheUnperson]

If you circuit bend it you can get even more possibilities! kzbin.info/www/bejne/kGWTgoxmf9ibZ6ssi=2oWp2zCfqTvucIv4

[@noranoxica]

I will never know how, but I nabbed an DM-100 on ebay for $250 years ago. It scares me.

[@rocknreplay]

WOW!!! WHat is that machine above the SK-1? That is awesome!

[@dip_doop]

that’s his modular efx rack, he has a video about

[@rocknreplay]

@@dip_doop Cool, I'll have to check that out. Neat piece of gear.

[@foxaveryarvaldez8405]

Great demo, thanks👌🏼 what cable to you recommend I use to connect my sk-1 to my interface for recording in Ableton?

[@erci482]

Great video, went and purchased an SK1 for myself to give it a try (mainly for the sampling features). What microphone are you using with the 1/4” input?

[@TheUnperson]

Cheers man! I'm using an old mic I got from ebay - I think it's from a reel to reel player. IF you check out Acos mic on ebay they come up quite often and are cheap too.

[@1barllama]

Do you use all these cool lofi things to actually make tracks? To me it looks like you just have too much fun (which is totally okay and should be reason no.1 for all of us) 😁

[@andrewsmyth1652]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mnexpXiHlNpqjJY Yes he does. Enyoy.

[@andrewvigil7407]

I got to say to today i might have to use my SK

[@TheUnperson]

Do it! 😃

[@PerAnkh418]

Please, what part of your mixer is the Casio plugged into? Great vid.

[@rachelkeyte1002]

Hi again, my SK one just arrived from eBay today. How do you activate the envelope sounds? Do you have to press a button before you press the black note? Sorry, as I’m blind, I am not able to see what year are pressing. Can you just envelope the samples, or can you apply envelopes to all the sounds?

[@TheUnperson]

Hiya! You have to press the ‘envelope select’ button before choosing the envelopes using the black keys. There are 4 buttons on the left of the sk-1 (after the power switches). The envelope select button is the top right button :)

[@rachelkeyte1002]

Hello, thank you very much for your very accurate description. How can you reverse your Sample? Is that available in the envelope section?

[@lukehereart]

Oh that is, C R U N C H Y

[@dip_doop]

11:16

[@pyroclactic]

Would anyone be so kind as tell me what the devices above and to the left of the sk1 are?

[@TheUnperson]

To the Left is the teenage engineering OP1 and above is an assortment of modular synth modules.

[@glottis5]

That glass of water is WAY TOO CLOSE to all that equipment

[@TheUnperson]

I’ve started moving my beverages further away in recent vids lol

[@rmco4025]

inspiring to dust off mine that I found in the garbage (in the box!)

[@nathan-ou2oq]

hi! quick question, how do you record direct out of the sk-1? just got one off ebay

[@TheUnperson]

There’s an output on the back that bypasses the internal speaker :)

[@nathan-ou2oq]

@@TheUnperson nice, i see that now. what kind of cord would i need if i wanted to plug this into Audacity or something?

[@TheUnperson]

@@nathan-ou2oq the output on the back is a mini-jack, and it depends what you’re plugging it into on the other side. You’ll need either a mini-jack to mini-jack or mini-jack to jack.

[@nathan-ou2oq]

@@TheUnperson ok thanks! great video btw, learned a lot!

[@mugwump-bk7os]

Now be honest.. If you had one of these..., did the first thing you did with the sampler, involve burping (or worse) into it? I was that soldier...☺

[@wvo2m]

I've left a comment!

[@TheUnperson]

haha well in! :D

[@javiceres]

So this is better than the SK10?

[@TheUnperson]

I think it has a few more features, but I’ve never tried the sk10

[@roblitz1530]

I don’t have that piece on top of keyboard

[@TheUnperson]

The modular? Lol

[@Noahandallison]

Can you please sample yourself saying anything and then play demo mode. I can sing that tune perfectly and want to prove to my family.

[@chrisburns984]

But you didn't sample any farts or burps...

[@TheUnperson]

Of course it was the first thing I did.... i dread to think how many farts have gone into the internal mic! XD

[@urwholefamilydied]

Mine still sounds like shit... even sampling a nice note from my DAW and then playing it back through my nice monitors with some reverb... sounds hissy and like crap. Not sure how you guys (you and some other similar videos i've watched) are getting such great results. Hats off! Sounds dope. Mine sounds like garbage, oh well. Maybe I need a new unit in better shape. ? [shrug]

[@TheUnperson]

I wonder if you have a grounding issue or something? They are pretty noisy machines but it shouldn't sound unusably hissy!

[@doordedeur]

On kids fleamarkets they could be found for 5€. And they sold for 150€