Casiotone 202 | These Are My Chords

[@StefanoLanzavecchia]

A love song in 5/8. Not everybody could pull it off. Lovely. 10/10.

[@Callie1981]

10 out of 16 surely?

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks. 5 with a shuffle is actually very natural I think. Just has a nice bounce to it.

[@MePeterNicholls]

13/8 is my fave. In fact any prime.

[@retrosound72]

O man. I love these cheesy CASIO sounds. Childhood reloaded.

[@AlexBallMusic]

They're so bad, but have so much character. As soon as I turned it on I recognised the sound.

[@djdavique]

I was touched by this song.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Did you report it to your local police station?

[@djdavique]

@@AlexBallMusic No, it was consensual. ❤

[@theVHSvlog]

It's really not a Casio without some sticky residue stuck to the front cover

[@AlexBallMusic]

It's the law.

[@phranquepeasant5688]

Dear Alex, you are able to make a beautiful performance with one of the most pathetically sounding keyboards ever produced. I couldn't even manage that with a EUR 3.500 synthesizer. I think that is what is called talent. Well done. Again.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks. The Casio actually got quite a character to it, even though it's cheap sounding. Quite deceptive.

[@EvilDragon666]

Awesome. Just awesome!

[@wingflanagan]

Another sweet, positive song. You are either a very sunny person, or compensating really well! Love the finger exercises. I learned them from some cartoon ("in, up, out, down! In, up, out, down!"), though I cannot remember which one. BTW, I had a Casio a long time ago (not that particular one, but boy, it sounded a lot like it!). I used it to help two teenage would-be singers make a demo, recording on my own 4-track, 3-3/4 IPS four-track cassette recorder/mixing board. That was all I could afford at the time. Pretty crummy (especially with my lousy playing), but the demo (recorded in my living room) seemed good enough. One of the two kids was Howard Dorough, AKA Howie D, of Back Street Boys. I kid you not. Of course, he ignores my friend requests on Facebook, now. Ingrate! ;-)

[@AlexBallMusic]

Haha! That's hilarious! You're a man of surprises Wing.

[@wingflanagan]

@@AlexBallMusic I know, right? It was another lifetime. I lived in Orlando, Florida, a young starving artist dabbling in music and photography. The latter actually earned me a living of sorts (I was much better at it). Took lots of pictures of aspiring actors/models/singers, in addition to the usual weddings, Bar Mitzvahs, corporate functions, whatever. One of them was bound to "make it". Turns out two of them did - Howie and a future Miss American named Ericka Dunlap. Unlike Howie, she seems to have had her 15 minutes and faded from sight. Now I'm a software engineer on the other side of the country. Funny how that goes.

[@nanoloopbandit]

Wing Flanagan Do you still make music? I used to have a similar setup as yours back in the early 90’s. I sometimes feel like going back to that setup🤔

[@wingflanagan]

@@nanoloopbanditYeah, it was an Audio-Technica that I got at a pawn shop (where all music gear comes from). I think it was an AT-RMX something-something. I also had a Sure SM58 microphone and a stand. Add the keyboard and that was pretty much my whole kit. A friend of mine could afford the good stuff - a Roland electric piano, a Yamaha QY700, a drum machine (can't remember the model but Alex featured it in one of his videos), and a Fostex digital 8-track that recorded on S-VHS tapes! Seriously! He also had an old Teac 4-track open reel recorder that we used before he got the Fostex. 7.5/15 IPS with the big reels. On his stuff I served as producer, occasional arranger, and recordist. I also programmed the Yamaha and played bass lines on the Roland. I do still make music, but now I just use a computer and a little 32-key MIDI keyboard. I have a fully weighted 88-key one, as well, but rarely use it except when I want to remind myself how lousy I play. Mostly I just use the little one to improvise until I find something I like. Then I use piano roll or score view to enter notes. Although I do read and write music (slowly) the piano roll view provides a better overview, especially with multiple instruments. What I miss is the teamwork and camaraderie of working with other musicians, all of whom were much more talented than me. I mean, we were all amateurs, but we had incredible fun. Good times.

[@nanoloopbandit]

Wing Flanagan Wow, thanx for those details. I think I saw one of those Fostex at my office. If I can find enough vhs tapes I’ll maybe give it a new home. I mostly use nanoloop 1 & mono on the gameboy to satisfy my baby itch, but the ios music apps are my go to for all production(Korg gadget, moog model 15, korg module, BeatMaker etc...)

[@subwaygaragemusic]

Why does this sound so lovely?

[@812cp]

I had one of these when I was in high-school...what a treat to see an old friend again.

[@intermodal_0]

Found a Casiotone 202 on craigslist locally and found this video while researching it. I don't think I'll be buying it, but I feel like I lucked out discovering this lovely song because of it!

[@theshyguy1580]

Alex returns with dem tasty chords!!!

[@eleintblood]

I've been bingewatching your videos since I found you a few weeks ago, and this it the one I keep coming back to. Creative, fun, endearing and snackable yet boiling with knowledge and takeaways. Thank you, Alex!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you! Nice to know. :)

[@saulcross9690]

Love this song and still hoping you will do a detailed Casio video some day.

[@MacXpert74]

This brought a smile to my face! I loved what you did with the cheesy Casio sounds. And the vocals are great too. I find it's actually quite a challenge to make a happy song sound good.

[@vidjenko8349]

Limitations breed creativity! Another great song!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks!

[@LaOxidada]

Let me tell you those old analog Casio keyboards are something else, they've got such a nice sound to them, and the Casio 202 is a prime example of that.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yes, they're the right kind of wrong. :)

[@Gosha1992]

Really love these vibes

[@gibafilm]

Ode to vowel-consonant synthesis ! Lovely track!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers

[@oS2006DE]

What a mind-blowingly written piece of music!

[@darwiniandude]

Beautiful.

[@moogdome2562]

Wonderful. really enjoyed the nostalgia trip.great song.

[@theshyguy1580]

Replay Buttons for Sale! 0:00 0:00 0:00 0:00

[@MrShiffles]

My new ringtone ❤️

[@d-culture927]

I feel like I'm in 1970s department store heaven.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Can I show you our range of electric toasters? They're just in.

[@LuisHumanoide]

The master of retro sounds, this music is dope ! You´re crazy Alex

[@trainchugger53]

This is pure synth and I love you for it, as well as our 5/8 love song. It sounds like it belongs in some anime, honestly.

[@cesardpd6099]

(almost) you made me cry...returning back to my childhood when I watched the adversmts of AZ1...

[@Gerald_Daniel]

...again deeply touched & mind blown. 👁️‍🗨️🎵🎶🎼

[@chisel316]

You can make anything sound great. I started my electronic music journey on a Casio MT-70 with barcode reader. I loved that keyboard! ☺

[@AlexBallMusic]

Barcode reader! Gonna have to look that up. Not really up on Casios, they're a world I've not entered really.

[@nielsblume]

Love my Casios - I have two waiting for me to set up my new studio... they add something unique.

[@beloyaraistov8007]

Vocoder sound is perfect!

[@kowsky1]

Excellent work as always!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you

[@GoldstromsWerkstatt]

A hit is born....

[@glenesis]

Hi Alex! Such a sweet sentiment :) It's always a joy to find your compositions! Thanks very much for sharing. Have a beautiful day, Matey!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you, and you!

[@waugsqueke]

Brilliant as always. Love it.

[@demofactory]

That was great!!! Put it on the radio. It's better than most of the new stuff coming out now.

[@paulbrendan8034]

I can't play piano, synths or music bit I love all synths history and old school tunes. This channel is great

[@karltraunmuller7048]

You get cool sounds out of pretty much every bit of gear.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers. I'd cool these "character" sounds, but not sure how cool they are 😂

[@TheEleventeen]

Wonderful video as always !

[@mkiswatoo]

This is an excellent song.

[@edpalmeida]

This is amazing! Alex, you're getting kinda magical man. Excelent content as always!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks :)

[@MusicalWizardryMarcoIannello]

Alex, you are an absolute legend, mate 😊

[@MangoldProject]

The real question is, where on earth do you find space to store of all the different synths that make cameos in your videos?

[@AlexBallMusic]

Haha, that's a fair question! Not to sound ungrateful, but it is a bit of a juggle sometimes. I've just redesigned my studio with everything on two big racks with a spare triple stand that can come out for visitors or be folded away. Will be doing a quick demo video with it as it's all permanently connected for recording. :)

[@sotosonic413]

What's this? Even the cheesiest synth is gold in Alex Ball's hands!

[@notsofunnynowisit]

Great arrangement!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers

[@acasadosom]

Very Nice !!!

[@PocketUnv]

What a great little song, I think I need to learn how to play it!

[@bobheatliesongs]

Absolutely loved that Alex, and a nice little song and the end too. Your voice tracks up very well! Keep ‘em coming Buddy! 👍

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers Bob! Always enjoyed stacking vocal harmonies, especially four parts. Think that's the magic number.

[@radiorain5665]

I adore these sounds

[@AlexBallMusic]

The right kind of wrong. :)

[@Jaa_kko]

love it!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers

[@ThomasHope73]

Gold

[@zakerymizell8838]

Love it

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks!

[@leemortimer80]

i love this so much

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you

[@markmarketing7365]

I am very suprised by how natural this sounds even though the time signature is not common. Nice piece, would rate it 5/8.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks. Odd time signatures are just combinations of 2s and 3s and those are both totally common and natural, so there's usually a phrasing in an odd meter that feels kind of normal. Usually....

[@markmarketing7365]

I like that. :) Often I see people "force" a song to be in 5/8, dividing the measures in 4s and 1s or just 5s. That makes the music feel a bit choppy and in my opinion more difficult to enjoy.

[@kgbinfo]

these sounds are beautifully innocent.

[@XavierRadix]

Well, this goes to show yet again, that you can make brilliant music with everything folks. :). Don't forget 0:58, the best solo that's ever been played on a Casiotone 202...

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks Xavier :)

[@joeblow593]

Awesome dude..

[@JonMurray]

This is so awesome man! 😄 Love it!

[@jaggass]

Words can't describe this.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Because it's _that_ bad?

[@jaggass]

@@AlexBallMusic Because it's the best thing ive heard for a long time. It's just so different to what you have done.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks. You have to go where the Casio leads...

[@jaggass]

@@AlexBallMusic You're onto something here. I suggest you try a CZ-101. That's capable of many sounds.

[@whosmymuse4941]

Retrolicious

[@thomaskenneally219]

Love Casio's... I think it's safe to say that most people deeply intwined with synthesizers got their start with some sort of Casiotone as a kid...

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yes, Casio and Yamahas are most people's childhood instruments.

[@nikamota]

Well,that was rather wonderful!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks!

[@T.H.W.O.T.H]

Looking forward to the history of Bontempi mega vid 🐸

[@RogerioValgode]

Fantastic! 👌

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks

[@retrorevival617]

Very nice

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers

[@artisinventable]

Wonderful :)

[@DVincentW]

Positivity matters not to me; only that it comes from the heart. Very cool ☼

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks

[@AndrewTSq]

Very nice song. Sounds like it would be a nice soundtrack on a Sega Megadrive / Genesis :) Never underestimate Casios gear. Loved their Casio CZ101, and VZ1

[@tonalaxis]

Love 💕

[@MrMargaretScratcher]

Oooh nice

[@RichardLacyMusic]

That's brilliant. If Jellyfish had only owned that keyboard, all their albums would have sounded like that.

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

Alex, did you program that 5/4 time signature on the Casio front panel? And, even Howard Jones would not be so clever as to mention the name of the Casio in the lyric.

[@ИльяАнтипов-й8п]

I love your music, buddy %)

[@Max-ph5in]

lol. awesome job mate. that's a hard one to pull off! you do like a challenge :)

[@AlexBallMusic]

Realised in two seconds that it sounded twee, so decided to go with it. Actually came fairly easily. A very goofy instrument, which is kind of fun.

[@moritz_schoenermann]

I used a moded Casiotone CT-102 rhythm session on my first released song 40 years ago... The singer were into circuit bending and created a output for each sound. :) Do you have this one? :)

[@antoniobrajkovic1977]

0:42 - inspired by the original casiotone 202 demo Flexi-record? ;)

[@AlexBallMusic]

This? kzbin.info/www/bejne/faGyXqKLrZ6oopI Which bit on the record?

[@antoniobrajkovic1977]

@@AlexBallMusic Yes. 3:25ish? Anyway, one past midnight here and getting hardcore nostalgia. Love your videos and music ❤️

[@AlexBallMusic]

Oh right, no it wasn't. Funnily enough I've got to know Tom Piggot a little bit, funny to see he did that demo record. He did many of those.

[@zloboslav_]

I love these cheap sounds

[@tlazohtlalia]

I have a Casio lk40 and ctk496 which sound exactly the same

[@MePeterNicholls]

You know it reminds me of Mike Oldfield from around this era, QE2 and Five Miles High albums.

[@jackthemurray]

Curious if your tone preset memory saves after a power cycle? Mine does not. And was thinking a ROM battery might have gone bad. Can’t find one on the board though. Thanks!

[@christofferainek]

You’re such a genius 👌

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers

[@itsenzo3000]

Sounds like 1979 I love it

[@saulcross9690]

Please, please, please, get hold of a bunch of Casio gear and do some longer videos showing some love for these beautiful underrated instruments; because if anybody can do them justice it’s you.

[@L00PdeL00P]

Not related to the Roland 303 or 808- huh🤔

[@annother3350]

It's the 303s creepy cousin that lives in a caravan

[@L00PdeL00P]

Ann Other lol

[@peterkadarmusic9728]

Of COURSE Alex makes a 5/8 jam on an old Casio that you want to listen to.

[@peterkadarmusic9728]

AND he fits the keyboard name into the tune. That’s a win.

[@LouisSerieusement]

I truly find casio sounds better than a few recent synth (not all of course XD) ; yeah it sounds cheap, but cheap in a good way :p some presets are definitely usable, and the signal itself is somehow fat and unique to this brand

[@AlexBallMusic]

Terrible, but full of character. They all make me smile.

[@Table-Top]

A bit of vocoding on your vocals - nice and subtle.... A bit of high freqs in there though. I find Vocodex deals nicely with HF.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yes, there's an overdub of a vocoded vocal which was done on an analogue vocoder. Carrier was a Roland JX-3P. Not used Vocodex. Is that an FL studio thing?

[@Table-Top]

@@AlexBallMusic I've got Reaper, but can buy ImageLine Vocodex as a plugin. I'm waiting until it comes back down to $39 , hopefully at the end of this month

[@wilhelmh7777]

Feeling Pokémon nostalgia... ah I love it

[@Lu_Woods]

I'm guessing this is what I hear on some Residents albums.

[@edrosa3485]

Was that The Hoff??

[@beloyaraistov8007]

1:21 What is a casio model?

[@PockyChoco23]

Looks like it's from the CZ series but might be wrong on that

[@beloyaraistov8007]

@@PockyChoco23 Ok. I try to find it)

[@Cepheid-IDM]

Sounds like walking through a town in a Japanese rpg game

[@SyncdAlien]

Cheesy goodness. 😂😂😂😂😂 Great work!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Fromage-tastic

[@SyncdAlien]

👍👍👍

[@radiorain5665]

Those are your vocals??? The voice is brilliant and beautiful!

[@theshyguy1580]

I love those vocals and the vocoder stacked together!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks, yes, my vocals multitracked. There's four part harmony and also some bits of vocoder in places.

[@zooblestyx]

My S.O. heard this playing on my laptop and said "sounds kinda like Fraggle Rock". I relay this with the assumption that it was meant as a compliment.

[@AlexBallMusic]

I'll take it. :)

[@nanoloopbandit]

I’m at home here on this channel😊

[@nickhaisch4277]

oh man. I have this synth and I was really worried you were gonna some how make it sound like a Juno or some other fantastic instrument leaving me to be like WTF why doesn't mine sound like that. Gladly no, you make it sound like a Casio.

[@sidework1]

I'm getting Todd Rundgren vibes here

[@AlexBallMusic]

Funny you should say that: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqKkm3irZ79ma5o

[@EvilDragon666]

This ended too soon. More!

[@innerspacerace9196]

Can I borrow one of your chords ?

[@AlexBallMusic]

Eadd6/G# is available on Tuesdays.

[@jamesbennettmusic]

Jim Noir vibes!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Should have done it in the key of C, I've heard it's easier to play in. ;)