I ran an $80 Casio into $2000 of FX Pedals and Samplers - Ft. Blooper, Habit, Nightsky, Sp404Mk2

[@ernestbuckley8671]

I’ve been making noise in the studio for 30 years now and can say this with absolute sincerity, there is no bad instrument or sound. Everything can have its place if put in the right context. The most beat up guitar has a soul to it. The most out of tune piano is a thing of beauty in the right context. Even the worst singers. It all depends on where you’re using that sound and how you treat it.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Well put!

[@h2o1969]

Yeah, I have always felt this way too.

[@rijksvoorlichtingsdienst4427]

The sound of a hitler speech?

[@ernestbuckley8671]

@@rijksvoorlichtingsdienst4427 sure, why not?

[@bokono37]

I absolutely agree with this. One of my favorite records after all these years is still PJ Harvey's 4-Track Demos. It's a great demonstration of what you're talking about.

[@maxhult830]

"A chain is only as strong as its weakest link" is commonly taught. I don't disagree with that, generally, however... The key point regarding audio, is that IF you're gonna use a "weak link", do it early in the chain. It's usually better to run something lofi into a hifi effect, than vice versa... or the "hifi" gets lost. Whereas, lofi->hifi makes the lofi into hifi, sortof.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

100%!

[@Pigeon-envelope]

Well said

[@bricelory9534]

Also, the weakest link can be our willingness to explore/experiment.

[@ChristopherOrth]

Yes! Fun vid! I've long said that the way to make a cheap synth sound expensive is to include some nice onboard FX. And a great way to combat GAS is to test drive a synth dry, with all the FX turned off! On many of them the "special" goes away. But on the flip side of that... pro tip... if you have a synth that sounds a bit cheap/crispy/digital, put a bit of a reverb tail on it to smear some of that digital junk, and then if you need more use a touch of chorus on the tail as well. Not so much that you would hear those effects, but just enough to hide the cheapness of the source. Money spent on truly good quality FX processors is never wasted. Hell, Eventide has been selling the same algorithms for decades, and they still sound fantastic.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Absolutely agree! With the Pro 3 I’ve found an amazing mix of both, quality synth+ quality onboard fx=smiles

[@dankeplace]

@@MidlifeSynthesist I asked the maker of his patches if he had any Valhalla on his video. When he explained it was FX from the Pro 3 only, I was blown away. The Pro 3 had become a PAD monster, a 3 voice paraphonic synth had somehow sounded as good as some 6 voice counterparts. FX can achieve stellar results for gear when used correctly.

[@istvantoth7431]

great vid.. "cheap" old casio synths have special place in everyone's heart in my opinion.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

100%!

[@RinnEryr]

Rei Harakami did 6 albums on an SC-88 Pro, which is basically the widely recognised sound of General MIDI. Check him out if you're curious about someone maximising "lo-fi" synthesis in a fascinating way. I think it even adds on the point of this video with effects, that arrangement can do that final step to bring a lower-end synth to life.

[@MickOHare]

thank you for this! one of the best artist recommendations i’ve come across via youtube comment section!

[@bermudateenager]

There’s something to be said for cheap keyboards/synths. I love them.

[@3fer]

You have a soothing voice coupled with great explanations of what you are doing, thank you and please keep making videos! :)

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

thank you so much! really appreciate it fam❤️

[@jeffevansmusic]

A really amazing pedal for this type of activity is the Zoom MS70 CDR. People have made some really out there presets for this too. A free editor exists which allows you to import and export patches and banks via a computer. Some very out there sounds exist. Any sound going in turns into something incredible.

[@malobeats]

This was so interesting to watch, I love what you started with to what you ended with 🙌🙌 amazing

[@JamesonNathanJones]

Great video! And I'm with you on the whole "one piece of gear that does one thing really well" preference lately - especially with effects. You're going to love that Pro3 too :)

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Thanks my friend! I’m absolutely loving the Pro 3😍 one if Daves greatest gifts to us for sure👍🏼

[@enjoixander]

Huge agree with the pedals accentuating the music. I’m keeping my G.A.S. in check because I’m saving up to reward myself with an Eventide Space this New Year’s.

[@sandwich-breath]

I picked up a Space last year. I keep it patched to my DAW full time as a bus reverb. It’s sumptuous!

[@scottcortez1313]

there is nothing more lofi than a guitar and folks run that into pedals all the time with marvelous results.

[@scottcortez1313]

@A uhhhh what? your comment makes no sense. naw, don't need a tube amp to do what i do. you know about helmholtz and the overtone series and thadeus, so then you know what i am talking about regarding the lo-fi. whatever.

[@lafoudrepasslafoudrepass5238]

beautiful sounds, pedals are very much overlooked

[@LiamKillen]

I actually like the original sounds - but that processing just takes it to the next lvl.

[@CaidicusProductions]

I have been reading the title of this video (while glancing at it in the list of available videos) as "I ran an $80 casino into $2000 of FX Pedals and Samplers" for the last hour. I didn't realize the video was yours, so I kept thinking it was some dude posting about how he ran a casino and earned a bunch of money by running a casino to buy pedals and samplers. Honestly... Sometimes my brain just doesn't work...

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Thanks for watching! Look out for the surprise at the end😉

[@CNTRRNDM]

Really enjoyed this one! Great vid!!!

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Thank you so much fam! Thanks for stopping by!

[@DoctorNemmo]

My Casio SK-5 taught me sampling and synthesis, so I have it in great respect.

[@hapmusic0_0]

This is a funn looking set up for sure! thanks for the pedal share! ✌✌

[@QuantumKatmusic]

I love the skipback function! Same here that I cant play pads that well so I love having the option to capture a perfect moment at any time

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

skipback is life! Cheers my friend!

[@dankeplace]

I treat pedals like they are instruments, sometimes they can add too much to a synth, or sometimes they can add enough to give the synth that needed character. I have enough multi pedals that I sometimes forget the synth is more important. 70CDR is probably the most underrated cheap multi around, it can be a little cumbersome to use, but it does help as a workhorse no nonsense pedal. The hak is a bonus being able to load other pedal patches onto the units. I pretty much stripped mine of all the junk, so I don't have to menu surf too much when looking for my favs. My Eventide Space is amongst my favs, it has more hands on than my H9s, easier to use without having to rely on an Ipad. I have a few others but 1 is an actual massive gtr Boss ME-70. It's just too large for my setup atm but it has a knob per function which I love. I treat this like a synth, it's great for drones and shaping an overall character on the fly. Pedals are great, 2K worth of pedals for an $80 synth is even greater. xD

[@ToyKeeper]

Wasn't expecting a Pro 3 all of a sudden. I love mine; it's the only synth I need. It does basically everything I could ever want from a monosynth, and I look forward to seeing what you do with yours.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Absolutely agree! Pro 3 has blown me away and can´t wait to get back home to continue exploring it! Cheers my friend!

[@djdel1122]

Cool using something that is from the past! It is important to use what you have at the Studio!! Rock it !! NICE!!!

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Thank you so much! ❤️❤️

[@chiefbucknell]

Love the video! I used to say: given enough pedals, even the cheesiest Casio would sound great. Now, I realize that my synths that have a lot of sound shaping and onboard effects consequently make pedals seem like overkill, while a sound source that is dull, simple, sounds painfully cheap, or is otherwise lacking makes my many pedals seem essential, because of how those effects pedals can transform that sound into something completely different and wonderful. Obviously, it’s not black or white, but it makes sense that a more simple input craves more complex treatments, and vice versa, as you ably demonstrate here!

[@chiefbucknell]

As for the HX Stomp-if you haven’t, please check out the likes of Shuffle Looper and Glitch Delay! They’re very hip and in the spirit of, says, newer Chase Bliss, Hologram, et al. pedal stuff, IMO. I only wish I had sooner realized the potential for HX-either Effects or Stomp-to do far more than traditional guitar setups/sounds. Also, Stomp (and maybe Effects?) works with iOS or Mac/PC as an audio interface, or alone as a headphone amp, etc., which can potentially be excellent for that DAWless workflow. 🙂

[@squiredog]

Completely agree with this- I have to say I briefly owned a Ciat Lonbarde Tetrax and while the thing is unique and beautifully made, it’s what comes after in the FX chain that brings it alive. And I found I could get the same sounds from other much cheaper gear with the same FX units. Sold it in the end.

[@K-ORA]

Subbed! Great vid my dude. I have done this exact concept as well in some of my tracks. Its amazing what you can do with good effects and eq. I also use my Pro 3 in most of my tracks as well lol. peace

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Hello my friend and a big welcome to the family! I get what you mean, the Pro 3 just begs to be in every jam🤩 Glad you enjoyed the video and hope to see you soon!

[@theleastsignificantbit4794]

This was magnificent and fun. Well done and thanks for the inspiration!

[@samprock]

Guitar is 16 times more limiting than Casio If you think about it (or how many sounds it has). One guitar "sound" - the rest is done by FX and creative processing. Though for me, I always used FX lightly on electronics, and favouring guitar FX on synths. Mostly chasing different/unique source, tweaking synth core or purifying guitars sound. Until now with paying Buchla and playing Sub 37CV more as well it all just has to go to the next level of FX understanding. How much and how can be (creatively) done with FX. Though I only use software for that (PodXT died after a decade of good use, and PB reminded having handy FX you know by heart is nice). Your chain of lil pedals always inspire and comes as a reminder. Nightsky may be the first pedal, thinking of it from day one of release ..... seems like I'm coming down with some severe G.A.S, need to a booster vax watching some of your other rehab vids LOL Cheers and thanks much mate!

[@deirellbyrd6770]

Stoked to catch a live stream! This sounds badass!

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Thank you my friend!! See you soon🤟🏻

[@anstef1485]

Fun thing! Made a search and found Casio now sells the SA-76 (orange) 77 (Gray) and 78 (pink) now with pads!

[@timdanyo898]

I’m all about bringing the “normal everyday” experience into art as a way to infuse meaning and intention. The world that is always around us is infinitely set up to provide what we need to make art. Sure, bringing an incredible new synth in the mix may be the thing that is needed, but finding an old used Casio for 80 bucks can do it too. My point, and the point you so well hit upon is be open to the “invisible” or brushed over tools that are already in your world. They are there for a reason and can add to the creation of your art. Hopefully it will add more interest to the experience of your art!

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

What a lovely perspective my friend! I totally agree👍🏼 the world is full of inspiration and materials for your art if you just look around, thanks for sharing!

[@apislapis]

Entertaining little video MS (aren't they all to be truthful?). It's the reason I kept my 80s Casiotones like my MT-41, 45, 65, 68, 70, SK-1, PT-30, VL-1, Yammy CS-01. Even my Timbre Wolf sounds excellent through quality FX pedals. From my own experimentation, I find less expensive pedals can be very useful also such as the Zoom MS-70CDR, Digitech Supernatural, Nautila, Polara and Obscura at shaping lo-fi sound. Many thanks, look forward to the next.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Thank you so much for watching my friend! See you soon!

[@JohnMassari]

Perfect Circuit ROXXXX!

[@I.O.M.]

Loved the cloud effect and pretty sure just lifting the MI Clouds module since is sounds wonderful. Thanks for sharing.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Thank you for watching my friend! Totally agree the effect sounds very familiar and similiar to the MI clouds! Amazing addition to the Sp404mk2👍🏼 cheers!

[@themadsamplist]

I have the SA-75 for years now. I bought it new just for fun. Sometimes I use it in my tracks and always through effects. Also sampled it a bunch. Check out the patterns and songs too. There is some fun stuff in there

[@THEKINGOCAESAR]

Dope video man been wanting to get my hands on the blooper that pedal is a thing of legend lol

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Hey bro! Always nice to see you here fam👍🏼 the blooper is a world of its own! The Habit is no slouch either though😁 waiting to get the generation loss mk2 this year and share it with you🤟🏻 have a great weekend!

[@bahutu802]

Haha, a family member recently threw away a comparable keyboard from the early 90s, and I indeed was as well tempted to use it as an alternative lofi sound and inspiration source. At the end I decided against it because it would have taken away too much space (it was quite a clunky one, didn't have MIDI etc.). Well at least I feel confirmed that it was at least a partially reasonable thought to maybe keep it.

[@hermeslord]

There was a Catholic priest I knew back in the day who ran a studio for the church. He had a stack of MIDIed digital keyboards of the day for producing hymns and other programming. On top of the stack he has a Casio SA21 which intrigued me. He said it was left behind by a visiting kid. That SA was wired to a bunch of effects boards like eventide and some others and it sounded like something else… taking the fight to the DX7/D50/M1/Juno106 cohabitants of the music room. Ingenuity can open bigger doors than $$$$ can.

[@mgaborio]

My favorite part was when the Nightsky was like "It's reverbin' time!" and took reverbing to a whole other level

[@ModePhaser]

This was great! Really enjoyed this experiment.

[@dalelaushman8749]

Cool! The Casio sounds FM to my ears.

[@jcurry3school]

Love this

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

🙏🏼

[@kevinbirge2130]

I own a Casio 403. It’s an amazing instrument.

[@Jenavee26]

1:11 you answered my question before I even typed it lol

[@matthewgaines10]

Starts out with a cheap Casio and ends up at expensive. Those Casios started many music hobbies and a few careers. The CZ series were great gear before it’s time. It’s a shame that Casio will never likely make something like that again.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Casio=gateway drug😅

[@JohnMassari]

Cool Groove. It's the MUSICAL material that makes it all come together!

[@GrimSingmuf]

Great video!

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Thank you!

[@jon_gee]

Great stuff man love it♥️

[@philezell8228]

That was super cool! Plus you have suck a nice easy laidback delivery. I think FX is key to making the Magic happen!

[@chiefbucknell]

Doug Tolley has used pedals and a Casio that has these sounds, with great results! These same (or very similar) sounds were in Casio keyboards for many years! (I’ve read up on this, but I forget where.)

[@KingWrighteous]

That reverse part was 🔥

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

🙏🏼❤️

[@subiesojourner777]

I still have and use my Casio MZ2000 which in my opinion was way ahead of its time. The crazy thing was at the price point that it came in at the synths are tweakable and the keyboard has after touch.

[@PINGOtheDISMEMBERED]

what da heck! that was beautiful

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

lol, thanks so much!

[@marknhopgood]

That's what the pros do!

[@WE.ARE138]

CASI-Oh! Amazing

[@savoirfaire8979]

Would be interesting to hear the effects run in parallel using a guitar switcher like the Boss ES-8, ES-5, or MusicomLab eFX-LE II. Parallel tends to retain sonic detail, unlike many serial setups.

[@JohnMassari]

I believe in this concept!

[@gavinpeters9531]

I use a Yamaha psr-2 with good effects sometimes. Not quite as terribly advanced as your Casio, but I got it for $7, does that count? Got it cheap due to the pawn shop having the wrong psu bundled with it and me managing to convince them it was broken, the only time I've ever scored a bargain. No dumpster moogs in my life unfortunately

[@LabofmusicRecords]

any sound "natural" without FX - yea, sounds ok with reverb - niiiice with distortion: niiiiice

[@joegrant413]

Just started to watch with great interest here. I own an Eventide H9 Max and I have good synths but nothing to be considered premium.

[@ChristopherOrth]

I have two Eventide H9 Max pedals. Great choice! I picked up a Core h9 in a bundle... basically got it for $100 when I bought an Analog Rytm. Upgraded enough algos to get the "Max" unlock at Christmas for 50% off. Then bought another core and loaded all the algos free onto it, since they let you share them across up to five pedals.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

The H9 is amazing!! Some of the best fx ever❤️ and being able to use your algos among your pedals is killer👍🏼 might dona video on it later on🤟🏻 thanks for hanging out with me today! Cheers!

[@davidcooke779]

Damn, my kids used to have that exact keyboard and I gave it away!!

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

😅

[@ondinnonk]

+1 subscribers +1 for helping this be seen by others

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Thanks so much fam!

[@fjduucudjdeididi287]

The habit is a great name for a delay

[@kevinkoehl9554]

Unintentionally making the castle crashers 2 theme music haha

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

hahaha🤣

[@thebadterrorists5323]

nothing like the power of quantising to make things listenable I find.

[@brianwolle2509]

yeah good vid

[@michaelihde]

I had this keyboard as a child 😊

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

🤩🙌🏻

[@sub-jec-tiv]

Pro 3 is the jam. Pro 2 too. Some of Dave Smith’s finest instruments

[@TheInterGalacticFederation]

good video idea and info

[@orchidsvoid]

I bought my first pedal recently (NightSky) and already looking for new one (Mood is good one I consider) 😂 It's another sort of drug unlike synths.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Oh yes! Pedal GAS is no joke! Especially since you can sneak em past the missus🤣

[@THETBRETT]

also dive into General midi, I had a rs 7000 sitting in my cupboard, and it looks daunting, and it is, but it has resample. I stopped trying to write songs on it, and just created noise. I have lost many arvos/nights to it. I actually set up my phone alarm for 20 mins so I move on lol.

[@lescobrandon8045]

Very cool to use FX pedals on a cheap synth, but if you have an advanced synth, you can do all this without a pedal. Having said that, I have several pedals running inline with my DX-7.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Absolutely! And of course, nice synth + nice pedals = chef’s kiss

[@Pamberjack_]

Something very Aphex Twin about the final sound... nice job.

[@EnochDark]

This basically describes my ethic. No joke I'm set to get a Meris LVX to plug my Akai Timbre Wolf into... I wish Casio would grow a brain and bring out a modern CZ though. Hell even some modern SK would be welcome bc my whole thing started on my brother's SK-5.

[@epson_ecotank_et-2850]

Ive gotten some sick stuff with a yamaha portasound from the 80s and just a zoom multistomp pedal. That zoom pedal could do some sick shit for only like 120 bucks.

[@unofsnd]

Next iteration: Zoom MultiStomp!

[@GuitarGod666]

In the late 80s, me and a friend ran some little casio keyboard through a guitar amp for kicks. Turned out, it sounded amazing. With a flanger, it start to sound like keyobard parts from the Cure's 17 seconds era. I bet a lot of those little keyboards produced good sounds, it was just the crap speakers that made them sound bad. Also, any chance you could do a comparison video of the Blooper and the Habit? I don't think I need both, but I don't quite understand how they are different enough to be able to tell which is better for me.

[@s.tolaman9950]

nice video. the cheap casios always have a special place in my heart may I ask what cameras you’re using?

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Thanks so much fam! The overhead is a Sony A7siii with a Sony 20mm 1.8 G lens and the front facing camera is a Sony A6400 with a sigma 16mm 1.4 lens👍🏼 cheers!

[@landonh3535]

Thought you were going to chop that sample up on the 404, that would have been cool to see what crazy artifacts you'd get when you resequenced the melody.

[@orincat10]

From what I could gather a lot of the samples on casio's old SA keyboards are from the CZ series (i.e. brass and e piano)

[@rishpanjeet7479]

Hey what’s that little Zoom(?) field recorder thing?

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

The H6! Possibly the best gear investment I’ve made 👍🏼 field recorder+audio interface and expandable inputs. Worth every cent!

[@aaron-bieber]

The thing is... Even an inexpensive old Casio is still a Casio, and those guys sure knew what they were doing. Casio has become a stereotype and a joke in some ways, but everyone knows "the Casio keyboard demo" because Casio has always made totally decent keyboards with the technology available. I guess all I'm saying is, the sound might not fit the current synth style expectations, but a Casio still slaps.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Slaps is right! Cheers my friend!

[@antivanti]

What are pedals these days if not just modular synths for your floor? 🤔

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

hahaha absolutely!

[@lionorgazellemusic4453]

Thank you for showing how you use the habit. I was just gifted one and so far it feels like a nonsense machine.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Oh it is a world of it’s own! Takes a bit to get your head around it. Recommend reading the manual and just start tweaking while a loop plays into it. Fun for days👍🏼

[@jsutton241]

There is nothing wrong with G.A.S. We only live once. Whether you’re a professional or hobbyist, if this is what you enjoy and love and you want it get it. Of course don’t spend your rent money, but if you can afford it get it and enjoy.

[@cavacino]

i wish blooper was more affordable its so sick

[@erik_gerhard]

80 bucks? what a ripoff 🤣 Seriously though, all sounds great together. 😊 PCM sounds are underrated tools for sound design.

[@MG53v8]

god i need pedals

[@roryjineffect]

"need" hahaha

[@localhost4460]

Sound quality = filters. FX are complex filters/resonators.

[@FuZZbaLLbee]

Has a studio full of expansive synths, still steals synth form his kids 😜

[@gregandtonya5693]

What is the model number of this keyboard ? TY

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Its an SA 75👍🏼

[@gregandtonya5693]

@@MidlifeSynthesist TY Liked your video!

[@krazywabbit]

Does this mean the Pro 3 is being sold???👀

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

🤣🤣 only if they pry it off my dead cold hands!!

[@dankeplace]

@@MidlifeSynthesist Luckily there are no apes that can collect synths, wait there is this one guy, he once asked Mr Tuna if a Juno X sounds better than a VA (true story)

[@michaels5166]

I dont fall for the gear scams..I got my Alesis QuadraSynth PLus for $100,mint,and it has this little screen,yet i will hook it up,dig in,and make it work..I have my Polyend Tracker and other samplers/sequencers,and some one gave me pedals.If you're paying ff your house making music,get whatever,yet if not,you're probably wasting money..

[@xisotopex]

casio could make a REALLLY good synth if they wanted....

[@wariusgaius]

A four hundred dollar pedal sounds like a four hundred dollar pedal. Who knew.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Boggles the mind really

[@thomaslthomas1506]

I had a piece of 💩 PSR keyboard I got 2 in the box for $8 at garage sale. When run thru pedals made gr8 sample source.

[@smellymala3103]

Basically my basement

[@keyhoarder]

The result with home amateur keyboards is even better if you choose not the cheap rompler based with low resolution samples, which on their own sound quite weak (especially the aliasing and this low sample rate is annoying), but the older ones, based on filtered waveforms or FM. Yamahas or Casios, there are plenty interesting models. And they sound good from the start and with effects even better. kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2jFkp6Br9F_mLs

[@Somedei]

You know music needs a BIG change when people do like unquantize , lo-fi , quirky music

[@Derrick_Evans]

Huh? Why does it need to change? You can take little parts or textures from this kind of stuff to add into a song. Scoring movies or cartoons all kinds of reasons you would want unquantized Lofi stuff.

[@DawlessHouseMusic]

I cannot get into pedals. I hope more desktop multi units appear on the horizon.

[@dankeplace]

Pedals are your best friend, H9 work brilliantly with AS1s, take up very little space and can yield stellar results, but the caveat is, you can also steal the synths soul when relying too heavily on the pedal.