The coolest tiny keyboard?! | CASIO VL-TONE VL-1

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Here's my little take on the classic teeny keyboard the Casio VL-TONE VL-1.
It's become a bit of a collectors item and this is a quick rundown of what you can get from it.
You may have even seen Jimmy Fallon use one of these on his 'Classroom Instruments' videos.
Do you have a VL-TONE? What are your thoughts?!
Here are some cool videos featuring the VL-1:
Jimmy Fallon's School Instruments performance - • Jimmy Fallon, Backstre...
Bohemian Rhapsody on the VL-1! - • Bohemian Rhapsody on a...
Effects and looping - • The poor man's OP1 | C...
Da Da Da - • Video

[@mddawson1]

I was given one as a present back in the late 70s and I still have it with the cover, instructions and music booklet. It still works perfectly.

[@fegorestomachal]

Wow! That´s so cool!

[@PeterSokol-bl5vz]

Was given one at Christmas 1979… lost sight of it by the early 80s….as musicians tend to do…new technology and gear that started the 80s was more important to me and one can never have enough toys as a musician…used it playing out live….run through 2 delays…a chorus…flanger…it was a monster…loved the sequencing….found one online at a General Store in North Carolina…originally $69 in 1979…paid $99……came last week…mint condition…..looks and plays brand new…plugged into my pedal board for keyboards…..the little monster has grown up…..just love it😊

[@edgeof60]

Yup, I still have the VL-1 I bought new in 1979 and it still works. The programmable ADSR feature was kind of glossed over here but it actually offers a real sound design capability.

[@danwentz]

My first “synth”, upgraded to the Moog Prodigy around same time. Used both live for decades. It has a step sequencer and can be programmed… and as you found, the coolest metronome ever conceived!

[@michaelkeithson]

A Moog is a quite an upgrade!! Thanks for stopping by.

[@peteraaron8626]

Ah, the classic beat used by Trio on Da Da Da. I have one of these - a circuit bent one by S-Cat. The speaker has been replaced by knobs and switches that mangle the sound with effects such as "drive", "note repeat" and "squanker". It also has wooden sides.

[@michaelkeithson]

That sounds so cool! I’d like to see a video of that!! I thought about buying some circuit bent stuff years ago but never did in the end. Thanks for the comment. 👍🏼

[@peteraaron8626]

@@michaelkeithson Search "space cat audio technologies vl tone" and embrace the chaos.

[@kiosko33hz]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qp2kZHdvjLKlfc0si=9f_VEifXPEtOfudH

[@kiosko33hz]

​@@michaelkeithsoncheck the link

[@kuromaru9661]

I had it too, got it from my grandfather who bought it during DDR times in Germany. I remember in kindergarten I brought it with me and pressed random keyboard buttons with the "fantasy" patch on while spinning in circles with some other kid and screaming "aliensssss". That kid became my first friend ever. He went on to be a singer in metal bands and still going. I started producing music in 2011 and also still going. Amazing how that piece of (now) simple technology brought us together.

[@michaelkeithson]

Such a cool story! Most of my closest friends have been born from music experiences together. I’m glad this video made you think of this and really pleased you shared it. Cheers mate.

[@highernoon]

This thing is one of the favorite things I remember from my childhood, thanks you for the video. "Rock 1" was used in Trio's "Da Da Da".

[@michaelkeithson]

Such a cool little thing right?!

[@highernoon]

Sure is

[@StevoLloyds]

The Fantasy Preset was used by The Human League on Get Carter from the Dare album. I think it features on other tracks from that album too.

[@wrcfreak2121]

Yes I need to dust off the album I wonder if its on Dare or an earlier one? 😃

[@michaelkeithson]

Good knowledge Stevo! 👍🏼🎹

[@HardcoreZen]

I had one of those! I remember being able to get a nice growly synth sound out of it that sounded terrific when I plugged it into a big amplifier.

[@michaelkeithson]

Great idea. I bet you can create loads of great sounds from this if you started putting it through some effects!

[@Aditjoss]

It sounded like the 8 bit gaming console era.. superb

[@TayWoode]

If you type in an 8 digit number in the calculator while in ADSR mode it makes new sounds, the first number is the wave, the next five the ADSR and the seventh & eighth numbers are the vibrato and tremolo strength then you can use the tempo for the speed of them

[@harveygarrett4129]

I might try to find one of these for my 4 year old grand daughter. Takes me way back. 👌🏾

[@erezk2170]

what a blast from the past! you forgot to mention the yellow button with the tune - instant virtuosi

[@cebukitty]

my dad gave me this as a kid. I loved it so much.

[@lundsweden]

Kraftwerk's Pocket Operator is a virtual is to the VL-1 (and the Speak n Spell).

[@xx3868]

I Remember Jim Moginie from Midnight Oil using this in "Short Memory" at one of the concerts. Very high pitch notes for the solo run. The Keyboard was this one or really similar.

[@nickphipp1949]

I had one of these. And an early sampling keyboard and a Crumar Roadrunner piano. All collectable now.

[@michaelkeithson]

Hey Nick! Didn't know you played keys too!

[@nickphipp1949]

i used to dabble, but tbh I was more interested in the technogoly than playing.

[@magicmulder]

Mine has been working flawlessly since the early 80s, just sold it on eBay.

[@epetubaa4773]

I believe you missed the most important tool of the keyboard which is the "One Key Play" buttons on the right. They let you play the recording one note at a time so you can improvise the rhytm of the melodies or control the speed of the pre-recorded arpeggio.

[@michaelkeithson]

Come on, we all know that the most important tool of the keyboard is those awesome drum beats! 😂🎹

[@angelportal5378]

Was also used on the synth pop masterpiece called Rose Grey by a band called Scarlett Architect

[@manuelvicente9614]

I still have it ❤

[@AirwaveMusic]

My very first keyboard. Got it in 86.

[@NeoSlashott]

2:49 Top Gun Anthem! These notes so familiar. 😊😊

[@michaelkeithson]

👌👏

[@TheScreamingFrog916]

Still have mine, from the 80s. How fun!

[@michaelkeithson]

Definitely worth keeping hold of to having a bit of fun every now and again! Thanks for stopping by!

[@RetroPlus]

I love this keyboard, it really has a magical sound. It's the type of imperfect analog sound that just evokes a certain emotion. I definitely wouldn't pay £100 though, i got mine for a fiver!

[@michaelkeithson]

Yeah, can’t understand why anyone would pay that much! Thanks for watching!

[@RachelsSweetie]

I've performed on mine by holding the speaker over my guitar pickup and quoting the Star Trek theme at a strategic moment. The crowd went wild.

[@michaelkeithson]

Sounds like the perfect use for it! 🤣

[@RachelsSweetie]

@@michaelkeithsonThanks! And I programmed in the melody so if I didn't have the confidence to play it in the moment I could just tap out the rhythm with "one key play". Brilliant piece of gear! And the calculator :).

[@darwiniandude]

As someone with a Nord Grand and a VL-1, I was pleased to see the Stage lurking in the background. Sub'd :)

[@michaelkeithson]

😂👍🎹

[@DavidDorenfeld]

Love your videos and you are hilarious!!!! Thank you!

[@michaelkeithson]

Ha! Really?!?! I’m glad you think so! Thanks for the comment. 👍🏼

[@patrickedwards7107]

I have unwittingly come into possession of one of these from a deceased elder thank you for the rundown it just so happens I am an unapologetic snthwave nerd.

[@aletheialiang4463]

I still have my VL-1, and pass to my sons, they love it!

[@BoxxArt]

Does anyone know of a similar keyboard that had a record function such as a few seconds of voice. The voice could then be played back via the keys. I thought it was this one but maybe a slightly later release? My friend and I used to phone up directory enquiries and play back our voice clip at different pitches. Sometimes the woman would ask if we were ok. 😅

[@michaelkeithson]

There was the Casio SK-1 that had an onboard mic and sampler, was it that?!

[@IanMcGill]

Thank you for telling us (with out telling us) what made the Top Gun video games sounds.😆

[@michaelkeithson]

😂

[@lxdesign1]

I had one of these when I was a kid - no idea where it went to.

[@michaelkeithson]

Hope it brought back some good memories!

[@leeosborne3793]

"Was ist los mit Dir, mein Schatz? Aha!"

[@tekxan]

Michael I got one of these when they were first released and although the screen is not functioning and the speaker is broken I can still hook it up to my amp and use it. Question is how did you hook it up to your DAW?

[@michaelkeithson]

Hey man, probably connected it the same way you hooked it up to the amp, just used mini jack connected to the 'line out' then into my audio interface, pretty simple.

[@Gluttonite]

I have had 3 sold and two kept the mint one

[@michaelkeithson]

Nice! I hope you get it out once in a while and take it for a spin.

[@matiasguirado1743]

Tranks man! I got my own l1. By the, which daw is that you used?

[@michaelkeithson]

Nice. I'm using Logic 👍

[@sickkirby]

Mine it just sounds too off tune, it was from my father and I don't know how to tune it

[@michaelkeithson]

There should be a little tuning port on the back. Just need a screwdriver or something to turn it to tune.

[@31416]

Having so much fun should be illegal. -_-

[@keithsquawk]

Get three VLTones Start the same drum pattern off on all three at the same time. Polyrhythmic drift!

[@michaelkeithson]

Yeah, I did notice that when I recorded the bit at the end, I lined it up to the grid to start with but found that it then it drifted off slightly and came back again!

[@msbudmsbud7593]

Da da daaa !!!

[@michaelkeithson]

Yep. That’s the one!

[@darukhan]

Trio!

[@jasonbeardsley7059]

Why didn’t you play the demo track? One of the greatest tunes ever written, and perfect for winding the parents up from the back of the car.

[@michaelkeithson]

No way! I didn’t know there was a demo track!! How do I play it?

[@jasonbeardsley7059]

I can’t remember. Such a long time ago. It’s in there somewhere though. (:CFFGGA-BbC BbAAGGF:) (:CBbAAABbAGGG:) CAFGEF And it would go through all the different sounds. Find it, post it as a loop, & send me 20% of your revenue. It’s a viral smash!

[@michaelkeithson]

Deal 😂🤣

[@helenegrootenboersecondant5474]

@@michaelkeithson in “play” or “rec”-mode press the yellow music button

[@Dominoid86]

I know how to play beastie boys-'Girls' on this 😂 I'll up load the video hopefully tomorrow ❤😊

[@vito_keys]

I nicknamed it the "Game Boy Keyboard"

[@nsbd90now]

I actually have one of those!

[@moogdome2562]

I have two, one boxed.

[@michaelkeithson]

Nice!! I wonder how much that’s worth.

[@moogdome2562]

@@michaelkeithson Not sure friend. I paid £40 for the boxed one, £1 for the boxed one. Have you seen the Bohemian Rhapsody video on here, played on the VL?. Thanks. Great demo by the way.

[@michaelkeithson]

£1!!! What a bargain! Will have to check out the Bohemian Rhapsody cover.

[@YougotShot-w8i]

I'm excactly the 600th person to like this video

[@hrhcrab]

Meh. I have one that has been sat on my shelf for years. Have I used it seriously? Yes, but not for a long time. It's not *terrible* but if you have a decent selection of better hardware you honestly aren't going to miss this. Still cooler than Teenage Engineering stuff though...

[@jazzad]

should have bought it 10 years ago. Now it's way too expensive

[@manojrr1277]

I have it but dont know how to play

[@jimbotron70]

Hmm yeah, we should buy one, if it weren't overpriced as f.

[@rolfingerbier]

Trio

[@HILTMEYERinc]

da da da

[@PeterSokol-bl5vz]

It was released for sale in June of 1979….not the 80s.

[@jacobfchoward]

🙄

[@rssy3819]

It posses the magic to give you a better hair style

[@michaelkeithson]

I wish!