Retro-Production: Casio SK-1 | Episode 1

Link to final track on Spotify: open.spotify.com/track/7223sF...
In this first episode of Retro-Production, I take a look at the first musical instrument I ever owned, the Casio SK-1, a retro keyboard from the 1980s. The SK-1 was a popular consumer keyboard and one of the first affordable keyboards with a sampler. It was also my first introduction to electronic music as a kid, and one of the main reasons why I love it to this day.
This is the first video in my new series called Retro-Production. In this series of videos, I take a look at some retro keyboards and synthesizers, put them through their paces, and then see what we can make with them when we combine their retro sounds with today's modern sequencing and production technology.
#Casio #80s #retro
Episode 2 here: • Retro-Production: Yama...
All music in this video is original and was made by The Orphic Creative. Listen to these tracks and more on Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/5sbLo...
0:00 - Intro
0:55 - This One’s History
1:48 - Look Inside & Clean Up
4:13 - General Info
4:45 - Demo of Features
14:01 - Retro Production Track Creation:
14:20 - Rhythm
15:43 - Bassline
16:54 - Music Box Patch
20:07 - 80s Pad
21:01 - Distorted Bass Patch
22:56 - Riser FX & Noise Sweep
24:59 - Final Track
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☺️ Subscribe here for more interesting music stuffs ☺️
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kzbin.info/door/DSO...
☺️ Follow me also on these other social media things ☺️
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Facebook: / orphiccreative
Twitter: / orphiccreative
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☺️ Listen here and download to my musics ☺️
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Soundcloud: / grant-14
Website: orphiccreative.co.uk
Sans Vox Playlist: • The Orphic Creative - ...
☺️ Some gear & software I use ☺️
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Video:
Panasonic Lumix GH3 (main camera)
Panasonic Lumix G5 (secondary camera)
1080P HDMI YPBPR Game Capture HD Video Recorder (HDMI capture device)
Samsung Galaxy S9+ (mobile camera)
GoPro Hero 4 Black (not much, it’s pretty rubbish)
Zhiyun Smooth 4 (3 axis gimbal)
DJI Spark (drone)
Neewer Bi-color 660 LED Video Lights
Audio:
Rode Stereo Videomic Pro (Hot shoe mount mic)
Rode SmartLav+ (Lavalier Mic)
Roland R-05 (sound recorder)
Music Production:
Main DAW: Ableton Live 10 (Primary DAW)
Logic Pro X (Secondary DAW [Still love you bae] )
Ableton Push 1 (Ableton Controller)
Alesis MidiMix (Mixery controller thingie)
Sennheiser HD650 (Studio headphones)
Sennheiser HD25 light (DJ Headphones)
KRK Rokit RP6 G2 (studio monitors)
Video Production:
Final Cut Pro X (But don’t do it. Or maybe do. I can’t decide)
☺️ About le Moi ☺️
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My name is Rob and I go by the working title of The Orphic Creative. I’m a composer, songwriter, music producer, sound engineer and DJ, and occasionally also a human. I love anything to do with music tech and recording; I love making videos; and I love setting myself weird or interesting challenges and experiments with all of the above. Oh, and making some dank ch00ns bro 💀🤟
I’m also passionate about proving that you can make great music with whatever you have in front of you right now, without needing to be a slave to the latest technology, software or plugins. Music stuff is expensive, but making music shouldn’t be. In fact, limiting yourself is one of the best ways to encourage your creativity.
Some fantastic music charities to support:
www.youthmusic.org.uk A UK charity investing in music-making projects for children and young people experiencing challenging circumstances.
www.helpmusicians.org.uk A UK charity helping musicians of all ages at times of crisis, but also at times of opportunity, giving people the extra support they need at a crucial stage that could make or break their career.

[@pcaetano7527]

old tools with new modern music sound editing , still gives life to the old tools.

[@justinmerritt3843]

I've seen some great videos on KZbin, but this video and the work you did to achieve your end product was phenomenal.

[@TheOrphicCreative]

Wow, thank you! That really means a lot 🙂

[@tzodearf2596]

I second what Justin Merritt wrote. Everything about this video is interesting, instructive, and entertaining.

[@gabedestellano]

OMG the hours I spent playing with this when I was a child... I still remember the demo song note for note! Thank you!!!

[@mikeslab9139]

Probably the best demonstrations of the SK-1 on KZbin. Well done and thanks for taking the time to make the video.

[@TheOrphicCreative]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it

[@NJRoadfan]

My sister got a SK-1 for Christmas while I got a rather basic PT-100. I used to cheat and "combine" the two keyboards by sampling the fabulous vibraphone on the PT-100 using the SK-1's sampler. The PT-100's built in sounds were pretty good, but it really needed all the goodies the SK-1 had like portamento.

[@runnergo1398]

The beauty of the SK-1 wasn't just being able to sample sounds you could make, but sample sounds of sampled sounds thus changing how it sounds. Or sampling some really weird stuff like those old short wave radios that had all sorts of wild sounds. Being a kid back then was a blast if you had a wild imagination!

[@DerekWitt]

I used to put my SK-1 next to an AM radio. The interference produced by certain sounds was just as fun. The interference was either a wobbling noise or a sharp one. I wish I still had mine.

[@Tarsus790]

SK 1 does it all you do not need anything else lol ❤️

[@donaldpriola1807]

Totally fantastic! I sold these little boards back in the mid-80s; if someone had played this track for me then, and told me it was from an SK-1, I would have thought they were an alien from a future utopia. Thanks for sharing this.

[@TheOrphicCreative]

Haha exactly 😄 I often wonder what my childhood self would think if I played them this now. Total amazement!

[@N8oRMusic]

Great video. I love my Sk1 to sample my groove boxes at a fast rate and high pitched. Then slow them down on the SK1 to make them sound filthy af. Subscribed!

[@TheOrphicCreative]

Thanks! Yeah I love the dirty sound of those samples 😎

[@lundsweden]

This Casio would've been considered a cheap piece of cr*@p back the 80s, but it still works despite many years of use and abuse. Many pro keyboards will be faulty, not working or in landfill by now! That is a seriously deep clean you gave her, nice work, SK-1 forever! Some of the presets are really good too, much better than expected!

[@TheOrphicCreative]

I still love mine and use it often in my productions. Very underrated bit of kit :-)

[@Tarsus790]

Nope in the eighties it was a respected cheap instrument that was used for much greatness. That might be the attitude for you and your time but you are so far from the truth. This lad does not know how to use this to it's potential and I imagine you are worse. You are incapable of understanding the time and music. Lol

[@rocknreplay]

That is amazing. Very cool!!

[@CaseJams]

Amazing video. Picked so many Ableton and SK1 tips here. Much appreciated!

[@TheOrphicCreative]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it 😊

[@juno6]

Great video! I modded one of my SK1 so it doesn´t sound muddy at all, it sounds extremely bright. Those presets sound amazing, and sampling have much more life, very much like a Mirage.

[@TheOrphicCreative]

Is that the mod to remove the anti-alias filter? I've considered doing that to mine, but I can't bring myself to circuit bend it since I've had it so long!

[@juno6]

@@TheOrphicCreative that's why I have two... One modded, one original. To be honest, I don't use the original much...

[@osirismaximus2787]

How??? Just how on earth does this video exist? I imagine this would take a TON of money, time, and a team of people working for you... did you do all this yourself? Either way this was incredible.

[@TheOrphicCreative]

Thank you 😊 Yes, I did it all myself. I have the next episode almost ready but they do take a lot of time 🙂

[@tetkiktedavi1674]

Amazing video, thanks!

[@marcmedina4376]

wOWW! i DiG ALL THE DETAILS -tHANK YOU SOOO much! ": )

[@drewwagar]

Brilliant video. This was my first keyboard too. :)

[@TheOrphicCreative]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it 🙂

[@Domzdream]

Great video !!

[@georgegeez8708]

Yeeeessss! The Casio SK-1 was my first keyboard and sampler as well. I then aquired an SK-5 which took it to another level. I might have the SK-1 packed up somewhere. I plan to pick both of them up when I find them again. Great video.

[@TheOrphicCreative]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it 😊 I actually use mine quite regularly in my music, its a great way to introduce some inspiration when you're a bit stuck for ideas

[@georgegeez8708]

@@TheOrphicCreative That's cool. I just bought a few months ago a Casio PT-50 which has some great sounds as well. I plan to use it in recordings in the coming year. But I definitely want another SK-1 and SK-5. Like you mentioned, thanks to those keyboards is why we do and have what we have today. So I guess we owe to Casio.

[@Domzdream]

Good thing you were filming this....in case you needed to rewind , if you’ve forgotten what goes where. 😉 I’d be so lost after removing microchip # 5

[@RobGMyMX5]

Yeah, actually I had to review the video to know which coloured buttons belonged in various places 😄

[@h2o1969]

I have a circuit bent one, and a plain one. A radio shack sk5. Love them, but your song was pretty awesome. That was well done. I even learned some new tricks. That rise was awesome! Never seen that before.

[@RetroPlus]

It's amazing how when you grow up things that you once used as simple toys can become serious production instruments

[@TheOrphicCreative]

Absolutely. I love how they can still be sources of inspiration even now

[@Music4Movies-sr8vo]

Great job nice

[@stoatystoat174]

The addative Synthesizing (blue button with the 16' 8' 5(5/3)' etc. keys) works like the pull bars on a Hammond organ So its quite good watching some videos about Hammonds to understand more about it and get suggestions for nice sounds you can set up. (This is more aimed at viewers rather than our host who knows the SK1 like a brother 🤗) My favourite voice on it is the Flute with envelope select on Ab (middle of the keyboard Ab) nice big soft chords hug

[@TheOrphicCreative]

Yes, very true. When I first got the SK1 as a kid, I had no idea what was going on with that blue button. But when I was a bit older I finally read the manual, and it completely blew my mind that there were all these new sounds I could access by programming in some additive sequences and an envelope.

[@wehappyfewmusic]

Wow, what an epic video and great explanation of how you built up the final piece of music. I’ve just got an SK-1, and this is very inspiring👌

[@TheOrphicCreative]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it ☺️

[@tihinter]

just: wow!

[@StefanTravis]

As a teen, I recorded a dozen albums with an SK-5, a Kawai R-50 drum machine, and thousands of snippets from TV shows on a clunky reel-to-reel tape. No MIDI, no compressors, almost no EQ, and the shakiest grasp of music theory. Now, with Reason, Reaper and endless VSTs... haven't recorded in a decade.

[@TheOrphicCreative]

I feel you. I think the novelty of trying to make something good on crap equipment is what helps to drive the creativity. When I was a teenager I was obsessed with trying to make my tracks long enough to be the same as a commercial single, but the memory limitations of the keyboards I had, and only a standard cassette recorder meant I had to do some interesting things with subtly restarting the sequencer half way through the track without it being too obvious.

[@planetaryhum]

amazing...great video

[@TheOrphicCreative]

Thank you!

[@scottcupp8129]

This is absolutely amazing. I had one of these as a kid. I left it at my grandparents' house as a kid but their house burned down so it was lost. Thankfully they weren't home when the fire erupted but alas my little Esky "It was what I called it" was lost in the blaze. I had so much fun with it. These days I have some great keyboards including an original DX7 and second Gen DX7S. But like you, this little keyboard is where I made my start. The synth of mine featured in my avatar is my Behringer Deep Mind 12. Aside from my Yamaha EX5, the DM12 is my favorite and definite analouge go to.

[@TheOrphicCreative]

Awesome! Sad that your little Esky didn't make it, but at least it seeded a lifelong love of synths, as it did with me. Great to hear your story!

[@MarkusAudio]

I still dream of one. Instant subscriber :-)

[@javiceres]

Wow

[@eboyvolkihar616]

This was absolutely incredible. Final song reminded me of Blinx the Time Sweeper. Phenomenal stuff, might dust off my sk-1 now

[@TheOrphicCreative]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it

[@patrickwichrowski3775]

Great ;)

[@amonster8mymother]

❤

[@andrejnizneodeskij]

В 80-х помню вводили в ступор записями на этом чуде обладателей DX-7 и 21х запивали звук гитары разные эффекты через микрофон да же целые кассеты своих сэмплов были у всех был вопрос как на чем салаги записывают от куда у них бабло на крутой аппарат а ответ прост SK-1 и 2 боксерские перчатки внутри микрофоны это были первые электронные барабаны )))раньше творить было интереснее это сейчас открыл DAW и собирай кубики))

[@NeverToBeSeenAgain]

watching the demo section of this video made me realize just how much of the music from Homestar Runner was produced with just this keyboard.

[@TheOrphicCreative]

Ah yeah totally. I believe they used an SK-1 and also an MT-65

[@davidetambuchi5722]

found one (mint conditions with like new manual) yesterday for only 4,80 euro! Lovely!

[@TheOrphicCreative]

Awesome! Good find! Difficult to find a paper manual these days too

[@zibbezabba2491]

Excellent. Hats off to you for doing all of that fiddly work. The source of the kick was genius. I might just have a go at doing something similar with Logic Pro and my Casio CZ1000 (if I can find power supply for it) Thanks for the inspiration.

[@TheOrphicCreative]

Thank you! Definitely very satisfying 😁

[@BK-uw2uk]

Well done video. I also had a SK1 in my early teens and actually never fully utilized its ‘ synth’ controls most likely because manual reading was not on the forefront of a 13 yr old 80s kid. I used to ‘sample’ everything around the house and figured out to make music with it. Flash forward…. I actually gave it to my nephew a few years ago in perfect working condition. Hmmm…. am I wrong to want it back? 😮

[@TheOrphicCreative]

@@BK-uw2uk Nice one! Well there's two ways of looking at that - perhaps it would have been nice to keep it and see what more you could make with it, but on the other hand hopefully your nephew might start a whole new journey into electronic music with it, and that would be priceless ☺️

[@rachelkeyte1002]

Absolutely love this! Like you, I got a Casio keyboard add a young age. I have the PT 50, but I want to expand myself. I’ve been looking at getting an SK model so that’s why I came across this video actually. I really wish I was as talented as you are, but a lot of those terms go over my head. However, this is a wonderful production! Congratulations

[@TheOrphicCreative]

Ah thank you! Definitely try and get an SK if you can, they are really inspiring little keyboards 😊 I find this kind of production is a great way to inspire myself to make something different. Enjoy!

[@rachelkeyte1002]

Well, I ordered this keyboard on eBay on Monday, and it arrived yesterday. So exciting. I’ve already put it through its paces, but didn’t know how to do the envelope stuff until I listen to your video again.

[@TheOrphicCreative]

Amazing! I Hope it brings you lots of creativity. By the way, I really enjoyed your videos, keep it up! Super cool to hear about your perspective on life.

[@rachelkeyte1002]

@@TheOrphicCreative oh thank you. I keep forgetting to upload videos. But I will do some soon.

[@imranino]

This an incredibly informative and well put together video. Thank you so much for making it! I was wondering how to add a percussive attack to a sampled sound in ableton! Just to make sure I understand your process - essentially you sampled the SK-1 and played/programmed/sequenced everything in Ableton, correct? You didn’t hit record on a track that had sound coming live from the SK-1’s line out at any point? Thanks!

[@TheOrphicCreative]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it 😊 Yes, you're correct, everything was sequenced and produced in Ableton live. All of the sounds used in the track originated from the SK1, but they were all then processed and manipulated using the tools in Ableton Live to create the finished sounds you hear in the track.

[@cuddlybear4524]

I'm almost tempted to get mine out and see if it still works.

[@TheOrphicCreative]

I'd be surprised if it didn't 🙂 They are amazingly hardy

[@jeffreyheffner908]

You should do an episode with the Casio va-10!

[@TheOrphicCreative]

One to add to the list for sure 😊

[@pipefx64]

anybody know why the sk-1 seems to add a kind of percussive 'tick' noise to the start of samples when sampling via the line-in? i've seen someone mention it in another video but not how might be able to get around it, does anyone have any ideas? it's kind of a low 'thud' but it becomes really noticeable and irritating as i'm trying to use the sk-1 for some lofi ambient jams and the thudding really builds up...

[@TheOrphicCreative]

Yeah, unfortunately its a side effect of how the amplifier circuitry works, basically each time a note is triggered it sends a DC pulse through the amp which is what you hear as the thud. Its actually on all the sounds including the built in ones. One way to make it less noticeable is to choose an envelope with a softer attack, or you can also filter the sound through a high pass filter after it leaves the keyboard.

[@chinmeysway]

So ambitious wowed

[@MallardDuckFabric]

Can you please make a video on cleaning the SK1. That would help me so much

[@TheOrphicCreative]

Yes I might revisit that again in a future video. But for your info I just used mild soapy water to clean the case and keys, using a toothbrush to get into the gaps. That was enough to get it looking pretty decent again.

[@basilmacgill]

I brought 1 great condition goodwill last year

[@euroyen420p2]

Great production here! My sk-1 just took a turn..powers up, but no sound. Any suggestions?

[@TheOrphicCreative]

Thank you! I'm not really an electronics expert but one thing to try would be to see if you have sound in the headphone jack, which would indicate if the problem is with the speaker amplifier. Could also be corrosion on the volume slider might need some contact cleaner on it

[@saren6538]

Picked one up this week for £50 quid mint as well.. got it really for sampling old vocal and vocal effects .. are we getting an episode 2 ?

[@TheOrphicCreative]

There is an episode 2! it's on the VSS200. You should be able to find it in my latest videos 🙂

[@QalinaCom]

Thank you for a very informative video. Modern keyboards seem so plain no in comparison!

[@iliketowatch.]

Hey there, thanks for this overview of this exciting milestone instrument. I had one back in the day. The fact that the words "sampler" and "economical" appeared in the same advertisement was astonishing. I went out to buy one immediately. If I remember correctly, I mostly used it as a sample looper for my guitar (my primary instrument, both then and now). I spent many enjoyable afternoons creating short guitar loops and then playing along with them. 1. A quick question: was the SK-1 ever used in any well-known and/or popular songs of the day? (mid-to-late 80s or even later)? Just curious. 2. One last question: I was familiar with the follow up product, the Casio SK-5, but a quick seach also brought up the SK-8. How far did Casio go with their line of samplers?

[@TheOrphicCreative]

There are a few artists noted in this article www.vintagesynth.com/casio/sk1.php, although they don't mention specific songs. I am also sure that I've picked out some SK1 sounds in a few songs, for example Get Your Freak On by Missy Elliot (listen at about 2:55) or Cold Cold Heart by Midge Ure (listen at about 3:03) Casio made a whole range of SK keyboards. Not sure how many in total, but easily between 10 to 20 variations. I believe the top of the range was the Casio SK2100. Very rare to see now though.

[@iliketowatch.]

@@TheOrphicCreative Thank you for the response. It's difficult to convey the technological breakthrough that the SK-1 was to the youth of today. They carry far more computing power in their pockets now than the SK-1 had (and far more than even 1969's Apollo 11 had!) Anyway, I appreciate the info on those who used the SK-1 in the studio. Missy Elliott - I know the name but not exactly my cup of tea. But Midge Ure...that's a different story. C'mon! Thin Lizzy, Visage AND Ultravox??? Are you kidding me??? Actually, I almost caught Midge with Lizzy back in the day. I saw TL in Oakland, California on July 4, 1979. The late, great Gary Moore was with them then, although he was soon to depart (and to be replaced by Midge). Hell, I would have been happy to see TL with anyone on second guitar-they were great that day and they are still one of my all-time faves. But coming back to Midge...no other artist can bring me to tears the way he can. I need to set aside about half an hour to listen to "One Small Day" by Ultravox. Five minutes for the song and 25 to recover. (I'm turning into such a softie in my old age. 😂)

[@TayWoode]

Did you ever get the cassettes full of sound effects to sample? I used to make my own tapes from cartoon sfx I recorded from the tv

[@TheOrphicCreative]

I had heard of them but never managed to get hold of any. I did make my own FX tapes through, complete with a little index card with the tape counter numbers so I could fast forward to the right place 😀

[@TayWoode]

@@TheOrphicCreative haha me too, they were all catalogued for easy reference, I’ve got about 70 😱

[@beez1717]

Aparently if you picked the built in microphone amd then put it on loop, should the sample be ahiet enough you could get this really cool tone because it looped the sample so freaking fast! I don't know how to describe it, but I descovered it as a kid when I tried to make a recording and it was way too short, causing me to experiment. The tone created is so cool!

[@TheOrphicCreative]

Yes exactly, if the sample is short enough the loop cycle will create an audible waveform. You can make some cool bass sounds like this

[@suzieidek7282]

How do u turn it on? I got it and I put batteries inside and nothings happening

[@TheOrphicCreative]

When you turn the left-most slider to Play or Record, the LED should come on and you should be able to play notes on the keyboard. If that's not working then I think maybe the terminals in the battery compartment might be corroded. Try and find a power adaptor to use it with instead, just remember the plug is centre-negative not centre-positive like most electronics these days

[@sotoorgo]

tu trak suena como algun soundtrac de tim follin

[@chrisdraws6258]

hi if you sold these samples as instrument racks I would buy them 🙃

[@TheOrphicCreative]

I have considered putting them up actually, might still do that if I can find some time 😊

[@trecevidas2460]

r e a l l y a m a z i n g ...

[@uttamk.h9490]

how to purchase this Casio tell me sir please sir

[@emmarossignol4445]

Ebay or Reverb, or look in local pawn/thrift stores. I got mine for $10 in a thrift store.

[@amonster8mymother]

I have a sk1 but its not working.

[@TheOrphicCreative]

They are pretty bulletproof, so there's probably a relatively simple solution. Check for loose solder joints, particularly on the power circuits. Could also be oxidisation on the power switch, you can try spraying some contact cleaner into it. Hope you get it working!

[@amonster8mymother]

@@TheOrphicCreative thanks it's so tiny I dread having to take it apart. 🤨

[@ralfjung4156]

9:40 Der Rhythmus war im Lied Burli von EAV zu hören.

[@urwholefamilydied]

19:24 I think your originally "music box" patch was there. The octaves and the EQ just made it sound more like... idk... a nondescript island instrument played out of a synth?? But hey... this is me being hypercritical. Hats off to you for being able to do all this with an SK-1. Very impressive to say the least.

[@TheOrphicCreative]

Haha yeah true, the finished product veered off course a bit from being a music box. Sounded cool though 😄

[@lifeformmusic3301]

Great video!

[@TheOrphicCreative]

Thanks so much!