Details
Manufacturer: Casio
Released: November 1985
MSRP: $139 USD
Specs
Polyphony: 4 Voices (PCM samples)
Memory: 5 preset PCM tones, 3 preset additive tones, 1 user additive tone, 1 sample, 400-step sequencer
Form Factor: 32 Mini Keys
Audio: Line in * Microphone, Line out, Headphone, and Speaker
Midi: N/A
Dimensions: 18″ x 6″ x 1¾”
Weight: 2.65 lbs
Power: 5 AA batteries or AD-1 AC Adapter
Find it:
Description
The Casio SK1, also known as the “OG lofi sampler,” is a classic and pioneering keyboard from Casio. This portable and affordable instrument, released in the late 1980s, played a unique role in the history of synthesizers and sampling technology.
Key Features:
- Sampling Capabilities: The SK1 was one of the first affordable consumer keyboards to feature sampling capabilities. It allowed users to record and playback short audio samples, making it a groundbreaking instrument for its time.
- Built-In Speaker: With a built-in speaker and a compact form factor, the SK1 was highly portable and suitable for both solo and group jam sessions.
- Polyphonic: It offered limited polyphony, enabling users to play multiple notes simultaneously.
- Unique Sound: The SK1’s distinctive lo-fi sound, characterized by its 8-bit samples and quirky presets, has become a nostalgic and cherished aspect of its legacy.
The Casio SK-1 was introduced at a time when sampling technology was still in its infancy and primarily limited to expensive studio equipment. Casio’s decision to make sampling accessible to the masses was a game-changer. The SK1’s simple sampling capabilities and the charm of its unique sound quickly made it popular among musicians and music enthusiasts. It was used in a variety of musical genres and found its way into countless home studios.
Along with the standard black version, Casio released a limited pink version often referred to as the “Pink Unicorn”. Other than aesthetics, this limited colorway was identical in functionality. Despite this, it still commands much higher prices than the standard version on marketplaces such as Reverb.
Circuit Bending and the Casio SK-1
The Casio SK-1, with its simple circuitry and distinctive sound, has long been a favorite among circuit benders and experimental electronic musicians. Circuit bending is a creative and unorthodox process where artists and enthusiasts modify the electronic circuits of the SK-1 to produce unique and often unpredictable sonic results. By rewiring or short-circuiting components, circuit benders can transform the SK-1 into a one-of-a-kind instrument capable of producing otherworldly, glitchy, and often chaotic sounds. This practice has opened up new avenues of sonic exploration and has resulted in the SK-1 becoming a cherished instrument in the world of experimental music. Circuit-bent SK-1 units have been used in various genres, from avant-garde and noise music to electronic and experimental pop, showcasing the boundless creativity that can be unleashed by manipulating this iconic toy keyboard.
Sound Examples
