I played with an SK-1 years ago and had a blast. But they go for silly money now. Any current equivalent? Just a sampling keyboard with onboard microphone. The closest I can think of is a pocket operator (no keyboard of course) or the organelle m (which I must confess… I don’t really know what it is or how it works…)
If not current, anything older that is similar?
Korg Microsampler if you can find one…
i still have mine i got back in 1986 or 1987 (i think). you might find something like this or the sk-5 at goodwill or second hand stores. it’s a weird little thing. i remember learning to play piano with it and wanting more keys.
I got a toy like small sampling keyboard from the german company hohner. Maybe 1,5 sec of sample memory ram to record one or two samples, little onboard microphone, a few pcm waveforms and drum samples in rom. A simple, maybe broken sequencer and some rhythm Programs like “Samba”, “Rock”, “Tango”. No Modulation possibilities at all.
Whereabouts in the world are you?
My first instrument was a SK-5, would love to have one again. Great circuit bending options too.
Also had an sk5 as my first instrument! It was also my introduction to single cycle waveforms (kinda) when I accidentally pulled the mic cable loose during sampling and was left with a few milliseconds of audio… oh my young brain when I set the sample to loop… and it was a frickin synth sound! They pop up on eBay every so often for a quasi reasonable price. Same with MicroSampler.
If you have an iPhone or iPad there is this… https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sk-51/id1388248180
United States
Unlucky, if you were in the UK you could have had mine.
It’s a shame they’ve become so expensive. I’ve had close to 20 of them over the years. Back when they were at every thrift store/ garage sale for a dollar. I’d buy them, circuit bend them, and give them away to friends for birthday presents. I was actually lucky enough to find one at the local junk yard this weekend! $4. I haven’t tried it out yet but it probably works. Needs a cleaning inside and out.
If you can find an sk5 it’s by far the superior instrument. Also there were “realistic concertmate” branded versions of both sk1 and sk5, I forget the model numbers but a quick google search will tell you.
The best of that type of keyboard was the Yamaha vss30, hands down. Unfortunately they go for enough money now that you would be better off buying a “real” sampler.
These old Casio keyboards are so much fun. Korg Microsampler is probably the next best thing - with it’s own awesome tricks. But they’re not exactly common : (
They really are. I have a pretty good collection of old casios. They’re all fun and a few of them are actually useful. I’ve been thinking about making a weird little multi-tier keyboard stand for my 5 or 6 favorites.
Sorry to the OP - I know it’s not helpful but this might be turning into a Casio love thread…
I really like this guy on IG
I’ve made two really big mistakes in my synth journey. The first was selling my Moog Prodigy. The second was selling my Casio SK-1 which was circuit bent and conjoined with a Speak & Math. I’d also built a lovely outboard controller that used a tilting box with a ball that connected different points. Sigh.
that’s awesome. this chat’s bringing me back. i accidentally dropped my speak & math in the toilet once. good times…
Casio SK-1 popped up in my local shop for $100. I’m wondering if it would be better to hold out for a Yamaha VSS30, as I’ve always been interested in for those kind of washy pads?
This video almost has me convinced to grab it.
crikey, i bought an SK-1 for a fiver from a mate at school.
anyway the most affordable modern equivalent these days would probably be an Octatrack
How much are these worth now? I have one with a really stupid mod I did years ago (i.e. adding a circuit bendable “printer port” at a janky angle on the back chassis soldered to some interesting chips) collecting dust in a closet. It works and the battery cover is intact last I checked.
Worth? £30 but selling for a lot more than that, seen them from £60-150 sold.