Casio SK-1: This legendary lo-fi sampler from 1986 is still worth it

[garethbarnett]

Being able to reproduce Axel F in fart sounds was one hell of a flex as a 13 year old in 86.

[TheFibtastic]

And now I'm remembering something else I did with this thing. My best friend and I, in high school in the late '80s/early 90s, did a sort of 'podcast' before podcasts existed, distributed by tape to our friends. It was just us screwing around, doing comedy bits and social observation, in front of a (stereo) microphone and tape recorder. And we had this sort of imagined 'robot' sidekick which was just the SK-1. We'd pre-record its parts and play them back at different notes, usually just "yes yes yes" or "no no no", and we'd build a whole bit around this silly thing. 

Now I need another one.

[TheFibtastic]

I had one of these when I was a kid. It was s Christmas present in probably 1986? I LOVED IT. More than almost anything I owned from back then, I remember playing with this thing endlessly. I wish I still have it, but unfortunately at some point it just...went away. I probably left it at my parents' house when I moved out, and they probably sold it at a garage sale or donated it at some point in the 1990s.

[laotree]

Finding an SK-5 at a garage sale in 1996 for $10 is basically my villain origin story, set me on a lifetime journey of making weird music. Still have it, and recently added an sk-1. Great machines.

[gngrbi]

I actually loved the highs rolled off. It sounds so warm and inviting.

[dexterhuizenga]

I found of these for $15 CAD at the thrift store last month and I absolutely love it! I strongly believe that limitations encourage creativity, and the SK-1 is a perfect case study. Thanks for the great video David

[fourwallss]

awesome video man, your passion for this stuff is infectious

[Sandy-ddle]

It's been here from the beginning and it will be here til the end.

Back in the days when the kids were mean, sometimes it was my only friend.

I used to sit for hours in my room recording loops.

Hell, I was inside making tape edits while the kids we're playing hoops.

Anytime I was ever grounded, they'd take my TV away.

I used to get in trouble so I could play in my room all day.

It saved me from years of boredom so that is what I gotta let you know.

That I have a special place in my heart for my good friend, my Casio.


Brett Johnson.

[LukeHennisch]

A new David Hilowitz video is the best birthday gift I could ask for

[flatpicknut]

I bought one of these in the ‘80’s after college and it has survived three sons and now three grandkids. All have loved it.

[RussPaladino]

Your videos are as entertaining as the beautiful sounds you share. Thanks David.

[SidBarnhoorn]

I love my SK-1! It's such a fun keyboard and I love using the sampler section to create looping samples for recording. Great tool as well to create poly-rhythmical samples.

[infinitemusic]

I just found one in a storage box in my room, I’m very excited

[cronkitesatellite]

Great vid. I recently found an SK-1 at a flea market in Rome for €5. It was incredible. I still have it and it works perfectly.

[reezlaw]

I got my SK-1 in 1988 for music classes at school. These sold like crazy back then. I still have 2 units, I gave one to my nephews! All I ever used was the brass ensemble, I still have several cassettes of my creations with that legendary brass sound

[BurntValleyRoad]

What nostalgia! I bought one in '86 and relished the not-yet-described as 'lo-fi' quality. I would sample sounds like trains and other outside noises, then bounce them from cassette tape to cassette tape before I even knew what a multi-track recorder was. Just experimental soundscapes using the SK-1. Thanks for making this one.

[gilesmoss]

The combination of these sounds and Refractions.. wow *chef's kiss* - absolutely wonderful. Your closing comments about how the shortcomings of old are now desirable was spot on too. A great closing monologue. Thanks again David, great video (and thanks for the sample pack)

[RetroPlus]

I recently picked one of these up "broken" on ebay too, lovely keyboard with some nice features. One of the best casios for sound design and experimenting, it's so inspiring that i want to make an entire album using it.

[shoe-string]

We had these in my school back in the 80s. Endless fun! My teacher let me take one home as he saw potential in me. Fast forward decades on and I'm still making beats one way or another.

[emiliofajardo]

I love the music nerdiness aspect of this channel, but to me, David's passion for this stuff is inspiring! Thanks man!