Casio’s SXC-1 handheld sampler is packed with fun, coming to Japan

Memory may be vanishing, phones and laptops may be getting downgraded specs. But we’re enjoying an unexpected renaissance of mobile samplers. And of all of these, Casio might pack the most fun into a single package. The SXC-1’s Japanese preorder was announced and sold out this week, and with good reason: this looks like the most fun we’ve had with Casio since the 80s and 90s.

Okay, the “frog” bass stabs on MJ’s Thriller is a Casiotone MT-60

Never underestimate the power of simple synthesis tricks, least of all in the hands of vintage Casio designers. The distinctive “frog” bass croak in Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” recorded in 1982, comes from a Casiotone MT-60. And it’s a sound you can patch up yourself.

Peter Kirn - November 1, 2024

Casio’s MT-100 toy keyboard is reborn as a free plug-in for macOS and Windows

Sample Science has a tasty freebie for us – Retro Cazio models the 1983 Casio Casiotone MT-100, for a very, very 80s drum kit, keys, and other instruments. Let’s revisit that source instrument.

Peter Kirn - April 11, 2022

Watch this Kazakh pop video for the maximum weirdness of Casio’s singing robot keyboard

Peter Kirn - January 21, 2022

Type in lyrics, and this keyboard sings them, as Casio returns to its Casiotone roots

Peter Kirn - January 21, 2022

Monday Morning Distractions: Bach on Talkbox, Ravel on Theremin, Odd Keys

- October 25, 2010