The coolest tiny keyboard?! | CASIO VL-TONE VL-1

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Here's my little take on the classic teeny keyboard the Casio VL-TONE VL-1.
It's become a bit of a collectors item and this is a quick rundown of what you can get from it.
You may have even seen Jimmy Fallon use one of these on his 'Classroom Instruments' videos.
Do you have a VL-TONE? What are your thoughts?!
Here are some cool videos featuring the VL-1:
Jimmy Fallon's School Instruments performance - • Jimmy Fallon, Backstre...
Bohemian Rhapsody on the VL-1! - • Bohemian Rhapsody on a...
Effects and looping - • The poor man's OP1 | C...
Da Da Da - • Trio - Da Da Da (Top o...

Пікірлер: 90

  • @mddawson1
    @mddawson111 ай бұрын

    I was given one as a present back in the late 70s and I still have it with the cover, instructions and music booklet. It still works perfectly.

  • @fegorestomachal

    @fegorestomachal

    9 ай бұрын

    Wow! That´s so cool!

  • @PeterSokol-bl5vz

    @PeterSokol-bl5vz

    2 ай бұрын

    Was given one at Christmas 1979… lost sight of it by the early 80s….as musicians tend to do…new technology and gear that started the 80s was more important to me and one can never have enough toys as a musician…used it playing out live….run through 2 delays…a chorus…flanger…it was a monster…loved the sequencing….found one online at a General Store in North Carolina…originally $69 in 1979…paid $99……came last week…mint condition…..looks and plays brand new…plugged into my pedal board for keyboards…..the little monster has grown up…..just love it😊

  • @edgeof60
    @edgeof6011 ай бұрын

    Yup, I still have the VL-1 I bought new in 1979 and it still works. The programmable ADSR feature was kind of glossed over here but it actually offers a real sound design capability.

  • @kuromaru9661
    @kuromaru966111 ай бұрын

    I had it too, got it from my grandfather who bought it during DDR times in Germany. I remember in kindergarten I brought it with me and pressed random keyboard buttons with the "fantasy" patch on while spinning in circles with some other kid and screaming "aliensssss". That kid became my first friend ever. He went on to be a singer in metal bands and still going. I started producing music in 2011 and also still going. Amazing how that piece of (now) simple technology brought us together.

  • @michaelkeithson

    @michaelkeithson

    11 ай бұрын

    Such a cool story! Most of my closest friends have been born from music experiences together. I’m glad this video made you think of this and really pleased you shared it. Cheers mate.

  • @highernoon
    @highernoon11 ай бұрын

    This thing is one of the favorite things I remember from my childhood, thanks you for the video. "Rock 1" was used in Trio's "Da Da Da".

  • @michaelkeithson

    @michaelkeithson

    11 ай бұрын

    Such a cool little thing right?!

  • @highernoon

    @highernoon

    11 ай бұрын

    Sure is

  • @danwentz
    @danwentz11 ай бұрын

    My first “synth”, upgraded to the Moog Prodigy around same time. Used both live for decades. It has a step sequencer and can be programmed… and as you found, the coolest metronome ever conceived!

  • @michaelkeithson

    @michaelkeithson

    11 ай бұрын

    A Moog is a quite an upgrade!! Thanks for stopping by.

  • @peteraaron8626
    @peteraaron862611 ай бұрын

    Ah, the classic beat used by Trio on Da Da Da. I have one of these - a circuit bent one by S-Cat. The speaker has been replaced by knobs and switches that mangle the sound with effects such as "drive", "note repeat" and "squanker". It also has wooden sides.

  • @michaelkeithson

    @michaelkeithson

    11 ай бұрын

    That sounds so cool! I’d like to see a video of that!! I thought about buying some circuit bent stuff years ago but never did in the end. Thanks for the comment. 👍🏼

  • @peteraaron8626

    @peteraaron8626

    11 ай бұрын

    @@michaelkeithson Search "space cat audio technologies vl tone" and embrace the chaos.

  • @kiosko33hz

    @kiosko33hz

    5 ай бұрын

    kzread.info/dash/bejne/pqB1laZyh7DYd84.htmlsi=9f_VEifXPEtOfudH

  • @kiosko33hz

    @kiosko33hz

    5 ай бұрын

    ​@@michaelkeithsoncheck the link

  • @cebukitty
    @cebukitty4 ай бұрын

    my dad gave me this as a kid. I loved it so much.

  • @lundsweden
    @lundsweden8 күн бұрын

    Kraftwerk's Pocket Operator is a virtual is to the VL-1 (and the Speak n Spell).

  • @StevoLloyds
    @StevoLloyds11 ай бұрын

    The Fantasy Preset was used by The Human League on Get Carter from the Dare album. I think it features on other tracks from that album too.

  • @wrcfreak2121

    @wrcfreak2121

    11 ай бұрын

    Yes I need to dust off the album I wonder if its on Dare or an earlier one? 😃

  • @michaelkeithson

    @michaelkeithson

    11 ай бұрын

    Good knowledge Stevo! 👍🏼🎹

  • @Aditjoss
    @Aditjoss4 ай бұрын

    It sounded like the 8 bit gaming console era.. superb

  • @HardcoreZen
    @HardcoreZen11 ай бұрын

    I had one of those! I remember being able to get a nice growly synth sound out of it that sounded terrific when I plugged it into a big amplifier.

  • @michaelkeithson

    @michaelkeithson

    11 ай бұрын

    Great idea. I bet you can create loads of great sounds from this if you started putting it through some effects!

  • @DavidDorenfeld
    @DavidDorenfeld6 ай бұрын

    Love your videos and you are hilarious!!!! Thank you!

  • @michaelkeithson

    @michaelkeithson

    6 ай бұрын

    Ha! Really?!?! I’m glad you think so! Thanks for the comment. 👍🏼

  • @magicmulder
    @magicmulder4 ай бұрын

    Mine has been working flawlessly since the early 80s, just sold it on eBay.

  • @patrickedwards7107
    @patrickedwards71073 ай бұрын

    I have unwittingly come into possession of one of these from a deceased elder thank you for the rundown it just so happens I am an unapologetic snthwave nerd.

  • @RetroPlus
    @RetroPlus8 ай бұрын

    I love this keyboard, it really has a magical sound. It's the type of imperfect analog sound that just evokes a certain emotion. I definitely wouldn't pay £100 though, i got mine for a fiver!

  • @michaelkeithson

    @michaelkeithson

    8 ай бұрын

    Yeah, can’t understand why anyone would pay that much! Thanks for watching!

  • @manuelvicente9614
    @manuelvicente96144 ай бұрын

    I still have it ❤

  • @darwiniandude
    @darwiniandude2 ай бұрын

    As someone with a Nord Grand and a VL-1, I was pleased to see the Stage lurking in the background. Sub'd :)

  • @michaelkeithson

    @michaelkeithson

    2 ай бұрын

    😂👍🎹

  • @nickphipp1949
    @nickphipp194911 ай бұрын

    I had one of these. And an early sampling keyboard and a Crumar Roadrunner piano. All collectable now.

  • @michaelkeithson

    @michaelkeithson

    11 ай бұрын

    Hey Nick! Didn't know you played keys too!

  • @nickphipp1949

    @nickphipp1949

    11 ай бұрын

    i used to dabble, but tbh I was more interested in the technogoly than playing.

  • @TheScreamingFrog916
    @TheScreamingFrog91611 ай бұрын

    Still have mine, from the 80s. How fun!

  • @michaelkeithson

    @michaelkeithson

    11 ай бұрын

    Definitely worth keeping hold of to having a bit of fun every now and again! Thanks for stopping by!

  • @RachelsSweetie
    @RachelsSweetie11 ай бұрын

    I've performed on mine by holding the speaker over my guitar pickup and quoting the Star Trek theme at a strategic moment. The crowd went wild.

  • @michaelkeithson

    @michaelkeithson

    11 ай бұрын

    Sounds like the perfect use for it! 🤣

  • @RachelsSweetie

    @RachelsSweetie

    11 ай бұрын

    @@michaelkeithsonThanks! And I programmed in the melody so if I didn't have the confidence to play it in the moment I could just tap out the rhythm with "one key play". Brilliant piece of gear! And the calculator :).

  • @angelportal5378
    @angelportal53783 ай бұрын

    Was also used on the synth pop masterpiece called Rose Grey by a band called Scarlett Architect

  • @epetubaa4773
    @epetubaa47733 ай бұрын

    I believe you missed the most important tool of the keyboard which is the "One Key Play" buttons on the right. They let you play the recording one note at a time so you can improvise the rhytm of the melodies or control the speed of the pre-recorded arpeggio.

  • @michaelkeithson

    @michaelkeithson

    3 ай бұрын

    Come on, we all know that the most important tool of the keyboard is those awesome drum beats! 😂🎹

  • @vito_keys
    @vito_keys26 күн бұрын

    I nicknamed it the "Game Boy Keyboard"

  • @IanMcGill
    @IanMcGill2 ай бұрын

    Thank you for telling us (with out telling us) what made the Top Gun video games sounds.😆

  • @michaelkeithson

    @michaelkeithson

    2 ай бұрын

    😂

  • @Dominoid86
    @Dominoid862 ай бұрын

    I know how to play beastie boys-'Girls' on this 😂 I'll up load the video hopefully tomorrow ❤😊

  • @NeoSlashott
    @NeoSlashott7 ай бұрын

    2:49 Top Gun Anthem! These notes so familiar. 😊😊

  • @michaelkeithson

    @michaelkeithson

    7 ай бұрын

    👌👏

  • @aletheialiang4463
    @aletheialiang44632 ай бұрын

    I still have my VL-1, and pass to my sons, they love it!

  • @tekxan
    @tekxan3 ай бұрын

    Michael I got one of these when they were first released and although the screen is not functioning and the speaker is broken I can still hook it up to my amp and use it. Question is how did you hook it up to your DAW?

  • @michaelkeithson

    @michaelkeithson

    3 ай бұрын

    Hey man, probably connected it the same way you hooked it up to the amp, just used mini jack connected to the 'line out' then into my audio interface, pretty simple.

  • @xxxanonxxx
    @xxxanonxxx11 ай бұрын

    I got one of these at a garage sale for about $5

  • @michaelkeithson

    @michaelkeithson

    11 ай бұрын

    Bargain!

  • @matiasguirado1743
    @matiasguirado17433 ай бұрын

    Tranks man! I got my own l1. By the, which daw is that you used?

  • @michaelkeithson

    @michaelkeithson

    3 ай бұрын

    Nice. I'm using Logic 👍

  • @31416
    @3141611 ай бұрын

    Having so much fun should be illegal. -_-

  • @msbudmsbud7593
    @msbudmsbud759311 ай бұрын

    Da da daaa !!!

  • @michaelkeithson

    @michaelkeithson

    11 ай бұрын

    Yep. That’s the one!

  • @darukhan

    @darukhan

    11 ай бұрын

    Trio!

  • @keithsquawk
    @keithsquawk11 ай бұрын

    Get three VLTones Start the same drum pattern off on all three at the same time. Polyrhythmic drift!

  • @michaelkeithson

    @michaelkeithson

    11 ай бұрын

    Yeah, I did notice that when I recorded the bit at the end, I lined it up to the grid to start with but found that it then it drifted off slightly and came back again!

  • @mugwump-bk7os
    @mugwump-bk7osАй бұрын

    Still got mine, bought new, still calculating... I've also still got my SK-1, the original fart machine...😁 (Still burping and farting to a bossanovo beat...).🤗

  • @leeosborne3793
    @leeosborne37934 ай бұрын

    "Was ist los mit Dir, mein Schatz? Aha!"

  • @nsbd90now
    @nsbd90now11 ай бұрын

    I actually have one of those!

  • @Gluttonite
    @Gluttonite11 ай бұрын

    I have had 3 sold and two kept the mint one

  • @michaelkeithson

    @michaelkeithson

    11 ай бұрын

    Nice! I hope you get it out once in a while and take it for a spin.

  • @lxdesign1
    @lxdesign111 ай бұрын

    I had one of these when I was a kid - no idea where it went to.

  • @michaelkeithson

    @michaelkeithson

    11 ай бұрын

    Hope it brought back some good memories!

  • @TheHateSpeechChannel
    @TheHateSpeechChannel27 күн бұрын

    Does anyone know of a similar keyboard that had a record function such as a few seconds of voice. The voice could then be played back via the keys. I thought it was this one but maybe a slightly later release? My friend and I used to phone up directory enquiries and play back our voice clip at different pitches. Sometimes the woman would ask if we were ok. 😅

  • @michaelkeithson

    @michaelkeithson

    27 күн бұрын

    There was the Casio SK-1 that had an onboard mic and sampler, was it that?!

  • @newforestobservatory9322
    @newforestobservatory932220 күн бұрын

    Bought one when they first came out. Like an idiot I gave it away. Biggest mistake of my life (almost).

  • @jasonbeardsley7059
    @jasonbeardsley705911 ай бұрын

    Why didn’t you play the demo track? One of the greatest tunes ever written, and perfect for winding the parents up from the back of the car.

  • @michaelkeithson

    @michaelkeithson

    11 ай бұрын

    No way! I didn’t know there was a demo track!! How do I play it?

  • @jasonbeardsley7059

    @jasonbeardsley7059

    11 ай бұрын

    I can’t remember. Such a long time ago. It’s in there somewhere though. (:CFFGGA-BbC BbAAGGF:) (:CBbAAABbAGGG:) CAFGEF And it would go through all the different sounds. Find it, post it as a loop, & send me 20% of your revenue. It’s a viral smash!

  • @michaelkeithson

    @michaelkeithson

    11 ай бұрын

    Deal 😂🤣

  • @helenegrootenboersecondant5474

    @helenegrootenboersecondant5474

    9 ай бұрын

    @@michaelkeithson in “play” or “rec”-mode press the yellow music button

  • @moogdome2562
    @moogdome256211 ай бұрын

    I have two, one boxed.

  • @michaelkeithson

    @michaelkeithson

    11 ай бұрын

    Nice!! I wonder how much that’s worth.

  • @moogdome2562

    @moogdome2562

    11 ай бұрын

    @@michaelkeithson Not sure friend. I paid £40 for the boxed one, £1 for the boxed one. Have you seen the Bohemian Rhapsody video on here, played on the VL?. Thanks. Great demo by the way.

  • @michaelkeithson

    @michaelkeithson

    11 ай бұрын

    £1!!! What a bargain! Will have to check out the Bohemian Rhapsody cover.

  • @jimbotron70
    @jimbotron7011 ай бұрын

    Hmm yeah, we should buy one, if it weren't overpriced as f.

  • @jazzad
    @jazzad8 ай бұрын

    should have bought it 10 years ago. Now it's way too expensive

  • @manojrr1277

    @manojrr1277

    8 ай бұрын

    I have it but dont know how to play

  • @hrhcrab
    @hrhcrab8 ай бұрын

    Meh. I have one that has been sat on my shelf for years. Have I used it seriously? Yes, but not for a long time. It's not *terrible* but if you have a decent selection of better hardware you honestly aren't going to miss this. Still cooler than Teenage Engineering stuff though...

  • @rolfingerbier
    @rolfingerbier8 ай бұрын

    Trio

  • @HILTMEYERinc

    @HILTMEYERinc

    5 ай бұрын

    da da da

  • @PeterSokol-bl5vz
    @PeterSokol-bl5vz2 ай бұрын

    It was released for sale in June of 1979….not the 80s.