SK-1
mini sampling keyboard


image source: eBay #2571276110

Here is the classic Casio SK-1, one of the first truly affordable samplers!!!  Yes, it's true that 1 1/4 second sampling time doesn't allow much, and that the quality of the sampling is  - to put it bluntly - horrific, but at the time, it didn't get better than this! :-)  (Unless you had the funds for a Fairlight, Synclavier, Emulator etc.)

This is such a FUN machine.  Highly portable, a few cool sounds, the ability to synthesize sounds starting from a neutral waveform, envelopes, vibrato, portamento, rhythms, and... sampling!!... What more did you want in 1986???

The unit can sample from line-in, external microphone, or built-in microphone.  A lot of times is just fun to keep the SK-1 on your lap, and sample funny noises from your mouth!

There were bigger "brothers", but the SK-1 is one classic unit to look for.
 

Here's the SK-1's on-board delightful demo song:

Casio SK-1 demo song

And here are the eight on-board presets:

Stream all audio examples

And here we have nine sounds achievable with the "synthesizing" feature:

These are the on-board rhythms:

And here below you can hear what is possible to create in a few seconds, thanks to the SK-1 handy built-in microphone - very inspirational - if you don't mind lo-fi!

• Super portable;
• A few cool sounds;
• Vintage retro feel;
• On-board sampling!