Correction: Casio VL-1 was released in 1981 (not '79). Radio Shack sold it's version of the VL-1 rebranded as the Realistic Concertmate 200 (the one I have :D). Thanks for the nostalgia trip!
I remember seeing this model when I was 9 years old in 1989. It was still being sold that late. A classmate brought it to school and showed it to us during recess. Somehow, it had seemed more incredible than the one my brother and I had been given the year before, an SK-1.
At Christmas '82 the last thing expected was, that this tiny one would still matter so much 42 years later. I painted it with a pink touch up pen & even opened it to find out that touching a circuit slows and distorts the unit in a very musical way. I've even tried to find a way using it as a keytar but my stuck on stubbles fell off. It only survived until '85. I'd rebought it back then but there weren't any VL tones exhibited in my country's shops anymore, just the PT20 with kind of similar sounds but without ADSR. Just the SK1, I've been given one year later, had the potential to console about VL-1's loss that I nonetheless rebought in new.condition, with any accessory, even an unscratched box, somewhere in the 2000s (for the same price as new). The previous owner told, only having used it once in '81, repacked it afterwards & stowed away.
That "fantasy" sound was famously used by The Human League on the tracks "Love Action" and "Get Carter" on their classic "Dare" album. It was also used on Trio's "Da da da".
@@JeffreyScottPetro You're very welcome. That Trio song, "Da da da", I'm pretty certain, actually used the Rock one rhythm straight off of the VL-Tone!
I've got a Casio PT-30 which is bigger and it's got a chord section. Nice for Pink Floyd sounds. It's got no calculator though... Still, it's a lot of fun for travelling light... 😊
Thank you for this, I had one as a thirteen year old, still own one now
Keep doing it!
Nostalgia ain’t what it used to be! 😂
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the comment.
Correction: Casio VL-1 was released in 1981 (not '79). Radio Shack sold it's version of the VL-1 rebranded as the Realistic Concertmate 200 (the one I have :D).
Thanks for the nostalgia trip!
I remember seeing this model when I was 9 years old in 1989. It was still being sold that late. A classmate brought it to school and showed it to us during recess. Somehow, it had seemed more incredible than the one my brother and I had been given the year before, an SK-1.
Cool story, thanks for sharing.
I have one of these, Im looking all over the band room trying to find it, never knew all the awesome features!
Hope you found it.
I found It!
At Christmas '82 the last thing expected was, that this tiny one would still matter so much 42 years later. I painted it with a pink touch up pen & even opened it to find out that touching a circuit slows and distorts the unit in a very musical way. I've even tried to find a way using it as a keytar but my stuck on stubbles fell off. It only survived until '85. I'd rebought it back then but there weren't any VL tones exhibited in my country's shops anymore, just the PT20 with kind of similar sounds but without ADSR. Just the SK1, I've been given one year later, had the potential to console about VL-1's loss that I nonetheless rebought in new.condition, with any accessory, even an unscratched box, somewhere in the 2000s (for the same price as new). The previous owner told, only having used it once in '81, repacked it afterwards & stowed away.
Great story, thanks for sharing.
That "fantasy" sound was famously used by The Human League on the tracks "Love Action" and "Get Carter" on their classic "Dare" album. It was also used on Trio's "Da da da".
Interesting, thanks for sharing.
@@JeffreyScottPetro You're very welcome. That Trio song, "Da da da", I'm pretty certain, actually used the Rock one rhythm straight off of the VL-Tone!
Dah Dah Dah. 😂 I couldnt afford one when it came out. Had to wait a year to get a CASIO. Thanks for the great memories!
My pleasure. Thanks for the comment.
I've got a Casio PT-30 which is bigger and it's got a chord section. Nice for Pink Floyd sounds. It's got no calculator though... Still, it's a lot of fun for travelling light... 😊
Hah, my only "vintage' synth. Great with fx-pedals.
That's cool.
I still have mine. It works EXCEPT the ribbon cable from the board to the display broke so I cannot program it.
Luckily, I have two. The second one has the same problem. Thanks for the comment.
Once I have some spare dosh I'll get one on ebay.
I had one......