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Toy sampling keyboards

Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2018 10:35 am
by Zork
...now, as I mentioned in the synth gadget and toys thread I just discovered these were a thing. And of course I had a late night ebay session going on and scored a Yamaha VSS100 and a Casio SK-1. Both with original box and user manual as well as original power supply for decent prices. I understand the VSS 100 is less desirable than the VSS 200 and VSS 30 but the VSS 100 offers the abbility to split the keyboard in 4 different sample areas which seems quite handy for beatmaking. So, yes, I kind of wanted to share my exitement but also like to gather some ideas what to try with these (other than sampling farts and burps, of course...). E.g. I've seen a video of the SK-1 doing kind of granular synthesis. What are some serious tricks to try? :w00t:

Re: Toy sampling keyboards

Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2018 2:35 pm
by dezb1
Obvious one is the Sigur Ros choir sound

https://youtu.be/wyxKDLVWL28

Re: Toy sampling keyboards

Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2018 2:43 pm
by dezb1
Also sampling synth and choir sounds from other more up market keyboards and giving them the 8 bit treatment - I have a single shot mellotron string sound that I regularly load into the VSS 200


Or use it to get a day off school like Ferris Bueller

Re: Toy sampling keyboards

Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2018 10:40 am
by DrQuasar
I have an sk-1 and it is a ton of fun. I added a 1/4 out so I can plug it into an amp and pedals, etc. I second the idea of sampling real instruments, especially acoustic or orchestral instruments. You can get some pretty interesting and unique results.

One thing I like to do is record a series of notes and then use the two "one key play" buttons to play it back rapidly. It's kind of like a manual arpeggiator.