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The Casio AZ-1 is a polyphonic MIDI keyboard in the form factor of a keytar. It has a distinctive white body with a long neck, with detailing in a pale blue. This instrument is designed to be played, with the aid of a shoulder strap, in an approximation of an electric guitar. As were many keytars, it was geared towards keyboardists who wanted greater freedom of movement during performances.

Contents 1 Features 2 History 2.1 1980s 2.2 2000s

[edit] Features

The AZ-1 features 2 switches, 2 wheels, and 1 slider that can be assigned different MIDI functions as the user deems fit. It has a pitch wheel for shifting the sound up or down fractions of a note. Furthermore, its feature set includes both velocity sensitivity as well as true aftertouch. This is something of a rarity amongst keytars, and all but the highest end keyboards, as many only have velocity sensitivity.

[edit] History

[edit] 1980s

During the 1980's, artists and bands such as Thomas Dolby, as well as Gloria Estefan's Miami Sound Machine, could be seen sporting the AZ-1.

[edit] 2000s

Today, the AZ-1 is used by groups such as The Brockville Country Club, Fun!Yeah!, Comtron, and Papanegro. Furthermore, this model was prominently featured in the music video for Snoop Dogg's "Sensual Seduction" and was sported by Neil Sutton in Human League's Tell Me When 1995 Top of the Pops appearance.