Casio SK-5

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SK-5 by Casio
Synthesis type: Sampling
Polyphony: 4
Timbrality: Monotimbral
Attenuator: ADSR, 6 preset envelopes
Keyboard: 32 mini-keys
4 built-in sample pads
4 sample-trigger pads
Left hand control: none
Velocity sensitive: {{{velocity}}}
Aftertouch: {{{aftertouch}}}
External control: none
Memory: 8 preset tones
4 samples (0.7 second)
2 samples (1.4 second)
496-step sequencer
Onboard effects: sample reversal
sample looping
6 envelopes
Produced: 1987–?

The Casio SK-5 is a sampling keyboard, manufactured by Casio, said to be the second least expensive sampling instrument.[citation needed] The cheapest sampling instrument would be its little brother, the Casio SK-1. Like the SK-1, the SK-5 is popular for circuit bending or modding. One such mod is the ability for an SK keyboard to be triggered via MIDI. They may be found in thrift stores, pawn shops and online auction sites like eBay. Samples may be gathered from a built-in microphone or a line-level input from another source.

A keyboard that is functionally identical to the Casio SK-5 is the Realistic Concertmate-650 -- it was simply rebranded for distribution through Radio Shack stores.

Contents

[edit] Differences from SK-1

The SK-5 has several advantages over the SK-1. These include:

  • Samples save in memory when you power off the unit
  • 8 preset tones, the SK-1 has 5
  • Allows four .7 second samples or two 1.4 second samples, SK-1 has one 1.4 second sample
  • SK-5 allows reversal, looping and tuning of samples
  • Four pads for sample playback
  • Four additional pads for built in samples
  • Inclusion of 7 built-in demonstration tunes, the SK-1 has one.

[edit] Casio SK-5 Specifications

[edit] Presets

  • Preset tones/samples: 8 preset keyboard sounds, including
    • Piano
    • Vibraphone
    • Dog
    • Surf
    • Trumpet
    • Pipe organ
    • Chorus
    • Flute
  • Built-in samples: 4 (high conga, low conga, lion, laser gun)
  • Envelopes
    • Piano/guitar damped tone (slow decay)
    • Long release (slower decay)
    • Reverb (some sustain after decay)
    • Slow attack (slow initial volume increase)
    • Tremolo I (fade out with some vibrato)
    • Tremolo II (slight vibrato)
  • Auto-rhythms: 10 (rock, disco, 16 beat, march, bossa nova, samba, slow rock, waltz)
  • Demonstration tunes

[edit] Sampling and playback

  • Sampling rate: 8-bit, 9.38 kHz
  • Tuning control: ±30 cents
  • Built-in speaker: 8 cm diamter / 1 watt output
  • Inputs: microphone jack (1/4th inch), line-in minijack (1/8th inch)
  • Outputs: audio-out minijack (1/8th inch)

[edit] Power

  • Auto power off time: 7 minutes since last operation
  • Power: 5 AA batteries or 7.5 volt negative tip polarity AC adapter
  • Power consumption: 1.8 watts

Much of the above information was gathered from the Casio SK-5 and Casio SK-1 operation manuals and personal knowledge of the actual units.

[edit] Modifications

Most modifications included to SK-5 schematics required some sort of external control, usually a knob (dial) or switch. As plastic exterior of keyboard included lots of empty space, typical mods have their controls cut right into the plastic. Popular SK-5 specific mods include:

  • Quad polyphony dials. A serials of dials installed to thoroughly control VCA ADSR envelope. As the SK-5 has 4-voice polyphony, it has VCAs, so usually these dials are installed separated for each voice.
  • Pitch dial. A control similar to pitch wheel, though it doesn't return to normal frequency automatically. Usual bend range is approximately one octave.
  • Pitch modulation LFOs. Various LFOs for automatic pitch modulations. Usual LFO waveforms included square and triangle, but more intricate mods included sine, saw and some others.
  • Drum kill. Either a dial to control drum volume, or a switch to mute drums.
  • Drum overload. A dial or switch to control weird drum effects, achieved by overdriving drum channel, thus creating noise.
  • Reset switch. A switch to thoroughly reset switch, shutting down and re-starting all playback channels. Makes a specific clicky-like sound effect that depends on what was played at the moment.
  • MIDI. A complex modification to make SK-5 able either to output MIDI events, or input (be controllable with) MIDI events.
  • Body Contacts.
  • Poly Dial.
  • Aleatoric phrases. The means of playing back phrases from 7 demo sequences in more or less random manner, hoping that resulting stuff would sound musically enjoyable.

Less SK-5-specific mods include various voice modifications (altering synthesis scheme) and effect units (post-FX).

[edit] External links