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HIghly Liquid has introduced a kit that lets you control a Casio VL-1 “VL-Tone” via MIDI.
The new VL-1-MIDI retrofit kit is based on the UMR and includes custom firmware for the VL-1.
The kit retails for $40.95.

 

A video demo of a strange electro-mechanical circuit-bent Casio SK-1.

 

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a voluntary recall of the CTK-710 Casio Keyboard, because it poses a fire hazard.
Here are the details:
Name of product: Electronic Musical Keyboards
Units: About 12,000
Importer: Casio Inc., of Dover, N.J.
Manufacturer: Casio Computer Co. Ltd., of Tokyo, Japan
Hazard: The recalled keyboards can overheat when in use, posing a fire hazard [...]

 

TheUmbrellaCo is doing some gorgeous mods and bends to Casio SK-1 samplers, turning them into Suitcase SK-1s. 
Here’s a promo video for a Suitcase SK-1, The Gypsy:

 
 
via HighlyLiquid

 

Arman Bohn has released SK-crooner, a free vocal synth for Windows based on the “human voice” of the Casio SK-1.
“I loved this sound when I was growing up,” says Bohn, “very spooky and unnatural.”
Features:

Two separate modes:

Original (modeled after the Casio SK-1)
Tone held (for long notes)

ADSR Amplitude Envelope
Vibrato with Rate and Depth
Filter control with Frequency and [...]

 
icon for podpress  Casio SK-1 Human Voice [0:39m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 

MPC2000xl has released a free sample library based on the Casio Rapman Rap-1.
The Casio Rapman is probably the most bizarre of all Casio toy keyboards from the 80s and 90s. The RAP-1 is the first of the two Rap-themed keyboards from the big ‘C’ and was released in 1991.
The samples were taken directly from the [...]

 

Metku Mods, a hardware modding site, has an interesting step-by-step photo essay on modding a Casio CTK 530 keyboard.
Why spend hours turning a cheesy Casio keyboard into a control keyboard that only offers limited control? Here’s modder Jani Pönkkö’s reason:
When not modding, I usually compose some music. As an input device for the music software, [...]

 

PSS-270 is a micromusic/lo-fi musician that makes music with toy keyboards, including YAMAHA PSS-270, CASIO SA-5 and CASIO MA-120 toys.
Check out the free MP3 download, Gear-wheels inside me.
More free MP3s are available at the PSS-270 site.