Casio VL-1 (1979)
A miniature keyboard from 1979 that doubles as a synthesizer, sequencer, and calculator
Overview
The Casio VL-1, often referred to as the VL-Tone, is a miniature keyboard released in 1979 as one of Casio's first electronic musical instruments. Marketed as an affordable, fun device, it combined a simple synthesizer, a fully editable sequencer, and a working calculator in one compact unit. Despite its toy-like reputation, the VL-1 gained a cult following for its distinctive lo-fi sound and was embraced by musicians for its unique character. It became a commercial success at its launch price of around $70 and helped establish Casio in the electronic instrument market alongside the PT series.
Specifications
| Sound synthesis | simple sound synthesis with only one filtered multipulse wave |
| Polyphony | monophonic |
| Features | simple, but fully workable synthesizer, complete with selectable waveforms and editable envelopes |
| Features | complete editable sequencer into the little box, with realtime recording and step-by-step editing |
| Features | fully working calculator |
Context
The VL-1 was one of Casio's first entries into electronic musical instruments in the early 1980s, part of a line of products described as "cheap, cheerful, and marketed primarily as toys." It gained significant publicity and became a smash hit due to its low price and multifunctional design. Positioned alongside the PT series, it helped pave the way for Casio’s future in digital music technology.
Reception & Use
The VL-1's preset sounds were noted for their "raw, buzzy charm," with the "Fantasy" voice standing out. Its lo-fi character was embraced by artists who found it musically distinctive. The Human League sampled it, and the German band Trio used it as the lead instrument on "Da Da Da," a major international hit. It is recognized as "one of the most sampled instruments in hip-hop history."
Market
Despite claims on eBay suggesting rarity, the VL-1 is not rare, with one source noting, "People on Ebay keep pretending they're rare, which makes me laugh. The VL-1 is everything but ra[re]."
eBay Listings
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