r/cheapkeys

I bought this old synth the other day, and it’s SO out of tune, c key sounds at f, is there a way I can tune it?

Bit of trickery to fit the Take Five groove over the PS1 fixed 4/4 grid. Yamaha FM keyboard PSS-380 for the custom solo sound.

So, I got really lucky and came across someone selling in great condition for a good price the Casio MT-400v along with the rare completely unused still in its box with manual BFC-1 breath controller which allows you to control the filter using your breath. First of all, I searched all up and down the internet and couldn't find one documented case or user experience of anyone using this controller with the MT-400v. So, it was a complete mystery regarding how it actually behaved with the 400v. I am pleased/relieved to say that it works awesomely! It behaves really well with the 400v's filter, and there is a lot of cool things you can do with it, and it even works for controlling not just the tone, but the rhythm, bass and chord, and noise (however, only one of those things at a time depending on which setting you have it to. Since there is no documented user experiences, I plan to document more in depth its behavior, including uploading some videos of using it in the various modes.

If this wasn't enough, the guy who sold it to me was super nice and when I told him I liked old Casio's a lot, he showed me several others he had planned to sell and said he would cut me a good deal on them. He brings them out, a PT-7, SK-1... and then unexpectedly — lo and behold, he sets a VA-10 in front of me in perfect condition with the manual and tells me if he would give it to me for $25 if I bought it today. I couldn't believe it! So, I walked out the door beaming with a pair of legendary hooters in my hands, excited like a teenage who had just touched his first pair 👀 🎉 .

I'm currently running the VA-10's microphone input through as an effects send for my 400v using the L6max and I totally get why they are so coveted. The VA-10 can do some crazy things when routing other things through it or feed backing it into itself!

I'll take this opportunity to show off my prized tablehooter collection I've gathered so far throughout this year. All scored locally for good prices with time, patiences, luck, and perseverance. I have found these things incredibly musically inspiring to just sit down with each one, using their charm and limitations to my advantage to build a song from each one.

What is your favorite tablehooter?

Built-in demo using its own instruments. Did a reverse image search and found out it was called the Hing Hon EK-001. A square wave keyboard released in 1988(?) with 2 voice polyphony. It was once a popular toy to mod. Unfortunately for this one, the master volume is inconsistent, and the headphone jack hard clips any audio.