Sorry, native English speakers for messing up the word "Epitome". Beginner's mistake...

"I have horrible keyboard skills" Proceeds to make amazing music with absolutelly anything that fall into his hands. Love your channel! Keep it up!

The history lesson, the jokes and wit, the vfx, the costumes, the abundance of original music, the fact that you actually procure all of this amazing(/ly bad) gear... this channel is the best thing on the internet and we hardly deserve you, but thank you for doing your thing!!

When I worked in a music store in the late 80s and early 90s, we sold a ton of these in red.

This is one of my favorite synth channels because I never walk away wanting to buy more gear.

I know you call this series "bad gear" but I absolutely love every piece you have presented. Maybe I just have trash tastes.

The recipe to cook a bad gear: - conceal its sound with another gear - apply all the effect pedals you have at home - distract a listener with a dope video clip - make awesome music

I bought one nearly mint for $12 at a garage sale about 10 years ago. Definitely worth it!

"I'm not very good at playing a keyboard" ***Whips out a professional multi track, studio quality sound track with a low end product.***

This channel is a treasure. I’ve always suspected most gear could be squeezed hard enough to make something special and you live it every week. Hyped for more bad (and bette) gear

I honestly liked the performance with the Digitakt.

Me during the cop music montage "Hey, is that real weed?" Florian: Wags finger over it and shows spice packet. This man can read minds.

The Pasco Washington reference made me repeat a few times (I grew up near). Thank you brightening my Fridays, it has been a high point these days.

For me, this show isn’t about IF you’ll get some cool music out of the gear, but rather, HOW you get cool music out of the gear 🤩

That "building a floorboard" jam absolutely slaps, geez.

That sounded funkier than I was expecting, it didn't completely suck.

Simply don't know how to stop binge watching your videos.

Gui-board?! Oh my!! I guess "stringthesizer" hasn't been used either. Btw - a friend had a Yamaha keyboard as a kid and it had "Wake me up before you go go" as the demo tune. They seemingly had a thing for Wham.

Review of the synth I asked for below every 2nd video? Best. Birthday. Gift. Ever. Thank you!

I had one of these as a kid and played a sick Mary had a little lamb over the rock drums for a show and tell

Thanks to the very active Synthware scene in Paris I've seen keytars, and this model in particular, not once but several times on stages in the past years. In these circles, these are absolute crowd-pleasers even if the player is only doing basic arpegiated chords on it, it looks badass and cheesy at the same time. I can understand why the prices are rising! And yes, the 80's were years before my time, but we can all appreciate some vintage cheese, it pairs well with wine ;) - Love the video, as usual, outstanding sutff!

This one had me laughing more than any of the other ones you've done. Well done sir.

That floor board jam was just magical ❤️

dude i get so happy when ever i see youv posted a new video, always entertaining especially for a gear head like myself.

This was beautiful! I love the shs-10; it was the gateway keytar that lead to my whole collection. Always great to see it get some love (or at least a neutral review)!

It's only a matter of time before I find your Bandcamp Vaporwave page.

Another fab video. Love the format. Keep it up.

That is "everything sounds good if you have skillz" situation. I mean, heavily pedaled synth setups is no sin, and you can deliver dynamics with your own performance. It is a toy, but in a good way

I have a bright red one! The last Christmas demo is great lol

I love my SHS-10, especially good when hooked up to the Korg Micro X for those fantastic guitar sounds.

Yes!!! My buddy found one of these in the toy bin at a Goodwill for $10 and we thought it was a toy till years later when we wanted a second one and found this thing is a cult classic!

Man your channel just never stops giving me content to enjoy, there are so many instruments good lord. Also I appreciate how timeless your format for these are, the quality and style has remained consistent even on some of the many years old video. Invaluable series, you deserve more subs

5:45 is most excellent!!! My first “synth” was the Yamaha PSS-680, which was from the same time and same 2 op synth engine. Effects really helped... Check that one out.

Take a look for another keytar - soviet Junost 21. I haven't seen any other analog polysynth being offered for same price as used Volca Keys.

I love Violin Presets of those 2-OP toy keyboards. Feeding them thru an Amp Simulator really gives the feeling of a Power Chord

5:23 - this one is a banger! Well done Mr. Bad!

Thanks for another great episode! Have you checked out the Breakway Vocalizer 1000? It's a rather obscure voice to midi synth with a hidden ESQ-1 engine (san the filters and vcas) behind it.

The novelty factor definitely informs how much they sell for. I payed way too much for my SHS-10, but I’ve gotten so much use out of it, I feel I got my money’s worth!

Seen a few of your vids through my homepage and I’ve been checking them out. Super high quality, super consistent and super fun! Subbed

Also, I love the way you always find something positive in all your videos. Keep up the great work, highlight of my Friday evening.

I think you had more fun playing with the shs-10 than you should have ;)

I nearly vomited at the term 'Gui-board'

Amazing! btw was really surprised how well 1st mix worked out...

I sometimes use your reviews to help me select gear that no one else wants. I was eyeing the Behringer SH-101 clone the Ms-1, but really it offers too many choices on sounds and features. Every minute detail you have delivered in this video tells me this is the ultimate Keytar and a must have for me in my home SYNTH GOD CHAMBER. Thank you so much!

how does he make these high quality videos so fast

Yeees, my first instrument! Love this little plastic gem, and it'll always have a place in my heart!

Your best video yet. Humorous yet honest.

Had one of those when I was like 10. I'll never forget the Last Christmas demo...

More comparisons to Kraft Singles please.

Nothing says 'badass' quite like a keytar does.

Honestly one of the most underrated channels on KZfaq. The insane production value of these videos compared with how few views they get baffles me. Here's hoping for some traction and more subscribers :)

As always, very entertaining. My cousin, who didn't really play, had one of these back in the 80s. He also had a MiniKorg 700, which I bought from him for nothing. Good move. Thanks.

My friend picked one of these up at a thrift store for about 30 bucks years ago. I had no clue they had such resale value.

Next video: The Casio VL-1

I really dig the Mazda sticker. 😂 that’s the crap I did with my keyboards when I was kid.

Love your channel. Awesome job man! Can you do a video on one of the Yamaha RX 17 drum machines please.

That's actually a very decent sounding synth. I'd definitely find use for it!

06:10 "...the amount of '80s clichés on this channel has become a bit annoying..." You mean, "Has become an amazing feature of this channel," right? The editing has officially leveled up with the last few videos.

I love that keyboard. I know a guy who did an entire jazz album with it. The arranger section is really advanced for the time.

That midi port may help to turn it into a "sleeper", controlling a kickass synth on stage. People would think: holy cow, wtf is that haha

I like to play my sh-101 keytar on my headphones while skiing in my blue one piece snowsuit.

Congrats on the music tech award you definitely earned it!

I picked one up for ten bucks at a flea market back in the late 90s . I was impressed by the portamento .One of my best flea market finds ever . 😁

i remember buying one on sale at a burlington, n.c wolworth store for around $50.00!! no teen or adult cared for the internal sounds, but when you ran the midi input into a larger yamaha or casio keyboard and mixed the auto-accomplements via midi, you got some pretty good grooves going on!!! if i see one in a pawn shop for around $100.00. i'ts mine!!

Typing this comment already before I have seen the video. That picture is already Embarrasing enough! Moving on very carefully now ... Might ... not ..... survive!

Just wanna renew my vote for the Casio HT-700 🙏👍

Your jams were ridiculous cool! Nice video. Killed it!

You wanted the MSRP, I'm about 96% positive that I paid $169.99 when I bought this thing new from Sears in 1987. Thanks for the always awesome content Mr. #1 Music Tech Personality of 2020 on MusicRadar! I wholeheartedly agree!!!

I started laughing at timecode 0:02 this sound is INCREDIBLE

Next on bad gear: Jupiter 8

alright... i am gonna be honest with ya all on this one. In 1987, i was working at Sears Countryside on the dock and shipping dept and playing in a garage band named mod-l citizen. I have no memory of how this came to be... whether i had asked to do this or was contacted by someone in the electronics department, but.... I found myself working the weekends in my garage band "outfit" (think paul westerburg at church) "Demoing" this unit at the top of the escalators at Sears #1415. I had brought my trusty cz-101 and midi'd them up; and proceeded to make "music" for the the shoppers passing by trying to promote these things. I don't recall if i managed to move very many of these units, but eventually management decided paying me minimum wage to come in and do these demos wasn't worthwhile in sales, and that was it. I NEVER BOUGHT ONE THOUGH! seriously. thanks for the great vid and the memory jarring! +best (oh and since my last reply, i have sent my drumbrute in to arturia for noise circuit repair. It is back (with a lovely t-shirt, key fob, and tote.) Its' sound engine is being routed through all manner of kit and still sounds... well, kinda meh... You may won this round , but i am not giving up on that beast to eventually produce some meaningful noise!) I still adore it as a controller/sequencer for the er-1 and emu though! take good care.

I just picked one up at Value Village for $19.99 CDN less 20% discount (coupon). Great for use with KORG SQD-1 midi recorder ($50 at VV) connected to ext. synths. Your video says it all !!

From now on, I shall call Keytars "Orphicas"

Your keyboard skills are actually pretty good. It feels very weird play a keytar, the angle is just messed up, and mini keys- aarrghh! I used to have a heavy Korg fiberglass, full sized keytar that weighed a TON. It was so heavy, it often would slip off the guitar strap and hit my feet- that was too much so I sold it to some guy in Sweden (sorry if he has sore feet!).

I am gratified to hear someone pronounce epitome the way I did for years. Apparently I was a native english speaker but not for that word.

This thing had midi out. It was awesome! In 1996 I plugged it into my AWE64 soundblaster & with cakewalk 5 I made a techno album.

To my shame I had to Google Hatesphere. So I was end up listening to the closing jam mixed with 'Corpse of Mankind'. I think the combo worked.

I genuinely thought that was aimed at kids because it was so small and toy-like. If you we're serious, you got a KX-5 to go with your DX-7.

Perfect episode! I almost bought one in Manchester for 75gbp, at beginning of video I thought Im glad I didnt, at 5:30 u changed my mind. Could cover some Muse songs with it!

I have a little Portasound PSS-360 that has a similar cheesiness to it, and it is delicious! These are kids toys, but they don't even pretend to be serious about themself. And that is sometimes just what you need after a depressing day of work.

you own a concerning amount of hand cuffs

Don't make me feel self conscious about my gear now. The midi capabilities of this are impressive especially for the time

My favourite youtube channel, funny as hell yet informative.

I own this little lad's bigger brother the SHS-200. It has an expanded feature set and is quite a bit bigger. It's mainly used as a controller but it's just generally fun to get out at parties. Was really hoping you might mention it in this video since nobody seems to know about it. Great video anyway dude, I think keytars just get a bad name because they're quite easy to mock even if people have no idea how to play one.

"Doctor, doctor, I'm afraid I am not getting enough 80's cheese in my life" Here, take one of these every day "What are they and what will they do?" Sir, they are AudioPilz...

So we're all now watching a man of whom we know he has fluffy handcuffs readily available to be pulled out at any time :p

Oh man, I own one of these badboys - and in a daring red color scheme, I might add. The audio it generates itself is comical to say the least, but by golly, if it isn't fun to use as a midicontroller. Quite cool playability actually with the pitchbend wheel and portamento and sustain buttons.

A few weeks ago I got a Yamaha SHS-10 in good condition for free. It can be used as a MIDI controller and it's absolutely 80s, but it's more of a toy. Great video! Do you want to take a look at the Yamaha PSS-130? this is really bad gear, but it has some nice extremely lofi sounds.

DUDE YOU TOTALLY RULED WITH THE PEDAL BOARD SET UP FOR THIS KEYTAR!

Wow, unprocessed with no effects, that thing sounds like a bag of cats. Other material in the video was excellent as per usual!

I started out on a Keytar SHS10, and then got the SHS 200. I ended up with the digital sax the Yamaha WX11. Yamaha sure did a lot to stretch beyond just a piano. When I had the SHS 200 I realize that playing with your hand up higher for the bass keys were a bit harder, and I think the SHS 10 was closer to what you want to play on. You could use the pitch wheel to go up or down a whole octave to expand your range. would have prefer a switch for the octave changes. I have sent the idea for the Yamaha to make the keytar out of the Reface component. This is the best post on the SHS 10 that I have seen!

Great video as always... One thing I really like on the SHS, is that if you transpose it down as low as you can go, there are some weird distorted FM dirge sounds lurking in some of the presets. I can't remember which ones though, my gui-board is sadly in storage (the new name going forth for all such instruments)

2-OP synt engine. you could say its not that OP... I'll see myself out.

Accordions were the first keytar. Change my mind.

You just reminded me how good the Roland SH101 sounded in AEIOU by FREEEZ.

At the other end of the 'half-assed keytar' scale lies the Kawai KC-10 Spectra - a rudimentary 5-octave synth with attachment lugs for a strap. Slight design flaw: it only runs off a wall-wart power supply, somewhat limiting your ability to leap around the stage.

Who, in the Wooooorld, would like to look like "a guitar player", with his/her strange and impratical instrument hang on the shoulder and ludicrously gesticulating on a stage? I seriously ask the question!

You just have to listen to Argentinian electronic cumbia and you'll know how to use this instrument properly (like trashy trash).

the American cheese analogy at the end was a 10/10. bravo my guy. ur my favorite channel

Got a new one for you!! MESOAT MTSGA!! Great video as usual!! 👍👍🇬🇧