About: SK-51 is an all-in-one keyboard inspired by the Casio SK-1 (and his brother the
SK-5), a 8-bit lo-fi keyboard from the 80’s, with sampling features and
onboard drum machine.
Called the poor man's sampler at the time, this keyboard
was a real instrument and has been used by many major artists such as Fatboy
Slim, Portishead, Autechre and Nine Inch Nails.
Table of Contents:
What is SK 51? SK-51 is an all-in-one keyboard app inspired by the Casio SK-1 and SK-5, which were 8-bit lo-fi keyboards from the 80s with sampling features and onboard drum machines. The app has been created to bring back the feeling of the past and is a versatile and fun music tool. The free version of the app includes 3 instruments, 11 drum kits, 4 sampling slots, 6 drum pads, and many other features. The full version of the app includes 19 instruments, 11 drum kits, 21 demo drums patterns, 5 FX, and live recording.
- 8-bit lo-fi keyboard with sampling features and onboard drum machine
- Professional audio quality (16bit/44KHz)
- Recording of all instruments and drums notes
- Transcription of all demo drums patterns
- Sounds from the Casio VL-Tone keyboard
- Nice and true to life interface
- Versatile and fun music tool
- Free version includes 3 instruments, 11 drum kits, 4 sampling slots, 6 drum pads, and many other features
- Full version includes 19 instruments, 11 drum kits, 21 demo drums patterns, 5 FX, and live recording
- Full mixer
- Audio Unit with all parameters exposed
- Full MIDI support
- MIDI mappings
- AudioBus & Inter-App Audio support
- Ableton Link support.
- The app has a variety of features such as the ability to change sound and tempo, and record yourself.
- The interface is nostalgic and user-friendly.
- The full version upgrade is worth the $4.99 price tag for access to all instruments and recording function.
By waterthief
SK51 is great, simply for allowing us to enjoy the features of the original Casio Sampling Keyboard without having to shell out the cash for an original hardware version. My suggestions for improving SK51:
1) Allow the sample to play at the same speed regardless of pitch.
2) Allow the ability to choose different attack envelopes for the type of sound the user is trying to achieve (especially pads).
3) place more of the yellow trigger pads, like on the SK-5.
4) figure out a way to prevent the samples from clicking when they start over in “loop” mode.
5)figure out a way to allow sounds to sustain.
Otherwise, this is an app with a great future! Worth your time/ money.
By Gameova music
I haven’t tried the full app even though it could have possibilities. With what I tried I’m stuck with Will SK51 be worth it or just another app collecting gigabytes.
By sdetftgdy
I love SK51. I just got it and am playing it non stop. And one of the best parts is it’s only 5 dollars! You can change the sound and the tempo and you can record yourself. Get SK51. You will be very happy. It is also very easy to use.
By echo_orbiter
Update - The developer responded directly to the concern and rectified it immediately. One star review is now easily a 5 star review. SK51 is perfect.
When you try to hit any of the sample buttons or make an attempt to record a sample, SK51 crashes. Not cool to $5 to not have access to the apps ultimate selling point.
By Jasonic76
Interface is both nostalgic and friendly... $4.99 is worth it to upgrade to all instruments and the ability to record. Recording is by far the best function. So handy.
By r0ckkON
The free app is pretty useless without paying to upgrade. You cant even test out the most basic aspects of the sampling feature—the entire point of SK keyboards. So i wont be paying for that feature since I cant even test it out first. The full app may be great, for all I know, but this free version is garbage, since you cant even test out the sampling.
By AlanLaBudde
Will upload this to five stores stars if you can get the output to play my samples the input seems to work but not the output… Perhaps a timely update is in order?
Paid my money and can’t get the sampler to work....where did my previous review go?
Yes I enable the microphone it shows on the input barn but I’m Palla back it does not play it’s something to do with the output
By hotstrange
I very seldom write reviews on here but I just really love SK51. Sounds just like the old Casio samplers. The effects are great, too. It has some occasional glitches but it’s worth it.
By EverydaySunshine
I own an SK-1 and an SK-5 and this is legit. No more batteries! Also you can set the tempo. If I could have one wish it would be the ability to upload edited samples. Great app .
By anickt
This is a great app. I’ve contacted the dev because the AU won’t open in NanoStudio 2. Otherwise it’s great fun and very useful!
By PMurkz
Latest update removed the full version purchase and reverted back to the basic version. Emailed and asked to be refunded for my full version upgrade purchase and no reply from the developer.
By Lundberg02
In Settings, only reset samples seems to do anything. In FX, the keyboard, pads, and the other selection don’t seem to do anything.
By Hucklebucks
The SK-1 had beautiful built in chord patterns in addition to the drum beats. PLEASE ADD THESE. You guys are doing an excellent job otherwise.
By Craig.Watkins.210
Please make it so we can play any instrument for free. Bye.
By eggie.j
SK51 used to be great and Used it all the time but recently it doesn’t even work I can’t record samples anymore without the game crashing despite allowing SK51 to use my mic
By gxdthh775
I can’t upload my sample files
By Albigenman
Like the original, but better.
By Muff Winwood
Not bad. Love the retro vibe I get from it. Makes me want the Casio CZ-1000 (bigger selection of sounds/instruments)
Another great job from Fingerlab SARL. Hope to see a version of the CZ 101 /1000 app from them in the future.
Check out the other Fingerlab apps. You won’t be disappointed, and you will be making some sweet music with them too.
By Jhughes/8904
It will record input but no output. That’s the whole reason I paid for it.
By Dee Jay Gee
When you select any one of the sample buttons (not the pads), SK51 crashes and disappears. Can’t enjoy it if it’s not there!
By gameov1
I haven’t tried the full app even though it could have possibilities. With what I tried I’m stuck with Will SK51 be worth it or just another app collecting gigabytes.
By Marv1977
Won’t open in BeatMaker 3....
Yes. SK-51 is very safe to use. This is based on our NLP (Natural language processing) analysis of over 85 User Reviews sourced from the Appstore and the appstore cumulative rating of 4.0/5 . Justuseapp Safety Score for SK 51 Is 66.7/100.
Yes. SK-51 is a totally legit app. This conclusion was arrived at by running over 85 SK-51 User Reviews through our NLP machine learning process to determine if users believe the app is legitimate or not. Based on this, Justuseapp Legitimacy Score for SK 51 Is 79.7/100..
SK-51 works most of the time. If it is not working for you, we recommend you excersise some patience and retry later or Contact Support.
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