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Average Price: $225
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Description
The Casio Casiotone MT-40 is not just a synthesizer; it's a piece of music history. Known for its distinctive sound, this iconic keyboard from the early 1980s found its way into numerous hit records and continues to inspire musicians today. With its 12-note polyphony and a set of built-in rhythms, the MT-40 offers a unique blend of digital and analog sound creation that remains relevant for both nostalgic producers and modern synth enthusiasts.
The MT-40's Rock-Samba rhythm was famously sampled in the reggae hit "Under Me Sleng Teng," a testament to its enduring appeal and versatility. This synthesizer features a simple control layout, making it accessible to musicians of all levels. Its sound palette includes a variety of preset tones, ranging from classic electric pianos and strings to organ and flute, allowing for diverse musical expression.
The Casio Casiotone MT-40 is perfect for those looking to add a touch of vintage charm to their music, whether you're creating new tracks or adding layers to existing compositions. Its compact size and battery operation make it an excellent choice for musicians on the go, allowing creativity to flow wherever inspiration strikes.
Key Features:
- 12-note polyphony
- Iconic Rock-Samba rhythm
- Built-in speaker for easy listening
- Range of preset tones including electric piano, organ, and flute
- Battery-operated for portable use
- Simple control layout for easy use
Product specs
| Brand | Casio |
| Model | MT-40 37-Key Synthesizer |
| Finish | White |
| Year | 1981 - 1982 |
| Made In | Japan |
| Categories | Portable Keyboards |
| Analog / Digital | Digital |
| Key Size | Mini |
| Keyboard Action | Synth Action |
| Number of Keys | 37 Keys |
| Polyphony | 8 Voices |
FAQs
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What kind of sound engine does the Casio Casiotone MT-40 use?
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The Casio Casiotone MT-40 uses a digital sound engine that was innovative for its time, offering a unique set of synthesized tones and rhythms that have become iconic in certain music genres.
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Is the Casio Casiotone MT-40 suitable for live performances?
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While the Casio Casiotone MT-40 is primarily designed as a home keyboard, its distinctive sounds have been used in live performances, especially in reggae and dub music.
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How portable is the Casio Casiotone MT-40?
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The Casio Casiotone MT-40 is highly portable due to its compact size and lightweight design, making it easy to transport for practice sessions or small gigs.
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Does the Casio Casiotone MT-40 feature full-sized keys?
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No, the Casio Casiotone MT-40 features mini keys, which are smaller than standard piano keys, offering a different playing experience.
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What is the polyphony capability of the Casio Casiotone MT-40?
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The Casio Casiotone MT-40 offers 8-voice polyphony, allowing you to play up to eight notes simultaneously, which is suitable for basic chordal playing and melody lines.
Videos
organ69
Casio Casiotone MT-40 demo［organ69］
Casio Casiotone MT-40 demo［organ69］
organ69
Casio Casiotone MT-40(mo084) demo［organ69］
organ69
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Casio Casiotone MT-40.
Setup and maintenance
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A common issue is interference leaking into the noise generator transistor, possibly due to a failed capacitor or ground path issues.
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The rhythm section's ringing noise can be linked to a malfunctioning D325 transistor, which connects via three wires on the board's bottom.
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After an IPA bath, ensuring complete dryness, especially for contacts and switches, is critical to avoid malfunction.
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Most multimeters cannot check capacitance in-circuit effectively; specialized tools or removing components may be necessary for accurate diagnosis.
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To avoid static damage when modifying, use an anti-static wrist strap or touch an earthed metal object, and avoid soldering while plugged in.
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Consider using a resistor or small capacitor on outputs to buffer against capacitive coupling when modifying for separate outputs.
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It's crucial to use a 9V power supply with correct voltage to avoid damaging internal components, even if the amperage matches.
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Mods and upgrades
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Adding separate output jacks for bass and drums involves intercepting at test point 7 after an 820K resistor and potentially cutting a trace or lifting a resistor.
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Original volume pots for bass/drum mix and overall volume are 10k linear; bypassing may require recalibration to prevent impedance mismatches.
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Features and functionality
Use cases and applications
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Modifying for separate outputs can enhance live dub performances, inspired by channels like Manudigital's UK sessions.
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4.5 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 6 Ratings
84
Great design, great bass and amazing presets, lacking drums.
I've owned two of these (they tend to degrade over time so I've never had one that was perfectly functional) and the instruments are great. I just love the unique sounds that keyboards that do synthesis as opposed to PCM/sampling have. The iconic bass holds up just fine to this day, and I still use it in some of my tracks. The drums are honestly the biggest drawback for this keyboard, the snare is terribly dull and the drum patterns are so simple. Even Sleng Teng has a clap overlaid on the snare in the riddim, if you can't take my word for it. Not to mention that both MT-40's I've had have a terrible ringing noise in the drums from some sort of open connection, which makes using them pointless anyway.
1152
Great drums massive bass
Search youtube for MANUDIGITAL, he has plenty of songs with Reggae artists and this machine only. Battery operated (the chunky ones) , simple machine. Basic fills on the (analog) drums, a simple 4th and 8th notes with the kick and snare, but can make your beats interesting. The bass keys are on the left, very good bass tone which can not be altered. A one man band can not get any simpler than this. There is also a dark version of this -> MT-41.
Artist usage
Add artist
"It started on March 23 of 2016 when I was given a Casio MT-40 keyboard on my birthday. I’ve got hundreds of keyboards, but I was particularly excited about this one because it has the same sound as those very classic ’80s reggae tunes."
In an Instagram post shared by Dallon Weekes, the Casio Casiotone MT-40 is visible among his collection of synthesizers.
There is a lovely shot at 0:49 of George playing the Casiotone MT-40.
In the MusicRadar Tech studio tour video, Alex Metric showcases his use of the Casio Casiotone MT-40.
Gernot Bronsert of Modeselektor recently added the Casio Casiotone MT-40 to his collection, as mentioned in the Native Instruments Blog article "Who Else – Catching up with Modeselektor."
Sebastian Szary of Modeselektor has recently added the Casio Casiotone MT-40 to his gear collection, as mentioned in the Native Instruments Blog.
While record industry giants grappled over the Cope contract, the man himself carried on writing new material. Most of the songs themselves started in Julian's music room, at home in Tamworth, either on a Casio MT40, his Gibson 335/12, (strung as a 9 string, with high notes doubled), or his newish Hohner Clavinet.
The item can be seen/heard 0:01 into this video. Also check out his youtube as plenty of other videos with just this keyboard.
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Used live and on record from the earliest days
The Space Lady has prominently used the Casio Casiotone MT-40 throughout her career, making it as iconic as her winged helmet. This connection is highlighted in an article by Sydney for Google.
"Oh yes, I've also got this Casio MT40 keyboard for writing on tour - stick the old Walkman headphones into the headphone socket — write songs on the road."
Album Usage
The Casio Casiotone MT-40 has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Casio Casiotone MT-40, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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