Circuit Bending

Casio PT-30

The PT-30 (also PT-20) is akin to the legendary Casio VL-1, which became extremely popular with the Trio hit "DA, DA, DA". The melody soundchip is identical, but the auto accompaniment is distinctly different.

Many different chords can be selected from a special keypad, which can then be played to the rhythm in the usual "Way of the Casio Chords". The bass sounds kinda thin and the chords are sort reminiscent of an organ. The drums are pretty phat and sound very analog and extraordinary. Due to my modifications, extreme "down-pitching" is now possible, effecting bass, melody sounds and chords, als well as the drum sounds.

The modifications:

• Mute switch for bass and chords
• Mute switch for almost all singular drum sounds
• Hihat FX switch for "wet hihats"
• FX switch, that changes the mute switch into a sort of drum matrix
• Extreme "down-pitch" controller
• Switch for pitch ON/OFF and 1-octave-down pitch

Sound example