Casio teased a retro gaming-inspired sampler | The VergeSkip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.The VergeThe Verge logo.TechReviewsScienceEntertainmentAIPolicyHamburger Navigation ButtonThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.Hamburger Navigation ButtonNavigation DrawerThe VergeThe Verge logo.Login / Sign UpcloseCloseSearchTechExpandAmazonAppleFacebookGoogleMicrosoftSamsungBusinessSee all techGadgetsExpandLaptopsPhonesTVsHeadphonesSpeakersWearablesSee all gadgetsReviewsExpandSmart Home ReviewsPhone ReviewsTablet ReviewsHeadphone ReviewsSee all reviewsAIExpandOpenAIAnthropicSee all AIVerge ShoppingExpandBuying GuidesDealsGift GuidesSee all shoppingPolicyExpandAntitrustPoliticsLawSecuritySee all policyScienceExpandSpaceEnergyEnvironmentHealthSee all scienceEntertainmentExpandTV ShowsMoviesAudioSee all entertainmentGamingExpandXboxPlayStationNintendoSee all gamingStreamingExpandDisneyHBONetflixYouTubeCreatorsSee all streamingTransportationExpandElectric CarsAutonomous CarsRide-sharingScootersSee all transportationFeaturesVerge VideoExpandTikTokYouTubeInstagramPodcastsExpandDecoderThe VergecastVersion HistoryNewslettersExpandThe Verge DailyInstallerVerge DealsNotepadOptimizerRegulatorThe StepbackArchivesStoreSubscribeFacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSThe VergeThe Verge logo.Casio teased a retro gaming-inspired samplerComments DrawerCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...NewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsEntertainmentCloseEntertainmentPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All EntertainmentGadgetsCloseGadgetsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All GadgetsCasio teased a retro gaming-inspired samplerUnfortunately, there’s no word on when it will be available or how much it will cost.Unfortunately, there’s no word on when it will be available or how much it will cost.by Terrence O'BrienCloseTerrence O'BrienWeekend EditorPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Terrence O'BrienJan 23, 2026, 6:10 PM UTCLinkShareGiftCasio SX-C1 sampler prototype on display at NAMM. Image: Casio Music GearTerrence O'BrienCloseTerrence O'BrienPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Terrence O'Brien is the Verge’s weekend editor. He has over 18 years of experience, including 10 years as managing editor at Engadget.Casio showed up to NAMM (CES for music gear nerds) this year with a prototype sampler called the SX-C1 that looks every bit the lovechild of a Game Boy and an SP-404. The top has a directional pad and four buttons just like you’d find on a game controller, flanking a 1.3-inch OLED screen. But at the bottom, there are 16 rubberized pads for triggering samples with crunchy pixelated number labels on them.The device on display on the show floor was not fully finalized, so the specs are subject to change. Casio says that the final version will have 16 voice polyphony and record samples at 16-bit / 48kHz. It will also have 10 banks of samples, for 160 sample slots in total, spread over 64GB of internal storage. It will also come preloaded with samples harvested from classic Casio gear.There are also two effects slots, as evidenced by the two thumbwheels labeled FX1 and FX2. What effects and exactly how they’ll be implemented is unknown right now, though a bitcrusher and a delay can clearly be heard in the demo clip below.Similarly, there’s a grid-style step sequencer that’s giving serious TR-707 vibes. But again, there are no specs for the sequencer at this time. One thing we do know is that there will be proper sample trimming with a visible waveform like you get on the Roland SP-404MKII, the kind that isn’t available on more affordable and portable samplers like Teenage Engineering’s PO-33 or PO-133.The SX-C1 will have a built-in mic and speaker and can be powered by AAAs for truly standalone operation. But it also has 1/8-inch line-in and line-out jacks, a headphone jack, and two USB-C ports. Those USB ports can be used for power and audio, so you could plug straight into your computer to sample your favorite YouTube clip.This marks Casio’s return to the world of samplers after a very long absence. Its ‘80s models, including the FZ-1 and SK-1, were iconic, but things have been quiet since then. 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The Casio SX-C1 sampler prototype, unveiled at the 2026 NAMM show, represents a significant return for the company to the world of sampling instruments. As showcased by Terrence O’Brien, the device is a deliberate homage to iconic Casio samplers from the 1980s, specifically referencing the functionality and aesthetic of models like the FZ-1 and SK-1. The SX-C1 is designed to be a compact, portable, and relatively affordable tool for musicians and electronic artists seeking to integrate sampled sounds into their creative process.

The core design incorporates a familiar directional pad and four buttons, mirroring the controls found on classic game controllers, immediately evoking a sense of nostalgia for 8-bit gaming and early electronic music production. Flanking this control interface is a 1.3-inch OLED screen, providing visual feedback for sample manipulation and sequencing. The lower portion of the device features 16 rubberized pads, designed to be triggered with the fingers, effectively emulating the tactile interaction of the SP-404MKII, a renowned sampler known for its trigger pad functionality. These pads offer a direct, hands-on method of sample manipulation, aligning with the instrument's intended nostalgic feel.

Specifications reveal a 16 voice polyphony system, allowing for the recording and playback of multiple samples simultaneously. The sampler boasts a recording depth of 16-bit / 48kHz, an acceptable standard for capturing audio details. It offers 10 banks of samples, translating to a total of 160 sample slots, stored on a 64GB internal memory. Crucially, the SX-C1 is pre-loaded with samples sourced from existing Casio gear, providing immediate sonic building blocks for users.

Beyond its core features, the SX-C1 includes two effect slots – labelled FX1 and FX2 – suggesting the incorporation of audio processing capabilities. The demo showcased the presence of a bitcrusher and delay, however, the full range of implemented effects remains unspecified. The instrument also features a grid-style step sequencer, echoing the popular TR-707 sequencer in terms of design and functionality. As with other aspects of the device, detailed specifications for the sequencer have yet to be released.

The SX-C1’s design emphasizes user accessibility. It incorporates a built-in microphone and speaker, facilitating standalone operation without the need for external audio interfaces. Connectivity options include a 1/8-inch line-in and line-out jack, a headphone jack, and two USB-C ports. The USB-C ports offer dual functionality – they can be used for powering the device and for audio input/output, allowing for direct connection to a computer for sampling or transferring samples. This feature opens the possibility of capturing audio from YouTube clips or other digital sources.

The return of Casio to the sampler market follows a long period of absence. The company's previous samplers were considered icons within electronic music, and the SX-C1 builds upon this legacy while adapting to contemporary sound design practices. The current state of the device – still in prototype form – indicates a commitment from Casio to explore a niche market segment. Further details regarding the device’s availability, cost, and potential US release are currently unknown, pending further announcements from the manufacturer.