Casio’s SX-C1 is a handheld sampler with a deal with enjoyable

Casio is including a brand new handheld sampler to its repertoire. At The NAMM Present 2026, the corporate had a prototype of the SX-C1 on present for attendees to play with. There isn’t any launch date or worth level but, however the sampler is already making a buzz within the music manufacturing world.

Members of the Casio workforce emphasised the phrase “enjoyable” when discussing the product, which aligns with its design — it does look very very similar to a basic Sport Boy. The SX-C1, crucially, can be a work-in-progress. Many particulars should not closing and had been labelled as “TBD” at NAMM 2026.

Alongside a 1.3-inch OLED show is a directional pad for transferring throughout its built-in step sequencer, amongst different features, and buttons labelled with letters for performing particular duties. Additional down, there are 16 LED-backed buttons with an 8-bit-esque font so as to add to the enjoyable really feel of the gadget. Jog wheels and sliders can alter the built-in results array and trim uploaded items of audio.

When it comes to its technical functionality, the SX-C1 can pattern sounds at 16-bit/48kHz. It has a built-in microphone and an analogue audio enter, and has 64GB inside storage with 10 banks of 16 samples. Its USB-C enter can be utilized to switch recordsdata between gadgets and stream audio to seize samples in actual time. The USB-C also can energy the gadget, and for full cellular performance, AAA batteries are an choice as nicely; nevertheless, presently, the battery life is marketed as two hours, which is much under the anticipated capability. Even that is labelled as TBD, although.

We caught the SX-C1 at The NAMM Present 2026, the place Casio was displaying two models and a few fundamental information. You’ll be able to test that out under.

The final compact Casio sampler was the SK-1 keyboard, launched over 40 years in the past, in 1985. Among the many customers of the SK-1 had been notable artists similar to IDM originator Autechre and drum & bass legend DJ Hype. Who is aware of the place the SX-C1 will find yourself if it makes it to retail?

Take a look at extra gear drops from NAMM 2026.

Harry Levin is a contract journalist with credit in SPIN, Billboard, MusicTech, Grammy.com, Los Angeles Journal, and extra. His musical journey started 20 years in the past with a Led Zeppelin CD. He performed jazz trombone via school, produced large-scale digital music occasions, and now spends his skilled time writing and modifying.