Casio AZ-1

The Casio AZ-1 is a polyphonic MIDI keyboard in the form factor of a keytar. It has a distinctive white body with a long neck, with detailing in a pale blue. This instrument is designed to be played, with the aid of a shoulder strap, in an approximation of an electric guitar. As were many keytars, it was geared towards keyboardists who wanted greater freedom of movement during performances.

=Features=The AZ-1 features 2 switches, 2 wheels, and 1 slider that can be assigned different MIDI functions as the user deems fit. It has a pitch wheel for shifting the sound up or down fractions of a note. Furthermore, its feature set includes both velocity sensitivity as well as true aftertouch. This is something of a rarity amongst keytars, and all but the highest end keyboards, as many only have velocity sensitivity.

=History=

1980s

During the 1980's, artists and bands such as Thomas Dolby, as well as Gloria Estefan's Miami Sound Machine, could be seen sporting the AZ-1. Neil Sutton can be seen 'playing' one in Human League's "Tell Me When" 1995 Top of the Pops appearance.

2000s

Today, the AZ-1 is used by groups such as [http://www.brockville.co.nz The Brockville Country Club] , [http://www.myspace.com/funyeah Fun!Yeah!] , [http://comtronmusic.com Comtron] , and [http://www.papanegro.cl Papanegro] . Furthermore, this model was prominently featured in the music video for Snoop Dogg's "Sensual Seduction".