Casio x Fragment design Casiotone Keyboard: Where to get, price, and more explored

Hiroshi Fujiwara’s Fragment Design and Casio recently collaborated to launch a redesigned Casiotone CT-S1 Electronic Keyboard. The keyboard was a token instrument for many musicians in the 1980s. However, this time, it returns with a relaunch expected to amaze players.

The new CT-S1 Keyboard can be purchased from Hiroshi Fujiwara’s store from January 16, 2025. The keyboard can also be ordered from the store’s official website vatokyo.com. It has been priced at $453.

The newly-designed Casiotone Keyboard features a houndstooth pattern on the speakers besides other noteworthy Fragment designs. The houndstooth pattern is a classic black-and-white design.

According to Hypebeast, unlike the original Casiotone, which had a light gray base with black, red, and brown controls, this version uses all-black tuning knobs for a sleek update. The noteworthy part is that the keyboard includes a co-branded text detail on the right side and Fragment’s double lightning bolt logo above the C8 key.

This latest version of CT-S1 offers 12 “Casio Classic” tones inspired by the brand’s vintage electronic instruments and 10 modern “Advanced Tones” powered by the latest AiX sound source. It also includes a horizontal bass reflex system for rich, immersive audio.

As mentioned, Casio introduced the Casiotone keyboard in 1980 intending to make music accessible to everyone. This collaboration between the company and Fragment Design uses Casiotone CT-S1 because of its straightforward design featuring just a keyboard, speaker, and essential buttons.

Why choose the Casiotone Keyboard?

According to a review by Performer, the Casiotone CT-S1 avoids the hassle of mini keys, offering a full 5-octave layout and a variety of classic sounds powered by AiX Sound Source technology.

Players can experience vintage and nostalgic sounds, which are complemented by built-in speakers. This feature is reported to be an improvement over many other keyboards' audio quality.

For those not into retro synth tones, it also provides realistic piano and electric piano sounds. With an easy-to-use interface featuring physical buttons, a built-in metronome, MIDI recording for compositions, and full polyphony, the keyboard delivers optimum value for its price. According to Jeremy See:

“Casio managed to strike the balance between the weight penalty that comes with hammer action, weighted keys and the expressive synth-action keys. The CT-S1 comes with box-shaped piano-inspired keys which I found to be sufficiently expressive when it comes to piano tones. These keys also work well with organ and synth sounds where a lighter unweighted key action is usually preferred.”

Jeremy See mentioned that the CT-S1 is 'ridiculously portable' and can be easily carried on public transport. Its battery-powered option gives an added advantage to play anywhere one wants.

Moreover, the keyboard features a selection of well-sampled acoustic pianos, electric pianos, organs, strings scent, and pads that can aptly meet the needs of a beginner and a professional. It allows one to layer and split voices for a richer tone can also be useful for certain occasions.