# SK-51 - Lofi Keyboard Sampler — AUv3, Drums, MIDI & Toy Piano

> 80s lo-fi sampler keyboard with sampling, drum machine, and instruments. (iPhone/iPad app by Fingerlab.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sk-51-lofi-keyboard-sampler/id1388248180 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Fingerlab](https://appshunter.io/developer/412786610)
- Category: Music, Entertainment
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.00/5 from 105 App Store ratings · 61 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 14.0 · 286 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2019-03-09
- Data updated: 2026-08-31
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sk-51-lofi-keyboard-sampler/id1388248180/reviews.md

## What is SK?

SK-51 is Fingerlab's all-in-one emulation of the Casio SK-1 and SK-5 — an 8-bit lo-fi keyboard from the 80s with sampling features and onboard drum machine, available for iPhone, iPad & Mac.
Called the "poor man's sampler" in its time, this iconic Casio keyboard was used by Fatboy Slim, Portishead, Autechre and Nine Inch Nails — and now it fits in your pocket.

At Fingerlab, some of us composed our first songs with it as kids in the eighties. We wanted to bring back that unique feeling, so we built SK-51: a faithful recreation of the Casio SK-1 and VL-Tone, recorded note by note at professional audio quality (16bit / 44.1kHz).

SK-51 is a universal purchase — one buy covers iPhone, iPad & Mac.

Sample your voice, fire up the drum machine, play a chord — and you've got a track.

Free version includes:
• 3 instruments (Flute, Piano, Trumpet)
• 14 drum kits & 6 drum pads
• 4 sampling slots
• 3 demo drum patterns
• Full Mixer
• AUv3 Audio Unit
• Full MIDI & MIDI Mapping support
• AudioBus & Inter-App Audio (iOS)
• Ableton Link support

Full Version (IAP) includes:
• 19 instruments (Brass Ensemble, Vibraphone, Chorus and more)
• 21 demo drum patterns
• 5 FX: Tube Amp, Phaser, Delay, Reverb & Compressor
• Live Recording

Questions or feedback? We'd love to hear from you: contact@fingerlab.net

Stay tuned!
The Fingerlab Team

## Key features

- Sampling features
- Onboard drum machine
- Multiple instruments
- Demo drum patterns
- Live recording (full version)
- Audio Unit support
- MIDI support

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full Version | $9.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (10 of 61)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sk-51-lofi-keyboard-sampler/id1388248180/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Perfect.

*2026-07-30*

If you don’t give this instrument a 5 star rating, you’re either not a musician or a jerk.

It sounds amazing. I need an AAX or AU version for my DAW.

### 5/5 — AMAZING

*2026-06-09, version 4.2.3*

It is so good it is just like gene’s keyboard from bob’s burgers

### 4/5 — Cool!

*2026-02-18, version 4.2.1*

Dude, everything here is. Great! I love the old analog sounds, too bad most of it his behind a paywall.

### 4/5 — Great app! One request..

*2026-01-09*

Really wonderful and powerful app. One request: can you please make this Bluetooth compatible? It would be so rad to use my stereo speakers as a playback option. This would open up a wide array of possibilities. It works with earbuds but not Bluetooth speakers for some reason. Other than that, I love it!

### 4/5 — Pretty useful

*2025-02-02*

As a GarageBand user, I like to use some synth apps for more synths. Just plugins and Audio Unit Extensions in general. I get everything free I can and I’ve found some hidden gems. The only way I found this was because I looked at Fingerlab. I use Mynth and Flynth a lot, and they’re nice. I like the Random button on Mynth. But I wanna talk about the SK-51, after all, I’m reviewing it. I only got it a day ago, but I’m already enjoying the experience. However, the only thing I don’t like about the Fingerlab apps is the paywalls. That’s the only thing keeping the SK-51 from being 5 stats. It’s also nice for GarageBand. In my opinion, it’s better and easier to use than the Sampler. They both have things exclusive to them, but I still stand by what I said.

With that being said, SK-51 is a 4-star app. I would recommend.

### 5/5 — write a rap

*2024-11-27, version 4.1.1*

that’s when my whole life had changed

### 1/5 — Lousy

*2024-10-05*

Would t work’t

### 4/5 — Close to the original

*2024-09-14*

This is a lot of fun but after I upgraded to the full version things because a lot less stable. Hopefully an update will fix things

### 5/5 — digital 8-Bit

*2024-02-19*

I bought a Casio SK-1 back in 1986, at that time a revolutionary affordable 8-Bit sampler. This is his digital son, that remembers me to his father in a good way.

### 5/5 — even the free version is amazing

*2024-01-06*

btw was their dm1 auv3?

## Frequently asked questions about SK

### What is SK-51?

SK-51 is a mobile application that emulates the sound and functionality of the Casio SK-1, an iconic 80s lo-fi sampler keyboard. It features sampling capabilities, an onboard drum machine, and a variety of instruments, allowing users to recreate vintage musical experiences.

### What are the key features of SK-51?

Key features include sampling capabilities, an onboard drum machine with various patterns and kits, multiple instruments like piano and trumpet, and MIDI support. The full version also offers additional instruments, FX, and live recording functionality.

### How much does SK-51 cost?

The app offers a free version with core features. Users can unlock the full version, which includes more instruments, demo patterns, and effects, through an in-app purchase.

### What devices is SK-51 compatible with?

The app supports Audio Unit, AudioBus, and Inter-App Audio, making it compatible with other music production apps on compatible devices. It also features Ableton Link support for synchronized music creation.

### What are common use cases for SK-51?

SK-51 is ideal for musicians looking to incorporate nostalgic lo-fi sounds into their tracks, producers seeking vintage keyboard emulation, and hobbyists wanting to experiment with sampling and drum programming in a fun, retro interface.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 4.2.3 — 2026-06-05

This minor update adds support for the iPhone Air.

Stay tuned!
Fingerlab Team

### 4.2.2 — 2026-05-05

This minor update adds multi-window support for iPad and fixes a few minor bugs.

Stay tuned!
Fingerlab Team

### 4.2.1 — 2025-12-18

In this minor update, it is now possible to play and record drum pads in AudioUnit, using the upper part of the piano keyboard.

Stay tuned!
Fingerlab Team

### 4.2 — 2025-12-11

This update adds three new drum kits (Wersi WM 24, Hohner Rhythm 80, Wurlitzer Swinging Rhythm) and support for the latest devices.

Here’s the list of changes:
- 3 new drum kits: Wersi WM 24, Hohner Rhythm 80, Wurlitzer Swinging Rhythm
- Support for the latest devices

Stay tuned!
Fingerlab Team

### 4.1.1 — 2024-06-26

This update fixes some display issues with recent devices.

Stay tuned!
Fingerlab team

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| [SynthMaster One for iPhone](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/synthmaster-one-for-iphone/id1490902617) | 4.8 (329) | Free | Music |

## More apps by Fingerlab

- [Multiponk](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/multiponk/id366322908)
- [Albert](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/albert/id412786607)
- [DM1 - The Drum Machine](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dm1-the-drum-machine/id431573951)
- [Musyc - Physics Music Maker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/musyc-physics-music-maker/id489836689)
- [DM1 for iPhone](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dm1-for-iphone/id526650611)
- [Atom Run](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/atom-run/id598232243)

All apps by Fingerlab: https://appshunter.io/developer/412786610

## Related topics

[sampler piano](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/sampler-piano) · [mellotron](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/mellotron) · [casio music](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/casio-music) · [korg ims 20](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/korg-ims-20)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-31.*