SANKEI TCH-8800 3 BAND RECEIVER, CASSETTE RECORDER, ELECTRIC ORGAN, AUTO RHYTHM FIRST KARAOKE VERSION OF THE YEARS 70 ELECTRONIC ORGAN WITH DRUM MACHINE WITH STEREO RECORDER MICRO entries, ALL AMPLIFIED, RADIO RECEIVER WITH AM, FM STEREO AND SHORTWAVE SW WITH BUILT-IN ANTENNA BRAND: SANKEI ENTERTAINER MODEL : TCH-8800 TYPE : CLASSIC KARAOKE ENTERTAINER ALL-IN-ONE SERIAL NO : C 8080003 Manufactured by Sankei Manufacturing Co Ltd in Japan The Sankei TCH-8800 electronic organ is an early example of a domestic entertainment unit that incorporated functions that supported the growing trend towards karaoke. It provided an all-in-one unit to sing along to pre-recorded music through the machine using external microphones. Although karaoke appears to have developed in Japan during the early 1970s, it was not until the 1980s and 1990s that it became an extremely popular form of entertainment in Australia. This entertainment unit is significant as a relatively early piece (1978) of domestic electronic equipment that was available in Australia and which incorporated some karaoke-like functions. The sing-along is not a new idea but received a new lease of life with the popularity of karaoke. Karaoke uses the idea of singing to a pre-recorded song which is missing the recorded vocal line and machines that play these types of recordings allow people to follow the lyrics on a screen and sing along via a microphone. Pitch can also be adjusted to suit the singers range. These particular features were not available on the Sankei unit but it was able to input two external microphones that enabled solo and duet singing to either the radio, the cassette player or the keyboard that were part of the unit. Performances could also be recorded onto a cassette recorder or through an external recorder attached to the unit for continued use later. Signs of use and storage. Needs cleaning Not tested Registered CTT express package, packaging, insurance, track and trace Note: By acknowledging the photos, description and shipping fees you take on the responsibility for the purchase that you made and in the conditions and status of the described asset. Should you have any questions please contact me by email.Thanks