Yamaha S90

I bought my first synth in about 1990 and have owned at least a dozen since. I also played piano for ten years before that. I've had this unit for about 5 days. It is really nice. I just recently sold a Fantom Xa, XP-30, Korg X-50, and a Yamaha AN1x. Now I have only this board and I can pretty much get any sounds I had before out of just this one board. It is a great sounding synth but the pianos are the best I have ever played in hardware. In fact, I own software pianos that aren't as nice or versatile as this board. They sound great and there are several of different styles. None of them are bad and the good ones are pretty much great. I love the pitch modulation.

UTILIZATION

You can edit quite a few things without but I like to be able to fully dig in when I want to. For two, as great as the arpeggiators are and all of the 6000+ patterns, they are not programmable...... at all. Not from the board and not in the editor. There is one song, "Hella Good" by No Doubt, where I need a really standard little step sequence of 3 notes and a rest. Nope, cant do it. This is the only thing that I am having a hard time dealing with. Otherwise, I am totally satisfied with the tone and my ability to make about any sound I would ever want. manual is easy to understand as well.

SOUNDS

I have been in a cover band for the past three years that plays a lot of 80 pop and I am also a huge Van Halen fan of the synth-era stuff. I immediately prgrammed sounds for Love Walks in, 1984, Jump, Subdivisions, Tom Sawyer, etc. No real problems getting all the tones I want and I am a tone snob when it comes to programming. THese versions I have made have lots of sweet punch and sizzle. Love it! sounds are very realistic.

OVERALL OPINION

Bottom line, I love it. I dont think I've ever had my fingers feel so connected to the sounds that they are triggering. The action is sort of buttery smooth. Love it love it love it!!!

What type of keyboard (synth, piano ...)?

Multi Function scene typical mobile piano keyboard

UTILIZATION

The manual is clear and sufficient?
It was in Chinese it would not make differences!

The general configuration is it simple?
I do not like but it is a matter of taste but yes if we want to adapt this is not too difficult

Editing sounds and effects is it easy?

If you do not use the software available on the Yamaha website is extremely long and tiring, the software is easy and classifies sounds easily, a mouse and a large screen ca make things easier!

SOUNDS

The sounds they suit your style of music?

I play progressive rock group and sounds that interested me were more oriented piano, rhodes and moog,; Studio all sounds interressent me.

Are they realistic? What are the sounds you prefer, you hate?

Yes regarding pianos, rhodes and percussion
I do not like organs and moogs (synth sound)
edit: I read lower than the hammond sounds are extra, having owned a real hammond (A100), I certify that the sounds are pourrables!
Violins are ways I find guitars in a mix do well for a synth bass are good

The expression is good? (Reaction velocity, aftertouch)?

Behold the "hic", this series is no longer sold and has been replaced by the S90 ES; the keys remain depressed, I removed without finding nothing wrong, I checked on the net and I found this keyboard had a defect at this level (source: Yamaha) keyboard becomes unplayable I decided to cut it into 4, the saw! I reduced it in a box of 40 cm around 40 and S90 now serves me expendeur. Do not hesitate to ask me for information if you ever want to attack the disassembly, it is not very difficult but there are precautions for reassembly (including a web that has no marks and can be up in all directions. (attached photos are the wooden prototype I made to test)

OVERALL OPINION

How long have you use it?

I marked that I had bought in 2003 but I'm not sure (the price either), say that it's been 10 years that I use

How would you rate the quality / price?

Expensive for the time

With experience, you do again this choice? ...

Not due keyboard

What is the particular feature you like best and least?

I made a sound bank and when I used to make models, I sounds drums, bass, piano and I do not waste my time looking sounds and rendering "realistic" immediately rather not bad

Are less well understood hs keyboard and I also noticed a problem with the mini fader which respond poorly (since the beginning), I do not like the input that does not work when performance mode!)

That said it's still a good keyboard (if keyboard works of course!)

Fabulous button keyboard heavy, 88 weighted keys!
6 assignable controllers (including pitch and modulation wheels 2)
Connections overstaffed: mic in, 2xOut, Midi, 3pedals, Breath ...
Plug-in boards, LAN module, USB ...
64voix expandable via plug-ins

best to summarize: www.yamahasynth.com

UTILIZATION

Getting Started effective and comprehensive manual.
Yamaha support is also very good ...
Editing sounds rich and fairly easy to use, allow the sliders assignable
settings and modified in real time> ideal for live performance!

SOUNDS

S90 sounds are rich and varied:
the pianos are excellent, as are organs, basses, guitars, orchestral sounds and the kind vintage moog lead or ... A flat on the strings and vocals not great. For violins is good. One also regrets the lack of ethnic sounds ... This should be possible to create by arranging those of GM2. The batteries are striking and varied. Modes arpeggios are great for any type of sound ... The effects are also high. I prefer the S90 sounds like vintage Rhodes, Organ Leslies, or combo style boogie guitars and bass excellent. The keyboard is what made me fall for this synth! Beautiful!

OVERALL OPINION

Use for 1 month ...
I recommend the S90 for fans of the DX7, SY77 or those loving electro, acid jazz, techno, 80's pop or classical. Although the technology is possible especially if you own the Synthesis Analogue extension that provides brilliant sound and new arpeggios! I use it live for the moment and connected to a laptop via USB, AC is controlled in a snap! The problem is weight and dimensions: 1.4 m and 28kg! The keyboard itself must weigh half I think. A superb synthesizer with the extension Vocal Harmony, players of blues, rock, jazz solo will love!

CHARACTERISTICS Audiofanzine on, I note that just touches are more enjoyable, I test almost everything that exists in this CATEGORY synth and I had a K2500X before. The S90 is not envy.

UTILIZATION

Use easy enough for me, organiss menus into two levels only.
I find the manual parcontre not explicit enough on some points (you can not compare textbooks Roland)

SOUNDS

So it's really the advantage of this synth all is good and impressive.
I DSOL but Triton, Roland XV Exceeds. The sound of the same basic pattern seems to not sound better than the S90.
Even better, the piano is an absolute rgal. We must try it to believe it.

OVERALL OPINION

I tried two times in a store, compared with competitors before you buy.
Attention is rare because a synth is not clear policy of Yamaha. It may be as P80, stopped production when it is sought-trs.
I would definitely recommend those who seek the SON, not fonctionnalitspriphriques (sampling, squenceur, CONTRL amlior in real time. Now I have and I keep.