Yamaha Portasound electronic musical keyboards were produced by the Yamaha Corporation during the 1980s and 1990s. The name suggests the instruments' portability, with battery operation being a consistent feature across the line. Many of these keyboards were designed for children with small keys and simple preset functions suitable for educational use.[1] In 1982, the line introduced a card reader system which allowed players to learn and play along with sequenced songs.[2] The PSS line features mini keys and the PSR line features full size keys. Some of the higher-end keyboards have advanced features like programmable synthesizer controls, midi capability, and sampler functions.
Contemporary use
editElectronic musicians and sound engineers have used these instruments to achieve an authentic lo-fi sound[3] and some modify them with circuit bending to extend their sound palettes. As of 2015, musician Dan Friel continues to use a Portasound that he received as a gift in 1984.[4] Circa 2017, Italian artist Modula released an EP called 780's Chronicles, recorded primarily using a Yamaha PSS780.[5] Cyril Hahn uses a Yamaha PSS380 in his original compositions, and notes its noise profile as an endearing characteristic.[6]
Unofficial software and VST plug-ins
editIn the 21st century, several independent software developers have produced additional tools to modify and store patches for midi-capable PSS keyboards, such as PSS Edit,[7] PSS Wave Editor and CTRLR.[8] VST plug-in soft-synth versions of some of these keyboards have also been released by various developers, including the Yamaha PSS-170 and PSS-480 by Audio Animals,[9][10] GSS-370 (based on the PSS370 keyboard)[11] and PortaFM.[12][13]
References
edit- ^ "Yamaha Portasound keyboard advertisement (1982)". The Central New Jersey Home News. 1982-03-07. p. 188. Retrieved 2020-05-16.
- ^ "Yamaha Portasound advertisement (1982)". Great Falls Tribune. 1982-09-05. p. 98. Retrieved 2020-05-16.
- ^ "7 Cheap Ways to Add Unique Tones to Your Tracks". reverb.com. Retrieved 2019-12-21.
- ^ Cohan, Brad (2015-11-21). "Dan Friel Is a DIY Renegade Here to Save Us from Ourselves". Vice. Retrieved 2019-12-21.
- ^ "5 Excellent Electronic Albums Made With a Single Synthesizer". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2019-12-21.
- ^ November 2013, Tony Ware 28. "Cyril Hahn talks production techniques, the influence of DIY culture and creating ambience". MusicRadar. Retrieved 2020-05-21.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Bobby's place". members.chello.at. Retrieved 2020-05-16.
- ^ "Ctrlr – Control your MIDI life (MIDI editor for all your hardware)". Retrieved 2020-05-16.
- ^ "Yamaha PSS-170". Audio Animals Ltd. Retrieved 2020-05-16.
- ^ "Yamaha PSS-480 - Free VST Instrument Download". Audio Animals Ltd. 2019-10-18. Retrieved 2020-05-16.
- ^ "Download Free PSS-370 emulation plug-in: GSS-370 by SynthIV". www.vst4free.com. Retrieved 2020-05-16.
- ^ "PortaFM - Plogue Revives The Iconic Yamaha PSS Synthesizers In A New Plugin". SYNTH ANATOMY. 2018-05-15. Retrieved 2020-05-16.
- ^ May 2018, Ben Rogerson 16. "Get the sound of your '80s PortaSound home keyboard with Plogue's PortaFM synth plugin". MusicRadar. Retrieved 2020-05-16.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)