Yamaha Portasound

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

Electronic 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

In 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

1. "Yamaha Portasound keyboard advertisement (1982)". The Central New Jersey Home News. 1982-03-07. p. 188. Retrieved 2020-05-16.
2. "Yamaha Portasound advertisement (1982)". Great Falls Tribune. 1982-09-05. p. 98. Retrieved 2020-05-16.
3. "7 Cheap Ways to Add Unique Tones to Your Tracks". reverb.com. Retrieved 2019-12-21.
4. Cohan, Brad (2015-11-21). "Dan Friel Is a DIY Renegade Here to Save Us from Ourselves". Vice. Retrieved 2019-12-21.
5. "5 Excellent Electronic Albums Made With a Single Synthesizer". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2019-12-21.
6. November 2013, Tony Ware 28. "Cyril Hahn talks production techniques, the influence of DIY culture and creating ambience". MusicRadar. Retrieved 2020-05-21.
7. "Bobby's place". members.chello.at. Retrieved 2020-05-16.
8. "Ctrlr – Control your MIDI life (MIDI editor for all your hardware)". Retrieved 2020-05-16.
9. "Yamaha PSS-170". Audio Animals Ltd. Retrieved 2020-05-16.
10. "Yamaha PSS-480 - Free VST Instrument Download". Audio Animals Ltd. 2019-10-18. Retrieved 2020-05-16.
11. "Download Free PSS-370 emulation plug-in: GSS-370 by SynthIV". www.vst4free.com. Retrieved 2020-05-16.
12. "PortaFM - Plogue Revives The Iconic Yamaha PSS Synthesizers In A New Plugin". SYNTH ANATOMY. 2018-05-15. Retrieved 2020-05-16.
13. 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.