Then, at a slower rate, the higher end PSR models which increasingly borrowed tech from Yamaha’s other higher-end instruments, were being pushed out to those with more cash, ability and ambition. At first glance, the number of digits in a product’s model number seemed to indicate a different subclass of instrument, with single digit instruments being fairly basic and/or having a smaller keyboard range, two and three digit instruments being of mid-range, with four-digit PSR models becoming increasingly high end (although as we shall see the whole range became more advanced as the decades progressed). Yamaha Portasound advertisement, PS200, PS300, PS500 (1984)". Edmonton Journal. 1984-12-18. p.22 . Retrieved 2020-05-16.

Aside from the arpeggios, the motion FX are one of the more entertaining aspects of the A50. The effects are momentary, meaning that they only operate as long as the button is held down, and each effect exhibits its own behaviour. There are ten types of filter effect, and twelve each of the pitch and modulation effects. Yamaha Portasound keyboard advertisement (1981)". Daily News. 1981-10-29. p.147 . Retrieved 2020-05-16. 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 [ edit ] PSR-74, PSR-140, PSR-140PC, PSR-240, PSR-248, PSR-340, PSR-540, PSR-540PC, PSR-640, PSR-740, PSR-J20, PSR-J20C (12)

Yamaha PSS-170 Voice Bank Keyboard Synthesizer Vintage Retro Synth, Synthesiser 1980's - BOXED

Yamaha Portasound keyboard advertisement (1988)". Santa Cruz Sentinel. 1988-11-20. p.203 . Retrieved 2020-05-16. Yamaha Portasound keyboard advertisement (1982)". The Central New Jersey Home News. 1982-03-07. p.188 . Retrieved 2020-05-16. Digital recreations in the form of VST plugins have also been released, allowing musicians to experience the sounds, if not the feel, of some of these keyboards. The same year, the PSR-7000 was launched primarily as a home keyboard, but gained popularity among professionals for use in performance settings due to its ease of arranging rhythm and bass accompaniments. Proof that the right tool for the job isn’t always the most expensive or ‘pro’ version. New Century

There is also the "Auto-Bass-Chord" accompaniment section which will play a chord and bass line appropriate to the selected rhythm pattern. Chords are selected from the lower octave-and-a-half of the keyboard, so you can play the melody/lead in the upper octave. The rhythm section also offers "Fill-In" and "Variation" buttons to keep your rhythm pattern from getting too boring. Another nice feature Yamaha added was individual volume controls for the "Auto-Bass-Chord" and Drum sections. The VSS-200 was first released in 1988 by the Yamaha Corporation as part of their PortaSound series. This series was made up by the VSS-100, VSS-200, and VSS-30, with all of them being sampling keyboards. It makes use of FM Synthesis for sound generation and features one hundred presets. However, the VSS-200 also has a built-in microphone that can be used to record your own samples. Alternatively, the line in on the rear of the unit can also be used for recording. You can even sample the internal sounds of the VSS-200 if you want to process them with the DSP effects. For nearly 40 years, Yamaha has created a host of portable musical keyboard instruments under the “PSR” branding. This article sheds light on those models, from 1984 when the first “PortaTone” models emerged, right up to the present day with versatile, high-technology instruments good for both beginners and seasoned keyboard musicians.

A Shift button gives you access to all of the settings that employ the keys on the keyboard as switches. Labelled above the keys, these include mainly MIDI-based functions such as control change, program change, local on/off (for when using the A50 as a MIDI controller) transpose, tuning and metronome settings, phrase volume and velocity response.

Has limited "synthesizer" section and 2kb of RAM to store data in addition to preset voices. Has built in sequencer to store custom drum patterns, bass lines and chord progressions.

Yamaha PSR-11 Portasound keyboard advertisement (1986)". The Vancouver Sun. 1986-11-26. p.17 . Retrieved 2020-05-16.