This was the first keyboard my MaMa bought me. RIP mama I miss you eternally. Thank you for your amazing content.

@Am71919

Жыл бұрын

Your mother wanted to get you started the right way

@ricardodelabarral2535

Жыл бұрын

Y aprendió a tocar? Que feliz que le regalaron un sintetizador.

Wow, you just included a perfect short course on FM Synthesis...

@matthewseelye122

3 жыл бұрын

You aren’t kidding! I just got a DSR 500 and am waiting on it to ship in, so in the meantime I watched this video again to really understand what the heck is going on with FM synthesis; such an awesome tutorial and done in such a pleasing manner, bravo 👏👏👏

@comrade_crab

2 жыл бұрын

The best breakdown of FM synthesis I've ever seen. If only I'd seen it in 1984! Better late than never.

First keyboard I got in 1988 was the PSS 460, it was originally a Christmas gift for my brother but he was more interested in the guitar so he let me have it, it's the only keyboard I've ever owned and I still gig with it today and it still works just as good as it did the day I unwrapped it, this keyboard literally has everything that a songwriter and composer needs

why can't we have such simple and beautiful thing today?

@mississippimeatloaf1637

Жыл бұрын

We can, these things are all over the Internet and can be had very cheap, they very rarely appear on Facebook marketplace so looking there is a waste of time(they have other PSS boards that appear but not this one), musicgoround, ebay, mercari, or Sweetwater would be your best bet

@ruxiwang9571

Жыл бұрын

@@mississippimeatloaf1637 I know but they are no longer produced any more. they are abandoned by the market, by the people, like corpses of an era.

@mississippimeatloaf1637

Жыл бұрын

@@ruxiwang9571 truth be told, they don't need to be reproduced, they were perfect for their time and their perfect for now, and are always readily available, and I wouldn't exactly call them abandoned as they have obtained a cult like following over the past 35 years

This is more than a keyboard review. It's one of the best explanations of how FM synthesis works. Well done!

that is amazing! I'm sure 99.9% of the former owners never realized this keyboard could make such cool sounds. Or maybe they found that ghostly brass from outer space and their parents hid their synth in the basement. I'ts fun to think how engineers were paid to build those sounds simulating instruments but decades later musicians are only worried about how to destroy it until it sounds like the cool fm synth is hidden behind this "user friendly" interface.

@valdenirsilva9732

Жыл бұрын

Tive um. Teclado fantástico para a época. Até me arrependi de te-lo vendido. Tecladinho incrível. Até gravava músicas e ficava na memória. Saudades.

I bought one of these a few months ago and secretly dreamed you would do a video on this!!

@KeenOnKeys

3 жыл бұрын

And there is more to come. Part 2 is almost finished.

17:35 Best explanation of FM synthesis I've ever heard. It all clicked with that.

Terrific explanation of this synth and of 2-operator FM. I'm quite fond of this machine, as sort of the end of when consumer-targeted portable keyboards were still synthesizers, and not just PCM playback engines. Thanks for taking the time. I picked up my PSS-480 without box or manual from a pawn shop maybe a decade ago, and have in that time managed to break the low G key, though everything else works. (Need to see about replacing the plastic key.) I've used it both as a MIDI controller and as a sound module, working with the rest of my cheap studio.

I was curious and impatient to see how you could present this not simple keyboard, and I think your work is a masterpiece ! My 480 and I thank respectfully you.

This channel is still so underrated.

The other day I saw one of these up for silent auction at a thrift store near my house. I didn't even research it: I just put a bid in. I thrifted a PSS-460 last summer and ended up recording a three-song EP with it. It was my first synthesizer so it's quite special to me. Now that I've seen this video, I am dying to win the PSS-480! It's clear to me that this model outclasses the 460 by a large margin. Thank you for making this fantastic video series. I'll update this comment once the auction ends. Here's hoping I can snag it. EDIT: I won it! So excited.

You just showed that with just 2operators so much complex sounds are possible! I've found it as one of the best tutorials on FM synthesis. I wonder what the engineers at the time might be thinking when they conceived this model. I'm not a musician, but love to learn about computers and music! Subscribed! Thanks!

I got this after many years begging my parents (like 4, we didn't have much money, prolly if Dad had let me work but nope, he said school was my job) to buy me a keyboard. This beauty gave me many many MANY hours of fun and satisfaction and got me through teenage depression and college stress and pressure, this keyboard is one of my most precious treasures and I still have it with its box after and it works still beautifully even though I have other more "newer" instruments but I keep it as a trophy and as a reminder of patience and great memories and for that I'm so thankful! I love this thing, forever ❤

You're making the same sounds I could only have dreamt of making in 1988.

30:48 Timm Thaler's Theme! I got the PSS-680 in 1990, now I have the 270, 470, 570 and 580 in my collection even though I can't play a note... Just love these "toy" keyboards!

@buskingforlife

Жыл бұрын

So you collect them but never play them?

@Big_Red_Dork

3 ай бұрын

Start learning!

I will never own any of the keyboards you feature - but I cannot stop watching this channel. So much knowledge and understanding on display.

I loved this synth back when I was 14, have literally spent years in my room with it. Programmed the hell out of it, had a really awesome synth lead sound from Banjo (34), interesting how I never could replicate it starting from any other presets, with the exact same parameters.

@dpalaoro

10 ай бұрын

Have you tried the editor?

This is the first real synth I owned (thanks Dad!) and I loved it back then, but it wasn't until the last few years when I finally learned enough about synths to realize what a little beast it really is!

What a wonderfully clear and straightforward mini-intro to FM synthesis!

I own a PSS-580, but I didn't know it had so many features. It is a great video!

I've spent quite a lot of time using OPL2 and OPL3 in plugins and music trackers so hearing similar sounds to ones I've made come from an old synth is fun. The ability to use different waveforms in the FM-synthesis really lends itself to some unique sounds, despite being only 2-operator.

Awesome deep dive on this gem! Clicked mostly to see the insides, but ended up learning some things I didn't already know about it. One of my favorite things this can do is act like a sequencer and sequence up to 5 different external synths/drum machines. This is more powerful than a lot of entry level gear today imo. Looking forward to the other parts!

Good job with cleanly capturing the audio from the keyboard so you can hear the subtle nuances of each tone and choosing nice arrangements for the demos! I also appreciate the history and related models as that helps me understand better and is an interest of mine. I hope to see you review everyone of them!

Really a very nice introduction to FM synthesis! And a great introduction to what is probably the most comprehensive video series about this keyboard! Thanks! A few days ago I treated myself to a Yamaha PSS 380 and will probably buy the 480 too 😉 I thought it was very nice that you played the melody of the aliens from “Close Encounters” 😁👍 Thank you for the great videos

I love this channel. The love you put in all the keyboards is the best.

long awaited, so excited to watch this! :)

this was the first keyboard I got when I was 13, I still have it, I love it. Its been 20 years. I became a musician and never looked back

Oh my gosh ❤ I remember when I had a PC from the 90s and it had a Soundblaster Adlib card!! With the OPL Yamaha chip.. these sounds literally bring me back.

Fantastic video! As always

Fantastic exploration of this little gem of a synth.

I love and appreciate your videos! Great guidance for these fun keys! ✨

This is a really nice video you made.

Unbelievable quality as always!!

Absolutely amazing!! Just picked one of these up in the wild. Your video far exceeded my expectations. Looking fwd to part 2, & to checkout your bandcamp album. Cheers.

This is absolutely brilliant. I found this beauty at goodwill for $25 and you've helped me so much in figuring out more of the FM synth stuff :) Wonderful video!

As always, well worth the wait

The PSS breakdown I've been needing!

This is an amazing video!!!

What a fantastic explanation of both this underated keyboard and FM synthesis, thankyou so much Keen On Keys....

Great review! I'm impressedby its versatility. FM is candy to my ears, love it🤗

Very useful video! Thank you very much! You play these little keys wonderfully.

Excellent demo. Very professional and informative. Thank you. 👍

Thankfully I already got mine foreseen videos like these. This is the best one I’ve seen, for what it’s worth.

Really nice video! You channel is the best musical channel on KZread.

Super cool and in depth walk-through of the 2 operator FM synth in this little beauty😀 I have the PSS-680 and I like it quite a bit🎶 Lovely channel! Cheers

Beautiful musicianship!

This is probably the most in-depth, interesting and easy to follow review of anything I've ever seen. Great video, it's helped me decide to pick one of these up.

Ein super-Video. Inalt, Machart, technische Umsetzung. Perfekt!

Seeing my old PSR-16 for few seconds was a treat. That 2 operator sound engine brings some nice memories. Thank you👍🏼

I can’t believe the depth of knowledge here unbelievable

Love this little keyboard. I'm in the process of making a sysex programmer for it and the 680 using an Arduino. Its one of the few Yamaha PSS/R model I know that has the ability to change program sounds via sysex.

@javiceres

3 жыл бұрын

There are already soft programmers for it, if that can help you. Don’t know much about them though.

@ericobrocki5850

3 жыл бұрын

@@javiceres yeah I used ctrlr before. I'm building a standalone controller so i don't need a computer nearby. I'm also doing it for fun lol

@javiceres

3 жыл бұрын

@@ericobrocki5850 I’d buy one of those if I could

@ericobrocki5850

3 жыл бұрын

@@javiceres I'd like to make one for sale. I've basically got a working prototype, but it'll take me a while to design a case and pcb since I haven't done this before.

@2009johndoyle

3 жыл бұрын

@@ericobrocki5850 put up a video on how you make it

I had this when I was 11 and I wrote many many songs on it. Used to love the fact you could build the tracks up and record backings - looking back it was a very versatile instrument!

This is an inspiring, super informative and awesome looking & sounding video! I found a PSS380 in a local thrift store going cheap and this video has convinced me to grab it!

Very nice tutorial on operators, thanks for sharing!

Much appreciation for these videos!...Happy 34th birthday to your 480 :)

Been anxiously looking forward to this video. My first keyboard I ever had. Got it for Christmas when I was a kid. Had no idea that my parents spent so much on it.

Superb - really in-depth and only part 1! Great arpeggiated parts in your demo tracks as well.

@pianokeyjoe

3 жыл бұрын

Hey! Look who's here too! lol! Hi Alfonse! I am still enjoying your great music!

@alfonsemusic

3 жыл бұрын

@@pianokeyjoe :D thanks! PSS-580 was one of my first keyboards as a youngster, so I was Keen to see the full review of its sibling!

@pianokeyjoe

3 жыл бұрын

@@alfonsemusic Amen! Yeah I never had the 580, even now. I still do not really know the difference between them other than the model number..

Been rewatching this and the second video religiously the past week since grabbing a PSS-480 for £20, can't wait for part 3!

Awesome video! I’ve got the 380, 460 and 680 - love them all.

Thank you so much for these tutorials! When I found my PSS-480 a year ago there was not anything online and I couldn't find a manual anywhere. This keyboard really needed a review like these two!!

Great tutorial on this impressive little synth! (and it also works for the PSS-680!)

My first time watching this channel. I must say, one of the smoothest video`s I have seen on You Tube. So easy to watch and informative. Well done to the creator! I see lots of subscribers in your future! Keep up the good work! :)

Great vid! this was my 1st keyboard. I never had the manual so u showed me a lot of things I didn't know it could do. I must get it fixed! I love hooking this up to my keystep and playing sequences on it

Great sounds✨

Absolutely incredible work! I also have this keyboard and its one of my favorite of the Portasound series Yamaha keyboards. The PSS-380 is probably my favorite because if the sliders and the extremely long release capabilities.

Beautiful sounds

Lovely! Really nice tune four minutes into the video.

Excellent review! 👍👍👍

Wow, shock & awe! I've owned one of these since buying it new in 1988 ($199 at London Drugs) and had lots of fun, but it's been back in its box for years while I focus on my stringed instruments. Even (barely) dodge the thrift store deployment a few times - so glad it did! Gonna have to get this baby out again, thanks so much! 🙂

Amazing video and channel!! Big fan of this fm keyboards, just got this one just the music station version. I love recording the accompaniments separately, definitely an underrated synth. The only problem I usually get is that the tempo does not sync perfectly with other instruments which is easily solved by recording and looping in my DAW. I also have the PSS 380 and can't be happier with them. Thank you so much for explaining the FM process in this keyboard, much love to the channel.

This is the best and slickest keyboard video ive ever seen!

@KeenOnKeys

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

I wish I had this video thirty years ago!

This is a great FM synth! The PSS keyboards are much more than just "toys" like many say about the Yamaha PSS series. I have the VSS-30, PSS-140 and PSS-390 :) Gotta love the PSS series of keyboards!

Thank you so much for this video. I picked one of these up for $60, I knew it was a winner when I saw the envelope charts on it. now I Don"t have to read the manual. Thank you again

Phoenix uses the PSS-480 quite a bit. Quite cool that such a simple instrument can be so flexible.

Can't wait for part 4.

A true master lesson!!! Thanks a lot!! Greetings from Madrid!

I have this one when I was teenager and this one are the best quality song ever

3:36 - Ahh! That takes be back. The Yamaha PSS-780 was my first proper keyboard that I learned to make music with. I would soon translate many of my compositions using that keyboard into music tracker modules on my Commodore Amiga A500. Later, that became easier once I got a MIDI interface and migrated from Sound/Noise Tracker to MED/OctaMED software (which supported MIDI) on that same device. Sigh! The good old days. This keyboard brought me many hours of enjoyment during my youth, from around 11-years-old, until around 18. Great times.

Great job on another interesting and informative video! I was debating on getting either a PSS-470 or a 480. This video helped me decide to get the 480 and I love it! I used to have a PSS-680, but I found its size and shape awkward. The 480 is a great keyboard you can pick up anytime and jam.

this might be my new favorite youtube video

Brill channel, these cheesy 80s keyboard bring back memories

That’s a great Video!!!

I like the sound of this keyboard, some of the tones that come out of this are great for demoscene or synth wave tracks. I like how fat some of those generated tones can get. Some of those guitar tones remind me of some sounds I hear from some Amiga tracker music. There's alot of hidden potential in that machine. Especially with the custom tone generator. Great video buddy!!!

Want to get one now- looks like a lot of fun. Had no idea you could change so many parameters on keyboard like that. Thanks!

It's not the tool but the master behind it. This is a very good example of this maxim.

youre doing gods work

Very Cool Video And The Supply Of Material!!!

12:48 I love how this bit slowly devolves into unnerving, atonal Camp Town Races lol

Really working that dark, ambient synth this episode.

I have 780,580 and SHS 10,,,bought for portamento and midi,now I know their full potential/// thanks

I love your videos, presentation, and just the feel of your videos. I would totally love if you made a Instagram or did some KZread shorts where you play some original tunes. Your amazing! Keep up the good work.

Great video !!

I was a big PSS fan in the late 80's early 90's only keyboards I could afford as a teenager. pity I missed out on this one somehow. I would have had a blast with it as a kid.

I had a lot of fun with one of these over the years. It found its way onto recordings alongside much more “pro” synths. That nasty fm distortion is magnetic.

Ahh yes! I had this back in the late 80s. It’s how I learned FM synthesis. I shouldn’t have sold it

When he said, “old keyboard sounds bring back memories”, I felt that. That’s why I need that Yamaha PSR 36 again. I looooovveeedd that thang.

I had one in 1990, would love to buy it again.

Oh I know it very well! We had much fun with it!