NAMM 2021: Yamaha’s YC Series introduces the YC73 and YC88
Stepping up from the YC61 are two new keyboards for players who need a little more room for performance
We saw Yamaha’s FM-infused 61-key electric organ at last year’s NAMM Show, the YC61, but a few onlookers were keen to get their hands on a bigger version. May all your wishes come true, Yamaha says, as it unveils the YC73 and YC88 at this year’s NAMM virtual Believe in Music week.
The keyboards are built with the same architecture as the YC61, including the Yamaha Virtual Circuit Modelling (VCM) to recreate the sound of revered drawbar organs and the classic rotary speaker effect. These are modelled all the way down to the component level for a truly authentic sound.
Nine drawbars can be used to sculpt your sounds, controlling individual footages, percussion and vibrato/chorus. The amount of key click leakage can also be user-defined, as can rotary speed changes and more. FM synth sounds can be dialled in on the Keys section, for classic DX7 electric pianos, leads, bells, basses and more experimental songs.
In case FM synths weren’t enough, the Keys section also boasts acoustic and electric piano sounds, strings, bass and analogue-style synth sounds. This is achieved through Yamaha’s proprietary Advanced Wave Memory, allowing you to configure envelopes and filters in real time.
An Organ section is built into the YC Series, too, with the ability to split both sections across the keybed for a more nuanced performance. The YC73 sports balanced keys suited for players with a need for multiple sounds throughout a performance. Its 88-key big sibling has weighted Natural Wood keys with triple-sensor action, synthetic ebony and ivory key tops for traditional organ players.
“A staple of keyboard playing is access to classic keyboard sounds,” says Nate Tschetter, manager of synthesizer marketing at Yamaha. “Now more than ever, players want more control of those sounds to express themselves. The YC series gives them that control to easily make adjustments on the fly. And now with the introduction of YC73 and YC88, there are options to suit every player in every situation from the perfect ‘top keyboard’ in YC61 to the great ‘all around’ YC73 and finally our best stage piano action in YC88.”
Both the YC73 and YC88 will be available from next week, at a price of $2,999 and $3,499, respectively. Find out more at yamaha.io.
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