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Description
Step into the world of expressive digital sound with the Yamaha GS-1 digital piano. A pioneer in the field of digital pianos, the GS-1 combines Yamaha's unmatched craftsmanship with modern technology, offering musicians a versatile tool for both live performances and studio settings. This digital piano is equipped with the Yamaha FM Synthesis technology, a hallmark of the brand that provides a rich palette of dynamic tones, making it suitable for a wide range of musical genres.
The Yamaha GS-1 features a full 88-key keyboard, meticulously designed to replicate the feel of an acoustic piano with its weighted keys. This ensures a responsive touch, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and seasoned pianists. Additionally, the GS-1 includes a selection of built-in voices and effects, allowing musicians to experiment and craft their signature sound. The intuitive interface makes navigation and sound selection straightforward, enabling seamless transitions during performances.
Whether you are performing on stage or composing in the studio, the Yamaha GS-1 offers a comprehensive suite of features that cater to your musical needs. Its durable build ensures longevity, while its sleek design adds a touch of elegance to any setup.
Key Features:
- Yamaha FM Synthesis technology for a wide range of expressive sounds
- Full 88-key weighted keyboard for authentic piano touch
- Built-in voices and effects for versatile sound creation
- Intuitive interface for easy navigation and sound selection
- Durable build with a sleek, elegant design suitable for any setting
Videos
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Yamaha GS-1
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Yamaha GS-1.
Features and functionality
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The Yamaha GS-1 is noted for its unique preset sounds, especially electric piano and brass, which were used on Casiopea's Mint Jams album.
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Comparisons
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The GS-1 is described as "weirder and more complex" compared to the Yamaha DX7, despite both being FM synths.
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Mods and upgrades
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Attempts have been made to recreate the GS-1's electric piano sound digitally, with potential interest in developing it into a VST due to its unique characteristics.
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Critic Reviews
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Artist usage
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In this picture from Nemo Studio from mid-80s is a Yamaha GS-1. This FM based piano was used on the Antarctica soundtrack.
In the following video Vangelis uses a Yamaha GS-1 at 1:19: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRO8BT6o8Us&feature=youtu.be&t=79
Used on "Earth Beat", as specified in Herbie Hancock’s Electronic Instrument Glossary from September 14, 2016.
Yamaha GS-1 – Yamaha’s first digital polyphonic synthesizer, released in 1981, included features such as velocity sensitivity and three band equalizer. This was used by Herbie on the tune “Earth Beat” for his 1983 album Future Shock.
In both his pop and film music, Yamaha keyboards have been a recurring theme in Howard's musical life. As a young session player and producer, he helped demonstrate the capabilities of Yamaha synths such as the GS1 and DX7. "I've been involved with Yamaha since 1982," he says. "I used to perform at NAMM shows, and tour, and do all kinds of things on behalf of Yamaha keyboards, which I've always loved."
Interview (German) with Steve Porcaro: Ich habe das alles schon einmal mitgemacht, ich konnte meinen feuchten Keith-Emerson-Traum mit meinem Modularsystem auf der Bühne ausleben und habe von dem Polyfusion und all den anderen Synthesizern regen Gebrauch gemacht. Ich hatte fantastische Setups mit dem GS1, dem CS-80, Hammond-Orgeln und all diesen Geräten und jetzt bin ich einfach nur froh, nur noch hinter zwei Keyboards zu stehen.
The GS-1 with its distinctive shape can be seen in many shots of David's rig in this concert.
Minoru Mukaiya uses the GS-1 to play a brass sound in the intro, as well as an electric piano solo. It is also listed as being used by Mukaiya in several of Casiopea's early 80s studio albums, beginning with Eyes of the Mind in 1981.
"Q. I noticed that during your solo albums you moved through the gamut of classic 80s keyboards including the PPG Wave, Yamaha GS-1 and Roland D-50. What are your fave synths from the 80s?
I loved the GS-1. It was big and high quality but I don’t think I used it a lot on my solo albums. I think it was originally made for the small church market in America so that they could get the sounds they needed without buying a huge church organ. I had a deal with Yamaha who stuck with us over the years and when the GS-1 came out I ended up going to Hamburg and sitting with a Yamaha programmer who created some great string sounds for me. I loved playing that instrument and I could play the vibrato with my feet. I’d stand up and rock back back to keep the sustain going and do the vibrato with my foot.
I used the PPG a lot. I got into the Rack Mounted DX-7, the TX-816. I’d got into MIDI in the early days in my own studio for the first couple of solo albums, Transportation and Stand Up and Walk and linking all these things up to get new sounds. I had a Prophet T8, the Prophet Sampler, the Roland D-50. it was like Keyboard City. The Prophet VS was used a lot. I really liked the joystick and the way you could morph between sounds."
Brent Mydland was seen using a Yamaha GS-1 during the mid-1980s, as confirmed by Ryan Storm in his article "The Grateful Dead Keyboard Rigs - Yes, All of Them." This setup also included an Emulator II, with a Hammond B3 organ just out of frame to the left and one of the Leslies visible at the back left.
Album Usage
The Yamaha GS-1 has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Yamaha GS-1, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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