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Description
Elevate your musical expression with the Yamaha KX88 Synthesizer, a professional-grade keyboard designed for seasoned musicians and studio environments. Known for its robust build and exceptional weighted action, the KX88 offers a playing experience that closely mimics an acoustic piano, making it a favorite among keyboardists who demand precision and feel.
This synth is not just about great touch; it also provides a wide range of control options that cater to the needs of a modern musician. With its comprehensive MIDI capabilities, the KX88 serves as a versatile controller for both stage and studio settings. Its intuitive interface allows you to easily manage complex setups, whether you're controlling multiple sound modules or sequencing sophisticated compositions.
The Yamaha KX88 is equipped with a variety of user-friendly features that simplify performance operations. This includes a set of programmable sliders and buttons, which can be customized to suit your specific requirements, ensuring that your creative flow remains uninterrupted. Additionally, the synthesizer supports full velocity and aftertouch sensitivity, providing a dynamic range of expression that responds directly to your playing style.
Whether you’re experimenting with new sounds or leading a live band, the Yamaha KX88 is engineered to meet the demands of diverse musical arrangements. Its reputation for reliability and performance speaks for itself, making it an enduring choice for professionals around the globe.
Key Features:
- 88 weighted keys with authentic piano-like action
- Comprehensive MIDI capabilities for versatile control
- Programmable sliders and buttons for customized performance
- Full velocity and aftertouch sensitivity for expressive playing
- Durable construction suitable for both stage and studio use
Videos
Espen Kraft
Yamaha KX88 | The gold standard of master keyboards
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Yamaha KX88 Synthesizer.
Features and functionality
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The KX88 is praised for its outstanding weighted key action, closely resembling a real piano, which many owners feel enhances expressive playing.
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The KX88 includes aftertouch, a feature not commonly found on low-end modern Yamaha keyboards.
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The KX88 is purely a MIDI controller and does not generate sound independently, requiring external MIDI interfaces and software for audio output.
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Setup and maintenance
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The KX76 lacks the ability to send MIDI bank select messages, a limitation that requires users to reassign presets within a limited range for compatibility.
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Key clicks on the KX88 may result from old lube, compressed padding, or rubber contacts; relubing and replacing padding can address this.
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Mods and upgrades
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A workaround for the KX76's MIDI limitations involves using an additional MIDI controller with programmable buttons to manage bank select and program change messages.
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Comparisons
User experience
5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 3 Ratings
Artist usage
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The BBC Radiophonic Workshop is documented using the Yamaha KX88 Synthesizer, as noted in their diary available through Whitefiles.
In this video at 0:35 you can see Mike Barson is using two KX88’s. This same equipment is used throughout the whole of the Madstock ‘99 concert, often with the lower keyboard as a piano sound and the upper used as an organ sound.
In a 1988 TV show in Chile, Steve George was seen using a Yamaha KX88 Synthesizer. The proof is a user-uploaded photo.
The instrument appears on the list of instruments on official artist's website (http://olszak.pl/).
Jim Peterik is seen using a Yamaha KX88 Synthesizer with Survivor, as evidenced at the 3 minutes and 54 seconds mark of the YouTube video titled "Survivor - Live In Nagoya, Japan [1986 Full Show]" uploaded by Hard Rock Blog 2 - Revenge [God Of Bar].
In the video titled "Billy Joel - Pressure (from A Matter of Trust - The Bridge to Russia)" by billyjoelVEVO, David LeBolt is visibly using a Yamaha KX88 mounted on a rotating stand during Billy Joel's live performance in the Soviet Union. The KX88 is likely controlling an offstage rack of synth modules.
In a video titled "Toto | Live at Youngstorget, Oslo, Norway - 2000," John “JJ” Jessel is seen using the Yamaha KX88 Synthesizer at the 8:36 mark. This synthesizer was utilized by Jessel to cover background keyboard parts and trigger samples during the performance. The proof is provided by a YouTube video uploaded by Rick, showcasing Toto's live performance on June 9, 2000.
Hae Chul Shin is confirmed to have used the Yamaha KX88 Synthesizer as a "master keyboard," as it is explicitly listed in the liner notes of N.EX.T's debut album from 1992, "Home," as evidenced by the accompanying image.
In an interview with JazzTruth, Jim Beard confirms his use of the Yamaha KX88 Synthesizer, stating, "I had a working setup that I used for a good stretch; two controllers, the Yamaha 88 weighted key controller (the KX88) and then the KX76 on top."
The Yamaha KX88 Synthesizer can be seen in Roger Limb's setup, as evidenced by an image in the Radiophonic Workshop Gallery.
"Actually I use much of the same things as anyone else (numerous VIs from Kontakt to VSL) with a trusty old Yamaha KX-88 as a controller. I recently tried to power up both my Emulator 2 and T-8 and neither would turn on. Oh well.
When Katrina happened, an old friend was donating instruments to people in New Orleans and asked if I had anything to donate, so I gave him my old DX-7. That is a really deep instrument, so deep that I don't think anyone has really plummeted its depths. And I think it still works, I hope somebody is using it right now. But frankly the NI FM-8 does a great job (it's what I used in LA) so I don't think I'm interested in a DX. Thanks anyway :-)"
It's a tight, clubby set, and further proof of the band's stage confidence. With Fritz using just the one piano, his crucial role becomes even clearer. But one has real fears for its safety. "I had a Yamaha KX88," he admits, "and I battered that up as well. It's at home, now. You press a key, and it doesn't come back up any more. It just lies there. The action's dead. I think I'm actually wearing me hands out at the same rate. It's hard to play that many gigs with that kind of dynamic style without putting that much physical effort into it. I don't think about it; it's just the same way as cello players get certain injuries from playing cello, and violinists get neck injuries. I've noticed a few niggling things, nothing major - but that's over a year of touring. If it's an up-tempo song, I try to put as much into it as possible."
Album Usage
The Yamaha KX88 Synthesizer 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 KX88 Synthesizer, it is most commonly used with the following gear.