Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $21
Budget/Beginner
$100
$601+
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Description
The Yamaha PSS-130 is a compact yet powerful addition to any musician's toolkit, bringing a blend of vintage charm and modern convenience to your creative process. This 37-key portable keyboard is perfect for musicians on the go, offering a range of sounds and rhythms that inspire creativity whether you're at home or on stage. The PSS-130 shines with its user-friendly interface, making it accessible for beginners while still being engaging for seasoned players. Its built-in speakers deliver clear, robust sound, ensuring that your music is heard in all its glory, no matter where you are.
This keyboard includes a selection of instrumental voices and preset rhythms, providing a versatile palette for crafting unique compositions. Its compact size doesn't compromise on functionality, offering a hands-on experience that lets you experiment with different musical styles effortlessly. Whether you're composing a new track or just jamming with friends, the Yamaha PSS-130 is designed to keep up with your creative flow.
Key Features:
- 37 mini keys for a compact and portable design
- Wide selection of preset voices and rhythms
- Built-in stereo speakers for clear sound output
- User-friendly interface suitable for beginners and experienced musicians alike
- Battery-operated option for ultimate portability
- Headphone output for private practice sessions
Product specs
| Brand | Yamaha |
| Model | PSS-130 Synthesizer |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 1987 |
| Categories | Digital Synthesizers, Portable Keyboards |
| Analog / Digital | Digital |
| Key Size | Mini |
| Keyboard Action | Synth Action |
| Number of Keys | 32 Keys |
| Polyphony | 2 Voices |
FAQs
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How many keys does the Yamaha PSS-130 have?
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The Yamaha PSS-130 features 32 mini keys, making it compact and portable, ideal for beginners or musicians on the go.
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What type of sound engine does the Yamaha PSS-130 use?
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The Yamaha PSS-130 is a digital synthesizer, providing a range of electronic sounds and effects typical of digital keyboards from its era.
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Is the Yamaha PSS-130 suitable for children or beginners?
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Yes, the Yamaha PSS-130 is suitable for children and beginners due to its small size, simple interface, and ease of use.
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What is the polyphony of the Yamaha PSS-130?
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The Yamaha PSS-130 has a polyphony of 2 voices, allowing for two notes to be played simultaneously.
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Does the Yamaha PSS-130 have built-in speakers?
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Yes, the Yamaha PSS-130 includes built-in speakers, making it convenient for immediate sound output without additional equipment.
Videos
8-Bit Keys
Square Wave Delight - Yamaha PSS-30 and PSS-130
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Yamaha PSS-130.
Mods and upgrades
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Circuit bending is popular for enhancing percussion tracks, offering unique sounds from the basic square wave preset.
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Adding a low pass or multi-stage filter significantly enhances the sound quality and enjoyment of the keyboard.
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With DIY skills, a 1/4 output can be added to the PSS-130 for easier recording.
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Features and functionality
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The Yamaha PSS-130 is known for its simple digital pulse generator, using square waves similar to old video game sound chips.
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The Yamaha PSS-130 lacks direct audio outputs, requiring users to mic the speaker for recording purposes.
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Despite its small size, the PSS-130 includes MIDI I/O capabilities, allowing it to control other sound modules and equipment, a rare feature for keyboards from its era.
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Use cases and applications
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When run through guitar pedals, the PSS-130 can produce surprisingly diverse and complex sounds, enhancing its basic functionality.
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It's often found in thrift stores, making it a sought-after collectible for those interested in vintage keyboards.
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The PSS-130's FM synth capabilities make it suitable for creating extreme pure tones and harsh digital noise, ideal for music producers exploring retro or experimental sounds.
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Owners recall the PSS-130's demo song as memorable, contributing to its nostalgic value for those who used it during childhood.
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Comparisons
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Users compare its sound generation to NES/Famicom chips due to its digital pulse wave implementation, offering a nostalgic and distinct audio profile.
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The PSS-130's MIDI functionality is comparable to using a modern MIDI controller, enabling external sequencing and playback through its onboard sounds, unlike many keyboards from the same period.
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User experience
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Owners recall the PSS-130 as a nostalgic piece from the 80s, often being their first keyboard and leaving lasting memories.
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Owners enjoy the nostalgic tone reminiscent of Nintendo's Popeye game, highlighting its appeal for retro-game music learning.
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The drum pads on the PSS-130 are noted to wear out quickly, affecting long-term usability, especially for those interested in its percussion functions.
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2.5 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 3 Ratings
492
Eh, it's a toy.
Although it looks cool and very 80s There's not alot of practical use for the PSS-120 or PSS-130. There's no sound output jacks for one and secondly it features possibly the worst built in drum machine I've ever heard . I usually love yamahas portasound series but this one just is mostly just a kids toy . The only reason I'm giving this 3 stars is for the cute 8bit soundchip it has onboard , and the ability to record and sequence notes easily .
Artist usage
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Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Yamaha PSS-130, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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