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Average Price: $100

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Description

The Yamaha PSS-140 is a compact powerhouse, perfect for budding musicians and seasoned players seeking a portable keyboard that doesn't skimp on functionality. This keyboard embodies Yamaha's commitment to quality and innovation, featuring 37 mini keys that offer a responsive touch and dynamic playability. Ideal for classrooms, living rooms, or even outdoor jam sessions, the PSS-140 is designed to inspire creativity wherever you are.

This portable keyboard is equipped with 100 built-in tones, allowing you to explore a wide range of sounds from pianos to orchestral instruments. Its 13 rhythm patterns provide a solid foundation for crafting your compositions or practicing timing and rhythm. The onboard speakers deliver clear and robust sound, while a headphone jack allows for private practice sessions without disturbing others.

The PSS-140 also includes a melody guide function, making it easier for beginners to learn and play along with favorite tunes. Additionally, the keyboard is powered by either an AC adapter or batteries, enhancing its portability for musicians on the move.

Key Features:

  • 37 mini keys for a compact and portable design
  • 100 built-in tones for versatile sound exploration
  • 13 rhythm patterns to support various musical styles
  • Onboard speakers with a headphone jack for private practice
  • Melody guide function for learning assistance
  • Dual power options: AC adapter or batteries for flexible use

Product specs

Brand Yamaha
Model PSS-140 Synthesizer
Finish Black
Year 1988
Categories Digital Synthesizers, Portable Keyboards
Analog / Digital Digital
Key Size Mini
Keyboard Action Synth Action
Number of Keys 37 Keys
Polyphony 6 Voices

FAQs

How many keys does the Yamaha PSS-140 have, and what size are they?

The Yamaha PSS-140 features 37 mini keys, making it compact and suitable for players with smaller hands or those looking for a portable keyboard.

What type of synthesis does the Yamaha PSS-140 use?

The Yamaha PSS-140 utilizes digital synthesis with a 2-operator FM synthesis chip, offering a range of classic digital sounds from the late 1980s.

Is the Yamaha PSS-140 polyphonic, and if so, how many voices does it support?

Yes, the Yamaha PSS-140 is polyphonic and supports up to 6 voices, allowing for basic chord playing and layering of sounds.

What is the primary use case for the Yamaha PSS-140?

The Yamaha PSS-140 is ideal for beginners or hobbyists looking for a simple, portable keyboard with a nostalgic digital sound palette from the 1980s.

KeyboardKrazy49

KeyboardKrazy49

Yamaha PSS-140 PortaSound Keyboard Part 1/2. 100 Voices & Features

Video thumbnail for Yamaha PSS-140 PortaSound Keyboard Part 1/2. 100 Voices & Features by KeyboardKrazy49

Yamaha PSS-140 PortaSound Keyboard Part 1/2. 100 Voices & Features

KeyboardKrazy49

KeyboardKrazy49

Video thumbnail for Yamaha Portasound PSS-140 keyboard by Alfonse

Yamaha Portasound PSS-140 keyboard

Alfonse

Alfonse

Video thumbnail for Yamaha PSS-140 Demo by Alexey7

Yamaha PSS-140 Demo

Alexey7

Alexey7

Video thumbnail for The Yamaha PSS-140 - a vintage keyboard that sounds like a Sound Blaster card by Preece Music

The Yamaha PSS-140 - a vintage keyboard that sounds like a Sound Blaster card

Preece Music

Preece Music

Video thumbnail for Yamaha PSS-140 - full review by Chris Duz

Yamaha PSS-140 - full review

Chris Duz

Chris Duz

Video thumbnail for Yamaha PSS-140: Boring until you slow...it...right....dowwwnnnnnn.... by Gearfacts

Yamaha PSS-140: Boring until you slow...it...right....dowwwnnnnnn....

Gearfacts

Gearfacts

Video thumbnail for YAMAHA PSS - 140 (sound and styles demonstration) HiQ sound by Keyboards - review - repair

YAMAHA PSS - 140 (sound and styles demonstration) HiQ sound

Keyboards - review - repair

Keyboards - review - repair

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Yamaha PSS-140.

User experience

  • Owners express nostalgia for the Yamaha PSS-140, recalling childhood memories and unique drum sounds despite its basic synth capabilities.

    Source
  • Owners appreciate the PSS-140’s key feel, describing them as "lovely," even if the sound isn’t great on its own.

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Features and functionality

  • The PSS-140 is noted for its distinctive, quirky sounds, often described humorously as resembling a "dying rabbit," adding character to ambient and role-play music settings.

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  • Adding the data trace mod along with MIDI support is noted as an easy installation, enhancing connectivity for the PSS-140.

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Mods and upgrades

  • Suggested to amplify character with a crusty old mixer and effects like reverb, delay, and chorus for an authentic lo-fi sound experience.

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  • Guitar pedal boards, including effects pedals, are recommended for enhancing the PSS-140's sound, indicating compatibility with existing guitar gear setups.

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  • The Highly Liquid UMR2 Universal MIDI Retrofit Board is recommended for adding MIDI ports, with clones available on Tindie for this mod.

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Use cases and applications

  • Enthusiasts use it for ambient music and creative role-play environments, leveraging its nostalgic and distinctive sound palette.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Using a toothbrush and 95%+ isopropyl alcohol can effectively clean corrosion, ensuring the unit is fully dry before powering it back on.

    Source
  • Cleaning electronics with isopropyl alcohol is noted as a solvent that dries quickly and doesn’t damage most materials, making it ideal for refurbishing.

    Source

Build quality

  • The keyboard's half-functionality post-flea market purchase highlights potential issues with battery corrosion affecting internal components.

    Source

Software and compatibility

  • MIDI integration allows the PSS-140 to interface with computers, expanding its utility beyond standalone use.

    Source

3.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 5 Ratings

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1 star
jimmarchi1

this was my second 'synth' in the 1980s

got this after the casio when i was just a little boy backing the synth pop era... not programmable, uses some simple FM synthesis to generate its preset sounds... very staticy and noisy digital synth sounds that are hghly amusing. Comical drum pads, better keys than the SK10 I started with. Not enarly as usable as a grown up instrument as the Casio though. I regularly lose this in closets but every time I find it I power it up and screw around putting it into procesors and stuff, fucking with the cheeseball presets. Every once in a while it makes it into a recording, but tis no SK10... in the 80s it seemed to sound vastly superior and was more playable to learn some basic piano stuff, but I was like 5 or 6! neither 'synth' I had sounded like Depeche Mode so I started looking at the guitar more, especially when the hair metal scene and synth pop started dissolving as those first mainstream 'grunge' records came out. All of the sudden my dad's guitar was potentially cool... and not hair metal, macho chauvinist cool, thinking man's cool like the british bands Iw as into but with the instrumentation of early bowie rather than Kraftwerk. I totally missed the boat on the earliest phase of House and Techno thanks to this crappy keyboard and its lack of programmability.

Genre Usage

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