Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $352
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$500
$1501+
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Description
Unleash your creativity with the Yamaha S80, a versatile synthesizer that combines the best of digital technology with a traditional keyboard feel. Designed for professional musicians and enthusiastic hobbyists alike, the S80 delivers 88 weighted keys that mimic the touch of an acoustic piano, making it an excellent choice for both live performances and studio recordings. With its wide array of voices and effects, this synthesizer offers an expansive palette for your musical expression.
The Yamaha S80 stands out with its comprehensive sound engine, featuring a blend of sampled sounds and synthesizer tones. This allows you to explore diverse musical genres, from classical and jazz to modern pop and electronic. Its user-friendly interface ensures you can navigate through its myriad of features seamlessly, while connectivity options like MIDI and audio outputs make it a central hub in any music setup.
Whether you're layering complex sequences or performing a simple melody, the S80 provides the reliability and depth of sound that professionals demand. Its robust build ensures that it can withstand the rigors of frequent performance and transport. The Yamaha S80 is not just an instrument; it's a gateway to an endless soundscape waiting to be explored.
Key Features:
- 88 weighted keys for authentic piano feel
- Advanced sound engine with diverse voices
- User-friendly interface for easy navigation
- MIDI and audio output connectivity
- Ideal for both live performance and studio use
- Robust build quality for durability
Videos
OurWorshipSound
Yamaha S80 - mixing sounds
Yamaha S80 - mixing sounds
OurWorshipSound
Yamaha S80 Keyboard Synthesiser
Brett Gossage
Yamaha s80 demo
Pablo Vilas
YAMAHA S30/80 SÉRIES - (ANO: 2000) - FACTORY SOUNDS - REVIEW by TIAGO MALLEN #yamaha
Tiago Mallen
YAMAHA S80 DEMO
juan manuel
Adjusting Voices on the Yamaha S80 Keyboard Synthesiser
Brett Gossage
Yamaha S80 VS Roland RD 700 Sound Comparison- The Vintage Stage Pianos | Blessed Music
Piano Tân Bình- Blessed Music
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Yamaha S80.
Value and pricing
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Owners note the S80 can be overpriced at $500 used, suggesting exploring modern alternatives in the same budget range for better value.
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Despite its age, the S80 maintains value due to durability and functionality, with original owners noting sustained performance and condition over decades.
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Features and functionality
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The S80 offers some decent synthesizer sounds, but as a piano, its unusually weighted keys may not be comfortable for all players.
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The Yamaha S80 lacks USB connectivity and has a dated LCD interface, making it cumbersome for modern editing and programming without additional software.
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The S80 is considered a powerful ROMpler, ideal for those interested in 90s/00s sounds, but less suited for those wanting a modern synthesis experience.
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The S80's 5-pin MIDI output remains relevant for modern setups, though a proper interface is necessary for optimal performance with newer computers.
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Comparisons
Use cases and applications
Software and compatibility
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MidiQuest app offers a GUI to access the S80’s features, reducing menu diving and enhancing user experience for deeper sound exploration.
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High-quality MIDI interfaces like Roland's integrated cable can resolve connectivity issues, unlike cheaper alternatives that often fail to filter data properly.
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Removing unnecessary drivers can sometimes improve MIDI performance, though using the right adapter is crucial for functionality.
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User experience
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The S80's 64-note polyphony can lead to note cut-offs when using the sustain pedal during complex passages, which may affect live performance quality.
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Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 5 Ratings
109
Yamaha S80 -- Incredible!
Love it! I bought new back in 1999, when it first came out. The S80 basically replaced my KX-88 + MEP4 combo that I was currently using. The S80 already has the MEP4 built-in making it a Great Master Controller! The key action is superb! Weighted,but-yet still fast. Very responsive AfterTouch! I recent picked up a Motif XS and was very disappointed in the sounds as compared to the S80. The S80 is much phatter, warmer, punchier and much more expressive than the Motif. Basically, it's going to be a very sad day for me if my S80 every croaks.
147
Artist usage
Add artist
"When I was trying out the Yamaha AW4416, S80 and S30, I kept thinking to myself, 'Wow, musical equipment has sure come a long way in the last 10 years.' But when you stop and think about it, you realize that it's not only the equipment that has changed, but also the environment surrounding the music."
The picture shows Nick Rhodes playing a Yamaha S80 on stage.
David Bryan, using a Yamaha S80 in production, video clips and a live show
Over the years, Ron Mael has played numerous synths, keyboards and computer-based instruments — Moog's Polymoog, Roland's JP-4 and JP-8, the Wurlitzer electric piano and the Fairlight CMI, to name a few — but his workhorse favorites have been the Yamaha CS-80 (produced in the late '70s) and the sleeker S80 (introduced in 1999). The S80 was used on their Album "Lil' Beethoven".
In this video Steve Garrigan can be seen using a Yamaha S80. There is a shot of the back of the keyboard at 1:55.
The video shows off JayB's sound designs for the PLG150-AN board in his Yamaha S80.
Album Usage
The Yamaha S80 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 S80, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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