Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated .

Average Price: $400

Budget/Beginner

$500

$1501+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Step into a world of sonic possibilities with the Yamaha S90, a synthesizer that seamlessly merges advanced technology with expressive musicality. Designed for both professional musicians and passionate hobbyists, this synthesizer is celebrated for its rich array of sounds and intuitive controls. The S90 is equipped with 88 weighted keys, offering a realistic feel that mimics an acoustic piano, making it ideal for performers who require precision and nuance in their playing.

At its core, the S90 is powered by Yamaha's AWM2 tone generator, renowned for its ability to produce authentic, high-fidelity sound. This engine supports a wide collection of voices, enabling you to explore diverse genres effortlessly. The S90 also includes a comprehensive suite of effects, giving you the power to shape and sculpt your sound to perfection. Whether on stage or in the studio, this synthesizer is a versatile companion, providing the tools you need to bring your musical visions to life.

Key Features:

  • 88 weighted keys for realistic piano action
  • Yamaha AWM2 tone generator for high-quality sound
  • Extensive library of voices and effects
  • User-friendly interface for easy navigation
  • Ideal for both live performance and studio recording
  • Durable build for reliable performance

Product specs

Brand Yamaha
Model S90 Modular Synthesis Plug-in System
Finish Black
Year 2000s
Categories Digital Synthesizers, Keyboard Synths
Analog / Digital Digital
Key Size Full Size
Keyboard Action Weighted
MIDI I/O MIDI Input, MIDI Output, MIDI Through, USB MIDI
Number of Keys 88 Keys
Polyphony 128 Voices

FAQs

Does the Yamaha S90 have weighted keys?

Yes, the Yamaha S90 features 88 full-size, weighted keys, providing a realistic piano feel suitable for both practice and performance.

What kind of polyphony does the Yamaha S90 offer?

The Yamaha S90 offers 128-note polyphony, allowing for complex performances without note dropouts, ideal for layered sounds and sustained chords.

Can the Yamaha S90 be used as a MIDI controller?

Yes, the Yamaha S90 functions as a MIDI controller with MIDI Input, Output, and Through ports, as well as USB MIDI connectivity, making it versatile for studio and live setups.

What sound engine does the Yamaha S90 use?

The Yamaha S90 utilizes a digital sound engine with a Modular Synthesis Plug-in System, offering a wide range of high-quality sounds and extensive sound design capabilities.

Is the Yamaha S90 suitable for live performances?

Absolutely, the Yamaha S90 is designed for live performances, featuring a robust build, weighted keys for expressive play, and versatile connectivity options for integration into various setups.

DarioMoog

DarioMoog

Yamaha S90 - Prima serie

Video thumbnail for Yamaha S90 - Prima serie by DarioMoog

Yamaha S90 - Prima serie

DarioMoog

DarioMoog

Video thumbnail for yamaha s90 keyboard by df12396

yamaha s90 keyboard

df12396

df12396

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Yamaha S90.

Setup and maintenance

  • Owners suggest resoldering to fix boot-up issues, indicating power-related problems where metal components fail to make contact without heat expansion.

    Source
  • A dead internal battery can cause boot-up errors, requiring replacement for consistent performance.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The S90 provides aftertouch, a feature often missing in more recent lightweight, plastic models like the MODX6+.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Yamaha Motif series shares the S90's sound engine, offering more common and potentially better options for similar pricing.

    Source
  • An online resource at Motifator.com offers detailed troubleshooting steps specific to the Yamaha S90, which may not be available for other models.

    Source

User experience

  • Long-term users praise the S90's editability and playability, noting its effectiveness in live settings with a 4-voice max limit.

    Source

Build quality

  • Replacement parts for common issues like cracked key back pivots are available through suppliers like Syntaur.

    Source

Software and compatibility

  • An unregistered interrupt at memory address 8c007620 can lead to system errors, suggesting potential software troubleshooting or updates needed.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Yamaha S90

soundonsound.com

The Yamaha S90 impresses with its excellent weighted-key action and versatile sound set, drawing heavily from the Motif range. It's a solid choice for both stage performers and studio musicians, offering high-quality piano samples and a range of expressive sounds. The master-keyboard functionalities and Smart Media card storage add to its appeal. However, the sequencer is limited to playback, struggling with complex data, and the arpeggiator lacks editability. While the piano samples may not suffice for solo classical work, they shine in pop and ensemble settings. Overall, the S90 delivers good value and expandability.

positive
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 6 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
mike916

Excellent sounding synth!

The Yamaha S90 is an awesome synth for synth playing and pianist’s it has great sounding electric piano sounds and great sounding Yamaha synth presets (similar to the original motif sounds). This is a synthesizer though, (not a workstation), so you would need a sequencer or a computer to make complete songs.. but none the less a great keyboard!!

C

Good starter keyboard

Great action to the keys. Feel great. Love the sound library however lacking in quantity.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Charly García uses Yamaha S90

Charly García

Singer, Guitarist

Serú Girán

...
Verified via YouTube

Charly García is seen using a Yamaha S90 while performing "Rock and Roll Star" on Juan Alberto Badía's program in 2006, as evidenced by a video uploaded by RarezasSNM on YouTube.

See how Bo Burnham uses Yamaha S90

Bo Burnham

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo, Bo is using the Yamaha S90.

See how Chris Tomlin uses Yamaha S90

Chris Tomlin

Singer, Guitarist

Chris Tomlin Band

...
Verified via YouTube

Matt Gilder of the Chris Tomlin Band describes is primary use of it.

See how Tim Rice-Oxley uses Yamaha S90

Tim Rice-Oxley

Keyboardist

Keane

...
Verified via Photo

In this interview with Julian Colbeck, Tim says "I the S90 use for the Rhodes sounds and a Nord Lead 3 for more synthy sounds. On She Has No Time I play the S90 throughout and then use the Nord for the solo sound which I originally played on my ARP ProDGX." He widely uses it for playing synth parts both live and in the studio.

He can be seen using it in this photo: http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=opu2ro&s=3

See how Jesse Carmichael uses Yamaha S90

Jesse Carmichael

Singer, Guitarist

Maroon 5

...
Verified via Photo

Jesse Carmichael used the Yamaha S90 as his main keyboard for Maroon 5’s headlining shows between 2004 and 2006, as confirmed in the January 2005 issue of Keyboard Magazine.

See how Marina and The Diamonds uses Yamaha S90

Marina and The Diamonds

Singer, Keyboardist

NHS Voices

...
Verified via Wordpress

Marina used this keyboard in a gig at Toronto's Opera House in 2010. She was touring for her first album 'The Family Jewels'. The keyboard's name can be fully seen in one of the slideshow's images.

See how Missy Higgins uses Yamaha S90

Missy Higgins

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

In this image, you can see Missy playing a Yamaha S-90 live back in 2012.

See how Marcos Valle uses Yamaha S90

Marcos Valle

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

Used in all scenes of this live.

See how Andrew Dost uses Yamaha S90

Andrew Dost

Keyboardist, Composer

Fun

...
Verified via Photo

In this interview, Dost says, "I also use the Juno-6, as well as a Yamaha S90ES for a lot of our other sounds like flutes and harmonium. They stopped making that version of the S90 about two years ago, but I think it’s just the best. The sounds are incredible, and the navigation and editing of patches is really easy."

See how Andrew Johns uses Yamaha S90

Andrew Johns

Singer, Keyboardist

Boulevard

...
Verified via YouTube

At 12 minutes and 47 seconds into the video "BOULEVARD LIVE FROM GASTOWN 2015" by Matt Willis Video Productions, Andrew Johns can be seen performing live with a Yamaha S90.

See how Kasey Smith uses Yamaha S90

Kasey Smith

Keyboardist

Danger Danger

...
Verified via YouTube

At the 2 minute and 52 seconds mark of the video "Danger Danger - Feels Like Love (Live Firefest 2014)" by Henrik Hansson, Kasey Smith can be seen using a Yamaha S90 on the top tier of his keyboard stand.

See how Alan Pasqua uses Yamaha S90

Alan Pasqua

Keyboardist, Music Producer

Santana

...
Verified via YouTube

In the YouTube video titled "Allan Holdsworth / Alan Pasqua - Greece 2006," at the 5 minute and 11 second mark, Alan Pasqua is seen using the Yamaha S90. This video was uploaded by SpiritNirvana and features Holdsworth/Pasqua with Chad Wackerman and Jimmy Haslip.

Album Usage

The Yamaha S90 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 S90, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Korg Triton Rack Synthesizer
Korg Triton Rack Synthesizer Synthesizers & Sound Modules
1
Yamaha Motif ES8
Yamaha Motif ES8 Synthesizers
1
Roland Juno-6
Roland Juno-6 Synthesizers
1
Ableton Live
Ableton Live DAW Software
1

1 alternative for Yamaha S90, curated by the Equipboard community.

Yamaha Motif 8

$599.99

similar sound

Similar keyboard that uses the AWM2. It has a similar sound bank. Just minus a sequencer. Both are also 88key synthesizers

More Yamaha Synthesizers

Yamaha Reface DX

$279.00 - $449.99

# 18

Rank

Mac DeMarco Aphex Twin Taylor Swift
34 artists using
Yamaha Reface CS

$79.99 - $495.44

# 22

Rank

Mac DeMarco Fred again.. Justin Vernon
48 artists using
Yamaha Montage 8

$3,999.99 - $5,624.99

# 77

Rank

Bruno Mars Minoru Mukaiya Steve Porcaro
22 artists using
Yamaha MX49

$561.27 - $649.99

 
Dragos Chiriac Stuart Pot (2D) Andrius Mamontovas
10 artists using
Yamaha Montage 6

$2,999.99 - $3,749.99

 
The Weeknd Zaytoven Richard Devine
9 artists using
Yamaha CP88

$9.90 - $2,799.99

 
Fred again.. Aurora Aksnes Natalia Lafourcade
8 artists using
Yamaha MX61

$635.00 - $899.99

 
Dean Ween Danny Peyronel Dylan Reavey
5 artists using
Yamaha SY77

$49.99 - $50.00

 
Dr. Dre Ryuichi Sakamoto cEvin Key
30 artists using
Yamaha Montage 7

$3,009.34 - $4,999.99

 
Rick Wakeman Minoru Mukaiya A.R. Rahman
6 artists using
Yamaha MODX6

$818.72 - $1,799.99

 
Richard Devine Kenan Loui Ray Angry
3 artists using
Yamaha MO8

$27.95 - $488.88

 
Gary Corbett Anthony Rodriguez Jeffrey Steele
3 artists using
Yamaha MX88

$925.00 - $1,299.99

 
Christine McVie Haywyre
2 artists using
Yamaha Montage M8x

$3,095.33 - $4,499.99

 
Minoru Mukaiya Scott Storch Matt Johnson
4 artists using

Accessories & Related Items

Community setups

Gear Guides