Really excellent and original bit of kit. Great looks, sound and functionality.

Small desktop FM-synthesizer with 4 operators, 8-voice polyphony and an 8-track sequencer? Is that Elektrons' Digitone? No, it's the Yamaha TQ5 from 1989 and it looks nothing like a groovebox!

The Yamaha TQ5 may look like a 90's alarm clock or an answering machine, but I think it is a useful addition to my small hardware setup.

Why do I like it?

• The overall sound has that vibe I also love in 90's ambient electronica, like Global Communication, the Orb, etc. It's not only because of the FM-synthesis, but also because of the unintentionally lo-fi, but useful single effects engine.

• There are some really nice factory presets and those that are not so useful can easily be turned into something completely different and saved to one of the 100 user presets.

• Midi control is limited but it does respond to velocity, aftertouch, the mod-wheel, and breath-control.

• Unlike most synthesizers of that period, especially FM-synthesizers, usability is not that bad, actually. The 'quick edit system' is excellent; it can be used for subtle tweaks, like a little more brightness, or a slightly longer sustain, but some pretty out-there sounds are also a few button presses away.

• Changing the waveform of the 4 operators takes it into sonic territory I've never heard before. The TQ5 makes great sample fodder. Lookup Akihiko Matsumoto on youtube for complete tracks and sample-packs demonstrating this.

Some of the specs:

• The TQ5 is an 8-voice, 8-algorithm, 4-operator FM-synthesizer, the sound-engine is the same as that of the SY100 and SY200 keyboard-synthesizers.

• It is based on the YM2414 chip which was also used in TX81Z, DX11, YS100, YS200

• The 4 operators feature 8 different waves, instead of just a sine.

• There are 100 factory presets, 100 user presets and another 100 presets on cards.

• The quick-edit system that allows some control over: Attack, Decay and Release for the Tone EG, the Volume EG, or both together. The level of the modulators. The frequency of the modulators. Changing the waveform for each of the 4 operators. Range, speed and destination of the LFO.

• It can be programmed via sysex. Available editors are Mididesigner for ipad and the StereoPing 81Z hardware controller.

• There is a simple split mode, where you can choose a sound for the lower half of the keyboard and a sound for the upper half of the keyboard. The split point can be chosen.

• 8 sounds can be setup in a 'multi' with their own volume, panning, detune and keyboard-range.

• 1 effect engine with 3 types of reverb, 3 delays, distortion + reverb, distortion + echo, gated reverb and reverse reverb.