YAMAHA PSR-530
Keyboard/Arranger
61-Keys - 690 Voices!
You're bidding on the trusty
keyboard that I've used in my home studio for many years. It
still looks and works like new and it sounds fantastic!
This keyboard was one of the first "arranger" type keyboards
on the market. At the time, its "XG Voice Technology"
provided sound quality that was unrivaled in anything less
than high-priced synthesizers.
Years later, there are sounds on this keyboard that surpass
anything else I've heard!
It was also the first line of portable keyboards that
incorporated a bass-ported sound system for amazingly rich,
loud, undistorted sound without the need for an external
amplifier. I'm including the AC adaptor, but this keyboard
will also run on batteries - so this is a self contained
musical workstation and performance instrument that you can
take with you!
The Yamaha
PSR-530 still delivers a broad sound palette and musical
range when compared with today's portable keyboard
offerings. The XG technology extends General MIDI standards
with hundreds of additional voices, and adds voice editing,
digital effects and other advanced features. This machine
boasts over 690 voices! 200 panel voices and 12 complete
drum kits along with an additional 480 XG voices.
The 61-key,
touch-sensitive keyboard provides five full octaves of
standard-sized keys to give you plenty of room to play, or
to split the keyboard for dual voicing or accompaniment,
with variable touch sensitivity. It also includes an
adjustable-range pitch wheel.
The extended
Auto-Accompaniment features are quite nice with intros,
fills and endings for the library of 100 built-in styles.
The PSR-530 also lets you create your own accompaniment with
the Custom Style function, or add sophisticated chord
variations using the Virtual Arranger function.
The built-in
five-track sequencer is the only area where you can say this
unit falls behind newer models - but again, this unit was
built back in the day when computer memory was expensive -
and you would be surprised what you can do with 5 tracks
(actually, it's four melody tracks and one accompaniment
track). Features like one-touch recording, visual beat and
measure indicators, and pre-recording "rehearsal mode" make
this sequencer super-easy to use.
 Also
easy to use is the extra-large, backlit, multi-function LCD
panel. It provides clear, comprehensive operating
information and easy access to the parameter settings, with
graphical icons and menu-based navigation. This display
still tops any other I've seen on a sub-$1000 keyboard.
Yes, its got
DSP (Digital Signal Processing). Pretty common in all
electronic keyboards these days, but pretty slick when this
was introduced. It features versatile, studio-quality
digital effects, including 12 types of reverb, nine
choruses, 16 harmony, and 45 DSP effects.
It sports
something called a "Direct Computer Interface" - which is a
special cable that sends MIDI data to a PC's serial port.
That's far from state-of-the-art connectivity these days,
but I thought I'd mention it. Speaking of MIDI, the 530 has
a well-implemented MIDI set with In/Out/Thru ports and is
fully GM compatible. If you're into MIDI gear - plug this
retro beast in and you won't be disappointed!
Other Great
Features:
Handy Multi
Pads - Four convenient programmable pads let you insert
rhythmic accents or complete musical phrases with just a
single tap.
Quick Setup with Registration Memory - Memorize and store up
to 32 x 4 complete control panel setups for instant,
one-touch recall.
Excellent Learning Tools Like The "Minus One" Play-Along
Mode - Individual track buttons let you easily mute one or
more of the five sequencer tracks and 'sit in' on a recorded
song, playing any part while the keyboard plays the others.
It's a a great way to improve your technique.
Versatile Repeat - Play a selected section over and over, at
any tempo you choose, to help work your way through
difficult passages and improve your overall performance.
Music
Cartridge Slot - Back then keyboards like this were also
used in "player piano mode" and Yamaha produced a line of
cartridges you can load into the PSR-530 and playback full
arrangements of popular music styles and tunes. I'm
including one cartridge with some great demo songs on it -
but I'm not sure if you can find these anymore.
Okay - so now
you know what I think of this keyboard. It's great. It's in
great condition. It works perfectly. I have the manual. I
also have the power supply, sustain pedal, removable music
stand, one demo song cartridge, and a pair of lightweight
headphones for practicing. This is perfect for a beginner or
a seasoned professional! |