Yamaha S03 Opens Door to the World of Music Synthesis

The S03 is a small portable keyboard for inputting MIDI notes, coupled with a world-class tone generator featuring digital effects. However, the unit is not only a keyboard, but also an entry-level music studio that bridges the gap between professional sound quality and affordability. Complete with audio/MIDI recording software, a musical database of styles and phrases, plus sound editing and notation suites.

The portable S03 features 61 keys with Initial Touch, full 64-note polyphony and the equivalent of 25 MB of wave ROM (at 16-bit linear conversion). Yamaha's AWM2 tone generation and over 700 incredible sounding voices, including full XG and GM compatibility, provide a complete palette of high-quality sounds: stereo grand pianos, funky basses, analog pads and pounding drum kits. A selection of onboard effects, including chorus and reverb and variations such as distortion and "wah," may also be applied. Users can create their own sounds (including analog-style synth sounds with the 64 resonant low pass filters) and store them in any of 128 user-voice memory locations. The S03 is also bundled with Yamaha XGWorks software for both the PC and Mac.

Panel switches, a large custom-designed LCD display and controllers that include pitch bend and mod wheels provide full control and access to all functions. Connections include MIDI IN/OUT/THRU, stereo headphone out, foot switch, foot controller and a TO HOST port.