Yamaha S-90

My response to "Anonymous at 07/21/2003 18:17" review:
There is aftertouch transmission of course, 100% sure of it -I just tested it again, just in case.

after 7 months old (used 2-5 hours everyday) -no problem yet.

The S90 is overall pretty easy to figure out. The manual tends to only hit the high spots but most things are self explanatory. Editing can be done relatively easily, providing you know what to edit. The display is an average size with most information easily accessible

The keys are very nice. They tend to be heavier than most and they feel very good. They are also quiet. There is space to exand with Yamaha expansion cards. The midi operation was quite cumbersome. The S90 does not transmit aftertouch. This fact makes it nearly useless as a controller. I didn't use the sequencer

After visiting Harmony Central and reading some of the reviews, I purchased the S90 for mostly it's piano sounds. This was a terrible mistake. Anyone considering this board for any type of piano sound used outside of nursing homes, weddings, and lounges, DON'T! The acoustic piano sounds are horrible. I am sure that they are nothing that a $500,000.00 studio couldn't clear up but honestly. I couldn't believe my first encounter with that dreadful triple layer S700. How raunchy. Not to mention, all the piano sounds get lost in any type of band except maybe Lawrence Welk. No effect changing or eq could clear up this baby. The guitar sounds were also awful. When I listened to the on-line demo of the guitar sound I thought that maybe I would hear something different on my equipment but then I discovered that it was the same music box sounding thing I heard before. Why would Yamaha use a string sample with the vibrato built in? How ridiculous! I like my strings the way I like them not the way Yamaha says they should be. All of the acoustic presets have too much reverb, the wrong reverb, or not enough. I've got better things to do (like create music) than run my ear into the ground trying to tweak each and every sound. However, some of the synth presets were not too bad.

It is probably built like a tank but I probably wouldn't use it for much more than a door stop except for when I needed some swirly, paddy sorts of synth noises

Customer support is great or would be great if we still used the pony express. I can't believe what some companies call technical support.

Thank goodness I was able to return this boat anchor. Did Yamaha think that I just went and picked off $1700.00 from the tree in my back yard? I don't know about anyone else but when I spend that kind of money, I would like at the least something I can use. I am shopping again and I will take my time.

With the supplied editing software and relatively simple functions on the S90 easy of use is simple but efficient, the manual is crisp and short, the included editor is a great plus, but it only edits voices, it could do with a performance editor as well.

Features are great polyphony 64, more then enough. Effects are great, although presets and GM have too much reverb.
Keyboard action is fantastic, possibly top of the market. Playing fast organs on weighted keys is a different matter, but you can use another master keyboard for that. The S90 does not have a sequencer, but it comes with free sequencer software (although most of us will use cubase anyway) The S90 can play midi files using smartcards, so sequences can still be used in live performances.

Some of the sounds are simply the best on the market, period. It was my prime choice in buying the S90. The S700 piano beats almost all triple strike pianos on the market including Kurzweil, if it was only for the tweaking options which can turn this piano from classic dark tot rock brite in seconds. The organs are not only the best I ever heard, but they're are also a lot more of them then you would find in most synths. I own Roland and Korg as well, but the S90 simply offers the warmest and best organs. Strings and Synth effects are possibly the weakest in the S90, but that's probably only because the bar has been raised so high the past years.

Sure solid as a rock, only problem is it's weight. With my wooden flight case it's too much to lift for one person, which is a drag!

Yamaha online support is concidered overall bad. Yamaha anwers questions on the motifator forum sporadicaly, and tend to put problems down as rumours. Then again, a synth as the S90 is not all that complicated.

There are no real negative issues with the S90, it's one of the best Wave tone generators on the market today with fantastic keyboard action. The possibility of expanding it with FM or Modelling synth board will even please the analog lovers. If you're looking for a 88 key performance keyboard for use on stage or at home, this is no doubt your best choice today.

The presets sound fabulous. I was blown away by the overall sound quality and realism of many of the acoustic sounds. Even if some of the sounds weren't how you wanted them, some simple editing provides amazing results. The editing process has a learning curve(but hey doesn't everything). Once I figured out what I was doing, I found the whole process very logical and could see a real solid method to the design. The manual is useable, but it does make some assumptions about your previous knowledge with synthesizers.

The polyphony is 64 voices and there aren't any issues with voices dying out. The effects on this machine give you complete control of all the editing features you could possibly want. There are so many options it can appear overwhelming and this scares some people off. These same people and others often and unfairly label the S90 as having a poor interface. In reality Yamaha gives you a synth that allows you to tweak everything if you want to. The S90 has 4 expansion slots which you can use to install their plug in cards. It has has a smart media slot which makes storage not only easy, but powerful in that you can store huge amounts of data on smart media cards. There is no on board seqeuncer as this is not a worksation. You can download midi files into the S90 and edit them extensively. Most people these days use computer sequencers since they are so much more powerful than workstation sequencers anyway. The S90 works like a charm with a computer and hooking it up via usb makes the process so damn easy. Its just like plug and play technology. The S90 also isn't that heavy so lugging it around isn't that hard. The live perfomance of the S90 is also a big plus as many users and performers will attest to.

The sounds on this synth are second to none as current reviews (web, major mags) will attest to. There are also a ton of free sounds created by other S90 and motif users available and many of these sounds are as good as the presets and very useable. The S90 comes with a great software editor on top of the already great editing features of the synth itself. The software editor is a great compliment to the synth and adds a huge bonus with its solid and easy configuration and organization features. The S90 works very well with any type of music. The S90 is used professionally by people creating all types of music and I know this first hand. I see users flock to this almost exclusively for the electric piano, piano, Rhodes and organ sounds. As I stated previously the on board effects are magnificent! The action on this synth is the best out there. I can't tell you how many people comment on how great the action is on the S90. It is a completely intuitive machine and very responive to the player.

No problems yet. Haven't heard about any either

A previous reviewer made a comment about customer service favoring their higher end users. I have heard this as well from others. I have never had issues with their customer service.

I work in a major studio and see many bands/players on a daily basis. I've met and talked with some prominent musicans as well as those who are just starting. I find it amazing how many of them speak so highly about the S90. One of the best gages for me are the musicians who come into our studio and either don't have their keyboards or will just use what we have. Almost all of them try all 14 synths we have out and set up. The S90 is almost always chosen for ballads, latin, rock, classical and jazz. In fairness many hip pop and rap artist will use one of the Tritons for those type of sounds. What's I find fascinating is how many of them come in with the idea of using something else like the Roland XV's, Kuzweil's, Triton ect. Once they hear and play the S90, they often switch. Since I have access to these synths, I spend lots of time playing them. While I do like some of them, I wouldn't take any of them over the S90. In my dream set up, I would have a S90 and add a controller and Triton rack. I think these two sound sets compliment each other perfectly. I've been playing and programming synths for about 18 years now. I've seen, played and owned lots of keys in that time. I think the S90 ranks with the best keyboards ever. It's also a great value compared to some of the other stuff out there. The S90 inspires great music and gives me a complete feeling as a keyboard player.

This is my second review under Louis.
After 5 months of use I'm still stating that this is the best synth I've ever owned or played.

I have the Piano, DX, VL and AN plug in boards.
I use the Piano in my S30 and the others in the S90 after all combination tried.
Polyphony is no problem when fully expanded.
Sequence playback from the Smart Media Card is working perfectly.

I'm ready to cry even @ 49. The sounds are musical and are all types.
FX are great. Keys feel solid . Yamaha weighted action keyboards are actually the best (since the Motif). I've had Roland A90 and and Yamaha S8O prior. The S90... well I'm playing more because I'm inspired now. Thanks for Yamaha's enginering team.

I can't fully trust other keyboards like this one but only time will tell. Roland A-90 hammers (keys) broke down in the middle of my gig the Roland PA-4 action. PA-5 action like the RD-700 is O.K. Korg keyboards feel sloppy to me as does Fatar. Kawai 9000/9500 is O.K.
I "love" only the YAMAHA keyboard.

Not Too Good.

After decades in the business this is the keyboard that stops me "craving" for gear. (I'll buy more anyway). Modules, expansion boards, software yes, but not new keyboards I found what I was looking for! Piano practice (anytime) synth sounds of all types, sequecing day and night...and makig money with it from call backs for jobs.

Very simple - until you start editing. Not as easy to navigate as Korg products, but not difficult either. Patch editor included is great. Manual is so-so. Kind of the same old funky english-japanese-english translations we've all come to know and love. Once you do understand it's architecture though, it is a snap to run.

No need to reiterate what others have written. Go to www.sninety.com for all the real scoop on features. Expansion on this thing was really designed right. Lots of hip add ons available including VM and FM cards. FX are stellar - more than you will need. Two inserts, plus dedicated reverb and modulation (chorus, delay, etc.). Wonderful. As a controller, there are better, but I use an outboard midi mapper, so can't make a real comparison.

Oh my goodness. This is what I've been waiting for for years. The pianos, Rhodes's, Wurlis, and Clavs are nothing short of brilliant. I don't understand the reviewer who liked the S80 rhodes sounds better. I used an S80 for six months, and these sounds eat the S80 for lunch. Not to mention the keyboard feel on the S80 was light and clunky, not musical at all. Very cheap feeling. The S90 keyboard is about as good as it gets on a synth/controller. The B3s are very, very good. Only way to get better is a Korg CX3 or Voce V5 (or B3). The horns are OK, as are the strings. Lots of cool pad and lead sounds. Drum sounds are stellar. Woodwinds are wonderful. I would give the sounds an 8 for overall, but because this thing is geared towards keyboardists who want the meat and potatoes covered well, I'm giving it a ten. I just can't find fault with the electric pianos - even scrutinizing in headphones. I have owned 5 or 6 Rhodes EPs over the last 20 years, and this is the first product that has nailed it, bar none.

Yamaha is always great. I've had Yamaha stuff in my rig since my first CP70B electric grand. Never had any problems, they're all tanks.

Yamaha is the same as everyone else. If you reach the right person on the right day, you'll be fine. Everyone complains about customer support. You have to realize these guys deal with idiots all day long, and they get cranky! Yamaha has actually been one of the better companies for cust. support - at least that's been my experience with them.

The S90 is my new love. I use it with a Korg Triton classic. The two are very complimentary. I use the Triton primarily for organs, leads, pads, strings and percussion. Also, because it has a killer sequencer and great sampling, I don't miss those things on the S90. I can't agree with the reviewer who said the Triton sounds were much better than the S90. There are a lot of things the Triton is great for, but for the bread and butter piano (S700 sample is second to none), Rhodes, Wurlitzer, Clav, and B3, nothing on the market touches this. And it's cheaper than even the Korg Triton Le 88. If you play lots of piano and EP, go get one!

To all of you who bought this keyboard for a "rhodes" piano, but
were dissapointed because you thought the S80 elec. pianos were better, go to Yamaha's website and download the S80 factory presets. Load them into your S90. Do a little homework....these factory sounds are not set in stone.

I am using the latest version as of 4/19/03.
Very easy to use. I haven't been hung up on any problems that could not be solved by going to the manual. It's easy to edit a patch's effects on the s90, but the Voice Editor is needed to go deeper. Not that this is a bad thing! The voice editor is a snap to use.

64 note poly. I haven't noticed any notes dropping out. Keyboard action is quite nice (balanced hammer action).
Effects sound incredible, and there are quite a few. I especially like the low-fi effect on a piano for that vinyl record sound. Effects are very editable too.
There are 3 expansion slots on the s90, and the plug-in cards are very deep. They aren't just additional PCM data, but are whole new synths. I'm thinking of getting the PLG-AN (a 5-poly virtual analog synth), the PLG-VL (monophonic acoustic modeler), and the PLG-DX (16-poly FM synth). Also has mLAN support and a SmartMedia port.
For MIDI, you get in/out/thru, and a USB interface. Also has aftertouch, four assignable sliders, mod wheel, pitch wheel, two assignable foot controllers, one assignable footswitch, one sustain pedal, and a breath controller.
There is no onboard sequencer, but I use my computer to sequence.

The sounds on this synth are simply mind-blowing. Pianos are top notch (default triple-strike s700 is a bit capricious in its tone though), EPs and clavs are extensive, electric organs are good (not too many pipe organs however), strings are great (especially the synth strings), brass is good too, synth sounds are versatile, drums are outstanding, and wind instruments are quite nice. The arpeggiator also has some realistic strumming patterns as well as techno-ish ones.
What style is this good for? Probably everything but techno (though it wouldn't do too bad at that).

I've gigged with it once and it worked great. Seems really solid, but get a good stand for it 'cause it's pretty heavy.

I haven't needed to contact them yet.

If it was stolen (I would never lose this baby!) I'd buy it again. This board fit my needs exactly. I didn't need an onboard sequencer or sampler, nor did I want to pay for those extras I wouldn't use. It's a top-notch performance synth, and will probably last me for years, especially with the plug-in boards.

It seems my review provoked some responses, so let me try to reply... to the guy who says he "researched" for a year and there's no comparison to the S90, IMHO I've gigged with a Triton Pro-X, over 300 dates a year, countless sessions and records (prefer not to name drop) for almost 4 years. I'm now gigging every night w/ the S90. While the Yammy has it's strenghths, the Triton has more. Superior controllers. Brilliant interface. Better effects. Better eq. More usable sounds, organs and clavs head and shoulders above, better use of the arpeggiators and on and on. To the guy who worries about Korg reliability, I beat the hell out of two different Pro-X's, neither EVER broke down, gig after gig, year after year (and both were dropped more than once!). If you sit at home with your headphones on, the S90 sounds wonderful, but in the real world where acoustics wildly vary, the S90 seems to create lots of unwanted overtones. I have no idea why, but in almost any room, big or small, the S90 becomes muddy sounding, especially the much heralded triple strike piano. Nonetheless, I am liking it better than I did initially, now that I've had a chance to tweak it a bit. And it has GREAT action without a doubt.

Very easy to use and to edit patches. Very well thought out. But the manual is the pits. Yamaha has their own way of talking about things and there's no glossary and the index aint so good. So there's is an entirely unnecessary learning hump to get over. No biggie but irksome.

Polyphony is acceptable but 128 would have been much nicer. I owned and played a studio grand for many years but I love the action on this thing. It is not the most realistic action I tried but I liked this better. That might be because I've also played organ.

In general the sounds are very good, very musical. But: As someone else said "I like the piano but I don't love it". And the strings, which are very important to me, are useless 90% of the time because (apparently) the vibrato is in the sample. That's the most stupid thing Yamaha has done in a long time. I sure hope they come out with a killer string plugin card to make up for it. So I'm only going to give it a 7 but I can understand why others give it a 10.

Don't know. Someone posted that the cross to the high velocity on the 700 piano was really bad. The first time I turned on my board I had the sane problem-totally unusable--I couldn't figure out what was going on. I cycled the power and it's been fine ever since. But that does make me a little nervous.

Yep, I'd buy it again. It's a real pleasure to play. The action gets an 11 or 12 to bump this up to 9