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New for NAMM 2021: Stage Keyboards from Yamaha

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The YC73 and YC88 – two ready-to-play instruments with piano, electric piano, clavi, strings, brass, etc. with weighted keyboards (73 or wooden 88).

Yamaha will be showcasing the YC73 and YC88 Stage Keyboards during NAMM’s virtual Believe in Music week starting January 21, 2021. The YC73 and YC88 combine new keyboard actions with the sounds, drawbar control, and ease of use of the YC61 (introduced in January 2020). The YC73 features 73 weighted, balanced keys and is intended for keyboardists who divide their playing between organ, piano, electric piano, clavi, synth, and other staple keyboard sounds. The YC88 is meant for musicians who prioritize the touch and response of an acoustic piano, offering 88 weighted Natural Wood keys with triple-sensor action, synthetic ebony and ivory key tops. Both add options alongside the semi-weighted “waterfall” action of the YC61 — the key shape preferred by organ players.

YC73 and YC88
Yamaha YC88

The YC73 and YC88 employ exclusive Yamaha Virtual Circuit Modeling (VCM) to capture not only the sound of classic “drawbar” organs, but their behavior down to the component level. VCM also reproduces the distinctive rotary speaker effect.

Nine drawbars shape the sound by controlling individual footages, and other parameters such as percussion and vibrato/chorus enhance the tone. The player can also customize key click, “leakage,” rotary speaker speed changes, and more. The keyboard may be split between upper and lower organ registrations. In addition to VCM modeling organ, the organ section also features FM synthesis.

Two “Keys” sections utilize proprietary Yamaha “Advanced Wave Memory” which provides acoustic and electric pianos, strings and brass, analog-style synth sounds, and more. The Keys section features two dedicated effects processors along with configurable envelope and filter controls for real time manipulation and interaction. Like the Organ section, the Keys section also features FM synthesis for many classic sounds like DX7 electric pianos, leads, basses and more. The Keys section may also be split with the organ section across the keyboard or played from an external MIDI controller keyboard to either the Organ or Keys section.

Pricing and Availability

The Yamaha YC73 and YC88 Stage Keyboards will ship to retailers beginning January 21, 2021, at manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRP) of $2,999 and $3,499, respectively. 

To see the Yamaha YC73 and YC88 Stage Keyboards on display during Believe in Music week, January 21-24, 2021, please register online. For more information about the YC78 and YC88, visit Yamaha.io/YC

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