S90 (Yamaha)
Encyclopedia
The Yamaha
Music Synthesizer S90 is a synthesizer
and a MIDI controller
in one unit, released in 2002 to supersede the S80
. . As such, it is part of the S series together with the S03 and S08. It was superseded by the S90ES in 2005, itself superseded by the S90XS in 2009. It is notably one of the few digital 'modular' synthesizers with 88 weighted keys. To what extent the S90 is modular may be a topic of controversy in comparison to analog modular synthesizers as parts of its modularity is plug-in based and not applicable in real time. However, it is still possible to view it as a hybrid modular type in conjunction with software use (see Modular synthesizer
).
, emulating the pianistic mechanism. The keyboard naturally provides initial touch, but also aftertouch response and has a 64-note polyphony
with 16 multitimbral
parts providing a maximum of 4 performance parts.
presets. User presets are 128 normal and 16 drum kits. Presets may be expanded through up to three plug-in boards allowing a bank of 64 presets for each plug-in slot.
(3.3V) cards up to 128 MB.
)
Dimensions (mm): 1,357 (W) × 386 (D) × 163 (H)
Weight (kg): 23.0
Imperial, English, United States customary, etc.
Weight (lbs.): 51
Dimensions (inches): 53 3 /8" (W) × 15 1 /8" (D) × 6 3 /8" (H)
The front panel features a standard setup of a pitch bend wheel, a modulation
wheel and a master volume slider. In addition there are four assignable control sliders and one 'rotary encoder'. The display is a 240 × 64 dot graphic backlit LCD.
Back Panel
Output: L/mono, R (1 /4" Jacks
)
Assignable output: L, R (1 /4" Jacks
)
Master Equalizer (5 bands)
Phones (Stereo 1 /4" Jack
)
2 × Foot controller
2 × Foot switch: Assignable, Sustain
Breath
MIDI IN
MIDI OUT
MIDI THRU
USB
ACINLET
Plug-in System" and 21 types of filter. Table 1 shows an overview of the S90 factory effects.
Table 1. List of Onboard effects
¹ available for Performance/Song mode
Yamaha
Yamaha may refer to:* Yamaha Corporation, a Japanese company with a wide range of products and services** Yamaha Motor Company, a Japanese motorized vehicle-producing company...
Music Synthesizer S90 is a synthesizer
Synthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
and a MIDI controller
MIDI controller
MIDI controller is used in two senses.*In one sense, a controller is hardware or software which generates and transmits MIDI data to MIDI-enabled devices....
in one unit, released in 2002 to supersede the S80
Yamaha S-80
The Yamaha S-80 is a 88 weighted-key synthesizer, produced by Yamaha Corporation.It was released as Yamaha's flagship stage and studio synthesizer in 1999, and retailed for approximately US $3,000 before its discontinuation in 2002. It was superseded by the S-90...
. . As such, it is part of the S series together with the S03 and S08. It was superseded by the S90ES in 2005, itself superseded by the S90XS in 2009. It is notably one of the few digital 'modular' synthesizers with 88 weighted keys. To what extent the S90 is modular may be a topic of controversy in comparison to analog modular synthesizers as parts of its modularity is plug-in based and not applicable in real time. However, it is still possible to view it as a hybrid modular type in conjunction with software use (see Modular synthesizer
Modular synthesizer
The modular synthesizer is a type of synthesizer consisting of separate specialized modules connected by wires to create a so-called patch. Every output generates a signal – an electric voltage of variable strength...
).
Keyboard
The S90 provides 88 fully weighted keys, the number equivalent to a standard pianoPiano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, emulating the pianistic mechanism. The keyboard naturally provides initial touch, but also aftertouch response and has a 64-note polyphony
Polyphony
In music, polyphony is a texture consisting of two or more independent melodic voices, as opposed to music with just one voice or music with one dominant melodic voice accompanied by chords ....
with 16 multitimbral
Multitimbral
Monotimbral is usually used in reference to electronic synthesisers which can produce a single timbre at a given pitch upon pressing a single or multiple keys .An electronic musical instrument may be...
parts providing a maximum of 4 performance parts.
Presets
There are 384 normal (e.g. instrumental) presets and 48 drum kits. The S90 also includes standard GMGeneral MIDI
General MIDI or GM is a standardized specification for music synthesizers that respond to MIDI messages. GM was developed by the MIDI Manufacturers Association and the Japan MIDI Standards Committee and first published in 1991...
presets. User presets are 128 normal and 16 drum kits. Presets may be expanded through up to three plug-in boards allowing a bank of 64 presets for each plug-in slot.
Expandability and Memory Slot
The S90 can be expanded through plug-in boards at three plug-in slots, thus providing additional presets, polyphony, effects and synthesizer functionality. Also, a memory slot is included for SmartMediaSmartMedia
SmartMedia is a flash memory card standard owned by Toshiba, with capacities ranging from 2 MB to 128 MB. SmartMedia memory cards are no longer manufactured.- History :...
(3.3V) cards up to 128 MB.
Visual Description
The S90 is a large black synthesizer with brown side panels and might give the impression of a digital synthesizer with its green display. 71 push buttons are distributed across the front panel (based on image observation). Pitch bend and modulation wheels are placed above the keyboard aligned to the left.Measurements
Metric (SISi
Si, si, or SI may refer to :- Measurement, mathematics and science :* International System of Units , the modern international standard version of the metric system...
)
Dimensions (mm): 1,357 (W) × 386 (D) × 163 (H)
Weight (kg): 23.0
Imperial, English, United States customary, etc.
Weight (lbs.): 51
Dimensions (inches): 53 3 /8" (W) × 15 1 /8" (D) × 6 3 /8" (H)
Panels and Connectors
Front PanelThe front panel features a standard setup of a pitch bend wheel, a modulation
Modulation
In electronics and telecommunications, modulation is the process of varying one or more properties of a high-frequency periodic waveform, called the carrier signal, with a modulating signal which typically contains information to be transmitted...
wheel and a master volume slider. In addition there are four assignable control sliders and one 'rotary encoder'. The display is a 240 × 64 dot graphic backlit LCD.
Back Panel
Output: L/mono, R (1 /4" Jacks
TRS connector
A TRS connector is a common family of connector typically used for analog signals including audio. It is cylindrical in shape, typically with three contacts, although sometimes with two or four . It is also called an audio jack, phone jack, phone plug, and jack plug...
)
Assignable output: L, R (1 /4" Jacks
TRS connector
A TRS connector is a common family of connector typically used for analog signals including audio. It is cylindrical in shape, typically with three contacts, although sometimes with two or four . It is also called an audio jack, phone jack, phone plug, and jack plug...
)
Master Equalizer (5 bands)
Phones (Stereo 1 /4" Jack
TRS connector
A TRS connector is a common family of connector typically used for analog signals including audio. It is cylindrical in shape, typically with three contacts, although sometimes with two or four . It is also called an audio jack, phone jack, phone plug, and jack plug...
)
2 × Foot controller
2 × Foot switch: Assignable, Sustain
Breath
MIDI IN
MIDI OUT
MIDI THRU
DIN connector
A DIN connector is a connector that was originally standardized by the , the German national standards organization. There are DIN standards for a large number of different connectors, therefore the term "DIN connector" alone does not unambiguously identify any particular type of connector unless...
USB
ACINLET
Sound Generation and Effects
The synthesizer uses AWM2, a "Modular SynthesisModular synthesizer
The modular synthesizer is a type of synthesizer consisting of separate specialized modules connected by wires to create a so-called patch. Every output generates a signal – an electric voltage of variable strength...
Plug-in System" and 21 types of filter. Table 1 shows an overview of the S90 factory effects.
Table 1. List of Onboard effects
| Effect Name | Factor | No. of Types |
|---|---|---|
| Reverb | ? | 12 |
| Chorus | ? | 25 |
| Insertion | 1 x | 25 |
| Insertion | 2 x | 104 |
| Variation¹ | 2 x | 25 |
| Equalizer | (master) | (5 bands) |
¹ available for Performance/Song mode