YAMAHA PSR-36 - a digital SYNTHESIZER?!

[@MrChopemup]

Once you make your drum beats. You can remove the high hat by pressing the high hat key. And the highest key on the keyboard. You only get about five or six percussion sounds possible. I have two of these keyboards one is brand new never opened in the box. I bought it at a music store that was closing about 20 years ago. The beauty of the board is the minimalistic options you can’t spend all day jerking around with settings. Run it through a filter add some chorus delay, reverb , midi clock it and your gonna love the background textures for a song ..

[@carlosrizzardi4730]

Hi, friend. Consultation I have this fm synth and I am very satisfied, I am a bassist and I wanted it to complement my musical production. I'm looking at the microkorg mk1 but I'm not sure it's a much higher quality leap than the yamaha in terms of sounds, not in terms of performance, can you advise me? millions of thanks. Greetings from Argentina

[@ttheone3518]

My friend got a hold of a DX7, and i got a hold of a PSR-36, and last week we made the coolest music ever, recording it on a Korg CR4 for that retro feel

[@ethanoreilly2002]

Seriously my favourite home keyboard ever!! I've used it on stage a few times and constantly to record my songs and it blows me away!! The FM synthesis has really stood the the test of time as well as the on board editing of the patches!!

[@SamiJumppanen]

A random note: it has the same DAC as Roland HP1000S digital piano from 1989. PCM54HP.

[@juno6]

Nice review! I actually have two of these (along with various little FM PSS keyboards, and loads of "professional" synths). Some comments... IIRC... polyphony of that chip is 14 voices, but the 36 use double voices, one for each speaker... so you have 7 true stereo voices. If you detune some of the presets you´ll notices a rather pleasant stereo image. Regarding the parameters, Spectrum: Oscillator waveform (these chips have variations of sine waves) Brilliance: Modulation index Envelope: Envelope speed... the higher, the faster, both in attack and decay. It should be noted that even though you don´t have full access to all the internal parameters, by selecting different presets you´re actually changing algorithms, envelope modes etc. For example, some presets doesn´t have sustain, others do. The "Envelope" parameter change its speed range dramatically from preset to preset. IIRC, if you put all sliders in the middle position (3), you go back to the original values of that preset. The PSR-36 is an incredibly nice sounding synth, and I find myself using it a lot even though I have a DX5, DX7mk1, TX81z, FB01, DX100, etc.

[@danieklerr]

Hello.. I may have inadvertently started the rumor that the PSR-36 is a 4-op FM synth. My online commentaries from 20 years ago, then my later video "Yamaha PSR-36 .. The best home keyboard ever made" kind of parroted my false assumption that the unit used 4-op FM. My assumption was based on a poor understanding of FM and my experience using DX21, DX99 etc, which are 4-op. Also, the detune feature led me to believe that there were more than 2 operators at work. In fact, the PSR-36 uses the YM3420BF chip, and is indeed 2-operators. Sorry for any confusion. Also, it should be noted that 1988 was only one year earlier than when the DX7 was discontinued, which is one of the best selling synths of all time. Take into consideration the DX1, DX5, DX9, DX21, DX100, DX7s, DX7II, TX7, TF1, TX816, TX802 and TX81Z, and you can be sure that the PSR-36 was considered a toy at the time, and not a professional unit.

[@SynthsandSounds]

Oh wow, that's exciting to read from one of the original nerds! My understanding of FM synthesis is very superficial, thank you for explanations!

[@validcore]

Any advice on a PSR-36 key that works but have to press a little harder than others?

[@SynthsandSounds]

@@validcore Hmm... Have you opened it up already and taken a look at the key mechanism? I've never had to open it, but you might find the error that way. By comparing the key's mechanism to the others you might be able to find a mechanical issue that can be fixed. To make a sound an electrical contact needs to be made by the key press. Maybe those contacts got dirty or corroded, cleaning them might help otherwise if there's no mechanical error.

[@eds4169]

I remember going to Costco as a kid, circa 1989, with my mom to pick-up a PSR-36 at that big-box, bargain price.

[@jackispax1633]

Now that I've owned one for a while and had it next to a PSS-480 I can agree with this. I really don't hear much difference between the two. The detune function seems to be unique to this board out of the other 2-operator synths. Could it be considered a "dual" 2-operater?

[@lo-firobotboy7112]

I've owned two PSR-36 keyboards. I stupidly traded away the first then spent the next year looking for a replacement. It's one my favourite FM synthesizers.

[@bigman3454]

As far as I can tell "Spectrum" changes the waveform "Brilliance" changes the level of the modulator operator "Envelope" shortens / lengthens both attack & decay time "Detune" slightly lowers the frequency of the modulator operator

[@LikelyLoops]

Excellent video! This is one of my fav keyboards. I love it!! Running it through the grandmother is a fine idea! I will have to try this.

[@numenzamu1]

Hay! I've got a PSR-36, bought some years ago, trying to find something simple and cheap to have a sort of FM synthesis and a midi controller for Yamaha RS7000... I decided to deeply explore the functionalities of this Synth/Keyboard and KZbin brought me here.. Thank you so much for your very interesting and helpfull demo/review!

[@txdap786]

Hi from Austin Texas, I enjoy watching your videos and reviews, you have a way of explaining the keyboard like a friend would do and not a salesman. Keep up the great work...

[@kenzieprice6745]

Keep the TX vintage synth communuty strong!

[@txdap786]

@@kenzieprice6745 Synths Lives Matter!!!

[@BuickGeek24]

How are you?

[@DARIOVENTAS]

Hola fue mi primer teclado en año 1994 ,yo no entendía nada estaba empezando a estudiar , en fin me lo vendieron. Como nuevo . Esa época estaba el psr 70 . El hit se borra apretando la tecla cancel sería el último DO y a la ves la correspondiente al hit . Las variaciones 6 y 7 en la sección bajo y acordes permitían sonar con un arreglo arpergiado .aún lo conservo teclado, caja manual .

[@soundofalexis]

Expert presentation thoroughly explained comparisons between makers of synthesizers. Helpful

[@Kumodot]

It blows my mind a little bit to discover that you can edit the rhythms just pressing program and cancelling (Holding the last white key and pressing the percussion key you want to clean) the sound you don't want on your pattern . This is very cool! You can even edit the pre-made rhythms as custom ones (not save them).

[@NGrevolutionary]

The “spectrum” setting is actually the waveform frequency, and “brilliance” is feedback. Thankfully they ditched the confusing parameter names in favor of the more “professional” ones in later keyboards with editable FM synthesis

[@torbenanschau6641]

The PSR 3x series was rather the top of the lower range, with 61 keys instead of the smaller 2x and 1x line. Above it there was the PSR 80/90 series which had velocity I think and voice variations. Top Range was the PSR 6300 which lacked the Synthesizer. However the direct competition to the HT-3000 and 6000 actually was the DSR line. It had a more sophisticated FM-Synth with the option to save the sounds. I think around 89 the successor to both was the PSR 4500 which sound engine was a combination of FM and AWM (DASS). It also had programmable sounds and Rhythms.

[@IntellectualDarkWave]

Glad to have you back. Enjoy the video as always. I really kind of enjoy the accompaniment arpeggios. I kind of wish there was some kind of stand alone midi version of that so I could have it control synths and drum machines I like a little more.

[@samhersir]

The yamaha psr36 was my first synthesizer and it was allot of fun

[@hugolo24]

Hi! Thanks for a well done presentation of this synth. I have a question about the output. U say that it needs a converter of some kind. I wonder if u could help me out. I would like to run the 36 through my lyr8, and other fx pedals the in to my focusrite. How would u suggest i hook it to my lyra 8. Does a RCA to TS/TRS cabel work or do I need some RCA to TRS Line Level converter? Om grateful for a answer. Greetings from Sweden

[@dgSolidarity]

19:08 This keyboard is broken, my guess. If you had stereo sound when changing "detune" it would be very clear what it's doing. Some operators are de-tuned against others, so it does do what it says (if it is in full working order). If you listen to other videos on youtube about this keyboard that are in stereo you can hear its effect. For me, Detune alone is far and away the #1 thing out of every feature of this keyboard.

[@Zack-xz1ph]

yeah I think it's supposed to be mixed with the dry signal, but it's only sending the detuned signal. probably a hardware issue

[@Wacholder]

I have a lot of Yamaha FM keyboards, including a DX7. But i really like the PSR36, it can produce some surprisingly fat sounds - fast, and with it´s built in speakers. But imho even better is the PSS480,580,680,780 range of Yamaha keyboards. They are only 2FM keyboards, but with a true synthesizer engine for the user to tinker with. If you want to understand FM synthesis, buy one of these. Or buy the PSS580: it has the Lambada rhythm built in ;)

[@VeganFLA]

780 ♥

[@OpenGL4ever]

@@beholder-666 Die FM Keyboards haben doch alle FM Chips verbaut, kann man da nicht einfach einen OPL-3 FM Chip einer Soundkarte nehmen und diesen direkt programmieren? Als Keyboard kann man dann ja ein Master Keyboard verwenden, der Rest dürfte dann Software auf dem PC sein.

[@DARIOVENTAS]

Excelente el vídeo ,por fin un vídeo sobre este teclado como buscaba allar y gracias por ponerlo en subtitulado . felicitaciones

[@oiseaurouge6664]

Thanx muchissimo, Vintage Maestro 🎹

[@jackispax1633]

Thank you for this demo, just got one in the mail today. You helped me understand the "Duet" feature a little more. Lovely synth worth grabbing while they're cheap. It plays very well with a Korg SQ-1! But I can confirm what others are saying, the "Detune" or the stereo spread on yours is not working properly.

[@CasioChaosTheory]

9:19 - I feel like I am back in the mid/ late 80s playing SEGA arcade games! IIRC, I think SEGA were using Yamaha FM sound chips during that time period, so it's quite possible many of Yamaha's home keyboards were using similar sound generation to the actual arcade hardware. Great review as always Jochen!

[@GeertDeBleye]

The chips that are used are the same as in soundblaster soundcards. What you call resonance, is just the oscillator getting more FM modulated by the second one... It's FM synthesis, not subtractive. There is the SY series, which are more advanced fm dsp's and have an analog filter next to it. These are toys with more lofi 8 bit Chips, as in the soundblaster cards. Though, i love some of there sounds. It surprises me this one is called psr... They are normally pss , strange thing is, they all have there specific limitations, although the same chip. If you'll believe the higher number is better, not really. Imo, the pss 480 is the better one, and not the 580, which is a bit unlogical

[@francisconunez7041]

I had one, but unfortunately it was out of tune (a little higher than the standard 440vpm). Every time i would play with others, they would have to adjust their intonation to match my keyboard's. The pitch button would take it too high or to low...It would be nice if you could check that on yours.

[@eulbk6909]

I guess, in addition once you pass it thru effect processor, I think it can output another set of variations...cosmic, bell, synth sounds are good..

[@AndreijRublev]

Finally he is back!

[@midinotes]

Does the digital synthesiser change the sounds of the presets, or when you switch it on it gives you a variety of sound options but irrespective of what preset you start with? I see how Yamaha were trying to make FM synthesis more accessible to the general public. Rather than the complexities of changing operator arrangements, feedback of operators and then adjusting the ADSR of each operator, they came up with some simple variations on a theme. FM sounds are so complex harmonically so spectrum makes sense as it's different waveforms created by modulating the sine wave operators with some preset values. The brightness is probablyy just adding more feedback or modulation to the FM oscillators (operators). The detune effect I think it meant to detune some of the operators in a voice, but probably depends on how those operators are arranged in the sound (i.e. either parallel or series). Or it might be related to the vibrato as a means of adjusting not just rate but depth? The drums are impressive though, sound very much like Yamaha's RX drum machines at the time. I'm assuming no midi or effects, so I guess there's not a great deal of potential outside exploring these variations.

[@Randeema]

Au contraire! The PSR-36, PSR-41 etc all have MIDI In/Out onboard 5-pin connectors & play well with peripherals. The versatile & powerful rhythm/bass section can drive external MIDI gear or receive MIDI as well (sequencers etc).

[@Kumodot]

Duet mode is GREAT to create different sounds to. I manage to get an almost perfect "Super Mario Synth" sound, just using it, holding Left first D and second C on the left and using Clarinet on the Right hand. When you hit the right-hand keys you can listen to a different sound combined.

[@adrkomgkristiansen8379]

My dad used to play on this when he lived with my grandparents and i got my hands on this great keyboard

[@Simon-ui6db]

Yikes my music teacher had this when I was in year 7 (1991). I was using a casio CT470 so thought the psr-36 wasn't much cop. Great video.

[@aliq7280]

This keyboard is an embodiment of the 80's!

[@OpenGL4ever]

My father bought a Yamaha PSR-36 in December 1988 for a price of 990 DM 14 % VAT included. According to historical currency rates, that was $556.87 on that day. Was the Casio HT-3000 in the same price range?

[@hdjsos]

Hi! How would you compare the sound of the PSR-36 with the Yamaha PSS-460/470/570? I have a 470 and it sounds almost analog like, possibly due to the chorus effect. I also have a PSS-580, but I prefer the digital warmth of the 470. Would like to pick up a PSR-36. I'm considering getting a PSR-36, but I'm concerned that it might have too much overlap with my 470/580. By the way, if you haven't already, take a look at the MEGAfm by Twisted Electrons. It has easily become my desert island synth.

[@jeremypoythress4995]

I got one from a pawnshop 15 years ago and gotta say this thing is full of tones and sounds good as is. ive played it with effects and pulled out sounds like an upright saloon piano,sega and Nintendo synth sounds,a 3 octave vibraphone, some nice jazz and church organ sounds.sounds best with a 9v adapter imo👌.

[@petersamiutenki]

I guess, that you have missed sustain slider above Digital Synthesizer. This adds interresting tail to sounds with envelope switched to 5th position. Nice feature is in chord variation 8! When you choose string sound for chord string pad will play as long as you keep keys pressed down, with no automatic plucking! Other thing is in fingered mode if you play only root note, bas won't jump over chord notes giving more groove playing on one note and octaves! Very nice machine, and the drums are not too bad, equed and with a little bit of reverb it sounds pretty cool.❤😊

[@jorgeandrade20]

"A friend of mine gave me a PSR keyboard", true friend indeed!

[@erichkohl9317]

I had a PSR-31 at that time, but would have loved to have this instead!

[@Gluttonite]

I have one I leave batteries in it at all times even when plugged in so the custom drum pattern will not be deleted.

[@OpenGL4ever]

If you ask me, i don't think this is a good idea. Because alkaline batteries tend to leak and NiMH accumulators, which are much safer in this regards, only have 1,2 V for each cell, thus not enough to reach the 9 V.

[@Gluttonite]

@@OpenGL4ever I power it up via AC then replace them while connected once a year.

[@maviba]

Good old PSR 36. I got mine in 88 and still have it. I really should consider reactivating it.

[@OpenGL4ever]

Me too.

[@bluegrasssasquatch4930]

It seems like on setting five in the spectrum that it also adds a bit of noise for most patches. I have the psr-90 and pss-460 and they're both the same too.

[@deepinsidedeez4960]

So my uncles farther had this keyboard which it got passed down to me so I'm in love with it I have a psr-ew410 and the socket of it works on the psr-36☻

[@timowaag]

I hope you’ll be posting some jams this jamuary!!! Let’s gooooo #jamuary2024

[@SynthsandSounds]

on my local time, I just managed to get the video out on January 1st :)

[@amihol]

Yeah Jochen, Grandmother review please.

[@thompi8]

i had the psr 16 when i vas a child my first keyboard if i dont count the pss 30 like that but it va so small. I remember i want that psr6 instead becouse it already had 100 voices. but my parents want me to have the psr16 instead it vas a bether first keyboard then the 6 vas. I remeber also it vas that time period the dx7 .21 ,27 vas the synth all pro musician used. i remeber i create with my jazzguitar sound and sp. 3 br.5 ev.1. vib.1 i got a fat brass sound now i have wonder in many years how did psr 36 sounds with same settings and it also have detune(DE) how would that sound i create sounds when i use that. sorry for bad english and what i did shorts about vas Spectrum ,Brilance ,evelope ,viberato i hope you undestod that when i typed it in thanks for a good video ;D

[@doordedeur]

It sounds more like 2 operator FM, rather than 4 operator FM.

[@gwEmbassy]

I somehow agree with that. I have no doubt it is 4-op, as multiple sources say so. But yes, it doesn’t seem to have that richness.

[@dgSolidarity]

@@gwEmbassy It's a broken PSR-36, or, they are failing to maintain stereo. Please! Listen to other videos on youtube before judging its sound. I'll go get a couple suggestions.

[@dgSolidarity]

THIS is what the PSR-36 ACTUALLY sounds like! kzbin.info/www/bejne/ioCXm2mAbtCCbrM

[@dgSolidarity]

Some really fantastic stereo effect using patches in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmXCgXiXiJyZj80

[@davidsomething4867]

Never had a PSR, had a load of different PSS models though :- ) . Got a CS01 in collection at the moment although it needs a bit of TLC , power socket does not work and one or 2 of the switches are flakey but usable for playing around with unless in a performance and/or want to change on the fly in recording :-) Had a DX100 about 10 years back but I think I gave it to a work colleague 😞 Never got my head round programming it but I don't think many did, lol.

[@psychosomatic7035]

Please someone answer me, I can't find it on the internet, it has touch sensitivity ?

[@improbablesafari1491]

Definitely not

[@sgt.sanders4903]

I bought this board along with a Korg 01/W and these two boards have been my main gigging setup for the past 30 years, I will never part with either one

[@JuliusSeizureOfficial]

I got one for free. Couldn't believe my luck. Excellent piece of kit

[@BellXllebMusic]

Spectrum in the synthesizer is modulator speed/ratio and brilliance is modulator amplitude. Ratio I'm sure about and amplitude 99% sure. Also I think the envelope also only controls the modulator.

[@Realtoshiba]

Please how can i get pianoo psr 36 how much the price

[@pcuimac]

One of the machines I lusted for, but it had no velocity sensitivity. Coming from piano playing that was a no go for me.

[@dangerdadrockboy9742]

Thanks for the review. I thought it was very balanced. Is it worth €120? There's one for sale locally at that price. I have a PSS 270 which I absolutely love and a Gem S2 which I'm still trying to figure out! And, yes, please, do a video on the Moog

[@kenzieprice6745]

You are fortunate to have the S2! You have well made keyboard. Polyphonic aftertouch and a sound of it's own.

[@Kaymo_Music]

nice review!

[@matchismo]

Gotta crank the low pass on the autochord

[@JulienMR]

I got the little brother, the pss 570. I love it :) I should try to send its sound into my virus :))

[@LosTreintaMusic]

hmm I think I'm going to wait for a HT-3000 or similar, or maybe save for the lower end DX synths.. I have no use for the rhythms or accompaniment, I just want a straight up good sound, and presets, perhaps adjustable. Thank you!

[@aldeanblair9727]

Amazing video!

[@SynthsandSounds]

Thank you so much!

[@Frankreyez]

I just got this for recording directly to my focusrite on my laptop. But I notice the Midi in and out require a 5 pin? And my focusrite is a 3 pin. What exactly is the cable.or midi out pin called so I can find it on Amazon? I type 5 pin midi but it doesn't look the same as this keyboards ports. Nobody in my town knows what it's called and I searched everywhere for it.

[@rot_studios]

You are confusing audio and MIDI. MIDI is a digital data format which is used to connect various devices and control them. I.e. is for control of things only. MIDI uses those 5-pin connectors. For audio you typically either use jack plugs or XLR plugs, the latter being the 3-pin you see on your Focusrite. XLR is mostly used for microphones, but some synthesizers/keyboards also have it. Most synthesizers/keyboards use jack plugs however and the 3-pin connections on your Focusrite are specially made to accept jack plugs too (the big hole in the center is for those). Now there's also a type of audio connector called RCA. These are more typically used for home-audio gear like tape or CD players, but a lot of old keyboards tend to use them too. From pictures on Google I can see the Yamaha keyboard also uses RCA. I can't really see from the pictures but I'm going to guess the red one is the left channel output, the white one is the right channel output. TL;DR: you'll need an RCA to 6.3mm jack cable.

[@OpenGL4ever]

Does your focusrite USB audio interface does support MIDI? There are versions without MIDI connectors, usually the cheaper ones.

[@shemo_ghoul]

I LOVE the music you used in this video, did you make it with PSR-36?

[@kfgrelaxingrhythm8038]

good very nice bro

[@chordpop6259]

Man, you totally missed the best part of this keyboard. The key is in the detune switch and also utilizing the stereo output. You only used it mono, and sounds like just one of the stereo channels. You either have to do a true stereo left/right output, or use a stereo to mono adaptor so that you combine the channels into one. Also the detune slider enhances the two channel effect, because the two channels are not making the same sound in most cases. If you had done this, your view would be 180 degrees. I like to call this the "very poor man's Oberhiem" for this reason. Sounds very rich, lush and expressive if the output/detune slider is configured properly.

[@SynthsandSounds]

I realized earlier that I missed that! From now on, I will alway test my gear in stereo, i promise!

[@texacomann]

Try the pss 680 or 780!

[@MesEspeoe]

👏

[@ss.fx3626]

yahama pss 570 can you do a overview on it

[@SynthsandSounds]

If I ever get my hands on one, yes. But that's not very likely. I recommend reading the manual thoroughly, you will surely find it online. And if that doesn't help you enough, go to forums and other websites, you will find a lot of information

[@valeudetanderawotreplays]

mine PSR-36 I tuned - I put stereo P10 outputs

[@MrChopemup]

Explain. Please

[@max-voltage-music]

geil jochen! 👉🏻👌🏻

[@hettovennik2887]

Thnx for the vid! That sounds great through the Moog :-) I’m hooking it up to my new Eventide H9 soon. I have a question i hope someone can help me with: I scored a PSR 36 for €24 (!!!) yesterday in a thrift store; super lucky find i guess! The original adapter is missing. they delivered it with a ‘5V 2A’ one. I looked up all information and the PSR 36 is supposed to have a Yamaha PA 4 or PA 40, which is ’10A 1A’. and also mentions 22W for the input side. On the back of the synth/KB itself it says ‘DC 9-12V in’ So, knowing the adapter i was given is no good i went back and now have a ’12V DC 1000mA’ one (Jutai Electronic JT-DC12V1000). It it save to use this adapter? it does not mention any Watts like the original PA does. It’s not easy to find a replacement adapter and it seems to me all the ones i find that promise to be compatible are also 12V and 1,5A or 2A, so that makes no difference to the one i now have? Many thanks

[@SynthsandSounds]

Great find! I am no electrician, but I have some inputs for you. Unfortunately I had only borrowed the PSR-36, so I can't double-check any information. There's some important points where you can f*ck it up. Sending a too high voltage (V) into it and sending your current with the wrong polarity (+/-). Obviously, you also should never send AC to a DC product or vice versa. Polarity: Any typical round low voltage plug uses two contacts, one on the inside of the connector and one on the outer shiny part. One contact is charged positively and the other one negatively. Switching them might break the device, so double check it! Usually, ther's a small sign indicating the polarity (you can find it on any adapter and usually right next to the plug on the device): It shows a small plus and minus sign connected to a dot in the middle. One of the polarity signs is connected to the inner part of the dot, the other polarity sign is connected to the outer ring around the dot. This shows you, where it has its positive and negative charge. It is necessary for this to be the same on both products, otherwise you might break it. Voltage and stuff: If the Manual says it requires 22 Watts peak, then 12V 1A would not be enough, since it delivers only 12 W in my understanding. But as long as you don't put too high voltage, you should be safe to try it out anyways, you shouldn't break it if it doesn't get delivered enough power via a 1A adapter. Using higher ampere adapters should be safe too as long as the voltages are right. 2A 12V would be enough for the theoretically required 22W, delivering a maximum of 24W if needed. But in my understanding, the power consuming device takes what it needs from within the delivered Ampere amount, so using higher Watt/Ampere than required shouldn't cause any trouble and is always better than using lower than required.

[@hettovennik2887]

@@SynthsandSounds Many thanks for the info! ok cool. right, so i had read a simplified version of what you described here. I guess i was lucky my 'new' adapter has the polarity right because it works; didn't know about that! whoops. so i should be OK, cheers, best!

[@OpenGL4ever]

@@hettovennik2887 If the device has 22 W peak, it can destroy a 12 V 1 a power supply. The latter becomes to hot when high ampere amounts are needed by the device. To be on the save side, i would use a 12 V 2 A power supply. The 9 V mentioned is for the battery mode.

[@OpenGL4ever]

@@hettovennik2887 And one more thing, there are linear power supplies and switching power supplies. The latter ones can save energy, but they can cause ripple effects on the DC output signal. A linear power supply doesn't have that problem, but they will transform the power, the device doesn't need into heat and thus consume more energy. They also usually weight more. In the early days linear power supplies were common.

[@gabe-be9us]

anybody know how to make the yamaha psr-36 sound like a piano i pressed the green piano button but it doesnt really sound like a piano

[@SynthsandSounds]

Hey Gabriel, this is a 1980s keyboard that pre-dates the era of sampling (sampling means that a real piano could be recorded and played back). This means that they tried to emulate a piano's sound by using synthesis - which is a nearly impossible task. I'd recommend to get a keyboard from the 90s or newer if you want it to sound like a real piano. But I'd even more recommend to forget about the piano and embrace the PSR-36's sounds as what they are!

[@SynthsandSounds]

Also make sure that the "digital synthesizer" section is turned off: make sure that the leftmost lever of this section is in the "off" position. This gives you the closest emulation of a piano

[@error_official4808]

I have this but its kinds broken most of the keys does not work .

[@gravityfreaksmusic]

Sweet! :)

[@VeganFLA]

como tan nuevo? yo tengo un PSR36 que parece haber sobrevivido a un bombardeo!

[@baileycarthew4381]

Vintage Casio beats Vintage Yamaha hands down - CASIO FZ10\VZ10\CZ5000 owner here, love the old Casio tech.

[@SynthsandSounds]

My man!

[@theprinceofportugal]

That's a killing set up, congrats... proud CZ 1 owner here.

[@angelsantos4800]

Yamaha psr 36 have many midi functions,more than casio.

[@gradusadparnassum3420]

nice intoroducing video! i am regret about buying PSR-36 at countryside of Japan.

[@petersamiutenki]

I had fun with this keyboard in 1990. 2 years ago I bought one for circa 60€ in Poland. Briliance isn't working properly, only 1st a d 5th position, but I still have fun with it. I tried to use it as band in a box , for playing some covers of electronic music. I was asked to present some music during music lesson in primary school. Here are some exerpts of my rehersals two days before school presentation. And I am not a keyboard player! Nice video! Nice music at the end! kzbin.info/www/bejne/ep-mkoiHbtpoiZIsi=BmrQpp1GPwua5L9b

[@kfirtsairi3986]

Great video man The family of the portastone organ of yamaha was great series Like the psr 18,36,70,80,90,3600 I had the psr 90 and it was superb

[@nvoid2597]

Just bought one for nz$16 (US $8) from a dude who has no idea what it is or what it is worth. Now I just have to figure out how to get it from his city to mine as he doesn't want to courier it. Hmmm

[@SynthsandSounds]

In Switzerland I explore the entire country by train on my hunt for synths. Not sure tho how viable that method is in NZ

[@faleofastockwell9661]

What city are you in? You could ask him to put some cardboard around it and then use TradeMe couriers?

[@nvoid2597]

@@faleofastockwell9661 Auckland. Keyboards in dunedin. The dude doesn't want to package it for some reason. I'm gonna call some courier company's tomorrow and ask what my options are. My ex gf lives in oamaru so may ask her if she can grab it for me... The dude is getting annoyed it's taking me so long to pick it up

[@BoldLearning]

BGM is too loud

[@Xvrabia]

Is a gun getting painted at you is that why you talking like that?

[@SynthsandSounds]

Luckily nobody ever tried painting a gun on me. Would be a weird move to be honest

[@BebePhy]

78013 Ebert Squares

[@joelalexander4513]

Hey smile, would ya? Why so frumpy?

[@photogramistic]

German?

[@jenstrudenau9134]

Obviously yes. Looks like Heinbach on wish.

[@djdziani3975]

There are no filters and please learn somethong about FM synthesis before you make a review of FM synth

[@SynthsandSounds]

I didn't say there's a filter at any point. I just said one of the parameters sounds a bit filter-like to relate it to something people actually understand. I know FM synthesis well enough to know that there's no filter. But you're right, I know little about FM synthesis. Since this isn't a fully programmable FM synth, I felt comfortable enough to review it. I will surely learn more about it before ever making a review about a real FM synth - but thanks for the recommendation. Since you seem to know a lot about FM synthesis, are there any points where I made obvious mistakes? And do you think you need to be a FM professional to review a 80s keyboard that only relies on presets with no proper FM programming??

[@photogramistic]

Talk less Play more!