Yamaha VSS 30 Digital Voice Sampler demonstration

[@RingoStarr39]

This apparently uses the Yamaha YM2416 sound chip which is very similar to the YM2413 used in several 1980's arcade games and game consoles. Very cool device.

[@keiranbradley3238]

That's was excellent!. What a fun wee device.

[@ragdoll357]

Yes I did enjoy learning about this

[@keiranbradley3238]

Great camera work by Louisa, As per usual.

[@markwhittaker6321]

A wonderful and talented geezer.

[@dafunkycanuck]

Person or child had me chuckling. I learned how to say "Bud, King of Beers" in reverse once so I could do something similar. I'm all about spending my time wisely.

[@alexknip]

Somehow you look different ages in different videos 😃 Great, as always!

[@VintageKeysStudio]

Haha yes. It depends on which angle the lights are reflecting off my folds

[@jesusbencomo3495]

Hello Steve, I loved very much your demonstration of the synthesizer VSS30. It's really amazing how many new sounds can be created with it.

[@VintageKeysStudio]

Thank you! Yes it’s a magical instrument where the limitations actually make it more versatile

[@austinmillerrr]

The kind of videos I’d like to see are more. Just more videos please and thank you.

[@mikolasstrajt3874]

If this thing appear on some local classified ad I am going to definitely buy it!

[@dickydoes]

This takes me back to my Casio SK1 performing the Toy Symphony Demo using the word ‘bollocks’. Top fun.

[@johnsonmonsen]

I would call this device reliable! It seems to work well all over the years and even the build-in microphone still gets the job done. I was surprised about the feature of overwriting/merging consecutive records into one sample. It adds even more polyphonical creativity playing the VSS-30, which obviously is that portable to be even used at the toilet ... Many thanks for this awesome made presentation and all the best :-)!

[@VintageKeysStudio]

And it was purchased in Scotland from a native jellyfish!

[@aftertheendtimes]

Always a pleasure to visit your channel, dear Steve,..🥰 so refreshing for the soul. Thank you. Love cheers🎹💚

[@VintageKeysStudio]

Thank you, I suppose I can be slightly refreshing sometimes ;)

[@aftertheendtimes]

@@VintageKeysStudio 😄Indeed you are refreshing dear Steve 💚

[@aadbehage6095]

Again one of doze greatz vidzz, az allwayzz !

[@keithhampton9700]

Very catchy tune!! Going to the toilet! Toy Dolls would love it!!

[@eshninerforest]

I wish we all had at least 3 mellotrons. Great video!

[@PC0067]

Excellent !!!

[@Gluttonite]

There is something about cables and wires running every which way that truly gives me peace and joy. Love the videos!

[@VintageKeysStudio]

Likewise! Thank you :)

[@doktorvells3634]

Bloomin' 'eck, those recordings you made were excellent!

[@revtonynewnham]

Another fascinating instrument. Keep up the good work.

[@t55a2]

Great wee device

[@johndavies8946]

Noel Edmunds and useful stuff in Boots, the 80s were truly magical. Great video as usual. For me just keep the same type of content but something on string machine synths would be nice.

[@VintageKeysStudio]

Thanks very much

[@simonfisher836]

I had this one but later I bought the VSS 200 which I still have fully working, along with some other ancient ones!

[@Clyde_Lewis]

Wonderful sampler demo! It's great fun to build up a song and rhythm track from a sample. I was unawares of the Yamaha sampler, but I do have the Casio "rival," the SK-1, and I, too, have the box. That was back in the days of the heated sampler wars. Well, my sampler was sometimes heated. Speaking of future topics for videos, I was wondering if you could please do a demo of creating tape loops (with real reel to reel tape) and creating loop tracks, as well as outboard echo effects, etc?

[@VintageKeysStudio]

Yes that’s a great idea! Yes this is on the list! :)

[@Clyde_Lewis]

@@VintageKeysStudio I remember an article, years ago, in which Dave Edmunds said that in the early days, he would shove a pack of cigarettes in between the playback and record heads, and then, over time, the pack would crumple, and the delay time would mutate. I'm not sure if they were 7.5 ips or 15 ips cigs.

[@trumjohannsmancave]

Just got me one of these!! Have the VSS-100 and VSS-200 as well❤😁🎹

[@obaysh5047]

Really lovely and fun video!

[@hotfirecaster]

Very very fun!!! And so creative!

[@rot_studios]

That second song has very strong Cardiacs vibes. I could almost hear Tim singing.

[@VanWinger]

7:54 The best Lovejoy theme cover I have ever heard. Bravo!

[@VintageKeysStudio]

Thanks! :)

[@johangamb]

Wow "The Man Who Spoke His Mind" was great! Immediately searched youtube for the full thing. Vocals did not sound so good (primarily badly mixed in I'd say)... but love the overall sound of the track, the vibe is like a cross between The Prisoner theme music, A touch of honey, and Music to Watch Girls By. Bravo.

[@VintageKeysStudio]

Cheers yes - the full instrumental (original) version minus the vocals is available in our Patreon members area

[@VanWinger]

Speaking of AKAI MPC samplers, the craziest jungle I have heard is a masterclass in fingerdrumming by the legendary Spinscott.

[@organfairy]

The VSS-30 is one of the few keyboards I have had from new. I got for about half the usual price because the shop had lost the box and manual. I used it a lot in the 1990s because I didn't have any mentionable professional instruments, but as long as I could make an A long enough for it to sample, it could be a poor-man's (poor student in my case) substitute for a multitude of instruments. (If the sound you sample is an A then the keys will play the right notes.)

[@peterking2794]

That bit out of its box near the end looks like part of a Vortexion tape recorder? Another splendid video, as always. Cheers!

[@VintageKeysStudio]

It is! It was repurposed as an enclosure for a diy valve compressor

[@paulj0557tonehead]

One of my favorite 5 dollar thrifts tore finds. I still have and use.

[@axs203]

Your Toilet song is like Syd Barret!

[@noisenotsongs]

This one os my fav piece of gear I own

[@noisenotsongs]

also your old songs slaps so much

[@Shlogger]

used to have one of these.. it's probably the most fun little lo-fi device I've ever had. spent countless hours playing around with it. I found it originally at a thrift store or something. been a long time now. can't even completely remember what happened to it but I've been wanting to replace it at some point but most of the prices online are outrageous. Just have to hope it crosses my path again some day I guess.

[@VintageKeysStudio]

Yeah still after 36 years it’s my favourite little keyboard! :)

[@VanWinger]

I was a bit ashamed when one of my friends had this and all I had was a Casiotone MT-65. Another great board for circuit bending.

[@F.H.75]

I love your Song.. :D

[@dessiplaer]

You should have done a collaboration with Biz Marque. You couldhave cornered the market in the toilet music market. "-). Fun video, I'd like to have something like that. Enjoyable as always.

[@rancidstain]

Subscribed based on this video. Very informative. I have chance to buy the VSS 100. Any thoughts? Keep up the good work. Mat.

[@VintageKeysStudio]

Thanks very much - yes go for the VSS 100 I always wanted one of those!

[@rancidstain]

@VintageKeysStudio great thanks, hopefully one on the way soon. I'll need to do a review video.

[@i-monocle]

Yeah this is big fun! It's very good really! But are you still 'minding the store' after all this time? Minding to answer a question...? If the Demo can be played with your voice samples then can't they also be played in program mode? I don't know. I've not got one in front of me just now. - I COULD however.

[@VintageKeysStudio]

Yes than can be played in program mode. Hours of massive fun!

[@geevee7823]

Sounds very much like a Fairlight

[@VintageKeysStudio]

Yes I used to use it for Kate Bush-style vocal sampling

[@Ptpop]

Is there anything similar to it, voice sample wise, on todays market?

[@VintageKeysStudio]

Not that I am aware of, but possibly…

[@keyhoarder]

It's a direct rival of the Casio SK but It looks a bit more interesting to me, the effects are cool - especially overwriting is great. And also maybe because i owned several Casio SKs but this Yamaha.

[@ChrisHopkinsBass]

8:50 - Flying Pickets in a box

[@Concreteowl]

Which Boots in Glasgow was it? I'm just nosey as I stay in Glasgow. I might try taking one back and record the disappointment.

[@VintageKeysStudio]

Haha fabulous - boots in main high street (in 1988)

[@mattw115]

Pesky French toilets… takes me back to camping in Normandy in the 80s.

[@VintageKeysStudio]

Yes I remember them well

[@mastercylinder1939]

That overwrite button, is how they did Bohemian Rhapsody.

[@northstar1950]

Have you tried sampling a blown raspberry? Nice instrument :)

[@VintageKeysStudio]

That was the very first thing I did on it! Haha

[@burmesecolourneedles4680]

Stonking wacked out grooviness again. I have a VSS-200 and used to love getting lost in the insanity. Loving those phantom hands - I'm concerned there's a slightly sinister quality to them though, do watch out...

[@VintageKeysStudio]

Thank you, yes the hands are a concern

[@apow3rs]

My first keyboard, I was 9 :)

[@johncarter2741]

I would use the vss30 to trigger samples of course language to passers-by

[@mastercylinder1939]

No, I’m Noel Edmonds!

[@DoctorAlex1]

I was indeed 12 or 13 in 1987! :O :D :D

[@keiranbradley3238]

I was 11 and also 12, weird!.

[@mastercylinder1939]

They go for good money today.

[@dwaynesturge5556]

Amazing - you could had done some pieces for Dr Demento look him up and see what I mean

[@frankielamberts93]

Amazing 😂😂😂

[@mercerfamilyadventures4613]

Sure beats the hell out of old emu or akai samplers.

[@handmadeindustrial]

Facebook marketplace has one in box for $400

[@howardmaryon]

“Going to the toilet” sounds like it was an XTC album track.

[@AndrewAHayes]

Going To The Toilet is very early Pink Floyd IMO!

[@KevinStCroix]

Wait, that hand of a woman with nail polish just appeared 😮

[@PetraKann]

I dont remember this Yamaha Sampler in the late 1980s. What a nifty device for an 8bit sampler. Are you aware of the Wine Glass Organ that Pink Floyd used at the start of Shine on You Crazy Diamond on their Wish You Were Here album? The band planned to produce an album without the use of musical instruments. Only household items could be used. The wine glasses were tuned to different notes but adjusting the level of water. Different notes were recorded on separate tracks on the multitrack machine - you could then create chords by pushing several faders up on the mixing desk. How crafty were those buggers in the 1970s? And Syd Barrett in the 1960s.

[@VintageKeysStudio]

I didn’t know they used it but I have seen wine glass organs in the past and even made one in the early 90s. It had a wobbly surface in order to give the notes some vibrato

[@PetraKann]

@@VintageKeysStudio Yes Pink Floyd used the Glass Organ at the beginning of Shine on You Crazy Diamond (mixed with other keyboards played by Rick Wright). You actually made one? Great stuff. The only instrument I made was a Theremin from an electronic kit I bought a long time ago (late 1980s or early 1990s). Cost $12.95 in Australia. Came with a circuit board and all the electronic components. You needed to buy a small box to house everything, including the 9V battery. The antenna could just be a wire although I used a metal coat hanger. I was able to generate some awful, toxic sounds in Eb through a 2W speaker.

[@piafounetMarcoPesenti]

And you want to pay how much for a Mellotron?!

[@MrMe4444444]

Sample your sink and make a clave sound.

[@djstephennicholls]

@2:05 Stupid 😅😅