Yamaha YC61 Organ First Impressions

[@billgrabbe9992]

I play this thing live and it's a joy to use. The details make a big difference. The display is easy to read. Navigation is simple and tweaking in real time is super handy. My favorite feature is the ability to play a sustained chord, and change the patch while I'm holding it without the sustained chord being affected. The overdrive and Leslie are good enough that I don't really miss my Mini Vent and Tall & Fat. In fact, the aggressive overdrive makes me wonder if I'll ever need my Organ Grinder again. The sounds cover all the bread-and-butter things I need. Certainly, I can get a better piano sound, truer organ sound, fatter synth sound, and wider variety of choices for each sound using other instruments, but that's not the point with this instrument. It is light, versatile, and well-rounded with its capabilities. It is the perfect "grab and run" keyboard that I can take to gigs with tiny stages, jams and rehearsals with no serious compromises.

[@jeffhayesexperiment]

I’m looking at this or the Nord 6d. Do you know how they compare? I’m wanting organ and electric piano sounds but also synth stuff…

[@Ianplankton]

Nice sentiment at the end, Nick. "A rising tide raises all ships" as the saying goes.

[@nickfoleyuk]

Exactly that Ian

[@AlfAndreBjørke]

I am looking forward to this one, Nick! When I tried it, I was not impressed by the leslie simulation, but I would really appreciate if you would run it through the old 122.

[@rockyguarriello2449]

Love Hammonds. Had a great C3 about 40 years ago and now own an all original 1975 B3 with pedals and Reverb, and a DI box. I also own this YC 61 keyboard. I play out with a Nord Stage four and on top with a compact waterfall Nord Stage 3. I used Yamahas for many years and i'm glad to see they had a wake up call in the last 5 years or so. I also own a new Korg Nautilus 88 which is great for a workstation. Thank you for sharing and keep up the good work. Rocky.

[@mikeh-mikesvintagekeys7739]

Thanks again Nick, and thank you for the thank you too. I thought I was going to be wowed by the Yamaha but sadly not, of course it’s all subject to the limitations of t’internet, so your opinions are crucial to our understanding. BTW, you’re really not old, I was reflecting that my journey started as a Saturday boy in an organ shop in the early seventies which started by love of Hammond / Leslie (and some early Lowreys too). Keep up the good work 👍

[@jazzplayer59]

A nice all around keyboard...priced right with quality pianos...not my cup of tea...but, certainly appealing...kudos, once again for sharing your thoughts!

[@nickfoleyuk]

Thanks!

[@j0rdan18]

Hey Nick, if you’re not sure if you’re using the latest Leslie sim or not it’s really worth finding out and doing the review again with the new updated model. It is quite simply night and day from the two (terrible) sims they released at launch, and is a huge part of the board’s appeal.

[@nickfoleyuk]

Thanks mate,the board has gone back to @fairdeausic now so I don’t have access to it. They should be able to tell me though so I’ll find out

[@ianperesmusic]

Yeah, that's definitely the old leslie sim. Sounds like absolute garbage when sped up. The update on the new OS is 1,000,000 times better.

[@paolocamedda]

I've the Yc73, very great machine for live

[@JimmyCaswell]

I like it. Best one yet (without a Leslie) Came to life with a touch of reverb. Did the keybed feel good?

[@nickfoleyuk]

Very nice

[@adamjacksonmedia]

I can vouch for the feel. I'm not a fan of how the organ sounds... but it's one of the best, if not the best, Waterfall keyboard you'll find.

[@givingin2G4Courtz]

Thank you, Nick. FYI I'm pretty sure, watching this twice, that you worked the old Leslie model, but NOT the new 'Studio' Leslie update model. Disappointing, but I'd think they should have made it the initial default model used, but this sure didn't sound like that updated model. Even to a layman watching from the sidelines.

[@ricseehu]

Firmware version? With the v1.2 comes night&day leslie simulation update. RotaryA--->Studio (new, improved), RotaryB---> old, distorted.

[@benallen5967]

Yeah… and that’s been out for a LONG time.. plus a 5 minute glance at the manual would have shown how to change to the different Leslie models. The original Leslie sim was so bad Yamaha finally got tired of all of the people who bought the YC screaming about how bad the Leslie was on an organ-centric board… and to their credit, they released the new Studio Leslie update. It’s disappointing that Nick didn’t at least check into that. I have the YC 88, Stage 4, Vent 2, and XK-4 and the Studio Leslie on the YC is closer to the Vent than anything in the Nord. Nick- hold down exit and scroll through the Leslie options using the tone knob in the speaker section.

[@germanshepherdlover2613]

I have the YC-73 which is great but I would still prefer the Nord Electro 6HP for the sound libraries available

[@adam62385]

Hey Nick!!! I’m itching for a review of the Hammond XK4!!!! Man I hope those drawbars click too! Sometimes I feel about as old school as you when it comes to these organs… and the kicker? I’m 38! First learned the Hammond when I was in late teens.

[@nickfoleyuk]

I’ll ask Hammond UK See if I can get one for a couple of weeks

[@adam62385]

@@nickfoleyuk awesome!!!

[@Soryt]

You can make a clean Leslie without the OD in the edit menu , or selecting A/B leslie 🎹🎹🎶🎶👍🏻👍🏻

[@adam62385]

Forgot to ask, Nick, how close does the YC 61 action feel to a vintage Hammond?

[@desmondmooreart]

Had to return the Nord D6 due to faulty keys. Looking for an solid replacement. Which is the better choice in your experience Hammond sk-pro or Yamaha yc61?

[@nickfoleyuk]

SK probably better organ sound and Yamaha better piano so it’s a tricky one

[@paolocamedda]

Song at 5:46?

[@nickfoleyuk]

Just made up on the spot I'm afraid

[@nicklisac4667]

You haven't played "Wooly Bully watch it now" on any of these keyboards so it's impossible to decide if there is a winner.🤣 Haven't seen that comment for a while 🤭 so I thought I'd be helpful and throw it in. Hope he's ok. What you talkin bout Willis? You're not that old 😄👍

[@nickfoleyuk]

Funniest. Comment. Ever.

[@nickfoleyuk]

( it takes Diffrent Stoked to rule the word mate )

[@ryanthepianoman27]

Great content

[@onkeyz]

Please redo this with updated firmware😊

[@bionicle141197]

Hi, Nick. What firmware version is it currently running? Yamaha did a big firmware update on the Leslie sim recently, so it might not be up to speed. I'm curious how you think it compares to the Nord Electro. Is the lack of high trigger point on the YC a big issue?

[@nickfoleyuk]

I’m not sure tbh. I’ll see if I can find out

[@bionicle141197]

@@nickfoleyuk Thanks!

[@nickfoleyuk]

V1.30.1

[@bionicle141197]

@@nickfoleyuk That's the one but you'd have to choose the "Studio" Leslie model in the settings to hear the improved simulation. It sounded very decent in the demos

[@givingin2G4Courtz]

I was going to say that as a newbie without a YC to lay my hands on, I didn't see Nick select the 'Studio' organ model. I think only the two old organ models were used in this vid. I tried to pay attention to use of that menu, but I could have missed it. But didn't sound like several other vids I've heard from users AFTER updating to firmware v1.2, let alone v1.3. I see that firmware was v.1.3x, so I suspect the particular instrument model was missed in exploring.

[@pianofry]

Toggle switches, not rocker switches.

[@adamjacksonmedia]

I wanted to like this keyboard... as a Yamaha guy! Modx is fantastic. But this organ sounds anaemic to me. If you want a generic rock organ to play in a cover band... it's fine. But if you want a thick... aggressive John Lord/Keith Emerson sound... This organ has a strange hollow, transparent tone. The Leslie is great... but the organ is lacking. They should have used the CK organ... with this Leslie. I heard through review... "Not too bad"... "Not too bad". And I'd have to agree. The YC61 is not too bad. I'm not a fan, unfortunately.

[@adamjacksonmedia]

@CremerSoul I've invested hours playing the YC61, several months ago. I nearly bought one. The Leslie is great... but the organ lacks the thickness of the Nord. To my ears... the YC fails to do the John Lord/Keith Emerson thing... especially compared to the Nord. There is something missing. It's as if the body of the sound has been removed. All I can hear is the thin, outer shell of a Hammond... without the beef. I think for gospel and 70s covers... it's enough. So yes... I have spent hours playing the YC61, at Mannys in Sydney. It's a very good keyboard... but for the rock B3 sound... I have decided to save and simply get the Nord. And to be fair... all I heard through this review was a... "Not too bad"... "Not too bad". And I agree 100%. It's not too bad.

[@andykeys74]

Not wowed by this one, Nick. There’s something lacking.

[@peterbaartmans5793]

This is the worst terrible demo of YC61 you can find world-wide

[@nickfoleyuk]

If it’s a review you are after there are plenty of excellent ones on this platform. I would recommend Bonners as a good starting point: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJzLY6yomt9nb8ksi=MzvXYmIEmZ3vktVp Thanks for stopping by

[@mfurman]

I agree. This is not a review - I would call it “chat to myself and experiment aimlessly”.

[@tommain946]

The organ sound is very ..er...um..."ordinary". The Leslie simulation is a disaster!!!! Thumbs down on this "toy".

[@ethereal-11.11]

With all respect, sir, you certainly are entitled to your opinion, mine is that I have had mine for 3 years and LOVE it! ESPECIALLY the upgraded/ updated Leslie! It may not be to YOUR liking, but a "toy" it most certainly is NOT! Peace and namaste.

[@maestroone1237]

Totally agree, i also own one and it's a top quality instrument all round, an absolute joy to play, but everyone has different tastes and opinions will vary @@ethereal-11.11

[@ethereal-11.11]

@@maestroone1237 Thanks for your comment. I agree that different people have different tastes but if someone has not undated the firmware to the latest to hear the VAST improvement in the Leslie and they use a phrase like "toy" IMHO they do NOT have an informed opinion that reasonable people can differ with and they are doing the YC61 and all of us all a disservice. Just my 2 cents. That and $6 will get you a grande skim latte at your local Starbucks. 🙃

[@adam62385]

Forgot to ask, Nick, how close does the YC 61 action feel to a vintage Hammond?