YAMAHA YC61 REVIEW. These hidden features will blow you away!

[@blakeangelos]

Man, this is great. Wonderful job!

[@Featherlightstudio]

Thanks Blake, coming from you, that means a lot.

[@yourobson]

This is what I call a proper review! Super practical and detailed. You answered all of my questions and of course I learned much more. Thanks!

[@michaelekwulugo8659]

Hands down, the best review I have ever watched (and trust me I really obsess over reviews once I'm trying to decide on a purchase). Your attention to detail has finalised my decision to get this wonderful stage keyboard. Yamaha should pay you to do their reviews my friend 😄👏🏾 Thanks once again.

[@Featherlightstudio]

Thanks Michael, appreciate that.

[@kenrizzo1962]

I was going to write exactly what you said… absolutely perfect review…. Answered a lot of my questions that the other reviews never even mentioned. I also obsess over watching a million reviews before I plunk down a couple of grand on yet another keyboard. Fantastic review!!!! Thank you

[@tobiasweiss847]

Definitely the best review I have seen. It helped me most understand what distinguishes this Keyboard from others in its classs. Thanks so much.

[@sandscribbler]

~24:30 mark... That's EXACTLY what I have been looking for in a keyboard. I don't know enough about MIDI to know if other keyboards require an external audio interface or what. But this is how I always imagined it should be done. Thank you for taking the time to demo that part of the YC's capabilities! (This whole video demo is excellent!)

[@itsmaistro]

Very detailed review of this board. I just bought this for a practice/lightweight board to carry when I have to play somewhere

[@sigmundamalkumar2786]

Now this is what u call a correct demonstration...well done 👏

[@ferdibinger3429]

I was not sure if I should watch this, but that awesome TOC right after the intro was very helpful! Love the "Nord Killer" section (as I think this is what most viewers are after). Thanks!

[@ethereal-11.11]

Oh my goodness is this a well done video! From the extremely detailed explanations to the wonderful corresponding graphics, it is very concise and easy to understand even for those of us who are a little ADD! I’ve had mine for a couple months and really really enjoy it. Best all around acoustic piano/electric piano/organ/ synth around and more importantly it is really fun and easy to use and inspires me creatively. Thank you and kudos to everybody involved in the video! Peace and Namaste. ✌️🙏

[@DavidSpencerShares]

Excellent review! I like the graphic titles and thoughtful sequence of presentation. I amdeciding between a Yamaha YC73, Nord Electro 6D and Hammond XK-4. Your critique has helped.

[@milesbetter247]

A step by step crystal clear demonstration of the Yamaha YC61, so glad I came across your channel.

[@nickyates9820]

Quite a useful little piece for a live rig! VERY nice tutorial here that really shows some of the capabilities of this hidden gem!

[@mfurman]

This is very good. Finally a review of YC-61 features and settings that is transparent and very well presented. I had enough of those “reviews” that were just showing someone’s experimentation and learning (without any order and purpose). Thank you 😊

[@johnalfieri1613]

Great demo! Just got the YC88 so this is all relevant info. Thanks, a lot !

[@Featherlightstudio]

Glad it was helpful!

[@impulseproman]

I must say this video well put together you did a great job

[@Britt-q1q]

Easily the best I've seen so far. Thank you ! Subbed !

[@Featherlightstudio]

Thanks Nikki, I appreciate that!

[@robmillisTW2]

Thank you very much. At last somebody who understands the kinds of Hammond sounds one might actually use, and doesn't just pull pretty patterns on the drawbars like everybody else who reviews this thing. AND actually featured the Wurlitzer piano rather than just endless Rhodes. Well done.

[@Featherlightstudio]

Rob Millis thanks, I really appreciate that.

[@robmillisTW2]

@@Featherlightstudio my pleasure. I'm having a devil of a job working out whether the Hammond sound is up to Nord/Crumar quality or not - my gut reaction is that it probably is if you use an outboard rotary sim like a Ventilator, and that the onboard Leslie sim is too gurgly. Any thoughts?

[@Featherlightstudio]

@@robmillisTW2 I was really disappointed with the Leslie sound on the Nord after all the hype I read about it. I would say its on par with the Yamaha and the Ventilator is considerably better than both. If you are after the absolute best recreation of a Leslie AND want the most flexible keyboard instrument / sound library, than the YC61 with a better Leslie sim like the Ventilator is the clear choice.

[@danielcolfer4671]

Hope Yamaha is compensating you for this incredibly clear and concise demo. It’s the best I’ve seen.

[@Featherlightstudio]

Lol, I wish but NO, this was bought with my own money and I have no ties to Yamaha. When I see a well made instrument that actually does what it says it can do, I try to give it a shout out.

[@tysonrichards2011]

I got excited when this came out because I had been looking at Nord but they were expensive. But when I played the Leslie sim I walked out of the shop shaking my head, mumbling "why bother putting drawbars on that?" But I have just heard the firmware update and I am quite impressed. I think I will look at this again now that the Leslie sim has been fixed to where it really should have been in the first place. With a proper Leslie sim this impressive keyboard may sway a number of Nord fans.

[@geekazoid47]

Yamaha should have sponsored this because it is the most complete introduction to how to operate the keyboard sections I've seen.

[@JonathasLacerda]

Full awesome fuckin detailed review! Thank you by bringing this to us

[@mlbellino]

Great review! Had been looking for a keyboard that would play its own sounds and vst’s together, great feature to have some fun!

[@Featherlightstudio]

Glad it was helpful!

[@soultechmedia8355]

OMG. I can use my IPAD modules as an additional layer. Sold. I've bought it and used it in my church to make a killer pad during worship. I had other musicians wanting to know what I was using. This is a game changer.

[@Featherlightstudio]

Awesome, can't believe how few people know about that feature!

[@WoodyPianoShack]

great review and playing thanks, umm btw, when will you show us the hidden features and blow us away? ;)

[@Featherlightstudio]

Heh Woody, big fan of your channel for quite some time now, always great info! I was going to title the video -these hidden features are 'Astonishing' - but looks like someone beat me to it ;-) Loved the M1 video btw, one of my favorite all time synths from back in the day, felt a little better when I got some of it back in Korg Module, but still not the same!

[@bogusdogus]

Excellent review thanks!

[@1980VINZ]

So good review, thanks a lot! Btw this synth is so looking good, so appealing....... I want to touch it and use it AF. Really. Big salut from France! 🙋‍♂️ Vinz.

[@grahamcmusic]

As I said brill review It would be great to have some info on storing sounds to form set lists And how to bring these sounds up within the YC 61 (ie without the use of Mainstage etc) Hope that makes sense Perhaps another video? Thank you

[@MartinLear_CChem_MRSC]

Killer review. Kudos and huge thanks 🤓

[@itsmaistro]

I would love to see a organ bass pedal option in the next firmware update for external keyboard control, so when we connect any external board via midi we will have a bass pedal control option along with the upper and lower manual options. This would allow us to connect a midi bass pedal to our yc61 and playing real organ bass pedal sounds while still co trolling the upper/lower manual on the yc

[@Featherlightstudio]

Love that idea!

[@RubimBarbosa]

Excelent review! Well done 👏.

[@paulrupertofficial]

Im torn between a YC-88 and an electro 6D - this review has helped a lot, thanks

[@Featherlightstudio]

Glad I could help!

[@dmcgwhisper5945]

Very good! Would like more in depth. Great funky playing btw.

[@Featherlightstudio]

Thanks, will do!

[@kevykev388]

Love the Audio interface and layering tip. There's a few brass patches on the Korg module I absolutely love layered over piano and Roland, Yamaha, Nord don't come close to it.

[@algorithmstudios1311]

Thank you for a well crafted insight into the YC range. I have just bought the YC88 and it is a great live players’ instrument. Could you do a demonstration of how to update the firmware?

[@Featherlightstudio]

Glad it was helpful!

[@danielcolfer4671]

There’s one here on you tube by him that shows exactly how to upgrade firmware and install great new piano sounds.

[@markhopkinsmusic]

I just got the YC73- it's definitely a Nord killer. I say that as a player that has owned an Electro. Yamaha really knocked it out of the park with this one!

[@Featherlightstudio]

I sold my Stage 3 to get this and haven't looked back!

[@nhaezer5121]

​​@@Featherlightstudioplease, how many sounds can you layer together on the YC?

[@Featherlightstudio]

@@nhaezer5121 Organ engine+Keys A Engine+Keys B Engine. And some of the Keys engines sounds are already layered on top of that.

[@nhaezer5121]

@@Featherlightstudio Thanks 🙏

[@gregaudrey4299]

Great review, tons of info. Shout out to the Onyx 1640i in the background.

[@Featherlightstudio]

Thanks, that Onyx still has the best preamps I've owned so far and those Perkins EQ's are sweet.

[@gregaudrey4299]

@@Featherlightstudio You're welcome...I use an Onyx 1220i myself so I get it.

[@NicolasMelis]

great review! thank you!

[@andyward8062]

My toggle switches were chopped off during transit. But love this thing

[@Featherlightstudio]

Damn!! and there pretty beefy too, I have had stage stuff and cables dropped on my but thankfully nothing broke off.

[@donwebb3551]

Great review! Here’s a question. Does the YC give power to an iOS device when connected through either of the USB ports?

[@Featherlightstudio]

Ive tested booth USB-C iPads and Lighting iPhones and neither are powered by the USB connection on the Yamaha. If anyone finds a clever way to do it, please chime in here!!

[@bionicle141197]

Awesome review! Very detailed! Can the YC61 work with Kontakt on PC the way it does with the iPad in the video? That would be great to make up for the lack of sampling options on it.

[@Featherlightstudio]

The YC61 has a built in 2x2 USB audio interface so the iPad is just using that USB Audio connection, It would be no different for any other type USB Audio connection, mobile or pc. Here is the excerpt from the manual: "There are two channels (one stereo channel) capable of handling USB audio for input and output, with a sampling rate of 44.1 kHz, 24 bit. The audio input signal via the USB [TO HOST] terminal is output via the OUTPUT [L/MONO]/[R] jacks and the [PHONES] jack. The input level can be adjusted from the [MENU] button → “General” → “I/O Volume” → “USB Audio.” The audio output signal via the USB [TO HOST] terminal is identical to the audio signal output via the OUTPUT [L/MONO]/[R] jacks and the [PHONES] "

[@bionicle141197]

@@Featherlightstudio Great, thanks a lot!

[@JCox964]

Excellent Video.

[@mh22xv]

So I just purchased the YC 73. Fantastic board! BUT when it comes to the touch sensitivity there is hardly any difference between the Normal, Soft, Hard, Wide settings. And no one of these let you here the brightest tone even if I hammer away, which I dont like/want to do. So is there a way to change the depth of the sensitivity curve manually or something similar? The only setting that brings out the bright tones in an Rd for example i using the fixed setting and crank it up. But there goes dynamics. Please Yamaha update with a firmware or is there a way around this?

[@Featherlightstudio]

Ive found the best way to really audition a sound is start with all the other sounds engines off, and all the FX off. First, turn just the 'Tone' control most of the way up to hear all of the samples frequency range. Then adjust the 'Touch' velocity curves to see how each voice responds to the different curves. Im finding on a fully weighted board like the YC88 the Rhodes respond best to Normal or Wide. On a semi or graded board ( YC73 ) Soft may respond better. With the 'Tone' reduced and all the other FX like compressors ect, its pretty hard to get a feel for the actual voice.

[@mh22xv]

@@Featherlightstudio Thank you for the informative advice! I will try this. Have a nice weekend. BR

[@Featherlightstudio]

@@mh22xv You as well!

[@tjsound1258]

Thank you!! I am seriously considering a YC73 as an upgrade for live performance. If I purchase one new, do I need to save sounds before updating the firmware?

[@Featherlightstudio]

yes, its always a good idea to backup all the Live Sets as the new firmware will 'overwrite' everything already on board with new live sets and voices and you will want to keep both.

[@tjsound1258]

@@Featherlightstudio Thank you! I am considering pulling the trigger on the 73 key version, perhaps in the next week or so. Sweetwater seems to think the ones they have now in stock already have the new firmware. They also mentioned that the YC was a shot across the bow towards Nord's Electro 6d. I know it's a standard setting keyboard, but I've sat down with a few Nords and never bonded with any of them. I did gig with an original Yamaha Motif for a number of years. Sounds were great! But the newer Motifs and other workstation type instruments don't interest me. I'd spent time with the S80, the CP88, and even their electric grand years ago... Yamaha has always had a feel for the gigging keyboardist. Yup, I even acquired a DX7 when they first came out. Looking at the drawbars being used functionally with FM synthesis on the YC series looked really inspiring! Your Vids get me more psyched each time I watch them. This will replace my 73 key Jupiter 50; not a bad instrument, but nowhere NEAR the gig friendly hands on experience the YC provides. The sounds AND keyboard are both quite a step up from the Jupiter 50. Can't thank you enough for your contribution re insight into the YC series. You deserve a commission on my purchase, no kidding!!

[@itsmaistro]

Can you map sounds to the drawbar?

[@Featherlightstudio]

In the back of the manual you can find the MIDI CC# that each drawbar generates but, the internal YC OS only allows you to assign sounds to the Mod Lever, Footswitch 1&2, and both expression pedals at the moment.

[@hjorleifuringason2778]

Awesome review, and a very interesting instrument. I would go right ahead and buy it if only they had managed to get the lesly sim right. Surprising that Yamaha couldnt get that right.

[@Featherlightstudio]

Thank you. It's interesting, now that I have had some time with it, the issue is really just with the first Leslie Sim, it has (2) different models. The first really just needs a width control to widen the effect a bit. The second Sim is the more accurate of the two but also has more crunch. Put through a pair of stereo speakers, they are quite a bit more accurate sounding especially when you engage the first of the chorus settings.

[@tysonrichards2011]

Can you download additional sound libraries for this? Like a good pipe organ etc. Great demo btw

[@Featherlightstudio]

The 'Yamaha Sound Mondo' app gives you access to a huge range of custom sounds for the YC/CP series of boards and its free! soundmondo.yamahasynth.com/

[@germanshepherdlover2613]

Great review. I am considering replacing my Kronos 61 with this as a jamming gigging 61 key keyboard. Can you edit sounds and save them? Is there control over ADSR envelope that can be saved as a sound? I got rid of my Roland VR-09 because I couldn't adjust envelope levels and was stuck with a string patch that attacked too soon.

[@Featherlightstudio]

Every parameter that can be modified from the front pane ( and all the many more in the settings menu ) can be saved as voices/live Sets, including the master keyboard functions.

[@germanshepherdlover2613]

@@Featherlightstudio l just played a YC-61 at the store with a sustain pedal. Really nice action even for piano. Going to order one. The Nord Electro 6 next to it felt cheap and springy in the key action compared to the YC-61.

[@kevanbarrett7411]

Great review, but can you tell me if this board has Seamless Sound Hold like Montage and modx?😊

[@Featherlightstudio]

Yes, the sound and patch changes are seamless and you can even control 'what' sections are held. More info here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZqbdfmiNotSeras

[@tanner6871]

It's hard to see your actual EQ settings. Is there a general rule of thumb to the adjustments you made towards the end of the video?

[@Featherlightstudio]

It depends on rather your trying to compensate for EQ problems at a gig/room, or if your altering just a voice on the YC itself like organ. For the organ sound ( and this is BEFORE the new rotary speaker improvements ) I would generally add a little bottom ( 3 o'clock on the bass knob ) then add some mids (2 o'clock on the Mid Freq knob and the same on the Mid gain knob) and then roll off some high EQ ( 10 o'clock on the high freq knob ) This works great on organ. The new Firmware however, has changed and improved the sound and EQ of the organ sound dramatically and you may not need these adjustments. kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXO2f5tmech8d6M

[@marvinkmooneyoz]

Good review, good board. YC series has so much going for it that is lacking from competitors, though admittedly I dont remember all the details about the VR series from Roland. Legend Live is just organ, Crumar is only one sound at a time, Nords action isnt especially good, plus cant do two electric keys section sounds at once, also doesnt have multi-samples for mallet sounds. Other boards with weighted or synth action arent really direct competitors here, besides, most dont have good organ engines. The only thing I'd say is conspicuously missing here is that, despite the YC series having a high number of sounds, including plenty of WINDS and BRASS, it doesnt have CELESTA!! This from a company that actually makes orchestral keyboards, they even made a keyboard glockenspiel. It should also have PIANETTE and MUSIC BOX, for keyboard category sound, and HARP would be much higher on my list of a sound to have on a keyboard then say ALTO SAX. Anything hammer-struck, plucked, or just percussion is great from a keyboard, samples of wind instruments is really just extra.

[@Featherlightstudio]

Great points for sure. It's gotta be tough trying to make 1 board that appeals to so many players and music backgrounds but I am glad they're trying. I think this is really the first true live performance series of boards that actually competes with Nord and in many ways actually beats them as well. I love the authenticity of Crumar but I really something that covers more ground as well.

[@jackduxburymusic]

Great video, thank you!! Wish I had seen this earlier 🙈

[@Featherlightstudio]

Thanks Jack, appreciate that

[@jbluesb3southside]

I have the 5D and use my Leslie 122 and 147 to compare China vs Sweden unfortunately in the real world of pop rock southern rock clone wheels ole red prevails still years later but that was a fair review the Yami was put up for a rainy day ✌️👍

[@richardramirez3633]

Great review!!!!!!!!!!

[@vanessajazp6341]

Very good review. I have a YC-61 and I have to say the combination of the predrive in the organ and the drive in the rotary sim gives you endless options for grit and grind. That said, the rotary effect itself is one of the worst I’ve ever heard. Sure, there are a wealth of options for horn, rotor, speed, acceleration, etc, but the overall sound of the rotary is more like a tremolo with a narrow stereo field. Where the rotary sim shines is in the background noise. That is perfect! The other sounds are some of Yamaha’s best. The board is quick, intuitive and fun to work with. The waterfall keys are perfect, and the dynamic response is superb. I’m hoping that Yamaha will update that rotary sim soon. It’s too good a board over all for it to be so lacking in that area.

[@marcoballa]

Agree! Also, a very important issue is the key trigger for organ (now it is not correct)

[@vanessajazp6341]

@@marcoballa Key trigger?

[@marcoballa]

@@vanessajazp6341 on a real hammond (and on most of last generation clonewheels) the sound comes out just at the very first touch of the key (first one or two millimeter). So you can do a lot of particular things with a specific executive technique. On the YC you have to press the key for more than half of his run (second midi contact)... So it is hard, for a hammond player, to replicate that specific technique. No ghost notes, etc. Hope they solve this important issue with a software upgrade (as all other clonewheels did in the past years). It should be sufficient to make the sound come out at the first midi contact... PS this fact reveal that noone of the YC developers played a real hammond in their life :-)))))

[@vanessajazp6341]

@@marcoballa Ah. Yes, I’m experiencing that dilemma with a new song my band picked up. Boston’s “Smokin”. There’s a part in that famous B3 solo where’s it’s very percussive with ghost notes. I was wondering why I couldn’t duplicate it very well. I also have a Roland VR730. Now I’ll have to compare. I have noticed on the key travel of the YC61, there’s about 2 or 3 millimeters of travel that are very light, and then suddenly it’s a little more resistant. You have to try it with no sounds on to really notice. Just slowly push down a key and feel how it’s sort of staged in the resistance.

[@marcoballa]

@@vanessajazp6341 ok, I'll try. It's a semi-weighted key, so maybe they just intended this as a normal thing...

[@fnk4lyfe354]

Excellent Review!! I’m Sold

[@DazLane123]

Quick question please I want to keep the global Transpose static when switching programs , but when I select a program it reverts transpose back to 0 - Is there anyway to change this thanks

[@Featherlightstudio]

As far as I can find, the transpose function is only saved 'per voice'. If some finds a way around this, please chime in here!

[@DazLane123]

@@Featherlightstudio Thank You

[@РоманМосолов-ы1ш]

Thank you! Good review!

[@germanshepherdlover2613]

I bought a YC-73 which is hood but, all these advanced features but no proper envelope generator....one knob eg doesn't count 😕

[@chrislee633]

Great vid thanks.Just referring to this for help , Just wondering if anyone has found a way to enable foot controller to be able to modulate as the default for all or is it just to specific patches

[@duncanhazlewood8045]

Thank you for this indepth review. Super helpful! Maybe I missed it, but I'm struggling to save my volume controller setting globally. Is it only possible to save at the patch level? I'd like to set my voume/expression pedal (via the Controller 2 port) to always control All Volumes - that way I can swell organ, or boost volume for solos on any sound on any patch. However, I'm struggling to find out how to save it that way. I can select that option on one patch and save the patch that way, but I can't figure out how to save this setting as a global setting. Do you know if that's possible, and if so how to do it? Thank oyu so much for reading this lengthy comment ... :). Again, GREAT job on a super helpful video!

[@richsandness5409]

Hey Steve, great comprehensive go-through on product. Well executed! 👍 Yet, I have 2 questions. 1) First of all I assume that Banks A & B are for varied additional sounds / instruments which I trust can be mixed, i.e. layered and split w each other, but is the Organ engine exclusive to those? In other words, could one combine a certain amount of Polyphony notes from organ module and play with either banks A, or B? For instance, Organ with Flute, or organ w strings, ... etc? 2) Secondly, "What is the Polyphony capability", altogether? Is it, 128 note, or 256 note, or ... & how does that 'pan out' or allocate between Organ sound engine and Other sound engines in YC Unit?

[@Featherlightstudio]

The organ module (VCM) can be combined with any sound from (AWM2) bank A 'as well as' Bank B in any combination of splits or layers and these 2 engines (VCM) & (AWM2) have a total polyphony of 128. The third engine (FM) has a total polyphony of 128 as well. So, as I understand that section in the Manual...the total polyphony of the instrument is 256 with all engines considered. From the manual... "Polyphony: VCM Organ + AWM2: 128*, FM: 128 *Total of VCM Organ and AWM2"

[@richsandness5409]

@@Featherlightstudio Excellently answered & detailed. Thank you, I just wanted to be sure on that. 👍 P.S. Your Cube software tutorial looks incredibly informative, and exhaustive in detail. I hope to follow that thru as the great learning opportunity it is,... when can.

[@briananthony9083]

Trying to replace my live rig with something simpler. Right now I use two 61 key controllers and an iPad. I do a lot of Hammond, some piano and pads on the covers. Going back and forth between the yc61, Yc73 and the Roland VR730. I’m partially handicapped so weight is an issue. But I want the best bang for buck. Any advice?

[@Featherlightstudio]

The YC73 has a weighted/balanced key-bed that feels great but definitely adds to the overall weight. (29.6 lbs vs the 21 of the Roland) Whereas the Roland is a waterfall synth action key-bed like the YC61. Depends on what's most important to you. The YC61 is a great combination of the two weighing in at just 15.6lbs but still has a fully aircraft aluminum frame. If its all about the organ sound, the YC kills it and has a huge library of other sounds onboard as well.

[@davidstein606]

EXCELLENT VIDEO!

[@Featherlightstudio]

Thank you!

[@ASMR-pp3hc]

I have just purchased a yc73 and initial thoughts are that I’m not happy with the piano sound. Played it for a week now and still not happy. I don’t understand why because it is Yamaha which do great pianos usually. Cheaper yamahas like p125 have good piano sounds but I do not enjoy playing this expensive piano. Unfortunately I couldn’t try before I buy. Any tips? Sounds good on KZbin with all the reviews. My old board was a Kauai mp4 which feels more ‘real’ to play. I feel like I’m playing a toy piano. I don’t get why k it sounds or feels good. I feel like I’m missing something.

[@Featherlightstudio]

The Kawai mp4 and the YC73 are completely different key beds. If you are looking for a replacement to the Kawai, I would look at the CP series. They are more tailored towards the serious pianist. The YC series is tailored towards live performance covering lots of different sounds with an emphasis on organ, plus a huge difference in weight, 42lbs for the Kawai vrs 29 on the YC.

[@RonWesterbeek]

Did you try other headphones ? Just saying. Enjoy.

[@osiastedian]

Is the Master EQ saved unto a live set?

[@Featherlightstudio]

No, its completely independent of the presets. Think of it like a hardware EQ in your rack. It's meant to be a realtime control for adapting to changing live setups and sound systems.

[@steveraschella8233]

Great demo…waiting for mine to be delivered! I have the korg module app…that’s exciting to be able to blend the keyboard sounds with the app sounds. Question…will the YC61’s drawbars work also with the Hammond B3X app?

[@Featherlightstudio]

Hmm, I don't have the B3X on iPad to test that, perhaps someone else can chime in here with more info? You may find with the new firmware update, you need the B3x less and less.

[@steveraschella8233]

@@Featherlightstudio got it yesterday loaded 1.2 in and OMG what a difference…the B3 came to life and got extra great ac and e pianos…now if Yamaha would address the top firing keystroke for the organ it would be perfect. Thanx for the demo really helped know what was what when I got it 👍👍

[@Featherlightstudio]

@@steveraschella8233 Agreed, the new rotary engine is like having a completely different keyboard !

[@steveraschella8233]

@@Featherlightstudio with all the reviews as soon as I got mine I loaded 1.2 in…so I never heard it live in its original condition lol

[@Left-Mammoth-88]

Anyone have more experience with the farfisa and vox sounds? This guy just breezed through that section...

[@Featherlightstudio]

This video covers the updated Firmware with the updated Transistor/FM organ controls at about 12 minute mark forward. kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXO2f5tmech8d6M

[@davlippo7]

Since the latest OS have you done a revisited video? A lot has changed.

[@Featherlightstudio]

This video goes in-depth into the new changes kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6ekc3uMlrWqeLs

[@Dannytyrellstudios]

Yes the very best review

[@JoelBouchillon]

Since this keyboard has (3) different tone sections, can each receive MIDI on its on Midi channel??

[@Featherlightstudio]

Yes, it appears you can. Here is the excerpt from the manual "You can use the external MIDI keyboard instead of the keyboard of this instrument to play and control each Section of this instrument. To specify which Section/part will sound when you play an external MIDI keyboard, make settings via the [SETTINGS] button → “External Keyboard” (page 45). You can also use these to recreate a two-manual organ, by setting only one of the UPPER/LOWER parts in the Organ Section to be controlled from an external MIDI keyboard. For example, if you want to play the UPPER part of the Organ Section with the keyboard of this instrument and play the LOWER part with an external MIDI keyboard, set “External Keyboard” to “2manualLo.”

[@JoelBouchillon]

@@Featherlightstudio Thank you so much for the information!!

[@daziuz]

Can you use the drawbars as midi sliders/faders?

[@andreas1987]

GREAT video! :) :) Does anyone know if the drawbars can be used to control MIDI? For example if you have 5 different layers in Mainstage/other daws, and you want to control the volume of each of the patches?

[@Featherlightstudio]

The YC Series drawbars ( both lower and upper ) generate MIDI CC information. In most apps like IK Multimedia's B-3X for example, the drawbars are already mapped to their software counterparts. If you wanted to use them to control other destinations, you would simply change the destination/layer MIDI CC receive number. It would be up to the app ( MainStage, etc ) to determine what to do with the incoming CC info ( volume, expression, etc )

[@andreas1987]

@@Featherlightstudio This is an extremely late answer, but THANK YOU :) Am I doing something wrong, or do I have to turn the organ section ON to use the drawbars as midi controllers..? In other words; do the organ section always need to be ON when using the drawbar as faders? I also notice this on other knobs in the A/B section. They dont send midi unless I have the A or B section turned on. I have to do something wrong, right? :)

[@Featherlightstudio]

@@andreas1987 lol I think you are correct that each section needs to be active to send data but, I am working out of town and can't verify that. Hopefully someone else can chime in here on this.

[@andreas1987]

@@Featherlightstudio Just found out that MIDI settings can be set to INVERT, that means that the section sends midi when it is turned off, but when you turn it on you can make changes to the YC. This is really cool!

[@Featherlightstudio]

@@andreas1987 Great find, thanks for posting this!!

[@rastarito]

Holly shit, I'm convence. I have been a Nord Electro 4 User for the past 10 years and I think I going to switch to this Yamaha. It would bee great if they had the YC 73 soft key instead of Hammer Acción.

[@Featherlightstudio]

I would love to see that option as well, maybe a new version??

[@kaufmann6988]

Best review ! Thx :)

[@nahumpena1152]

Excellent, thanks

[@rolandsc8820]

Proprio una copia della NordStage ! Compliments

[@abzee733]

Can you save a patch where you go Midi in and play one layer and play another Layer on the YC61? Great review by the way! :)

[@Featherlightstudio]

Yes, here is an excerpt form the manual: "You can use the external MIDI keyboard instead of the keyboard of this instrument to play and control each Section of this instrument. To specify which Section/part will sound when you play an external MIDI keyboard, make settings via the [SETTINGS] button → “External Keyboard” (page 45)." The external MIDI controls are quite good.

[@abzee733]

@@Featherlightstudio Nice, thanks mate!

[@shapsyhere3253]

Great job, can you do program changes and mapping via USB or midi to a MacBook for Mainstage?

[@Featherlightstudio]

Of course, the mapping in the YC61 works like most other controllers and givers you a pretty wide range of control over zones/channels

[@andrewmountainpike8264]

Excellent thank you

[@Joedoriamusic]

btw, 'raking' is not taught it's fixed. The first novice red flag is seeing a player raking the keys. No no, shelve that. There's a proper (and better) way to smear and it's been handed down from the greats on the organ - palming the keybed will gain you everything.

[@okdenny]

Clearly the hidden feature is the global master EQ. Because they never mention it in the Nord side by side comparisons.

[@Featherlightstudio]

yep, this is exactly what inspired me to make the video in the first place, none of the videos I saw comparing the YC61 to other boards like the Nord ever said anything about it ever, and that make all the difference in the world to the overall sound.

[@okdenny]

@@Featherlightstudio I already put my order in for one. I was on the fence for some time. I played a Nord Stage 3 for a while and wanted to like it, but every Yamaha I own is so hard to beat. Thanks for this video. It was a decision maker. To me this board should be compared to the Stage 3, not the Electro 6d.

[@lrblouie]

Really nice review and do appreciate it but your title alludes to "hidden features" which you didn't address.

[@NormanPeterson]

Yes they did.. iPad interface...1/4 inputs for a 2nd keyboard. No one else has that..

[@dadduorp]

Wow! Easily one of the most informative and thorough rundowns on this YC line I've seen so far. And I've watch MANY including Yamaha's. Question... Can you overlay sounds (or waveforms) on-top of sounds? The original YC combo organs (45D and the 30) had a feature where the organ sound could be tweaked with a saw-tooth wave as heard here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZCXk3Rnfax-ha8

[@Featherlightstudio]

The YC61 can easily play sounds from any of the engines over any of the other sounds engines with a variety of options to control them ( Mod Wheel, Pitch, Slider, etc ) Waveform editing is really more the domain of the Montage series.

[@benedictdsilva3954]

Nice Any pipe organ tones ?

[@Featherlightstudio]

The library has some very convincing pipe organ sounds but it doesn't have a dedicated engine just for pipe organ like it does with the several Clonewheel and FM engines.

[@benedictdsilva3954]

@@Featherlightstudio Where is that available ?

[@Featherlightstudio]

@@benedictdsilva3954 A great patch / sound resource is Soundmondo. Here you will find all kinds of sounds and patches uploaded by users worldwide. A great place to start when your looking for specific sounds or just ideas. Nocholas Semrad has some cool church tones that are in the ballpark: soundmondo.yamahasynth.com/voices/67659 But if your looking for absolute faithful Pipe Organ recreation, thats more the domain of the Nord until the next OS update for the YC61 is out.

[@grahamcmusic]

Does this have a music stand please? I see two screws on the back panel Are these to attach a music stand. In fact I would now normally use this for an Ipad now where I use the absolutely fabulous app 'ForScore' for storing and editing scores and chord charts Great review . . . so informative thank you!

[@Featherlightstudio]

usa.yamaha.com/products/music_production/accessories/ymr-04/index.html

[@grahamcmusic]

@@Featherlightstudio Thank you so much for your info Such a quick response too Much appreciated! I have a Dexibell Vivo 73 which has a similar music stand which - with a bit of good fortune - might fit the Yamaha should I buy it when I can hopefully accumulate some money Tough times for musicians but hopefully light at the end of the tunnel

[@denismichelhache3525]

So the YC series has the piano sounds from the CP series? How come the CP has such an awful organ section? I bought the CP 73 last year thinking it was their flagship model. Now I understand why the organs suck so badly. They want you to buy the YC as well. The price point for the CP alone should include some useable organs (hint not just a church organ). Very disappointed in Yamaha.

[@javiervila7211]

What iPad stand are using is in the table or in YC61

[@Featherlightstudio]

Lol, its just a piece of foam block I had lying around after a recent gear case purchase. The actual ipad case part is just an Otter Box case from Best Buy. www.otterbox.com/en-us/ipad--5th-generation-/defender-series-case/77-55876.html?KPID=77-55876&scid=&eml_pop=no&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIv4PV-7rH6wIVKj6tBh1lJgobEAQYAyABEgLRXPD_BwE

[@raulrivero1347]

Exclusive video for news en your home

[@pauloyoshizaki2103]

YAMAHA : YC 61 ; NEW MODEL ; Arpeggios : Effectos : Timbres : Ritmos : Tons : Gráficos : Digitais ; Equalizador - Gráficos : Programming : Yamaha : notas : Partituras : YC 61 ; Yamaha ; new .

[@marcoballa]

So, where are these hidden features?

[@Featherlightstudio]

24:48 Seamless interaction with IOS Apps 26:22 Premixed external audio to main volume / realtime control 27:09 Complex external IOS layers

[@marcoballa]

@@Featherlightstudio ok, thanks! So nothing hidden :-)

[@gospelsoulman]

Dude, your voice sound just like Anderson Cooper!!!!😎😎

[@Featherlightstudio]

lol

[@andreacosta74]

ONLY TWO SOUNDS FOR MELLOTRON!?? In a vintage keyboard??!

[@henkehakansson2004]

I've still to see or hear and hidden features. Those are just on the front panel. BTW, its rotAry not rotOry...

[@moogy77]

Just received a YC61!! Opened it up, took it out, placed it on top of my Korg CX3 2nd Gen, and started playing it YC61. First off, right out of the box and hooking it. 1. Yamaha, how could you claim this is a "Stage Keyboard" and NOT have silk screening where you pug in on top, facing me??? Working musicians need to set up fast, and it drives us NUTS, to have to keep up going back and forth looking where to plug in? 2. I can't believe no "POLARITY SWITCH!!!!!!!!" 3. The good old Korg CX3 2nd Gen KICKS THE ASS OF THE YC61. Yes I know the CX3 is not a stage keyboard, but there's a line I can't cross, and that's a Dirty, Smelly, organ sound. Need it. Return receipt already requested.

[@billyruss]

Hehe, I also still have my CX3 2nd Gen. Just got the YC61, I like it but wouldn't part with the CX3. It's stayed the distance through a Nord Stage and a Studiologic Numa Organ 2 - all good in their own way but there's nothing beats the dirt of that old Korg! :-)

[@tom221263]

i was curious to see any hidden feature.....but i didn´t ..... shame on me?

[@Featherlightstudio]

24:48 Seamless interaction with IOS Apps 26:22 Premixed external audio to main volume / realtime control 27:09 Complex external IOS layers

[@quentinmorgan3937]

Yamaha will never get a decent tonewheel sound and this one is no different, thin and this only changed by using eqs. Worse still is the Leslie effect, is horn heavy, doesn't allow the lower rotor to be properly heard winding up and down and the small detail that the horn rotors don't flip up and down as fast as they do in a real Leslie. Really underwhelmed. Realy tiny low rent sound and I've been a yamaha diehard. Gimme the nord.

[@Featherlightstudio]

I hear ya, neither the Nord or the Yamaha hold a candle to a real B3 and a couple of physical 122's spinning in the corner...but then, to be fair...the piano really sucks on a B3 ;-)

[@monsterjazzlicks]

Playing piano patches on this keybed is utterly dreadful!

[@Featherlightstudio]

The YC61 has a semi-weighted 'waterfall' keybed and is styled directly after the Hammond B3 Organ keybed that it imitates. Its also why it only has 61 keys as that is the amount present on a Hammond as well. The YC73 has a fully weighted keybed styled directly after the classic keyboards it imitates like the Rhodes suitcase 73. The YC88 is a fully wighted 88 note graded keybed styled after the acoustic grand pianos it imitates. All three models very accurately imitate the classic keyboards and keybeds they are designed after.

[@monsterjazzlicks]

@@Featherlightstudio In that case I don't think I would recommend the 61 to anyone who intends to play piano in it.

[@monsterjazzlicks]

The keyboard action is dreadful. I don't understand why users rave about it?

[@pawelsz95]

How can you describe the action? Have you played Vox Continental 61 or 73?

[@danielwaeber3309]

excellent video, thanks man!