Vagabond Synth Nerd’s Journal Vol.170 - Yamaha YC61 Report Part V Final Chapter

■ YC61 Equipped with a Wealth of Sound Sources

Up until now, I’ve covered the organ-related sound sources and the Leslie simulator of the YC61. In this final installment of the YC61 report, I’d like to introduce the other sound sources and features this keyboard has to offer beyond the organ.

YAMAHA / YC61

■ More Than Just an Organ!

While the standout feature of the YC61 is undoubtedly its realistic organ sound powered by VCM technology, there's much more to this instrument. The YC61 also comes equipped with FM sound sources and AWM2 sound engines.
As a long-time fan of FM sounds since the DX7, I particularly appreciate the unique tones FM synthesis offers, which are hard to replicate with analog synthesizers. Instruments like the glockenspiel, marimba, and steel drums, along with rich bass sounds, are some of the YC61’s specialties.

Back in the DX7 days, the synthesizer wasn’t particularly great at producing analog-style string sounds. In fact, I used to think the DX7’s strings were quite underwhelming (no offense!). However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the string sounds on the YC61 have significantly improved. One reason for this could be that the FM engine, which used to have six operators, now boasts eight, and the polyphony has increased to 128 notes, contributing to the enhanced sound quality.

What’s especially notable is the electric piano sound produced by the FM engine—commonly known as the "DX electric piano." In the 1980s, this sound was everywhere, and the YC61 takes it even further. I’ve been using the DX electric piano sound since the mid-'80s, often layering sounds on the DX7II and slightly detuning them to add thickness. Back then, I would layer these sounds with Roland D-50 pads via MIDI to create backing tracks for vocals. This technique, blending the DX electric piano with pads, became a global standard, influencing many iconic sounds.

The YC61 can now effortlessly recreate the sound that used to require two synthesizers. In those days, the DX didn’t even have built-in effects, so you needed a rack case filled with effects processors and mixers. With the YC61, such bulky equipment is no longer necessary.

Other manufacturers who lacked FM engines often sampled the DX electric piano sound to mimic it, but the result was a flatter sound, losing much of the nuance that makes FM-based electric piano unique. That’s why Yamaha’s FM electric piano is truly one of a kind.

Additionally, the YC61 offers a convenient feature where you can adjust the output level of the electric piano sound based on how hard you press the keys. It’s incredible that sounds that once required two synthesizers and a lot of gear can now be produced so easily on the YC61!

■ Rich Selection of Effects

The YC61 also excels in its extensive range of built-in effects. Alongside staples like digital delay, analog delay, and digital reverb, it offers a wide variety of effects such as chorus, phaser, distortion, flanger, and wah.

What’s particularly impressive is how you can apply these effects separately to different key sections (Key A and Key B), allowing for a diverse range of sound combinations. The YC61 also includes speaker simulations, offering options like crunch, lead, and simulations of classic Fender Rhodes speakers, giving you control over the output characteristics.
It also comes equipped with a master equalizer, ensuring that even the smallest details in your sound can be fine-tuned. With such a wide array of high-quality effects, you can easily shape the sound to match your creative vision.

The signal routing and layout are intuitively designed, making it easy to set up and customize your effects.

Effects Panel of the YC61 (My Personal YC61)

■ AWM2 Sound Engine

The YC61 is also equipped with Yamaha's AWM2 sampling sound engine. This includes remarkable sounds such as the CFX, Yamaha's full concert grand piano, and the newly sampled Nashville piano (which happens to be my favorite piano sound).
It also features iconic sounds like the classic CP80, the distinctive tone of the Fender Rhodes electric piano, and the Wurlitzer electric piano reminiscent of Donny Hathaway—offering a variety of usable sounds.

In addition to these, there are numerous pad and brass sounds, practically covering every sound you might want to produce.

You can even layer three sounds simultaneously, combining organ with two synth sounds. Selecting two or three sounds is easily done using the On/Off switches on the lower part of the panel, without the need to dive into complex menu layers on the keyboard's display. It's a well-thought-out, user-friendly system.

■ If I Had to Ask For More...

If I had to ask for more, I’d love to see a larger color display panel like the one on the MODX! Additionally, it would be great to have a handle or a central grip hole to make it easier to lift the instrument. Another thing is that, because the body is so lightweight, it tends to shift on the keyboard stand when I perform organ glissandos—something I wish could be improved. But, I suppose these are just luxury problems! (^^♪

LCD Panel of the YC61 (My Personal YC61)

I plan to continue using the versatile YC61, and if I come across any new insights or features, I'll be sure to report on them.

The “sound & person” column is made up of contributions from you.
For details about contributing, click here.