Yamaha YDS-150 Digital Saxophone

73 amazing sounds onboard

Yamaha is one of the premier makers of both saxophones and synthesizers, so it comes as no surprise that the YDS-150 not only plays like a sax — it also sounds like one. Onboard are full-scale samples of real soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxes painstakingly recorded in whole tones played by professional saxophonists, as well as cutting-edge synth sounds. The four sax categories are further broken up into subcategories that allow you to select sounds optimized for any and all genres, with full tonality, range, and timbre control. In all, there are 73 Voices onboard, including 56 saxes. Changing from, say, a soprano to an alto is effortless, as the key range is set appropriately for Bb and Eb instruments. And as you’ll probably prefer your synth sounds in concert pitch, the key of C will also sync automatically with those voices when selected. Octave assignments are automatic as well. Play a Bb on soprano, switch to baritone, and that same Bb will voice an octave lower.

Authentic playing feel for any musician

Yamaha, in their wisdom, gave the YDS-150 a standard saxophone key layout that saxophonists will take to intuitively. That gives it a major advantage over other digital wind instruments with seemingly arbitrary proprietary key layouts. What’s more, the YDS-150 offers a realistic playing feel with adjustable key response and tube resonance that mimics the tactile feedback of an acoustic sax as you play. Like an conventional sax, the YDS-150 has and front F and high F# keys and a single octave key, plus a low A that comes in handy for playing baritone parts. And although the mouthpiece, with its synthetic reed, feels like that of a typical alto sax, it requires only a basic embouchure any musician can master. Note expressiveness and real-time modulation such as pitch bend, portamento, and vibrato are a provided by the samples themselves and the instrument’s manual Analog Controller.

An entirely new class of instrument

Combining a standard sax key layout and Yamaha’s innovative Integrated Bell Acoustic System with the functionality of a wind synthesizer, the YDS-150 is a totally new class of instrument. While not a replacement for acoustic saxophones, the Yamaha YDS-150 is designed to go where no traditional horn can. Whether you’re a saxophonist looking for a MIDI controller and late-night practice instrument, or a non-reed player seeking new challenges and adventures, the YDS-150 blurs the line between organic and synthetic, providing the best of both worlds by delivering cutting-edge digital sound with the tactile playing feel of an acoustic wind instrument. Seamlessly blending familiar sax fingering with the prowess of Yamaha’s advanced digital technology, the YDS-150 is the perfect MIDI controller for saxophonists who want to compose on their native instrument.

Innovative Integrated Bell Acoustic System

Yamaha’s groundbreaking Integrated Bell Acoustic System comprises a speaker in a special enclosure, an acoustic tube, and a genuine brass bell. Responding to your breath from the mouthpiece, the YDS-150 generates sound that drives the speaker, prompting the brass bell and the entire instrument to resonate, similar to a traditional saxophone. These vibrations, along with the instrument’s standard key layout, contribute to the uncanny verisimilitude of the YDS0150’s authentic playing feel. Combine that with the powerful capabilities of a Yamaha digital synth engine, and you have a formidable instrument you can use to explore new musical frontiers.

Wireless freedom and comprehensive connectivity

You can power your YDS-150 with four AAA batteries or via its micro USB-to-Host port, which outputs MIDI, making your digital saxophone an ideal master controller for creating music in your DAW of choice. The YDS-150 also outputs MIDI via Bluetooth, giving you the freedom of wireless connectivity with your computer, smart phone, or tablet. A stereo mini headphone jack lets you use your YDS-150 for silent practice without disturbing the neighbors, while its aux input lets you jam along with your favorite tracks. When using headphones, you can even control the ambience from the YDS app, transporting your performance from your living room to Carnegie Hall! At Musiekwereld, we’re super excited about the Yamaha YDS-150 digital synthesizer. It’s a game changer.