Reproducing authentic organ sound, control and expressiveness in a compact package has been elusive for keyboard players. Using proprietary Yamaha technology, the YC61 provides an authentic and expressive playing experience.
The YC61 employs a newly developed Virtual Circuitry Modeling (VCM) Organ engine. VCM models the behavior of vintage electronics at the component level. This allows realistic organ character sound along with familiar and modern controls organ players will appreciate. Authenticity is further enhanced by a new VCM Rotary Speaker effect, capturing the two-speed, physically spinning speaker that's as much a part of the organ sound as a guitar amp is to an electric guitar.
As on the original instruments, the musician has full command of the sound via drawbars, percussion, rotary speaker speed and more for an expressive and unique sound. Organ aficionados will appreciate the ability to personalize "under the hood" organ and rotary speaker settings like drawbar leakage, key click, rotor speed up and more. An all-new 61-note waterfall keyboard is true to the organ legacy and makes for smooth rock and jazz playing techniques such as "palm smears."
The YC61 goes beyond organ sounds. Two comprehensive "Keys" sections offer authentic acoustic pianos, soulful electric pianos, realistic strings and brass, analog-style synths, and more. Dedicated effects like delay, chorus, distortion and more give keyboardists the ability to quickly create new, inspiring sounds on the fly. This means the YC61 could take the place of two or more other instruments, simplifying keyboardists' setups and reducing load-in time.
Thanks to its aluminum construction, the YC61 is as rugged and roadworthy as it is lightweight (under 7kg/16 pounds!) and compact.
"The organ is the original keyboard, and in some ways, the original synthesizer," said Nate Tschetter, manager, Synthesizer Marketing, Yamaha. "It always adds a soulful sound to the music, regardless of genre. We hope YC61 provides that essence of soulfulness to keyboard players through its sound and controls."
Pricing and Availability
The Yamaha YC61 Stage Keyboard (MSRP: $2,499) will ship to retailers in June 2020. For more information, visit
Yamaha.io/yc61