Vintage Synth Explorer

Yamaha • V50

Imagine the excellent sonic characteristics of the DX11 synthesizer or TX-81Z sound module. The V50 is the ultimate 4-Operator FM synth workstation comprising 16-note polyphony, a dual effects processor (with distortion), a large dual line, backlit LCD display, a drum machine, a 16,000 note sequencer and a 3.5in floppy drive to save your songs and voices!

The DVA function and built in voice-based pitch delay are two interesting features in this synth. It's great for percussive sounds such as short bass sounds, marimbas, clavinets, etc and should one pitch an operator really high and work with the pitch bender, one gets very cool ambient effects. It's very rare yet cheap in today's 2nd-hand market and coupled with an outboard (analog) filter it makes an unbeatable digital FM synth!

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lady da da

Posted 25 days ago

Rick Wakeman used it in 1990.

Marcel

Posted 183 days ago

Peter, the V50 has a "damping" setting setup>damp where you can set the release time for the stolen voice.
If you set it to "very slow" you will not get any clicking sounds, though it will delay the new note (good for slow attack sounds, bad timing for percussive sounds)

Fred

Posted 275 days ago

I'm not sure why others are complaining about the sequencer. I found it to be one of the easier hardware sequencers to navigate. It's very fast for step entry. Also, this synth has lots of alternate tunings, which makes it pretty unique. And lastly, you can load each of the sequencer tracks with a different sound, and then play them all as one giant "program". This lets you make some seriously fat sounding (and real sounding) brass by detuning each of the voices. Thumbs up for this synth,

Peter

Posted 302 days ago

I still own one and use it as my midi keyboard! I remember I bought it 2nd hand, and noticed clicking sounds which were very annoying if you're using reverb or echo as well. Went back with it, they ordered a brand new print for it, but the problem was still there.. Turns out that DVA cuts of voices if you're using too many voices, and that produces a click.. Factory error? Still great one, I shall never get rid of it ;) Recently had to replace the back up battery, but other than that it's 100% ok stilL!

Jim

Posted 364 days ago

This was my first synth. Brought it new in 1990 and absolutely loved it. Sequencer was a tad maddening to program though. It is great for studio work and has an exceptional build quality so it can cope with the inevitable knocks from life on the road. Came out the same time as the Korg M1 and most people went out and brought that, which is a shame as it really is a nice instrument .

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