Yamaha PSS-680

i got offered a Yamaha PSS-680 in swap for a pair of new kicks i own.
i been doing a bit of research but thought i should come on here and ask also..

will this be in anyway usefull to my rap/hiphop beats will i use it alot or is it gonna sit there doing nothing i have no synth keyboard currently and when i got offerd the trade i kinda thought it wouldnt be a bad idea...

can someone give a a run down on it, what programmes etc does it work good with, can i sample it into my mpc? thanks heaaaps !! peace

TBH, and don't take this personal, it's too old and the sounds sound like sh!t. It's a waste of time and resources to even consider using this as a viable sampling source.

Now if this was a regular motif keyboard, then I'd say without question...go for it, but it's not.

i've never used one before... and i would basically expect some 80's CASIO keyboard style sounds to come out of it... but i just googled some pics of it and they look ghetto fabulous!! i bet you could assign those pads beneath the keyboard to send MIDI signal as well... but i have a soft spot for certain cheezy toys that make music and don't feel the need to be wearing a new pair of kicks at any given time... so that's just me.

i'm not familiar with this keyboard, but i notice it has digital fm synthesis. i have the yamaha psr36, which is also a consumer model with digital fm synthesis. it sounds amazing.
in some ways, these are better than any of the dx line of synths, as they are very tricky to programme, whereas the pss and psr models simplified the editing.

i'd defintiely grab it if it's cheap.

beach_break wrote:i'm not familiar with this keyboard, but i notice it has digital fm synthesis. i have the yamaha psr36, which is also a consumer model with digital fm synthesis. it sounds amazing.
in some ways, these are better than any of the dx line of synths, as they are very tricky to programme, whereas the pss and psr models simplified the editing.

i'd defintiely grab it if it's cheap.

1987-88 era beginners keyboard? I'm surprised it hasn't made it to the landfield yet.

But if this is what some of you want and like, I can't knock your taste in sound quality.

^^^ it's that type of ignorance that gave me my first synth - a moog found in a dumpster. keep up the good work.

i watched a full youtube clip of a guy using/demoing one and it looked fun but the sound wasnt what i am after i have had Casio keyboards from the 80s and in my opinion its pritty close to the sound of the mt-45 or some fisher price my first keyboard type gear. except the mt-45 dont have synth as youll allready know. the pitch wheel is a bonus i guess and the pads... but not my cuppa tea sound and programme wise. cheers for the help!!

damn, that's harsh comparing digital fm dx7 style sounds to fisher price and a casio mt45. but you woudn't be the first. anyway, i love yamaha digital fm synthesis, and love that it comes in a wide range of really cheap keyboards. such great basses and electric piano/organs.

haha sorry man, i really should of left it at "its not my cuppa tea" as its just not the one im lookin for right now, the PSS-680 aint bad, i heard a few beats today with its synth in them and it can work magic at the right hands.

SARGA wrote:"its not my cuppa tea"

Hey, it is what it is. Apparently this thing had a loyal following. And like some things, it'll never die amongst those that believe in its capabilities.

I once tried getting into these type of boards, but they never gave me a sense of "realness" with the sounds. So I categorized them as starter/student/family oriented keyboards that'll eventually get you ready for the next level.

As a kid, I grew up having a kimball organ around the house that had some really cheezy sounds, that's why I couldn't wait to experience something better.

http://creamofbeats.bandcamp.com/

Tracks 15: The Horn and Bass is made with the 680.
Track 16: The Bass was made on the 680.

I really liked the 680. My only problem with it was there was a hum coming from the outputs. I now have the 480 and its clean. It could have been an issue with the unit I owned though.
The PSS synths are really dope. I've owned a few synths that were suppose to be better (spec wise) but they were too confusing to use. Basically I would luck-up with creating sounds..twisting knobs and luckin' up on something decent. The PSS models have sine waves so you can build your own sounds. I've made kicks, snares, whatever with them. I really like the fact that people look at these as toys! I Love it! I bought mine for $8.00 at a garage sale! They sound unlike anything out there which gives your music individuality.
The only other synth that gives these PSS synths a run for the money are the Yamaha DX 100/21's. They are a pain in the azz to program though, but once you figure it out they sounds GREAT! Add some effects to the PSS synths though, and your options are limitless! They are so easy to use that you will enjoy creating sounds with them!