S90 ES
Music Synthesizer
The Perfect Balance of Piano and Synthesizer
The new S90 ES features Yamaha’s superb 88-key, weighted action keyboard, and not only inherits many features from legendary S-Series and award-winning Motif ES product lines, but also takes them to a new level of sound and performance.
In addition to the keyboard action, new 32 MB multi-velocity stereo samples from the high-end S700 grand, damper reverb effects, and half-damper capability ensure that the S90 ES has the most realistic, most expressive acoustic piano sound Yamaha has ever offered in a synthesizer.
Additional enhancements include a full 128-note polyphony tone generator based on the Motif ES (including eight Inserts, two System and separate Mastering effects), a powerful arpeggiator, and an expanded synthesis engine.
More than 500 voices, 65 drum kits and 256 user-voice memory locations provide building blocks for song production and performance. Panel switches and a large LCD display provide full hands-on access to all functions. Studio Connections, mLAN and USB connectivity, plus PLG expandability guarantee advanced sonic power, seamless system integration and total control.
S90 ES will be available in September 2005.
The Ultimate Piano Sample
In designing the S90 ES's new grand piano voice, the focus was in creating a voice that produces naturally sounding long tones even when played at a pianissimo level. To realize this goal, a generous 53MB of memory was dedicated to this voice to use longer samples of a specially selected S700 grand piano-a $US250,000 acoustic grand handcrafted by Yamaha's master artisans. Played at normal tempos and dynamic levels the sound of this voice is truly superb, but it's at the opposite end of the tempo and dynamic range that the results are most stunning. The longer waves give each note a very natural sustain that, when used on ballads and slow, exposed pieces, plays expressively with a full, natural sound. This voice also features stretch tuning and a damper resonance effect, which bring this voice even closer to reality by simulating the inner workings of an acoustic grand piano. Damper resonance simulates the resonance of the strings and soundboard when the damper pedal is pressed-a factor that contributes to the unique sound of a grand piano. Using the sustain pedal on soft, slow pieces it adds a rich resonance to the piano's tone and enhances its natural sustain and decay.
Some classic pieces call for a half damper technique, where the damper pedal is pressed half way down raising the felts only partially off the strings. As the sustain function on most synths is a simple on/off operation, such use is normally unavailable. The S90 ES however, is able to respond to small changes in the FC-3 foot controller's pedal position due to its half damper capability. This gives the performer greater control over the muting by the damper, and expressive freedom to create the subtle nuances required by the music.
