This channel is painfully under-recognized for the outstanding content on display here. Fascinating instruments, and a clear wealth of knowledge on your part. Contrary to the rather calm, documentary kind of narration, a ton of personality comes through in your visual style as well as your music. Quickly becoming one of my favorite channels. Thanks man.
couldn't agree more! there are a few other very good YT channels i know doing similar things on keyboards or other electronic stuff but KOK's style is the best so far IMO ...
I got a PSS - 130 today at a thrift store. I was not born in the 1980's or 90's but I like looking at vintage synths and keyboards and listening to 80's music. I know people say the PSS -130 is a bit bad and it doesn't have any inputs but I'm sure it has potential somewhere.
The love shown for the instrument and music in general is overwhelming! The Part of cleaning everything etc. really shows. Having the same relationship, especially with electronic music, for my whole life, seeing this is really touching
This was my first keyboard as a child. All these years later, the "Latin" rhythm (9:33) will sometimes pop in my head and stick around for a day. Never thought this keyboard would be capable of creating a song as wonderful as the one you made here!
i've said it before and I'll say it again: Best Keyboard Channel on the Tubes!!! . (Also - You and your family stay safe in these dangerous times, my friend! Best to you.)
I had one of these when I was like 9 years old. I was surprised you did not discover the best "bug". If you just mash keys furiously when recording a melody, it will only record 1 or 2 of those notes at a time as 16th notes so you get a funky random arpeggiator. That's how I used to make my best songs! :)
These simply must be the most extensive reviews of “toy” synths online, thank you!! Looking forward to receiving the PSS-130 I just ordered and adding your audio output mod.
This was my very first electronic keyboard! (my first "electric" keyboard was a Bontempii chord organ). I remember bouncing tracks on a cassette recorder to get around the polyphony restrictions.
Nice review and disassembling! Square wave has its own charme in my opinion. I like the Harpsichord and the Guitar the most. And your composition is great!
I have two of these. I love both old squarewave keyboards and FM, all the PS, PSS, PSR, and other variations. Excellent, informative, and well edited video. Also your narration and vocal timbre is excellent.
FINALLY!! I'm early to one of these videos!!! I hope you get the chance to read this, but this channel has quickly become one of my favorites. 8-bit keys got me interested in toy keyboards, but this channel goes above and beyond anything that David ever did. I feel like this is a toy keyboard overview channel for the musician, and not the retro tech enthusiast. I genuinely wish I could sing my praise louder. This channel is just great!
Beautiful work, as usual :) The 2-button limit is interesting, given that the chip has 3-voice polyphony. I believe it's the result of using a single scanning matrix for both the keybed and control panel without any blocking diodes. Without a diode for each contact, it's not possible to correctly detect more than 2 contacts made, hence the limit in firmware. An example of questionable cost savings, in my opinion.
I have this and the 140 and it’s surprising how much more functional the 140 is. Mine is broken tho. So I only use the 130. Clarinet and elec guitar are my favourite!
Wow, that's the keyboard I had when I was a kid. My 1st keyboard! I remember those dotted buttons for sure. Fast forward 25 years later and now I have a huge synth setup. I recently picked up a Yamaha pcs-30, which sounds very similar and has a headphone jack.
as always, another really fine and to the point review by Keen On Keys! i really enjoy his works and learn a lot without feeling bored or anything ... a note here on those two notes that play automatically when the instrument is left on: couldn't they be an alert to remind the user that the keyboard's been left on unattended? if so,. then not so bad really as there's no auto-off function there ... :-)
Lots of fun! I have a PSS-170, and I think it's great. Can't record with it, but otherwise it has some nice features for a consumer keyboard. Thanks for reviewing this.
i got one of these for ... 0$. (or DM .. ) .. i won it in a drawing competition in primary school in the late 80's. i knew it was shit after 3 notes played, but i still like this toy. that song at the end of the video was great! .. made me want to do the audio out mod and record some songs with it ... ;) thanks a lot for this wonderful review! :)
Estoy desempolvando el pss 130 que tenia mi padre y con tu video quede fascinado. Creo vere todo el canal tienes muy buena edición, narración y ejecución en el instrumento. Saludos desde México
Keen, you must try the PSS-160. It has the same type of recording as this one but it imparts a funky groove to the quantization. The slider let’s you variate the sound in real time and the sounds are of good variety and some have sustain that the 130 is lacking
A minor but intersting engineering detail difference between the PSS120 and 130 is the keys/keybed of the PSS120 is the older but nicer synth action used on the CS01 and most vintage mid sized Yamaha keyboards of the 1980s. Each key is separate and if ONE key breaks, you can replace just that ONE key. These keys of the PSS120 would be the same used on the DX100 and say PSS470. The PSS130 featured a new style of cheap made strip keys that later models adopted such as the PSS480/680 and CBXK1XG and PSS80/100/125/140,etc. If one key breaks, you have to change the entire strip.
ahhh, I have this beauty, surprisingly survived from my as*hole brother and has been my only musical enstrument untill middle school. Since 30 years it's never been broken or something. I watched the video with it on my lap, thanks for switching tip :D lovely video
I had one of these that I loved. Installed a 1/4" out with a passive volume knob Along with a couple of circuit bends that added distortion and a huge volume boost. I used it for a long time until I got greedy and decided I would buy a second and combine the two brains to make an organ. Burned up the circuit board in the process. womp womp.
Just got this from goodwill for 6 dollars. Anytime I go into goodwill I just can't help myself from buying cheap keyboards. Building quite the collection. Got a Casio CTK-2090 from the same goodwill as well. The sampling microphone feature on that thing is loads of fun.
We had one of these in the house when I was a kid. Not sure who bought it, or what for. I just remember cycling through the instruments and wondering why they sounded like that. Great demos too, btw! Reminds me of the Crystalis soundtrack among other things.
Great overview as always! :) I’m curious, how do you select keyboards to review? Do you have these lying around, or do people send them to you? Or do you go out of your way to acquire them?
I was definitely the kid that annoyed their parents with the demonstration tune. My sister got this keyboard for Christmas one year and we used to play with it a lot. I had no idea you could slide your finger across the instrument buttons for that effect, though.
Great channel, I'm really amazed your colour selection for backgrounds and no-shadow lighting, great audio and editing. One technical question: if you install an output of speaker signal, is it after amplifier, I guess. Is this signal is not too gained for a soundcard input? Thanks for any answer :)
What are the beautiful arps at 3:14? Excellent video. Easy sub. someone wanted to give me one of these and I said I'd take one, cause why not. Would love to mod an output on it. Edit* NM, found the track on your bandcamp, glorious.
Only if someone had a time machine and they had packed todays Reface DX tech inside it.. Designwise this was too cool with touch membrane like original DX7
Have you ever thought on reviewing the Yamaha MIE Series of Keyboards? I honestly don’t want to see it fade away as if it didn’t exist. I know it’s for the school education market but I grew up with the MIE 1 and 3 in Elementary School when going to music class.
This channel is painfully under-recognized for the outstanding content on display here. Fascinating instruments, and a clear wealth of knowledge on your part. Contrary to the rather calm, documentary kind of narration, a ton of personality comes through in your visual style as well as your music. Quickly becoming one of my favorite channels. Thanks man.
couldn't agree more! there are a few other very good YT channels i know doing similar things on keyboards or other electronic stuff but KOK's style is the best so far IMO ...
absolutely, we also should admit we're weird to be hooked to such niche of content 😂
I got a PSS - 130 today at a thrift store. I was not born in the 1980's or 90's but I like looking at vintage synths and keyboards and listening to 80's music. I know people say the PSS -130 is a bit bad and it doesn't have any inputs but I'm sure it has potential somewhere.
The PSS 130 is. Decent keyboard I wasn't born in the 80s or 90s either I picked it up at goodwill for 5.99
Come for the interesting details, stay for the awesome multitrack recordings! 🤩💪🏼😎
That tune was AMAZING. Didn't expect to be blown away by an old toy keyboard. You sir are a genius!
The love shown for the instrument and music in general is overwhelming! The Part of cleaning everything etc. really shows. Having the same relationship, especially with electronic music, for my whole life, seeing this is really touching
This was my first keyboard as a child. All these years later, the "Latin" rhythm (9:33) will sometimes pop in my head and stick around for a day. Never thought this keyboard would be capable of creating a song as wonderful as the one you made here!
This is some of the best music I will ever experience.
Sounds very much like an 8-bit console (which makes sense since those machines' sound hardware was capable of square or pulse waves, at least).
I just binged EVERY video today! My new favorite YT channel! Brilliant and addicting!
i've said it before and I'll say it again: Best Keyboard Channel on the Tubes!!!
.
(Also - You and your family stay safe in these dangerous times, my friend! Best to you.)
I had one of these when I was like 9 years old. I was surprised you did not discover the best "bug". If you just mash keys furiously when recording a melody, it will only record 1 or 2 of those notes at a time as 16th notes so you get a funky random arpeggiator. That's how I used to make my best songs! :)
This song is a straight up BANGER!
These simply must be the most extensive reviews of “toy” synths online, thank you!! Looking forward to receiving the PSS-130 I just ordered and adding your audio output mod.
12:10
Yamaha Engineers: WAIT THAT'S ILLEGAL!
what are you talking about?
@@willfomes406 🤣
This is art.
This was my very first electronic keyboard! (my first "electric" keyboard was a Bontempii chord organ). I remember bouncing tracks on a cassette recorder to get around the polyphony restrictions.
That tune is just EXCELLENT!
Thanks for high quality content
The quality of your content is so good, I'm speechless
Nice review and disassembling! Square wave has its own charme in my opinion. I like the Harpsichord and the Guitar the most. And your composition is great!
The music is fantastic in this video!
I have two of these. I love both old squarewave keyboards and FM, all the PS, PSS, PSR, and other variations. Excellent, informative, and well edited video. Also your narration and vocal timbre is excellent.
I got one of these for 2 dollars at a flea market, absolutely love it.
FINALLY!! I'm early to one of these videos!!!
I hope you get the chance to read this, but this channel has quickly become one of my favorites. 8-bit keys got me interested in toy keyboards, but this channel goes above and beyond anything that David ever did. I feel like this is a toy keyboard overview channel for the musician, and not the retro tech enthusiast. I genuinely wish I could sing my praise louder. This channel is just great!
This is keyboard is so nostalgic for me. Amazing what you've done with it. Bravo!
I have the PSS-130 and I can't manage to play anything good on it and I'm just amazed at how good this is. Great job man keep making these videos.
Beautiful work, as usual :) The 2-button limit is interesting, given that the chip has 3-voice polyphony. I believe it's the result of using a single scanning matrix for both the keybed and control panel without any blocking diodes. Without a diode for each contact, it's not possible to correctly detect more than 2 contacts made, hence the limit in firmware. An example of questionable cost savings, in my opinion.
I have this and the 140 and it’s surprising how much more functional the 140 is. Mine is broken tho. So I only use the 130. Clarinet and elec guitar are my favourite!
It‘s always amazing, what you get out of these tiny toy keyboards. Chapeau!
Wow, that's the keyboard I had when I was a kid. My 1st keyboard! I remember those dotted buttons for sure. Fast forward 25 years later and now I have a huge synth setup. I recently picked up a Yamaha pcs-30, which sounds very similar and has a headphone jack.
Most excellent melody at the end
I'm glad I got mine for 20$ prior to this video being released.
Awesome demo!
quite addictive channel!! keep it up, I'm pretty sure more ppl in the world will enjoy the magic sound you get out of those tiny keys 😊👍👍
Excellent review!
11:41 Sir, you have written the theme to the NES video game of my childhood.
as always, another really fine and to the point review by Keen On Keys! i really enjoy his works and learn a lot without feeling bored or anything ... a note here on those two notes that play automatically when the instrument is left on: couldn't they be an alert to remind the user that the keyboard's been left on unattended? if so,. then not so bad really as there's no auto-off function there ... :-)
Yes, that's exactly what these notes are for.
One of These were Purchased for Me from My Neighbor's YardSale Back In TheDay. & it Has Sat in TheSame Closet Ever Since.
Awesome video and multitrack! That looked quite challenging by knowing all the limitations.
My dad gave me the pss-130 a few years back and I've been learning to play Lost Boy on it. I like it a lot.
thanks for this great video, i have the PSS-130 too. you earned a lot more subscribers!
Lots of fun! I have a PSS-170, and I think it's great. Can't record with it, but otherwise it has some nice features for a consumer keyboard. Thanks for reviewing this.
oh man what an enjoyable video
i got one of these for ... 0$. (or DM .. ) .. i won it in a drawing competition in primary school in the late 80's. i knew it was shit after 3 notes played, but i still like this toy.
that song at the end of the video was great! .. made me want to do the audio out mod and record some songs with it ... ;)
thanks a lot for this wonderful review! :)
Excellent performance on a very limited keyboard.WELL DONE!
Nice work, and nice melody!
Bought a line out modded PSS-130 for $15 a month or so go. I’ve had loads of fun with it and even made a track or two
Incredible video.
It sounds funny hearing an actual tune being played.......Me as kid just mashed the keys and made noise.
Estoy desempolvando el pss 130 que tenia mi padre y con tu video quede fascinado.
Creo vere todo el canal tienes muy buena edición, narración y ejecución en el instrumento.
Saludos desde México
Thank you sir, downloading a free PSS-130 plug in, this will be great for my 8 bit productions.
It's so yazoo , you bring keyboards to life :)
Keen, you must try the PSS-160. It has the same type of recording as this one but it imparts a funky groove to the quantization. The slider let’s you variate the sound in real time and the sounds are of good variety and some have sustain that the 130 is lacking
A minor but intersting engineering detail difference between the PSS120 and 130 is the keys/keybed of the PSS120 is the older but nicer synth action used on the CS01 and most vintage mid sized Yamaha keyboards of the 1980s. Each key is separate and if ONE key breaks, you can replace just that ONE key. These keys of the PSS120 would be the same used on the DX100 and say PSS470. The PSS130 featured a new style of cheap made strip keys that later models adopted such as the PSS480/680 and CBXK1XG and PSS80/100/125/140,etc. If one key breaks, you have to change the entire strip.
ahhh, I have this beauty, surprisingly survived from my as*hole brother and has been my only musical enstrument untill middle school. Since 30 years it's never been broken or something. I watched the video with it on my lap, thanks for switching tip :D lovely video
I had one of these that I loved. Installed a 1/4" out with a passive volume knob Along with a couple of circuit bends that added distortion and a huge volume boost. I used it for a long time until I got greedy and decided I would buy a second and combine the two brains to make an organ. Burned up the circuit board in the process. womp womp.
Just got this from goodwill for 6 dollars.
Anytime I go into goodwill I just can't help myself from buying cheap keyboards.
Building quite the collection.
Got a Casio CTK-2090 from the same goodwill as well. The sampling microphone feature on that thing is loads of fun.
This keyboard is back! With new sounds and new features plus a sleek new shape, as the PSS-F30.
That song at the end goes, as the Youth say... "hard", my Good Man.
That is all, I bid you good day.
I used to have a Pss-30. I've added a line out similar to yours and after a while most of the resistors got fried :/
Nice video as usual :)
We had one of these in the house when I was a kid. Not sure who bought it, or what for. I just remember cycling through the instruments and wondering why they sounded like that. Great demos too, btw! Reminds me of the Crystalis soundtrack among other things.
these videos are gr8
I literally have this and you absolutely shredded it
1980's videogames feelings
pure bliss
Dude, you rule!
nice little tune during teardown/modification :-)
I love this keyboard
These tones remind me of those awesome classic Nintendo Video Games!! 🙌🎶🕹🎮
I just want to live in the world of that last song! Gonna have to grab this lil guy out from storage
Just grabbed it out today 🙌
GENIUS
04:22 YEEEEEES, even if the bathtub is missing, every keyboard deserves a NICE cleaning treatment!
Normally old toy keyboards aren't that good but this is Yamaha we're talking about so it's going to be good
man your videos look creamy as fuck, i love the look. what camera/lenses/lights are you using?
Panasonic Lumix G70 and some daylight lamps, nothing special.
wooww..great video! :-)
Great overview as always! :) I’m curious, how do you select keyboards to review? Do you have these lying around, or do people send them to you? Or do you go out of your way to acquire them?
They are lying around here, I just close my eyes and pick one. But I will present them in a more chronological way in the future.
Perfect.......
I was definitely the kid that annoyed their parents with the demonstration tune. My sister got this keyboard for Christmas one year and we used to play with it a lot. I had no idea you could slide your finger across the instrument buttons for that effect, though.
Awesome keyboard
Wow, some of the sounds from that keyboard remind me of the Game Boy Camera and the Game & Watch Gallery games...
Good info. I was thinking this was more advanced than the pss80 just because the number was higher... might just get the 80
2:37 - That's quite an understatement, as that the demo tune is actually "Yankee Doodle," which is an American patriotic tune, which starts at 2:42.
I need to see the inside so I can see where a small, loose red piece goes on mine. Thank you.
Thank you ..outstanding review. What is the smallest (37 or 49 keys) that is made with full size keys ?
11:40 is a serious bop
It is insane that they sold this without an audio output jack.
this keyboard looks so cool
Can you connect pss-130 to midi?
If not are you able to record?
Add a phaser and chorus on the violin sound and you get 70s strings
Would you please send me the link to the jack mod? i'd love to do that to mine. thank you so much!
Great channel, I'm really amazed your colour selection for backgrounds and no-shadow lighting, great audio and editing. One technical question: if you install an output of speaker signal, is it after amplifier, I guess. Is this signal is not too gained for a soundcard input? Thanks for any answer :)
My parents gave me this as a Christmas present. I found other ways to annoy them =D
i did all that in the 80s when i got one i was 12 years old my jack was in the front of the speaker
Please tell me how to fix a stuck yamaha pss 130 key?
Too much nostalgia i play this piano when i was a child
Still got mine found it in cupboard the other day
What are the beautiful arps at 3:14?
Excellent video.
Easy sub.
someone wanted to give me one of these and I said I'd take one, cause why not.
Would love to mod an output on it.
Edit* NM, found the track on your bandcamp, glorious.
i have this exact keyboard, i bought it at a garage sale
Only if someone had a time machine and they had packed todays Reface DX tech inside it.. Designwise this was too cool with touch membrane like original DX7
So many memories of this keyboard. Many of them somewhat nauseating ;)
Every voice sounds like an early 80's video game. Although, maybe that's what you're after, and these can be found as low as 15usd.
Have you ever thought on reviewing the Yamaha MIE Series of Keyboards? I honestly don’t want to see it fade away as if it didn’t exist. I know it’s for the school education market but I grew up with the MIE 1 and 3 in Elementary School when going to music class.
These are quite rare in germany. I haven't seen one one the used market until now.
@@KeenOnKeys Oof, but it's understandable. So thanks for telling me and keep up the good work. 👍
@@KeenOnKeys Are you from Germany?