Yamaha’s YDS-150 Digital Sax Is a Game-changer

The Yamaha YDS-150 digital saxophone is a unique, state-of-the-art wind synth that combines an acoustic sax playing experience with the endless possibilities of a powerful Yamaha sound engine. It all starts with a specially designed mouthpiece that will feel comfortable for sax players while remaining accessible to every musician, as it requires no embouchure technique. On the other end is a brass bell with an inset speaker that works in tandem with one in the neck to generate resonance and project a surprisingly natural sound. In between, Yamaha has paid meticulous attention to the keywork, which features a standard saxophone layout complete with a single octave key and front F, high F#, and low A keys. The robust soundset includes soprano, alto, tenor, and bari saxes, plus a selection of premium synth sounds. Voices are easily selected right on the instrument, and you can edit sounds and effects, change transposition, assign custom altissimo fingerings; set volume, pitch bend and other MIDI parameters, save presets, and more with a dedicated app running on your smart device, which pairs with the YDS-150 via Bluetooth.

• Key: Eb, Bb, C (automatic sync with selected voice)
• Custom mouthpiece with synthetic reed for authentic saxophone feel
• Brass bell, made of the same material used on Yamaha acoustic saxes
• Integrated Bell Acoustic System for natural sax resonance
• Standard saxophone key layout
• Front F, high F#, low A keys; octave key
• 73 Voices, including 56 saxes and 17 synths
• Sax Voices (soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone)
• Sax variations cover all genres, with full tonality, range, and timbre control
• Dedicated app for editing, saving sounds, and more
• Headphone jack (stereo mini)
• Aux input (stereo mini; functional only when using headphones)
• Micro USB-to-Host port
• Operates on 4 AAA batteries or via USB
• Sturdy strap connector
• Included mouthpiece, synthetic reed, ligature, mouthpiece cap, soft case, and strap

73 amazing sounds onboard

Yamaha is one of the premier makers of both saxophones and synthesizers, so it comes as no surprise that the YDS-150 not only plays like a sax — it also sounds like one. Onboard are full-scale samples of real soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxes painstakingly recorded in whole tones played by professional saxophonists, as well as cutting-edge synth sounds. The four sax categories are further broken up into subcategories that allow you to select sounds optimized for any and all genres, with full tonality, range, and timbre control. In all, there are 73 Voices onboard, including 56 saxes. Changing from, say, a soprano to an alto is effortless, as the key range is set appropriately for Bb and Eb instruments. And as you’ll probably prefer your synth sounds in concert pitch, the key of C will also sync automatically with those voices when selected. Octave assignments are automatic as well. Play a Bb on soprano, switch to baritone, and that same Bb will voice an octave lower.

Authentic playing feel for any musician

Yamaha, in their wisdom, gave the YDS-150 a standard saxophone key layout that saxophonists will take to intuitively. That gives it a major advantage over other digital wind instruments with seemingly arbitrary proprietary key layouts. What’s more, the YDS-150 offers a realistic playing feel with adjustable key response and tube resonance that mimics the tactile feedback of an acoustic sax as you play. Like an conventional sax, the YDS-150 has and front F and high F# keys and a single octave key, plus a low A that comes in handy for playing baritone parts. And although the mouthpiece, with its synthetic reed, feels like that of a typical alto sax, it requires only a basic embouchure any musician can master. Note expressiveness and real-time modulation such as pitch bend, portamento, and vibrato are a provided by the samples themselves and the instrument’s manual Analog Controller.

An entirely new class of instrument

Combining a standard sax key layout and Yamaha’s innovative Integrated Bell Acoustic System with the functionality of a wind synthesizer, the YDS-150 is a totally new class of instrument. While not a replacement for acoustic saxophones, the Yamaha YDS-150 is designed to go where no traditional horn can. Whether you’re a saxophonist looking for a MIDI controller and late-night practice instrument, or a non-reed player seeking new challenges and adventures, the YDS-150 blurs the line between organic and synthetic, providing the best of both worlds by delivering cutting-edge digital sound with the tactile playing feel of an acoustic wind instrument. Seamlessly blending familiar sax fingering with the prowess of Yamaha’s advanced digital technology, the YDS-150 is the perfect MIDI controller for saxophonists who want to compose on their native instrument.

Innovative Integrated Bell Acoustic System

Yamaha’s groundbreaking Integrated Bell Acoustic System comprises a speaker in a special enclosure, an acoustic tube, and a genuine brass bell. Responding to your breath from the mouthpiece, the YDS-150 generates sound that drives the speaker, prompting the brass bell and the entire instrument to resonate, similar to a traditional saxophone. These vibrations, along with the instrument’s standard key layout, contribute to the uncanny verisimilitude of the YDS0150’s authentic playing feel. Combine that with the powerful capabilities of a Yamaha digital synth engine, and you have a formidable instrument you can use to explore new musical frontiers.

Wireless freedom and comprehensive connectivity

You can power your YDS-150 with four AAA batteries or via its micro USB-to-Host port, which outputs MIDI, making your digital saxophone an ideal master controller for creating music in your DAW of choice. The YDS-150 also outputs MIDI via Bluetooth, giving you the freedom of wireless connectivity with your computer, smart phone, or tablet. A stereo mini headphone jack lets you use your YDS-150 for silent practice without disturbing the neighbors, while its aux input lets you jam along with your favorite tracks. When using headphones, you can even control the ambience from the YDS app, transporting your performance from your living room to Carnegie Hall!

Specifications

Key: Eb, Bb, C (sync with voice)
Finish: Black Body with Yellow Brass/Gold Lacquer Bell
Body: Black
Key Buttons: High F#, Front F, Low A
Mouthpiece: YDS Mouthpiece with Synthetic Reed
Additional Features: Ligature
Weight: 2.20 lbs.
Case/Gig Bag: Softshell Case
Manufacturer Part Number: YDS-150