The S08 is the Perfect Balance of Sight, Sound, and
Touch
- 88-key Balanced Hammer Effect keyboard
- Over 700 High-Quality Voices
- 24-bit digital effects
- Sleek and lightweight design
- Maximum 64-note polyphony
- Voice category search function
- 16 multi parts
- SmartMedia™ card slot and SMF playback sequencer
- USB MIDI interface
- Sequencing and voice editing software included
Stylish Design. Incredible Sound. Great Action.
The S08 gives you professional quality sound
and performance in a stylish, lightweight package—and at an affordable price.
In fact, it has many features that you would expect to find only in synthesizers
costing much more. For starters, it's equipped with a full-size weighted
keyboard that offers a remarkably realistic touch. It's also packed with over
700 of Yamaha's finest voices, many of which have been taken right from our
award-winning S80 professional synthesizer. We've even added in a complete XG
and General MIDI Level 2 voice set to complement the built-in SMF (Standard MIDI
File) playback sequencer. But that's not all. For the live performer, there's a
convenient Category Search function that makes it easy to find the voices you
want on stage. And for the studio musician, we've added a USB MIDI interface and
a SmartMedia™ card slot. For those looking for an affordable weighted action
synthesizer for the studio or stage, the S08 is a dream come true.
Superb Weighted Action
The S08 is equipped with Yamaha's original
Balanced Hammer Effect (BH) keyboard—a true weighted 88-note keyboard based on
the highly acclaimed Graded Hammer Effect (GH) keyboard found in the Yamaha P
series digital pianos. Although a graded keyboard is ideal for playing piano
sounds (it's designed so that the lower keys have a heavier touch), it's not
practical for playing voices such as drums and basses. The S08's BH keyboard has
been specially designed to accommodate both the need for weighted feel and quick
response across the entire length of the keyboard, allowing you to enjoy smooth
weighted action regardless of which voice you play.
Over 700 High-Quality Voices
From beautiful grand pianos and orchestral
instruments to punchy synthesizers and bass sounds for the dance floor, the S08
gives you the equivalent of 28 MB* worth of high-quality AWM2 voices—over 700
in all. Many of these waveforms are borrowed from the flagship S80 synthesizer.
When connected to an external sequencer, up to 16 instrument parts can be played
simultaneously for composing and playing back fully arranged songs. And because
the S08 provides up to 64 notes of polyphony, you need not worry about running
out of notes when playing long sustaining passages or sequencing complex
arrangements. *When converted to 16-bit linear
format.
Onboard 24-bit Effects
Digital effects are an integral part of a
synthesizer's voice architecture. And to ensure the highest standards of voice
quality, the S08 uses Yamaha's own 24-bit effects processing chip to provide you
with a complete range of high-quality effects, including 17 reverb types, 17
chorus types and 54 variation effects such as delay and distortion.
Portable, Lightweight Design
Although the S08 is an 88-note weighted action
synthesizer, its lightweight makes it the ideal keyboard for the gigging
musician who needs portability yet demands the feel of a real piano.
Full XG and GM Level 2 Compatibility
The S08 is fully compatible with Yamaha XG and
General MIDI Level 2 specifications, both of which provide an extended range of
instruments and effects over the original General MIDI standard. The XG standard
also allows detailed editing of the voices and support for external audio
inputs. This means that XG and GM2 sequences will sound their very best played
back on the S08.
Voice Category Search Function
Having hundreds of voices at your fingertips is
a wonderful thing...that is, until you find yourself having to look through them
one by one to find that particular string voice you liked so much. The Category
Search function makes it a snap to find just the voice you're looking for by
allowing you to search through the preset voices by instrument type—such as
Piano, Organ, Bass or Strings.
Large Custom Display
Unlike the small displays used in competing
keyboards, the S08's custom liquid crystal display makes it easy to see the
currently selected voice and other information at a glance. Its backlit panel
ensures visibility on a darkened stage.
Data Parameter Dial
Scrolling through voices and editing parameters
is easier than ever thanks to a convenient control dial.
Sequencer Playback from SmartMedia ™
A newly designed playback sequencer lets you
play back standard MIDI files (format 0) directly from a SmartMedia™ memory
card. Transferring MIDI files to a SmartMedia card from your Mac or PC is smooth
and easy thanks to the included Card Filer software. The S08's Chain Playback
function gives you uninterrupted playback of up to 100 songs—perfect for live
performance or simply practicing at home with sequenced accompaniments.
USB MIDI Interface
Equipped with a USB MIDI interface, the S08 can
connect directly to any USB-equipped Windows® or Macintosh® computer. This
feature, together with pitch and modulation wheels, makes it an ideal MIDI
controller for computer-based music production—amateur or pro.
Voice Editor and Sequencer Software Included!
The S08 is bundled with a variety of useful
software to help you get the most out of your new investment right out of the
box. Voice Editor lets you edit the synthesizer parameters in full detail from
your Mac or PC to make your own original voices. Card Filer makes it easy to
organize files on SmartMedia™ cards and transfer data between the S08 and your
computer. Sequencing software is also included, which allows you to compose
fully arranged songs with the S08 and a Windows® PC.
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