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Yamaha S-08 Synthesizer
Press Release
2002-04-08

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Yamaha Corporation of America, Digital Musical Instruments, will debut the S08 at Winter NAMM 2002, a versatile, yet highly cost effective, 88-key programmable synthesizer. With its sleek, lightweight portable design, palette of high quality sounds and advanced storage features, the S08 makes an ideal primary or additional instrument for the songwriter, arranger, live performance musician, studio musician, and amateur alike. The S08 carries an MSRP of $1,495 and will be available in April. The S08 features an 88-key balanced hammer design with Initial Touch (similar to that of the Motif 8 Synthesizer), plus full 64-note polyphony.

Yamaha's AWM2 tone generation, over 749 incredible sounding voices and 31 drum kits, full XG and GM2 compatibility, stereo sampled pianos and drums-many of which are identical to those found on higher-end synthesizer products in Yamaha's S-series-provide excellent building blocks for song production and performance. Users can create their own sounds and store them in any of 128 user-voice memory locations. Onboard effects include chorus, reverb and variations.

Panel switches, a large LCD display and controllers that include pitch bend, a mod wheel and a numeric keypad, provide full control and quick access to all functions. Connections include MIDI IN/OUT/THRU, stereo headphone out, foot switch, and foot controller. A SmartMedia card slot allows the introduction of new sounds and the direct playback of SMF sequence files. Compatible with USB-equipped Windows PC platforms (Windows 98 or higher), the S08 opens a whole world of musical, educational and creative possibilities to musicians with personal computers. An application CD-ROM contains Voice Editor, Sequencer and Card Filer software.

"The S08 represents a cost breakthrough for an 88-key programmable synthesizer," states Athan Billias, marketing manager, Digital Musical Instruments. "The combination of a solid synthesis engine, essential sounds, storage options and computer-based applications makes the S08 a good foundation for any setup, and provides musicians with a high level of performance and productivity."