Introduction
For the best part of two decades, in the 1980s and 1990s, Yamaha created some iconic mini music keyboards under the PortaSound name. Many of these were simple instruments aimed at children and/or beginners, but as the years rolled on, a number of additional features were added. Even today, some PortaSound (PSS) models are desirable as authentic “lo-fi” sound generators for many composers and music producers. There have been close to 70 models with the PS, PSS or PortaSound branding.
Various models used a range of sound generation technology including playing samples, FM synthesis and wavetables. None used the AWM technology to be found on later PSR PortaTone keyboards.
A number of the PSS models used the Yamaha YM3812 sound chip, capable of FM synthesis, including the PSS-360, PSS-460, PSS-470, PSS-560 and PSS-570. A scaled down chip, the Yamaha YM2413, was used in the PSS-140, PSS-170 and PSS-270. A Yamaha YM3301 chip was also added to some models to handle percussion sounds.
Yamaha PortaSound keyboards were designed for both home and educational use, being compact and lightweight for easy carrying, and featuring simple and user-friendly interfaces, making them accessible to musicians of all skill levels.
Most of the Yamaha PortaSound models had built-in speakers, making them ideal for playing music on the go or in small spaces. They also came with a variety of voices and accompaniments, as well as the ability to record and play back performances.
The majority of the PS keyboards had full size keys, whereas the PSS instruments had mini or even super-mini keys. Many had no touch sensitivity, aftertouch, or sustain pedal compatibility. A few later models did incorporate MIDI.
Playing piano or keyboard without a sustain pedal
Overall, Yamaha PortaSound keyboards were popular for their affordability, versatility, and portability, making them a popular choice for aspiring musicians and music enthusiasts. While these keyboards may not have had the same level of sound quality and features as Yamaha’s higher-end models, they still offer a great introduction to the world of electronic music.
We’ve tried our best to be as thorough as possible, but with some models now long extinct, and the diminishing availability of accurate information and resources for electronic equipment from the 1980s and 1990s, we can’t automatically cover everything in great detail. We will continue to add to this page as more data becomes available. We’ll also link to other pages, both on this site and elsewhere, when good archive/comparison information and resources are available.
Check out deals on vintage Yamaha PSS models at Reverb.
Contents
- Introduction
- PS Models
- Early PSS Models
- PSS in the 1990s
- 21st Century PortaSound
- Popularity and Legacy
- PortaSound Models by Model Number
- PortaSound Models by Year
PS Models
Yamaha’s first PortaSound branded keyboards had the PS prefix on model numbers, and began with a trio in 1980: the PS-1, PS-2 and PS-3. These are billed as analog instruments using filtered square waves to generate their sounds.
The PS-1 is the entry model and has four rhythm sounds and four tones, and a decent 8 notes of polyphony. The PS-2 has five sounds and the PS-3 has nine.
Available in delightful beige colouring and coming with their own carry cases, these were reasonably capable instruments for the time, and in fact were more advanced than the first early ’80s PSS branded instruments (see further down this article).
The PS-1 has 32 mini keys, the PS-2 37 and the PS-3 44. This makes the PS-3 quite a capable little machine for its time.
In 1980 Yamaha also launched four more PS models: the PS-10, PS-20, PS-30 and PS-30B. All came with 49 keys, 8 or 10 note polyphony and an increased number of rhythms and sounds. Unusually for the PortaSound range, they had full-size keys rather than the mini ones we tend to associate with the class.
The instruments also introduced features such as auto-accompaniment chords and connections for audio and pedals, although the PS-10 seemed to be a very cut down model whereas the PS-20 and PS-30 were more advanced. A rare black model, the PS-30B, was also released.
In 1982, the PS-300 and PS-400 were launched, along with the unique MP-1 which was branded as PortaSound, and the PS-25.
The PS-300, still in beige, featured 37 keys, 8 sounds, 10 rhythms, while the PS-400, in black casing, had 44 keys, 10 sounds and rhythms.
Yamaha MP-1 from 1982 is the first and only keyboard with score plotter
1983 saw a flurry of PortaSounds including the PS-35, PS-35S (stereo speakers), PS-55, PS-55S (stereo speakers), PS-200 and MK-100. The PS-25, PS-35 and PS-55 had 49 full size keys and increasing numbers of sounds and rhythms.
The MK-100 was an interesting early attempt at giving the user some control over the sounds and programming of the instrument, usually reserved for those willing to toy with proper synths, and included a multi menu offering such goodies as a waveform synthesiser, envelope synthesiser, melody mixer, chord and bass voice variation, custom drummer and bassist, a music programmer, and a tape interface. Remember this was in the early ’80s when you’d only expect to find this kind of functionality on synths or beasts such as the DX7 (which also came out in ’83).
We round out the PS PortaSounds in 1984 with the PS-6100.
Check out deals on vintage Yamaha PSS models at Reverb.
Early PSS Models
In 1985 came the first PSS models — the PSS-110, PSS-150, PSS-450 and PSS-401. These were still fairly basic instruments.
The PSS-401 was a 44-key edition of the PS-300, having additional octave control but a reduced rhythm section.
These instruments were now firmly in the digital realm. Most were using some form of YM chip, including the YM2413 and YM3812.
In 1986 came the PSS-120, PSS-160, PSS-260, PSS-360, PSS-460 and PSS-560.
The PSS170 had 44 keys and 100 sounds. The PSS-360 featured square wave synthesis, while the PSS-560 had an additional drum chip on board.
In 1987 came the PSS-30, PSS-130, PSS-170, PSS-270, PSS-370, PSS-470 and PSS-570.
The PSS-270 featured two FM synthesis operators and nine voice polyphony.
The PSS-570 also had the additional drum chip on board.
In 1988 came the PSS-140, PSS-480 and PSS-680.
The PSS-680 included drum pads and a MIDI interface.
In 1989 came the PSS-20, PSS-80, PSS-80R, PSS-100, PSS-125, PSS-280, PSS-380, PSS-580 and PSS-780.
By this stage, several of the PortaSound keyboards were gaining MIDI capability, meaning they could be hooked up to other instruments or a computer with a suitable interface in order to control or be controlled, or use sequencing software.
With each iteration of models we can see a greater number of sounds and features, although they were all still considered to be very entry-level, child-friendly keyboards.
Check out deals on vintage Yamaha PSS models at Reverb.
PSS in the 1990s
1990 saw the introduction of the PSS-9, PSS-16, PSS-50, PSS-190, PSS-290, PSS-390, PSS-590, PSS-790 and PSS-795. Several of these models included real-time sliders, allowing for direct manipulation of the sound during playing, rather than simply changing settings in between.
Models were becoming increasingly colourful, adding to their notion they were mainly of appeal and targeted at children. The number of available sounds also started to skyrocket, from the single and low double digit to a hundred plus. The auto-accompaniment feature was also becoming more common, thanks in part to improving technology and increased polyphony.
Keyboards like the PSS-790 were absolute beasts in comparison to some of the small early models launched. They still had the mini keys, meaning more available notes compared to full-size equivalent, but also came with large speakers and a huge control panel of functions.
In 1991 came the PSS-101, PSS-102 and PSS-104, which allowed for data to be stored on music cards or cartridges and came with microphone input for audio manipulation and mixing, plus the PSS-103, PSS-575 and PSS-595.
It’s clear to see that Yamaha catered for a wide range of relative expertise in its models, with there being quite a large and differing functionality gap between something like the PSS-790 and PSS-101.
1992 brought us the PSS-11, PSS-21, PSS-31 and PSS-51 which allowed samples to be recorded and used.
In 1994 the PSS-6 and PSS-12 launched, followed by the PSS-26 in 1995.
In 1997 came the PSS-7 which had an ellipse-shaped body, and was most definitely aimed at kids; the PSS-14 including sampler, wavetable and granular sounds, and finally the PSS-15 in 2000.
Check out deals on vintage Yamaha PSS models at Reverb.
21st Century PortaSound
Although most records suggest the PortaSound branding came to an end in 1997, Yamaha has more recently released several mini keyboards with the PSS prefix. Although they are never referred to as PortaSound models, they do continue in the style of some of those early PortaSound keyboards, albeit with a wider functionality.
Models include the PSS-E30, known as “Remie”; the PSS-A50 and the PSS-F30.
Check out deals on vintage Yamaha PSS models at Reverb.
Popularity and Legacy
Though always thought of as fairly cheap, rudimentary and low-quality instruments, they have seen continued use by some musicians and producers looking for an authentic “lo-fi” sound. Their fairly simple construction and build quality makes them good candidates for circuit bending, particularly as many can be operated from batteries which reduces the risk of electrical shock when working on the interior circuitry.
Italian artist Modula released an EP called 780’s Chronicles, recorded primarily using a PSS-780. Cyril Hahn uses a PSS-380 in his original compositions, and notes its noise profile as an endearing characteristic.
Some of the MIDI-capable PSS models have had software tools written specifically to allow sound patches to be stored and recalled. These include PSS Edit, PSS Wave Editor and CTRLR.
Digital recreations in the form of VST plugins have also been released, allowing musicians to experience the sounds, if not the feel, of some of these keyboards.
There are many home-grown videos showing off the range of PortaSound instruments, including those with modifications, multi-track recordings, and use with other audio equipment such as effects pedals.
Check out deals on vintage Yamaha PSS models at Reverb.
PortaSound Models by Model Number
PortaSound Models by Year
1980: PS-1, PS-2, PS-3, PS-10, PS-20, PS-30, PS-30B (7)
1982: MP-1, PS-25, PS-300, PS-400 (4)
1983: MK-100, PS-200, PS-35, PS-35S, PS-55, PS-55S (6)
1984: PS-6100 (1)
1985: PSS-110, PSS-150, PSS-401, PSS-450 (4)
1986: PSS-120, PSS-160, PSS-260, PSS-360, PSS-460, PSS-560 (6)
1987: PSS-30, PSS-130, PSS-170, PSS-270, PSS-370, PSS-470, PSS-570 (7)
1988: PSS-140, PSS-480, PSS-680 (3)
1989: PSS-20, PSS-80, PSS-80R, PSS-100, PSS-125, PSS-280, PSS-380, PSS-580, PSS-780 (9)
1990: PSS-9, PSS-16, PSS-50, PSS-190, PSS-290, PSS-590, PSS-790, PSS-390 (8)
1991: PSS-101, PSS-102, PSS-103, PSS-104, PSS-575, PSS-595 (6)
1992: PSS-11, PSS-21, PSS-31, PSS-51 (4)
1994: PSS-6, PSS-12 (2)
1995: PSS-26 (1)
1997: PSS-7, PSS-14 (2)
2000: PSS-15 (1)
2019: PSS-E30, PSS-A50 (2)
2021: PSS-F30 (1)
Check out deals on vintage Yamaha PSS models at Reverb.
Where to Buy Yamaha PSS Models
With the ongoing demise of bricks and mortar music shops, and the prevalence of online stores (generalist and specialist) selling both new and used musical instruments, it seems far the most likely that searching and buying online is the way to get your hands on a Yamaha PSS keyboard.
Sadly, the further back in time you go, the harder it is to source reliable, decently priced instruments in the range.
Modern PSSs — say those manufactured in the last five or six years — can be reliably purchased either directly from Yamaha, or via one of its authorised dealers or resellers. Naturally Amazon springs to mind — and indeed, though not a music specialist retailer, they do sell a lot of the new Yamaha PSS models. You can often get a decent deal as well.
For new items, you can also try online music stores such as Reverb and Music & Arts.
Older items become more tricky. You’re usually reliant on previous owners who list their music keyboards on various online marketplaces. There’s a certain level of trust involved that what is being described is accurate, and you’ll receive something which suits your need.
You need to be realistic here. The oldest PSS instruments are now definitely vintage, dating back over forty years since they were new. The chances of finding mint condition — even fully working — instruments in this category diminishes with age. Those which do stand up to the ravages of history may well come with a hefty price tag.
Nevertheless, you can try various sites — unlikely Amazon but there are many general listings on eBay. Alternatively try Reverb which is more of a specialist music retailer. You’re still primarily relying on the integrity of third-party sellers though.
Far less likely, though not impossible, is finding old keyboards in thrift/charity stores, or local/Facebook marketplace listings. The upside is that a lot of people won’t place any significant value on “an old keyboard” — the downside is that you’re less likely to strike gold in your locality, and you could still pick up and pay for rubbish.
Where to Repair PSS Models
Repair is another tricky issue and not one we can cover in detail here.
Of course, new models still in warranty should be repaired or replaced by Yamaha – you should be able to find out via the manual or their website how to do this.
Older models out of warranty become your responsibility entirely. If you can work out the nature of the repairs required, and what’s involved, then you could go about finding spares. eBay and Reverb sell spare parts but it still comes down to the luck of the draw.
Some repairs may involve fairly standard electrical part replacement – capacitors and such like – which could be more easily sourced. Other items, like sound chips and processors, could be nearly impossible to find now, unless you can find an old non-working instrument to use for spare parts — and so long as the reason it’s not working isn’t the same reason as yours.
Buying Online
Find great deals on Yamaha PSS keyboards online:
- Yamaha PSS on Amazon – Check out the latest Yamaha PSS models to purchase now on Amazon.
- Yamaha PSS on Reverb – Find vintage and second hand Yamaha PSS models on Reverb
