Synth Stuff Ep. 12 - Yamaha VSS-30

(Sampler demo starts at 0:44) This is an increasingly rare "toy" keyboard that has found popularity for its built-in sampler, which has a very cool, lo-fi character to it. I'll play some of the internal FM sounds first, then get to the sampler. I used a Lexicon for some chorus/reverb, as usual. The samples are:
- Bass patch from my Korg MS-20
- Pad from my Korg Minilogue
- Fender DuoSonic through my guitar rig (one note)
- Fender DuoSonic like above, but playing a chord
- My Precision bass
- Me saying "ooh"
- Me saying "ahh" and overdubbing a fifth above
- Jingling my keys over the mic and using the reverse effect
- Hitting the metal side of my desk and using built in echo

Check out my synth duo at:

[PALNDOE]

I searched for something like this for a long time. Small, 8 bit, sampling function, keyboard. And they are cheap im in love. That sound at 2:07 is very dope.

[SoundsofDecay]

I had one of these since I was a kid. Didn't realise that it was basically an FM synth and later learned that it was capable of some quite powerful sounds. My favourite thing I ever did with it was recording a chord played on a 12 string guitar drenched in chorus into the sampler and making a reverse pad out of it. Later gave it away which I do regret.

[frazerx]

I only came here to hear the VSS-30. But then you played Fun Fun Fun dayo, Lucky Star. Made my day. :D

[PilotRedSun]

does it have velocity sensitive keys? if not, is there another toy sampler that does?

[_wwwavve]

1:52 melody from "The Great Fusilli" episode of Courage: The Cowardly Dog. Magnificent!

[RaptureMusicOfficial]

We had the amazing Yamaha VSS-30 keyboard in 1989! It's much more than a mere toy like some say! The sample option is quite pro! :) Great sampling you did there! 0:53 sec I love the pad right there! <3

[stephenbaldassarre]

I used to have one of these and I REALLY regret giving it away. Thank you for the great demo.

[cleverhardy]

Legend of Zelda Link to the Past village theme, and Lucky Star BGM. I didn't expect those tunes at first glance. Keep up the good work.

[JMLRecording]

was there a zelda link to the past song in there?

[dashrando]

wow i bought this at a thrift store for like 10 bucks a few years ago and just saw they go for like 300 bucks on eBay. NOICE.

[RaptureMusicOfficial]

First song is from Zelda 3 on Super Nintendo!

[TheWriter]

Very inspiring playing you’re doing man. Are the effects on the beginning part of the video going thru the lexicon or is that all internal?

[MrMetalclay]

You've got some really nice samples loaded. I just picked up the vss30 today. You've got me wanting to find some decent samples instead of yelling profanity phrases into it.

[squishmusic]

For the current s/hand prices these go for (I saw one last week 350€), you can buy 2X Model:Samples. Much better :D

[Francisco-rimg]

Hey! Thanks for the video. Thinking about buying one of this. I'm thinking in using it connected to a sampler, a SP404sx and modify in real time the audio coming from the VSS-30. Also you think would be possible to sample sounds let's say from my phone into this keyboard? Which kind of cable/adapter you think I would need to do all this? I guess I would need 1/8 to1/4 that would be connected from the headphones out of the keyboard to the mic in of my sampler, or 1/8 to RCA if I connected to the line in of my sampler. For sampling a rca mono out from the VSS-30 to a 3.5mm stereo in case I sample from my phone let's say, is this right?

Much appreciated!

[tsitracommunications]

I hope Nathan East and Greg Phillinganes take notes

[chainsawteddybear]

Hey man, really great job with this! What external sampler did you use to load em up to the VSS?? Or was it saved patches that you yourself uploaded and saved to your daw?? Thanks in advance!

[pkillor]

I have one that I bought in '88 for 25000 pts about 150€.

[adamharris]

We're sure the Yamaha DX7 ROM-4A patch "Tub Bells" was heard in this video.

[JaredScharff]

This is great. Thanks for posting. Just bought one recently, but having issues with the proper cables. To go into Pro Tools just a 8th inch to 1/4 inch mono cable? I did that but I think it was a 1/4 stereo cable and there was so much low end hum coming to the instrument. Ever have that? Also, to sample in, what cable I need to get from pro Tools into the sampler? TRS to what? Been reading about it and ppl say RCA but the RCA jacks I've seen are usually two (red and white). Any ideas? thx!