Description | The Yamaha Portasound VSS-30 Digital Voice Sampler is a voice sampling keyboard in the VSS line of samplers. It was released in 1987. Despite being seen as a toy the VSS-30 has achieved some popularity amongst experimental musicians.
The 8-bit sampler can record short samples of about 2 seconds that can be played back and processed instantly. Additionally, an overwrite mode is available for layering more than one sample for some interesting results.
The mini-keyboard features 11 Internal Sounds: Piano, Harpsichord, Banjo, Vibes, Marimba, Crystal, Strings, Jazz Organ, Brass, Clarinet and Galaxy. It also has 7 Effects: Loop, U-Turn, Reverse, Echo, Fuzz, Frequency Modulation and Amplitude Modulation. There are no built in rhythms but the Arpeggio makes up for this short fall. There is also a basic pattern recorder using the arpeggio. |
| Brand | Yamaha |
| Model | VSS-30 |
| Device | Synth |
| Type | Keys |
| Engine Type | Digital |
| Engine | FM, Sample |
| Voices (max) | 4 |
| Multitimbral | 1 |
| Oscillators | 1 |
| LFO | 1 sine |
| Engine Detailed | FM ROM and sampler |
| Sampler | 8 bit, Loop, One Shot (Phrase), Rate: 8.9 - 16.7 kHz Time: 1.8 - 3.5 seconds |
| Envelope (VCA) | ADSR and looping |
| FX | Reverse, Echo, Fuzz, Freq Modulation, Amp Modulation, U-Turn, Loop |
| Memory | 12 preset sounds: Sample, Piano, Harpsicord, Banjo, Vibes, Marimba, Crystal, Strings, Jazz organ, Brass, Clarinet, Galaxy |
| Sequencer | 12 patterns: Rock, 16 Beat, Country, Samba, Polka, Waltz, Locomotion, Beguine, Techno 1, Techno 2, Rock-A-Ballad, Boogie |
| Recording | 500 notes max |
| Keys | 32 |
| Key type | Keys, mini |
| Velocity | N |
| Aftertouch | N |
|
Produced: | 1987 - 1987 |
| Legend: |
Obvious |
Y: Yes, N: No, N/A: Not Applicable |
| VCO |
Voltage Controlled Oscillator |
DCO |
Digital Controlled Oscillator |
| LFO |
Low Frequency Oscillator |
Sub |
Sub Oscillator |
| VCF |
Voltage Controlled Filter |
VCA |
Voltage Controlled Amplifier |
| Velocity |
As with a piano, the harder you hit a key, the louder the sound, unlike most organs which always produce the same loudness no matter how hard you hit a key. |
Aftertouch |
Pressing a key after you activated it. Channel Aftertouch, no matter which key, it will send a Channel message. Poly Aftertouch, sends the pressure per key instead of the whole channel. |
| Values for OSC, LFO, Filter, Envelope are per voice unless stated otherwise. |
