Yamaha PSR79, PSR195, and PSR225 Portable Keyboards
July 10, 1998Yamaha Corporation of America, continues its leadership position in the portable keyboard market with the introduction of the new PSR79, PSR195 and PSR225 portable keyboards. These models are expected to retail for $149.95, $259.95, and $399.95, respectively, and will ship during the third quarter of 1998.
"These new keyboards represent a line of musical instruments from Yamaha that focus on what customers are looking for in an entry-level portable keyboard. Great piano sounds and the opportunity to learn to play," states Jim Presley, marketing manager, Portable Keyboards, Yamaha Pro Audio & Combo Division.
The new "Yamaha Portable Grand" feature is immediately apparent when you see the large, piano-shaped button in the center of the front panel. When you push it, it automatically chooses the best piano, turns off the auto-accompaniment putting the keyboard in "full keyboard mode" (just like a piano) and selects a piano accompaniment style that is waiting for you, should you choose to use it. Next to the piano button is a metronome-shaped button.
The education focus comes with the introduction of the Yamaha Education Suite (YES). "YES" comes complete with Chord Dictionary, Smart Chord, EZ Chord, and Melody Guide. The Chord Dictionary tells you what chord you are currently playing or how to play a chord you need for the song you might care to play. Smart Chord helps beginners play chords that are musically correct with one finger where in the past, easy play keyboards required two or three fingers to play minor and seventh chords. In addition to learning to play chords, the "Melody Guide" shows you how to play the melody of any of the library of internal songs. EZ Chord, available in the PSR225, lets you pre-program all the chords in a song, allowing you to concentrate on your right-hand melody.
"I believe the PSR79, PSR195 and PSR225 represent the finest keyboard values in the world. The volume of portable keyboards produced by Yamaha worldwide, combined with more than 100 years of keyboard building/designing heritage, and world leadership in both computer and music technologies, makes it all possible," continues Presley.
The PSR79 at a suggested retail price of $149.95, represents a breakthrough price for a fully featured, 49-key, portable keyboard that is both stereo and MIDI-capable. An LCD display and the Yamaha Education Suite complete the package. The PSR195, at a suggested retail price $259.95, has all the features of the PSR79 but is a full-sized portable keyboard with 61 keys.
The PSR 225, at a suggested retail price of $399.95, is a stunning example of performance and value resulting from cutting-edge technology. In keeping with its piano focus, the PSR225 is the first keyboard at this price point with a stereo-sampled piano voice, a technology previously reserved for much more expensive, professional keyboards. General MIDI, touch sensitivity and a long list of professional features make the PSR225 an incredible value. For more information, please visit Yamaha during Summer NAMM (Booth 834); write Yamaha Corporation of America, Pro Audio & Combo Division, Portable Keyboard Department, PO Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622-6600; or visit the Yamaha web site at http://www.yamaha.com/. |
