Misc Reviews Yamaha YDS-150 Wind Synth

[6441]

Are you using iPhone or Android? There isn't a new app version for iPhone yet. I'm using still version 1.0.1.18 which I unloaded one month ago. Is the any improvements in the new app?

Android. I haven't noticed anything different. Bug fixes, apparently. One thing I'd like to see improve is the voice setting page, because it's very hard to control the numeric values like pitch, etc.

 

[Vadda]

Those who own a YDS-150, the app was updated yesterday (19 Nov 2020)

What version do you find installed now on your phone ?
On the PlayStore I still find 1.0.1 published on 20 Oct 2020, the same one I have installed since I bought the YDS 150, no new version

 

[SaxJack]

What version do you find installed now on your phone ?
On the PlayStore I still find 1.0.1 published on 20 Oct 2020, the same one I have installed since I bought the YDS 150, no new version

You are correct. I can see 1.0.1 in AppStore also and I have unloaded it. But when I open the settings in YDS controller app in my iPhone it says 1.0.1.18. 😳

 

[6441]

1.0.1.18 same on Android. The update was the 19th but Google rolls out such things, so it depends on where you are +/- a few days. In other news, the 3D pront shop quotes me 10€ for your neck adapter, @Vadda, so I think I'll take a chance on that!

 

[Vadda]

In other news, the 3D pront shop quotes me 10€ for your neck adapter, @Vadda, so I think I'll take a chance on that!

Yes , the price is ok 😉

 

[6441]

And here it is, much more comfortable playing angle!

Thank you, @Vadda.
It was printed by IdeoKub, located right in the neighborhood. Light enough to be sent anywhere on the continent if you can't find a place near you. By the way, taking the reed and mouthpiece off revealed a lot of crud for the few weeks I've played the YDS, so I recommend if you have one to be sure to inspect it frequently for gunk.

 

[saxyjt]

And here it is, much more comfortable playing angle! View attachment 16260
Thank you, @Vadda.
It was printed by IdeoKub, located right in the neighborhood. Light enough to be sent anywhere on the continent if you can't find a place near you. By the way, taking the reed and mouthpiece off revealed a lot of crud for the few weeks I've played the YDS, so I recommend if you have one to be sure to inspect it frequently for gunk.

Looks like a duck! Coin, coin... 😀

 

[6441]

The funny thing is, one of the ways I use the YDS, unlike the alto, is seated at the computer for quick recording setup. The straight soprano or clarinet-like body of the instrument makes that less comfortable, so this nice little fix is useful.

 

[Adrian63]

Give it too the fat kid.....
Mighty boosh....
××

 

[6441]

Less drink in the evenings...

 

[Nick Wyver]

What's the reason for having an actual sax mouthpiece on it when it doesn't do anything?

Is it any better than a WX5 with a VL70? I've had one for years but not played it at all for about 10. I dragged it out the other day prompted by this thread just to remind myself. Needs a bit of catch-up work.

 

[6441]

What's the reason for having an actual sax mouthpiece on it when it doesn't do anything?

Is it any better than a WX5 with a VL70? I've had one for years but not played it at all for about 10. I dragged it out the other day prompted by this thread just to remind myself. Needs a bit of catch-up work.

I've blathered on and on about these things, but hey, for newbies like you, I can repeat: 😛

Mouthpiece, the only reason is if you have one in a drawer that you like and it feels as good or better. While they say not to, the mouthpiece looks identical to the one that came with my YAS480, 4C if memory serves.

Nowhere near as good as WX5+VL7m, because there's no sensor for actual sax-playing embouchure. However, it's more portable, no cables to pick up and connect, and you're not tethered to a sound module. Uses include developing ideas by grabbing the thing rather than finding the VL7, hooking it up, power, tether to WX5, etc and silent practice under the same conditions. You actually could practice in a waiting room, on a airplane (remember those?) as long as you don't fear living in a rubber room for a few hours while being tested for madness.
I think the MIDI from the YDS may be cleaner, too, but I'm not positive about that. Also, the sounds are not good, least of all the saxophone. With enough distortion, echo, reverb etc. they might do. Flutes and harmonic reed sounds are good if you want that sound. I use it.

 

[h4yn0nnym0u5e]

You’d expect the MIDI to be cleaner as it doesn’t have pitch bend data to transmit - no sensor... The other plus of the VL70-m is 256+ patches with more expressive capability due to being modelled rather than sampled. And you can change to the Patchman ones, though they cost an arm and a leg and you have to lever out the ROM and replace it, which could be scary for some.

 

[6441]

You can bend the pitch with right thumb. To be honest although the sax patches are better on the VL70, of 256 there are not a huge number of great ones unless you want to play bass, guitar or grungy noises (and if you do, more power to you). The brass are decent, clarinet, not so much. The WX5 compares far more favorably to a saxophone's subtlety than Yamaha's "Digital Saxophone", which isn't one. The WX5+VL70 would shine if you have a studio set up with them all connected all the time. That would be far better, but again, it's not portable, not cordless, and dependent on a wall plug for electricity. I don't love or hate either, but I do have both and they have different use cases. The WX5/VL70 is in an airtight case. The last time I played it, I used sounds that are just as good on the YDS, flute and blues harp.

 

[6441]

Look what came in the mail:

Will test it in a bit. I asked Syos if they could print these. @Pauline wasn't sure, but then out of the blue, she said they were sending one for me to test. This is from @Vadda 's design. "Footage at 6"

 

[Pete Effamy]

That's amazing Randy. If you don't ask you don't get!

 

[6441]

That's amazing Randy. If you don't ask you don't get!

That's just it. I did NOT ask for it. I just asked if they would be interested in the plan from @Vadda (after checking with him).

 

[Pete Effamy]

Well there's a company with human heart.

 

[6441]

Another use for the YDS-150!

Playing a melody via MIDI into Logic or Garage Band to get the notated melody. Excellent! (Requires a little cleanup, but hey, so does anything that isn't a keyboard.

 

[Matteo]

Hi, diese anyone be able to connects headphones, box or similar via bluetooth????