Someone chucked this in a back alley and I brought it home to save it from the rain cause it looked vintage. Two keys were broken and but still played occasionally if you pressed them hard. Took it apart, sprayed on some contact cleaner and its as good as new. I *adore* the retro sounds
I have this synth for some 30 years now (purchased in 1988), and I did some interesting things on it, back in the days. Used to connect it to various emulators through computer MIDI (like MiniMOOG etc), and it did it's job as master keyboard for them. I also was a keyboard player in a garage band which wanted to make experiments with sounds in their music, and since DX7 was too expensive, they were quite satisfied with possibilities of DSR-500. This is fine old synth for having fun with, for making (a little bit limited) synthesized sounds and for getting ideas for more progressive music. I love it and I wouldn't replace it with any modern day synth. It brings back a lot of memories from my wild musical past...
I’m so glad you explained how the synthesis works, I had no instruction manual. This is my first time understanding a manual synth like this. I think the straight forward parameters are what did it. You can play with digital knobs all day, and not really understand how each one affects the others.
Ah, the DSR keyboards! It seems that its initials are a play on DX + PSR, judging by its options (synth parameters, although limited + being able to compose tunes with it). Thanks for the video, it's always appreciated! This model looks really cute because of its smaller size. I have a DSR-1000, which sounds similar but uses a different chip (same chip as DX-11, TX81Z, PSR-6300 and others - but it doesn't use its full potential, as it's not supposed to be a pro keyboard). You may also enjoy some PSS keyboards like the 270 and 470/570 - they sound very clear and polished as well. The 270 doesn't have synth parameters, but it has portamento and some of its presets use some sort of trickery to fake a 4 OP and sound bigger, sacrificing the polyphony. It uses the same FM chip as the Sega Master System, in fact, if I remember correctly.
great video! 4 years ago i got the same yamaha dsr500 for only 5 euro at the driftshop where i was working at that time. it came in and i take it apart offcourse for meself. Glad i have it because it have very nice sounds
I played this last summer 2019, in my friend's house. It is a nice sounding little board. No touch response but it has midi, synth section, and relatively nice drum section. The keybed is NOT the stronger heavy duty bed from the OLDER PSR keyboards and DX keyboard with METAL frame, BUT it is easy to play.
Hi fascinating video. I actually have the DSR 2000 which is similar and you can layer the sounds on that one. They were quite an interesting line of Yamaha keyboards at the time as they tried to cross over between the pro and home markets. You really show of the synth capabilities well of this keyboard and as you say having restricted editing can actually aid creativity as you have fewer choices and have to make better use of the limited resources available. I picked up my DSR quite cheap along with a hard case for around £50 and even though I have other ‘pro’ synths, I still enjoy the sound of this lovely old keyboard.
I bought one of these for 70 euros and been happy with it. Despite being a budget keyboard it sounds rather nice especially through some quality FX. The drums appear to be made with the same 4 OP engine as the other sounds too. Oh, and also it has a preset rhythm called Heavy Metal. What's not to like? 😅
the precursor to the psr line, which itself created the arranger keyboard market they continued to dominate up util the late 90s. nowadays it's a 3 way war with Roland and Casio.
As a big fan of 80s synth sounds, i was thinking of buying one of these for around 70€ as a started... Mostly to learn how to even fiddle around with the sound (my only prior experience is with Nord Electro settings...). Do you think this would be a good synthesizer to start off with before moving onto more complicated synthesizers? Or am i just throwing my money at things again haha?
Well for 70 Euros I thinks it's too good to miss. And if you make a youtube video about it you'll eventually make back all the money you paid anyway :)
@@gearfactsare you sure? They say that the 2000 has 4op. chips, but the only FM chip I've found on the 500 is described as 2op. (I didn't take it apart, I just searched the internet.)
Thank you for great presentations of vintage FM keyboards!👍 Please, a little help: DSR-500, PSR-36 or PCR-800? Just your opinion. PCR doesn't have edit options, but voices sound great. I'll sure take one of these .
@@gearfacts Thank you so much. 🙋♂️ I found and it for 50$. It looks that has 2 oscilator. m.kupujemprodajem.com/muzika-i-instrumenti/klavijature/yamaha-pss-680-5-oktave-fm-zvuk-midi-pitch-bend-/oglas/100099858#mhs0-1598129986116
great demo. sometimes I wish all keyboards and recording gear had only 7 parameter-change-value-increments as default ..would make decisions faster and more creative, for sure
Gearfacts cool, so it's more like a dx21, dx100, dx11 than a dx7, they are great for talk boxing. I'm, the best sounding of all the dx stuff was the tx81z, it was a module, I had it years ago, with a software editor, and thousands of patches, there was just a punchier quality to it than the others, it was also a 4 op.
This one is 2 operator I think. Maybe the bigger DSRs are 4 op. As for TX81Z, I think it lacks pitch envelope, while its keyboard brother (DX11) has one.
Paulyd Paulyd I’ve been waiting for someone to say that.... as the first to do so, you have just created a special moment in Gearfacts history, Pauly! And yes you’re right, I really need to learn more stuff. The channel has rushed ahead of my learning...
@@gearfacts I say it in Jest really, I know by watching your more recent Posts ; Your Playing 'Breathe' now by Pink Floyd. I have noticed 😊 Keep up your Great Channel
Someone chucked this in a back alley and I brought it home to save it from the rain cause it looked vintage. Two keys were broken and but still played occasionally if you pressed them hard. Took it apart, sprayed on some contact cleaner and its as good as new. I *adore* the retro sounds
I have this synth for some 30 years now (purchased in 1988), and I did some interesting things on it, back in the days. Used to connect it to various emulators through computer MIDI (like MiniMOOG etc), and it did it's job as master keyboard for them. I also was a keyboard player in a garage band which wanted to make experiments with sounds in their music, and since DX7 was too expensive, they were quite satisfied with possibilities of DSR-500. This is fine old synth for having fun with, for making (a little bit limited) synthesized sounds and for getting ideas for more progressive music. I love it and I wouldn't replace it with any modern day synth. It brings back a lot of memories from my wild musical past...
My son was just given one .Excellent condition.
I’m so glad you explained how the synthesis works, I had no instruction manual. This is my first time understanding a manual synth like this. I think the straight forward parameters are what did it. You can play with digital knobs all day, and not really understand how each one affects the others.
So true, it's all good fun :)
Ah, the DSR keyboards! It seems that its initials are a play on DX + PSR, judging by its options (synth parameters, although limited + being able to compose tunes with it). Thanks for the video, it's always appreciated!
This model looks really cute because of its smaller size. I have a DSR-1000, which sounds similar but uses a different chip (same chip as DX-11, TX81Z, PSR-6300 and others - but it doesn't use its full potential, as it's not supposed to be a pro keyboard). You may also enjoy some PSS keyboards like the 270 and 470/570 - they sound very clear and polished as well. The 270 doesn't have synth parameters, but it has portamento and some of its presets use some sort of trickery to fake a 4 OP and sound bigger, sacrificing the polyphony. It uses the same FM chip as the Sega Master System, in fact, if I remember correctly.
Yeah, you're correct. It uses the YM2413
great video! 4 years ago i got the same yamaha dsr500 for only 5 euro at the driftshop where i was working at that time. it came in and i take it apart offcourse for meself. Glad i have it because it have very nice sounds
You find some pretty cool vintage stuff ! I’ve never seen that one !
Kim Thompson Neither had I until I came across it second hand. Great unit!
I played this last summer 2019, in my friend's house. It is a nice sounding little board. No touch response but it has midi, synth section, and relatively nice drum section. The keybed is NOT the stronger heavy duty bed from the OLDER PSR keyboards and DX keyboard with METAL frame, BUT it is easy to play.
Hi fascinating video. I actually have the DSR 2000 which is similar and you can layer the sounds on that one. They were quite an interesting line of Yamaha keyboards at the time as they tried to cross over between the pro and home markets. You really show of the synth capabilities well of this keyboard and as you say having restricted editing can actually aid creativity as you have fewer choices and have to make better use of the limited resources available. I picked up my DSR quite cheap along with a hard case for around £50 and even though I have other ‘pro’ synths, I still enjoy the sound of this lovely old keyboard.
Nigel Partridge 100% agreed on all comments, and thanks for the good feedback. Gearfacts
DSR 2000 have nice feature, touch response, but it's also quite huge keyboard
I bought one of these for 70 euros and been happy with it. Despite being a budget keyboard it sounds rather nice especially through some quality FX. The drums appear to be made with the same 4 OP engine as the other sounds too. Oh, and also it has a preset rhythm called Heavy Metal. What's not to like? 😅
Ha ha absolutely 🤘
When I heard its variation, I was blown away!
DSR 1000, DSR 2000 = 4op. Chip.
DSR 500 = 2 op. Chip.
Ah this dates back to 1987 when the DSR 1000 and DSR 2000 was released.
the precursor to the psr line, which itself created the arranger keyboard market they continued to dominate up util the late 90s. nowadays it's a 3 way war with Roland and Casio.
Korg's in there too, taking on the PSR with it's EK50.
As a big fan of 80s synth sounds, i was thinking of buying one of these for around 70€ as a started... Mostly to learn how to even fiddle around with the sound (my only prior experience is with Nord Electro settings...). Do you think this would be a good synthesizer to start off with before moving onto more complicated synthesizers? Or am i just throwing my money at things again haha?
Well for 70 Euros I thinks it's too good to miss. And if you make a youtube video about it you'll eventually make back all the money you paid anyway :)
If it's really FM, would it respond to velocity from an external MIDI controller?
Yep :)
I didn't know that! I'm sure its keyboard isn't velocity sensitive. But next time I bring it from my storage room, I'll try an external keyboard
Are the sounds on the 500 of lower quality than the 2000?
The quality is similar, you just get more on the 2000
@@gearfactsare you sure? They say that the 2000 has 4op. chips, but the only FM chip I've found on the 500 is described as 2op. (I didn't take it apart, I just searched the internet.)
Whats your favorite cheap guitar pedal to plug into a keyboard?
I would say the Zoom G1on. So cheap, so versatile :)
Thank you for great presentations of vintage FM keyboards!👍 Please, a little help: DSR-500, PSR-36 or PCR-800? Just your opinion. PCR doesn't have edit options, but voices sound great. I'll sure take one of these .
Hi Milos. Out of those, I'd choose the DSR-500, but I'd choose the PSS-680 over all of them (if you don't mind the tiny keys)
@@gearfacts Thank you so much. 🙋♂️ I found and it for 50$. It looks that has 2 oscilator. m.kupujemprodajem.com/muzika-i-instrumenti/klavijature/yamaha-pss-680-5-oktave-fm-zvuk-midi-pitch-bend-/oglas/100099858#mhs0-1598129986116
I would choose PSR 36. It sounds absolitely great comparing to the other FM synths.
@@keyhoarder Thank you. 🙋♂️
PSS 780
No lo puedo hacer funcionar, me pone un 8. En la pantalla y no anda nada, puedes ayudarme ?
Try powering it on with the top key pressed. Or try again with the top two keys pressed. Sometimes this will reset it.
Is it touch sensitive, and will it work as a MIDI controller?
Yes and yes :) Gearfacts
I already bought it, thanks! It does work as a midi controller, but it is not touch sensitive
its not touch sensitive
dsr2000 from this series is touch sensitive
great demo. sometimes I wish all keyboards and recording gear had only 7 parameter-change-value-increments as default ..would make decisions faster and more creative, for sure
Yep, I've always felt that slight limitations generate creativity :) GF
Indeed. It had just the right amount of "synthesis tricks" to let the user create, without hindering the procedure.
Hi
6 op? or 4 op?
Four
Gearfacts cool, so it's more like a dx21, dx100, dx11 than a dx7, they are great for talk boxing. I'm, the best sounding of all the dx stuff was the tx81z, it was a module, I had it years ago, with a software editor, and thousands of patches, there was just a punchier quality to it than the others, it was also a 4 op.
Ah ok, good info man, cheers :)
@@djilyaz ...you forgot the DX9 /s
This one is 2 operator I think. Maybe the bigger DSRs are 4 op. As for TX81Z, I think it lacks pitch envelope, while its keyboard brother (DX11) has one.
Mr Gearfacts, I love your channel, but could you please stop using that Riff now, please 💖
Paulyd Paulyd I’ve been waiting for someone to say that.... as the first to do so, you have just created a special moment in Gearfacts history, Pauly! And yes you’re right, I really need to learn more stuff. The channel has rushed ahead of my learning...
@@gearfacts I say it in Jest really, I know by watching your more recent Posts ; Your Playing 'Breathe' now by Pink Floyd. I have noticed 😊 Keep up your Great Channel
Yeah I'm in a Floyd cover band these days, still getting the riffs sorted. Love Rick Wright's keyboard stylings - so breezy and smooth :) Gearfacts