Yamaha VSS100

Digital voice sampling keyboard

Yamaha VSS100 digital voice sampler
Buy one (5 on sale)

1985 (Dec.)
Initially sold for ¥45,000

The Yamaha VSS100 is a small Portasound keyboard with both a voice sampling function and an FM voice generator. The sampler can record up to eight seconds of audio, and its pitch can be changed manually. The FM section has 21 different voices and 12 rhythm patterns. The VSS100 also features the Auto Bass Chrod function whereby you can activate automatic bass, chord and rhythm accompaniment with a single finger, as well as a "fingered" mode which allows you to play the chords yourself. Samples can be used for the auto bass as well.

It was Yamaha's first toy-like sampler, answer to Casio's SK1 (although they both came out in 1985). For sampling, there's a line in jack but also a detachable microphone (Casio's one was built into the keyboard). It was updated in 1987 as the VSS30 with more sampling features.

Yamaha VSS100 at a Japanese show
Yamaha VSS100 at a Japanese show

Technical
specifications

Keyboard

49 keys

Sound source

8-bit sampler
FM tone generator (2 operators)

Memory capacity

21 preset voices
1 sample voice

Connection terminals and interfaces

Headphones
Line IN
Aux OUT

Dimensions and weight

628.5w x 229d x 56.6h (mm)
2.4Kg

Demos

Ode To Joy
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