If anything at all the FM should be unlimited on YC. How difficult is an algorithm program if the FM engine is inside already?

It would be nice, but besides not really being consistent with the board's philosophy, I could see where it might not be straightforward. Your imported sounds would have to go somewhere. Let's say you'd load them into the "Others" section. There are already 54 sounds there, and with a 2-digit LED display, the most it could have is 99 (and perhaps less, depending on internal architecture which might, for example, limit a given category to 64). So let's say you load your sounds, and now Yamaha comes out with an update adding new sounds to the Others category. What happens if you've used up the space? What happens if there are new Live Sets which expect certain new Yamaha-provided sounds to be at certain locations, but you already have other sounds at those locations? Simple ideas can have complicated consequences.

That would obviously be a breakdown and gross oversight (really short sightedness) on Yamaha's part.

That would not at all surprise me because that's who they have proven to be over the years.

They had the architecture and model available going back to CP series and knew the FM was being added.

They had plenty of opportunity to expand on the possibilities. Unfortunately "Stage Board" means dead end system to Yamaha. It shouldn't have to be. They want to release something new so we buy that instead of making what we have better. "Expansion" is always a bait and switch tactic. I trust that promise never.

Plus they never forecast their design & capability decisions (protecting themselves because management can pull the plug at any time on any product) so until it happens we know absolutely zero. That's how it's always been.

It's probably a good idea to wait 3 years before buying their gear so you know fully how it's been supported.

2 digits on the display could begin back at 01 with a asterisk denoting 101. I'm not sure that means anything but the internal architecture does matter.

It can be expanded but "expansion" could mean anything like only 4 whole waves and 8 whole programs in V1.1 update.

I have a theory that since the organ dial is endless they could add several more organ models which would be cool.

However some organs are so style specific that you'd almost never use them. That's why the FM organ section could be expanded beyond organs if they wanted.

FM isn't only limited to the Key A/B designation but then you could not combine organ with it. I'd be a mode shift.

Yes, sadly there's no custom wave storage locations. Yamaha will point us to Montage for customization but a cross-over organ like SKpro is outside of the box thinking.

Yamaha also doesn't realize that older people with vision problems like to spend lots of money on gear too.

That's common sense not to put flat micro screens on any equipment in the year 2021. Size matters and is cheap as heck. The screen should be at least double that size.

They'll get creative with the draw bar LEDs but then do something totally stupid with the screen.

Unfortunately the screen size, the limited storage, the double digit displays and the fact that it's called a stage keyboard disenfranchises more creativity under the hood.

Even the rocker switch is sequential you can active the voice menu and that could go on forever I suppose.

I recall one Yamaha guru executive master said "Never touch screen!" in an interview. Guess what but Yamaha was forced to compete with out-side-the-box thinkers.

They will again as well.

sadly there's no custom wave storage locations. Yamaha will point us to Montage for customization but a cross-over organ like SKpro is outside of the box thinking.

As far as I can tell, the SK Pro has no custom wave storage locations either.

older people with vision problems like to spend lots of money on gear too...The screen should be at least double that size.

The control surface is pretty packed. It looks to me like doubling the size of the screen would mean making other controls smaller, or removing them entirely. Or they would have to make the entire board bigger and heavier. Consequences. FWIW, I don't have the best eyesight, but I had no problem reading that screen.

I posted a comment on IdeaScale yesterday for the existing idea about adding the ability to import DX patches into the YC...it was an idea moved to "Refine". I just don't think it adds that much to the YC...there are so many DX7 VST's out there if you are into something like that. I would find it very interruptive to have to scroll through 99 voices when I'm trying to find something. I did suggest maybe they could have a concurrent series of OS updates that have different bundles of FM voices with them and you could pick which update you want to install based on the bundle...sort of a modified Nord sample approach.

Re the screen, I sent Ben Israel a note last summer about it. I played outdoors and in a bright light environment it was virtually impossible to read the screen...it just doesn't get bright enough and the print is too small with all the information on it (yes...I'm old too). When we hopped around our setlist (it was just a jam, not a gig)...I had trouble finding the Live Sets because I couldn't see what preset page I was on. I suggested to Ben that Yamaha create a "performance mode" for the screen that just lists the preset number and name in larger letters....hope they're thinking about that for an OS update.

On SKpro you have create or build a custom voice by combining 4 elements so at least you have access to the waves.

Then use that custom voice as a part of the live set group. At least it's a creative tool.

If I want to wave-dive to create a sound, I can easily go to my PX 5S or I can use one of the many choices in my Arturia V collection. Among the reasons I got the YC is I no longer need or want to wave-dive when setting up a song list...with the sounds already in the YC I can cover 95%+ of what I need...even 100% with just a bit of compromise and I can set it up in a fraction of the time. Also, in terms of creativity, the YC has plenty...but it's different. To me, it's more like a guitar set-up. You have fewer choices on the source sounds (still plenty) but the way you can quickly modify the sounds with on-board effects chained in almost limitless ways is very unique for a stage keyboard...and can be very creative, just in a different way than traditional "synthesis".

It could have very easily had both and still can perhaps. Wave diving or FM creating wouldn't happen on stage but you could create exactly what you need and then use it in the live set.

Point is that just because Yamaha calls it a stage keyboard doesn't in anyway imply that it can't also have synth, workstation, expandability and creation flexibility capabilities.

Yamaha thinks that it must be limited (they just recycled the old CP technology for YC which was the real issue) but wait and see others will lead the way in cross-overs already up and coming. On Nord you can swap out any or all of the internal voices/waves on your own.

SKpro even added a mono-synth and everything is editable on it. I like the YC but it could have been far better with a tad more thoughtfulness.

Recycling or repurposing the CP was the issue. They didn't redesign anything but only added the organ engine which prevented them from being revolutionary.

Reusing old production parts can still be implemented but the brain, memory, screen and architecture would have had to change. They just recycled and added a bell and whistle.

The competition will move ahead whenever they take that recycling approach to a new board. Actually they are banking on loyal followers but people are noticing the other options within similar price ranges.

Yamaha had to have known that tiny little screen doesn't work outdoors in brightness or for player who are older and yet they recycled it again on the YC.

They also can't figure out how to slant or tilt that tiny screen so it's facing the player. Even Hammond figured that out. CP1 is tilted.

Even if it's raised above the top surface on a slant it still can remain below the tallest knobs. Likely because they recycled the board is why it's still flat and tiny.

Think how much they saved by recycling most internals which is fine but then the rotor doesn't really work well and we're still limited as before.

The ones who like limitations and simplicity that's great but then shouldn't the board be more like $500 less? It's not revolutionary by any means.

To be fair they did add real FM also but that's still limited as far as we know.

It's very difficult to rationalize adding real FM technology that you can't edit or tweak like on the CP1. That's super annoying really.

It's very difficult to rationalize adding real FM technology that you can't edit or tweak like on the CP1. That's super annoying really.

It's there because if you happen to like, for example FM bass and EP sounds, actual FM bass and EP sounds sound/behave more authentically than sampled versions of same. It was also a good technology to build a transistor organ emulation out of.

On Nord you can swap out any or all of the internal voices/waves on your own.

Sure, but look at the tons of things the YC can do that the Electro can't! You don't get everything. Though you can get closer if you pay more money, like buy a Stage instead of an Electro, but that's a whole different price category. Here are some of the Nord Stage (but not Electro) features that Yamaha gives you in a YC61 that is cheaper than a Nord Electro (at least in the U.S.): pitch and modulation controls, monophonic synth mode with portamento, filter sweep, the ability to split/layer sounds without one of the sounds having to be a piano or organ, control over external MIDI zones. So sure, you can say, "hey, Yamaha, why can't you give use what Nord gives us" but then you can as easily go over to the Nord forum and say, "hey, Nord, why can't you give us all the cool stuff that Yamaha gives us?" And remember, except for the sounds in the piano section, all the Nord samples have only a single velocity layer, Yamaha doesn't have that limitation, either.

Recycling or repurposing the CP was the issue. They didn't redesign anything but only added the organ engine which prevented them from being revolutionary.

Almost no keyboard has ever been revolutionary. Companies almost always re-use and re-purpose what they've done before, adding some new stuff, and/or reconfiguring the bits to be more useful/appealing to a different segment of customers. Basically, this is how they can stay in business. 😉

True I can say it's black and someone else can say it's white like the impeachment "trial" i watched. I like all these boards but can't buy them all.

Some can agree that Yamaha needs to repair the rotor simulation or add more waves or just do something more than 2 more pianos and 2 EPs.

It's been a year and the YC 73/88 are out and this is all we've gotten thus far? YC is their flagship stage board/organ currently.

Let's see some updates please and many more useful FM voices.