Back in 1979, this Symphonic Ensemble burst onto the scene as Yamaha's clever upgrade to their SK series, blending a full organ setup with a rare 7-voice polyphonic synth in one sturdy 61-key package—perfect for players wanting instant '70s cosmic vibes without juggling multiple rigs.
Its analog heart pumps through three main sections: a poly-synth with dual detunable oscillators per voice (sawtooth and square waves, 8' and 16' feet), resonant low-pass filter, ADSR envelope, portamento, and slow attack option for lush pads; a string machine for divide-down ensemble magic; and a classic organ with 7 stops from 1' to 16', percussion, AR envelope, and FM-style tones mimicking a Hammond B3. Controls are all front-panel intuitive—stop levers, brilliance knobs for organ and strings/synth, plus vibrato, tremolo, and ensemble chorus effects that glue everything with noisy, glorious depth. Physically, it's a roadworthy beast at 39 inches wide, 16 deep, and 33 pounds, with separate outputs for mix, polysynth, organ, and tone cabinet (Leslie-ready via 11-pin), sustain pedal input, stereo headphone jack, and rock-solid tuning that holds up decades later. Keyboard splits let you layer organ chords under synth leads effortlessly.
Owners cherish its thick, glittery strings and pads—think Bowie's Ziggy era or Steely Dan solos—and the stable keybed feels premium, like Yamaha's best stage pianos. The chorus noise and slow envelopes draw minor gripes for bass work, but that raw character keeps it a studio staple for nostalgic textures.
