Description

Yamaha YC88 88 KEY Stage Keyboard with Drawbar Organ & Natural Wood Graded Hammer Action

The YC Stage Keyboards are designed with live performance in mind, offering Yamaha’s advanced Virtual Circuitry Modeling (VCM) organ engine, physical drawbars, and extensive real-time control. Alongside expressive organ tones, the YC88 delivers a wide palette of authentic acoustic and electric pianos, as well as FM synth sounds, all accessible instantly.

For players with a background in piano or formal training, the Natural Wood Graded Hammer (NW-GH) keyboard of the YC88 provides an exceptionally realistic acoustic piano feel. Carefully matched to the sound engine, it enables a dynamic response that closely mirrors that of a real grand piano.

But the YC88 goes far beyond just piano. It includes the full sonic power of the YC Series—organ, synth, and more—making it highly versatile for any stage setup. Organists can connect a second keyboard via MIDI to perform with dual manuals, and every Live Set can store individual external MIDI assignments, giving players complete control over internal and external sounds in every performance configuration.

Highlights

• Premium 88-Key Natural Wood Graded Hammer Action with synthetic ebony & ivory tops for authentic grand piano feel

• VCM Organ, AWM2, and FM Synthesis Engines delivering rich organ tones, acoustic/electric pianos, and synth sounds

• 9 Physical Drawbars with LED indicators for intuitive organ control

• Integrated Rotary Speaker Simulation and high-quality effects

• 160 Customizable Live Set Sounds for quick performance recall

• Split and Layer Functionality with seamless transitions between sounds

• Professional Connectivity: Balanced XLR outputs, USB Audio/MIDI interface, MIDI DIN, and multiple pedal inputs

• USB Audio Interface (Stereo In/Out) – ideal for DAW and iOS integration

• Stage-Ready Design: Rugged build with direct-access controls, no complex menus

• Includes FC3A Foot Pedal, owner’s manual, and power cord

SOUND

The Yamaha YC Series is a master of versatility, delivering a wide sonic palette with exceptional quality. From authentic Yamaha grand and upright pianos to electric pianos, tonewheel organs with rotary speaker simulation, classic synths, and acoustic instruments, YC covers it all. At the core of its sound engine is Yamaha’s proprietary Virtual Circuitry Modeling (VCM), which replicates the behavior of vintage analog EQs, compressors, and phasers—right down to the original components—for a level of detail other digital systems can’t match. The result is an incredibly expressive instrument ready for any performance.

VCM ORGAN

To achieve a truly authentic organ sound, Yamaha developed the organ engine in the YC from scratch. The result is a rich, warm tone that faithfully models three distinct organ types—from pristine new models to aged, character-filled classics. For deeper customization, players can fine-tune parameters like key click, tonewheel leakage, and rotary speaker speed, creating a tailored organ experience with unmatched realism.

VCM ROTARY SPEAKER

YC keyboards deliver the lush sound of vintage rotary speakers without the bulk or maintenance. Choose between two meticulously modeled profiles—smooth and warm or gritty and aggressive—and control rotor speeds independently for immersive, nuanced modulation.

VCM EFFECTS

The VCM engine doesn't stop at organ and speaker modeling. It also reproduces the behavior of high-end studio processors and vintage effects by emulating the analog circuitry down to individual transistors and resistors. This results in highly musical and dynamic effects that respond like their original hardware counterparts.

FM ORGAN

Reviving the legendary sound of Yamaha’s DX7, YC introduces FM synthesis into its organ engine. Switch to FM Organ mode and the drawbars now control eight FM operators, delivering a distinctive tone with deep bass and clear highs. Add rotary speaker or amp simulation for extra character, or dial in classic transistor organ tones across three selectable FM Organ types—from warm and smooth to bright and buzzy.

TOUCH

Yamaha brings over a century of piano-building expertise to every YC model, ensuring the playing experience meets the highest standards.

YC88 features a Natural Wood Graded Hammer keyboard with triple sensor action, delivering the feel and response of a concert grand. Weighted keys mimic the resistance of real hammers—heavier in the bass, lighter in the treble—providing dynamic control for classically trained pianists and stage performers alike.

DESIGN & BUILD

More than just an instrument, the YC is a rugged, road-ready performance tool. Designed for life on tour, it's made to handle bumps, dings, and constant travel without compromising playability or aesthetics. From its solid construction to premium components, the YC is built to last—and to inspire.

DRAWBARS

The YC’s nine physical drawbars provide the traditional organ control players expect, complete with classic ratcheting and footage labeling. Enhanced with customizable LED indicators, the transparent drawbars offer clear visual feedback—even in split modes—making them ideal for managing multiple organ layers or quick visual reference during live performance.

REAL-TIME CONTROL

Simplicity meets power in the YC’s user interface. The front panel offers immediate access to all critical functions like splits, layers, effects, and tone shaping—no deep menu-diving required. Designed for intuitive operation, it allows players to focus on performance, not programming.

MOBILITY

Despite its robust feature set, the YC Series remains highly portable:

• YC88: 41 lb (18.6 kg)

• YC73: 29.9 lb (13.4 kg)

• YC61: 15.7 lb (7.1 kg)

Light enough for solo transport, yet powerful enough for the most demanding stages.

COMPUTER & iOS INTEGRATION

The YC features a built-in USB stereo audio and MIDI interface, compatible with Mac, PC, and iOS devices. With a single USB cable, you can record audio and MIDI directly into your DAW, play soft synths, or integrate seamlessly into your studio or live rig.

YC88 Specification:

Keyboard

• Keys: 88

• Keybed: NW-GH3 (Natural Wood Graded Hammer 3)

• Keytops: Synthetic ebony and ivory

• Touch Response: Triple sensor, graded hammer action

Sound Engine

• Technologies:

  • VCM Organ (Virtual Circuitry Modeling)

  • AWM2 (Advanced Wave Memory 2)

  • FM (Frequency Modulation) synthesis

Control & Performance

• Drawbars: 9 physical drawbar controllers with LED indicators

• Effects: Integrated effects including:

  • Rotary Speaker simulation

  • Master EQ

• Live Sets: 160 Live Set memory locations

• Performance Features: Split and Layer functionality

• Pitch & Modulation: Combined lever control

Audio Connectivity

• Main Outputs:

  • XLR [L]/[R] (Balanced)

  • 2 × 6.3 mm jack (Unbalanced)

• Line Inputs:

  • 2 × 6.3 mm jack

• Headphones Output:

  • 6.3 mm stereo jack

MIDI & USB

• MIDI DIN: IN / OUT

• USB:

  • TO HOST (Audio/MIDI interface)

  • TO DEVICE

Pedal Inputs

• Foot Switch Inputs: 2 (Sustain/Assignable)

• Foot Controller Inputs: 2

Dimensions & Weight

• Dimensions (W × D × H): 1,298 × 364 × 142 mm

• Weight: 18.5 kg (40.8 lbs)

Computer/iOS Integration

• USB Audio Interface: 2 In / 2 Out (Stereo)

Included Accessories

• Owner’s Manual

• Power cord

• Foot Pedal (FC3A – with half-damper support)