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Yamaha YC73 73-key Stage Keyboard

73-key Stage Keyboard with Balanced Hammer Action Keys, Virtual Circuitry Modeling, Organ Engine, Advanced Wave Memory 2 Instruments & FM Synthesis, 9 FX Processors, and USB Audio/MIDI Interface
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Item ID: YC73
Yamaha YC73 73-key Stage Keyboard
Price:$2,699 and 99 cents
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Yamaha YC73 73-key Stage Keyboard
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Yamaha’s Amazing Organ-focused Stage Keyboard

The Yamaha YC73 packs expressive acoustic pianos and electric pianos; vintage combo organs; detailed instrument sounds such as strings, bass, and brass; and dynamic synth sounds into a gig-friendly and compact 73-key stage keyboard. Using Yamaha’s proprietary Virtual Circuitry Modeling, the YC73 is one of the most lifelike-sounding analog organ emulations on the market, and it comes stocked with a large selection of additional instrument voices and killer onboard effects. The YC73 is designed for today’s performing keyboardist; its weighted/balanced keys and physical controls keep you out of menus and in the music. While the YC73 is vintage in character, it boasts all the functionality and reliability of a modern digital instrument, with vast customization options and computer audio integration for audio recording, playback, and MIDI control. Keyboardists at Sweetwater are blown away by the YC73. Great keyboard, stunning instrument and synth sounds, plus a compelling drawbar organ and stellar performance features give the YC73 the right stuff to be the top-tier keyboard in your live and studio rigs.

Endless sonic possibilities

The YC73's Dual Keys section gives you control over a slew of instrument voices, including acoustic and electric pianos, FM synth, strings, and brass. The YC73 also features the signature tones of drawbar and pure FM synth organs for super-fat low end, thick organ swells, mellow emanations, and biting leads, along with the inimitable sound of a rotary speaker. With its onboard panel controls, the YC73 presents a sizable sonic palette with tons of tweakability. Layer up a fat organ pad. Pull back the drawbars for a focused sound. Add percussion, vibrato, chorus, or drive to the organ, or experiment with the onboard effects for a totally new sound. Beyond the incredible organ sound, Yamaha’s YC OS adds new sounds and features so your instrument is always up to date. Plus, the YC73's nine onboard effects — such as vibrato/chorus, reverb, delay, and drive — make for endless musical possibilities.

Stellar feel and playability

With an action that’s neither too light nor too heavy, the YC73’s responsive, weighted/balanced keyboard is designed for musicians who are accustomed to playing all types of virtual instruments on one keyboard. And its ideal 6-octave range ensures you’ll have access to the all the notes you need during a performance — without the extra weight and bulk of keys you never use. The physical drawbars and intuitive control surface make it easy to shape sounds on the fly without getting bogged down in programming patches. Yamaha's Seamless Sound Switching lets you change patches while holding notes without the sound cutting off.

Proprietary Virtual Circuitry Modeling

The foundation of the YC73’s rich and detailed sound is Yamaha’s Virtual Circuitry Modeling (VCM), which digitally emulates analog circuits down to the individual component level. Yamaha has been working with physical modeling since the development of their VL1 Virtual Acoustic Synthesizer, which was released in 1993. Over the ensuing decades, they have continually refined their proprietary modeling technology and incorporated it into iconic, cutting-edge products that deliver stunningly realistic digital emulations of traditional instruments. The YC73’s VCM organ engine mimics the analog topology of Yamaha’s classic organs for astonishingly accurate tone, vibe, behavior, and realistic rotary speaker sounds that will transport you to a blissful vintage dreamland with all the benefits of digital sound processing.

Yamaha YC73 73-key Stage Keyboard Features:

  • 73-key drawbar organ and stage keyboard
  • Proprietary Virtual Circuitry Modeling delivers authentic vintage organ character
  • Sculpt your sound with intuitive drawbar controls
  • 6-octave, weighted/balanced keyboard is perfect for playing all types of virtual instruments
  • 2 ultra-realistic rotary speaker models
  • Seamless Sound Switching patches while holding notes without the sound cutting off
  • Great selection of additional instrument voices, including acoustic and electric pianos, DX-style FM synth sounds, strings, and brass
  • Layer sounds with the Dual Keys section
  • 9 onboard effects processors, including vibrato/chorus, reverb, delay, drive, and more
  • USB-to-Host port: 2-channel audio/MIDI interface for DAW and computer audio integration
  • USB-to-Device port: for connection of thumb drives, smartphones, tablets, etc.
  • Dual 1/4-inch jacks for connecting secondary keyboards, mobile devices, and more
  • 2 assignable 1/4-inch continuous controller pedal jacks
  • 2 1/4-inch switch pedal jacks (sustain, assignable)
  • L/Mono-R 1/4-inch inputs with Gain control
  • 1/4-inch Headphones jack
  • Internal power supply; IEC mains port

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Tech Specs

  • Type: YC73 Stage Organ Keyboard
  • Sound Engine: VCM Organ, AWM2, FM
  • Number of Keys: 73
  • Type of Keys: Balanced Hammer Standard (BHS) Keyboard, Matte Black Keytops
  • Touch Sensitivity: 4 x Types, Fixed
  • Other Controllers: Pitch Bend/Mod Levers, 9 x Drawbars, Master Volume, Navigation Encoder
  • Polyphony: 128-note Max.
  • Presets: 200 x Voices
  • Effects: Reverb, 3-band Master EQ, 3 x Rotary Speaker, 4 x Amp
  • Audio Inputs: 2 x 1/4" TS (L/mono,R)
  • Audio Outputs: 2 x 1/4" TS (L/mono,R)
  • Headphones: 1 x 1/4" TRS (rear)
  • USB: 1 x Type B (rear, host), 1 x Type A (rear, device)
  • MIDI I/O: 2 x 5-pin DIN (in, out), USB
  • Pedal Inputs: 2 x 1/4" (sustain, assignable), 2 x 1/4" (foot contoller)
  • Pedal Included: Yes, FC3A Foot Pedal
  • Display: Full Dot LCD (128x64)
  • Bench/Stand Included: Sold Separately
  • Color: Black
  • Power Supply: Standard IEC AC Input (cable included)
  • Height: 5.7"
  • Width: 42.75"
  • Depth: 13.97"
  • Weight: 29.54 lbs
  • Manufacturer Part Number: YC73

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Reviews

Possibly best Stage Piano in 2023
Currently have a Yamaha CP88, P515 and now the YC73. The keybeds on the CP88 and P515 are almost identical. P515 adds escapement but I can't really tell. Both play lovely. CP88 is a wonderful and easy to use stage piano. The only thing that outshines the CP slightly is the newer YC series. Biggest difference of the YC is the brilliant organ section. The Keybeds on the YC series are like the equivalent size CP series except the YC61 has the waterfall keybed for organ focused playing. Be sure to watch reviews with firmware 1.2 or newer regarding the YC organ engine. The new 'studio' setting creates an amazing Leslie speaker effect with perfect stereo separation. Prior to 1.2 the reviews are quite flat regarding the organ sound and rotary effects. Organ sound is also improved with 1.2. I don't have a Stage 3 Nord but the organ comparisons are coming in as equal or better on the Yamaha with the 1.2 firmware. Plus you get physical drawbars on every version of the YC! Silly Nord.
Piano sounds are lovely on the YC, especially if you like Yamaha exclusive pianos. Perhaps not as warm as Nord pianos but incredible for live settings. My daughter records with our CP88 and it sounds lovely.
I chose YC73 to get a lighter piano (only 30lbs) and to try the Balanced Hammer action. It's a slightly lighter feel than the 88. For me it seems perfect for being playable for synth, piano and some organ. If you're primarily an organ player, get the 61 and put it on top of your 88 key controller for piano.
I have to say, I can't think of too many activities more enjoyable than getting lost in this piano (although I can think of a couple). The effects alone are incredible and so easy to use. You can basically turn a classic CFX piano into a modern synth sound with a few selections if desired.
This is an instant classic and will gain a following as word gets out. I compared this to Nord Stage 3 for months and so glad I went with the Yamaha. All respect to Nord but Yamaha is bring the heat with the YC series. Definitely get a pro level speaker setup. I went with JBL 305 speakers and Sub. There's better speaker setups (more expensive) out there but the YC sounds great through these.
-Enjoy
Music background: Church playing, amateur recording
Great so far

. This is our first pro-grade keyboard, and we are still in the learning stage of its many controls and features, & will likely try some tech support to speed things up (there are also tons of tutorials on Youtube). First impressions - it's a quite handsome and rugged unit, and the voices are first rate, even the horns - the trombone is quite believable. The keybed is a bit more waterfall than I expected and feels solid. The XLR outs are much appreciated. At 30 pounds I am surprised that it's considered lightweight, but we were spoiled by our beloved old Yamaha MX61 which comes in at 10.6 pounds. No matter, the YC73 will live mostly in the Garage Mahal, our jamming/recording studio, saving the cost of a case, and for our very occasional gigs we'll use the MX61 (which has all the Motif voices). I have learned to expect great engineering and great build from Yamaha, so fully expect this thing to outlive me.

Music background: I play alto sax & blues harp in an 8-piece band, wife Nancy tickles the ivory
YC73 perfect feel and sounds
I've had the YC73 for a few weeks now, still finding my way around it, I can't stop playing it. First impressions are it's phenomenal. The balanced hammer action is perfect for still feeling like an acoustic piano, but not too heavy to get tired playing for a long period of time. The pianos, elec. pianos, FM stylye pianos and organs are excellent, a wide selection of each, and they all sound glorious. I haven't explored too much with the synth sounds seeing as though I have other boards to fill that role. It's nice and light to carry to a gig. Not sure you can beat it. I know some people love the Nords, but it just doesn't make sense to spend that extra money. Even with the Nords, you're still not playing a real piano or organ. On stage or in a mix no one will be able to tell the difference.
Music background: Home studio, worship band.
YC73 -as good as it gets

I wanted something versatile and portable and durable. The Yamaha YC73 almost checks all my boxes.


It sounds and plays amazing, you can customized how sensitive the keys are. It's easy to work the controls and tweak, mix or split the sounds. Also Yamaha's free app, Soundmondo, makes it very easy to store settings or play with sounds other users have concocted. I've never owned a nord but I find the endless sounds edits they offer to be overwhelming.


I think the board is fairly priced but the case, while very good, is too expensive at $. Similarly they sell a plastic music stand for $. I bought the case but I bought a $ foldable music stand.


The only thing I'd change is I'd take the YC73 keybed and make it a 61 key. 61 keys is plenty for me, especially since it's easy to change octaves on the fly. 73 is heavier than I wanted but I'd rather compromise there then on keybed. I really wanted to like the YC61 but the shorter keys and lighter keybed were too much of a compromise for me at this price. Plus the YC61 and YC73 only have a $ price difference.


Similarly I tried the CK61 but the keybed was a deal breaker. At $, if the 12 lb. CK61 had the YC61 keybed I'd buy it. But alas I'm more willing to lug around the 30 lb $ YC73.


You can follow these links for playing examples

https://youtube.com/shorts/EczzN4qpeOE?si=hgh52kmYh-tU2Ur2


https://youtube.com/shorts/GuZX4XYz7oc?si=ChsG-8tHy7VTqu0G

Very happy with my purchase
Very happy I pulled the trigger. Compared to my P-525, the keys feel heavier, but also springier. It's an excellent compromise between a synth/organ keybed and a piano keybed. I appreciate that you can modify the touch sensitivity on a per-sound basis. For piano, I like to set it to be lighter.

I'm not very experienced with organs, but I'm having so much fun with the organs here. There's a third voice dedicated solely to organs. The drawbars make it feel like an interesting synth. You can make some really cool sounds with it.

It looks a bit intimidating, but the controls are actually all very simple and intuitive. Everything is right in front of you. You almost never have to dig through any menus.

The build quality is excellent. I can carry it under one arm with relative ease.