Yamaha RY8 Rhythm Programmer (1990s)
£99.00
Released by Yamaha in the 1990s, this quality Pre-Owned Yamaha RY8 is a quirky, cult-classic “Portable Rhythm Programmer.” While it looks like a standard pocket-sized drum machine, it actually houses a highly unusual feature set designed specifically with guitarists and mobile songwriters in mind.
Its biggest claim to fame? It doubles as a monophonic guitar synthesizer.
Key Specifications
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Sound Engine: 16-bit AWM (Advanced Wave Memory) digital samples.
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Polyphony: 28 notes.
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The Sound Library: It features 128 drum sounds (ranging from standard rock to cheesy 90s techno, 808, and 909 approximations) and 50 “normal” instrument voices (like synth lead, bass, piano, strings, and brass) to build full backing tracks.
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Auto-Accompaniment: Beyond drum loops, it packs 200 preset backing patterns across 50 musical styles. Each style includes auto-generated Bass, Chord 1, and Chord 2 tracks that automatically follow chord progressions you program.
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Form Factor: It is incredibly small—roughly the surface area of two old 3.5-inch floppy disks—and can run on batteries with a built-in headphone jack, earning it a reputation as a “band in your pocket.”
The RY8 includes an external 1/4-inch audio input jack. If you plug an electric guitar directly into it, the machine tracks your single-note playing and converts it in real time to trigger its internal synth sounds, or transmits it out as MIDI data.
1 in stock
This quality Pre-Owned Yamaha RY8 functions as an excellent drum machine and much more. Like most of its competitors in its class, it features an excellent selection of drums sounds and a decent sequencer; however, unlike other drum machines, it also includes a capable guitar synthesizer and a guitar tuner as well.
Yamaha included 15 drum kits and 128 drum sounds on this module, which can be styled for almost any type of music. Though they are somewhat dark and dry since they are PCM based, the kits and sounds are still quite realistic and very usable, especially in the rock and techno genres. Editing capabilities are quite limited though, as the RY8 only offers adjustments for pitch, volume, accents, and pan. No filters are effects processors are included onboard. The other options included are a decent sequencer, an accurate guitar tuner, and, most impressively, a guitar synthesizer.
In fact, the guitar synthesizer that the RY8 has is really what separates this drum machine from others. It has very quick tracking as long as you provide it a clear, and very audible signal.
| Weight | 2 kg |
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