Yamaha YDS-150 digital saxophone outfit

Introducing the Yamaha YDS-150 Digital Saxophone

Play the saxophone anytime, anywhere with the new YDS-150 from Yamaha. Combining the best of Yamahas acoustic and digital technologies, the YDS-150 allows full volume control whilst maintaining the sense of expression you would expect from the acoustic instrument.

73 instrument sounds, 56 saxophone voices and a full range of additional digital instrument and acoustic wind sounds are included as standard. This is in addition to the soprano, alto, tenor and baritone sounds, fully customisable through the dedicated smartphone app.

Each instrument also comes equipped with an AUX for connecting with other devices, such as a smartphone and audio players. The YDS-150 also comes with a dedicated soft case so you can easily transport the instrument over your shoulder.

Integrated acoustic bell system

Yamaha's unique Integrated Bell Acoustic System gives you the best of both worlds—high-quality digital sound with the full expressiveness of an acoustic wind instrument.

This new, advanced system, consists of speaker units, enclosures, acoustic pipe and a real brass bell, responds to your breath from the mouthpiece, and digitally creates sound that drives the speakers, causing the brass bell to resonate and vibrate. In fact, the entire instrument resonates with the sound, and that vibration comes back to you—to your mouth from the mouthpiece and to your fingertips from the keys. The result is an instrument that breathes, moves and vibrates along with your playing, giving you all the expressive feeling of an acoustic saxophone with the comprehensive capabilities of a digital instrument.

The YDS-150 also features the high-quality brass bell made from the same material as used on Yamaha's acoustic saxophone. Drawing on years of experience, Yamaha have created an instrument that gives you the ability to play all the nuances of any acoustic saxophone.

Important features for natural expression

In order to enable the most naturally expressive and comfortable playability, the YDS-150 features a mouthpiece designed the same as that of an acoustic saxophone. It can also be conveniently removed for easy maintenance.

The key layout of the saxophone is essential for playability and feel, and the YDS-150 has been designed based on Yamaha’s flagship model of acoustic saxophone for the most natural playability and smoothest feel. In addition, you can use the dedicated app to change the fingering and customize it to your own needs.

Volume Control

The rich sound of the saxophone is captured in all its beauty for you to play, yet the instrument can be as quiet as you want. You can adjust the volume over a range of 15 steps, and enjoy playing without worrying about the volume—day or night. And if you want total silence and focus completely on your performance, simply connect a set of headphones.

Transform your breath using digital technology

Simply by blowing into the mouthpiece and playing the keys with correct fingering, you can produce a perfect acoustic saxophone sound—like a professional player—without having a perfect embouchure (mouth shape). The YDS-150 has a breath sensor that detects the intensity or pressure of your blowing, letting you minutely control not only the volume of the sound but also the tone.

The YDS-150 uses sampled sounds of Yamaha's acoustic saxophones—soprano, alto, tenor and baritone—meticulously recorded in whole tones with professional players, letting you fully enjoy performing without any unnatural sound.

Fully customisable sound

The YDS-150 lets you instantly change the tonality, range, and timbre of each of the saxophone types—soprano, alto, tenor or baritone. Moreover, each of these saxophone types have different saxophone Voices that correspond to various playing techniques and musical genres, from vibrato playing and jazz to classical music.

In total, the YDS-150 has 73 instrument sounds, with 56 saxophone Voices, and many other instrument sounds—including electronic instruments, as well as acoustic wind instruments such as shakuhachi, Irish pipe, and more—letting you perform authentically in virtually any music genre.

The purpose built app

This dedicated app enhances the performance of the YDS-150 and further expands the range of sound creation—and includes instrument settings and sound editing. You can make detailed settings intuitively and visually from the app, that cannot be done on the instrument itself. It really is the best way to control your digital saxophone and get full functionality.

To connect the app to your YDS-150, simply download from either the Google Play or Apple app store and follow the instructions in the box to connect. There is also a copy of the manual in the settings area of the app, if your physical copy is not to hand. Once you have connected the devices via Bluetooth, you will not have to go through that process again as your saxophone will now appear in the connection pages of the app.

What's in the box?

The YDS-150 outfit also includes a YDS mouthpiece and a quality lightweight hard case to fully protect your instrument.

Claim your FREE 5 years extended warranty

You can now extend your warranty on your new* Yamaha woodwind or brass instrument from 2 years to 5 years, absolutely free! Yamaha instruments are made with exceptional craftsmanship and are an investment in your musical future. The 5 year extended warranty ensures your investment is protected for added peace of mind.

For more information, or to register your instrument and claim your warranty, click the link below.

*Terms and conditions apply. Follow the link for full details.