INTRODUCTION

The Yamaha YC88 Professional Stage Keyboard is the piano-focused flagship of Yamaha’s YC Series, combining a premium 88-note Natural Wood graded hammer action with sophisticated VCM organ modelling, physical drawbars, FM synthesis, premium acoustic and electric pianos and direct hands-on stage control.

Where the YC61 prioritises organ technique and portability, and the YC73 balances hammer-action playability with a more compact 73-note format, the YC88 is designed for players who want the full YC sound architecture behind Yamaha’s:

88-note NW-GH3 – Natural Wood Graded Hammer keyboard

with:

• Wooden white keys

• Synthetic ivory white-key surfaces

• Synthetic ebony black-key surfaces

• Graded hammer weighting

• Triple-sensor detection

This gives the YC88 a much more piano-focused playing experience while retaining the organ flexibility that defines the YC range.

The YC88 combines three Yamaha sound technologies:

VCM Organ

AWM2

FM

At the centre of the instrument is Yamaha’s organ architecture, complete with:

• Physical drawbars

• Multiple VCM organ types

• FM organ sounds

• Rotary speaker modelling

• Amplifier modelling

• Percussion

• Vibrato/chorus

• Pre Drive

• Direct real-time controls

Alongside this is an extensive Keys library featuring premium stage sounds including:

• Yamaha CFX2 Concert Grand

• Yamaha CFX

• Yamaha S700

• Yamaha C7

• Nashville C3

• Live CF3

• Vintage tine electric pianos

• Reed electric pianos

• Yamaha CP80

• FM electric pianos

• Clavi sounds

• Strings

• Pads

• Brass

• Synths

• Bass

• Guitars

• Orchestral sounds

With current YC OS v2.0, the YC88 provides:

• 200 Voices

• 10 Organ Voices

• 190 Keys Voices

• 320 Live Set Sound locations

• 152 preset Live Set Sounds

• 128-note VCM Organ/AWM2 polyphony

• 128-note FM polyphony

• Expanded Live Set storage

• Direct USB MIDI-controller support

• Seamless Sound Switching for individual Sections

Professional connectivity includes both:

• Standard 6.3mm jack outputs

• Balanced XLR left/right outputs

alongside MIDI, USB, audio inputs and extensive pedal control.

For professional players who want serious acoustic-piano feel without giving up a true organ-performance interface, the Yamaha YC88 is one of the most complete stage keyboards in Yamaha’s current range.

QUICK PRODUCT SUMMARY

The Yamaha YC88 is Yamaha’s premium 88-note YC Series stage keyboard, combining an NW-GH3 Natural Wood graded hammer action with VCM Organ, physical drawbars, AWM2, FM synthesis and professional live connectivity.

Highlights include:

• 88-note NW-GH3 Natural Wood Graded Hammer keyboard

• Wooden white keys

• Synthetic ivory white-key surfaces

• Synthetic ebony black-key surfaces

• Graded hammer response

• Triple-sensor detection

• VCM Organ

• AWM2

• FM synthesis

• Physical organ drawbars

• Rotary speaker modelling

• Amp modelling

• Organ percussion

• Vibrato/chorus

• Pre Drive

• 200 Voices

• 10 Organ Voices

• 190 Keys Voices

• Yamaha CFX2 Concert Grand

• Yamaha CFX

• Yamaha S700

• Yamaha C7

• Nashville C3

• Live CF3

• Vintage electric pianos

• Yamaha CP80

• FM electric pianos

• Organ / Keys A / Keys B architecture

• 320 Live Set Sound locations

• 152 preset Live Set Sounds

• 36 additional Effect types

• 3 Rotary Speaker types

• 4 Amp types

• Master Reverb

• 3-band Master EQ with sweepable Mid

• Seamless Sound Switching

• Balanced XLR outputs

• Standard jack outputs

• Stereo audio input

• MIDI IN/OUT

• USB TO HOST

• USB TO DEVICE

• Two Foot Controller inputs

• Sustain and Assignable Foot Switch inputs

• Yamaha FC3A foot pedal included

• Approx. 18.6kg

AT A GLANCE

Key Detail	Information
Product	Yamaha YC88
Series	YC Series
Product Type	Professional Stage Keyboard
Number of Keys	88
Keyboard	NW-GH3 – Natural Wood Graded Hammer
White Keys	Wooden
White Key Surface	Synthetic Ivory
Black Key Surface	Synthetic Ebony
Graded Hammer Action	Yes
Triple Sensor	Yes
Tone Generation	VCM Organ / AWM2 / FM
VCM Organ + AWM2 Polyphony	128 Notes Total
FM Polyphony	128 Notes
Total Voices	200
Organ Voices	10
Keys Voices	190
Live Set Sounds	320
Preset Live Set Sounds	152
Main Sections	Organ / Keys A / Keys B
Speaker/Amp Models	7
Rotary Speaker Types	3
Amp Types	4
Effects	36 Types
Master EQ	3-Band with Sweepable Mid
Balanced Outputs	XLR L/R
Jack Outputs	L/Mono + R
Audio Input	L/Mono + R
MIDI	IN / OUT
USB TO HOST	Yes
USB TO DEVICE	Yes
Built-In Speakers	No
Included Pedal	Yamaha FC3A
Width	1,298mm
Height	142mm
Depth	364mm
Weight	18.6kg
Condition	New

KEY FEATURES

• Flagship piano-focused Yamaha YC Series stage keyboard

• 88-note NW-GH3 Natural Wood Graded Hammer action

• Wooden white keys

• Synthetic ivory white-key surfaces

• Synthetic ebony black-key surfaces

• Graded hammer response

• Triple-sensor detection

• VCM Organ technology

• AWM2 sound engine

• FM synthesis

• Physical organ drawbars

• Multiple VCM organ models

• FM organ sounds

• Rotary speaker simulation

• Amp modelling

• Organ percussion

• Vibrato/chorus

• Pre Drive

• Yamaha CFX2 concert grand

• Yamaha CFX

• Yamaha S700

• Yamaha C7

• Nashville C3

• Live CF3

• Vintage tine electric pianos

• Reed electric pianos

• Yamaha CP80

• FM electric pianos

• Clavi sounds

• Strings

• Pads

• Brass

• Synths

• Bass

• Guitars

• 200 Voices

• 320 Live Set Sound locations

• 152 preset Live Sets

• Organ / Keys A / Keys B architecture

• Extensive insertion effects

• 36 additional Effect types

• Three Rotary Speaker types

• Four Amp types

• Master Reverb

• 3-band Master EQ

• Seamless Sound Switching

• Balanced XLR outputs

• Standard jack outputs

• Stereo audio input

• MIDI IN/OUT

• USB TO HOST

• USB TO DEVICE

• Two Foot Controller inputs

• Sustain Foot Switch

• Assignable Foot Switch

• Full Dot LCD

• FC3A foot pedal included

• Approx. 18.6kg

88-NOTE NW-GH3 NATURAL WOOD KEYBOARD

The defining physical feature of the YC88 is Yamaha’s:

NW-GH3 – Natural Wood Graded Hammer keyboard.

This is the most piano-focused action in the YC family.

It incorporates:

• 88-note range

• Wooden white keys

• Graded hammer weighting

• Triple-sensor detection

• Synthetic ivory white-key surfaces

• Synthetic ebony black-key surfaces

This makes the YC88 particularly suitable for serious pianists who also need professional organ, electric piano and broader keyboard capability.

WOODEN WHITE KEYS

The YC88 uses:

Wooden white keys.

For players accustomed to acoustic pianos, this contributes to a more substantial and familiar physical response than lighter synth-style or moulded-key actions.

GRADED HAMMER RESPONSE

The YC88 uses:

Graded hammer weighting.

The bass region provides greater resistance, becoming progressively lighter towards the treble.

This follows the general principle of an acoustic piano action, where the lower-register hammers are heavier than those in the treble.

TRIPLE-SENSOR DETECTION

The YC88 incorporates:

Triple-sensor key detection.

This allows notes to be re-articulated before the key has necessarily returned fully to its resting position.

This can benefit:

• Repeated notes

• Trills

• Fast piano passages

• Jazz

• Classical-influenced playing

• Rhythmic keyboard performance

SYNTHETIC IVORY & EBONY KEY SURFACES

Yamaha specifies:

• Synthetic ivory white-key surfaces

• Synthetic ebony black-key surfaces

These textured surfaces help provide secure tactile control during longer playing sessions and stage performances.

YC88 VS YC73 KEYBOARD

The YC88 and YC73 share the same sound engine, but the physical playing experience is very different.

YC88

• 88 keys

• NW-GH3 Natural Wood Graded Hammer

• Wooden white keys

• Graded weighting

• Triple sensor

• More acoustic-piano focused

• 18.6kg

YC73

• 73 keys

• BHS Balanced Hammer Standard

• Matt black keytops

• Balanced weighting

• More compact and versatile for electric piano

• 13.4kg

Choose the YC88 when premium piano feel and a full 88-note range matter most.

Choose the YC73 when portability and balanced hammer response are the higher priority.

VCM ORGAN TECHNOLOGY

The YC88 uses Yamaha’s:

VCM Organ

technology.

VCM stands for:

Virtual Circuitry Modeling.

Rather than treating an organ as a collection of static samples, Yamaha models important aspects of classic organ behaviour and circuitry.

This includes characteristics such as:

• Harmonic interaction

• Key click

• Leakage

• Percussion

• Drawbar behaviour

• Rotary response

• Amplifier character

The result is a more dynamic organ engine designed for live performance.

PHYSICAL DRAWBARS

The YC88 retains the same physical organ drawbar controls found on the YC61 and YC73.

These allow harmonic registration to be changed directly during performance.

This means pianists choosing the YC88 do not lose the core hands-on organ experience that defines the YC range.

10 ORGAN VOICES

Current YC OS v2.0 provides:

10 Organ Voices.

These include multiple VCM-based organ personalities together with FM organ sounds.

H4 ORGAN

The:

H4 Organ

provides a darker organ personality with increased mid and low-frequency emphasis.

It is particularly useful for:

• Left-hand bass

• Gospel

• Soul

• Funk

• Jazz

• Rock

FM ORGAN

Yamaha’s FM engine provides additional organ sounds beyond conventional VCM tonewheel-style modelling.

This expands the YC88 into:

• Digital organ sounds

• FM organ textures

• Modern organ timbres

ROTARY SPEAKER MODELLING

The YC88 provides:

3 Rotary Speaker types.

These can be controlled directly during performance for expressive:

Slow / Fast

rotary changes.

For organ performance, rotary speaker interaction is one of the most important parts of the sound.

FOUR AMP TYPES

Alongside the Rotary Speaker models are:

4 Amp types.

Yamaha therefore specifies:

7 Speaker/Amp types

in total.

PRE DRIVE

The Organ section includes:

Pre Drive

for adding analogue-style warmth, grit and overdrive before wider processing.

ORGAN PERCUSSION

Dedicated percussion controls provide the characteristic percussive attack used across:

• Jazz

• Funk

• Soul

• Gospel

• Rock organ

VIBRATO / CHORUS

Dedicated vibrato/chorus controls allow classic organ modulation to be adjusted directly from the front panel.

AWM2 SOUND ENGINE

Beyond organ, the YC88 uses Yamaha’s:

AWM2 – Advanced Wave Memory 2

sound engine.

AWM2 provides the sampled instrument library for the Keys sections, covering:

• Acoustic pianos

• Electric pianos

• Strings

• Brass

• Guitars

• Bass

• Pads

• Synths

• Orchestral sounds

FM SOUND GENERATION

The YC88 also incorporates:

FM synthesis.

This contributes:

• FM electric pianos

• FM organ sounds

• Digital keyboard textures

with up to:

128-note FM polyphony.

200 VOICES

With current YC OS v2.0 software, Yamaha specifies:

200 Voices

comprising:

• 10 Organ Voices

• 190 Keys Voices

This gives the YC88 a substantial sound palette while keeping the front panel focused on live performance.

YAMAHA CFX2 CONCERT GRAND

YC OS v2.0 adds Yamaha’s:

CFX2 Concert Grand Piano Voice.

Yamaha describes this newer piano Voice as offering enhanced:

• Expression

• Resonance

• Dynamic range

The CFX2 is especially significant on the YC88 because the premium NW-GH3 action allows the sound to be explored with much greater piano-style control.

YAMAHA CFX

The YC88 also includes the established:

Yamaha CFX Concert Grand.

Its clear and powerful tonal character makes it effective for:

• Pop

• Rock

• Gospel

• Jazz

• Worship

• Full-band performance

YAMAHA S700

The YC88 includes Yamaha’s:

S700

piano character, long valued by live players for its ability to sit clearly within a mix.

YAMAHA C7

The:

Yamaha C7

provides a bright, articulate grand-piano character suitable for demanding stage arrangements.

NASHVILLE C3

The:

Nashville C3

provides a more processed, characterful piano tone recorded through analogue tape.

This can be particularly effective for:

• Indie

• Pop

• Singer-songwriter material

• Studio-inspired live sounds

LIVE CF3

The:

Live CF3

offers another strong Yamaha grand-piano character suited to live performance.

ELECTRIC PIANOS

The YC88 includes an extensive electric-piano collection covering:

• Vintage tine pianos

• Reed electric pianos

• Yamaha electric grand

• FM electric pianos

• Clavi sounds

These can be combined with dedicated effects and amp modelling for complete stage-ready patches.

YAMAHA CP80

The YC88 includes Yamaha’s classic:

CP80 Electric Grand Piano

character.

Its bright, amplified sound remains highly effective for:

• Rock

• Pop

• Fusion

• Funk

REAL FM ELECTRIC PIANOS

The YC88 uses genuine FM synthesis for suitable electric-piano sounds rather than relying only on static sampled playback.

This provides the bright and responsive character associated with Yamaha’s historic FM instruments.

GS-1 STYLE VOICES

YC OS v2.0 adds:

GS-1-style Voices

inspired by Yamaha’s historic GS-1 FM synthesizer.

It also adds:

GS-1 Ensemble Chorus

using Yamaha’s VCM modelling.

KEYS A & KEYS B

The YC88 provides two independent Keys sections:

KEYS A

and:

KEYS B

alongside the:

ORGAN

section.

This allows combinations including:

• Piano + strings

• Piano + pad

• Piano + organ

• Electric piano + organ

• Electric piano + brass

• Piano + synth

• Three-way layers

SPLITS & LAYERS

The YC88 makes it straightforward to build:

• Splits

• Layers

• Multi-section performance setups

directly from the front panel.

DIRECT PERFORMANCE INTERFACE

The YC88 is designed around immediate control rather than deep menu navigation.

Dedicated controls are provided for:

• Organ

• Keys A

• Keys B

• Effects

• Speaker/Amp

• Reverb

• Master EQ

INSERTION EFFECTS

The YC88 provides extensive section-specific processing.

Organ

• One Organ insertion system

• Pre Drive

Keys A

• Two effect systems

• 35 Effect 1 types

• 35 Effect 2 types

Keys B

• Two effect systems

• 35 Effect 1 types

• 35 Effect 2 types

36 EFFECT TYPES

The YC88 also provides:

36 Effect types

within its wider performance-processing architecture.

REVERB

A dedicated Reverb section provides overall ambience.

3-BAND MASTER EQ

The YC88 includes:

3-band Master EQ

with:

Sweepable Mid.

This allows quick adaptation to different:

• PA systems

• Stage monitors

• Venues

• Studio environments

320 LIVE SET SOUND LOCATIONS

Current YC OS v2.0 provides:

320 Live Set Sound locations

including:

152 preset Live Set Sounds.

A Live Set Sound stores a complete performance configuration including:

• Organ registration

• Keys Voices

• Splits

• Layers

• Effects

• Speaker/Amp settings

• Controller assignments

• EQ

EXPANDED LIVE SET STORAGE

YC OS v2.0 increases User Live Set Pages from:

20

to:

40.

This provides substantially more space for custom gig and song setups.

SEAMLESS SOUND SWITCHING

The YC Series supports:

Seamless Sound Switching.

YC OS v2.0 also adds:

Seamless Sound Switching for individual Sections.

This allows held notes and chords to continue sounding when Sections are switched during a performance.

USB MIDI CONTROLLER SUPPORT

YC OS v2.0 allows compatible USB MIDI controllers to connect through:

USB TO DEVICE.

This can be useful for building:

• Two-keyboard performance rigs

• Dual-manual organ configurations

• Expanded controller setups

BALANCED XLR OUTPUTS

The YC88 provides:

Balanced XLR left and right outputs.

These are ideal for connecting directly to:

• Professional PA systems

• Mixing consoles

• Stage boxes

• Audio interfaces

• Recording equipment

STANDARD JACK OUTPUTS

The YC88 also provides:

• OUTPUT L/MONO

• OUTPUT R

using standard 6.3mm unbalanced jacks.

STEREO AUDIO INPUT

Stereo:

• INPUT L/MONO

• INPUT R

connections allow another compatible instrument or audio source to be routed through the YC setup.

HEADPHONE OUTPUT

A standard:

6.3mm stereo headphone output

is provided.

MIDI IN / OUT

Traditional:

• MIDI IN

• MIDI OUT

connections are included.

USB TO HOST

USB TO HOST

provides compatible computer Audio/MIDI connectivity.

USB TO DEVICE

USB TO DEVICE

supports compatible storage and, with current YC OS, compatible USB MIDI controllers.

TWO FOOT CONTROLLER INPUTS

The YC88 provides:

• FOOT CONTROLLER 1

• FOOT CONTROLLER 2

for compatible expression and controller pedals.

SUSTAIN & ASSIGNABLE FOOT SWITCHES

The YC88 also provides:

• FOOT SWITCH SUSTAIN

• FOOT SWITCH ASSIGNABLE

YAMAHA FC3A INCLUDED

Yamaha specifies a:

Yamaha FC3A foot pedal

as part of the standard YC88 package.

This supports continuous damper operation with compatible piano Voices.

FULL DOT LCD

The YC88 uses a:

128 × 64-dot Full Dot LCD.

The YC design remains deliberately control-led rather than screen-led.

NO BUILT-IN SPEAKERS

The YC88 does:

not

have built-in speakers.

It is designed for use with:

• PA systems

• Powered monitors

• Keyboard amplifiers

• Studio monitors

• Headphones

AC MAINS POWER

The YC88 connects directly through:

AC IN.

No external DC adaptor is required.

WHO IS IT FOR?

The Yamaha YC88 is particularly well suited to:

• Professional pianists

• Organ players

• Gigging keyboardists

• Gospel musicians

• Soul and funk players

• Jazz pianists

• Rock keyboardists

• Worship musicians

• Pop performers

• Touring musicians

• Session players

• Musical theatre players

• Players accustomed to acoustic piano actions

• Musicians who want one premium keyboard to cover piano, electric piano and organ

PLAYING STYLES & APPLICATIONS

The YC88 is especially effective for:

• Acoustic piano

• Electric piano

• Gospel

• Soul

• Funk

• Jazz

• Rock

• Blues

• Pop

• R&B

• Worship

• Fusion

• Indie

• Singer-songwriter performance

• Musical theatre

• Session work

• Touring

• Live band performance

• Studio recording

HOW IT COMPARES

YC88 VS YC73

The sound architecture is essentially shared.

The main difference is keyboard.

YC88

• 88-note NW-GH3 Natural Wood Graded Hammer

• Wooden white keys

• Synthetic ebony and ivory surfaces

• Graded hammer response

• Triple sensor

• Full piano range

• 18.6kg

YC73

• 73-note BHS Balanced Hammer Standard

• Matt black keytops

• Balanced response

• More compact

• 13.4kg

Choose the YC88 when premium acoustic-piano feel matters most.

Choose the YC73 when portability and electric-piano versatility are higher priorities.

YC88 VS YC61

Both use the same core YC sound platform but target very different players.

YC88

• 88-note Natural Wood hammer action

• Piano-focused

• Balanced XLR outputs

• 18.6kg

YC61

• 61-note semi-weighted Waterfall action

• Organ-focused

• No balanced XLR outputs

• 7.1kg

Choose YC88 for piano.

Choose YC61 for dedicated organ technique and minimum weight.

YC88 VS CP88

This is one of the most important comparisons in Yamaha’s professional stage range.

Both use Yamaha’s:

88-note NW-GH3 Natural Wood Graded Hammer keyboard

with:

• Wooden white keys

• Synthetic ebony and ivory surfaces

• Triple-sensor detection

Their priorities are different.

YC88

Focused on:

• Piano

• Electric piano

• VCM Organ

• Physical drawbars

• FM

• Rotary Speaker modelling

• Organ / Keys A / Keys B architecture

CP88

Focused more strongly on:

• Acoustic piano

• Electric piano

• Dedicated Piano / E.Piano / Sub workflow

• Piano-specific effects

• Simpler piano-led operation

Both provide balanced XLR outputs and professional stage connectivity.

Choose YC88 when organ is genuinely part of your job.

Choose CP88 when acoustic and electric piano dominate your playing.

YC88 VS CK88

Both provide 88 weighted keys, but the hardware and performance philosophy differ.

YC88

• NW-GH3 Natural Wood action

• Wooden white keys

• Triple sensor

• VCM Organ

• FM

• Professional balanced outputs

• Premium stage architecture

• No built-in speakers

• 18.6kg

CK88

• GHS action

• Broader all-round live architecture

• Built-in speakers

• Battery operation

• Lower weight

• Lower-cost portable design

Choose the YC88 when premium action, organ authenticity and professional connectivity are priorities.

Choose the CK88 when portability and self-contained operation matter more.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Specification	Yamaha YC88
Series	YC Series
Product Type	Professional Stage Keyboard
Number of Keys	88
Keyboard	NW-GH3 – Natural Wood Graded Hammer
White Keys	Wooden
White Key Surface	Synthetic Ivory
Black Key Surface	Synthetic Ebony
Graded Hammer Action	Yes
Triple Sensor	Yes
Tone Generation	VCM Organ / AWM2 / FM
VCM Organ + AWM2 Polyphony	128 Notes Total
FM Polyphony	128 Notes
Total Voices	200
Organ Voices	10
Keys Voices	190
Live Set Sound Locations	320
Preset Live Set Sounds	152
Main Sections	Organ / Keys A / Keys B
Organ Insertion	Pre Drive
Keys A Effects	2 Systems / 35 Types Each
Keys B Effects	2 Systems / 35 Types Each
Additional Effects	36 Types
Speaker/Amp Types	7
Rotary Speaker Types	3
Amp Types	4
Reverb	1 Type
Master EQ	3-Band with Sweepable Mid
Unbalanced Outputs	L/MONO / R
Balanced Outputs	XLR L / R
Headphones	6.3mm Stereo
Audio Input	L/MONO / R
Foot Controllers	2
Foot Switches	Sustain / Assignable
MIDI	IN / OUT
USB TO HOST	Yes
USB TO DEVICE	Yes
Display	128 × 64 Full Dot LCD
Built-In Speakers	No
Included Pedal	Yamaha FC3A
Power	AC IN
Width	1,298mm
Height	142mm
Depth	364mm
Weight	18.6kg
Condition	New

DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT

The Yamaha YC88 measures approximately:

Width: 1,298mm
Height: 142mm
Depth: 364mm
Weight: 18.6kg

Yamaha’s current UK specification confirms these dimensions and weight.

For a premium 88-note Natural Wood stage keyboard with full organ controls and professional connectivity, the YC88 remains relatively manageable for regular gigging and touring.

CURRENT YC OS V2.0

The current Yamaha YC operating system is:

YC OS v2.0.

Important additions include:

• CFX2 Concert Grand Piano Voice

• GS-1-style Voices

• GS-1 Ensemble Chorus

• Eight new Live Sets

• 24 reworked Live Sets

• Expanded Live Set storage

• User Live Set Pages increased from 20 to 40

• Direct USB MIDI-controller support

• Seamless Sound Switching for individual Sections

• Additional workflow enhancements

Yamaha released YC OS v2.0 for the YC61, YC73 and YC88 in September 2025.

🎵 FAIR DEAL MUSIC EXPERT VERDICT ★★★★★

Best suited for: Professional pianists and keyboard players who want a premium 88-note piano action but also need serious organ functionality, drawbar control and FM capability in the same instrument.

Likely upgrade path: Players moving from stage pianos, premium digital pianos or multi-keyboard rigs who want to consolidate acoustic piano, electric piano and organ duties into one professional board.

Useful pairings: Yamaha SC-YC88 soft case, expression pedal, sturdy professional stand and suitable stage monitoring.

Our tip: If you are choosing between YC88 and CP88, the action is not the deciding factor — they both use Yamaha’s premium NW-GH3 Natural Wood keyboard. The real question is whether you need the YC’s VCM Organ, physical drawbars, rotary modelling and FM engine. If you do, the YC88 is the obvious choice.

FDM view: The YC88 is arguably the most complete keyboard in Yamaha’s professional piano-and-organ stage range. It gives serious pianists an action they can genuinely enjoy, while still providing the physical drawbars and direct controls organ players expect. The current OS has strengthened it further with CFX2, expanded Live Sets and improved live switching. For musicians who refuse to choose between a proper piano keyboard and a proper organ interface, the YC88 solves that problem remarkably well.

WHY BUY FROM FAIR DEAL MUSIC?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

Our keyboard team can help with:

• YC88 vs YC73

• YC88 vs YC61

• YC88 vs CP88

• YC88 vs CK88

• Professional stage piano comparisons

• Organ keyboard comparisons

• Expression pedals

• Sustain pedals

• Cases

• Stands

• Stage monitoring

• MIDI and USB setup

• Part exchange

PART EXCHANGE / TRADE-IN

Trade In. Trade Up.

Already own an organ, stage piano, digital piano, keyboard, synthesizer or workstation?

Fair Deal Music welcomes part-exchange enquiries on suitable instruments.

Simply provide:

• Make

• Exact model

• Approximate age

• Condition

and our team can provide a no-obligation valuation towards your Yamaha YC88.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many keys does the Yamaha YC88 have?

88.

What keyboard action does it use?

Yamaha’s:

NW-GH3 – Natural Wood Graded Hammer keyboard.

Does the YC88 have wooden keys?

Yes.

Yamaha specifies:

Wooden white keys.

Are the black keys wooden?

Yamaha specifies synthetic ebony surfaces for the black keys.

Is the action graded?

Yes.

The lower register is heavier, becoming progressively lighter towards the treble.

Does it have triple-sensor detection?

Yes.

What are the key surfaces?

• Synthetic ivory white-key surfaces

• Synthetic ebony black-key surfaces

What sound engines does the YC88 use?

• VCM Organ

• AWM2

• FM

Does it have physical drawbars?

Yes.

How many Voices does it have?

Current YC OS v2.0 provides:

200 Voices

comprising:

• 10 Organ Voices

• 190 Keys Voices

How many Live Set Sound locations are available?

320.

How many preset Live Sets?

152.

Does it include Yamaha CFX2?

Yes.

CFX2 was added with YC OS v2.0.

Does it also include Yamaha CFX?

Yes.

Does it have electric pianos?

Yes.

The YC88 includes multiple vintage tine, reed, electric-grand and FM electric-piano sounds.

Does it have Yamaha CP80?

Yes.

Does it have FM synthesis?

Yes.

How much polyphony does it have?

Yamaha specifies:

VCM Organ + AWM2: 128 notes total

and:

FM: 128 notes.

Does it have Rotary Speaker simulation?

Yes.

There are:

3 Rotary Speaker types.

How many Amp types?

4.

Does it have organ percussion?

Yes.

Does it have Vibrato/Chorus?

Yes.

Does it have Pre Drive?

Yes.

Can I split and layer sounds?

Yes.

What are the three main Sections?

• Organ

• Keys A

• Keys B

Does it have Seamless Sound Switching?

Yes.

YC OS v2.0 also adds Seamless Sound Switching for individual Sections.

Does the YC88 have balanced outputs?

Yes.

It provides:

Left and right balanced XLR outputs.

Does it also have standard jack outputs?

Yes.

• L/MONO

• R

6.3mm unbalanced outputs are provided.

Does it have an audio input?

Yes.

Stereo L/MONO and R inputs are provided.

Does it have MIDI?

Yes.

• MIDI IN

• MIDI OUT

Does it have USB TO HOST?

Yes.

Does it have USB TO DEVICE?

Yes.

Can I connect a USB MIDI controller directly?

With YC OS v2.0, compatible MIDI controllers can connect directly via USB.

Does it have a headphone output?

Yes.

Can I connect an expression pedal?

Yes.

The YC88 provides:

2 Foot Controller inputs.

Does it support a sustain pedal?

Yes.

Is a pedal included?

Yes.

Yamaha specifies:

FC3A foot pedal

in the standard YC88 package.

Does it have built-in speakers?

No.

External amplification or headphones are required.

How wide is the YC88?

Approximately:

1,298mm.

How high is it?

Approximately:

142mm.

How deep is it?

Approximately:

364mm.

How much does it weigh?

Approximately:

18.6kg.

What is the difference between YC88 and YC73?

The main difference is keyboard.

YC88:
88-note NW-GH3 Natural Wood Graded Hammer, wooden white keys, graded response, triple sensor, 18.6kg.

YC73:
73-note BHS Balanced Hammer Standard, matt black keytops, balanced response, 13.4kg.

What is the difference between YC88 and YC61?

YC88 prioritises premium piano feel.

YC61 prioritises organ playing and portability with its 61-note Waterfall action.

Does YC88 use the same keyboard as CP88?

Yamaha specifies both instruments with:

88-note NW-GH3 Natural Wood Graded Hammer keyboards.

The difference is their sound architecture and control philosophy.

Should I choose YC88 or CP88?

Choose YC88 if you need:

• VCM Organ

• Physical drawbars

• Rotary modelling

• FM synthesis

• Piano and organ in one professional keyboard

Choose CP88 if:

• Acoustic piano is your overwhelming priority

• Electric piano is central

• You prefer the simpler Piano / E.Piano / Sub workflow

Should I choose YC88 or YC73?

Choose YC88 for:

• Premium piano action

• 88-note range

• Wooden white keys

• Graded weighting

Choose YC73 for:

• Lower weight

• Smaller footprint

• Balanced hammer response

• Greater transport convenience

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

Yamaha specifies the standard YC88 package as including:

• Yamaha YC88 Professional Stage Keyboard

• Yamaha FC3A Foot Pedal

• Owner’s Manual

• Power Cord

Yamaha confirms these package contents on its current UK specification page.

PREMIUM PIANO ACTION. REAL ORGAN CONTROL.

The Yamaha YC88 is built for musicians who do not want to choose between a serious piano keyboard and a serious organ interface.

You get:

88-note NW-GH3 Natural Wood action.

Wooden white keys.

Graded hammer response.

Triple-sensor detection.

Then Yamaha adds:

VCM Organ.

Physical drawbars.

Rotary Speaker modelling.

AWM2.

FM synthesis.

CFX2.

CFX.

Premium electric pianos.

200 Voices.

320 Live Set Sound locations.

Balanced XLR outputs.

USB and MIDI connectivity.

For pianists who also need convincing organ performance, the Yamaha YC88 brings two traditionally separate keyboard worlds together in one premium stage instrument.