INTRODUCTION

The Yamaha YC73 Stage Keyboard combines Yamaha’s sophisticated organ technology with a compact 73-note hammer-action keyboard, premium acoustic and electric pianos, FM synthesis and direct hands-on performance controls.

Sitting between the organ-focused YC61 and full-size piano-focused YC88, the YC73 uses Yamaha’s:

73-note BHS – Balanced Hammer Standard keyboard

with:

Matt black keytops.

Unlike a conventional graded piano action, the BHS keyboard provides a balanced response across its range. This makes it particularly effective for players who move regularly between:

• Acoustic piano

• Electric piano

• Organ

• Clavi

• Synth

• Layered keyboard sounds

while still wanting a proper hammer-action playing experience.

The YC73 combines three Yamaha sound technologies:

VCM Organ

AWM2

FM

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

• Physical drawbars

• Multiple VCM organ types

• FM organ sounds

• Rotary speaker modelling

• Amplifier modelling

• Organ percussion

• Vibrato/chorus

• Pre Drive

• Direct real-time controls

Alongside this is an extensive keyboard library containing premium acoustic and electric piano 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 the current YC OS v2.0, the YC73 provides:

• 200 Voices

• 10 Organ Voices

• 190 Keys Voices

• 320 Live Set Sound locations

• 152 preset Live Set Sounds

• Up to 128-note VCM Organ/AWM2 polyphony

• 128-note FM polyphony

• Expanded Live Set storage

• USB MIDI-controller support

• Seamless Sound Switching for individual Sections

Professional connectivity includes both:

Standard 6.3mm jack outputs

and:

Balanced XLR outputs.

At approximately:

13.4kg

the YC73 provides an attractive balance between weighted-key performance, professional stage connectivity and portability.

QUICK PRODUCT SUMMARY

The Yamaha YC73 is a professional 73-note stage keyboard combining a Balanced Hammer Standard action with VCM Organ modelling, physical drawbars, premium piano sounds, FM synthesis and extensive hands-on control.

Highlights include:

• 73-note BHS Balanced Hammer Standard keyboard

• Matt black keytops

• VCM Organ

• AWM2

• FM synthesis

• Physical organ drawbars

• Multiple VCM organ types

• FM organ sounds

• Rotary speaker modelling

• Amplifier 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 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

• FC3A foot pedal included

• Approx. 13.4kg

AT A GLANCE

Key Detail	Information
Product	Yamaha YC73
Series	YC Series
Product Type	Professional Stage Keyboard
Number of Keys	73
Keyboard	BHS – Balanced Hammer Standard
Black Keytops	Matt Black
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	1,086mm
Height	145mm
Depth	355mm
Weight	13.4kg
Condition	New

KEY FEATURES

• Professional Yamaha YC Series stage keyboard

• 73-note BHS Balanced Hammer Standard action

• Matt black keytops

• VCM Organ technology

• AWM2 sound engine

• FM synthesis

• Physical organ drawbars

• Multiple VCM organ models

• FM organ sounds

• Rotary speaker simulation

• Amplifier modelling

• Organ percussion

• Vibrato/chorus

• Pre Drive

• Yamaha CFX2 concert grand

• Yamaha CFX concert grand

• 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

• AC mains connection

• FC3A foot pedal included

• Approx. 13.4kg

73-NOTE BHS BALANCED HAMMER STANDARD KEYBOARD

One of the defining features of the YC73 is Yamaha’s:

BHS – Balanced Hammer Standard keyboard.

This is a 73-note hammer-action keyboard designed specifically around professional stage performance.

Unlike a conventional graded hammer action, the weighting is:

Balanced across the keyboard.

This makes the YC73 particularly effective for musicians who regularly move between different keyboard sounds.

For example:

• Acoustic piano

• Electric piano

• Organ

• Clavi

• Synth

• Pads

• Brass

The action provides the physical substance required for piano and electric-piano playing without becoming as piano-specific as the Natural Wood graded action found on the YC88.

MATT BLACK KEYTOPS

Yamaha specifies:

Matt black keytops

on the YC73.

The matt surface complements the performance-focused BHS action and provides a secure tactile feel during longer playing sessions.

WHY BALANCED HAMMER?

A graded piano action becomes progressively lighter from bass to treble.

The YC73 instead uses a:

Balanced hammer action.

This makes the response more consistent across the keyboard.

For electric-piano players in particular, this can be extremely effective.

It also gives organ, synth and Clavi sounds a different physical response from a heavily graded acoustic-piano-style action.

73-NOTE FORMAT

The YC73 occupies a useful middle ground between:

61-note portability

and:

88-note piano range.

Its 73-note format gives the player considerably more room for:

• Two-handed piano playing

• Splits

• Layers

• Left-hand bass

• Organ

• Electric piano

without requiring the full width of an 88-note stage instrument.

VCM ORGAN TECHNOLOGY

At the heart of the YC73 is Yamaha’s:

VCM Organ

technology.

VCM stands for:

Virtual Circuitry Modeling.

Rather than simply reproducing static organ samples, Yamaha models important elements of classic organ circuitry and behaviour.

This includes characteristics associated with:

• Harmonic generation

• Key click

• Leakage

• Percussion

• Drawbar interaction

• Amplifier behaviour

• Rotary speaker response

The result is an organ engine designed to respond dynamically to the player.

PHYSICAL DRAWBARS

The YC73 provides physical organ drawbars for direct harmonic control.

This allows the player to change organ registration while performing.

You can:

• Build registrations

• Pull in additional harmonics

• Reduce harmonics

• Change tone during a solo

• Create dynamic organ crescendos

• Move between contrasting registrations

without navigating through menus.

10 ORGAN VOICES

The current YC operating system provides:

10 Organ Voices.

These combine Yamaha’s VCM organ technology with FM-based organ sounds, giving the YC73 access to both classic and more contemporary organ characters.

H4 ORGAN

Yamaha’s later YC operating systems added the:

H4 Organ.

H4 provides a darker organ personality with greater emphasis in the mid and lower frequencies.

Its broader percussion character is particularly useful for:

• Left-hand bass

• Gospel

• Soul

• Funk

• Jazz

• Rock

FM ORGAN

The YC73 also uses Yamaha’s FM technology to generate additional organ sounds.

This extends its palette beyond traditional tonewheel-inspired character into:

• Digital organ sounds

• FM organ textures

• Modern organ tones

ROTARY SPEAKER MODELLING

The YC73 provides:

3 Rotary Speaker types.

These recreate different rotary speaker personalities and can be controlled directly during performance.

Switching between:

Slow

and:

Fast

rotation is fundamental to expressive organ playing.

Yamaha’s modelling also allows the rotary response to interact naturally with the Organ section.

FOUR AMP TYPES

Alongside the rotary speaker models are:

4 Amp types.

These add different amplifier characters to the sound.

In total, Yamaha provides:

7 Speaker/Amp types

comprising:

• 3 Rotary Speaker types

• 4 Amp types

PRE DRIVE

The Organ section includes:

Pre Drive.

This can add anything from subtle warmth to aggressive overdrive before the wider effects and speaker processing.

It is particularly effective for:

• Rock organ

• Blues

• Soul

• Gospel

• Vintage keyboard tones

ORGAN PERCUSSION

Dedicated organ percussion controls reproduce the characteristic percussive attack associated with classic tonewheel organ performance.

This is particularly useful for:

• Jazz

• Funk

• Gospel

• Soul

• Rock

VIBRATO / CHORUS

Dedicated vibrato and chorus controls provide classic organ modulation directly from the front panel.

Current YC software also expands vibrato/chorus behaviour for compatible FM organ sounds.

AWM2 SOUND ENGINE

Beyond organ, the YC73 uses Yamaha’s:

AWM2 – Advanced Wave Memory 2

technology.

AWM2 powers the extensive sampled Keys library.

This covers:

• Acoustic piano

• Electric piano

• Strings

• Brass

• Guitars

• Bass

• Pads

• Synths

• Orchestral sounds

FM SOUND GENERATION

The YC Series also incorporates:

FM synthesis.

Yamaha’s history with FM technology goes back to instruments such as the legendary DX Series.

Within the YC73, FM contributes:

• Electric pianos

• 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.

These comprise:

• 10 Organ Voices

• 190 Keys Voices

The YC73 therefore offers far more than its organ-focused front panel might initially suggest.

YAMAHA CFX2 CONCERT GRAND

Current YC OS v2.0 adds Yamaha’s:

CFX2 Concert Grand Piano Voice.

This newer CFX Voice provides enhanced:

• Expression

• Resonance

• Dynamic range

and strengthens the YC73 considerably as an acoustic-piano stage instrument.

YAMAHA CFX CONCERT GRAND

The YC73 also includes the established:

Yamaha CFX Concert Grand.

Its clear, powerful character works particularly well in:

• Pop

• Rock

• Gospel

• Jazz

• Worship

• Full-band arrangements

where a piano needs to remain articulate in a busy mix.

YAMAHA S700

The YC73 includes Yamaha’s:

S700

grand-piano Voice.

Originally associated with Yamaha’s professional S90 ES and MOTIF ES instruments, the S700 remains popular for its ability to sit effectively within a band arrangement.

YAMAHA C7

The YC73 includes the character of the:

Yamaha C7.

Its bright, articulate personality can work particularly well where the piano needs to cut through:

• Guitars

• Drums

• Bass

• Dense keyboard arrangements

NASHVILLE C3

Yamaha’s:

Nashville C3

provides a more characterful piano option.

Recorded at Yamaha Entertainment Group Studios and processed through analogue tape, it offers a distinctly different personality from the polished concert-grand Voices.

LIVE CF3

The:

Live CF3

draws on the classic piano character associated with Yamaha’s CP300 stage piano.

Its powerful response works particularly well for:

• Pop

• Gospel

• Live band performance

ELECTRIC PIANOS

Electric piano is another major strength of the YC73.

The sound library includes:

• Vintage tine electric pianos

• Reed electric pianos

• FM electric pianos

• Yamaha electric grand

• Clavi sounds

The BHS action is particularly well suited to these instruments because of its balanced response.

YAMAHA CP80

The YC73 includes the sound of Yamaha’s classic:

CP80 Electric Grand Piano.

Its bright, amplified character remains particularly effective for:

• Rock

• Pop

• Fusion

• Funk

• Vintage keyboard arrangements

REAL FM ELECTRIC PIANOS

The YC73 uses genuine FM synthesis for its FM electric-piano sounds rather than relying solely on samples.

This provides the bright, responsive digital electric-piano character associated with Yamaha’s classic FM instruments.

GS-1 STYLE VOICES

YC OS v2.0 adds:

GS-1-style Voices

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

The update also adds:

GS-1 Ensemble Chorus

using Yamaha VCM technology.

This provides another distinctive vintage Yamaha keyboard character within the current YC platform.

KEYS A & KEYS B

The YC73 provides two independent Keys sections:

KEYS A

and:

KEYS B.

These operate alongside the:

ORGAN

section.

The three-section design allows combinations such as:

• Organ + piano

• Organ + electric piano

• Organ + pad

• Piano + strings

• Piano + synth

• Electric piano + brass

• Electric piano + pad

• Three-way layers

SPLITS & LAYERS

The YC73 makes it straightforward to build:

• Splits

• Layers

• Multi-section combinations

directly from the front panel.

This is particularly valuable on stage where quick changes matter more than deep menu programming.

DIRECT PERFORMANCE INTERFACE

The YC73 is designed around immediate physical control.

Dedicated front-panel sections are provided for:

• Organ

• Keys A

• Keys B

• Effects

• Speaker/Amp

• Reverb

• Master EQ

This means many common performance adjustments can be made without entering menus.

INSERTION EFFECTS

The YC73 provides extensive dedicated effects.

Organ

The Organ section has:

• 1 insertion system

• Pre Drive

Keys A

Two effect systems with:

• 35 Effect 1 types

• 35 Effect 2 types

Keys B

Two effect systems with:

• 35 Effect 1 types

• 35 Effect 2 types

This allows sophisticated sound processing across multiple simultaneous Sections.

36 EFFECT TYPES

The YC73 also provides:

36 Effect types

within its wider effects architecture.

These cover a broad range of modulation, dynamics and tonal processing.

MASTER REVERB

Dedicated Reverb provides overall ambience for the performance.

3-BAND MASTER EQ

The YC73 includes:

3-band Master EQ

with:

Sweepable Mid.

This is particularly useful for adapting the overall sound to:

• PA systems

• Stage monitors

• Different venues

• Studio setups

without having to edit individual Voices.

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 can store a complete performance setup including:

• Organ settings

• Keys Voices

• Splits

• Layers

• Effects

• Speaker/Amp settings

• Controller assignments

• EQ

This allows complete song-specific configurations to be recalled rapidly during a performance.

EXPANDED LIVE SET STORAGE

YC OS v2.0 doubles the number of User Live Set Pages from:

20

to:

40.

This significantly expands onboard storage for custom stage setups.

SEAMLESS SOUND SWITCHING

The YC supports:

Seamless Sound Switching.

This allows sustained notes to continue naturally when changing compatible Live Set Sounds.

Current YC OS v2.0 also adds:

Seamless Sound Switching for individual Sections.

Held notes and chords can continue sounding even when a Section is switched off during a performance.

USB MIDI CONTROLLER SUPPORT

With current YC OS v2.0, compatible USB MIDI controllers can connect directly through:

USB TO DEVICE.

This can be particularly useful for building:

• Dual-keyboard stage rigs

• Expanded organ setups

• Additional controller configurations

without necessarily requiring a computer between the two instruments.

BALANCED XLR OUTPUTS

Unlike the YC61, the YC73 provides professional:

Balanced XLR left and right outputs.

These are especially useful for connecting directly to:

• Professional PA systems

• Mixing consoles

• Stage boxes

• Audio interfaces

• Recording equipment

Balanced connections are particularly useful where longer cable runs are required.

STANDARD JACK OUTPUTS

Alongside the XLR connections, the YC73 provides:

• OUTPUT L/MONO

• OUTPUT R

using standard 6.3mm unbalanced jacks.

This provides flexible connection to:

• Keyboard amplifiers

• Powered monitors

• Mixers

• Audio interfaces

• PA equipment

STEREO AUDIO INPUT

The YC73 provides:

• INPUT L/MONO

• INPUT R

6.3mm connections.

This allows another compatible audio source or instrument 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 allow the YC73 to integrate with:

• External keyboards

• Sound modules

• Controllers

• Computers

• Stage rigs

USB TO HOST

USB TO HOST

provides compatible computer Audio/MIDI connectivity.

USB TO DEVICE

USB TO DEVICE

supports compatible USB storage and, with current YC software, compatible USB MIDI devices.

TWO FOOT CONTROLLER INPUTS

The YC73 provides:

• FOOT CONTROLLER 1

• FOOT CONTROLLER 2

for compatible expression and controller pedals.

This is particularly useful for organ performance where expression control can form an important part of the playing technique.

SUSTAIN & ASSIGNABLE FOOT SWITCHES

The YC73 also provides:

• FOOT SWITCH SUSTAIN

• FOOT SWITCH ASSIGNABLE

for sustain and additional controllable functions.

YAMAHA FC3A INCLUDED

Yamaha specifies a:

Yamaha FC3A foot pedal

as part of the standard YC73 package.

The FC3A supports continuous damper control with compatible piano Voices, allowing nuanced half-pedal-style sustain response.

FULL DOT LCD

The YC73 uses a:

128 × 64 Full Dot LCD.

The screen is deliberately compact because the YC workflow relies heavily on dedicated physical controls rather than deep touchscreen menus.

NO BUILT-IN SPEAKERS

The YC73 does:

not

have built-in speakers.

It is designed to connect to:

• PA systems

• Powered monitors

• Keyboard amplifiers

• Studio monitors

• Headphones

AC MAINS POWER

The YC73 connects directly to mains power through:

AC IN.

No external DC power adaptor is required.

WHO IS IT FOR?

The Yamaha YC73 is particularly well suited to:

• Professional gigging keyboardists

• Electric-piano players

• Organ players

• Gospel musicians

• Soul and funk players

• Jazz musicians

• Rock keyboardists

• Worship musicians

• Pop performers

• Touring musicians

• Session players

• Musical theatre players

• Multi-keyboard performers

• Players wanting hammer action without carrying an 88-note keyboard

• Musicians who need piano, organ and synth capability from one professional board

PLAYING STYLES & APPLICATIONS

The YC73 is particularly effective for:

• Gospel

• Soul

• Funk

• Jazz

• Rock

• Blues

• Pop

• R&B

• Worship

• Fusion

• Indie

• Electronic music

• Singer-songwriter performance

• Musical theatre

• Session work

• Touring

• Live band performance

• Studio recording

HOW IT COMPARES

YC73 VS YC61

Both instruments share the same current YC sound architecture.

The major differences are keyboard, size, weight and outputs.

YC73

• 73-note BHS hammer action

• Matt black keytops

• More piano/electric-piano-oriented playing feel

• Balanced XLR outputs

• FC3A pedal included

• 1,086mm wide

• 13.4kg

YC61

• 61-note semi-weighted Waterfall action

• More organ-focused playing feel

• No balanced XLR outputs

• No FC3A listed in Yamaha’s standard package

• 896mm wide

• 7.1kg

Choose YC73 when piano and electric piano form a significant part of the job but you still want the full YC organ architecture.

Choose YC61 when Waterfall organ action and minimum weight are the priorities.

YC73 VS YC88

Again, the sound architecture is essentially shared.

The major difference is keyboard.

YC73

• 73-note BHS Balanced Hammer Standard

• Matt black keytops

• Balanced response

• Compact format

• 13.4kg

YC88

• 88-note NW-GH3 Natural Wood Graded Hammer

• Wooden white keys

• Synthetic ebony and ivory keytops

• Graded hammer response

• Triple sensor

• Full 88-note range

• 18.6kg

Choose YC73 when you want hammer action but prioritise portability and electric-piano versatility.

Choose YC88 when premium acoustic-piano feel and full-range 88-note playing are the priorities.

YC73 VS CP73

This is a particularly important comparison because both instruments use Yamaha’s:

73-note BHS Balanced Hammer Standard keyboard with matt black keytops.

The difference is primarily the sound architecture and control philosophy.

YC73

Provides:

• VCM Organ

• AWM2

• FM

• Physical drawbars

• Rotary Speaker modelling

• Amp modelling

• Organ / Keys A / Keys B workflow

• 200 Voices

• 152 preset Live Sets

CP73

Provides:

• AWM2

• Piano / E.Piano / Sub workflow

• Greater emphasis on acoustic and electric piano

• Dedicated piano/electric-piano effects

• 129 Voices

• 128 preset Live Sets

Both provide professional balanced XLR outputs.

Choose YC73 if organ is important.

Choose CP73 if acoustic and electric piano are overwhelmingly your main focus.

YC73 VS CK88

The CK88 provides a full 88-note GHS keyboard but is designed around a lighter, more self-contained portable concept.

YC73

• 73-note BHS action

• VCM Organ

• FM

• Physical drawbars

• Premium rotary/amp modelling

• Balanced XLR outputs

• Professional stage architecture

• No built-in speakers

CK88

• 88-note GHS graded hammer action

• Broader portable performance architecture

• Physical organ controls

• Built-in speakers

• Battery operation

• Lower weight

Choose the YC73 when professional stage connectivity and the YC organ architecture matter most.

Choose the CK88 when built-in amplification, battery operation and an 88-note range are higher priorities.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Specification	Yamaha YC73
Series	YC Series
Product Type	Professional Stage Keyboard
Number of Keys	73
Keyboard	BHS – Balanced Hammer Standard
Black Keytops	Matt Black
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 Connection	AC IN
Width	1,086mm
Height	145mm
Depth	355mm
Weight	13.4kg
Condition	New

DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT

The Yamaha YC73 measures approximately:

Width: 1,086mm
Height: 145mm
Depth: 355mm
Weight: 13.4kg

Its 73-note format makes it substantially more compact than a conventional 88-note stage keyboard while retaining enough range for serious two-handed performance, splits and layers.

For working musicians, 13.4kg also represents a useful compromise between genuine hammer action and manageable transport weight.

CURRENT YC OS V2.0

The current Yamaha YC operating system is:

YC OS v2.0.

Important additions include:

• Yamaha CFX2 Concert Grand

• GS-1-style Voices

• GS-1 Ensemble Chorus

• New Live Sets

• Reworked Live Sets

• Expanded Live Set storage

• USB MIDI-controller support

• Seamless Sound Switching for individual Sections

• Workflow enhancements

This means the current YC73 is significantly more capable than the original launch specification suggests.

🎵 FAIR DEAL MUSIC EXPERT VERDICT ★★★★★

Best suited for: Professional gigging keyboardists who need serious piano and electric-piano playability alongside authentic hands-on organ control in a compact 73-note instrument.

Likely upgrade path: Players moving from general-purpose stage keyboards, lighter synth-action instruments or separate piano-and-organ rigs who want one professional keyboard capable of covering both jobs.

Useful pairings: Yamaha SC-YC73 soft case, expression pedal, sturdy professional stand, suitable stage monitoring and a second controller keyboard where a dual-manual setup is required.

Our tip: The YC73 occupies arguably the most versatile position in the YC range. The YC61 has the better action for dedicated organ techniques and the YC88 has the more sophisticated piano action, but the YC73’s BHS hammer action is an excellent compromise for musicians who spend the night moving between electric piano, acoustic piano and organ.

FDM view: The YC73 makes a great deal of sense for the working keyboard player who cannot optimise their rig around just one type of sound. You get the same serious VCM Organ architecture and physical drawbars as the YC61, but with a hammer action that feels far more natural for piano and electric piano. Add balanced XLR outputs, the current CFX2 Voice, FM synthesis and 320 Live Set locations, and it becomes a remarkably complete single-board stage solution.

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:

• YC73 vs YC61

• YC73 vs YC88

• YC73 vs CP73

• YC73 vs CK88

• Organ keyboard comparisons

• Stage piano 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, 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 YC73.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many keys does the Yamaha YC73 have?

73.

What keyboard action does it use?

Yamaha’s:

BHS – Balanced Hammer Standard keyboard.

Is the YC73 weighted?

Yes.

It uses a hammer-action keyboard.

Is the keyboard graded?

No.

The YC73 uses a balanced hammer action rather than the graded action found on the YC88.

What keytops does it have?

Yamaha specifies:

Matt black keytops.

What sound engines does it use?

The YC73 combines:

• VCM Organ

• AWM2

• FM

Does it have physical drawbars?

Yes.

How many Voices does it have?

Current YC OS v2.0 provides:

200 Voices.

These comprise:

• 10 Organ

• 190 Keys

How many Live Set Sound locations are available?

320.

How many preset Live Sets are included?

152.

Does it have Yamaha CFX2?

Yes.

CFX2 was added with YC OS v2.0.

Does it have Yamaha CFX?

Yes.

Does it have electric pianos?

Yes.

The YC73 provides an extensive selection of tine, reed, electric grand and FM electric-piano sounds.

Does it include 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 are included?

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.

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

Does the YC73 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 a USB MIDI controller connect directly?

With current YC OS v2.0, compatible USB MIDI controllers can be connected through USB TO DEVICE.

Does it have a headphone output?

Yes.

Can I connect an expression pedal?

Yes.

The YC73 has:

2 Foot Controller inputs.

Does it support a sustain pedal?

Yes.

Does the YC73 come with a pedal?

Yamaha specifies a:

Yamaha FC3A foot pedal

as part of the standard package.

Does it have built-in speakers?

No.

External amplification or headphones are required.

How wide is the YC73?

Approximately:

1,086mm.

How high is it?

Approximately:

145mm.

How deep is it?

Approximately:

355mm.

How much does it weigh?

Approximately:

13.4kg.

What is the difference between YC73 and YC61?

The main difference is the keyboard.

YC61:
61-note semi-weighted Waterfall action, 7.1kg, particularly organ-focused.

YC73:
73-note BHS hammer action with matt black keytops, 13.4kg, particularly effective for players balancing organ with piano and electric piano.

The YC73 also adds balanced XLR outputs and Yamaha lists an FC3A pedal in its standard package.

What is the difference between YC73 and YC88?

Again, the major difference is keyboard.

YC73:
73-note BHS Balanced Hammer Standard action.

YC88:
88-note NW-GH3 Natural Wood Graded Hammer action with wooden white keys and a more piano-focused response.

Does YC73 use the same keyboard as CP73?

Yamaha specifies both instruments with:

73-note BHS Balanced Hammer Standard keyboards with matt black keytops.

Their sound engines and control architectures are substantially different.

Should I choose YC73 or CP73?

Choose YC73 if:

• Organ is important

• You want physical drawbars

• You want VCM Organ

• You want FM synthesis

• You need a broader organ/piano/synth stage keyboard

Choose CP73 if:

• Acoustic piano is your priority

• Electric piano is your priority

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

Should I choose YC73 or YC61?

Choose YC73 for hammer action and a stronger piano/electric-piano playing experience.

Choose YC61 for Waterfall organ action and maximum portability.

Should I choose YC73 or YC88?

Choose YC73 for portability and balanced hammer response.

Choose YC88 for the premium 88-note Natural Wood graded piano action.

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

Yamaha specifies the standard YC73 package as including:

• Yamaha YC73 Stage Keyboard

• Yamaha FC3A Foot Pedal

• Owner’s Manual

• Power Cord

Exact Fair Deal Music UK package contents should follow the stock actually supplied.

HAMMER ACTION. VCM ORGAN. ONE SERIOUS STAGE KEYBOARD.

The Yamaha YC73 occupies a particularly useful position in Yamaha’s professional stage range.

You get:

73-note BHS Balanced Hammer Standard action.

Matt black keytops.

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.

And the whole instrument weighs approximately:

13.4kg.

For working keyboard players who need piano, electric piano and organ to carry equal importance in the same performance rig, the Yamaha YC73 offers an unusually strong balance of keyboard feel, sound quality, hands-on control and portability.