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The S70XS's top panel has more on it than many other performance keyboards.

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• Review

Originally launched a decade ago, Yamaha's S line was designed to offer top-end sounds and features in a package specifically aimed at stage/solo performers rather than hardcore sound designers.

Now, after several incarnations, Yamaha has launched the XS-labelled, S-series keyboards, currently comprising the S70XS (the subject of this review) and the S90XS. The only difference between the two is the length of keyboard, with the 70 having a 76-note note weighted hammer-action keyboard and the 90 having an 88-note board.

Overview

The action itself is very nice indeed - well balanced and not too heavy, and it doesn't suffer from any sponginess. Plus, it's playable for all types of sounds/instruments, including synths and organ stuff too.

Although the S70XS is not what could be described as lightweight, it's certainly manageable and one person was able to carry it into our studio. However, bear in mind that once it's in a case for gigging, moving the S70XS is a two-man job.

Build quality is very good throughout, with nice wooden end panels and a military-grade metal case. All the sliders and dials feel great, in line with what you would expect of an instrument at this price point. There's even a vast table-like expanse at the top left to rest your laptop on. (Really, does it need to be this big? Wow.)

Interface and layout wise it's a mixed bag. There's a lot going on on the front panel (too much, in our opinion, for a stage instrument) and it can be pretty confusing to navigate.

Another downside is the tiny screen. While we applaud Yamaha for trying to make everything accessible without having to rely on the screen this is like something from a synth from five years ago. Good job the included Cubase AI4-based VST editor goes some way to making up for this.

We still feel that some Yamaha keyboards suffer from unnecessarily complicated interfaces and unfortunately the S70XS continues this tradition and programming it is frustrating at times, with too much scrolling and button pressing for our liking.

On the upside, there is direct access to most of the main functions using the matrix system/dials and sliders, including filter cutoff, resonance, envelopes, effects/effect levels, and levels of parts within a performance/arpeggiator pattern. Plus, there are direct buttons to bypass each level of effect and EQ (insert, chorus, reverb, master FX and master EQ).

The S70XS has plenty of onboard connectivity, including two sets of stereo outputs (one set to assignable) a mic input (for plugging in mic'd vocals, guitars and routing them through the chorus/reverb effects and vocoder), and USB for MIDI connection to a DAW (and to the included Cubase AI4 VST editor). Plus, the S70XS can control your DAW's transport and act as a control surface.

On top of this, the S70XS can record all internal and external audio (connected to its input) direct to its onboard f ash memory (which gives up to 18 minutes of audio recording or 192MB) or to a connected USB stick. MIDI files and WAV/AIFF files can be played back directly from a USB stick or external USB drive too.