Yamaha PSR-I500 Portable Keyboard for Indian Music

Indian instruments
Authentic sounding Indian instruments are essential for anyone who wants to play traditional Indian songs or modern Indian movie songs. PSR-I500 has the Voices of 40 of Indian instruments on board, including newly sampled Voices based on requests from famous Indian music producers. Not limited only to Indian instruments, PSR-I500 also features a variety of instruments from pianos to synthesizers, making it possible to play songs from a variety of genres, from orchestra classics to electronic dance music.

Quick Sampling
In addition to the extensive collection of preset instruments, you can also add your own sampled content like short vocal phrases, special effects or looping chorus with PSR-I500. PSR-I500 can even vary the pitch of the sound that you have sampled to match the key you play.

Indian Styles
If you’re struggling with finding other band members or simply want to perform alone, PSR-I500’s Styles auto accompaniment function is invaluable. As you play chords, automatically created basslines, rhythm tracks or other kinds of accompaniment follow along. PSR-I500 has a variety of accompaniment Styles including 50 different types of Indian Styles from around the country.

Riyaz
PSR-I500 has a built-in tabla/mridangam and tanpura function called Riyaz. You can practice to traditional Indian rhythms for hours or use it for backing rhythms. What’s more, PSR-I500 features 30 different patterns of taals.

Song lessons
You can quickly learn how to play your favorite songs step by step with PSR-I500. Not only the vast library of onboard songs, but all songs you have imported will be supported by the PSR-I500 lesson function. You can also buy songs from the impressive collection at Yamaha MusicSoft or even download practice music or lesson songs your teacher has made for you.

Registration memory
You may want to change sound settings for different songs or even during a song while you perform. The Registration Memory setting allows you to recall those stored settings (Voices, Styles, Effects, etc.) with the push of a button.

Transpose
If you want to play a song with your vocal partner or tabla player but they do not have the vocal range or prefer a different key for the song, simply use the transpose function to play in other keys worry free.

Dual voice
Dual voice allows players to play two instruments together, for example using both piano and strings together for a dreamy atmosphere; layering bansuri and a pad sound provides a similar feel. Another example of effective use of the dual voice function is layering harmonium with string slap to achieve a more realistic sound.

Split
For players who want to switch back and forth between two instruments or take on two instrumental roles – for example playing bass and pianos together while singing – PSR-I500 features a split function that lets you split the keyboard and assign an instrument to the lower and upper halves of the keyboard.

Pitch bend wheel
Much like guitarists bend notes to raise the pitch of their melodies, pitch bend wheel allows you to use this technique with a number of instruments such as sitar, veena, violin, saxophone, mandolin, bass, tabla, bulbul tarang, sarod and others.

Portamento
Portamento is a function that creates a smooth transition in pitch from the first note played on the keyboard to the next. This makes instruments sound more natural, especially when you play using certain Voices such as bulbul tarang, veena, strings, synth, bass or sitar.

Master EQ
The newly added India master EQ type makes your PSR-I500 sound more punchy and rich for Indian instruments in particular when you are connected to a PA system.

DSP effects
New DSP effects add more variety and depth to your sound. Reverb presets will make you feel as if you are playing in a world famous concert hall, while the rotary speaker effect will add a professional feel to organ sounds or even tanpura. Distortion is obviously important for some electric guitar sounds, but it’s also worth giving it a try with electric sitar.

Built-in speakers
PSR-I500 is equipped with two powerful onboard 6-watt speakers, delivering punchy bass and drums without the need for setting up an external PA in smaller venues such as a café or restaurant.

Battery power
PSR-I500 can be powered by batteries! Just bring six AA batteries for street performances, touring or camping without a stable electricity supply.

Portable
Light and durable to meet even the needs of traveling musicians, PSR-I500 is easily transported from stage to stage and can be used in any playing environment you choose.

Touch response
From a light touch to a firm, more aggressive style, PSR-I500’s touch responsive keyboard captures your expression perfectly. Yamaha’s touch-sensitive keyboards have been recognized and certified by world famous Trinity Music College London. You can also configure your PSR-I500 for compatibility with Trinity lessons with the push of a single button when you download Trinity registration files.

Yamaha quality
Yamaha has a long history of strict quality control after decades of dedication to world class quality and durability. PSR-I500 is produced in a Yamaha factory in India that began operations in 2019 using the same quality control guidelines as other Yamaha factories. There, PSR-I500 has undergone a variety of durability tests ranging from exposure to extreme temperatures and humidity, to dropping the keyboards and pushing the keys aggressively over extended periods of time.