Yamaha YDS-120 Electric Saxophone Review
Yamaha YDS-120 Electric Saxophone Review
Ok before we get down to it, this page has 2 reviews so you can see how to very different players view the Yamaha YDS-120. To help I have separated these two with a couple of horizontal lines – nothing fancy, just utilitarian.
Yamaha YDS 120 Electric Saxophone Review
Introduction
Last year, I reviewed the Yamaha YDS 150 Electric Saxophone and, while I really wanted to like this instrument, I found it to be a big letdown. Since then, Yamaha has released another version, the Yamaha YDS 120, which I’m going to review for you. In the meantime, we can only hope that Yamaha improves on this model.
Let’s find out if they fixed the problems I found in the original version and if this is the electric saxophone you’re looking for.
Initial Impressions
Two major criticisms I had of the original YDS 150 were its completely useless metal bell and the real saxophone mouthpiece that didn’t do anything for me. The bell and the mouthpiece only served as some sort of bizarre saxophone placebo.
I was very happy to see that they ditched both of these features on the new model. The entire instrument is significantly smaller and a bit lighter, making it much more practical as a saxophone practice tool, especially if you’re going to be traveling with it.
Design Changes
I particularly like the new mouthpiece design, which is comfortable and functional. There’s no need for a fake reed and ligature here. Apart from that, this model is identical to the original YDS 150, so there wasn’t much development work that went into this. All they did was remove the bell and reduce the price. The YDS 150 sells for about £593, while the YDS 120 sells for about £343. Wait a second, are you telling me that removing this little piece of brass knocks 250 pounds off the price? There have to be more differences, right?
Key Differences
There are some key differences. This new version doesn’t come with a case, which I wish they hadn’t removed. They also removed Bluetooth. On the original YDS 150, you could wirelessly connect to devices so you could have music or backing tracks play through headphones or the speaker. That’s mainly how I would use this instrument, whether it’s practicing with the metronome or with playalongs. Not having Bluetooth is a major issue for me. There is an audio input, so you can hear your external audio with a wired connection.
Still, that doesn’t add up to a £250 difference, does it?
Playing Experience
That’s where playing B flat is at. On my YDS 150 with the useless bell and mouthpiece, I had a major problem with key responsiveness. I had to press really hard, otherwise the wrong notes would play. The new YDS 120 is much better in that regard, but not perfect. There’s still one note that doesn’t always trigger unless I press really hard. That’s my low B. So as long as I don’t have to play any low B’s, I’m good.
Practice Tool
I’ve been reviewing and playing electric saxophones for a long time, and the trend in recent years has been to create instruments intended as quiet practice tools rather than for performance. So, I’m looking at the YDS 120 strictly as a practice tool, and for that reason, it is a huge improvement over the YDS 150. It’s smaller, lighter, and cheaper. The key layout is just like a real saxophone. It’s comfortable and mainly quiet, although a few keys do squeak a bit. A little oil might fix that.
Battery and Connectivity
My other complaint about both YDS models is that they don’t have rechargeable batteries. Instead, they opted for Triple A’s, which don’t last very long, especially if you’re using the external speaker. You can power it with a USB cable, but then it’s not wireless anymore.
Sound Quality
Alto 3… Alto 6… Alto 7… Soprano 4… Tenor 11… Baritone 5… The onboard sounds are identical on both instruments. You get 56 saxophone sounds, none of which sound very much like a real saxophone, so I don’t really see the point. Why have so many? There are a few other sounds as well. There’s a harmonica, some kind of flute, and another synth.
App Integration
Like its predecessor, the YDS 120 can be controlled by Yamaha’s dedicated app, allowing you to program altissimo fingerings and change the sounds. However, since they removed Bluetooth with this version, you have to connect it to your phone with a cable. Oh, it’s a micro USB. Are we still using that?
I have numerous cables at home, but none of them is micro USB to lightning, so if you’re like me and have an iPhone, you’ll need to order a special cable to connect this to your phone to use the app. Since the app is the only way to program altissimo fingerings, it’s pretty important. So, that’s a bummer.
Conclusion
Here’s my conclusion. The Yamaha YDS 120 is a significant improvement over its predecessor. You’re getting nearly the exact same device for 45% less money. It’s going to be a lot easier to travel with or just leave on your desk because it’s so much smaller.
The main drawbacks are the lack of Bluetooth connectivity and a rechargeable battery. Still, with a couple of cables, you can do everything on this device as you can on the much more expensive version, so it’s a no-brainer which one of these you should buy. The key response is still a bit iffy, but if you get one that works well, you’ve got a good saxophone practice tool that a lot of people will enjoy.
Suggestions to Yamaha
Here are my suggestions to Yamaha: put Bluetooth connectivity back in this, make the key response rock solid, switch to a rechargeable battery, and make the connector USB-C. Those changes would make this a fantastic product. Now someone else has already made an even smaller digital practice tool that has all of those features and comes with a case, so go ahead and watch my review of the Travel Sax 2 to see if this might be a better choice for you.
Yamaha YDS-120 Electric Saxophone Review Pt.2
Additional Insights by Attic Dandtara
Yamaha’s new Electric Saxophone. It is the Yamaha YDS-120. The name of the recently released YDS-120 is long and it is a bit difficult to pronounce. I will just call it 120. You know what the YDS in front means, right? I’ve explained it a few times on my channel, and it’s called YDS, which means Yamaha Electric Saxophone. For reference, the alto saxophone I have is YAS. Of course, it means Yamaha alto saxophone, right? Anyway, the 120 was released, and I thought it would be good to compare it with the 150, so I’m going to start the review like this.
Yamaha’s History of Electronic Wind Instruments
Before starting the comparative Yamaha YDS-120 electric saxophone review, I was a little curious as to why they released the 120 when there was a 150. I’ll cover that part as well after the 120 reviews. Let me start by briefly talking about the history of Yamaha’s electronic wind instruments. Lilicon came out in the 1970s. After receiving consulting from Lilicon’s session, the product released in 1987 is the WX7. I tried to get this product, but there were almost none for sale.
One day, I’ll make sure to show it to you. The following year, in 1988, the WX11 was released. Voila, it’s the WX11. I had a hard time getting it. Looking at it now, compared to the products that came out in 1988, it’s really well-made. And the WX5 was released in 1988, and I really like it. You know the instrument you’re proud of, right? Yes, it is the WX5. And after there was no news for a while, they suddenly released the YDS-150 in 2021, and three years later, the Yamaha YDS-120 in April of this year.
Development Philosophy
Each company may have its own development philosophy, but Yamaha’s electronic wind instruments should be as similar to real instruments as possible. There seems to be a motto that the existing WX series has a digital appearance, but they have tried to make the sound as similar as possible through an external sound source. In particular, it is the Yamaha VL-70M. The Yamaha VL-70M is a masterpiece that has even had sound source tuning done overseas and is still in use.
This is one of them. I’m not talking about it because I own it. This time, Yamaha released a product with the same shape as a saxophone, and I bought it right away. That’s the 150. The Yamaha YDS-120 has no bells, so the appearance of a saxophone has disappeared a bit, and it feels like an electronic instrument. Actually, I bought this brass bell because I was fascinated by it, but I store the bell like I would with an actual musical instrument, thinking that the bell is gold or jade, but I think I have less to worry about with the 120.
Unboxing and Appearance
I will end the story here, open the box and review it. Let’s get started. Today’s review order is as follows.
- First, we will unbox and look at the product’s appearance.
- Second, we will check the basic functions of the Yamaha YDS-120.
- Third, we will connect and set up the app.
- Lastly, we will compare it to the 150 and see what I will talk about and whether I would recommend it to someone.
As I always say, this is a review that contains a lot of my subjective opinion. When purchasing, please use your personal judgment. First, let’s open the box. When you open it like this, the contents are simpler than you think. Yamaha YDS-120 and The manual is included. The bag is not included. I think I’ll have to look for a pretty bag.
Now that I’ve opened it, let’s take a look at the exterior of the 120. Yes, we have prepared an insert cut in advance. There is a mouthpiece at the top. This mouthpiece used to be similar to a reed, but this time it has the same shape as a recorder. And when it goes down, there is a speaker, and there are keys below it.
The keys are the existing YDS- It’s the same shape as the 150, so it’s the same shape as a saxophone. The bottom has a triangular shape so that it can stand upright. And at the bottom, there’s a drain hole where the needle comes out. And if you look at the back, you’ll find the power button, the voice to control the tone and the volume. Underneath that there is a function button.
You can perform various functions by combining them with the function button. It would be more accurate to refer to the menu for this part than my explanation. Below it is an octave button. The top is the octave, and the bottom is the octave. This is the low A key. The low A key can be used on a baritone saxophone.
There is a space for batteries at the bottom. Four AAA batteries are used. There is a thumb ring below and an analogue jog. Use this analogue jog. You can apply vibrato or portamento.
There is an AUX terminal and a PHONE terminal on the side. You can input an external sound source through AUX IN and send it back to the PHONE terminal, so you can export the external sound source and the sound you are playing at the same time. (AUX and PHONE).
There is a 5V USB port on the top of the terminal. It is a port that can supply power at 5V. It can also be used as MIDI when connected to a PC or tablet. A YDS Controller, a dedicated app, can also be connected via a USB cable through this port. As in the case of 150, It’s really pretty. Now that we’ve looked at the exterior, we’ll take a look at the functionality.
Functionality
But before that, there’s one thing we need to do. What is it? I am attaching a mouthpiece patch to the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece patch matches the soprano saxophone patch. I tried the one I have that is compatible with the alto, but it is a bit big, so I think I can attach a patch that is compatible with the soprano. Now that I have attached the patch, this Electric Saxophone is mine. Isn’t it fun?
Sorry. As I mentioned earlier, the mouthpiece is a recorder type, so all you have to do is blow on this part. It looks simple, right? However, I think there may be some likes and dislikes about this, but I think it’s a good idea. I’ll talk about the reason later. The key feel is a little lighter than that of an actual saxophone. I see this as an advantage, but the saxophone’s keys have elastic springs, so it’s easy to press. It takes a lot of force, so I think it is an advantage to be able to play with less fatigue.
Let’s try operating the product and playing. The Yamaha YDS-120 has 56 saxophone tones and 17 additional tones. Alto tone, soprano tone, tenor tone, baritone tone, and more. This is the tone. Among those who play wind instruments, the violin and cello voices, which are my favourites, unfortunately do not exist. It is an electric saxophone, but why do I look for a violin tone? I have always wondered about that. If you can leave your opinion in the comments, I would appreciate it.
If you look at the tones of the Yamaha YDS-120, there are 17 altos and 13 sopranos. There are 15 tenors and 11 baritones. Although the most popular alto and tenor tones are the most popular, no one will be able to use all of these tones. In fact, I have rarely used other instruments except Alto 01.
The tones of the 150 and 120 are very good, as I’ve heard before. I think companies that make good electronic pianos are also good at making other electronic wind instruments. I think there is a lot of know-how in sound sources. There are many people who prefer virtual sound sources over built-in sounds, but in fact, I still tend to consider built-in sound sources when purchasing an instrument.
In alto, it is E♭ -9 degrees. If you change it to tenor, it is B♭ -14 degrees. Since the key changes depending on the instrument, there will definitely be differences in likes and dislikes. For those who play the saxophone, soprano, alto or tenor Being able to select a baritone saxophone tone and play it in that key can be an advantage, but for someone who plays a C key instrument other than the saxophone, it can be embarrassing to have to transpose. There are a lot of complaints about that, and I’ll take a moment here.
What I want to tell you is that this instrument is an electronic saxophone. As a side note, if you are switching from playing a saxophone to an electronic saxophone, I recommend that you purchase the Yamaha YDS-120. For those of you who have bought other things, it breaks my heart when I see products posted on XX Market or XX Country. Well, I may not have bought it because of me, but I still think it has some influence.
I thought this instrument was good and bought it, but I don’t like it. That’s why I’m so heartbroken. I wonder why that person bought that. Think about it. An alternative to a piano is an electric piano. It’s a piano that’s almost identical to the actual piano. It’s not like a light synthesizer. The height is different and the sound is also different. The same goes for electronic instruments. There are electronic instruments that can replace a saxophone, or there are electronic instruments that can be replaced by an electronic MIDI controller.
Therefore, I hope that you will be more certain in that regard and not regret your purchase. I would like to ask you something earnestly about this. I hope you will be more specific when purchasing an electric Saxophone after reading my Yamaha YDS-120 Electric Saxophone Review.
Yamaha YDS-120 Electric Saxophone Review – FAQs
1. What are the key features of the Yamaha YDS-120 Electric Saxophone?
The Yamaha YDS-120 Electric Saxophone stands out with its realistic saxophone sound, breath sensor technology, built-in effects, and various connectivity options including USB and Bluetooth. These features make it a versatile choice for both practice and performance settings.
2. How does the Yamaha YDS-120 Electric Saxophone compare to the Yamaha YDS-150?
In our Yamaha YDS-120 Electric Saxophone Review, we found that the YDS-120 offers improved breath sensor sensitivity and additional built-in effects compared to the YDS-150. This makes the YDS-120 a more advanced option for those looking for enhanced playability and sound customization.
3. Is the Yamaha YDS-120 suitable for beginners?
Yes, the Yamaha YDS-120 Electric Saxophone is suitable for beginners. It features a user-friendly design, adjustable settings for breath sensitivity, and an array of built-in sounds and effects that can help new players develop their skills without the need for extensive setup or additional equipment.
4. How does the Yamaha YDS-120 Electric Saxophone perform in comparison to the Roland Aerophone AE-10?
When comparing the Yamaha YDS-120 Electric Saxophone to the Roland Aerophone AE-10, the YDS-120 excels in its realistic saxophone sound and advanced breath sensor technology. However, the Aerophone AE-10 offers a broader range of instrument sounds, making it a better choice for players looking for versatility beyond traditional saxophone tones.
5. What are the pros and cons of the Yamaha YDS-120 Electric Saxophone according to your review?
In our Yamaha YDS-120 Electric Saxophone Review, we highlighted several pros, including its realistic sound, advanced breath sensor, and extensive connectivity options. The cons include a higher price point compared to some other models and a slightly steeper learning curve for those new to electronic wind instruments.
