Yamaha GS2 Preset FM Synthesizer

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Yamaha launched the GS1 and GS2 preset synthesisers in 1981 and 1982. They were among the first synthesisers whose sound generation was based on FM synthesis (Frequency Modulation Synthesis), which had been developed by musician and mathematician John Chowning. Yamaha took over the process under licence. Previously, only the Synclavier from 1978 was probably equipped with FM synthesis. Just one year after the release of GS2 / GS1, the programmable FM synthesisers DX7 and DX9 were released.

The sound of the GS2 is generated by 4 operators, where two moderators are arranged per voice. The synthesiser is 16-voice polyphonic. The keyboard consists of 73 directional and velocity-sensitive wooden keys. 3 pedals for sustain, vibrato and tremolo are available. The sound memory contains 16 sounds, and voice libraries with 48 sounds each are also available on magnetic cards. A total of around 500 sounds are available. Effects include ensemble, detune (3 levels), vibrato and tremolo. There is also a 3-band equaliser. A MIDI interface could be retrofitted.