Yamaha YC61 Organ First Impressions 

I play this thing live and it's a joy to use. The details make a big difference. The display is easy to read. Navigation is simple and tweaking in real time is super handy. My favorite feature is the ability to play a sustained chord, and change the patch while I'm holding it without the sustained chord being affected. The overdrive and Leslie are good enough that I don't really miss my Mini Vent and Tall & Fat. In fact, the aggressive overdrive makes me wonder if I'll ever need my Organ Grinder again. The sounds cover all the bread-and-butter things I need. Certainly, I can get a better piano sound, truer organ sound, fatter synth sound, and wider variety of choices for each sound using other instruments, but that's not the point with this instrument. It is light, versatile, and well-rounded with its capabilities. It is the perfect "grab and run" keyboard that I can take to gigs with tiny stages, jams and rehearsals with no serious compromises.

Nice sentiment at the end, Nick. "A rising tide raises all ships" as the saying goes.

I am looking forward to this one, Nick! When I tried it, I was not impressed by the leslie simulation, but I would really appreciate if you would run it through the old 122.

Love Hammonds. Had a great C3 about 40 years ago and now own an all original 1975 B3 with pedals and Reverb, and a DI box. I also own this YC 61 keyboard. I play out with a Nord Stage four and on top with a compact waterfall Nord Stage 3. I used Yamahas for many years and i'm glad to see they had a wake up call in the last 5 years or so. I also own a new Korg Nautilus 88 which is great for a workstation. Thank you for sharing and keep up the good work. Rocky.

Thanks again Nick, and thank you for the thank you too. I thought I was going to be wowed by the Yamaha but sadly not, of course it’s all subject to the limitations of t’internet, so your opinions are crucial to our understanding. BTW, you’re really not old, I was reflecting that my journey started as a Saturday boy in an organ shop in the early seventies which started by love of Hammond / Leslie (and some early Lowreys too). Keep up the good work 👍

Yeah, that's definitely the old leslie sim. Sounds like absolute garbage when sped up. The update on the new OS is 1,000,000 times better.

A nice all around keyboard...priced right with quality pianos...not my cup of tea...but, certainly appealing...kudos, once again for sharing your thoughts!

Hey Nick, if you’re not sure if you’re using the latest Leslie sim or not it’s really worth finding out and doing the review again with the new updated model. It is quite simply night and day from the two (terrible) sims they released at launch, and is a huge part of the board’s appeal.

Thank you, Nick. FYI I'm pretty sure, watching this twice, that you worked the old Leslie model, but NOT the new 'Studio' Leslie update model. Disappointing, but I'd think they should have made it the initial default model used, but this sure didn't sound like that updated model. Even to a layman watching from the sidelines.

I've the Yc73, very great machine for live

Hey Nick!!! I’m itching for a review of the Hammond XK4!!!! Man I hope those drawbars click too! Sometimes I feel about as old school as you when it comes to these organs… and the kicker? I’m 38! First learned the Hammond when I was in late teens.

I like it. Best one yet (without a Leslie) Came to life with a touch of reverb. Did the keybed feel good?

You can make a clean Leslie without the OD in the edit menu , or selecting A/B leslie 🎹🎹🎶🎶👍🏻👍🏻

Firmware version? With the v1.2 comes night&day leslie simulation update. RotaryA--->Studio (new, improved), RotaryB---> old, distorted.

Forgot to ask, Nick, how close does the YC 61 action feel to a vintage Hammond?

I have the YC-73 which is great but I would still prefer the Nord Electro 6HP for the sound libraries available

You haven't played "Wooly Bully watch it now" on any of these keyboards so it's impossible to decide if there is a winner.🤣 Haven't seen that comment for a while 🤭 so I thought I'd be helpful and throw it in. Hope he's ok. What you talkin bout Willis? You're not that old 😄👍

Had to return the Nord D6 due to faulty keys. Looking for an solid replacement. Which is the better choice in your experience Hammond sk-pro or Yamaha yc61?

Please redo this with updated firmware😊

Hi, Nick. What firmware version is it currently running? Yamaha did a big firmware update on the Leslie sim recently, so it might not be up to speed. I'm curious how you think it compares to the Nord Electro. Is the lack of high trigger point on the YC a big issue?

Not wowed by this one, Nick. There’s something lacking.

Song at 5:46?

I wanted to like this keyboard... as a Yamaha guy! Modx is fantastic. But this organ sounds anaemic to me. If you want a generic rock organ to play in a cover band... it's fine. But if you want a thick... aggressive John Lord/Keith Emerson sound... This organ has a strange hollow, transparent tone. The Leslie is great... but the organ is lacking. They should have used the CK organ... with this Leslie. I heard through review... "Not too bad"... "Not too bad". And I'd have to agree. The YC61 is not too bad. I'm not a fan, unfortunately.

This is the worst terrible demo of YC61 you can find world-wide

The organ sound is very ..er...um..."ordinary". The Leslie simulation is a disaster!!!! Thumbs down on this "toy".

Forgot to ask, Nick, how close does the YC 61 action feel to a vintage Hammond?