About the Yamaha PSR-530 arranger keyboard
The Yamaha PSR-530 arranger keyboard is a great sounding musical instrument that has a wide variety of sounds and features. You can play a great piano sound just by turning the keyboard on and playing the keyboard in beautful stereo. There is an option to expand the keyboard with a sustain pedal or use the keyboard as a MIDI keyboard. I have been using a free Linux sequencer to play MIDI files through the instrument. Currently, I am using Linux Rosegarden as my music sequencer to control the MIDI instruments on my Yamaha PSR-530 keyboard. I have also had success with using MuseScore on Linux to play scoresheets on my Yamaha PSR-530 as well.
Yamaha PSR-530 Features
- Touch-sensitive 61-key keyboard for a wide range of dynamic musical expression
- An outstanding range of 200 panel voices and 12 drum kits, plus the full set of 480 XG voices
- Voice set feature automatically selects the appropriate voice parameter settings for the panel voices
- Advanced auto-accomaniment technology gives 100 fully-orchestrated accompaniment styles to back up what you play of the keyboard
- Virtual Arranger feature lets you add chord progresions to any of the auto-accompaniment styles for more music, refined accompaniment
- One Touch Setting feature automatically selects appropriate voice, effect, and other settings for the selected accompaniment style—all you have to do is select a style and play
- Large multi-function LCD display panel makes it easy to select and edit parameters
- Registration Memory saves your favorite panel settings for instant recall when needed
- Digital Effects add depth and ambience to your sound
- Minus-One and Repeat functions are ideal for learning new songs and polishing your keyboard technique
- Song recording feature lets you record four melody tracks with an accompaniment track
- Create original accompaniment styles with the User Style feature
- Multi Pads record and play short rhythmic and melodic sequences that can be used to add impact and variety to your performance
- Extend your music selection with Yamaha Music Cartridges that can be plugged in for your enjoyable automated performance, keyboard practice, and extra accompaniment styles
- Built-in amplifier and speaker system delivers top-quality sound without the need for external equipment
- A range of MIDI functions for expanded musical enjoyment (General MIDI System Level 1 and Yamaha XG compatible
Yamaha PSR-530 Review and Analysis
Yamaha PSR-530 Voices
The Yamaha PSR-530 has 200 voices, or musical instruments. The Yamaha PSR-530 has 8 drum kit styles. This is a useful range for any standard musical instrument selection that may used in a band. The standard MIDI voices are all here and sound good. There is also the full selection of Yamaha XG voices available. Do not make the same mistake that I did and assume that these are different voices. The voice set overlaps, for example, the GM MIDI grand piano is the same as the XG grand piano. The grand piano sounds different because the have different digital effects applied. Some musicians may find the selection limited in the synthesizer department. This is an arranger keyboard and does not have synthesizer capability.
Notebook
Yamaha Music Cartridge

General problems discussed on the Internet
Problem: My data is lost every time I turn off the PSR-530
Some users have complained that batteries need to be installed in the Yamaha PSR-530 arranger keyboard even when one is running directly from the mains power adaptor. This appears to be because the keyboard uses the batteries to save the volatile memory for the user settings and memory banks. Some people feel that the cartirdge also needs to draw power directly from the batteries when it is used.
I installed fresh batteries when I bought the keyboard and so I can't confirm if the Yamaha PSR-530 arranger has troubles running without the batteries. I would not be surprised if this is the case though. The user manual does not make any references to changing button batteries or other common battery types to maintain the user memory.
It is normal operation for all PSR-530 panel settings to reset to their initial settings whenever the power is turned on, except for:
- Registration memory
- User song data
- User style data
- User pad data
- MIDI transmit/receive settings
The Yamaha PSR-530 user manual does give the warning on page 12 that, "plugging or unplugging the AC power adaptor while the batteries are installed will reset the PSR-530 to the defaults."
How do I do a factory reset on the Yamaha PSR-530?
The piano style keys on the keyboard also act as a classic computer keyboard for certain factory functions. The most common factory function that users may use is the factory reset function. The Yamaha PSR-530 factory reset function can be accessed by following a simple procedure. The Yamaha PSR-530 factory reset procedure restors data and other settings to the factory preset condition. Perform a factory reset on the Yamaha PSR-530 involves pressing the red power button while holding the highest (rightmost) white key on the keyboard. You know that you are successfully perfoming a factory reset when "e;CLr:Back up" briefly appears on the user display. on the Yamaha PSR-530
Users report the power supply input coming loose
I have not directly experienced this issue myself, however, I have read on forums that the power supply and sometimes even the left output jack terminals come loose. I would not be suprised if this is a common issue as the terminals and in particular the cables hang unsupported out the back of the keyboard case.
What is GM System Level 1?
GM System Level 1 is an addition to the MIDI standard which ensures that any GM-compatible music data can be accurately played on any GM-compatible tone generator, regardless of the manufacturer. The GM mark is added to all software and hardware products that support the GM System Level 1. More information about this standard can be found at the official website, General MIDI 1 (GM1) specification.
What is MIDI XG?
XG is a MIDI format created by Yamaha which significantly improves and expands upon the GM System Level 1 standard by providing a greater variety of high quality voices plus considerably enhanced effect operation while being fully compatible with GM. More information can be found in the official documentation, Yamaha XG Format specification.
Yamaha PSR-530 Resources
- Yamaha PSR-530 Owner's Manual
- Yamaha PSR-530 Service Manual
- Yamaha PSR Tutorials - these tutorials are a bit advanced for the PSR-530 but it is interesting to read where the platform has progressed to
- The Unofficial Yamaha Keyboard resource site - a gazillion links to all things Yamaha MIDI
- Midi for the Masses - recreations of classic electronic tunes
- Million Dollar Collection of sheet music - 4,597 music titles all in sheet music
- How to make yourinstruments sound realistic - a beginners guide to getting the best sounds out of your arranger keyboard