Yamaha PC-50 Portasound Synthesizer

The PortaSound PC-50 is an entry-level portable music keyboard. The Portasound PS and PSS synthesiser series were produced in the 1980s and 1990s as mostly low-cost models. The first series, the PS-1, PS-2 and PS-3, was launched in 1980. The name Portasound refers to the portability of the instruments, which are battery-operated. Some were designed for children and are equipped with small buttons and simple preset functions. A card reading system was introduced in 1982, allowing players to learn and play along with sequenced songs. Some higher-end keyboards have advanced features such as programmable synthesiser controls, midi capability and sampler functions.

The PC-50 is 6-voice polyphonic with a 44-key keyboard. A playcard system is used for learning to play, with programmed magnetic strips for melody, voices, chords, rhythm accompaniment, drums, bass line and instrumental voices.Orchestra has the voices organ, violin, clarinet, piano, harpsichord and vibraphone, the rhythm section on march, waltz, slow rock, jazz rock, swing, rumba. An automatic bass chord function is used to set automatic minor, seventh and minor seventh chords.