The instrument
The PortaSound PSS-170 from 1986 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.
Details
The 4-voice polyphonic FM synthesiser has a keyboard with 44 small keys (F1 to C5) for children. The ROM contains 100 sounds and the rhythms 8 Beat, 16 Beat, Country, Samba, Bossa Nova, Disco, March, Swing, 12 Beat, Waltz. There is Auto Accompaniment with the functions Single Finger, Auto Bass Chord, Auto Chord, Auto Bass and the effects Portamento, Vibrato and Sustain.