Walkstation
A walkstation is an electronic music device which provides musicians with the facilities of a music workstation in a portable package. The term was introduced as part of the marketing for the Yamaha QY10[1], presumably as a portmanteau of Walkman and workstation[2]. Its usage is typically limited to the portable members of Yamaha's QY sequencer family[3].
The Yamaha QY10 - the device for which the term walkstation was originally coined
The features of a walkstation are:
- sound module
- music sequencer
- (usually) a small musical keyboard.
- small size
- battery power
The heyday of the walkstation lay between the time when creating such devices was viable and the time when general-purpose portable devices, such as laptops and mobile phones, were capable of offering comparable functionality.
Devices
Yamaha QY70
| Manufacturer | Device | Year | MIDI | Keyboard | Sequencer tracks | Accompanyment tracks | User accompanyment | Digital Effects | Storage media |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha | QY10 | 1990 | Yes | 1 octave | 4 | 4 | Yes | No | No |
| Yamaha | QY20 | 1992 | Yes | 2 octaves | 4 | 4 | Yes | No | No |
| Yamaha | QY8 | 1994 | Yes | None | 4 | 4 | No | No | No |
| Yamaha | QY22 | 1995 | GM | 2 octaves | 4 | 4 | Yes | No | No |
| Yamaha | QY70 | 1997 | GM/XG | 2 octaves | 16 | 8 | Yes | Yes | No |
| Yamaha | QY100 | 2000 | GM/XG | 2 octaves | 16 | 8 | Yes | Yes | SmartMedia |
Other comparable devices:
| Manufacturer | Device | Year | MIDI | Keyboard | Sequencer tracks | Accompanyment tracks | User accompanyment | Digital Effects | Storage media |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philips | PMC-100 | 1986 | No | 2 octaves | 1 | 5 | No | No | Cassette tape |
| Roland | PMA-5 | 1996 | GM/GS | 2 octaves | 4 | 4 | Yes | Yes | No |
More recent portable music workstations:
- Teenage Engineering OP-1
- Cyberstep KDJ-ONE
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References
- Trask, Simon (May 1991). "Yamaha QY10". Music Technology. Music Maker Publications (UK).
- Russ, Martin (August 1994). "Yamaha QY300". Sound on Sound. SOS Publications Group.
- Johnson, Derek; Poyser, Debbie (August 1996). "Roland PMA5". Sound on Sound. SOS Publications Group.
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