Unusual, vintage and exotic electronic instruments and recording equipment.
Yamaha Ensemble Mixer EM-90
Yamaha Ensemble Mixer EM-90
Yamaha Ensemble Mixer EM-90
Yamaha Ensemble Mixer EM-90
Yamaha Ensemble Mixer EM-90
Yamaha Ensemble Mixer EM-90
Yamaha Ensemble Mixer EM-90
Yamaha Ensemble Mixer EM-90
Yamaha Ensemble Mixer EM-90
Yamaha Ensemble Mixer EM-90
Yamaha Ensemble Mixer EM-90
Yamaha Ensemble Mixer EM-90
Yamaha Ensemble Mixer EM-90
Yamaha Ensemble Mixer EM-90

Product

Yamaha Ensemble Mixer EM-90

Brand: yamaha

Categories: Compact Mixers, Drum Machines, Other Processors, Processors & Effects, Studio Gear, Synths & Drum Machines

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Great looking and sounding 1970s mixer amp with built-in spring reverb and a unique drum machine.

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You missed it!

Obviously these babies are not common. Most we get don’t make it to our site so get in touch if you are looking for one.

See more studio gear & mixers for sale

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

1970s mixer with a truckload of sonic character? Spring reverb? Unique drum machine? Amazing looks? You CAN have it all!

Serviced and ready to ship. See note below about the remaining issue (does not affect studio use!).

Description

Yamaha EM-90 mixer for sale. Hear the drum machine in action below.

NOTE: This mixer is serviced, recapped and sounding great. However the speaker outputs and the headphone out do not work. The line out is unaffected so it can be used as normal as a studio tool. This is because a couple of the internal amps have gone and these are pretty obscure and not easily replaced.

This groundbreaking mixer/beatbox/spring reverb series was used by Mtume to astonishing effect when he played with Miles Davis (who’d been gifted this, along with a YC-45D organ by his Japanese tour sponsors, Yamaha) on the live Agharta, Pangea and Dark Magus recordings. Mtume put it through his Mu-tron Bi-Phase and controlled it with a volume pedal, using the beatbox more for texture (‘tapestry’ as he put it) than rhythm. Read more about these incredible recordings in this excellent article from The Quietus.

This is the less common version without the later “A” – that one is black, silver and blue with hifi-type knobs, whereas this is an earlier vision in cream and green. While both the EM90 and EM90A sound the same, we suspect it was the slightly later “A” that would’ve been presented to Miles by Yamaha.

The basic spec is below, but first this original advert unearthed by the always superb Preservation Sound really says it all (and a lot more besides 🙂 ):

Original advert for Yamaha EM-90 mixer

Spec:

  • Six channels with 1/4” inputs on the front
  • Line, Guitar, Mic switch for each channel
  • Treble, Bass, Volume and a reverb switch for each channel as well.
  • A, B, Speaker mute button for each channel
  • Built in Drum Machine With the following patterns: March, Waltz, Swing, Slow Rock, Jazz Rock, Rhumba, Bosanova, Tango + Tempo and Volume knob for the Drum machine

Condition

Has some low level chips, scuffs and other minor signs of age, but overall this is a great looking piece of kit. Please see photos or get in touch if you require more information on condition.

Voltage Information

100v Japanese model - it will run on North American mains 115/120v without a transformer (we run all our tests using 120v power); however, a step-down transformer is recommended for extended use. A step-down transformer is required in the UK/EU. We do not recommend using cheap generic Chinese mains transformers and can supply a high quality UK-made unit if required.

Tax

For sales in UK the price will include 20% VAT. Buyers elsewhere may incur VAT or other local taxes on import.

Video Demo

Another of these we had through recently

DIG DEEPER...

Yamaha Ensemble Mixer EM-90

Tips & Tricks

Harder or Softer (or why you should get out of the box, & how to do it)

“Why buy a hardware synth when I can fill my laptop with software versions that are lighter, more flexible and require little maintenance." So, why should you...

PUBLISHED: 26th Nov 2019

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USEFUL RESOURCES

Variations in the design of small, Japanese-made audio mixers from the 1970s

Gear Info

Choosing a Vintage Mixer

A demo-heavy post singing the praises of the humble compact vintage analogue mixer. Featuring Teac, Tascam, Boss, Sony, Yamaha and more...

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EXPLORE ALL RESOURCES

TESTIMONIALS

"When you are spending big money of vintage gear it's nice to have the confidence of impeccable service, sales and support... some of the best in the industry! Impeccable people, incredible equipment… my poor poor fiancé"

James DLR - Sofa Sound/Metalheadz

Purchased a Juno-60 and it works beautifully. Having gotten one teched before, I knew it was worth paying a premium to get it future proofed and Soundgas does just that. Shipped professionally from the UK to USA. Appreciate their expertise and professional demeanor!

Eric Cullen

Grabbed a Roland RE-201 (early edition killer pre-amp) and Roland DC-50. Absolutely STUNNING. These guys truly live up to the hype. They are meticulous in caring for the gear. Also, I have a few guitar pedal and plug-in emulations of tape-echo sounds and after plugging in the real unit I can't tell you how insane the difference is. It is incredible. Especially that tone from the early pre-amp! I am totally amazed. I am in heaven :) They made it safely to Nashville from the UK and were packed really really well! Thank you so much!! Worth every penny.

Chance Allen

"The packing job to get it over to the US was superb, and the sound and performance of my Space Echo exceeds all of my expectations. I hope to do business with Soundgas again in the future. Many thanks!”

Rhett Daily

Fantastic. From initial contact to the product landing at my door the service provided was outstanding. Safe and secure shipping, quality serviced product.

Tom Johnston

“The Space Echo made its way to me - it looks and sounds beyond dreams, thanks guys for your great service and communication.”

Julius Bonson

"808 is up and running. It’s hard to stop playing it. Like even to eat. Extending testing is quality control and the quality of your stuff combined with customer service is one of the reasons Soundgas is so successful in my opinion."

Brett R

"Still in shock! Can not believe how good the seller is. This product was inspected, and shipped from the UK to the USA quicker than orders from my home state. Highly recommend these guys."

Thomas Tedesco

As good as it gets. Tony, Dec and team have been incredible, prompt communication, great advice and outstanding service. It really felt like my Polysix came from a loving home.

Ben Parm

“Imagine the perfect eBay.... with everything you never knew you wanted… and you can rest assured that your vintage and rare wobbly sound device will turn up on time and in one piece and possibly in even better condition that when it left the workshop. Soundgas - literally amazing."

Josh Lloyd-Watson & Tom McFarland - Jungle

“I have bought two Moog synths from Soundgas over the past year, and I cannot say enough wonderful things about their selection of vintage products, the level of service, diligent responses to email, and expedient shipping with copious protective packaging. Soundgas is an impressive operation. My synths also sound amazing! These folks have made my vintage keyboard dreams come true in short order!”

J Yates

Just wanted to say thank you so much for your pinch roller and echo tape. I've had a space echo for years, been sent to a shop in NYC and it never worked quite right. After installing the roller and tape, my echo works like a dream. Really incredible expertise you all have! Thank you.

Andrew Potter

"Packed with love and care. A stampede couldn't have crushed this thing. Works great and sounds like a dream. I love you Soundgas."

Ben Van Vlissingen

"Engaging with old gear can sometimes be filled with a lot of uncertainty, and I can't imagine what more could be done to reduce this aspect of it on top of the service you provide. Really phenomenal and I couldn't be happier."

Stephen Voinea

"Yes, sure, you can find a Space Echo on eBay, but you won’t find one like this — that’s certain. I am so pleased with my decision to buy from Soundgas, and suggest you stop your search now and just send them a message. You will undoubtedly find yourself writing an ecstatic review about yours in short time."

Ben Evolo

"DREAM. COME. TRUE. My music has taken me around the world a few times...and if you are like me and absolutely adore vintage gear...Soundgas is the stuff of LEGENDS. It's the shop that people like us search for our whole lives- fantastic and rare selections, and the technical know-how to repair and or mod these vintage items to get them into shape to flow with your modern setup."

Tom Gossin

“If you are a vintage audio gear head then this is the place you have been looking for all your life. Pretty much any piece of classic or obscure kit that you are after is available here... But the clincher for me is that the gear they sell has been restored by their top techs (unless otherwise noted) which is really very important when dealing with, for example, synths from 30 years ago.”

Lincoln Barrett / High Contrast

"Soundgas offer a great service, sourcing esoteric gear that works great."

Tom Rowlands - Chemical Brothers

“The perfect place to hear, learn about and then buy your most wanted piece of vintage music gear! I've not only managed to buy a rare piece of equipment I really wanted, but I have the guarantee it's been serviced, and I got it from people who are clearly passionate and knowledgeable about what they do, as well as super friendly and responsive by email. Thoroughly recommended!”

Colleen / Cécile Schott

“I purchased a completely overhauled vintage valve Binson Echorec 2 T7E modified with varispeed, wet-only output, and a new paint job from Soundgas in early 2018. Tony and his team did an amazing job during every step of the purchase”

Matt Morton

“I’ve bought a number of items from Soundgas recently, and have been really impressed with their service. It takes the stress out of buying vintage gear to know it’s been properly (and faithfully) serviced or restored. Their after-sales service has also been exemplary. Highly recommended.”

David Wrench

"Just received my Roland RS 505 Paraphonic! Thanks so much - arrived very promptly, well packaged, in great condition and sounds amazing! Best seller."

Koko Hiras

I have been buying vintage stuff for a long time from resellers/stores/techs. I've never been so surprised and pleased after opening! Just received a Roland RE-201 and VX55 mixer, they look and sound amazing! Thanks to Tony/Declan for the service and the Soundgas team will be back!

Dong Yun Seok

“If not a new language, then at least a very challenging, old dialect that will take me some time to assimilate. I’ve been waiting a long time for the challenge. Thank you @soundgasltd, she’s a beaut...and nobody prepares and packs like you fine folks.”

Justin Meldal-Johnsen

"Soundgas provided the absolutely top service in terms of item quality as well as service and communication. Shipping was fast, packing was top notch. These people deserve the best reputation they already have. Many many thanks, guys."

Dupille Luc

"Finally, a company that tracks down all those brilliant curiosities that bring so much character and personality to a studio."

Matthew Herbert

"Excellent equipment, wonderful service. I fully recommend Soundgas to anyone in the vintage gear market and I will definitely be a return customer. The gear itself was exactly as advertised and in great condition."

Hallam Kite

"Soundgas has an unbelievable selection of the cool, old stuff that’s hard to find. Tony knows his stuff and goes out of his way to make sure the transaction is a smooth one. Thanks guys!"

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OUR GUARANTEE

We stand behind our gear with a guarantee of your satisfaction - see the FAQ section above for full details and buy with complete confidence.

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When buying more than one item you only pay the shipping on the item with the highest shipping cost. Calculated automatically at checkout.

NEED HELP?

Get in touch via the contact page. We know & love our gear and we want to ensure you get something that matches your needs (that, and we just like talking gear).

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