In 1989 Yamaha launched a digital workstation V50 featuring a MIDI keyboard and comprising a sequencer, FM synthesis core and a rhythm machine. The 61-note keyboard supports aftertouch and is velocity sensitive.

There are 4 oscillators per voice generating one of the 8 available waveforms. Sound operators feature 8 algorithms. The sound engine is represented with digital FM synthesis and a PCM rhythm machine. There’s a built-in 8-track sequencer allowing up to 8 songs. The rhythm machine section offers 61 PCM samples offering 100 preset patterns and 100 user ones. The rhythm machine can be set and adjusted in a real time mode so that the rhythm could be altered while you keep the sound playback and vice versa – the rhythm can run while you make some changes in the overall performance. There are 31 effects represented with delays and reverbs which can be configured by a user though you can not stack multiple effects – only one at a time.

V50 has a 16-voice polyphony and an 8-part multitimbrality. 4 operators (oscillators) constitute the FM synthesis and provide you with 8 position algorithms. The sound module gives an access to 100 presets and 100 user patches. You can create layered sounds. There are 11 tunings available. V50 offers a floppy drive and a memory card slot for storing the patches.