Akira Nakamura is a Yamaha engineer associated with two of the company's most celebrated and contrasting synthesizers — the fully analog CS-80 and the advanced digital SY-99 workstation.

The CS-80 (1976) is revered for its dual layers, ribbon controller, aftertouch-sensitive keyboard, and rich, complex tone. Weighing over 200 pounds, it became a legend through Vangelis's "Blade Runner" score and remains one of the most sought-after vintage synthesizers.

The SY-99 extended Yamaha's FM and sample-based synthesis into a professional workstation format with expanded memory and multitimbral capabilities. Nakamura's span across these projects illustrates Yamaha's evolution from analog craftsmanship to digital workstation leadership.

Notable products: Yamaha CS-80, SY-99.