DAWJunkie has released DSS-130SE, a free sample-based plugin inspired by the Yamaha PSS-130 keyboard for macOS and Windows.
I’m always on the lookout for plugins that bring these quirky 1980s consumer keyboards into the DAW world, and DSS-130SE is exactly that kind of freebie.
The original Yamaha PSS-130 came out in 1987. From the modern producer’s perspective, a budget-friendly “home keyboard” isn’t worth much, but these old instruments have a lo-fi charm that’s not so easy to replicate with modern synths.
Dawjunkie went all-in on that vibe by sampling the instrument directly and then building a lightweight virtual version with a handful of modern conveniences.
If you’ve ever used an old toy synth, you’ll know part of the appeal is the slightly crunchy and noisy character you get from those old PCM samples. That character often works well today, especially in lo-fi genres or when layered with more polished modern instruments.
I love using sounds like this to add that little bit of grit to an arrangement. If you’re into this sort of thing, you’ll feel right at home with DSS-130SE.
And for what it’s worth, I’ve sampled quite a few similar machines myself over the years. There’s a lot of it to find on our website, from Yamaha’s SHS-10 toy keytar to Game Boy sounds and Commodore 64 synth patches, all of which you can still find in the BPB downloads section for free.
But let’s get back to DAWJunkie’s latest freebie.
DSS-130SE’s interface sticks closely to the original keyboard aesthetic while adding a clean set of creative controls.
You get an ADSR envelope, a simple low-pass filter with resonance and envelope depth, plus built-in reverb and delay. There’s even a one-button compressor and a “Crunch” switch if you want a more saturated tone right out of the box.
The sound selection mirrors the PSS-130’s limited but fun palette: piano, xylophone, violin, and clarinet. The on-screen keyboard makes it easy to audition sounds quickly, and the waveform display gives you a visual sense of how the samples behave.
According to the developer who shared this with our community, this release is “a play on the old Yamaha consumer-grade PSS-130,” sampled directly and enhanced with a few extras. It’s a simple instrument, but that’s also why it’s fun to use.
DSS-130SE is available now as a free download. The plugin runs on macOS and Windows in standard formats (VST3, AU—depending on the developer’s release bundle). You can grab it right away after submitting your name and email address.
Download: DSS-130SE
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Last Updated on November 20, 2025 by Tomislav Zlatic.
