On board amplification adds convenience and versatility

The synthesizer is essentially the Juno 106, which the Frankfurt Fair confirmed as the most popular low-priced polyphonic synthesizer in the world. The difference is that the HS-60 is equipped with 16 watts of on-board monitoring, so when you're using it off stage you can get enough sound to wake up even the most somnolent of neighbours without using independent amplification. This is particularly important since the HP-60 like the Juno 106 is fundamentally a stereo keyboard and to get the full richness and depth of the on-board Chorus two separate amplifiers are required. Setting aside the extra convenience of on-board monitors, the cost of a couple of practise amplifiers of similar power would be around £150.

For anyone who needs reminding, the basic synthesizer is a 61-note polyphonic capable of storing 128 patches (tape dump is also provided). It uses pitch stable DCO's and the ability of these oscillators to deliver hard, cutting lead sound and of the Chorus to give rich, swirling layered effects when required make it a synthesizer of exceptional versatility. It has MIDI In, Out and Through jacks, and an unusual function is its capability for polyphonic portamento.

The monitors are placed at either end of the keyboard and use 10 cm speakers capable of handling the wide range of sounds a synthesizer can give (ordinary practise amps might not be). A characteristically thoughtful touch on an already massively successful keyboard.