Sound Vision

Since ancient times, music has moved people’s hearts and elicited countless feelings and emotions. Music can bring us to the heights of joy, move us to nostalgia, and ease our sadness. For more than a century, Yamaha has supplied the world with pianos and other sophisticated acoustic instruments, and has been closely entwined with the emotions evoked by music. In addition to providing the instruments themselves, we are deeply involved in many aspects of music, among them materials and manufacturing methods that enhance musical performance.

Advances in technology have given rise to electronic musical instruments, while advances in digital technology and signal processing technology have led to a new fusion between the acoustic and digital realms, as evidenced by silent musical instruments. Additionally, we have expanded beyond the field of musical instruments and into peripheral technologies, creating enhanced acoustic spaces, and are now providing a variety of musical functions using network technologies. We are also exploring new possibilities in music production, as represented by VOCALOID. And now, as we approach the landmark of our 125th anniversary coming up in 2012, we at Yamaha have launched a venture with a completely fresh viewpoint: communication through sound, with Yamaha’s acoustic technology playing the central role.

In the midst of noise, information is clearly conveyed to listeners at a low volume. Conversely, the content of confidential conversation is protected when the speakers prefer not to be overheard. We’re also multiplexing digital information that is inaudible on top of sound, giving us seamless access to various kinds of digital information while listening to music at the same time. Acoustic technology such as these may sound like something we can only dream of, but actually, it’s already within our grasp. Communication via sound had the power to bring people together long before we had written language. By looking at sound differently, as a communication medium, Yamaha is turning the spotlight on the value of sound from a completely new angle.