Yamaha SY77 Synthesizer
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Filed under: Keyboard Synthesizers, Music Videos, User Reviews
This is an audio demo of the Yamaha SY77 Synthesizer.
The Yamaha SY77 is a 16 voice multitimbral music workstation, introduced in 1990.
At the SY77’s introduction, a Yamaha spokesman said:
“The SY77’s sound quality is one which allows the accuracy and realism of samples to be combined with the expression of FM. The sound is stunning and eminently playable,” states a Yamaha spokesman. “The interactive hybrid voicing technique produces voices that easily surpass those which are currently available, in terms of accuracy, nuance and expression. They are so musical, that one will never want to play purely sampled instruments again!”
The SY77 uses AFM (advanced frequency modulation) synthesis, AWM (advanced wave memory) ROM based sample synthesis, and Realtime Convolution and Modulation Synthesis (RC&M).
The AFM synthesis of the SY77 is effectively a superset of the 6 operator FM synthesis available on the Yamaha DX7 and DX7II series of synthesizers. With a few minor exceptions, it is capable of all of the sounds that can be produced by those earlier keyboards and more.
Among the advantages of AFM synthesis over FM synthesis are a larger choice of algorithms and the flexible routing of feedback paths. Additionally, the RC&M synthesis it offers is a form of FM synthesis where samples in ROM are used as modulators for FM operators instead of elementary signals like sine and sawtooth waves.
The SY77 is equipped with a 61-key keyboard with velocity and aftertouch, has a large backlit LCD display, expansion slots, floppy-drive, on-board effects, and a 16,000 note sequencer. Programming is performed through a keypad on the front panel. It can generate rich, layered, multi-timbral sounds and there are large libraries of patches available for it.
The SY77 and SY99 were the last Yamaha “flagship” workstations to be natively capable of full-fledged FM synthesis that had been introduced with the DX line.
If you’ve used the Yamaha SY77, leave a comment with your thoughts/ratings!
Features:
- Advanced Wave Memory – Second-generation Advanced Wave Memory (AWM2) offers unmatched sample playback quality.
- Advanced Frequency Modulation – Advanced Frequency Modulation (AFM) provides a dramatic boost in FM sound quality and programming versatility.
- Realtime Convolution & Modulation – Realtime Convolution & Modulation (RCM) achieves a new fusion of sample realism and the expressive power of FM.
- Extensive Sample Layering – SY77’s versatile 1, 2, or 4-element voice architecture and complex envelope generators provide extensive sample layering capabilities.
- Advanced Digital Filters – Advanced digital filters provide dynamic timbre control.
- Programmable Envelope Generators – Multiple complex programmable envelope generators are featured.
- Dynamic Panning – Dynamic Panning for sonic animation.
- Programmable Aftertouch and Assignable Controllers – Key velocity and after-touch pressure can be assigned to control pitch, filtering, AWM2 modulation level and/or a range of AFM parameters. Assigned parameters can be controlled in a positive or negative direction. There’s also an extra assignable center-detented wheel and several assignable controllers in addition to the pitch and modulation wheels.
- Internal Digital Signal Processors – Four internal digital signal processors provide essential ambience, two for reverb effects and two for modulation.
- Display and Data Entry Controls – Intuitive programming is provided through a user interface consisting of a 240 x 64 dot backlit liquid crystal control panel that makes several parameters visible at the same time. Flow diagrams and bar graphs displayed in graphic form provide instant recognition. A directory helps you locate functions and a unique “jump” number system allows direct switching between related functions. “Smart” function keys makes it easier to move around the programming environment.
- Multi-timbre Mode and 16-track Sequencer – Multi-timbre Mode in which 16 different voices can be assinged to 16 different MIDI channels. A sophisticated internal 16-track sequencer makes external equipment unnecessary. 16 memory locations are provided for complete “MULTI” setups including voice-to-channel assignments, individual voice volume, not shif, tuning, panning and effects. A wide variety of built-in drums makes the SY77 a powerful production tool.
- Dual Assignable Stereo Outputs – Two pairs of stereo outputs – GROUP 1 and GROUP2 – each with its own front panel group fader provides versatile mixing and real-time control. Elements can be assigned by either or both groups. By using the output assignments parameters in combination with panning it is possible to have each element in a four-element voice to appear separately at a different output.
- External Storage – A built-in 3.5″ floppy disk drive can be used to store both synthesizer and sequencer data.
- Complete MIDI Implementation – A complete set of MIDI parameters has been provided for maximum compatiblity and versatility. Receive and transmit channels are independently programmable, a program change assignment table maximizes voice selection versatility, and a range of bulk dump functions make data transfers to bulk storage devices quick and easy.
Resources:
- Wikipedia entry for the Yamaha SY77 synthesizer
- Yamaha info on the SY77
- Analogeque sells patch disks for the SY77 & TG77
- Yamaha SY77 and TG77 Editor/Libraria
- Demo video via acaruso36:
Related Posts
- The Yamaha DX7 II FM Synthesizer
- The Yamaha FS1R Synthesizer
- The Yamaha CS-80 Synthesizer
- The Yamaha CS-50
- Yamaha VL-1 Demo
I used to have one of these. Way back in 2001. I got it for 100$ at a band sale. It was cheap and heavy. The same way I like my women
I had tried it WAY back in 1991 in a local music store but the $2900.00 price tag was way beyond my crappy pay at the time.
It was not that much fun to program. I used to use it only once and a while.
I moved it to my cabin I have up north and used to use it when I was on vacation. I had some good times late at night with it. I made some very sad and lonley songs.
And then a few years later FM7 came out and I put it on eBay.
Nobody was bidding and the lucky guy got if got less than it cost to ship it!
Dang.
I’ve owned one for the last year and a half (though I wanted one far longer), and I love it. The combination of the FM with the later Yamaha digital filters sounds fantastic (best digital filters for 1990?). As mentioned, the last of the FM beasts… there was a slightly more advanced implementation in the FS1R rack unit (8 voiced operators, plus 8 unvoiced operators), but didn’t include the capability to modulate FM operators with AWM2 samples.
Yes, it is huge and heavy… about 45 pounds. Its also built like a small tank. If you hit a car with this keyboard, the car would be more damaged. The interior is very tightly packed, and the usual high Yamaha construction quality. For the most part, its built to last. It’s a pain to replace the LCD backlight, though, because you have to pretty much take out all of the synth’s guts before you get to the LCD. And just about all of the SY77s need their diskette drive replaced after a while (low quality belt on the original belt-driven model… uncommon pin-out on the drive, too).
And it feels so good. Of course, I’m heavily biased, as I made do with a Casio CZ-101 for years. But, bias, aside, it is a really sweet key-bed.
Yes, its still as easy to program as earlier Yamaha FM synths (not very). One big pain is having no reference for the algorithms: they’re not diagrammed in the manual for the SY77 (although they are for the SY99), and they aren’t printed on the front of the synth like the older DX. You can see one algorithm at a time on the synth’s LCD, but switching algorithms resets all the operator parameters to defaults.
Not a bad sounding synth for it’s time. Quite warm, a little muddy thou in the bottom end. I loved these old synths, my first one was a casio CZ-1000, hell of a thing to program, but it made some pretty nifty sounds!
Thanks for the review,
Tony.
I had one of the first DX7’s in the UK and along with a SCI Pro One gigged and recorded for years with this set up. As I was strapped for cash I invested a lot of work into programming and found that with effort quite analogue/warmish pads with a sense of movement were possible. So when the SY-77 came along I had to have one. A very interesting synth because of the complexity of wavforms attainable with RCM – and a lot easier to programme than the DX7. I traded my 77 for a SY-99 which I still own (along with the DX7) and still regularly use that synth to record. The SY-77 sequencer was also capable of recording useful demo’s and even finished projects and my only regret is that when I upgraded to the 99, they did not provide a better emulation of the effects layout from the 77, as several of the sounds are more difficult to exactly replicate. As these monsters are still around, they offer a lot of bang for buck for those interested in getting a unique take on the whole FM experience as long as you are prepared to get your hands dirty programming, and as usual with Yamaha are definitely built to last – snap them up for pocket money prices!
Oh yea I forgot to say they show up on eBay all the time for cheap. Sometimes as low as $200!
Well worth it since FM is back in style once again
SY77 was my first top synth, after a bunch of cheaper ones. It is so memorable for me because it was my primary keyboard when I moved into my first own flat and it got a place in the centre of my bedroom.
I was very, very productive with this dream machine, producing lots of TV spot soundtracks and advertisements. Anyway, soundwise the gear was easily beaten by contemporary competitors like D50 or M1, SY77 was rather a programmer’s choice because of the unique PCM-FM combinations.
And yes, it was very easy to program, thru an excellent interface.
Yamaha surely recognised their shortcomings in sound, and quickly replaced the synth with the much better-sounding SY99. That means I lose a lot of money with your investment into SY77, but it didn’t hurt me too much as I can recall.
My next workstation replacement was Korg’s O1/W Pro – a very clear sound if you compare to SY77, with more keys, and more programming possibilities than on M1 which was unacceptable for me previously.
In 1991 I bought an SY99, the slightly improved sibling of the SY77. Although it’s too heavy to drag around, I still use it as my main keyboard for playing at home. It’s a pig to program but the 76 key keyboard has a great feel. It sits on a stand in our living room next to a small Yamaha acoustic grand that my wife plays. It’s a great set up for piano and synth duets.
I bought an SY77 in 1989 when they first came out, it was (and still is) a powerful synth/workstation, it has been my primary keyboard for a lot of years. I always regretted not upgrading to the SY99 when it came ot, several years ago I bought one with all five SYEMB05 ram slots filled, it too is an awesome keyboard with better effects than the SY77 and the ability to load user samples, the SY99 sequencer is virtually identical to the very good one on the SY77. Contrary to other posted info here, the SY77 owner’s manual did come with a couple of supplemental sheets (printed on thick card stock), one of which was diagrams of all the algorithms, these could be missing if you bought one used, but they originally came with the SY77. I still do 95% of my work on the SY77/99, the only other parts I add are from my Hammond C3 and Steinway L.
Clyde
Ah… yes, I bought mine used, and thus didn’t get the thick card stock supplemental sheets. And unfortunately, those are several of the documentation elements that Yamaha have neglected to include in their online document archive (along with the “Applications” book), so I didn’t even know they existed until now.
Sorry… but the comment still stands, for those exploring them used (since that’s the only way you’ll meet them these days). If they don’t come with the reference card, have to resort to hunting down the SY99 manual online instead for diagrams.
I bought my SY77 when it hit the store. I had originally wanted the DX7 (with gray matter!), but by the time I could afford it, the SY77 was the new kid on the block.
I have been happily using it all of these years. It's terribly heavy, and yes, the disk drive has needed to be replaced and the backlight is beginning to go dim on me now. But it's coming up on 20 years of use. Not bad.
Although I have added 3 Korgs in the past year, I use my SY77 daily as a controller, and still occasionally use it as a workstation. As my first piece of professional synthesized equipment, it holds a special place in the studio and in the music I write and record today. Much like any other musician and their first pro level instrument. The Korgs of today certainly surpass it, but it still has something to contribute.
I got my sy77 in exchangue for a yamaha psr 6300 i had before. This was around ´93 or ´94 and i have it yet and althought the disk drive dont work anymore i use it with a computer, besides i had to update it with the gm standard ( ok, something close)
I think it´s very good keyboard for it´s age and althught the basic sounds for my music today
are from computer soundfonts and another keyboard, the sy77 gives the extra touch to the music i play mostly in synth and other electronic sounds, Well I have to say that there are
really good and great sounds that get people amazed yet, i just would like it to be easier to program,