Yamaha's first keyboard synthesizers, the SY-1 (pictured above) and SY-2 are monophonic single-VCO analog synthesizers with preset sounds and limited programmability. There are 28 not so great preset sounds which can be slightly edited using the 8 sliders to the right of the small 37-note keyboard. There's an analog low-pass / high pass resonant filter, analog VCA envelope and a slide effect. There is no sign of MIDI, CV or Gate control but the compact design and wood-case make this a fun synth to mess around with. Some crazy analog sounds can be formed. These are fun little synths with plenty of 'Vintage' status and fun live-performance-ability. The SY-2 has been used by Add N To (X).

22 VISITOR COMMENTS

Dennis Matana

January 18, 2012 @ 10:13 am

Royksopp can be added to famous user's. They use the SY-1.
http://www.barcodezine.com/Royksopp%20Interview.htm link to interview on Barcode.

Busta Speeker

October 24, 2011 @ 4:15 pm

I had one of the very first ones... it would absolutely NAIL the arpeggiated chords in the bridge of "Here Comes the Sun"-- all five octaves w\ only four button shifts and one position change!! As fat, farty and juicy as analog gets,too...Mini-Whoog?!1?!

Ernst

October 1, 2011 @ 10:53 am

Fantastic synth!!! Sounds classic!!!

@ Koen, prices shown in the est. value of 100$ is outdated by 8 years or so..
@ Numanoid, you must be joking right?
@ Matt...finally somebody is talking sense about this instrument...

Numanoid

August 16, 2011 @ 12:18 pm

Thousand bucks, no way! Those who want it for something more than showing off on the coffee table, is better served spending their bucks buying a new Yamaha PSR or Casio WK model

Koen

July 28, 2011 @ 5:35 am

They sell one for 999 $.
I must have misread it cause the est. val. is 100$ I see.

<54321>

 

Post Comment!

Your Name: (required)

Email Address: (required)

Image verification: (required)

Message:

 

Posting Rules:
Please keep your comments relevant! Do not post requests for help, do not use for sales, do not post unless you have something interesting to say about this instrument, or we may delete your post.

I have read and understand the posting rules.