Yamaha SY-1 / SY-2

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Yamaha SY-1 Image

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 value of 100$ is outdated by 8 years or so..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.
 
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  • Demos & Media
  • YouTube Image
    Video 1
    - Sticky strut (Yamaha SY-1 demo), by Kebu

    Manual - Download the original owner's manual from SoundProgramming.net.

  • Specifications
  • Polyphony - Monophonic
  • Oscillators - 1 VCO
  • Filter - High and Low pass resonant analog filters
  • LFO - 1 LFO
  • VCA - Simple envelope controls
  • Memory - 28 presets
  • Keyboard - 37 keys
  • Effects - Slide
  • Control - None
  • Date Produced - 1974 - 1978
  • Est. Value - $50 - $100

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