Yamaha • SY-22

Yamaha SY-22 Image

The SY-22 is one of these digital synthesizers with a thin metallic sound. It uses a synthesis method known as vector synthesis (similar to that on the ProphetVS and Korg Wavestation) in which samples and FM sounds (adapted from Yamaha's DX line) are altered and combined using the on-board joystick to create new and often interesting sounds. Joystick moves can be recorded and repeated too, a feature rarely seen until the JP-8000 came!

There is no filter, no resonance, no ring modulator sand no sign of any arpeggiators or sequencers on-board. Although this is unfortunate, its strengths lie in its ability to record data manipulation in real-time and its multitimbrality - both of which lend themselves to creating some complex and cool sounds perfect for ambient, dub and industrial styles. It also has a drum kit sound set and simple built-in effects. A desktop module version of the SY-22 is the TG-33 which also has increased memory. The SY-22 has been used by Moby, Skinny Puppy and Scanner.


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FM info
Posted 12 days ago
@sir raven: FM synthesis does not use 'subtractive synthesis' type filters.
Sir Raven
Posted 71 days ago
You can read it again and again in forums, reviews and even written by owners that the SY22 does not have a filter. That's simply not true. The SY22 has a filter indeed but only in the FM section. You can find it in the division Tone on the page Tone. It contains the parameters Lev (frequency) and FB (feedback). As mentioned before, the page can only be found if you edit an FM element. If I'm not mistaken it is a low pass filter. The manual doesn't say much about it.
Gwyn
Posted 73 days ago
I have used the SY22 as a soloing keyboard on top of a three tier rack for about 10 years. The keyboard works well but the key suspension springs eventually cut through the hooks on the underside of the keys and I have had to replace many keys over the years. I wouldn't trust it for gigging anymore! The key spring assemblies are very poor!
chevdo
Posted 124 days ago
The description here doesn't do this synth justice. The reason it sounds like 'one of those thin metallic' synthezisers is because a lot of the patches have the 'metal reverb' effect on them. This can be a nice effect but if you turn it off, pull up an FM brass patch and work the feedback /tone parameter you can get incredibly warm pseudo-analog stuff happening. Plus the LFO on this thing has a nice bite to it. It was my first synth and it's still my favorite after all these years. I used to make songs with nothing but this synth with no multitracking by putting the drumkit on one of the PCM elements and I listen back to some of them today and they sound better than a lot of the stuff I make currently, with reams of hardware synths, hardware effects, softsynths, and plugins at my disposal.
cevasco
Posted 234 days ago
FM semplice e divertente.
se sei paziente e curioso si possono cavarne cose molto interessanti....
 

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