Yamaha • SY-77
The SY-77 is like having a super-sized sample-memory workstation with the added synthesis and sounds of a DX-7mkII. For its synthesizer section it employs a 6 operator FM synth engine similar to, if not better than, the original DX's. The FM section offers 45 algorithms, 3 feedback loops and 16 waveforms for creating some of those unique FM sounds. Sampled sounds (AWM) which are in memory (or on external ROM cards) can then be mixed with the FM sounds to create entirely wild new sounds! And these sounds are quite shapeable thanks to the resonant multi stage Time Variant Filters which offer the chance to recreate the warm analog sounds of classic synths, or create something entirely new.
There's an on-board sequencer section for creating your songs right on the SY-77. It's got 16 tracks, channel 16 belongs to the SY-77's built-in drum synthesizer which holds up to 61 sounds. The sequencer can hold up to 16,000 notes, 99 patterns and 1 song. And since the SY-77 features 16 voices of polyphony for the FM section, and another 16 voices for the sampled sounds, there are (32) plenty of voices to go around to build your song. Add the fact that there are 4 independent digital multi-effects which include reverb, delay, chorus, panning and more and you have yourself a classic music production workhorse.
The SY-77 was also marketed in a rack-mount module called the TG-77. All the same features as the SY-77, except the keyboard, sequencer and 3.5" disk drive are gone. Following the SY-77 came the upgraded SY-99. Its main features and guts were the same however it had increased memory, waveforms and a bigger keyboard. The SY-77 (or TG-77) is great for really controlling and creating sounds for use in various electronic forms of music and has been used by 808 State, Skinny Puppy, Brian Eno, Europe, Toto, Vangelis, Chick Corea, and Front 242.
Sure, I had to replace the LCD, but that's nothing. 2 1/2 hours of work for the synthesizer of the gods. Some of the tact switches feel a little dirty, but they probably just need to be broken in to overcome years of disuse. Which should happen quickly, as much as I mess with the thing now. I haven't tried the disk drive yet, but if I have to do anything to fix that as well, no sweat. No matter what, it's still not as unreliable as an Ensoniq and sounds a million times better.
Think - Super DX 7 plus an M1 & an SPX900 in a box.
Programming is not Fischer Price.
Sonically more capable than 90% of other keyboards.
Great key action, one of the best non-weighted I have played
Sold it when I got married.
A sad day.......................
I would not hesitate to buy another.
The sounds coming out of this thing have a good 'weight' them, they sound big but classy. I don't mean the presets particularly (some are ok) but the many custom sounds and your own stuff. The screen is fun for programming (compared to a DX7). Drives likely to fail (Belt) but I replaced mine with a £5 PC belt less drive after modding the ribbon cable (and fitted a new bright blue LCD backlight another common fault on the '77).
It feels like the heart of my studio now, Roland D-50 above it, AN1x above that - my other synths around but I keep coming back to the SY77 for inspiration.