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 AFM synth engine similar to, if not better than, the original DX's. The AFM section offers 45 algorithms, 3 feedback loops and 16 waveforms for creating some of those unique FM sounds. Sampled sounds (AWM2) which are in memory (or on external ROM cards) can then be mixed with the AFM 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 AFM 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.

64 VISITOR COMMENTS

simon gurden

January 15, 2012 @ 6:59 pm

the diskdrives in my sy77 and v50 both appear to be broken. is it worth replacing them or is their a computer dump method that does the same thing?

Gandalf

December 30, 2011 @ 2:39 pm

Did anyone else try the floppy drive exchange to a regular pc drive? I have downloaded fm-alive's zip, and it says the power connector has to be connected seperately by using pins 1/3/5 from the original cable. However, PC drives seem to require 12V and 5V supply whereas the SY's interface seems to provide 5V only. Has anyone tried this out? Maybe it does run on 5V only?

Clancy Howard

December 18, 2011 @ 4:55 pm

The power transformer on my SY77 died, I don't suppose anyone has an idea for a replacement as it's probably a custom job. Anyone know if Yamaha still carries any?

Thanks-

Clance

Bill

December 5, 2011 @ 9:09 pm

You can find drives on eBay from a vendor based in Italy .they are beltless and take about twenty at the most painless minutes to replace. You can try the rubber band belt fix that sometimes works and some times does not. Work a try for a quick dirty fix tho. The beltless drives are fairly cheap and instal with no mods at all to the unit.

Ok so that aside can someone explain why this is rated 4 stars and the sy85 also gets four stars. I mean it does not make sense. Isn't a sy85 a sy77 without the fm section.

OBh

December 2, 2011 @ 6:19 pm

Does anyone know where I can obtain a replacement drive for this unit? Will pay reasonable scratch...

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