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.
They are built like tanks but suffer from dim EL backlights. These can be replaced although it's NOT for the faint hearted as it's staggering how much has been packed into the case - and it ALL has to come out to gain access to the LCD module. The floppy drive is a cheap belt driven one too - it has a non standard pinout BUT by making an adator cable you can replace it with a standard modern black faced PC drive. I have performed both repairs to my SY77. Also makes a great mother keyboard due to 3 modulation wheels and breath controller input.
Dan, Hideaway Studio.