The SY77 is like having a super-sized sample-memory workstation with the added synthesis and sounds of a DX7mkII. 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 SY77. It's got 16 tracks, channel 16 belongs to the SY77'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 SY77 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 SY77 was also marketed in a rack-mount module called the TG77. All the same features as the SY77, except the keyboard, sequencer and 3.5" disk drive are gone. Following the SY77 came the upgraded SY99. Its main features and guts were the same however it had increased memory, waveforms and a bigger keyboard. The SY77 (or TG77) 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.

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...

Adol Bittgler

November 7, 2011 @ 4:28 am

The TG77 sounds quite better then theSY77 due to the vast number of separate DACs
used for the separate outputs. The SY/77/TG77 uses the Old SPX90II effects chip
a mistake when they could have supplied it with the SPX900, the SY99 uses the
newer SPX1000 effects chip.

il

October 10, 2011 @ 8:32 am

The video demo up top of this page is probably the worst way to demonstrate it's power. Try http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctedorT2KtM&feature=related to see both DX style and Analog style that this beast can do! It's people and vids like the one on this page that confuse people that is just a Rompler or JUST another DX7. It's far more. One of the most powerful synths ever created, one of the best digital filters ever and build quality is great (aside from drive niggles). VERY expensive when released, utter bargain now. Sold MY VAs cos of this! :)

rib

October 8, 2011 @ 3:00 pm

First things first, can we have a new picture please? It's not blue, it's black - and it still competes with any synthesiser out there today. Even the filters are impressive compared to some contemporary 'high end' synths (and I only consider the LP filter an add-on). Give it the Pepsi challenge with any of your high end VAs or softsynths. This was made back in the day when synths had decent keybeds (and it's heavy - sorry weaklings - do you complain about a piano being heavy?).

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