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.

p6

July 5, 2012 @ 6:48 pm

@aly - these are amazing synths and a real bargain these days. They can be picked up on ebay routinely for LESS than £200, so they are not worth much these days. Back when they were released I believe they were close to £2500 - very expensive cos of all the tech in there. These days, they go for beer money. even in mint condition. At best you could claim for maybe £300-£400 but i've rarely seen any go for that. Mine cost me £120 for reference :)

Aly

July 3, 2012 @ 11:44 am

Hi there, I am wondering if someone can contact me about appraising this? I LOVE it, it was my dad's, and it was damaged in a move. I need to submit a claim form to the stupid movers, and I need to know how much it originally cost in the 90s, and how much it would be worth today in perfect condition (since that's what it was in before they damaged it)... Please email me alymifasolot@aol.com Thanks! -Aly

Bill

June 24, 2012 @ 7:17 am

This is a extremely powerful synth. The deeper you go the more it impresses. I love analog synths . The sy77 is a digital synth that can sound equally as massive as one tho, a bit harder to program but man the sheer density of the sounds on this board will drop your jaw. This is a synth deserving of 5 stars for sure. If your going to give a sy85 four a sy77 is a five,

robotunes

June 8, 2012 @ 1:02 pm

sy77's FM section easily makes all the requisite waves: saw, square, triangle and sine. so you can make strings, thick basses with subs, and algorithm 45 even delivers supersaws. yes, every sound takes a lot more work than your average synth, but if you love sound exploration, you'll learn to make voices that are threatening, tender or wonderfully unstable.

JEltonJ

June 7, 2012 @ 1:01 pm

Bought my sy77 in 1990 and love it. last key (C) on right won't stay up now, and the MIDI in is not working. Sure would like to get the MIDI controller to work.

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