Yamaha • SY-77

Yamaha SY-77 Image

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.

Yamaha TG-77 Image

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.


VISITOR COMMENTS

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CLEBER
Posted 310 days ago
SYNTH BOM DEMAIS, SAU FUNÇÃO FM É EXTREMAMENTE INCRIVEL, JA TIVE UNS 4 SY77... SERA QUE GOSTA DO TECLADO...

TENHO MAIS DE 6000 PROGS PRA ELE, SE QUISER
clebermrv@gmail.com
Rene van der Wouden
Posted 311 days ago
I own the SY77 for years and find it a dream of a synthesizer. With only the FM-part of the synth you can make sounds bigger and more massive than on the DX7. Forget the sample part because that sounds so 1989.

The 16 waveforms consist of sine, square, varations on PWM and so on. The programming is easier than on the DX7. If you get to the envelopes which are devided in rates and levels, just put the levels for L1 on 99 and L2-4 on 0 for a start. Then you can use the rates as a normal ADSR. Great keyboard to play on.
planetplayer
Posted 312 days ago
Good Idea. Output is a bit weak on TG-77 I have tried. Was going to by one, but the slaesman held fast the price and would not drop price because of increasing poularity in mid-late 1990s. 1997-1998 and output was weak. I think. Sounds are good. Was going for convoluted FM as strong point. . Like the 3 wheels on the SY-77. Wish current ones had that. Sounds are good, but don't expect strong analogue sounds.Sound design is nice.
Mike Harris
Posted 325 days ago
These things are just sick! The music dept at the college I went to had one (and still does to this day), and I would spend hours coaxing various sounds out of it. I told the director to give me a call if they ever plan on selling it. In addition, a little bit of (bad) trivia. I discovered while looking through the presets that the sawtooth pad used in that awful Shania Twain song, "Man, I feel like a woman" is actually one of the presets on this synth. That dubious distinction aside, it's still an awesome board.
Andrew Beddoes
Posted 328 days ago
Highly programmable, exciting timbres. Sounds like the Wavestation with morphing voices and sample loops clunking around. I decided to stay with my V50 instead.
 

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