Yamaha • SY-99

Yamaha SY-99 Image

The SY-99 is like having a super-sized sampling workstation with the synthesis and sounds of a DX-7mkII. Basically the same as the SY-77 it features a larger 76 note keyboard with upgraded synthesis, sample memory, sequencer and more! For its synthesizer section it employs a 6 operator FM synth engine similar to, if not better than, the original DX's. Sampled preset sounds (AWM2) can then be fused 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 ability to recreate the warm analog sounds of classic synths, or something entirely new.

There's an enhanced on-board sequencer section for creating your songs right on the SY-99. It's got 16 tracks, from which channel 16 belongs to the built-in drum synthesizer. The sequencer can hold up to 27,000 notes, 99 patterns and 10 songs. And since the SY-99 features 16 voices of polyphony for the FM section, and another 16 voices for the sampled sounds, there are 32 voices to go around to build your song. Not to mention there are 2 digital multi-effects processors which include reverb, delay, chorus, panning and more! Professional features for those of you want to really control and shape your sounds using the unique sounds (and complex synthesis) of a Yamaha FM synth with some special features up its sleeve. It has been used by Vangelis.


VISITOR COMMENTS (16)

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JulianWB
Posted 19 days ago
I had one of these when they came out. On paper it should be amazing, and for the time it was. Very clean sounds, very playable, a very wide range of tones from natural to crazily synthetic, and so much in one box - that was why I bought it, to replace 3 other synths. I would still have it if I hadn't leant it to a friend long-term who claims it broke so he threw it away! I wouldn't have another one though, because it was too long-winded to use with just the buttons as an interface, and my recordings from the time sound too thin to me now. These days I'm preferring instruments that are more intuitive to use, and that have a distinct character (which the SY didn't) - Jupiter, PolySix, OSCar, JD800 - that sort of thing. Thinking of getting a DX7 again, just for those really playable cutting clear tones. I don't like any of the modern synths - they're going backwards not fowards.
Peter Kadar
Posted 38 days ago
The SY-99 and 77 had massively upgraded FM capabilities because you could choose from 16 different waveforms in your operators. And, you could configure your own feedback loops. They're capable of sounding incredibly warm and analog in addition to all the classic 80's and 90's digital. Add in the RCM and they're really quite incredible machines.
Dave
Posted 75 days ago
SY99 is one of the greatest studio master keyboards! Rack space is reserved for outboard ....neve, API etc...plus my back doesn't appreciate constant bending down ...plus all the eye squinting that comes with mounting synths in racks. SY99 is a beast... I love it !
rickyd
Posted 96 days ago
Oh how I wish the SY99 came in a rack version like the SY77/TG77 (I only deal with rack modules because I like compact studio space).
Portland
Posted 157 days ago
The SY99 and SY77 were used by William Orbit and Rico Conning for the excellent 1995 album 'Toward The Unknown Region' by Torch Song.
 

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