The TG500 is basically a box-o-sounds. It is based on Yamaha's SY85 (1992) and doubles the polyphony but loses the sequencer and most of the buttons and controls for real-time and patch editing. You can go with just the stock sounds, their sound quality is excellent, using AWM2 (Advanced Wave Memory), Yamaha's synth-engine of choice since the days of FM-synthesis. You can also add external ROM cards for many more sounds in various styles. Despite the lack of controls, the TG500 has edit capabilities as extensive as the SY-85, and is easiest to program using an external or software based editor.

But as we said, it's a box-o-sounds with four expansion card slots right on the front-panel (two slots for data cards & two slots for wave cards) and a big fat volume knob. Six individual audio outputs make tracking or live PA mixing possible. It has three basic modes of operation: Voice - allows access to one patch at a time. Multi - allows up to 16-part multitimbral patches for sequencing. Performance - split/layer up to 4 patches across keyboard. Like the SY-85 it's got multi-mode filters and a dual-effects processor with chorus, flange, reverb, delay, exciter, parametric EQ, echo, ring modulation, leslie, distortion, etc. The effects can be used in series or parallel, and there are 4 busses to route sounds through them. The TG500 was a great and economical way to get Yamaha's AWM2 style sounds, but may seem limited today.

Neil Phillips

May 20, 2013 @ 3:28 am

I have a TG500 for sale (in Europe), on eBay now:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281109850534?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid =p3984.m1555.l2649

Will

April 30, 2013 @ 10:42 am

Forgot to mention if you pick one up try and get one fitted with the optional 512kb Non Volatile Memory upgrade (syemb06 board). If you get this then you can also load samples via Midi Dump and use them as your oscillator source :)

Say via soundforge (or any other wav editor) you can sketch out a wave and dump it into the TG500.

Dont be fooled by the reviews claiming this is just a playback machine because it is not! It has all the capability of an SY85.

Will

April 30, 2013 @ 10:34 am

The key with this synth is a software editor. Advise sounddiver or midiquest. Once connected to an editor this machine comes alive.

No Editor - Nasty LCD, Naff Sounding 90s Pop Machine

With Editor - Plugin Style Editing, Tearing Lead Sounds with Resonant Filter, Pitch Envelope, Volume Envelope, LFOs and Digital FX.

Massively under rated machine due to its initial sound and appearance. Can be picked up on the used market for under $100

Oli Wennink

January 5, 2013 @ 6:40 am

I'm selling a Korg 01W:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200872197780?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid =p3984.m1555.l2649

and a Yamaha TG 500:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200872305813?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid =p3984.m1555.l2649

kehmical

December 28, 2011 @ 1:27 pm

This synth is all over Single Cell Orchestra's mid 90's Asphodel release and the SCO vs Freaky Chakra record. Beautiful.

<321>

 

Post Comment!

Your Name: (Required.)

Email Address: (Required, not published.)

Image verification: (required)

Message:

 

Posting Rules:
Please keep your comments relevant! Do not post requests for help, do not use for sales, do not post unless you have something interesting to say about this instrument, or we may delete your post.

I have read and understand the posting rules.