Yamaha SY 20

Monophonic analog synth distributed only in Japan (hence the silkscreen in Japanese)
Aimed at "educational": basically, the music course at college without the flute but with analog rather "fat" ... welcome vocations!

* Connectors: 2 headphone outputs (one front, one behind), 1 output jack 6.35, a volume pedal input, an input pedal sustain.

* HP Integrated: works well if we remain within the reasonable filter resonance (switch selection: HP / LINE / HP + LINE)

* Aftertouch system on VCF-VCA-LFO Inrush individually or combined. A knob of intensity for the 3.

* 1 + 1 pitchbend dial knob LFO assignable (coupled or not) to VCF / VCO / VCA

* 2 banks of 8 presets:

Bank A: Flute - Oboe - Clarinet - Sax - Fagot - Violin - wallflower - Cello - Contrabass - FX
Bank B: Trumpet - Trumpet Mute - Horn - Trombone - Tuba - Violin Pizzicato - Violier Pizzicato - Cello Pizzicato - Pizzicato Bass - Harpsichord

by a switch section to speak to the presets:

- NO: 32'-16 '- 8' - 4 '- 2'

- 1 VCO: * sawtooth to square and all there is between (adjustable by a slider)
* PWM (slider too)
* White noise

- FILTER: * BPF1 - BPF2 - LPF
* FREQ-RES

- VCF: * ENV DEPTH
* ADSR

- VCO: * ENV DEPTH
* ADSR

* MANUAL allow a switch to activate the sections in their entirety (perhaps this is why it is called "TOGETHER SYNTHESIZER? <img class="smiley" src="https://fr.audiofanzine.com/images/audiofanzine/interface/smileys/icon_wink.gif" alt="wink" /> )
* 1 knob notched 12 half tones can transpose the entire range (1 octave)! Basically made a melody on the keyboard and the volume pot you can transpose without changing fingering. Convenient to pretend that playing classical music.
* 3 additional sliders: one for the brightness (as on the CS15) - one for the glide - one for the sustain (a kind of self-RELEASE)

UTILIZATION

I find it a very original synth: the HP integrated aftertouch on VCF-VCA-LFO, possibiltés to intervene in all or part of a preset, the notched knob which allows to transpose semitones an octave (it is not only fair, but the effects are very interesting )....

The grip is immediate, you just pick who&#39;s who by intuition the first few minutes, unless you understand Japanese ...

It can play a very original way for an analog synth in this category: some small tweaks and tricks:

* Switch from "MANUAL" (with a torn his property) in preset mode by playing rhythmic combinations ... excellent!
* Opportunities for AFTERTOUCH are actually very useful, and music. At first I thought the keyboard was a little weird, kind of a slight lag on his end: in fact I realized that this is the design itself for the Aftertouch system. Once we understand this feeling is particularly expressive halluciante.

For example: Aftertouch LFO to 100% (by adjusting the knob min-max, limit the FM on the limit) - combined with VCF Aftertouch on set with the attack late, it looks something extreme, almost duophonic and oh so musical ...

SOUNDS

Some told me it was powerful .... there really is no problem. It can be both very flute, much like the CS series, with beautiful bass very clean (the preset PIZICATTO BASS is impressive deep bass) ... and MUCH more aggressive and coarse when pushed a bit into a corner. He reminds me sometimes my Polivoks for his side "total descructor if you make me shit" (not the filter varies by prefe cons ...).

For me (with my knowledge and synths that I had), he reminds me a lot the CS15 (yes I know, it&#39;s dual VCO, but I talk about the coconuts grain), in much grunge and bold if it is wishes.

SY20 with a two (or three?) Osc ... damn why they have not done at Yamaha??

OVERALL OPINION

Mine was sent to me from Japan comes with hard case, a volume pedal, raises scores, in new condition. (Please CEM3374.com!).
I received this morning, I spent about 2 hours to hack: Extremely easy to use with lots (and more) of sonic possibilities and expressive playing

Impressive character, rare (very?) In France, seriously original, purchased at a great price and in excellent condition ... I&#39;m thrilled!

My opinion is quite comprehensive and descriptive, but knowing I must be one of the first Westerners to express my opinion on this electronic gear of the rising sun

10/10 for all these reasons

post review 10/10/09: definitely very "juicy" - sound - very analog. Despite its single oscillator has a lot of character and personality, and his low HUGE leads very musical. A very endearing synth