All user reviews for the Yamaha SY77

Keyboard 61 keys with aftertouch, all possible conventional connections. Wheels 2 and modulation. But not balanced audio outputs.

Digital frequency synthesis "advanced" modulation (AFM) from the words of the days of Yamaha and a sampler (AWM). The basic philosophy of this key is to combine the performance of the FM to the sampler, one overcomes the shortcomings of the other, to get to make possible at the time the most realistic sounds, but totally overwhelmed today.

Unlike its big brother SY99 (it overpriced), the SY77 does not use its own samples. Only store-bought cards could propose to increase the collection of samples. It is not impossible that on the other hand in the near future, passionate develop a map that allows to do so.

Each setting can be monophonic or not, in fact I do not know how many votes beings can play at the same time (around 16) since it can play a setting that uses either the FM or samples, or both that pass through the independent processors each other.
Effects reverb, chorus, flanger, distortion, echo are available, but I will not go into details about their configuration because I'm no expert in this field, ie there where it takes far to enhance the sound. But if you just to bypass instead of completely disable, one can perceive a change in its origin not so desirable ...

This keyboard has a pretty basic but sufficient sequencer to develop small prototypes. It is limited to the maximum number of playable voices simultaneously. Some sounds can be played later than expected or even outright cut to play another. To make a piece without these bugs requires patience computer programmer 70 years to optimize it. Blah blah ...

It is possible to "retune" the keys to play pentatonic songs or even more exotic, which gave him success among others in the Maghreb countries.

UTILIZATION

What worried me most was the constraint of small LCD screen making it difficult to setup. This method, however, was what was best at the time, could not escape. In addition, the interface is not intuitive at all and it is necessary to train with the manual, which fortunately, is sufficiently well done to him by going to essentially no more.
However, once used you can finally notice the ingenious designers work despite these technical constraints, and use becomes very fluid.

Managing files and other settings is catastrophic. I recommend using a "librarian" to be able to separate and save the settings, and the transfer will flexibly to the keyboard via SysEx.

SOUNDS

Sounds very 1990 and the pre settings can be easily recognized in a few productions of the time, giving a kitsch mind the keyboard. As stated above, the samples were very good at the time but are really usable as is. You can make very convincing and worked better than the default settings.

However nowadays this keyboard is one of the most functional in FM synthesis, which particularly interested me. It is now possible to innovate with this keyboard producing using the knowledge and tools now available, sounds that have very little to do with the typical horror video games arcade years 80, and also because the FM synthesis has left plenty of room in the market compared to the much more common subtractive synthesis.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 6 months, and I hesitate to use it as a MIDI master keyboard so that the touch is nice. I would have liked a DX7, but the sequencer that I decided to buy the SY77 to work independently of a prototype PC.
When you know that the SY77 was the most high-end Yamaha in 1990, we can expect some very good stuff that is the same case today.
One can find specimens variable bargain price. What really makes the difference is the wearing of buttons that can be less damped or buttons whose contacts may strain. You can always try to negotiate the price of the floppy drive belt which relaxes to the point of not turning anything (ultra easily replaceable), or the LCD screen has no backlight .
Note that the disk drive can be replaced completely by a block of flash memory, and the LCD screen can be replaced by models of completely different colors and which less greedy backlighting eliminates the need of the inverter that sizzles and make the perfectly silent keyboard.
In the end, even the synthesis of this keyboard is 100% digital, and thus replaceable by software on a computer, it will keep this collector's spirit and independence that is precious to me.

Everyone know. A hybrid FM / AWM, but more importantly, an enlarged DX!
SY Manager urged (for twenty euros, a great humanist its author!).
If you want a taste of good use of this monster:

https://www.electric-himalaya.com/yamaha_sy77_sy99.html

Personally, I bought this bank, and I do not regret it ...
If you're like me, a fan of Roger Waters, you can hear in the SY album Amused to Death.

UTILIZATION

The large screen is welcome, because there are a lot of pages and settings. Editing is more than a serious business, not to say difficult ... As with the DX, it takes a little know where you're going, or you may change values ​​without any audible result. Indeed, many parameters are interrelated and influence each other (like the DX found the spirit of Dave in the Chowning FM programming). Be especially attentive to envelopes, it is especially here that the changes will be decisive. Modulations are numerous and better note than we selected when changing page, because if you forget to turn it on, it will need to increase their rates in another page ...

SOUNDS

Here is finally a synth that reminds us that this is a synth! Needless to seek a contemporary use of AWM samples: the "workstations" Today do that very well. When you look at the screen, it reads: "Music Synthesizer". That said it all: it is the spirit that reigns DX: sounds and emulations MUSICAL, expressive with shades, it was the spirit chosen by Yamaha in the 80/90. No wonder Chick Corea has always followed. With SY, it is expressed, it is inspired, it breathes ...
Most often, a 2AFM configuration is ample to create complex sounds or rich. The SY excels in environments and evolving textures. It reminds a bit of Korg Wavestation, since looping envelopes to 5 segments themselves are made of the sequence of waves. Certainly more subtle! RCM (Real time Convolution Modulation) is a major advantage: you Inject in FM algorithms signal a sample AWM (for short). It usually results in a slight distortion of the signal and a harmonic addition missing out. For example, an FM signal modulated by a little copper a sample voice nickname give particular granularity, giving the impression to hear the air pass through the throat in addition to the vibration of the vocal cords, with an effect "hoarseness "... We can even exclude the direct wave signal AWM output for even greater effect. Nobody can imitate or reproduce such a sound. The SY is an authentic synth apart, without the disadvantages of digital: each note down, there will never twice the same sound ... He's alive.
The resonant filters do their job with a sound a little chilly, yes, but effective, especially in conjunction with the LFO, in the sounds. They are a boon when it connects to one of three modulation wheel or aftertouch.
Regarding the effects, modulations flange / chorus / symphonic are set parallel with the SPX brand. They are frank and sharp, a little cold. Reverbs are of the same ilk. Finally, the delays are as usual with Yamaha deadly and accurate.

OVERALL OPINION

This is once again a long history, with breaks and renouements ... Do not dispose of the instrument when you get tired a little bit. It is better to question oneself and personal problems rather than abandon such a synth. Anyway, this is a very strong instrument! It passes through many years and revise easily and inexpensively. Therefore, we can meet and find it quite easily. We all do mistakes, you can not keep everything ... but him! If! We must keep it.
On stage, he crossed out the mix, it adds a medium / medium high appreciable coloration. It thus complements happily a varied set of multiple colors, what should always be to have a wide range, such as painting.

Workstation with FM and AWM sample playback. FM operators 6 to 16 waveforms, 45 algorithm, three feedback loops configurable injection or white noise waveform in AWM operators with adjustable level.
AWM 48KHz with sixty waveforms (included percussion)
2 multi-effects (chorus / flanger + reverb / delay / distortion) is used simulanément 4 effects on the voice.

A voice is composed of 1 or 2 element FM and AWM element 1 or 2 (mono possible). Each element passes through two filters in series 12dB/oct LPF and which one is the other LPF or HPF configurable. The resonance is common to both.
You can assign the cutoff velocity but not the amplitude of the filter envelope, which is unfortunate.
2 LFOs per voice which one can modulate the pitch.
Otherwise envelope generators have four break points and can loop over the segment you want (cool!)

Each element has its voice settings range, velocity, etc.., Pitch envelope and (original) pan!

Multi 16 votes.
Sequencer 10,000 events, 1 piece, 16 tracks including one for patterns (100), KSEQ proprietary format (not recording and will not play MIDI files)
2 sets of stereo outputs, if connectivity standard. Two modulation wheels.
Sturdy construction and nice keyboard compared to current stews.

UTILIZATION

The manual is adequate without being exhaustive. The screen is not too many parameters to display. Navigation requires the use of the ENTER key not very conveniently located on the numeric keypad. Can enter values ​​for alpha-dial potentiometer, + / - buttons or digitally.
Screen but 2 or 3 tenths of a second to change is rapid but not immediate. Its brightness is adjustable but in general there's nothing too.

I find it convenient to use enough given the number of parameters. The screen can display curves, keyboard or things like that that help visualier what we do.
The copy function is very convenient (adpate is the context from which it was called).
I regret qu'li there are only 64 user memories voice.

Also, given the power of this machine, it does not sound in 5 minutes, it requires to spend time, you better enjoy it!

SOUNDS

Thanks to the improvement introduced by Yamaha FM SY-77 can produce sounds much more varied than the DX-7, and the combination with the AWM really makes the possibilities endless!
Effects are downright bad (even for me who did not usually there too manic above) is faintly audible but the chorus goes easily if necesary DX-7 with simple tips for programming. It has at least the advantage that are in a multi-mode sound almost like "voice"!

There are some great sounds in all fields (EP, strings, wood, clavicle, organs, perceived chromatic synths and of course), and even if they are not always as realistic as rompleurs present, they have a life and charm that only allows FM. The bass is punchy, highs are clear and vivid. This is one of the few digital synths you can put next to a D-50 that do not crash!

There really is (too) little drum sounds, the bare minimum and it sounds like drum machines RX -> it is better to love her 80 or go without!

OVERALL OPINION

I for 1 month and I spend all my free time on it. This synth is the most "inspiring" I know (with D-50), the quintessence of FM technology from Yamaha.

I love his synthesis engine. I rather regret the way we navigate and requires to press a lot of buttons, but a free editor for Atari exists. I regret that the effects are not better, they suck.

I have a TX-81Z and I owned a DX7II/FD, I wanted to find the FM synthesis to 6 operators. For less than a DX7 I infinitely better with the SY-77 sequencer as a bonus! I paid € 200 for SY-77 to review a little, but it is a very good choice I would do without hesitation.

Keyboard 61 keys, the VLOC sensitive and aftertouch.
2 x 2 output spares.
Double synthse AFM (same as DX 7, but amlior and AWM2 (read samples)
Polyphony of 16 + 16
Of 16 parts multitimbral
Squenceur 16 tracks
Multi effects.
Floppy disk drive.

UTILIZATION

FM Cot is quite complex and sothrique ... cot reading sample programming is easy.
In the fawn gnrale is rgonomie Exceeds. However the big screen can work well if one takes the means, and then it is always possible to use a computer edituer.

SOUNDS

The samples sound a little dirty as given the current standards of quality, especially when they are even quite small. But couplsa the power of your exact synthse FM is convincing.
The advantage of this synth is that it can do everything: tablecloths scrolls to the sounds of pianos lctriques through the deep bass ...
Overall it's a good trs synth sound research, it is used in all kinds of music even if the imitations of acoustic instruments are a bit cheesy (the piano is very well said this).

OVERALL OPINION

This is my first synth I have 13 years ... I do not spare (for sentimental Rainson first but also because it is objectively the road against the current synths).

If you are interested in the FM Do not hesitate it is found cheaper than the DX7! It's a shame because it is much more successful all the views and programmetion is facilitated by the large screen.

Dj listed above

UTILIZATION

I do not hack the sounds, I rcupre on the net

SOUNDS

There are disks that are available over 10,000 sound. So no worries. I was looking for the famous sound of the electronic piano DX-7, and he is larger than life. I use keyboard master with Cubase, but sometimes I use the sounds that are really more NEWS

OVERALL OPINION

I bought 270 euros OCCAZ because the reader does rpar FDD with elastic. But the worst is that it works perfectly. So find a powerful workstation that price still the one I swear not let go of OCCAZ like this

T say everything about this synth CHARACTERISTICS worthy of the name, to the extent that the marriage of synthse FM is the AWM agnr many satisfactions.

UTILIZATION

Sr that program this synth Relva of TLE, but in rsultats definitely worth the effort. The "due" that failed to enter the programming logic does not know what they have lost. For the lazy of the case, there are many available sound banks that are fully satisfactory dj.

SOUNDS

Sounds can of course be all standing ovation, as the reproduction acoustic frequency drives are complex, but for what I wanted to extract from the BTE, little or no blame.
The expression is excellent, and this keyboard I was able to provide many gigs with no regrets.

OVERALL OPINION

I have this keyboard since 1990, and will remain with me because of my weight problem now arises. Thus, I will never sell this machine for emotional reasons but also objective: I have not found a synth that gives me much satisfaction.

Yamaha SY77, for a real synth and studio scne with 5 octaves and 16pistes disk player.
For information on disk drive never had any problem on this synth is the belt change, lol ...

a super synth FM, AFM, AWM

UTILIZATION

The configuration of the device is fairly complete, it's not for children.
Waveforms with enough modularity compltes will.

The manual is simple ASEZ regarding the use gnrale.

SOUNDS

The piano sounds are not too bad Anisi the sounds of sax
enough raliste

super effects

aftertouch say anything at all good

OVERALL OPINION

I have keys for 90 and I still like crazy m'clate

it is true that for the silent era it a bit expensive (18000Fr)

otherwise great keyboard for the studio and scne

Deja numre so I don 't come back, but it lacks a arpgiatteur and would be perfect

UTILIZATION

Configuration gnrale trs simple, everything is clear and prcis once that one has in mind the n pages that are accessed via the very practical "Jump." It is really very s practice for programming, roll up your sleeves, because the beast is monstrous! The 6 oprateurs Fm present offers 45 algorithms and mix everything with samples! If you master the basics of FM, c ' is a half god that you will become with this creature japanese, if it breaks instead of the brick not cot prparez you enter a maze of experimental sounds that are in pater more than one and do dlaissez no manual also seems that the Asian synthsi it 's grip and that we test everything that we read, it becomes easy and you can even say that we used a Yamaha manual but may be too full o How necessaire.Cot squenceur, that is the cake.

SOUNDS

Sounds are monstrous mass murder! The presets are very varied and trs are not zero, a first in the history of synths! The saxes are really nice especially if one has the breath controller and the hammond organ is bright thanks FM, unheard of. Perfect for the E.piano dx, low FM, the brass have a sin that I 've never seen on another clavier.Pour everything pad of ambience, This is great it crent an atmosphere all their own; BMOL little ground for strings such that m 'has a bit disappointed because the FM is not very pain for ca ca so based on a sample of cellos that I' not really apprcies Compared with many layers of fat juno! Otherwise acoustic pianos are, without being worthy of a Steinway, but acceptable and even fart when playing on effets.La response has the aftertouch is irrprochable, and there supplmentaire an assignable dial that one wants, that is really cool.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for one month, bought in very very good state for 350 euros with manual plug Schma algorithmic and diskettes with superb sound banks Lucio, who m has explained everything and I again thank for tout.Les are more touch, floppy drive, and the effects of DX7 FM Power 10! What I like least that is just the keyboard can be a bit noisy but good equipment that has 16 years is forgiven aisment quansd we see what he crache.Avant to buy it, I wanted something to replace my sampler, something quite general, but that is editable and can make the original sounds, a the Korg Triton or Fantom, but frankly when I 've heard, I have taken a slap and I have immediately taken, he scans easily, not acoustic sounds but anyway they are as bad for ca, a synth is a synth and that is probably the meileur numrique synth that I have heard this jour.Pour 350 euros, that is a bargain for all kinds of time that one plunges, this choice I would do without hesitation!

****** UPDATE ******* FULL SOUND, SOFTWARE *********** GO SEE MY PAGE SY77!! http://blouby.chez -alice.fr / ( http://blouby.chez-alice.fr/ )

This device was released in 1989. C'tait the renewal of the firm Yamaha. We had to show their expertise because for quite some time they did that with the FM synths (dx21/dx27/DS55/B200) and against M1 and D50 comments they falter. For the era, the CHARACTERISTICS of SY taient allchantes.

Trs Premire the keyboard is good. This is the same as the T-korg-01W-Trinity, so a REFERENCE, dynamic, aftertouch. This also means that rsiste well in time. The screen is large and features are clearly explained. There are function keys under the screen, allowing accder other pages. You can also go directly to a page by typing 'JUMP' + numro the page is very practical. There are three wheels, including a super convenient that I use all the time, such as assignable to the filter (the others are also assignable!). The floppy drive is super convenient as it is compatible MS-DOS, in 1989 yes yes! it is compatible, but on 720k floppies. So we take the sounds that have been found on the internet and loaded! IMPORTANT NOTE: The floppy drive is often a problem nuncio. Ultimately it is only a problem of belt in 90% of cases. Just put an elastic large enough, not too thick and not too tight and the drive working again, that's what I did (there are pictures on my homepage)! There is a function PATTERN, it is actually loops! You hit a bass drum on the first beat and every first time he will play the bass drum. It's great practice To create rhythms. For the rest, sysex, squenceur, super powerful multi-effects, dynamic 24 dB (the maximum discharge, attention to the speakers!) Super filter ....

UTILIZATION

****** UPDATE ******* FULL SOUND, SOFTWARE *********** GO SEE MY PAGE SY77!! http://blouby.chez -alice.fr / ( http://blouby.chez-alice.fr/ )

The use is very simple, everything is shown on the screen, and frankly, a compar EX5 I find it easier. But when it comes to programming, we enter the 1200 paramtres possible sound. So it's clear that it is simple pa. But it also shows its power.

Note added on 24/02/2006
I love the phylo of the device. It is very practical, and even empty of use. On this point I think it was a good step ahead of other device, such as a VFX. The VFX has good sounds but the phylo of the device is complicated.

SOUNDS

****** UPDATE ******* FULL SOUND, SOFTWARE *********** GO SEE MY PAGE SY77!! http://blouby.chez -alice.fr / ( http://blouby.chez-alice.fr/ )

I t tonn!
A good piano sound .. a good sax sound .. Forget it! He does not know it. The pianos are in 1990, sax too short sounds are typical of those years. But beware, ds that we go into the sounds of the synthse OUAHHH we take a slap. Carment is something else from my trinity. Of course the FM brings all the sounds of the DX, powerful synthetic bass, keyboards mtalliques clear and powerful organs not evils at all ... AWM provides the analog sounds bold, big, beautiful tablecloths, but when you combine the two, we get incredible sounds, spatial environments, universes gloques, tablecloths spychiques deep, bass heavy trs. In short I did not have when you buy. Especially if you look for hyper ralistes sounds, it is not for you. For leave of the beginning, the pianos are not too bad in a mix or scne but hey .. they are low mchantes!

Synthse:
Please note there is the job. Premire there is the FM, we can (thanks utilities!) Load all the sounds of the DX7. So you can imagine the number of sounds, the potential! and then you can grind your way. We can biensur CRER in others because there are more oscillator and they are more flexible than the DX. Well there is the subtractive synthse the AWM2. L is the classic. Sounds are not bad but it is better since. And of course the inovation of this device, the modulation of an FM in the AWM. I do not tell you it's not easy!

Change on 21/02/2006
Well, I spent some time on it and I still agree that the synthetic sounds are really good, but do not be content with the factory presets. They are void. Unfortunately I am not a fan of the trs synthse FM.

OVERALL OPINION

****** UPDATE ******* FULL SOUND, SOFTWARE *********** GO SEE MY PAGE SY77!! http://blouby.chez -alice.fr / ( http://blouby.chez-alice.fr/ )

Brief. On scne it is very well, a good keyboard. But now I think this machine is made to move in mix of RAVE, TECHNO, DANCE, AMBIENT, but not in an orchestra. I will put ending for an online site containing all the synths I have had. With DMOS DMOS including SY. Are not found on the net! If you have any questions ... MAIL!

Nothing new to add except for the comparison with the Korg M1 "Blouby", the M1 t comerciales a year before the SY77 ...

UTILIZATION

IDEM

SOUNDS

The SY77 has beautiful sound, powerful and warm, ideal for synthetic sounds of all kinds! To the sounds of classical instruments is not great but there has samplers.

OVERALL OPINION

I set up possde a broad level synthtiseurs (D-50, MS20, Juno2, T3, Nordlead2, MS2000, KS4, JV1080, MicroKorg) and my SY77 ERRF remain among his long time because it poss of a sound engine for music indmodable Lecron, plus it is super durable finish is compared to the Tritons, for example ...

Hello all.

Trs glad we still talk about the SY77! I have this synth since 1992 and I still love it as much. Like many I also had the problem of the drive belt drive. But yes, a hop and elastic, to be divided.

UTILIZATION

Synthse its extremely powerful. Read the manual (well done) and APRS, it is no secret: work, work, work.

SOUNDS

For those who want to hear the SY77 the work (in esprant to be worthy), that 6 of my components: http://www.myspace.com/spacenfr (note that the Premire, Heaven's gate, is made primarily by the expander Korg 05RW squence and only the SY77. But all others are "pure SY").

The sounds I like least are the brass and voices. But the effects are excellent and the DJ era could combine several by his.

OVERALL OPINION

I am therefore SY77 since 1991 and I still love her so much!
Most:
. the quality of sound (piano more than adequate, low, synthetic sounds, strings)
. the number of rglages for each sound
. CRER a real capacity for new sounds
. squenceur use and easy step trs After a few hours of practice

The -:
. squenceur sometimes limited to music too long / heavy grades
. disk recording not always easy to arrange
. Music on a single squenceur

C'tait loved the keyboard era, but the report qualitprix silent nanmoins trs good.
I Rasht no problem!

Sb

All good! On paper, the SY77 is a monster!
Cons by the number of voice users is too small to my taste (64).

UTILIZATION

Very pleasant to use. It does not row. We quickly found what we seek.
Editing sounds is easy, thanks to large LCD. Besides, the DX7 is a dinosaur.

SOUNDS

Sounds ... It has 30 years experience in the planning of its FM! The factory sounds are very good. On the net there are thousands of sounds that come from
DX7 banks. AWM2 samples are generally of very good quality.
Very usable! Even in 2010. Obviously they have a color 90's.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it since 1994.
I have many other synths: DX7, AN1x, Motif 6, MO8, NS5R, 05R / W, M1, Wavestation ...
The SY77 is one who has the best overall quality, both in terms of that construction. The touchdown is the best I've seen on a 61-key and the sound is crystalline.

But why not put 512 user voices like the DX7 supermax?? (Master of synthesis