Me and the Yamaha SY77 - A Synthesizer Love Story (Sort Of)
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- Опубліковано 5 жов 2021
- This is why I bought a Yamaha SY77 back in 1989, why I think it is still a brilliannt and under-rated synth, and why, alas, I had to part with it 😭
Quick Subscribe: / @ianwaugh
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These pieces were recorded solely with the SY77:
Champions: • Champions (Rediscovere...
Fanfares: • Fanfares (rediscovered...
Peace Of Angels (Full Album):
• Earthscapes (Peace of ...
Cosmic Dance: • Cosmic Dance - Algorit...
Algorythmic Compositions Playlist:
• M Algorithmic Composit...
Space Music: • Space Music - Is This ...
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My 1980's Studio: • My 1980's Studio - Ice...
My 1990;s Studio: • My 1990 Studio - Yamah...
My Rediscovered Tapes: • My 1980's Studio - Ice...
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Sy77 vs DX7: forum.vintagesynth.com/viewto...
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Equipment used:=
Yamaha SY77
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Visual: Free stock images and videos:
pixabay.com/
www.pexels.com/
snappygoat.com/
#Electronic_Music #Synthesizers
A lovely story Ian. I’ve had my own love affaire with FM synthesis since buying one of the first DX7s that came into the UK. I then (via a TX802) bought a TG77 and used it almost exclusively in my set up. One thing to mention about the SY (and TG) is that the filters (there were two multimode ones) sounded fantastic and their respective envelopes gave you an amazing range of control and sound shaping after the hugely powerful FM section. Also worth noting is that the operators could generate many different waveforms far beyond the DX’s sine waves. I’ve now been using NI’s FM8 for a long time now and it remains my favourite synth of all time. However, Yamaha’s hardware synths were just beautiful - I well remember showing someone in London’s Syco how to re-programme the infamous electric piano patch to make it sound better on a DX1… but that’s another story.
Hey Andrew - Thank you for watching and your super comments. I didn't get far into FM - I just loved the sounds. I use FM8. It's far easier to tweak 🙏 especially with a NI keyboard (I have the S49). I think sometimes people forget just how versatile and powerful FM is. It's really interesting to see synths like Korg's OP-6 which make FM far more accessible. Sounds like you have a few stories to tell, too...
Plus one for the multi-mode filters ! Absolutely brilliant when programming. Some of the best I’ve ever used on any synth !
@@MrSmithUK I didn't get very far with the programming back then but from the comments here I know a lot of people did and it was even more awesome than I remember... 😮
i bought a sy77 very recently and i'm just waiting to go pick it up, this video did a great job warning me abt possible issues but also it was so interesting and fun to listen about the versatility of this machine !
Hi Matías - So glad you enjoyed the video. I think you'll also enjoy your SY77 😊👍
Ian, thank you for this wonderful story regarding the SY77. What a joy to listen to your story as well as hearing all these great sounds. Thank you for sharing. Subscribed to your channel.
-Devin
Hey Devin - Thank you so much, you are very kind. Really pleased you enjoyed it. Although it is a story of its time, I think it may strike a cord 😀 with many musicians and their instruments. Many thanks for the subscription 👍
@@IanWaugh It definitely struck a chord with me. Thank you very much. Greetings from the Netherlands,
-Devin
@@devingademan Wonderful. Thank you, Devin.
Thanks for sharing this. I knew of the SY77 but only by name. I had no idea it was a successor to the DX7! This was a very informative watch - thanks again!
Thanks for watching, Matt. That's an A+ on your Synth History paper 😁 I think it was overshadowed by the DX because the DX hit a lot of firsts, even though the SY was far more powerful. There was also the rackmount TG77 and the later SY99. That seemed to be the end of the range as the W7 and W5 were ROMplers, although FM and Wave Memory were used in later flagship workstations. I wrote a dealer manual for Yamaha for the W series to help dealers demonstrate the instruments. I guess if they didn't sell very well, that could partly be down to me... 😱 🤣
@@IanWaugh Very cool that you helped with a manual! Keep up the good work and I look forward to the next.
@@mwmusic29 Thanks Matt 👍
Im owning one for about two months now, let me tell ya its just a blast and addictive to play on the keys of this beauty. I saw someone commenting on another SY 77 video saying its like a Prophet of the FM synths. Loved your video :)
Hi Jan - Thank you so much, that's very kind. It's great to hear from a user and we obviously feel the same about it 😀 It is an amazing synth 👍
Thank you for this video! I have recently purchased my second SY77 (I sold my first one years ago). This one now needed some TLC, but it was in nearly new condition. The previous owner probably did not use it much. I replaced the original LCD with a black on white OLED display which is amazing. Also, I upgraded the floppy disk unit with an emulator which came with a toggle that contains 400+ sound collections - there are 15k + sounds already in it. Also, I replaced the battery and did a couple of minor things on it. The unit is now in great shape and is so powerful. I love it! Your last song is really lovely!
Thank you for your very kind comments. If it hadn't been for my eyesight I probably would have done the same. Still amazed that uber-powerhouse synths like this are relatively cheap compared to analogue vintage synths. Ah well, it's for those who know... 😊
I was there as well - and I hear you. Just picked up one of these beasts..... love it.
Hi Fraser - Wow! But yes, these are very reasonable 2nd-hand and they are, indeed, massive and powerful synths 👍
Thank for posting songs made on the SY77, I also produced songs, backing tracks mostly back in the 90s just using the onboard sequencer, and I had to be creative with the drum kits just to make it sound acceptable.
I think we could get away with a lot back then... 😀
@@IanWaugh True
Great story. I own one hardware synthesizer and it is an SY77 for about 20 years. Still fully functional and built like a tank as the saying goes. All of my work is based on this synth. It is one of the greatest synths ever made since the combination of AFM and AWM is immensely powerful. Spent many, many hours programming it and using Midi Quest certainly makes the task easier. Program a voice in 4AFM mono mode and it can launch 24 oscillators with one note, and this was in 1989! Cheers.
Thanks for watching and your super comment. Yes, I think this may be why I initially kept it after selling everything else. I remember MIDI Quest. There were a lot of Universal Librarians around at the time. It's still going but the trend seems to be for manufacturers to release dedicated editors for each of their synths.
How do you load banks? DO you use a floppy drive?
Great story. I still have mine and still haven't encountered a keybed quite as nice.
I did replace the battery and floppy band, pretty straightforward. Also replaced the screen which was an adventure. You have to take everything out of the case, keyboard, every circuit board. It's literally at the bottom of the stack. I did it once to install a new back light, then had to do it again because I hadn't hooked something else up correctly. Then realized it was actually the inverter board, not the backlight and did it again to install one of the new LCD displays (which I highly recommend). Three times to the bottom of the well, I actually got somewhat good at it :).
Thank you, Andy. You're a handy person to know 😀 If I could have found someone like yoou to do all that I'd still have the SY77 and this video would not have been made. Not sure if that's a good or bad thing... 😀
Oh yes. I remember this marvelous synth. I remember when it hit the market. I actually got to play with one in the music store that I frequented as a kid. I would go in to the keyboard room and literally spend hours upon hours in there.
Hi Scott - Yes, a super instrument and under-rated, I think, at the time. Very powerful. I probably didn't explore it as much as some Commenters here...
I remember this great synthesizer. In fact I remember spending hours in my favorite music store as a kid when the synth was first introduced. These days, I have a few Yamaha synthesizers. I have a DX7, a DX7S, and an EX5. I bought all 3 of these machines on Ebay. My EX5 was damaged in shipping and I had to replace the floppy drive with a Floppy Emulator USB device. My two DX7's are in perfect condition. I would like to purchase an SY77 maybe someday. I have a lot of other synths as well. I have Behringer DeepMind 12, an Ensoniq SQ1+ A Behringer Neutron and a Novation Mini Nova. I had to pawn the Novation though but I will be getting it back.
Hey Scott - You got some nice gear 👍 The USB drives were a great invention. Although it's 'vintage', the SY77 doesn't cost silly money on the 2nd hand market, maybe because it's digital. Good luck.
I bought a SY99 in the early 90s, and over the following years I gradually sold all the other synths I owned, recent and vintage, analog and digital. The SY had simply made them obsolete. No matter what I appreciated about a specific synthesizer, the SY did it better. Since about 2002, my setup has consisted of just the SY99 and a Roland R8 MkII drum machine, no DAW, and I've never been so creative and inventive.
Hi - Great story 👍 The SYs are amazing machines and have been greatly under-appreciated in the following years.
I still have mine since 1991. Also a love story. Great video **
Thank you very much. I hope it's still in good order 👍
The SY77 to, was the most complex synth I could find, that I could buy (K5 excluded- couldn't find one & K2000 wasn't out at the time). To my mind it was a super DX7 and an M1 in one box, with an SPX-derived FX chip and sequencer thrown in. In fact there are two logic-boards in there, clearly defining the FM and Sample based sides of this machine. It was simply amazing - you could use sample waveforms in FM !!! I kept mine for over 10 years before a K2500 drew me away. I still think about buying a TG77 just for those sounds again. Awesome bit of kit :-)
Thanks for your comment, Chris. Yes, indeed an amazing machine, even now. I also loved the Kurzweils but could never afford one 😢 Do you still have it?
@@IanWaugh I still have the K2500 nearly 20 years later and it's everything you can imagine it is. Its very 'American' in that its sonic-portion sizes are huge ! it often comes across as a kind of digital Oberheim, with big saws and massive pads. That said, I often just play its pianos for hours (especially during Lockdown). But like any synth, you get bored with it. So maybe now is a good time to revisit those old favourites ?
@@MrSmithUK Sounds amazing! What do you fancy now? Lots of great modern synths. Or are you thinking vintage?
@@IanWaugh I’m very fortunate to own some rather tasty classics from the 80s and 90s. I’ve also bought and sold over 50 different machines, in cases some several-of, including PPG2.3 & Waveterm B, K250 ( extraordinarily heavy!), 4 M1s, 2 Trinitys ( the second of which I’m restoring right now), a lot of Akais, Yamaha TX & DZ & 2 SYs, Many Rolands & Kawais, a collection of Korgs and then just weird stuff like a trancendent 2000 a Hammond 102200 Synth & 6U of modular. (Eurorack)
It’s quite a list!
So sonically I’ve been and seen. I’m looking for something a bit more left-field. I repaired a Waldorf Q some years ago and it struck me as something a bit more interesting.
In a world where everything claims to have that perfect analogue sound, the Q stands tall.
@@blueboxav3679 Blimey! 😲 I am so jealous of your repair skills, although itt's not something I could ever do now. I really like a lot of the Waldorf stuff but they all seem to be heavily menu-driven 😢 Do let's know what you get 👍
Great story! The multi-timbral power of the SY77 was amazing in its time. One thing you have to realise is that there's two SEPARATE synthesis engines, one is FM and one plays back samples. Each is 16-voice polyphonic. So if you want to get the best out of multi-timbral mode, mainly use voices that are JUST sample-playback or FM, and have your arrangement use about half and half. Nearly all my own home-made programmes are limited to being just a single layer for that reason :)
Thank you, Rudy. Alas, my memory is a little thin but I never produced any pieces which were in danger of running out of polyphony and all contained less than 16 parts. I guess, in truth, I never tried to push or explore its limits. It was an incredibly powerful machine and I was happy just to dig into that 😀
Thanks Ian, I think the thing that sets the SY77 apart is not its mostly useless samples or DX7 FM synthesis, but the analog-sounding filters - one on each of the 32 voices of polyphony. It's not too hard to set up the 2nd modulation wheel to open and close the filter, allowing the player to create some lovely "traditional" synth sounds.
@@RudyAdrian I defer to your superior knowledge in this area. I didn't delve into the workings too much - I just thought it produced some fantastic sounds.
Ian, Devin here again. I want to say in advance that I try to make myself as understood as possible. English is not my mother tongue and although I can understand for about 95%, it takes me more time and effort to get my point across. I want to say that I have enjoyed watching some of your other videos. I really like the fact that your channel discusses various topics (old 80's/90's studio setups, Roland System 100 videos, composer related videos, gear videos just to name a few). I find all these videos very interesting and I have already heard a number of instructive, useful tips and facts. Thanks you for this and with this content you will see me here more often in the near future.
A question I'd like you to ask: I am interested in composing music on a workstation such as a Yamaha SY77 (this seems interesting because it allows me to compose outside my DAW/Studio where options often times seem endless). I'd just like to compose simple, yet powerful/emotional ambient/piano and strings sort of music on a workstation so that I can always take it back into the studio whenever I want to.
I feel quite familiar with the synthesis options and GI of these synthesizers from Yamaha where I would like to work on (SY77,99,85 and the 1998 released EX5). However, recording simple songs internally, I am less knowledgeable. I was wondering how to make the music you compose on these workstations a bit more lively. Since these systems rely quite heavily on quantizing and the late 80's/early 90's sounds don't always help with the "loose, elastic" sound. I really liked the 90's studio demos that you have uploaded. Do you maybe have tips on how I can work out simple, yet beautiful, elastic instrumentals/songs internally in the workstation without giving a bad karaoke character if you know what I mean. These synthesizers are before I was born so I do not have the experience how people were effectively using these kind of things. Thank you very much, Ian and have a good Saturday evening.
-Devin
Hey Devin - Your English is excellent! Music is often a difficult subject to discuss in any language so I would just go for it 😁 I am actuially blushing at your very kind comments. I just make videos about things that I think will be of interest and hope that others think the same 😁 Thank you very much for that.
You're probably way ahead of me on the SYs. I'm afraid I founf the interface somewhat cumbersome and recorded everything in Notator. It really was easier, faster and far more flexible, certainly as far as editing and arranging was concerned. I don't know what the quantise resolution is but I think it will be fairly high so you needn't worry about loosing feel. I hope that's what you were asking.I think more modern workstations have better features for recording outside the DAW but, again, it's not something I have explored. I hope this helps and you make some great music 👍
@@IanWaugh Thank you for your reply, Ian! I have read a bit about Notator and I understand it a bit better and I also see the connection with comparable, contemporary and older programs. You learn to better understand the present by understanding the past. This is what I find very interesting in the field of music (as well as in photography and more) as it strengthens the connection between both contemporary and older equipment and technology and this really appeals to me. -Devin
@@devingademan Well, Devin, there is a whole lifetime of discussion in what you say 😁 As a generation, we don't learn from life and probably not from music from the past 😱 Very, very interesting topics but I will let them lie here for others to discuss elsewhere. I hope your musical journey continues in a very productive way 👍
Just sold my SY77, but that was only because I found an SY99. Fantastic machines that have only recently started going up in value on the second hand market. While the AFM portion is even more complex than the dreaded DX7, the AWM bit can be treated like a virtual analogue by using the basic waveform and abstract harmonic samples.
Hey Chris - That's a super upgrade. Slightly surprised that prices are increasing as I thought it had flown under the radar. Also surprised that, when I checked, the DX7 was selling for more. Better-known, I guess but not as powerful 😀 Enjoy your 99 👍
@@IanWaugh The only problem with the SY99 is that it's too wide to fit on my Jasper's A-frame stand (looks like you've got one of those behind you in the video). By the way, are you the same Ian Waugh that used to write for Music Technology magazine? I recall that any review with that name or Simon Trask in the byline guaranteed that you were getting good info.
@@chriswareham Guilty as charged 😱 Very kind of you to say so, Chris.
Yes, that is, indeed a Jaspers. It's a special one on rollers ! If anyone is interested, here's a review and tips: ua-cam.com/video/XNIxJ2i9Goo/v-deo.html
Also, alas, probably too late for you 😢 I have another video on selecting the optimum stand width: ua-cam.com/video/Bi-D_WGBIgU/v-deo.html
I hope you find somewhere suitable for it.
The sy77 and sy99 were great keyboards. I think they were overshadowed at the time by the mighty Korg M1 and T3 workstations. I also thought yamahas decision only to put the vector synthesis on the sy22 was a big mistake as the soundscapes and hands-on control was second to none and not reproduced until the modern instruments like the MODX.
I must admit that I still have a DX11 packed away in the back of my studio that is in need of a battery replacement but I haven't got round to it.
Great video and thanks for the memories.
Thank you, Doug, much appreciated. I've been trying to move into the 21st century but selling my 77 and researching this video took me back down memory lane. There's a lot of great music down there. Now get a battery fo your DX and start making your own music 😁
Just recently bought the SY55. Not as good as the 77 and the sequencer is complicated to use but it’s lovely to play. Having been in a hard case for years it’s in amazing condition and the display is very bright and sharp.
Great stuff! Not personally familiar with the differences but I'm sure it has awesome sounds 😀 I rarely used the sequencer. Far easier to use a DAW if you have one 👍
I agree, its like two synths in one. FM + AWM and plenty of ways to combine them together, and I'm not just talking about layering.
Yes, indeed, some great possibilities 👍
Just a side-note. The RY30 drum cards were also compatible with the SY77. So you could load in some of extended drum sets/sounds.
Interesting. Something else I didn't explore 😢 thank you. There are still a lot of SY users out there so maybe they will find that useful, too 👍
I love this kind of story
Thank you, Alex, so glad you enjoyed it.
I have my SY77 since 1992, still working.
Hey Jorge - That's awesome! Have you had to change the battery or drive belt? I'd probably still have mine if I could have done that 😢
@@IanWaugh can you believe the battery is still working? I only changed the drive belt and the screen, replace it with a black one. Awesome. Some friends asks me why I still using this synth when I have newer ones, they don't understand that it's a beast!!
@@MrJjsolari Ha! Ha! As far as power goes, it takes some beating. Ahead of it's time, I think 😊 Batteries are only supposed to last 10 yrats 😲 Although mine did last over 30...
I learned about the SY-77 in the early 2000s, on the heals of learning about its direct successors, the TG-77, the SY-22 and -35 and the TT-33. This series was historically about what could happen if you created a new synthesizer by crossbreeding their own DX7 with the Korg DSX-1 and the Sequential Circuits Prophet VS. And, what did Yamaha do in addition to the updates you mentioned? They included a digital successor to the analog subtractive filter! One demo I listened to minutes before arriving here (in Dec. 2022) showcased how massive this synth could be in the analog tradition - despite being completely digital.
In 2003, I was trying to record [my first] solo record. One of the synthesizers I played that didn’t belong to me at the time was an original Yamaha Motif. It included the same electric grand piano tone that permeated many pop records in the early 90s. Fast forward to the summer of 2011; I bought the S 90 XS performance synthesizer, and I was disappointed to discover that its electric grand piano tones were directly sampled from the real McCoy, not that waveform-generated tone of the early 90s. Since then, I’ve been curious to know if that same electric grand piano tone is one of the sounds included on the SY series. Most demos have been fixated on everything else they can do. My choice would be to get a TG-33 module if that piano tone is included.
- Eric Benjamin Gordon.
Hi Eric - Thank you for your comment and super story. Alas, I can't help you with that but I'm sure some serious googling will reveal all. I think Yamaha was ahead of its time back then and it's suprising that the SY77 and family are now very affordable compared to so-called 'classic' synths. Do let us know what you discover 👍
Thank you very much, @@IanWaugh. Since I left this comment, I have watched one or two other demo videos of the 22. If my ears aren’t deceiving me, it does include the sound I am in search of. That probably means the 33 module includes it as well.
@@Shred_The_Weapon Good detecting! Hope it works out for you 👍
Thanks again, @@IanWaugh. That will depend if I decide to get the 33 module. I’ve presently got nine synthesizer models in my possession. As I leave this comment, 2023 is about to begin. My hope had been to make it a zero purchase year. I might simply wait until ‘24 - unless a big, old ship comes in.
@@Shred_The_Weapon I know what you mean. I tried a while back (ua-cam.com/video/4_dCw9UnmuE/v-deo.html). Have to say I've been successful apart from a few Black Friday deals. But it ain't easy 😊
awesome synth, i got the tg77 and the sy99
Brilliant! It's a shame Yamaha seems to have eased off new synth development recently...😲
I remember when it came out. I had a DX7II but no money to upgrade ;) i also used my Atari ST with Cubase (through notation, I hardly used the piano roll) to compose for the DX.Also had a QY10 sequencer, still do actually. Good times. What a pity, you had to sell it. It ended up in good hands, at least.
Yes, those were the days... 😀 And they don't make 'em like that anymore 😁 I was a bit sad to see it go as I had lots of great sounds for it but I never got far in the programming as some others did. Thanks for watching 👍
@@IanWaugh Thank you for making the video, and bringing back memories. Good night.
still have mine and several more as I have a lot of stuff still to finish. I continue to use the internal sequencer and mostly by reactive playing and recording rather than conforming to bars and a metramone. Currently working on an orchestral album for a release next year. Enjoyed the music samples included
Thank you very much. It's a little surprising to see how many musicians are still using this. I think it shows what an amazing instrument it still is. The album sounds great. Do let us know when it's released 👍
@@IanWaugh I still use mine more out of nessesity from all those years ago when I didn't ever finish anything. Still it's a great machine to be stuck to. All the best to you and your music career and I'll let you know when my first album arrives
@@adroharv9213 Yes, it's a great synth to be 'stuck' with 😀 Good luck with the album 👍
Great video, is the SY99 a souped up/improved SY77 ?
Hi Christopher - Thank you for watching and your comments. Yes, the SY99 had more features such as a larger keyboard, better FX and the ability to load your own samples. However, I think it cost around £3K as opposed to the 77's £2K. I didn't want a larger keyboard and as I wasn't really programming, I wouldn't know what to do with more samples 😀 So in all, it wasn't a worthwhile upgrade for me.
I actually have it still, it is a beast! Especially if we include recent sounds available on web, there is a plenty of abilities available due to its sound architecture that enables us to create mighty sounds of analogue machines such as CS 80, OBX or Jupiters by Roland. Keyboard and sequencer are awesome indeed, and it is not too complicated to use it in range of the most of its functions. I changed disk reading device once, and in flow of time some buttons dont catch pressure at first attempt, but all other features make my recordings mighty even today.
That's brilliant! Yes, I do think it is somewhat of a Nearly Forgotten Gem. Many years ago when I thought about resurrecting it, you could get all replacement parts, screen, buttons, etc, from Yamaha. Don't know what the situation is like now. I do believe that you can add a USB drive to it which seems very useful. Do post links to your music if you wish. Thank you for watching and your great comment.
@@IanWaugh Hi Ian, I am posting you a link to a composition of Slovenian artist Miha Kralj who was one of pioneers in synth music during my youth. He even performed as a foreperformer at Jean-Michel Jarre's concert in Ljubljana, and some of his compositions were widely used in our former state for various purposes, mainly on TV. I hope you will find it interesting, it is from the eighties. If you want, I can provide a few more recordings I like that were made by authors you've probably never heard for, they influenced my compositional style a lot.
ua-cam.com/video/JVuZJvoMyvU/v-deo.html&start_radio=1
And I am enclosing this one as well, sorry, I simply couldn't resist! It is from 82, mainly Oberheims and american equipment, we listened to this LP thousands times, it was so inspiring for us young musicians with empty pockets, unable to afford such expensive gear at the time. But friend of mine from the neighbourhood soon sold his upright piano to buy DX7, and that encouraged the rest of us to follow his example according to our financial conditions. I started playing in local hotel with a band using lousy Yamaha PS 20 and earned for my first proper synth, that was DX21...
ua-cam.com/video/l0IRI5Ha22k/v-deo.html
@@TrazomGV 👍
@@TrazomGV Thanks, Vanja. Really like Merge although it reminds me more of music from the 70s than 80s (Wendy Carlos, Rick Wakeman etc). It's interesting to hear music from this era that I haven't heard before but I spend far too much time on YT as it is 😱 I bought a piano for a fiver back in the day. Would have probably bought me a DX key 🤣 I also wondered how these musicians got the money to buy all their gear. Ah well...
The fist synth I ever bought was the Casio CX-1000. Wow, that was a long time ago. I replaced it with the SY-77. I was so happy!!!
Hi - The CX-1000 was released in 1984. I was still playing with my Roland 100m System then 😊 The SY77 was a remarkable synth.
I guess I'm just stuck on Yamaha. After the SY-77, I bought a S80. I now have a MODX8. However I would love to have a Kronos. Just can't afford it.
@@deltekkie7646 I really like Yamaha stuff but, apart from the workstations, they don't seem to have done much in the synth line.
A year ago I saw the SY77 and the really cheap prices they were selling for and decided to buy one. Then I found the SY99 and though they were selling for a bit more, I managed to still get one for a good price in great condition. The SY99 has better & more FX and a larger keyboard, but is largely the same as the SY77.
There are better modern FM synths available, but the SY77/99 bridge the gap between the sound of the DX7 world and the more modern FM Synths. For more modern FM sounds I use F.'em sold by Tracktion Software. The developers of F.'em were inspired by the SY77/99. It isn't a clone of the SY series, but it does have the equivalent of PCM sample layers with FM sounds. Maybe that isn't saying much as any good DAW can layer sounds all day long using a multi-layer tool, but nice to see they were thinking of the SY99 as inspiration and it shows in a few features that make it stand out vs. the other FM VSTs available - just like the SY77 and SY99 stand apart from the DX7.
Hi Michael - Great stuff! Sounds like you got two great deals 😁
I really loved that video with the icey river..... Can I download that video?
This one: ua-cam.com/video/jalGzOUYcd4/v-deo.html
Not sure what YT's rules are about it but it will be technically possible.
It's fine by me if it's for personal use but if you make money from it, buy me a beer 🍺 😀
Disk Drive repair, also happened to me. Easy fix, I did it my self, I even had to manually cut a belt to fit in there, worked perfectly after.
That's neat! If my eyesight had been better... I understand you can get USB floppy drive emulators for the SYs for £60-70. Sounds like a good idea.
@@IanWaugh Too technical for me to replace myself, may come in handy when diskettes run out.
@@obyte1world522 I don't know as I've never tried so don't know what the instructions are like. I'm sure you'd get support from the community.
@@IanWaugh I'm sure I can do it with a clear step by step instructions and no soldering required. What worries me is the quality of the USB emulator itself as it may be made in China.
I replaced my floppy drive belt with a rubber band that I thought was a decent size and it’s been going for like 2 years no problem 👌
Hey Jacob - neat! The bits I read about it said you needed the 'proper' size band. Good you proved them wrong 👍
Hi Ian. Sadly, the SY77 is one that got past me... don't know anything about it. One thing I do know, any synth with two mod wheels has to be awesome! Did the volume slider go to 11? LOL. Next stop... your Cosmic Dance video. See ya.
Well, Gene, EVERYTHING went to 11 in those days 😀 Doing the tour - Thank you sooooo much. I hope you find something you like 😁
@@IanWaugh I see Andrew Heath mentioned something about multimode filters on the SY... what were they like? And, I meant to ask you what synth you have on top of your keyboard stand... a Novation Peak?
@@generoley Well, it is decades+ since I used the SY and I mostly just tweaked presets so I'm afraid I can't comment on the filter 😢 The Novation at the top is the Ultra Nova. Bought it 2nd hand for the vocoder but since got other gear with vocoders so never used it 😢 It's digital with a LED menu system so I haven't used it much 😢 Heck, that's 3 😢 in one reply. Maybe nostalgia is getting to me 😀
I had a TG77 then FS1R. Bought both new. Both phenomenal. Sold both. No more digital for me. Now I'm all analog.
Thank you for watching and your comment. Yes, those were the days 😀 Some terrific sounds but not the easiest to program. I do prefer the analogue workflow, especially one-knob-per-function.
I changed the battery on my sy and I still get a garbled screen and no sound. can you help me
Hi Eric - Sorry to hear that. As you will know from the video, I mno longer have mine and my eyesight prevented a deep diagnostic anyway. When my battery seemed to have died I got a garbled FM sound but the screen was ok. However, I don't know how 'dead' it was at this point, it may have had a little juice left. But not the same symptoms as you're having. Afraid I have no suggestions at all other than to double check that the battery is working and installed correctly. Best I can suggest is asking in dedicated forums and/or seek the help of a synth repair shop. That's what I tried to do but... (see video) Good luck 👍
@badass taco That's a great idea! Batteries are supposed to last about 10 years. Mine probably did about 30! Be interesting to see how the SY77 fares in another 30 years 😁
Are there any DAWS that can be used to transfer stored SY77 sound files?
Hi - It's that long since I used one, I don't rightly know but if the files canm be saved in SysEx format I guess any software that can handle that would work.
@@IanWaugh I only have what’s on the old discs . I share your sentiments about the SY77. Thanks for the video and reply !
@@tool_fighter You are most welcome 😊 A Google search may reveal a solution. If you just want to store the sounds, I think there is a USB drive emulator for a reasonable price.
If you have a UA-cam channel you'll know YT emails you with new Comments when posted to a video. I've had a few of these which, for unknown reasons, have not appeared in the Comments section. Here is one from @Spectre Garden which SY users might find useful:
"sy.factory by Derek Cook is a current SY Patch manager and does conversions of DX7. Also of note, the sample engine will accept user created content, if you can burn it to a card. Brian Allan runs a site where you can buy modern card multi-plex devices that allow adding your own samples & patches with far greater memory available via a memory switching mechanism."
The SY99 definitely is a step up with much cleaner effects.
You'd expect it to be better and I know the specs are more impressive but I never actually tried one. Good to know if anyone is looking for a SY. Thank you 👍
Found one in excellent conditions in a street market for 120€, total bargain 😁 Great synth, always wished to put my hands on it. I tend to love old digital synths from the 80s.
Wow! 😲 It certainly was 👍
@@IanWaugh Indeed 😁 What do you think of Korg T series (another favorite of mine), any chance to get a video about it?
@@MassimoBoscoMusic Hi - I don't have any Korg Ts, alas... But I like Korg gear 😊
@@IanWaugh Oh well it's a must have IMO, highly recommended 😎
@@MassimoBoscoMusic Which one?
As to your atmospheric music provided in addition, it sounds very similar to mine that I had made quite a long ago using at the time my Kawai K4 and Yamaha V50( DX with sequencer built in) just before I had purchased my SY77. Engineers from Yamaha Corporation claimed in 1989. that 77 was the best keyboard they had ever produced so far. In fact, it was a predecessor of later EX and Motif models, what leeds as to nowadays Montage also a bit. Some musicians created realy fatty demos using SY77, mainly with clever use of effect units also built in it. Your music is very nice and pleasant to listen to.
Hi Vanja - Thank you very much for your kind comments. If you have any links to your music, please feel free to post them here. It's really interesting to hear how many people have or had a SY77. It was - and still is - a truly awesome synth!
@@IanWaugh Hi Ian! I am enclosing this link to one of my recordings made entirely on SY77 long time ago. It is not the best I have ever done, but as I am not really skillful guy with computers and media handling, this is going to do till the moment I find some ways to send you some better ones. Untill then, regards from Croatia! ua-cam.com/video/yQjFmAN2t5U/v-deo.html
@@TrazomGV Hey Vanja - That's an album's worth of music 😁 Excellent. It really showcases the versatility of the SY77 👍
@@IanWaugh Thanks, Ian, I hope I'll find a way to send you a few more as soon as I learn how, because my gear is out of date and I need some help of conosseurs regarding computer matters. As you've probably heard already, I have been growing as musician under the influences of J. M. Jarre, Vangelis and some artists in electronical music from former Yugoslavia, therefore some lines and sounds may sound familiar to your ears. At some point I started experimenting with MIDI and combined other sound sources with sequencer of Yamaha V50, later SY77, such as already mentioned Kawai K4 and later Roland E16, and this brought to richer, fuller and better sound picture, so to say. Using more different sound architectures at the same time brings much better transparence in total production results, without putting just one tone generator to its limits. Perhaps you have noticed that few tones in my recording were swollen by overwhelming poliphony saturated by too many tracks. At that time SY77 was the only machine I considered worth of investigating to detailed operation abilities. I enjoyed sharing experiences with you. Till next time, bye!
@@TrazomGV Well, Vanja, as musicians we all follow our own path. We start by being influenced by our idols and, if we follow our development, we become our own composer although there are influences in EVERY musician's work. We also follow our own wishes regarding equipment, dictated by preferences and budget 😀 Often, however, we forget that it's about the music, not the gear 😀 Good luck with your future projects 👍
I was poor - I had the SY22 (actually the TG33 - rack version). I had an Atari ST running cubase (complete with the dreaded dongle - somethings never change!). I also had a little gizmo that connected to the serial port that gave me an additional midi output, which I sent to a TG55. Happy days!
Hey Dennis - Yes, they were cutting-edge times 😁 Bet you made some great music with your gear, too. Yes, the current dongles are iffy. Probs with the eLicenser keep popping up. Steinberg is due to do away with them soon, though, apparently. Although that still leaves all the other companies...
@@IanWaugh it’s strange, but I think I was more productive with the limitations that the technology had at the time. Now I have almost unlimited tracks and instruments, and writer’s block is more the norm than the exception. Too much choice is apparently bad for creativity.
@@DennisCaunce Hey Dennis - No, not strange at all. I know what you mean. I believe it is a recognised phenomenon 😱 It's easy to get analysis paralysis looking through all your sounds and options. There are several posts describing the benefits of imposing limitations on your choices - eg, only using one instrument, etc.
One day when I get the space I'd like to get one for myself. For now I'm gonna stick to mini keys.
Hi - They are actually quite affordable, just check the battery and drive band. But, yes, much larger than a mini keyboard - also they are solid and weigh a ton 😄
Helped create AIRWOLF THEMES and AIRWOLF EXTENDED THEMES soundtracks. I have two of them. Very few of the original sounds left on it. Got the very very best out of it in lieu.
Awesome! It's vastly under-appreciated 👍
Yeah. I love a synth that handles like a cash register.
OK, you got me there - no idea what that means...
Would the Yamaha MODX be the modern equivalent?
Hi Everett - Yes, the AWM tech was moved into later keyboards and I think the MOD workstations are developments of the Sy series.
I bought one 2 years ago, but it is in a bad state. A couple of the keys are broken, and the Patch C button is stuck. It seems to have been knocked askew, so it won't press down. Afraid of trying to prying it loose.
I also bought a DX7S about 12 years ago. The battery inside has died. I already replaced it once when I bought it, but it is such a hassle to replace.
Hi Mikael - Yes, that's one of the problems with older synths. Professional repairs can be expensive but I think you can still get spares for a lot of gear and I'm sure there will be tutorials on the net showing how to fix various things. If I had better eyesight I would probably still have my SY77 😢
@@IanWaugh Yes, I used a yt tutorial back then to put in a new battery.
@@mikaelbiilmann6826 YT has its uses 😊
I.be heard of the Yamaha sy85 back in the 90s but this one must have come out earlier
Hi Tone - Yes, the SY85 was released in 1992. It was an updated version of the SY77 but not what I needed at the time so I stuck with my SY77 😊
I have the rack version tg77 , wonderfull machine !!
It is indeed! I'm amazed by the number of people who still have and revere the SY/TG synths. Veritable classics!
Hi Ian, have you got an email address I can get in touch with you on please? I’m just looking at one of these.
Hi Aaron - sure! Not putting it here because of spambots but go to my channel/About and click the button next to For Business Enquiries 😊
Isn't AWM Advanced Wave Modulation?
Hey Garyt - Thanks for watching. It could be but according to WIki it stands for Memory: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_SY77
The SY77 was a good synth, but I'm glad I picked the revolutionary Korg M1 instead, though I'm not sure the SY77 was out yet anyway. I think for more piano type of sounds like a grand piano or even DX7 EP, the SY77 was better for that kind of stuff. The M1 lacked a decent grand piano, though it's upright piano was pretty good, but lacking in sustain. But the rest of what the M1 did was awesome. I had a Yamaha FM sound module to go with my M1 so I could still cover FM sounds. I also had a Casio CZ for analog style leads and sound. The combo of those 3 synths was great.
I now use a Yamaha MODX, which is basically a Yamaha Montage. This is one of the best synths on the present market. Fully compatible with DX7, TX816 & TX802 sounds, plus 20 years worth of Yamaha MOTIF series sounds. I run my M1 via software emulation mostly, though I still have two of the keyboards in storage. You should check out the MODX or Montage. One of the people on the SY77 team said the SY77 technology is basically in the Montage/MODX, though the included samples are a bit different, so you can't exactly emulate it.
Yes, the M1 was/is awesome. It came out in 1988 so had a year's start on the SY77. Not sure why I got the 77 instead of the M1 but there you go. I think the Montage/MODX is brilliant. However, as I mentioned in the video, my eyesight would make it difficult to use a screen 😢 Thanks for watching and your super comment 👍
Not sure if consider the Korg M1 (or Roland D50) revolutionary. They were just the Japanese manufacturers copying the concepts from Ensoniq's ESQ1.
@@chriswareham Indeed. Both super synths which pre-dated the SY77.
@@chriswareham Have you heard the M1?
The ESQ1 is a very different animal than the M1. The D-50 was inspirational in the development of the M1, but the M1 was a huge leap forward when it came out. Verses those synths or most synths anywhere near it's price range at the time of it's release, the M1 had realistic 16 bit samples vs 8 bit samples, lots of memory, and most importantly, great sound programming. The M1 was both revolutionary in it's sounds, and for offering so much technology for such a down to Earth price for the time. The M1 shined at recreating real life instrument sounds like the saxophone, flute, electric & acoustic guitars, real string sounds, violins, horn sections, horns, choirs, drums and much more. Nothing could really touch it when introduced, and it was loved by many and became what is still the best selling synthesizer of all time even beating out the DX7.
My Ensoniq days were the Mirage. The M1 was vastly superior in every way, but the Mirage was ground breaking in price for the time it came out a few years earlier.
I did seriously consider buying the Ensoniq VFX before the M1 came out. Thankfully, I waited, but the VFX does make some nice sounds.
@@n8goulet I played an M1 in the 1990s, but was quite underwhelmed by it, probably because I like more abstract "synthetic" sounds. The M1 seems to excel at emulation of conventional instruments and glossy sounding pads, which I'm not really interested in. By coincidence I did own an Ensoniq VFX-SD, but prefer the sound of the earlier Ensoniq ESQ1 and SQ80. The sequencer in the VFX-SD was very buggy as well.
I have an SY-77 is a case in great condition. Just needs a battery & ROM re-flashed. Floppy still works. Haven't used in 15yrs.
Anyone want it? Looking to unload it.
Hey Corey - Sad but I understand 😧 I'm sure you'll have takers.
didn't you used to write for future music magazine?
Hey Chloe - I knew I should have used a nom de plume 😀 That was a while ago - you have a good memory. I think I may have written one or two pieces for them but did much more for Computer Music and several of the other Bath-based publications
Still have my SY77! Unfortunately, too many sticky keys to use but I’ve hung on to it…
Hey Sam - Yes, it's weird - I hung on to mine after getting rid of absolutely all my other music gear. Are you going to fix it?
@@IanWaugh Would like to fix it. Most likely a DIY - assuming I can't find a qualified tech to delve into it.
@@samnixon6198 I think DIY would be interesting. I couldn't find a local tech
You could always use an external controller to bypass the keys.
@@Shred_The_Weapon Absolutely. However, I have to say that the SY77 keyboard is one of the best synth keyboards I have ever played.
I love the SY range and although I have most of them (22,35,85,99) but never got around to getting a 77. Maybe I should if not just for completing my collection. With over 150 synths my wife will probably leave me if I purchase another, so there's another positive reason to get one ( only joking )!!!!
Ha! Ha! Hey Lenny - That IS some collection you have there! 😀 As you have the 99 I'm not sure you'd get much more from the 77 but if it improves your marital status, who am I to stand in your way...? 😀
@Dan Graf Ha! Ha! Thanks, Dan. As I said in the video - I'm a fickle synthesist 😀
@Dan Graf Hey Dan thanks for the offer, but as I'm in Australia the shipping would probably make it to costly. I have bought quite a few synths from the UK and USA but mainly smaller stuff. But if I find one closer my wife will get the chance to blow steam from her ears again.... Cheers 😎
The 55 is missing from your list as well
@@Mind-your-own-beeswax You are correct, but it's one I didn't get because I have the rack version TG-55 which I should have mentioned. Thinking about it it now, I will probably get one as I already purchased a SY-77 a week ago and it will now bug me not having them all LOL....😎
Subbed
That's very kind, thank you very much, greatly appreciated 👍
Yes, but the rhythm track on Fanfare (Opening Song) is not from the SY77 right? I love all the other sounds, but the drum kit is really just crap, but I still have my SY77.
Hey - Thanks for watching. You got me thinking now... I didn't have any drum machines at the time, just a Kawai rack unit and a Roland D-something 😀 As best my poor memory will allow, I think I DID play the drums on the SY77. However, they could well have been from an extension pack as I had a lot, rather than the built-in drum sounds. But I wouldn't argue the toss with anyone 😀 Hope your SY is still running well 👍
@@IanWaugh Sad to say it's safely tucked away under a stairway in a box, sealed with plastic covering for protection from dust and moisture. It's been 5 years now, I'm planning to get it someday soon (I hope) and haul it overseas where I live now. Planning to make a new home studio with my SY77 still part of it.
@@IanWaugh I never got around to buying those expansion pack. Never had any idea how they sound.
@@obyte1world522 Good stuff! I'm sure it's looking forward to it's new home 👍
@@obyte1world522 I think there may now be a lot of patches on the web...
What I mean is that the on board drum kit on the SY77 is just crap. ..not the rhythm track on the Fanfare song, which is actually good. That's why it caught my attention.
Ha! Ha! Thank you. I wouldn't take offence either way 😀 (See previous reply.)
I still don't understand the hardware/software distinction. All digital synthesizers are software. 70% of Roland D-50's development was software. It is a software synthesizer. A hardware synthesizer would be the ones that do not generate their sounds out of binary numbers.
On the other hand, any type of a software synthesize requires a hardware to convert these numbers to analog audio. So, an Atari computer has a sound chip that can produce a square wave, noise, sample & hold, etc. So even an 8-bit Atari computer is a combination of software and the ever so important IC sound chip.
Hi Andrew - Yes, you are essentially right 😁 All digital synths are mostly software with an external interface (some better than others). In the early days of digital synths, computing power was limited so they used dedication CPU chips. Now, computers can run sophisticated synths that are more powerful than any hardware. I think for most musicians, the advantage of hardware over software is the hands-on controls.
@@IanWaugh In my opinion, the main reason to use dedicated musical devices is the escape from the increasingly growing subscription schemes that software companies implement these days on general purpose computer platforms. Another way to escape is to of course run things on discontinued computer platforms, that do not require internet connection to activate.
@@dvamateur Well, Andrew, there is that, too! I'm not a fan at all of subscription services. I have a friend who still runs Windows 8 and music software from that time. It works!! 😁
@@IanWaugh I am actually planning to buy Windows XP to run Jupiter-8, Juno, and TR-808 emulation on Roland VariOS. I am currently running Atari ST, Windows 7, Vista, Mac OS 10.7.3 and Ubuntu 14.
@@dvamateur Wow! You still have an Atari ST, Andrew? I think I have some .SON files somewhere...😁
I'm glad I found your channel, I like your style and the experience you bring to your presentation. I have the TG77 module and love it, I'm a slow programmer too and I prefer to select from the huge libraries of patches, and collect my favourite ones..so after this process I made this demo showing my collection of patches in the TG77 ua-cam.com/video/GIdRlycSviU/v-deo.html
That is very, very kind, Gustavo, thank you so much. That really means a lot 🙏
That's a great collection of sounds. I think the 77s easily hold their own against most modern synths. If only they were easier to program 😀
I never liked the DX-7, far too clinical and glassy sounding for my liking. And just put a filter on it that works with everything. You should do a history of the DAW your knowledge is deep.
Hey Rod - Yes, I tend to agree although it was breakthrough at the time. Subsequent FM synths such as the OP-6 can produce far more organic sounds. But the SY77 with its PCM samples was way ahead of the curve 😁
@@IanWaugh yes it was a game changer and the sound of the 80s but even though some great music was made with it... it still makes me cold. Moog is my synth of choice.😁 the SY77 like you say was never on me radar. But I do like FM synths and the DX1 was a monster.
@@rodnee2340 Hey Rod - Yes, its FM was rather digital, know what you means. Oh, Moog is luscious 😁
@@IanWaugh I'm getting me a moog grandmother very soon I can't wait. Great content BTW. Carry on and you will soon be up there.
@@rodnee2340 Ha! Ha! Thank you so much, Rod. Do check out my Moog videos: ua-cam.com/play/PLnbB-G_ugUQ2p_JL73AWkzp71tpYg-H3P.html
I love my Grandmother 👍
IAN GO GET A SY99
Ha! Ha! Thanks, Jim 😁 Do you have one? Yes, the SYs certainly take some beating. If it wasn't for my eyesight, I would have fixed my SY77 - and this would have been a totally different video 😀
I have a sy77..... I want to get a 99....but there is a group on yamaha forms that have made a custom card that allow you to load your own samples into the SY77!..... And it's only 100$
@@Swanlord05 Wow, that sounds great, Jim. At the time, I didn't want to upgrade to a 99 - I didn't need the extra keys and I assume it weighs more than the 77 which is heavy as a tank! I was gigging with it though. For studio use it may be more versatile but the 77 was still excellent. Just been watching a Starsky Carr video about vintage synths 😱 You know the heritage of your 77..
@@IanWaugh.... Yes Ian my next move is to get an 99 or a Tx816 with a Kx88 there is one locally that I can get real cheap(Kx88)
@@Swanlord05 Cheap is good 😀 One good thing about the SYs is that they don't attract the silly prices of some vintage gear. Yet 😀
well no, because dx7 was 6 op fm, the 77 is only 4
Hey Chloe - No, the SY77 was 6-operator and used more algos 😊
@@IanWaugh oh i always believed it was 4 !!!!! learnt something :D
@@chloedevereaux1801 Entertainment, music AND education! What more could you want? 😀
had one from new, loved it till it got stolen.
Hey Chloe - That's terrible! So sorry to hear that. Hope you're still making music.
@@IanWaugh occasionally yes, still using my original D-10, juno d and novation mininova :D
@@chloedevereaux1801 Good stuff! I bought a 2nd hand Ultra Nova - awesome sounds!
@@IanWaugh yes the add on voice packs are great.... proper original depeche mode jarre ect....
@@chloedevereaux1801 Not got further than the presets and some twiddling. So many sounds, so little time... 😀
Boldon Accent?
Ha! Ha! Close-ish but no cigar 😊