YAMAHA SY77 - Building a patch from scratch - Ep.1: A simple pad

This is my first spoken word tutorial episode of building patches from scratch on aYamaha SY77.
I start with modulating OP1 by OP2 and then add OP3 and its modulators.
The result will be a pad sound with some modulation of the waveforms.
Also a bit of LPF Cutoff playing added via Modwheel.
In the left corner you can see the panel of CTRLR which is a great help.
I also use a Novation Zero SL for sending Sysex to the SY via CTRLR.
Feel free to like and suggest topics for further videos if you like.

[@jamesraymorris3253]

This is exactly what I’ve been looking for.

[@oupahens9219]

One of the best features are looping envelops, that can be set different for every operator and scaled positive or negative across the key-range. With 12 operators at hand, you can create crazy stuff. (There are two 6-operator engines inside)

[@glenesis]

Very cool FM demo! I just recently purchased an SY99. This is very inspiring. I can't wait to dig into that lovely flagship beast! Have a fantastic weekend :)

[@thehimer3903]

Glad to hear that. The SY is an abyss :-D So have a fun weekend too!!

[@glenesis]

@@thehimer3903 I look forward to falling into it ;) Cheers!

[@AndrewJohnClive]

Great stuff!

[@marcrohrer7130]

very cool video! Please do more of those sounddsign videos! I coud not find out, how to use the 2 modwheels for controlling anything. Do you know how to do it?

[@thehimer3903]

Hi...indeed this is a bit complicated partly. For example you have to increase the LFO sensibily of the Filter (not the Filter modulation in the LFO section!!) to control the filter with any modulation. So if you set Cutoff sensibilty to Modwheel you have to go to the filter first and make it able to be sensitiv at all. Maybe I could do a video on that some day...?! Cheers

[@sxdrujandis]

sounds good ]

[@matiasmartinez7208]

i just got an sy77, my first fm synth!! started out with a sine wave, an hour later i had the same sine wave but with a longer attack. how do you manage to make it look so easy 😭 your skills are rlly impressive

[@thehimer3903]

hi thanks for th kind words. well i started with the videos of this guy: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z4Csood4bbt-d9U Once you understood the principle it´s somehow selfexplaining what the SY77 does extra.

[@dvamateur]

FM is a great synthesis method, and so is the iPD, like the one in the Casio VZ-series. I am very glad to see people exploring the alternative synthesis methods. Subtractive is great and all, and quite flexible in the modular domain, but FM and iPD can achieve some interesting textures. Ironically, my favorite "analog" patch is coming out of the Casio VZ-1. :) Anyway, if one can arrive with the same sound using different synthesis method, that's really the ultimate knowledge in sound design. By the way, I wonder if the Yamaha SY-series is capable of synthesizing formants. I tried recently on my D-70 [Roland] with four resonant peaks, but so far I have been unsuccessful to achieve formants.

[@thehimer3903]

Maybe i should read it in the Janssen Programming guide but I think there are no formants in the SY FM

[@dvamateur]

@@thehimer3903 If there's a way to emulate filter resonance with FM, then formants should be possible.

[@thehimer3903]

@@dvamateur I am not so analytic when i make sounds honestly. maybe the programming guide of this guy here will enlighten you more. Its realy a deep reading. herbert-janssen.de/sy.html

[@dvamateur]

@@thehimer3903 I am coming in from Dave Bristow's guide to formants. [Link below] I guess, if one is able to emulate resonant peaks with FM, formants should be possible. If not, then it should be possible with the SY77's filters. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5qmf32biKyXrbM

[@thehimer3903]

@@dvamateur Well the filters in the SY are a special kind. they dont add any color - instead they simply just filter in a very technical way. the resonnance is a joke IMHO. i rarely use it. so i dont think you cant compare the SY filter to even something like that VST this guy was playing. Building such a voice with FM is probably possible i would say.

[@jangayen]

Very very nice pad, yes I really liked it!!🙏👏👍 I have a SY77 myself which I can program via my iPad (Patch Base) What patch editor/librarian do you use?

[@thehimer3903]

HI I use CTRLR Midi for editing.

[@mikaelbiilmann6826]

I bought a SY77 two years ago. It is not in a good state. A couple of the keys are broken, and one of the Patch buttons (Patch C) is stuck. Wonder if I can get it loose by cleaning it, but it seems to have been knocked a bit to the side, so it doesn't click anymore.

[@Groovy1965]

What program are you using on your computer? Is this the software that came with the synth?

[@thehimer3903]

this is a free panel you can get for CTRLR MIDI. ctrlr.org/

[@KUPHSER]

The zero sl mk2 has 32 templates. Can you set up as many of these templates as needed for the sy77 and simply select what template you need at any time?

[@thehimer3903]

Yes indeed...

[@Aqua_1014]

What reverb are you using, NI RAUM?

[@thehimer3903]

Indeed ;-)

[@bennethos]

would the CTRLR panel work for sy99 ? anyone tried ?

[@xfloodcasual8124]

What editor is that? Is it your favorite one? Thanks

[@thehimer3903]

That is the CTRLR Midi Panel for the SY

[@haos22]

Whats the name of software. Sy77? Where i find it??

[@thehimer3903]

This is a free editor software with a panel for the SY ctrlr.org/

[@Swanlord05]

Not usable except in a horror flick

[@oupahens9219]

Straight from that abyss. The voice of the narrator is not from this world as well, is it?

[@annother3350]

You have no imagination