Yamaha Synth Space History | SY99 | Dom Sigalas

In this video, Dom Sigalas takes a dive into the Yamaha SY99 Synthesizer.
This model was the flagship synthesizer of the SY Series and was released in 1991. It combined advanced FM (AFM) and sample-based sounds (AWM2) with dual effects processors and support for 16-part multitimbrality. A unique feature was the Realtime Convolution and Modulation which allowed samples to be fed in the FM section. The SY99 also allowed importing user samples into an expandable flash ROM memory.
Synth Space History features demos of historic Yamaha Synths and Stage instruments.
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[@AudioAtmos]

Had the SY77 when it first came out. Needed money and sadly sold it to a friend after 5 years who played it for some time until he went mostly soft synth and then it sat in the case until 2 years ago when it came back to me for free. Replaced the internal lithium battery, cleaned it up a bit and powered it up. Everything worked. It was the first synth I ever owned.

[@wreckage-vs5jv]

Here, get my nostalgia upvote!

[@AudioAtmos]

@@wreckage-vs5jv I’ll take it…Thanks!👍

[@B1GDINO]

it's iconic just not as much as a DX but it will be recognised as time goes on.

[@AudioAtmos]

@@B1GDINO I also have an EX5 bought new and is now 23 years old. It didn’t get love from Yamaha and fell in the cracks of synth history, but is an incredible machine. I maxed the memory and put in a Zip drive instead of the floppy and have some nice samples for it that combined with the other engines makes it still a fun synth. It doesn’t get played as much anymore, but It will be sad if the day comes and it gives up the ghost.

[@Robbinsffxi]

It was so ahead of it''s time, that they re-released it as a Montage 30 years later. SY99 is incredible for it's generation.

[@Talia.777]

😂

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

Mostly true! The thing is, the FM aspect with the deep modulation was really what gave this synth it's signature sound. The Montages seem to focus so much on workstation capabilities, which is kind of ho-hum to me.

[@wreckage-vs5jv]

If I find another copy&paste of this comment do I win something?

[@Robbinsffxi]

@@wreckage-vs5jv It just means you're boored.

[@JacumbaSound]

None of these sounds you hear in this video came with the SY99. Probably they are based on imported samples. Unfortunately, no one else's SY99 is going to sound as good as this.

[@robinwindsrygg9568]

Got my SY99 a week ago after wanting one for about 12-13 years. It's simply amazing

[@theaudioeng]

'Tis Robin, truly is..... I've managed to accumulate 3 of these now, and SY77!! Even got the MODX6 too!! 😁👍🎹💥

[@BlackBlofeld]

The SY99 (and SY77) is a monster synth, a fact that no one can understand from this video. 9 mins video with super-dooper-common sounds, sounds that can say nothing at all for the complexity and enormous power of the sound engine. This video is like to drive a Lamborghini Aventador with 80km max speed for 9 minutes.

[@theaudioeng]

I know exactly what you mean there!! Got 3(!!) of these, plus a '77 in keybed repair. Simply the best FM masterpiece from Yam even to this day! 😎👍🎹🎵🍻

[@philippezsiga1125]

Totally agree . Sy99 and Fs1r are the best FM synth ever

[@DomSigalas]

Hey, Dom here :) indeed, this is a monster synth I agree! In order to go through the synth engine capabilities we would need at least a 30min video to do it properly. If you try to talk about the engine in less than 10 minutes you’re going to fail :) i could be talking for hours- this synth is AWESOME!

[@DomSigalas]

@@theaudioeng lucky you!!! Exactly that’s why I explained above- you can’t go through the intricate engine on a 9 min video :)

[@Coowallsky]

@@DomSigalasBlackBlowhard is a troll.

[@tonicjack9823]

I've owned a SY99 since 1993, that makes it nearly 30 years old and all I've done is replaced the battery a few years ago. I play it every week (Thursday afternoon old mans prog band), I still love it to death and always will.

[@theaudioeng]

SUPERB Dom!! My favourite ever - got 3 of these!!!! Plus a '77 😀. A brilliant sounding and massively flexible, with the great SPX FX engine. A true classic! 😎👍🎹🎵🍻

[@DomSigalas]

Thank you my friend!

[@craigsg01]

Lol I used to have Two '77s and a '99 and thought I was doing well !

[@williamtell1477]

I just restored an SY77 to her original beauty. Lovely synth and very powerful, especially for 1989!

[@fredericchen6380]

Once restored , the SY77/99 are magnificient. Did mine not so long ago, USB reader to replace the dead floppy drive and a Black/White brand new LCD.

[@twiff3rino28]

1990

[@atarisaint]

You brought back memories with this one. Back then I was in-out of the Yamaha Dealer Nakas in Athens Greece, where I got my SY77, test drive the G10 (αξέχαστη μέρα) and the rainy day I took the SY99 home. Only a Commodore 64 can make me more nostalgic. Thanks for that video Dom ❤

[@Doctormix]

YEAH DOM!

[@theaudioeng]

For sure Claudio!! My all time fav Yam synth - got 3(!!) of these, plus a '77 in keybed repair. Massive FM & AWM combined sounds, great digital filter and SPX FX engine. A superb sounding synth, classic masterpiece!! You should feature on your Channel too, Ciao!!! 😎👍🎹🎵🍻

[@DomSigalas]

❤️❤️❤️

[@newshoesbigblister]

Always love hearing and watching Dom play. His joy is wonderfully infectious. And the SY99 is just bursting with joyous sounds too! 👌

[@DomSigalas]

Thank you my friend!

[@etpslick100]

I remember Chick Corea played one and back then I was like “OMG!” That synth was crazy! Glad to see someone still loves it. I still do.😌🎹❤️🎶👍🏾

[@sasarasa88]

he even made a song called 99 flavors to showcase the synth

[@etpslick100]

@@sasarasa88 LOL! I remember that tune! Awesome track!😌🎹🎶👍🏾

[@valco7981]

@@sasarasa88 He played the melody with his Yamaha KX5 keytar though...lol

[@carlbowles1808]

Spanish sketch.

[@france4me117]

I had a Yamaha SY99 back in 1989 I believe and it was absolutely brilliant ….

[@kyma1999x]

...very interesting, considering sy99 was released on the market in 1991....time traveller? (or probably ou had got a sy77....in 1989)

[@spotlight-kyd]

Lots of iconic multi-samples (aka "waveforms") in the SY rompler series of that time from Yamaha, which still can be found in some form in the Montage / MODX. For example "Itopia", "Mellow", "Spectrum*", etc.

[@kicksNCY]

Some of them old multisamples were awesome...

[@carlbowles1808]

Chick corea eletrik band 2 Song Spanish sketch. Chick used SY99 to create pure magic. Thanks for the demo.

[@dareu_]

Incredible sound for the time, Great video Dom!

[@MsInstrumentalBeatz]

Clicked because of Dom, stayed for the entire presentation. This sounds great! Loved the sound around 4:48 & the one after. But honestly they all are inspiring

[@danielortizdecaracas]

I love SY series, specially the 99

[@Zaccyonline]

Beautiful synth, sounds and demonstration ❤

[@DKS-SYNTH-LAB]

Amazing synth and Dom is always the best! 👏🏻😉

[@DomSigalas]

❤️❤️❤️

[@kaysamusic]

Last october, for my birthday, I finally went and fulfilled one of my dreams - I bought myself a Yamaha SY99, a synth that I have been wanting for ages. The sound absolutely blew me away, and I might have shed a tear here and there while playing it for the first time. This video very much does it justice!

[@Talia.777]

Good on you 😊👍

[@Hamfantasy56]

Another smart reissue idea, dear Yamaha !

[@Jenairaslebol27merde]

i have a SY55... got it at christmas 91. it was my very first synth. obviously, it doesn't have the reputation of a 77 or 99.. as it lacks the AFM part and also the modulation effects (only has reverbs, delays and distortion..), but at least it has a sequencer which allowed me to record some multi-track songs even before i eventually had a PC with MIDI. the 55 may certainly be limited, but still has some cool sounds in it! ;)

[@theaudioeng]

My first 'proper ' synth bought from new, which was a hell of a lot of savings back then..... keep it for like 2 decades before upgrading to newer synths. Still sounds great and as you say, the sequencer was a big plus for my noodlings 😎👍🎹💥🍻

[@rm-studios]

I have two of them plus a 77. Total love❤️

[@theaudioeng]

Got 3 of them now, plus SY77 & MODX6!!! .... so feel trumped 😂😝👍🎹💥🍻

[@jamesdefrancesco7765]

I bought the 77 in 1990 and the 99 in 1992. New. I still own and use them. Upgraded to USB drives and new displays. New life.

[@Megamind84]

There is also an amazing lead sounds on board!

[@brianlespoir6287]

My first serious music rig, the SY99 and the AKAI S900 sampler and an ATARi FALCON running Cubase.

[@ShinraXSoldier]

Very blessed to have one of these.

[@neilloughran4437]

I remember using this keyboard on a jam/rehearsal for a few gigs in Warsaw some years ago. Loved the action and while the usual piano/epiano sounds are obviously more accurate in later Yamaha models I think the SY99 had such a lovely vibe... I was tempted to buy one 10 years back as someone was clearing out his keyboards but I was already buying 5 other keyboards at the time..

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

So many synths made during this time were romplers or workstations, Korg M1, the Rolands, Kurzeil K2000. Those were very powerful for their day, but the are now dated, with DAWs and any workstation made in the last decade is far more powerful. However, the sound of the SY77/99 is still unique and signature to this day. Timeless in a sense. For people searching for one, do not buy an SY85. That synth has no FM at all. Avoid the SY-22 as well, though it can create neat sounds, it's a different machine. The SY77 and SY99 are the synths to own.

[@Alaska10]

SY55 SY77 SY99 Best Synthesizer ever made.

[@JimManeri]

I had been using an SY 77 on top of my roads for a few years as my main gigging platform, and when the 99 came out I had to get one. Very quickly I was leaving the roads sitting at home. I prefer soft sense could have something to do with heavy to carry all those pre-midi keyboards from gig to gig

[@quantumeseboy]

Had a TG77 years ago, did like it.

[@christiantorma2440]

i have a sy 85 and it sounds great 😁✌

[@tigerboy4516]

love that room

[@bennethos]

Added this synth to my collection for 500$ recently . What a beast. Only problem is very limited memory, but you can buy an additional memory for this which is the price of the synth 😂

[@gadymarcus5297]

magnificent.

[@dj2bklyn]

I love this keyboard I remember when it came out I did so many demos at SAM ASH on it

[@MohammadSalah1979]

Still in a good condition like new 😍

[@hosseinsaraiee]

wonderfull sound

[@pasromano75]

A iconic and unic keyboard

[@HappyOrganMan]

Great demo. That was an amazing instrument. Awesome! 🤩

[@JoseVGavila]

I have one on a hard-case and this video has me got interested in getting it out and play it!. Thanks!

[@theaudioeng]

Jose . . You've just gotta. I've 3(!!) of these classic masterpieces, plus a '77 in keybed repair. My fav ever synth from Yam, superb! 😎👍🎹🎵🍻

[@JoseVGavila]

@@theaudioeng Ha, ha, no way!. On my collection, among others, I have FIVE SY77 and TWO TG77. And also a SY85, if that counts 🤣👍 I am glad there is other people who cares for these synths! 👌

[@theaudioeng]

@@JoseVGavila So glad you are a massive fan too - think you trumped me there!!!! 🤣👍🍻

[@JoseVGavila]

@@theaudioeng We are both winners as we have one of the better 90s synths 🏆🏆🏆

[@theaudioeng]

@@JoseVGavila Okay sure Jose!! 😁👍

[@marcdeschryver7687]

I owned both the sy77 and sy99 back in the day. At one point I decided to downsize and switch to VST plugins but I miss both these babies. They were basically, more or less the same, with the 99 having some additional features and the larger, semi weighted keyboard. The biggest difference was the fx processor. The sy77 used a spx90 engine while the sy99 had a spx1000. Y’d thhink the 99 would sound better and you’d be right in most cases but, the spx90 actually has some effects that were much better: e.g. the overdrive was much thicker and warmer than the spx1000.

[@kevinvazkez1623]

This SY99 we can see it in action at the *Santana live un Mexico* concert played by Chester Thompson

[@beat2009]

Yamaha please release virtual SY99.

[@JacumbaSound]

Anyone know where the sounds he plays are from? None of them come from the SY99 originally. That's 1 reason why it sounds so good in the video. ME: Dainty SP: Warm Syn EP: NewRhod BR: NewToto CO: Softly SC: Aha SC: Seventh SC: Popline BR: FullOkt SC: *Colors Thanks

[@lolladinz]

My SY99 is the only professional level keyboard instrument i own(i am mainly a guitarist) and i like it alot. With modern software it has also become alot easier to add,modify and create new patches. Either thru midiconnection to your computer of choice or by replacing the synths aging 720kb floppy drive with an floppydrive emulator so you can load stuff thru usb.

[@Guttalaser]

I have the little sister SY77... plus the 3.5 floppy collection and the cards collection. Sadly one key lose the spring return and the floppy is gone too. A real monster for that era!

[@kevinnolan3592]

Nice demo, but - honestly and respectfully - there are a myriad of more sophisticates AFM and RCM programs available for this instrument that demonstrate capabilities sonically and performance wise not demonstrated here. These kinds of sounds demo'd here are - OK - but trust me (owning and programming an SY99 since it was released) - what is shown here is but a fraction of the sophistication and nuance available from this instrument.

[@philipmumford7871]

Agreed! However I guess it's a lot of work to go and dig through them all when he's just doing a demo.

[@MichaelSouhoka]

This was the Yamaha's answer to strikes back against Roland D-50 and Korg M1.

[@DomSigalas]

Hey Kevin! Dom here! Glad you liked it! Trust me, I’d LOVE to go deep in the raw synthesis power of this monster- but this was supposed to be a short video that gives you a quick overview of how the synth sounds like when you play the presets - I could be talking for hours when it comes to the engine ;)

[@DomSigalas]

@@philipmumford7871 exactly :)

[@philipmumford7871]

As an aside. I recorded a demo for the ad when I was selling mine. OMG when I played it back I almost pulled the ad! It's just you need a LOT of space to store the beast - that's the reason I sold it 😁

[@SynthMenKeyboards]

Timeless Machine.

[@tiagofatturi]

SY99 and Dom work perfectly together! Dom, would it be possible to recreate some of those patches for the Montage? The FM sounds should be easy. Not sure about the waveforms for AWM2 if they match.

[@rossquaresmini5834]

Spettacolo (;=))

[@AnnedakDragon]

I see that DX7 in the back; the DX7 is what laid the groundwork upon which the SY99 was built. To be honest, I'd have to say the DX7 is the best part of the video.

[@rossquaresmini5834]

The one !

[@geevee7823]

It was able to read TX16W samples as well. Look up the 99 Flavors demo by Chick Corea.

[@francotonini6446]

Om grande 🎹👍

[@MegaXMARKX]

Hello Dom, could you tell me what´s the brassy voice name you are using at 4:15 ? Is it covered in prefabricated sound library or your voices are your custom patches ? You are very right that the SY 99 is an instant riff maker, as you proved at 5:45, very catchy goosebumps part. Thank for answer. Mark

[@madness8556]

The SY99 is everything that the SY77 should have been in the first place with its ability to import samples, improved sequencer with multiple song locations, larger much improved waveform ROM and the superior dual digital fx processors based on the SPX1000.

[@naneek2]

can you tell me anything about using user imported samples, and how this is done? I'm having a hard time finding any information about this function. I am guessing you could put your own samples onto floppy disk, then load them onto the sy99 using the floppy drive? I am very interested in the concept of sampling a waveform and running it through the FM section of the synthesizer.

[@madness8556]

@@naneek2 I never owned an SY99 but you can expand its sample RAM up to 2.5mb (not gb!) which was a lot in 1991.

[@naneek2]

can you tell me anything about using user imported samples, and how this is done? I'm having a hard time finding any information about this function. I am guessing you could put your own samples onto floppy disk, then load them onto the sy99 using the floppy drive? I am very interested in the concept of sampling a waveform and running it through the FM section of the synthesizer.

[@arvmusic5542]

I have one SY99 but used that many years ago, for external samples if I remember well you need to buy an external memory that is empty and had to put it on the rear under the SY99 logo. Then create samples with an external sample machine and... yes most probably use floppy disk to charge them into the sy99 memory that you bought. Using then your own samples instead the built in ones to create sounds. I am sorry if this is not accurate many many years passed it was probably 1992 when using this function together with a Yamaha sampler (probably TX16w if I remember the name well)

[@lundsweden]

Would make a nostalgic VST, Yamaha don't seem very interested in plugins though, do they?

[@BliterTV]

I don't have a SY99, one day maybe, but I have a SY77, TG77, TG500, SY55, TG55, SY35, TG33, and finally SY22. I think I like the SY series from Yamaha too much. 😁

[@xDIGITONIUMx]

I miss the good old days of useful preset patches.

[@100DollarHeadache]

My birth year synth, the heart of my MIDI setup, and taking FM beyond the DX7. But the keys on mine might need to be regreased.

[@woodyforrest313]

does the onboard sequencer have a shuffle/swing function?

[@skinmech4851]

I still have all my SY22 and SY77 patches in Sysex format hoping one day they can be compatible in one of their hardware synths or better still bring out plugins for these.

[@krzysztofwaclawski9002]

Please share them somewhere, sy22/35 fan here, regards

[@300wil]

Podemos esperar um sucessor?

[@cslevine]

PLEASE YAMAHA : RELEASE IT as a software VSTi plugin, the same way ROLAND, KORG, released all their numeric synths as VSTi a few years ago. VST2, VST3, AAX, Win, Mac, and reading MIDI sys.ex of SY77, SY99 patches. Please have good software dev team for that, ... Yamaha do you know about ARTURIA ? an american or english compagny who emulate very well real synths as VSTi and they are doing incredible realism.....

[@vadimmartynyuk]

How come many of the older keyboards / synths / romplers sound better than modern ones ?

[@300wil]

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@Wagoo]

You need to get Manny Fernandez on, if you're going to bring up the SY99 :)

[@theaudioeng]

+1 there Wagoo!! My absolute fav Yam synth- got 3(!!) of these plus a '77 in keybed repair. A superb sounding synth with the SPX FX engine, very flexible and massively deep 😎👍🎹🎵🍻

[@magermunson]

Einer der besten und unterschätzen Synths überhaupt, bis heute eigentlich pefekt geeignet für Dark Scifi Musik für Filme oder Games, ein Geheimtipp! ;) Hier im VIdeo werden nur viele eher langweilige Patches durchprobiert, die nicht das Potential der Hardware zeigen, es gibt 1000 von Soundbanks und geniale Flächensounds die in der Art nur auf dem SY77/99 möglich sind!

[@dumitrubaruta9936]

I have two TG 77😃 !

[@moogik1892]

what about it's ability to use user samples as an AFM partial?

[@naneek2]

I had the same question. I have an sy99 and I'm still learning about it. I'm having a hard time finding any information about this function. I am very interested in the concept of sampling my own waveforms and running it through the FM section of the synthesizer.

[@aitornavarro6597]

What's the song memory capacity on this keyboard? How many songs you record and with how many tracks in each song??

[@fulge0903]

Please give us some AN-X news

[@ucupi]

built like a tank

[@jonasmaurstad1032]

Turn off the noise in the background. Lets listen to Dom. Awesome synths.

[@tudorhoria764]

Please update Yamaha Montage Firmware 4,00 please update Pack Premium firmware Yamaha Genos . Thanks i love ❤️ you Yamaha.

[@morrishulp]

Please make one on Yamaha GS-1 and invite Minoru Mukaiya to play it!

[@rydeentokio]

Yamaha should release more of these Synthesizers ... not Workstations.

[@sasarasa88]

Dom, where can I get that shirt?

[@FAKEBLOODREALPAIN]

Does anybody know exactly what model keyboard stand this is? Any help would be much appreciated

[@geraldnahrgang5320]

Looks like a K&m 18950 Table-style Keyboard Stand or for a fraction of the price the Thomann Fun Generation Universal Stand

[@Kaffimusic]

"Superknob" in 2:28... I first thought he said "Supernova". Had to listen several times to understand he did not mean the Synth from Novation. Lol. Seems like the display of this unit also went dark. For the demo they should have serviced that. This is Yamaha, come on!

[@vincentscar]

I own the SY77 and Montage 8... more than 30 years later, nothing new... better quality of samples AWM, better polyphony, but no revolution since...

[@RyanParkerTV]

I see what you mean. If i think about it though once you develop physical modeling synthesis and hi rez sampling what else is there? I can't think of anything

[@tiomkinnyborg2289]

@@RyanParkerTV How about a modern UI that takes real advantage of the touchscreen? The Montage/MODX has a grid of boxes (most screens look the same) with numbers in them that you adjust by turning a physical knob. On a few select screens you might see digital knobs and meters which show you the value graphically and numerically. How about allowing the user to draw an Envelope by dragging points on an image? Where are the spectrum analyzers moving in real time? The UI was just thrown together from different programmers and areas who all fail at using colours or a style guide to make things clear for the user. Look at the Fantom or even the AKAI MPC for how a UI should look and operate. A tiny monochrome screen on a KORG gives more graphical info than a big screen on the MODX/Montage. Yamaha makes great sounds but crap Interfaces. With CPUs getting more powerful Yamaha will get swallowed up by cheaper competition that is easier to use.

[@russkij-mobik-ljaghet-v-grobik]

Revolution is impossible now. Synthesizers achieved their ceiling.

[@Coowallsky]

@@tiomkinnyborg2289Yamaha will get swallowed up by cheaper competition?? LOL!

[@tiomkinnyborg2289]

@@Coowallsky The montage is the last synth I will buy from Yamaha. If enough people shop with the competition then Yamaha will die. I can see the funny side too. Give your customers nothing new and they will abandon you. LOL. Roland is light years ahead in the UI and control dept. And they don't sound too bad in a mix. I'll support them as they seem to care about my opinions and needs. Yamaha can keep crowing about last century's synths.

[@dvamateur]

Let's face it. Everybody wanted one. But at the $3,500 street price, it wasn't for everybody.

[@user-im9vs7nr7h]

По-моему он лучше звучит, чем psr S970 выпуска 2015 г.

[@user-KORG]

У меня KORG,но нет фирменного коврика.....😥

[@sK3LeTvM1]

Just got myself a mint TG77 for and idiot price. Guess the seller had no idea what exactly he was selling...

[@thesoundzweddingpartyband9276]

Can i ask Whats the sound at. 8.07 please thanks.

[@rezwhap]

BR|FullOkt but I don’t know where it’s from. It’s not in the default voices.

[@JacumbaSound]

None of the sounds played here come from the original SY99 patches.@@rezwhap

[@PongyTemple]

SY77 beats the Montage for one reason. I guess they kind of forgot the sequencer on the Montage. My SY77 developed a bad floppy drive sadly.

[@user-zt5rp5qs9d]

Please renew SY99 again with internal speakers. Or make new montage with inrernal speakers. I want to replace my old SY99 with new one.

[@xp50player]

Why doesn’t Yamaha make ANY synth plugins?

[@spotlight-kyd]

Well, they have the Vocaloid. Apart from that, probably because Steinberg (a wholly owned subsidiary of Yamaha) is kind of their music software divsion. E.g. they make Halion and Retrologue.

[@vegsozoltan5283]

Why do you use external effects on the patches? This is not exactly the sound of the SY99!

[@vegsozoltan5283]

What the hell is this answer?

[@TheLawapa99]

Got a 99. He didn't use any external effects on this. Straight from the outs. The 99 has a first class effects possessor. Spx1000.

[@vegsozoltan5283]

@@TheLawapa99 not true. The SY99 has the SPX900 inside.

[@JacumbaSound]

I'm not sure what's going on here. The SY99 sounds way better in this video than in "reality", going out the outputs. It's not just the custom patches played here. The sound is very smooth here. There is some post audio processing and/or KZbin compression.

[@joshuacornett4762]

Is using AWM waves as FM modulators something you can do in the Montage/MODX engine or was that unique to the SY77/SY99?

[@biggrime]

I want to know as well

[@spotlight-kyd]

No, you can't. But the the FM-X engine in the Montage/MODX has different waveforms (Sine, All1/2, Odd1/2, Reso1/2) with modulatable parameters for each of the 8 operators. Not saying that this is similar, but the range of the harmonic makeup of the operators is still pretty extensive with FM-X.

[@psionic111]

The MOD7 engine found in the Korg Oasys, Kronos, and Nautilus can use PCM samples with FM. And of course you can load DX7 sysex into them as well. I bought a TG77 and TX7 specifically to compare with my Kronos. You can definitely get some Yamaha nostalgia out of the Korg.

[@biggrime]

@@psionic111 100% correct. I was creating new sounds on the mod7 tonight. I have a yamaha dx100 as well. It's only a 4 op synth but something that's all u need

[@psionic111]

@@biggrime Have you tried the TX waveshaper tables in MOD7? Instead of sine/tri/saw/squ for the oscillator waveform, choose “sin + waveshaper”. Now below you can change Linear to any of the TX waves. To intensify the flavor, modulate the Drive amount, say using an LFO or an envelope or keyboard velocity. For example, you can make a halfway decent electric piano sound using velocity on the Wurlie or Rubber Roads waveshaper tables, as explained in the MOD7 manual. Have fun!

[@Gainn]

It's a real shame Yamaha dropped the sequencer style used on the SY's. Nothing at all has matched the ease of use and intuitiveness they had.

[@DocTheopolis]

Why were they discontinued? Makes absolutely no sense whatsoever! They should have expanded on that concept, more polyphony, polyphonic aftertouch and etc., not discontinuing them.😮 It's not too late! Their autopan concept is "unmatchable", so are their envelopes, rates and levels (almost, except the Casio CZ?). That Piano might've been a bad mistake. Other than that, the SY77 & SY99 should've been the future of synthesis. I'm not buying another synthesizer until Yamaha revives and expands on this concept!😮

[@Swanlord05]

The Name of this synth killed sales.....should have been named Dx77 and Dx99

[@karl9411]

I had the 99/ 55 85 and 22 . I still have the 22 , pretty underwhelmed by the other 3 , never stood the test of time

[@BasedFrequency]

Nooo stop your gonna drive up the prices

[@xaverk]

As far as I know, you could modulate FM with AWM in the SY99. This is not possible with Montage. Instead of this we have in the Montage a morphing algorithm that doesn‘t even know Bezier curves and out-of-the-box produces just soundtracks for horror movies. 😱 Not so much progress in 30 years of Yamaha synths. Not to be misunderstood - I like my MODX as a bread-and-butter synth, but this is not a soft resting pillow for Yamaha!

[@BlackBlofeld]

"Not so much progress in 30 years of Yamaha synths"..."MODX as a bread-and-butter synth..."🤨 Go sell your MODX, it's a shame to have a monster synth like this on your hands. Try a Moog or any similar basic synth.

[@_P_M_]

Yamaha released a lot of revolutionary synths during the 90's to very little fanfare. Don't blame Yamaha if people didn't buy them. When yamaha started doing more 'bread and butter' people bought them.

[@xaverk]

@@_P_M_ This is the point. You are right. And all is dependent on what the audience wants to hear or thinks wanting to hear. I stored some MODX custom patches on Soundmondo and audio demo slices on KZbin. The most viewed videos were those with guitar, piano and string sounds. Hardly anyone is interested in experimental sounds. It's a pity that even in the musical-artistic field everything is tailored to a mass taste. Music development has been stagnating for decades.

[@kevinnolan3592]

Other way around - you can use PCM (AWM) waveforms ad modulators (Realtime Convolution and Modulation - RCM) - and - it's exquisite, and brings this instrument to a magnificent level FAR beyond what is demo'd here, and far beyond 90's Rompler territory, still relevant today. You can also do the same on the OASYS / Kronos MOD-7 Synth engine - but - critically - the SY99 has looping envelopes, and this provides for very capable sound design, not possible even on MOD-7

[@psionic111]

@@kevinnolan3592 The lack of fully loopable envelopes is indeed a challenge when reproducing SY/TG77 patches. I downloaded Xanderbeanz's TG77 patches into my TG77, and went to work reproducing them in MOD7. The patches that gave me the most difficulty were the ones with looping envelopes, but with some workarounds I did succeed in the end. So it is possible if you're clever and persistent enough =)