Subject: Yamaha SY77 specs for archive YAMAHA DEBUTS FLAGSHIP SY77 DIGITAL SYNTHESIZER NEW YORK, NY This week, Yamaha will unveil the new Yamaha SY77 dig- ital synthesizer at the Tokyo Music Fair and New York Audio Engineering Society shows. The SY77, in development for over two years, features Realtime Convolution and Modulation Synthesis (RC&M). The convolution filter emulates analog operation, filtering the AFM or AWM2 elements in a voice. Up to eight filters are controlled by independent dedicated envelope generators. RC&M Synthesis also allows sampled waveforms to be used to modulate AFM operators. This opens up a whole new world of dynamic synthesizer voice possibilities. This technology incorporates a highly advanced form of frequency modula- tion (AFM), sixteen bit sampling (AWM2), with completely new envelope generator and panning technologies. Also unique is a sophisticated dy- namic real time digital filtering system that allows highly accurate filtering of all voice elements. The SY77 is 16 voice multi-timbral, with a sixteen track sequencer and four digital signal processors. All functions are controlled from a newly designed user interface, utilizing the 40 x 8 backlit LCD with multiple screens, fonts, and prompts. The SY77 features a 61 note velocity and aftertouch keyboard. The front panel includes the LCD with contrast control and eight soft function buttons, a 3.5" floppy disk drive, numeric key pad, rotary wheel, data entry slider, and increment/decrement buttons. One voice card slot and one wave data card slot are included to allow instant storage and access to voices, sequences and samples. In addi- tion to the standard pitch wheel and mod wheel, there is a second programmable mod wheel which is bi-directional with a center detent. "The SY77's sound quality is one which allows the accuracy and realism of samples to be combined with the expression of FM. The sound is stun- ning and eminently playable," states a Yamaha spokesman. "The interactive hybrid voicing technique produces voices that easily surpass those which are currently available, in terms of accuracy, nuance and expression. They are so musical, that one will never want to play purely sampled instruments again!" The new AFM tone system is radically different and much more open ended and complex. "Those who have wished for more flexibility in the FM system will be delighted with AFM. Those who have wished for accurate 16-bit sampled voices will also be pleased. Those who have wished for Yamaha to create a hybrid of these two technologies will be amazed!" The SY77 will be available during the first quarter of 1990. The suggested retail price is yet to be determined. For more information write Yamaha Corporation of America, SGD, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ YAMAHA SY77 KEY FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS With the SY77 Music Synthesizer, Yamaha has set a new direction for synthesizer development through the 1990's. A full-function profes- sional performance and composition synthesizer, it incorporates the first truly different tone generation technology to come out in years: RC&M (Real-time Convolution & Modulation) Synthesis. Realtime Convolution and Modulation Synthesis While many manufacturers offer 'sample plus synthesis' tone generation, Yamaha improves upon this concept in the SY77 by offering advanced ver- sions of both its AWM sampling and FM synthesis technologies. The breakthrough in SY77 is that Realtime Convolution and Modulation allows the two kinds of sounds to interact. The convolution filtering section emulates analog operation, consisting of two 12dB/octave filters, one low pass and one switchable low pass/high pass filter. Filtering is included in the AFM and AWM2 ele- ments in a voice, and each filter can be controlled by independent dedi- cated envelope generators. The filters provide 12dB/octave band pass filtering or, used in tandem, a steep 24dB/octave low pass filter. The filters also feature fully adjustable resonance, which, as in older ana- log synthesizers, can be raised into filter oscillation. As many as eight filters can be used in 'single' voice mode. With Yamaha's revolutionary new RC&M Synthesis, sampled waveforms can be used to modulate FM operators. This opens up a whole new world of dynamic synthesizer voice possibilities. Not only can the elements that make up a voice in the SY77 modify each other, but each can have its own stereo panning scheme, keyboard zone, velocity scaling, and filtering parameters. The digital filtering sec- tion offers all of the advantages of analog filters. Multiple Tone Generation System The sampled sounds are produced by second generation Advanced Wave Memory (AWM2) technology, which features 16 bit resolution at either 32- or 48-kHz sampling frequency. With 24-bit internal processing resolution and 22-bit digital to analog converters (DACs), the SY77 delivers sonic clarity and reproduction accuracy that surpasses all previous Yamaha AWM products. Two megawords (four megabytes) of sampled waveform memory are available in ROM. A wave card slot provides additional memory via 256 kiloword or 512 kiloword wave cards. The Advanced Frequency Modulation (AFM) system is also a major break- through in tone generation technology. The six-operator AFM now has 45 algorithms and each operator can now use any of 16 different waveforms. In addition, each operator provides two user-configurable inputs, which allow modulation by other operators, a noise generator, or AWM2 sampled waveforms. Each algorithm also allows the user to assign up to three feedback loops for precise timbral definition. At the same time, the conventional FM parameters have been enhanced to give significantly im- proved response and control. A new six-segment design has been employed for the envelope generators, complete with adjustable envelope delays and segment looping. New Voice Architecture The SY77 marks a departure from the voice architecture of earlier Yamaha synthesizers. The basic sound building blocks of the SY77 are called Elements. Each element can use either an AFM or AWM2 waveform for its sound source. Individual elements can be given separate filter and pan- ning settings as well as independent keyboard zones and velocity scaling. Since up to four elements can be used to make a voice, the SY77 is capa- ble of far greater sonic complexity and flexibility than its previous FM counterparts. Moreover, each voice can be assigned various global func- tions such as random detuning, effect programs and micro tuning presets, much like a 'performance' on a DX-7II. For sequencer applications different voices can be combined in Multi mode, and different drum kits can be assigned across the keyboard. Up to 16 voices can be combined into a multi preset. Dynamic Pan Table Dynamic panning allows the user to move individual elements across the two pairs of stereo outputs in complex ways, pan movement time being determined by independent envelope generators. This remarkably flexible system also makes it possible to control panning by velocity, note number or LFO. A band of 64 preset pan tables is provided along with memory space for 32 user-programmed settings. Built-in Sequencer The SY77 also comes with a 16-track sequencer built in, complete with all standard recording, editing and playback functions. Sixteen voices are available at any one time for sequencing in 'multi' (multitimbral) mode, sharing a maximum of 32 notes through Dynamic Voice Allocation. Fully orchestrated arrangements can be produced using the wide variety of sounds in the SY77. Four individual outputs provide flexible audio routing and mixing. Sequence data well as voice data can be stored on 3.5" floppy disks using the built in disk drive. Digital Signal Processor The SY77 contains four effects processors, two reverb and two modulation. The two reverb portions produce 40 different effects, including multiple reverbs, delays, tone controls, distortion, and com- bination effects. Each of the two modulation effects processors produce chorus, flanging, symphonic, or tremelo. All effects parameters are fully programmable and may be bypassed using the Effects Bypass button on the front panel. SY77 SPECIFICATIONS SYNTHESIZER SECTION Keyboard: 61 Note (C1-C6) Initial Velocity and Aftertouch Tone Generator: AWM2: 16 bit linear 32/48 kHz sampling rate AFM:6 Operator 45 algorithm FM 3 Feedback loops 16 Selectable waveforms Allows AWM element to be used as modulator Dynamic Voice Allocation Many other new parameters Polyphony: AWMII: 16 notes maximum AFM: 16 notes maximum Total: 32 notes maximum Filters: Realtime digital filters (LPF, LPF/HPF, 12 dB/octave) Eight per voice Resonance function Internal memory: Two megaword sample waveform memory Preset: 128 voices;16 Multi settings (previously called performance) Internal RAM: 64 voices; 16 Multi settings External Storage: 3.5" disk drive Card slot for Voice parameter Card slot for waveform data SEQUENCER SECTION Tracks: 16 Songs: 1 Patterns: 99 Resolution: 1/96th quarter note Memory: 16,000 Notes Polyphony: 32 Notes Recording Operations: Real time Step Punch-in Editing: Track edit: offset, merge, delete Measure edit: copy, erase, insert Quantize Transpose Velocity and note length adjust OTHER Effects: Four configurable digital effects processors 40 reverb programs 4 modulation programs Controllers: Pitch bend wheel Modulation wheel Assignable mod wheel with center detent Back Panel: Two sets of stereo outputs (4 individual outputs) Headphone output MIDI IN, OUT, THRU Footswitch, foot volume, sustain, assignable foot controller Breath controller Click Volume Display: 240 x 64 dot Backlit LCD Graphics geared for 6 soft buttons underneath Dimensions: Weight: 37 pounds Specifications are preliminary and subject to change without notice.