Yamaha DX7 & SY77 - 80's Synth demo and FM synthesis comparison with Van Halen, Madonna, Pink Floyd

Published on Jun 2, 2017 Power DX7

"This is a Yamaha SY77/ TG77 demo and comparison video with Yamaha DX7. I will also compare the SY77/ TG77 with Roland D-50 and Korg M1.

I will show you key differences between the DX7 and SY77/ TG77. This includes:
- Sampled waveforms
- Self-oscillating resonant digital filters
- Advanced frequency modulation, including algorithm, feedback, AFM source inputs, oscillator with 16 selectable waveforms, envelope generators etc

I will go into detail with AFM parameters for digital filters, algorithm, feedback, oscillator and envelope generator.

The SY77/ TG77 has superb digital filters that can self-oscillate with its higher resonance setting. It's analog-like sound is just amazing. It's filter can be used for low pass, high pass and band pass settings. The you set two filters with the same low pass filter setting, you get -24dB cut off.

I will also give an example of SY77/ TG77 sound design using one of my original patch.

I created this Oberheim OB-Xa emulated sawtooth pad using just one AFM element, giving you 16 polyphony. It uses algorithm 42 with 3 independent towers. As you can assign 3 operators with a feedback loop, I created 3 independent towers producing their unique sawtooth waves. By combining them, you can create an amazingly rich and analog-like sawtooth pad.

The SY77/ TG77 also includes expanded envelope generator. It has 7 levels and rates and you can loop AFM envelopes. I will give you a quick tour of its envelope generator and a demo of a sound that uses the envelope loop function.

The SY77/ TG77 also has a pitch envelope that can be assigned globally (to overall sound) or per operator (you can switch on/off for each operator). This makes it very easy to create an analog-like stab brass sound.

Basically the SY77/ TG77 is a big brother of the DX7 and its FM synthesis, capable of producing far more complex sounds."