YAMAHA SY22 Vector Synthesizer 1990 | HQ DEMO

The Yamaha SY22 came out 1990. It is an interesting vector synthesizer. Other vector synths are the Sequential Circuits Prophet VS and the Korg Wavestation - but the SY22 was the most affordable of its kind.

Although instruments like Roland D-50 and Kawai K-1 have joysticks to mix waveforms, they are not vector synths. A real vector synth can reproduce the vector moves in a sound program.

Rumors say that some ideas from the developer team of Sequential were implemented, since they worked for YAMAHA for a short period of time.

The SY22 is a quite simple vector synthesizer - also simple to use and to program. The SY22 has no filters at all. Interestingly, 4 elements can built a sound, 2 FM (4-op frequency modulation) and 2 AWM (sample playback).
It also has a built in effect processor for reverb and delay. You can not tweak the effects except intensity.

It's much more easier to program sounds on the SY22 than on a Korg Wavestation. The programming on a Korg WS is a nightmare, because you have to handle with the 34 patches / 50 performances problem. Also you can't program vector moves in realtime - like on the SY22.
Of course, a Wavestation sounds "bigger" in the end, but the SY22 sounds not bad, either. In contrary, the SY22 has something special to me. Although it has no filters, you can think of it as a good (4 operator) FM synth which can provide in a single sound prgramm 2x DX11 and 2x sample sounds at once. All mixable with a vector stick, all moves easily recordable in a patch. Which other synth has that to offer? You can imagine, how complex the sounds can be. It is an instrument for people who love complex, beautiful digital sounds and those who take their time to program own patches. It will reward you with amazing results. I will definitely keep mine, I like the SY22 very much.

The SY22 is best for strange, complex pads for soundtracks and ambient stuff. Don't try analog-style sounds on it ;-)

I played the YAMAHA SY22 without any additional effects or eq. The most sounds you are hearing in this video are my own creations - so don't expect these sounds when you buy one...

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Korg
• Wavestation
• Sequential
• Circuits
• Prophet
• VS
• YAMAHA
• TG33
• TG55
• TG77
• SY-35
• SY55
• SY77
• DX11
• DX21
• DX7
• Vector
• Synthesis

[freethoughtmusic]

Had a friend who ran one of these through an Amiga computer (Takes you back eh?) it sounded great.

[jaguar65100]

A totally underrated board from the early 90s. Just got mine, looks like brand new and can't wait to see what creative insipiration awaits. This fills the gaps my Kurzweil PC3 and Miniak leave. Thanks for the video!

[LegatoIndigo]

@JSKMotorsports I finally got it! Much thanks for all the help!

[Nord72]

SY-35 + Korg Wavestation SR is a pure vector-joy :)

[IAMSIMONHEARMEROAR]

sounds great!

[JSKMotorsports]

@LegatoIndigo Did you get an fix on your SY22? Your board has been transposed by 1/2 step!! Select the UTILTY button (same as the BANK voice key #7), then use the arrow key to get the number underlined on the LCD display, then use the YES or NO key to move it up or down by 1/2 key. Hope this helps

[LegatoIndigo]

i just got mine as a hand-me-down and its a half step flat, anyone know how to tune it?

[guitaneman]

i have one of these and the sy editor so programming is real easy .. nice video glad to hear new sounds i have had mine about 6 months and i havent even scratched the surface with it yet... i also have a yamaha pss480 and it is a little monster full midi and synth can be programmed in real time like a little dx7 bought it for £18 on ebay and awsome midi to the sy22

[preis205]

Excellent demo. No matter how many new synths come out, every year, old ones are still usefull. I have several including TG33 (sort of Sy22 tabletop). Regards. PReis

[exkluziv76]

i have one:-) hm..my dad property:(