June 17, 2024
Yamaha SY85 ST Power
My seventh video blog is up! This is what I wrote in the description of the video:
In 1992, Yamaha released the SY85. To sum up briefly; the SY85 comes from the SY-series line of synthesizers that were released by Yamaha between 1989 and 1992. The SY85 followed up its predecessors such as the SY77 and flagship SY99 that combined AWM2 technology with Yamaha’s eminent FM technology that shook the world throughout the mid-eighties with the legendary DX7 leading the way. For the SY85, Yamaha ditched the FM-engine and users were able to create sounds relying on 6MB of ROM. Single waveforms/samples (in voice mode) could be modulated using its digital filters (with resonance), various ADSR settings and 90 different stereo effects that are similar but not equivalent to those of an SPX900 multi fx processor). In performance mode, four of these voices could be stacked to create some wonderful patches.
The SY85 never achieved the stature of digital classics such as – for example – the Roland D-50 or Korg M1. It probably just came a bit too late. But for me – and those who care about this synth – it will always be a special synth with an unique, distinct character and fantastic palette of sounds. Not to overstate it, but I will always love the SY-series (and its rack-mount brothers in the form of the TG-series). They were one of Yamaha’s finest lines of synths and were already discontinued before I was born. Yet, I use them all the time in my own productions!
Speaking of the video: the video shows me playing a song I uploaded a little while ago that I gave the title ‘Blimped’. This quasi-ambient (you pick the adjectives) string piece was originally recorded with only three elements; piano, a choir from the Yamaha SY22 and the TG500 which provided the main chords and lead. the TG500 is the rack-mount brother of the SY85. They carry the exact same engine with a few differences and I have a dedicated article to that which can be found here on my website as well. The patch used for the main chords and lead is called ST Power. As I have previously stated in the article I was just referring to; ST Power is one of my favourite patches of all time. In my words; ‘it being sounding grandiose and very moving’. Something about its overall sound, the digital artifacts and overtones; I just find it to sound wonderful! The patch relies on wave no. 129 ‘Pad 3’. The same waveform is also used on patches such as SP Phaze, OR Cheap & ST Tron; the last being a mellotron type of sound. It’s impressive what this synth engine can do modulating only a single source waveform. Long live the SY85 and SY-series!
Click here to watch the video.
Many thanks!
Devin
