Time machine – YAMAHA SY22 Vector Synthesizer 1990
Analog Audio continues to update us on classic vintage synths, today’s feature is the Yamaha SY22:
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 said 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. The SY22 is great for strange pads and ambient stuff.
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…
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