Sound Of Music

 

BACKGROUND

Yamaha SY-1 was the first synthesizer from Yamaha. There was also a tour-version called SY-2.

 

DESCRIPION

SY-1 is a very dynamic synthesizer with velocity sensitivity and aftertouch, for controlling vibrato (LFO), filter (VCF) or amplitude (VCA). Today almost all synths has that, but this was the 70s. These things are mechanical at the SY-1: When the keyboard is pressed down a stick push a potentiometer inside the synthesizer. Easy and brilliant! The optional pedal can be used for controlling VCF or/and VCA.

The filter is 12dB/octave (2 pole). The filter used in the SY-1 were also used in Yamaha's mighty dream machine, the classic GX1, though strangely, not in the CS80. And the sound of the SY-1 reminds much of the sound of GX1, especially when multi tracking a number of voices from the SY-1.

The sounds are preprogrammed in 28 presets with different character. These can easy be modified with different controllers such VCF, Portamento, Sustain and more. The presets are not so exciting, but they can be with some adjustments. One favorite lead sound is Contrabass, octave up, Filter and Envelope selected, all faders down except for a very little bit sustain and similar at the filter section.

 

THE REAR :

• RCA input and output for control from older Yamaha-organs. These can work as external in (but can not use the filters etc) or output
• One switch for expression mode when connecting the jacks above to some old Yamaha organs
• One 1/4" output jack
• One 1/4" jack for expression pedal (Filter and/or volume)
• Level for filter when using the pedal
• Level for volume when using the pedal

COSTUM MODIFICATION ON OUR SY-1:

• MIDI in (Synhouse Midi-jack II)

 

EXPRESSION PEDAL

One of the optional accessories for SY-1 and SY-2 was an expression pedal that could control filter and/or volume

That pedal is discontinued long time ago, but the new Yamaha FC7 does the same for the SY-1 and SY-2, and can be used instead

The SY-1. as well as SY-2, has an Expression Mode, that makes it possible to hook it up with Yamaha´s old organs CSY-1 and CSY-2. Then the organ´s pedal can be used for the SY-1 instead of the external pedal of the SY-1 for control of the filter and/or the volume. The Exp and Non-Exp connectors can also be used for pass thru a signal from another instrument. Unfortunately can not the synthesis of the SY-1, such filters etc, be applied on that signal.

 

MIDI

The SY-1 was manufactured 8 years before MIDI was arrived and therefore, of cause, it has no MIDI. But that can be arranged. We equipped our SY-1 with MIDI - Synhouse Midijack II. It was not easy for the engineer that made the operation, but he finally found a solution and it was worth the money. It's very cool with MIDI on the SY-1 and to control it from the computer. It's probably the only SY-1 in the world with MIDI.

This MIDI solution has a MIDI in jack on the rear and a special on/off knob for MIDI on the front. The MIDI only supports note on/off, because the aftertouch functions etc on the SY-1 are mechanical.

 

SPECIFICATIONS

 

 

SY-1 MANUAL
From Yamaha Manual Library (http://www2.yamaha.co.jp/manual/english/index.html)

• Yamaha SY-1 Operation Manual

 

SAMPLES
By Lars Ahlzen, SY-1 serial 3388, SoundFont format

• 9 SY-1 samples

 

MP3 DEMO
By Lasse Viklund (www.viklund.com/mp3)

• Yamaha SY-1 Demo

 

LINKS

• CS80.com - Remaking the Yamaha GX1 Voice
• Hollow Sun´s SY-2 Page
• Sonicstate
• Synth museum
• Synthzone
• Yamaha U.S.
• Yamaha in Japan
• Yamaha's Manual-library