Main Features - Yamaha SY55 Product Manual

Congratulations!
Your YAMAHA SY55 Music Synthesizer features a breakthrough voice architecture
that allows extensive sample layering and programmable dynamic timbre variation. With
the SY55, individual sampled "waves" — either those pre-programmed in ROM or others
available via plug-in waveform cards — are building blocks that you arrange and process
with a sophisticated dynamic filter system to create sound that's a perfect match for your
music. You also have pitch envelope generators, amplitude envelope generators, a range of
34 programmable effects, real-time sound control via a range of controllers, and a wealth
of other ways to customize your sound. Add to all this a sophisticated 8-track sequencer,
and you have a complete music production workstation as well as an outstanding perform-
ance tool.
The SY55 is one digital synthesizer that puts samples in their proper place. Rather than
rigid sounds that limit the musical outcome, the SY55's samples are flexible tools that the
musician can shape, color and combine to create an original world of sound.

MAIN FEATURES

Second-generation 16-bit AWM2 (Advanced Wave Memory) technology for superior sound.
Versatile 1, 2, or 4-element voice architecture and complex envelope generators for extensive sample
layering capability.
Sophisticated dynamic filter system offers unlimited real-time timbre variation.
74 waveform samples in ROM.
64 preset voices in ROM.
64-voice internal RAM memory.
External waveform and voice card slots.
Multi-play mode allows independent control of up to 16 voices.
16 memory locations for multi-play setups.
Drum voices allow 61 different drum and other waveforms to be assigned to different keys.
Sophisticated built-in 8-track sequencer takes full advantage of the multi-play mode and drum-set voices.
Velocity switching for expressive power.
Extensive voice editing functions.
Keyboard initial and after touch response.
A range of controllers: pitch wheel, modulation wheel, continuous slider, breath controller jack, foot
volume jack, sustain switch jack.
34 high-quality programmable digital effects built in.
Stereo output.