Yamaha SY99 Owner's Manual page 7

Thank you for purchasing the Yamaha SY99 digital synthesizer. The SY99 represents a new generation of
Yamaha synthesizers featuring the new Realtime Convolution and Modulation (RCM) hybrid tone generation
system, which uses Advanced FM (AFM) tone generation and Advanced Wave Memory (AWM) tone genera-
tion in conjunction with realtime digital filtering.
The SY99 can function as up to 16 independent synthesizers with dynamically allocated voices, and includes
an on-board 16-track 99-pattern sequencer which can contain up to ten songs at a time. It also features an en-
hanced effect system, zoned aftertouch, powerful master keyboard functions, a MIDI data recorder function, and
the ability to accept MIDI sample dumps.
To take full advantage of the SY99 and enjoy long and trouble-free use, please read this manual carefully.
How to use this manual
Conventions in this manual
This manual is divided into three sections; an introductory section, a reference
section, and an appendix.
Introductory section: This section contains the information you need to start
using your SY99 right away. (If you are already familiar with the SY77, an
earlier member of the Yamaha SY series, you may wish to read How the
SY99 differs from the SY77 on page 308.)
Introducing the SY99: Please be sure to read this section. It will tell you
how to play the sounds, about the main features of the SY99, and about
basic operation.
How to use the sequencer: This explains how to use the built-in
sequencer to record your own songs, each having as many as 16 parts,
with the SY99 functioning as up to sixteen independent instruments.
How to edit a voice: Read this when you want to modify a voice or create
a completely new voice.
Reference section: This section contains a full explanation of all the SY99's
functions. Once you have worked through the introductory section and are
comfortable with basic operation, glance through this section to get an idea
of the SY99's capabilities. Refer to the details when necessary.
Appendix: This section contains technical information that may be of interest to
advanced users or programmers.
In order to present information as clearly as possible, the following conventions
are used in this manual.
The names of front panel buttons and controls are set in small capital type;
e.g., press the EDIT button.
Italics are used mainly when referring to a section in this manual; e.g., for
details refer to AFM element job 5. AFM sensitivity.
Most of the LCDs in the SY99 have a unique Page Jump number to which you
can jump by pressing JUMP and entering the number. These numbers will be
prefixed by a "#" sign; e.g, JUMP #312.
Function names will be capitalized when they first occur or when necessary
for emphasis, but will be uncapitalized in subsequent occurrences; e.g., adjust
the LFO Speed ... after adjusting the LFO speed, ...
The beginning of each two-page subsection in the introductory section con-
tains a short abstract or summary of the entire subsection, printed in bold
type.
Three periods between two numbers are used to indicate that a parameter
can be set to any value in this range; e.g., Velocity Sensitivity (-7...+7).
Since some parameters can be set to negative values, this avoids the possi-
bility of confusing a dash with a minus sign.