Seven years ago, I found myself in the possession of a used Yamaha TG55 sound module. If I can remember I paid only 40 Euros for it on ebay. Knowing I would probably never programm any sounds on it I started searching for the Yamaha SY55 soundbanks all over the internet.
Upon acquiring the TG55, I was eager to integrate it into my existing setup. I lovingly installed it into my rack, admiring its retro aesthetic and the air of vintage sophistication it brought to my studio. However, amidst the hustle and bustle of my daily musical endeavours and the constant influx of new gear, the TG55 slowly faded into the backdrop of my studio. It sat there, patiently waiting, collecting dust while I was distracted by the daily busines tasks and other shiny new pieces of equipment. I tried some .syx banks that I’ve found on the net and was quite impressed with them.
Over the years, the TG55 became somewhat of a silent partner in my studio. It was always there, reliable and sturdy, but I had all but forgotten about the plethora of sounds it held within. The TG55 became a piece of my studio furniture rather than the powerful sound module it was designed to be.One day, while reorganizing my studio, I found myself face-to-face with the TG55. Its unassuming presence in my rack suddenly felt like a glaring oversight. I realized that I had barely scratched the surface of what this module was capable of. Here was this potentially potent piece of equipment that I had been treating like an ornament.
The Legacy of Yamaha SY55
The Yamaha SY55 hails from a period when Yamaha was transitioning from classic FM (Frequency Modulation) synthesis, used in their iconic DX and TX modules, to a new form of synthesis: AWM2 (Advanced Wave Memory 2nd generation). This 16-bit sample playback-based sound generation method was a significant leap from the 12-bit resolution of the original AWM. The SY55 and its sibling, the TG55 tone generator module, were among the first Yamaha instruments to employ this innovative sound generation method. You can read more about it in my Music Production Glossary here and here
Sound Architecture and Capabilities
The Yamaha SY55’s sound engine is powered by a 2MB sample ROM, housing 74 waveforms that include 50 acoustic instruments, 16 drum sounds, and 8 digital waveforms. All of these samples are captured in 16-bit depth and either a 32 or 48 kHz sample rate. The SY55’s sample oscillators, or “elements,” allow patches to consist of 1, 2, or 4 elements, with a maximum polyphony of 16 voices. This architecture makes the SY55 versatile and capable of delivering more than what the factory presets may suggest.
Moreover, the SY55 comes equipped with two digital resonant filters (High Pass/Low Pass and Low Pass, both with a 12dB/octave slope), a Low-Frequency Oscillator (LFO) with three modulation possibilities (amplitude, pitch, or filter cutoff), three 5-stage envelope generators, and 34 programmable digital effects. These include various types of reverb, delay, stereo panning delay, gate, and distortion. This wealth of sound-shaping options gives the SY55 a broad palette for sound design.
A Forgotten Gem
Despite its rich capabilities, the Yamaha SY55 often seems a bit overshadowed by its successors or more famous contemporaries. But this synth has a lot to offer. While it might be a bit challenging to edit with only the onboard buttons, it is packed with extensive voice editing functions. Plus, Yamaha’s SY55 units have proven to be solid and well-built, with many still functioning well after more than 30 years.
Dive into the Yamaha SY55 Soundbanks
For those interested in exploring the sound capabilities of the Yamaha SY55, I’ve compiled a comprehensive collection of SY55 sounds. Click the link below to download a zip file containing all SYX sounds I’ve gathered for this synthesizer.
The Yamaha SY55 might seem a little dated, but it is an underrated synthesizer that can still produce fascinating sounds. Whether you’re a seasoned synth aficionado or a curious beginner, the SY55 is a worthy addition to your synth setup, offering a piece of Yamaha’s synthesizer history and an avenue for unique sound creation.