256 Voices and 128 Performance Combinations

The SY85's internal voice memory holds up to 256 individual voices. A complete set of 256 pre-programmed voices is provided both in memory and on disk, thereby ensuring if the voices in internal memory are altered, they can be reloaded and restored to their original settings.

Performance Mode

Although the SY85 voices can be selected and played individually, a "Performance Mode" allows up to 4 different voices to be combined in a number of ways for extra depth and variety. Layers can be played simultaneously across the entire keyboard, limited to specific ranges to create split keyboard setups, or overlapped in any way the satisfies the musical requirements. Up to 128 Performance combinations can be stored in internal memory.

Expandable Sample RAM

The SY85 comes with 512 kilobytes of internal RAM memory that can used to store AWM2 (second-generation Advanced Wave Memory) samples loaded from external sources via either the MIDI Sample Dump protocol or floppy disks. Expansion slots allow up to 3 megabytes of additional sample memory to be installed.

Advanced Digital Filters for Dynamic Timbre Controls

The SY85 features an advanced digital filter system that affords extensive voice programming power. Low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, and band-elimination response can be selected as required, and a complex 6-segment filter envelope generator makes it possible to produce a virtually unlimited range of dynamic filter patterns. The filter cutoff frequency can be controlled in real time via the modulation wheel, a foot controller, or keyboard aftertouch for real-time timbre control.

90 Digital Effects

The SY85 offers 90 digital effects, with two high-performance internal digital signal processors. The two effects processors can be interconnected in several ways, providing a wide range of sophisticated parallel and series processing configurations.

8 Continuous Sliders Offer Real Time Control

The 8 Continuous Sliders have a specific real-time control function: 1 and 2 can be assigned to control specific parameters of the effects produced by the SY85's two effects processors; 3 and 4 are assignable to just about any voice parameter; 5 controls the attack rate of the amplitude envelope generator; 6 controls the release rate of the amplitude envelope generator. In the voice mode, 7 varies the cutoff frequency of the digital filter and 8 increases or decreases the filter bandwidth.

Mixing Control for Sequencer Playback

In the Sequencer Playback mode, the 8 continuous sliders function like the faders on a mixing console, allowing the balance of the volume levels on the sequencers 8 instruments for the best overall sound.

Quick Edit Modes

The SY85 offers Quick-Edit modes that allow fast, easy editing of voice and performance data. The Quick Edit mode provides everything needed to create completely new voices, or voice "foundations" that can later be refined using the in-depth editing features.

Sequencer and Rhythm Programmer

the SY85 features a full-function sequencer with 8 standard tracks and 1 dedicated rhythm track. Internal memory is provided for 10 complete sequencer "songs" that can be selected and recorded or played. The "songs" can also be "chained" together to create longer sequences. Each "song" has its own 16-part multi-instrument setup in which 16 different voices can be assigned to 16 different MIDI channels.

Pre-Programmed Rhythm Patterns

The SY85 comes with 100 Pre-Programmed Rhythm Patterns, both in memory and on disk. The SY85 also supplies a range of high-quality AWM2 drum percussion samples combined in "drum kit" voices.

External 3.5" Floppy Drive and Data Cards

For mass data storage, the SY85 features a built in 3.5" floppy disk drive that can be used to store both synthesizer and sequencer data. Synthesizer data can also be saved to compact Yamaha MDC64 memory cards. A single card holds a complete set of 256 voices and 128 performance combinations.

MIDI Compatibility

The SY85 has been provided with a comprehensive set of MIDI parameters for maximum compatibility and versatility. Receive and transmit channels are independently programmable, a program change assignment table maximizes voice selection versatility, MIDI bank select messages can be sent and received and transmitted for expanded voice capability, and a range of bulk dump functions make data transfer to bulk storage devices convenient.