Released in 1991, the SY99 was the SY series flagship. It used RCM synthesis (Realtime Convolution and Modulation) synthesis combining AWM (Advanced Wave Memory) and 6 Operator AFM (Advanced Frequency Modulation) Synthesis. RCM’s unique modulation capabilities enabled AWM samples as modulation sources for the AFM engine.
The SY99 featured a few significant upgrades over its sibling, the SY77:
- A larger 76 note keyboard with zoned aftertouch (channel aftertouch programmable to affect notes played either above or below a split point independently)
- Three times the amount of AWM waveforms (2 Mb in SY77 and 8 Mb in SY99)
- 500 Kb of battery-backed user sample RAM, expandable to 3 Mb
- Upgraded SPX900 level multi effects
- Upgraded master keyboard functionality
Check out Dom’s tour of this legendary instrument below: