The instrument
The TG 77 Tone Generator Vector Synthesizer was released in 1990 as a module version in 3U, a year after the SY77 keyboard. Both instruments have largely identical features. They are 16-voice polyphonic and 16-voice multitimbral music workstations. The architecture is a combination of AFM synthesis (Advanced Frequency Modulation), AWM2 (Advanced Wave Memory 2) for ROM-based sample synthesis and their connection, RCM (Realtime Convolution and Modulation Synthesis). Both have a floppy disc drive and integrated effects. The TG 77 lacks the sequencer. Instead, the keyboard version has two stereo outputs and an additional eight individual outputs, which expands its MIDI capability. The TG 33, TG 55 and TG 100 versions were also released.
Details
The AFM synthesis of the SY77 and the TG 77 is an update of the 6-operator FM synthesis of the DX7 series. It has 15 additional waves in addition to the sine, 45 algorithms instead of the DX7's 32, and the ability to design an individually routed algorithm via MIDI/SysEx, route the FM signal through a configurable filter with the options of resonance and self-oscillation, and flexible routing of up to three feedback sources within an algorithm. Advanced Wave Memory 2 (AWM2) technology for playing and manipulating PCM samples is an evolution of the AWM already featured in the TX16W. Such waveforms can be used as samples, overlaid with FM-based elements, and used as modulators for FM operators. There are low-pass and high-pass filters. The effects are reverb units with 40 types and two modulation units with four types. 64 user-defined patches can be stored in the onboard RAM. A 720 KB (DD) formatted floppy disc provides space for a further 400 patches. The TG 77's individual outputs can be used to process signals in an external mixing console, for example with EQ and individual effects. (Source: amazona)