The instrument
The YS-200 was built with the aim of creating a device for improved programming in the FM synthesis series. It has a 61-key keyboard with velocity and channel aftertouch, is eight-voice polyphonic and has eight parts in multi-mode, an effects unit with reverb, delay and distortion and an 8-track sequencer for recording 8 songs. Like the other 4-OP synths of the first and second generation from Yamaha, the YS-200 is operated with the YM2414 FM chip. Since this is used in many other synths, the sounds are interchangeable. The following Yamaha synths are largely Sysex-compatible with each other: DX100, DX27(S), DX21, TX81Z, DX11, DX11 (V2), WT11, YS100, YS200, B200, TQ5, DS55, V50. The twin YS100 is almost identical to the YS200, but without aftertouch and sequencer.
Details
The YS 200 has an Easy Edit function for programming with the four sections EQ, Tone, LFO and Effects. Attack, decay and release can be changed from +10 to -10. In the Tone section, you can adjust the overtone content with brilliance, and with wave, you can adjust the detuning of the modulators from the carriers, the so-called coarse tuning. Input-4Nos is used to set one of eight waveforms for the operators. In the LFO section, you can adjust speed, vibrato (->pitch) and tremolo (->amplitude) in ranges from 0 to 99. The simple sequencer is identical to that of the Yamaha QX5 and is equipped with punch-in on a track or delete/insert for an entire song section. (Source: amazona)