The instrument
The Yamaha SY85 is a multi-timbral synthesiser with 30-voice polyphony from the SY series. Unlike the earlier SY77 and SY99, it does not use FM synthesis. Instead, its sounds are based on samples that can be layered and modified. It has a 61-key velocity-sensitive keyboard with aftertouch, a 3.5-inch floppy disc drive and a MIDI sequencer with nine tracks. It also has two effects units that can be connected in series or parallel. The TG 500 is the rack version.
Details
The SY 85's voice memory holds 256 voices in four banks with 64 slots. These can be played individually or superimposed on a split keyboard. Up to 128 superimposed combinations can be stored in the memory as performances. The voices can also be processed with a high-pass filter, a low-pass filter, a band-pass filter and a band-elimination/band-stop filter. The sequencer has eight standard tracks and a special rhythm track. The tracks are recorded in real time or in step time and quantised to the values 1/4, 1/6, 1/8, 1/12, 1/16, 1/24 and 1/32. The rhythm track is created by combining 100 rhythm patterns. The sequencer can store up to ten songs or 20,000 notes. (Source: Wikipedia)