Yamaha199216-voice polyPolyphonic Keyboard$Budget($50–250)
Yamaha SY35
Budget producers wanting Yamaha's distinctive vector-synthesis sound and joystick control for very little money.
Find on ReverbUsed-gear listings, graded conditionCheck prices on eBayBroader inventory, live auctions
Strengths
- A genuinely budget-tier entry into Yamaha's vector-synthesis lineage (the same family as the pricier SY22), at a much lower cost today
- Joystick-based vector mixing between four sound sources is a distinctive, still-fun-to-use hands-on control
- FM and PCM hybrid engine gives it timbres that don't sound quite like a pure-PCM rompler of the same era
Trade-offs
- Considered an entry-level unit even when new, so its build and keybed feel noticeably cheaper than Yamaha's flagship synths
- Vector synthesis' joystick control is charming but genuinely fiddly for precise, repeatable programming
Full Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | Yamaha |
| Model | SY35 |
| Era | 1992 |
| Typical Price Tier | Budget ($50–250) |
| Voice Architecture | Polyphonic (16-voice) |
| Polyphony | 16 voices |
| Oscillator Type | Digital FM + PCM (Vector Synthesis hybrid) |
| Filter | Digital resonant low-pass |
| Keys | 61 |
| Built-in Sequencer | No |
| MIDI Equipped | Yes |
| Patching | Menu-based digital (no patch cables) |
A relative used-market guide, not a live quote — real prices vary by condition, region, and timing. Check the Reverb/eBay links on any item for current listings.
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This deckYamaha SY35
Match53
Flexibility55
Portability58
Ease of Use42
Tonal Neutrality55
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