Yamaha199116-voice polyPolyphonic Keyboard$$Mid-Range($250–800)
Yamaha SY99
Producers wanting Yamaha's flagship-tier hybrid FM/PCM engine with a genuinely premium weighted keybed.
Find on ReverbUsed-gear listings, graded conditionCheck prices on eBayBroader inventory, live auctions
Strengths
- Combines genuine FM synthesis (the DX7 lineage) with PCM sample playback in one flagship-tier hybrid engine
- 76-key weighted action and physical build quality were considered genuinely premium even among Yamaha's own high-end line
- Effects processing and layering depth were ahead of most rivals at its release
Trade-offs
- FM programming remains genuinely deep and unintuitive, the same real learning-curve criticism leveled at the original DX7
- Its flagship-tier complexity means most surviving units are still running factory patches rather than fully custom sounds
Full Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | Yamaha |
| Model | SY99 |
| Era | 1991 |
| Typical Price Tier | Mid-Range ($250–800) |
| Voice Architecture | Polyphonic (16-voice) |
| Polyphony | 16 voices |
| Oscillator Type | Digital FM + PCM (hybrid AFM/AWM2) |
| Filter | Digital resonant low-pass |
| Keys | 76 |
| 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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Match Score Explorer
Weight what matters to your workflow. Every deck is re-scored live against your priorities, benchmarked against the Yamaha SY99.
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This deckYamaha SY99
Match46
Flexibility70
Portability25
Ease of Use30
Tonal Neutrality58
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Maintenance & Supplies
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