Yamaha SY99

$173.15 Price Tier: Budget

4.5 (11)

1 Review

Find out who is using Yamaha SY99

1 community setup

5 wishlisted

23 saved

Page last updated Jul 04, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 4, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

5.0 (1)

$173.15 8 available Used

View Deal

Average Price: $173

Budget/Beginner

$500

$1501+

Price Tier

In the Synthesizers category, Yamaha SY99 is priced in the Budget/Beginner range. This is great gear to get started with or for creators on a budget.

Budget

Standard

High-end

^* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Edit description

Step into a world of sonic exploration with the Yamaha SY99, a powerhouse synthesizer that combines advanced digital synthesis technology with a rich heritage of sound design. The SY99 is renowned for its Advanced FM synthesis capabilities, which allow musicians to craft unique and complex sounds with precision and creativity. Its extensive sound library and sample playback functions provide a versatile palette for both studio and live performances.

Equipped with a 76-key weighted keyboard, the SY99 offers expressive control and a dynamic playing experience. This synthesizer is celebrated for its ability to seamlessly integrate with other MIDI devices, making it a central hub for any electronic music setup. With onboard effects and a robust sequencer, the SY99 enables musicians to produce professional-quality tracks without the need for additional equipment.

The interface is intuitive, with a large LCD display that provides clear navigation of its vast array of features. Whether you're an experienced sound designer or a performer seeking new sonic textures, the SY99's blend of digital precision and analog warmth offers endless possibilities.

Key Features:

76-key weighted keyboard
Advanced FM synthesis with 8-operator architecture
Extensive onboard sound library
Integrated sample playback function
Built-in effects processor
MIDI compatibility for seamless integration
Robust sequencer for complex compositions
Large LCD display for easy navigation
Versatile for both studio work and live performances

Product specs

Brand	Yamaha
Model	SY99 Synthesizer
Finish	Black
Year	1991
Made In	Japan
Categories	Desktop Synths, Digital Synthesizers
Analog / Digital	Digital
Key Size	Full Size
Keyboard Action	Synth Action
MIDI I/O	MIDI Input, MIDI Output, MIDI Through
Number of Keys	76 Keys
Polyphony	32 Voices

FAQs

What are the standout features of the Yamaha SY99's sound engine?: The Yamaha SY99 combines advanced FM synthesis with AWM2 sample-based synthesis, allowing for complex and rich sound design. It also includes the ability to load user samples into RAM for further sound customization.
Is the Yamaha SY99 synthesizer polyphonic?: Yes, the Yamaha SY99 offers 32-voice polyphony, allowing you to play complex chords and layered sounds without note dropouts.
How does the Yamaha SY99 integrate with other MIDI equipment?: The Yamaha SY99 features comprehensive MIDI connectivity, including MIDI Input, Output, and Through ports, facilitating seamless integration with other MIDI-compatible gear.
What kind of keyboard action does the Yamaha SY99 have?: The Yamaha SY99 features a synth-action keyboard with 76 full-size keys, providing a responsive and comfortable playing experience suitable for a wide range of musical styles.
Can the Yamaha SY99 load user samples?: Yes, the Yamaha SY99 can load user-specified PCM samples into its onboard RAM, which can then be utilized in its FM synthesis engine for unique sound creation.

Videos

Add video

musictrackjp

YAMAHA SY99 Demo&Review [English Captions]

musictrackjp

Yamaha Synth Space History | SY99 | Dom Sigalas

Yamaha Synths Official

YAMAHA SY99 , PIANOS EPS , AFM

CLASSIC VINTAGE

Yamaha SY99 (Test Sounds)

Tiago Mallen

Yamaha SY99 [Preset Sound] | No Talking |

DKS SYNTH LAB

Yamaha SY 99 Soundbankdemo (no talking)

Gackoo Duz

Yamaha SY99 - The Greatest Vintage Synth No One Talks About!

Vulture Culture

Yamaha SY99 & Strymon Big Sky - Amazing Internal Presets

LFOstore

YAMAHA EX5 vs SY99: Live Sound Demo and Comparison!

Vulture Culture

Reviews

Add review

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Yamaha SY99.

Value and pricing

0 0

Owners report finding SY77s for as low as $40, while SY99s are rare and command higher prices, illustrating the demand for these models.
Source
0 0

SY99s are rare and command higher prices, with some users opting to import for cost savings despite potential voltage conversion needs.
Source

Setup and maintenance

0 0

Replacing the SY99's display with a blue screen from Synth-parts.com costs around £80/90, and careful labeling and photographing of electronics eases the installation.
Source
0 0

Yamaha reportedly still sells their special key grease, useful for maintaining vintage Yamaha keybeds.
Source

Comparisons

0 0

The SY77 is noted to be 90% similar to the SY99 but in a smaller form factor, making it a preferred choice for those with space constraints.
Source
0 0

The Roland JV1080 is noted for having better filters than the SY99, offering a warmer sound that is more convenient for song sketching.
Source

Features and functionality

0 0

The SY99 is praised for its incredible sounding pads and extended bass, alongside early 90s sampled instruments that some users still appreciate despite their dated feel.
Source
0 0

Owners appreciate the SY99's 6-operator FM synthesis with 16 sound waves, ideal for creating realistic guitars, FM pianos, and percussion sounds.
Source
0 0

The SY99's size can be cumbersome, making it difficult to fit into smaller setups and even challenging to reposition without strain.
Source

Software and compatibility

0 0

Extensive sysex libraries are available for the SY77 and SY99, offering a vast range of sound banks developed over 30 years for programming enthusiasts.
Source
0 0

Despite Yamaha's MIDI velocity limitation to 100, users find the synth's sound superior to the SY77/TG77, albeit less ideal as a master keyboard.
Source

Mods and upgrades

0 0

Installing a floppy disk emulator and battery holders is recommended for enhanced functionality and ease of maintenance.
Source
0 0

The MKS-70 can be enhanced with a USB to Serial converter to simplify programming through a virtual instrument interface.
Source

Use cases and applications

0 0

Owners note that vintage synths like the SY99 serve as excellent MIDI controllers with robust keybeds superior to modern alternatives in the same price range.
Source
0 0

The SY99 excels in recreating DX7 sounds, particularly useful for those who appreciate vintage DX sounds.
Source

User experience

0 0

Owners find the SY99's filters less effective, particularly when increasing resonance, compared to other synths like the Roland D70 with its JD800 filters.
Source

Add review

4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 11 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

jimmarchi1

41029

over 6 years ago

hrrm

this is an incredibly powerful synthesizer with a wave memory based engine for attack sounds coupled with a DX7mk2 engine with a multimode digital filter that's not bad for the era. It sits squarely between the DX7 and roland D50 in character.... it is a huge pain to program your own patches. This synthesizer is cumbersome physically and that carries over to the interface LOL. It really sounds cool but I dock it 2 stars for the interface which would be great if it weren't a multilayer synth engine, big step up from the dx7.... but since it has all these extra parameters? meh. A software programmer or an ipad app is a must. For live performance its pretty much a preset box. You're going to want to spend days on end making patches if you want to use this thing with a band. Its also highly multitimbral to the point of being a proto-workstation, but I'm just not a workstation guy. I don't like all in one solutions. Well, baked potato soup is okay, but typically I would rather have soup AND a baked potato.... savy? I vastly prefer the SY35 at the moment. Similar sound, vector joystick, smaller footprint.... and not a single feature I don't try to use :-) I'm not sure the 99 will stick around. These type of boards come in and out of my life. I get passionate about acquiring them and then they get stale fast. The performance angle is just not thought through and its not like Yamaha can't focus on that. This is a stop on the road to the Motif. If you like that type of thing then try an SY99, they're pretty affordable for all that they can do.

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist Keyboardist

Genres:

Electronic Orchestra Alternative rock