I remember the first time I heard this synth. I was very impressed, ok it was a long time ago but it still sounds cool.
Of course any synth can be easily abused into bad territory.

However the FM synth on this (and the TG77 rackmount)
synth is really cool sounding.

Also for those of you who have enjoyed the workflow of external or built in sequencers will love this synth.

Once you learn a dinosaur like this and appreciate what it can do for you
you it can get addictive.

Can you just buy NI's FM8 and be done with it?
well I guess if you can.
I mean I still feel something about outboard synths even digital ones have more authority sonically along with obvious workflow differences.

Also this synth combines fm and rompler in a way that can sound very unique.

from http://www.vintagesynth.com/yamaha/sy77.php:

The SY-77 is like having a super-sized sample-memory workstation with the added synthesis and sounds of a DX-7mkII. For its synthesizer section it employs a 6 operator AFM synth engine similar to, if not better than, the original DX's. The AFM section offers 45 algorithms, 3 feedback loops and 16 waveforms for creating some of those unique FM sounds. Sampled sounds (AWM2) which are in memory (or on external ROM cards) can then be mixed with the AFM sounds to create entirely wild new sounds! And these sounds are quite shapeable thanks to the resonant multi stage Time Variant Filters which offer the chance to recreate the warm analog sounds of classic synths, or create something entirely new.

I think at some point if you are happy with FM softsynths you might look elsewhere. However if you perceive a difference this is a great place to start!



specs:
Polyphony - 32 voices: 16 AFM voices, 16 AWM2 sampler voices
Oscillators - 6 operator AFM synth with 45 algorithms, 3 feedback loops and 16 waveforms; 16-bit AWM2 sample ROM waveforms
Filter - Multi-stage Time Variant Filters with resonance
Arpeg/Seq - 16 track sequencer, 16,000 note capacity, 99 patterns, 1 song, 61 built-in drum sounds
Effects - 4 independent digital effects processors
Keyboard - 61 keys with velocity and aftertouch
Memory - 128 preset & 64 user patches, 16 preset & 16 user multi-patches
Control - MIDI
Date Produced - 1990