Yamaha TG-33
Tone Generator (1990)

 

The Yamaha Sy-22 vectorial-synthesis module version with some minor technical enhancements.

The TG-33 is an Interesting machine lo-fidelity based on a mix of low-fidelity PCM and FM synthesis called DASS technology,

MODULE Main panel features a 16 x 2 lines backlit display, 35 buttons, 3 knobs and a special joystick ball for vector function control.

Rear panel terminal connectors:
- Midi interface
- main signal out
- AUX out dry.

 

Power supply is an external PSU +)- 700 mA 10V DC.

TECH main CPU HD6475328CP-10 (part of h8/523 family ) system manages a total of 32 voices polyphony generated by a custom chip GEW5 (TMC3493PH), relative DAC is a IC YM3032.

The TG33 voice system is based on Yamaha custom DASS - Dual Architecture Synthesis System - which mixes two syntheses: - AWM PCM samples (16 voices) - FM frequency modulation (16 voices)

ALGORITHM AWM + FM STRUCTURE basic patch combines the DASS tones in 2 modes:

- 1 PCM + 1 FM - 2 PCM + 2 FM. PCM are always assigned to TONE A-C and FM to TONE B-D, then elements can be mixed or detune using the apposite vector joystick.

AWM SYNTHESIS the 1 MB PCM ROM contains 128 waveforms coded at 8 bits.

internal non-expandable 1 mb Wavetable is organized into 16 instrument categories: piano, percussion, guitar, transient, organ, synth, bass, basic waveform, brass, FX, string, sequence, wood, hits, vocal and drum.

FM frequency modulation engine is a 2 OP class with 8 harmonic sinewave variations.
Fm edit from panel is limited to basic parameters like feedback, while advanced functions like algorithm, waveform, frequency and others can be changed only by Midi Sysex commands.

The Tg33 includes 256 FM presets organized into 16 categories: piano, reed, percussion, FX, organ, pluck, synth sustain, brass, bass, synth motion, wood, string, decay, OSC1 basic, OSC2 basid FM and OSC3 basic FM2.

EXPANSION the TG33 cannot be expanded, there are just some sound libraries available (also compatible with SY22 and Sy35) - pics from ebay auctions:

ID n. card name Publisher pic VC2250W (22) 1 Stage collection Yamaha VC2251W (22) 1 Studio Vector 1 Yamaha   VC2252W (22) 1 Studio Vector 2 Yamaha VC2253W (22) 1 Shofuku Yamaha none (22/33) 1 Assorted appetizers Sound source VC3301 (33) 1 Stage Selection Yamaha   VC3302 (33) 1 Studio Selection Yamaha   VC3501 (35) 1 Pop Standards Yamaha   VC3502 (35) 1 Super Synth Yamaha   none (22) 1 Vector project Yamaha none (22) 1 disk Piano greytsound none (22) 1 disk Fretted greytsound none (22) 1 disk Synth 2 greytsound none (22) 1 disk Percussion greytsound

 

ENVELOPE 1 indipendent EG per ELEMENT:

- FM: 4 segments ADSR + 4 times - AWM: 4 segments ADSR + 4 times. In addition there are 7 preset EG for common instruments, a special delay function which sets a time before engaging the EG and 16 kind of keysacaling models (for amplitude rate scaling).

VECTOR function crossfades s the overall envelope applying a special defined motion traced by the joystick ball, then movement can be recorded in real-time and played back (also by Midi control change).

HEAR vector panning recording

PERFORMANCE up to 16 parts with individual settings:

- Midi channel - stereo panning - volume mix - detune pitch - analog out assign - modulation amout (to aftertouch or wheel)

LFO each tone features a single delayed modulator (shapes: saw-up, saw-down, square, sample & hold and triangle).

MODULATOR destinations are: 1a- LFO FM amplitude 1b- LFO AWM amplitude 2a- LFO FM pitch 2b- LFO AWM pitch.

EFFECTS DSP Digital Signal Processor based on IC YM3413 (same as Sy55) with 16 effects no possible edit organized roughly in 3 sections:
- delay: long or ping pong
- digital distortion.
- reverb: hall, room, plate, club, metal and gated HEAR internal reverb

MIDI just a few basic MIDI CC# but Midi Exclusives are supported.
Tg33 souds are partially compatible to Sy-22 keyboard model since performance has a different structure.

MEMORY:

- 64 ROM patches - 64 RAM patches - 16 RAM multis RAM can be doubled using special MCD32 or tripled using bigger model MCD64. LEFT : Memory system works with a soldered CR-2032 battery, replacement involves soldering on the tg33 motherboard - click for bigger picture -

 

MODIFICATION

Our TG33 has been bent on the PCM section with some nice gritty digital textures.   random circuit bent TG33 session

EDITOR many good programs:

- Soundquest (mac/pc) PIC - Tg33 editor (mac) - Sy edit (Atari ST) PIC - Plompy voice editor (ST/PC)

RELATED FAMILY:

	Sy-22- quite the same but without double analog outs and half polyphony VIDEO
	Sy-35 a major improvement with higher ROM quality and better performance handling VIDEO

 

 

VST PLUGIN / SAMPLED VERSION there is no official VST plugin, however some similar programs and samples:

Sy22 SOUNDPACK -Psychic Modulation Aethereal

Free samples FREE VST

 

AUDIO DEMO

mmm get down?