© 2004 musitronics

PCM RAM Expansion up to 8MB for
YAMAHA SY99

Function
To understand how our SY99 PCM Ram Expansion works, first we will explain how your SY99 PCM Sample memory is designed. Totally your SY99 can control 32 Mega Byte of Sampling material, but now only the half memory is used.

The first 8 MBytes contains the internal Sample Rom Preset 1 and Preset 2, after that a half MByte (512 Kbytes) internal Ram area follows. Than you can plug additional 2.5 MBytes of Expansion Boards (5 times x 0.5 MBytes = 2.5) into your SY99, so you have a maximum of 3 Mbytes sampling Ram until now. This shows the following table:

You can always install the musitronics SY99 Ram Expansion, even if you have installed some original Yamaha Ram boards. With DIP-Switches you can adjust the musitronics SY99 Ram Expansion to your individual SY99 Ram situation. If your total Ram Space exceeds more than 3Mbyte you get a new operating system chip that can handle Ram - Space up to 8 Mbytes. But for upgrading the new operating system chip it is important that you have the latest operating system software of SY99. It is Main Rom software version 1.57. You can display the software Version if you press simultaneously the Voice, the internal and then the 1 switch below the internal switch.

Hardware
We use high quality low-power static Ram with low current. The Ram Expansion contains a 3V Lithium Cell, so that the PCM Data remains in memory if the SY99 is switched off. These Batteries are in a holder so it is easy to exchange them by yourself.

Installation
After your open your SY99 you put the Expansion in a connector of the mainboard. And then you have to solder 6 cables on 6 pins of an IC. We have a detailed installation manual with pictures available in the Download area.

You can buy two Versions of the SY99 Expansion: with 3MByte or with 5Myte. The 3MByte Expansion has the capacity of 6 Yamaha Memory Boards, the 5 MByte Expansion the capacity of 10 (!) Yamaha Boards.