Relevance between the models
Dynamic Vector Synthesizer SY22/SY35 are versions of TG33, and directly related.
YAMAHA SY22 is the 16 poly Keyboard version. YAMAHA SY35 was introduced in 1992 with the Wave Rom seemingly doubled (2MB) to improve the sound quality.
YAMAHA SY22 (1990)
In the Multi Mode only SY22/35 can layer voices, while TG33 has one additional stereo output.
Only TG33 supports realtime SysEx parameter change - PC editor works more slowly with SY22 / SY35.
The high-end YAMAHA SY series, SY77/TG77/SY99 combines FM and PCM synthesis. TG33 retains some of their 'impressions' by sharing related architecture and using memory-efficient, low-sampling-rate version of their characteristic waveforms, such as "Itopia" chorus sample.
SY99's Preset 'Itopian' (144KB)
YAMAHA SY77 (1989)
DASS means Dual Architectural Synthesis System; that is, FM and AWM simply combined without Vectors.
YAMAHA's Low-end workstation with built-in speakers, released only in Japan. They can be seen as 24 poly versions of SY22 (B500) and SY35 (B700) with some Samples replaced. They have no Vector, but the Drum-kit placement is made editable.
YAMAHA EOS B700 (1993)
Some Portatones around that time adopted DASS. Among them, PSR38 / PSR48 has MIDI. PSR3500 / PSR4500 / PSR4600 has MIDI and a Roll Bar - a definable modulation wheel placed below the keyboard. MIDI-ed models can recognize SysEx, but it seems to be used to store sequence only, and not for sound editing.
YAMAHA PSR48 (1990)
YAMAHA V80FD, which was announced in 1989 but never released, was a 6OP FM synth expandable with PCM. Instead, more advanced hybrid synth SY77 was actually released.
Some YAMAHA Electones (EL90 and others) use AWM combined with advanced 4OP FM.
YAMAHA EL90's Edit Screen (1991)
QUASIMIDI QUASAR and RAVEN employ MASS - Multi Algorithm Sound Synthesis. MASS mixes PCM with filter, additive waves and FM synthesis.
QUASIMIDI QUASAR (1994)
YAMAHA employed 2-Operator FM in Low-end Portasounds (PSSX60/X70/X80 series, shoulder keyboard SHS series, 4-bit sampler VSS200, and others) released from 1986 to 1989. PSS480/580/680/780 are fully editable with SysEx. YAMAHA PSS-390 has even quasi-sliders to edit the FM synth (though it has no MIDI).
They have 4 basic waveforms for an operator but have no velocity. TG33's FM operators have 8 waveforms derived from 4OP FM synth TX81Z.
YAMAHA PSS680 (1988)
YAMAHA TX81Z (1986)
PC sound cards at that time had 2-OP FM synths. The FM chips used are called OPLx family. OPL3 (FM Operator Type L3) chip seems to be most related.
OPL2 has 4 waveforms and seems to be related to the PSS series above. OPL3 is more related to TG33 as it has 8 waveforms. As OPL3's EG/LFO are very simplified ones, I think TG33's FM is an upper version of OPL3 with some of TX81Z (OPZ) features added.
OPL3 has 4-OP FM mode - inter-modulation between 2 voices. Unfortunately this feature seems to be unavailable with TG33.
Thorsten Klose redressed the OPL3 chip to make it a great new synthesizer, MIDIbox FM. It has extended MIDI controls/modulations, added EG, and many other contemporary features.
Creative Labs SoundBlaster 16 (1992)
MIDIbox FM (2004)
Today 2/4-OP FM synths are built into most mobile phones. YAMAHA released MA-1 (YMU757) 2-OP / 4 polyphonic FM synth chip in 1999, and updated this MA series constantly, adding much more polyphony and other synthesis engines (PCM, streaming PCM, AL - Analog Lite, HV - Humanoid Voice, Multi-Effects, etc.)
The most recent chip MA-7 (2005) became 4-OP / 128 polyphonic.
YAMAHA MA-1 (1999)
When digital synths didn't had enough power to achieve digital filter, many filter-less hybrid synths came out. As in TG33, they combined digital synthesizer engine with filter-less PCM playbacker. While PCM adds complex attack segment and acoustic emulation, digital synth contributes to more flexible timbre change.
Roland D-50 used LA (Linear Arithmetic) engine; KAWAI K1 used additive synth with PCM; and CASIO CTK-1000 used 'Non-Linear' synthesis engine (See also Roland D-110 and MT-32 pages for LA synthesis).
Roland D-50 (1986)
KAWAI K1 (1988)
CASIO CTK-1000 (1993)
Vector Synthesis was first introduced by Dave Smith's Sequential Circuits Prophet VS. YAMAHA Vector synths and KORG Wavestation series (AV - Advanced Vector synthesizer) were made with the help of Sequential crews.
YAMAHA also made other Vector Synths - Portasound PSS790, PSS51 and others.
PSS790 uses 28 poly AWM without FM. Guessing from its polyphony, it seems be related to later YAMAHA 12bit filter-less PCM line, culminated in TG100 GM synth (TG100 has no Vectors).
PSS790 can mix 4 AWM voices with the vector joystick, but the vector movement can't be programmed - only played in realtime.
Sequential Prophet VS (1986)
KORG Wavestation (1990)
YAMAHA PSS790 (1990)
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TG33
Deep Synthesis: Home12. 9. 2002
Second version 6. 19. 2005