The Yamaha DX7 II FM Synthesizer
This is a demo of the classic Yamaha DX7 II FM Synthesizer.
The Yamaha DX7 was a synthesizer manufactured by the Yamaha Corporation from 1983 to 1986. It was the first commercially successful digital synthesizer, and its sounds can be heard on many recordings from the 1980s.
Three improved “DX7 II” models were released between 1987 and 1989, all of which featured updated internal circuitry and a new style case.
These were:
- the DX7 IID, which improved sound quality from 12 bit to 16 bit, and allowed bi-timbrality;
- the DX7 IIFD, which was identical to the DX7 IID except that it also had a floppy disk drive; and
- the DX7s, which had improved sound quality and the updated case, but otherwise had the same essential functionality of the original DX7.
There was also a TX802 rackmaount version.
DX7 IIs could transmit and receive on any one of 16 MIDI channels at a time.
If you’ve used the Yamaha DX7 II FM Synthesizer, leave a comment with your thoughts/ratings!
Specifications:
- Polyphony: 16 voices;
- Oscillators: programmable 6-operator A & B,
- 32-algorithm FM tone generator;
- Env: 6 Envelope generators with 8 parameters;
- Keyboard: 61 keys with velocity and aftertouch, Split and Layer;
- Memory: 128 patches, external cartridge;
- Effects: none
Resources:
- Wikipedia entry for the Yamaha DX7 II FM Synthesizer
- Manual for the DX7 II
- Unofficial DX7 resource center
- Info at Retrosound on the Yamaha DX7 II FD
Demo video via retrosound72
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Tags: demo video, digital, DX, DX-7, DX7, fm, FM synthesis, Keyboard Synthesizers, synthesizer, vintage synthesizer, Yamaha
Ah…the DX7…she and I have many fond memories
I used to own a DX7 II-D when I played with an 80s tribute band. I used it as my main source of classic 80s FM sounds, of course. Being able to layer two sounds was perfect because it allowed me to add a percussive layer underneath a lead sound, for example, allowing it to cut through even better. If you thought that the original DX7 had some fat basses and lush strings, imagine how much bigger it sounds when you double them! Programming was also much easier.
If it weren’t for FM8 and how easy it is to run plugins in a live setting these days, I’d consider getting another one of these. Well, I might do that someday anyway, for old times’ sake
Cheers!
Several VSTs are available that offer DX7 Algorithms – Two I have used:
Purple (freeware)
Double Six v2.0 (donationware)
Both from http://www.odosynths.com
For those with deeper pockets: Native Instruments FM8 is tops.
-Mike
Several VSTs are available that offer DX7 Algorithms – Two I have used:
Purple (freeware)
Double Six v2.0 (donationware)
Both from http://www.odosynths.com
For those with deeper pockets, Native Instruments FM8 is tops.
The VST's sound good… but don't seem as good as the DX7IID or FD it all comes down to the DAC on the Yamaha hardware I guess. Similarly the original has DAC that were only 14bit so there was some crunch going on that will no happen otherwise from your computer generated VST.