Oberheim DX

The DX was a lighter version of the classic DMX drum machine. In fact its look, features and programming method are basically the same as the DMX. The DX has individual tuning knobs for the drum tones and an external trigger input. Its sounds are sampled recordings of actual instruments. The DX only has 18 drum sounds and the DMX has 24. Both drum machines have a number of human like feel effects such as a great swing function, rolls, flams and other weird time signatures and grooves. Best of all it's easy to operate. There are also 6 individual outputs like the DMX for easing studio use. It has been used by Hip Hop artists since the very beginning of Hip Hop! It has been used by Apollo 440, Daft Punk, and Jimi Tenor.

22 Visitor comments

Russ Delux

November 24, 2009 @ 3:56 am

I still have a DX that I bought in the late 80s. At a later stage I added the
'Stretch' unit which gave it more sounds. I still use it now and blow my own sounds using the 'Prommer' even though I have other PC equipment , sound samplers and VST instruments that can do the job quicker. It still sounds good today although I have lost a couple of the original sounds. Midi, tuning and all !!!! Lovely

Chris

September 25, 2009 @ 5:59 pm

I've owned to of these in the past. The first I found in a junk shop while at college in the early 1990's. Someone had replaced the hihat sounds with TR-909 ones, and drilled holes in the wooden sides in order to add some sort of trigger inputs. It was the pre-MIDI model, and I eventually traded it for a Jen SX-1000 synth. Big mistake number 1.

My second DX came from eBay, and was absolutely mint condition with original box, manual and sound chips. It was a later Dxa which had plastic side panels and MIDI. The previous owner had bought it new with an Oberheim synth, but never used it, hence the fantastic condition. I eventually sold it on eBay to get the money to buy a LinnDrum. Big mistake number 2. The Linn is great, but I really miss the sounds of the DX, the step programming (Linn is real time only) and the massive memory.

Overall, this is probably the early sampled drum machine that should really be on everyones shopping list, as it's very versatile, reliable and fun.

Bwandice

August 11, 2009 @ 5:52 pm

I just got one of these and it sounds great, especially with the back pitch tuners. However with mine, the shakers and clap doesn't work, does anyone know how to clean the volume fader and pads?

theKBRT

March 25, 2009 @ 1:02 pm

I love these things...they are great. I recently got my hands on one of the early versions without MIDI and have been searching for months to find a copy of the manual...if someone has one and could post a link, i would appreciate it!

Lasse

February 17, 2009 @ 8:29 am

The model DX doesn't have MIDI, but the model DXa does.

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Demos & Media
Video 1 - Oberheim DX drum computer at work
Manual - This page has a link to a free copy of the original DX owner's manual!

Specifications
Polyphony - 6 voices
Drum Sounds - 18 sounds
Sequencer - 100 sequences
Songs - 50
VCA - 6 level sliders
Keyboard - 18 keys
Effects - Individual tuning control, swing function
Control - Trigger In/Out (MIDI by modification)
Date Produced - 1982

Resources & Credits
Images from Perfect Circuit Audio.

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