Yamaha • DX-100

Yamaha DX-100 Image

The DX-100 is a small and portable budget DX synthesizer from Yamaha. Like all DX's it uses (FM) Frequency Modulation synthesis. It's not the easiest form of synthesis to program but can result in some excellent sounds. The DX100 is not as flexible nor powerful as a DX7, but it does have some cool sounds. It is most renowned for its great analog bass sound (Patch #01) that is awesome for techno, house, jungle, and acid music styles; it's very gritty, the bass tone with gristle! However, any other preset sounds that you'll find in the DX-100 are pretty bad and require editing for anything else useable.

The DX-100 has mini-keys and only 49 of them. No filters, arpeggiators, effects or programmable controllers are available either. Small pitch and mod wheels in the upper left and guitar strap pegs make this synth usable for live use if you're feeling whimsical. If you mess around with the settings on Parameter 13, even if you don't know anything about FM, you can get some seriously twisted sounds out of it. If you're willing to spend a little time with it, it has a lot more potential than just that one bass sound that people will eventually get sick of. And at its currently low street price, it just might be worth getting. It is used by Orbital, Scanner, Jean-Michel Jarre, Autechre, Laurent Garnier, and countless other house and dance artists.


VISITOR COMMENTS

Comments page 8 of 8
Click here to add a comment
Matt
Posted Yesterday
It's amazing how much of a cachet this synth has acquired among talkboxers. The way some people talk about it, you'd think that this was the only synthesizer on the planet that could produce a sawtooth wave. I see people demanding $400 for these sometimes. And then for an extra $25, they'll sell you the "talkbox" patch. Lord.

If you're going to buy an FM synth just to get that "Roger" sound, just get a DX11 for like $200. At least that has a super-comfy keyboard and the "FM for Dummies" programming section. Hell, if you really have $400 burning a hole in your pocket, get a DX7 II.

It's not that this is a bad synth, but it's no better than a DX11 or even a DX21 or DX27. And it's no better for talkboxing than any other FM synth, or 90% of other synths in existence. And if you really need the strap pegs, just get a CZ-101. They're usually under $100.
boritor
Posted 42 days ago
I read this review before I got my dx 100 (Roger Troutman used it so I new it had something to it) and thought that it would only be good for my talk box but it's now one of my most frequently used synths.
Some of the presets are bad but some are amazing, not to mention the cool mod wheel and pitch bend which are easily programmable.
This is a classic synth that is in demand. The DX 100 deserves a new review!
Fernando Abrantes
Posted 55 days ago
I may not have anything angry to add to these posts, but I know that Kraftwerk had used a Dx-100 for their 1998 world tour.
I mean seriously - Kraftwerk! On a DX-100...sweet
Mike
Posted 77 days ago
Okay, seriously! What the [beep] are you guys at VSE smoking? "it has a lot more potential than just that one bass sound that people will eventually get sick of." Why the hell do you keep insisting that EVERYONE agrees with you? "any other preset sounds that you'll find in the DX-100 are pretty bad and require editing for anything else useable." You always use the term "you" or speak as if you know every single person MUST agree with you, or presume that everyone who reads these so-called 'reviews' have the same opinion.

You cannot speak for everyone. It's not polite, nor is it respectful of others with different opinions. Sam, you hit the nail on the head. A keyboard DOESN'T have to have ultra-realistic, perfect presets to compose scores and songs that will make a person melt upon the first note.

DOes anyone else here but me also notcie that the synths that sound the most realistic VSE gives a near perfect, or perfect rating?
Wendi
Posted 78 days ago
"However, any other preset sounds that you'll find in the DX-100 are pretty bad and require editing for anything else useable."-How retarded are you? A synth doesn't need great sounds to be useable! I also noticed, on your "review" for the DX21 you said: "...sounds the same as the DX100-thin and brittle."-Squeezebox, sitar and many others are perfectly good. They certainly sound much better than any of the modern keyboards!

They can be, and are useful. You just don't seem to have the knowledge to realize that. To top it off, you never said "in my opinion" or I feel". Instead, you are claiming to state your opinion as fact, as if they ARE bad, and as if NO ONE will find use for them, which, is false.

They definetly not bad, thin or brittle. They can be useful, and not to mention, come from a unique style of FM synthesis, something that was quite original.
 

infoRatings


Demos & Media


Specifications




Resources