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.

48 VISITOR COMMENTS

Goute

January 12, 2012 @ 4:37 am

P-Thugg from chromeo uses the dx-100 in ALL his productions and live shows as a trigger for his talkbox. Found a pretty good deal on this one recently.. I'm in heavy doubt whether to buy it or not as a first piece of my hopefully future vintage synth collection! Should I buy this for €180 as my very first synth?

Stich

December 20, 2011 @ 9:19 am

Buckwheat Zydeco also uses this syth. I know this because I once owned one in the 90s when I was in college and at the time listened to old Buckwheat. His song "Space Zydeco" utilized one of the preset sounds that also I think had the word space in it. That was the one sound I modified to something different. You're right, it is difficult to program. But it was a nice synth and I enjoyed owning it.

Tony

December 15, 2011 @ 1:22 pm

Hi,

I think Phoenix are using this synth. Well, they're using many, but this one is the sound of the bass in "Lisztomania" Check this video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82i8Edpjo9k

baronvoncase

June 18, 2011 @ 4:12 am

Bet Bill feels like a fool. :X

I'll check out your group, Patti!

The "obsession" with little keys is that it allows you a playable number of keys while maintaining transportability. I find the inconvenience of learning to adapt to little keys much less drastic than only having 25 keys to play on. 2-octave MIDI controllers seem more conducive to DJs than keyboard players. You can actually use two hands at once on a 49-note 'board, even if they're tiny.

I can't wait to get a hold of a DX-100 - I think it'll look awesome with my DX-11! Maybe I'll top it off one day with a DX-1. :D

Patti

June 4, 2011 @ 5:06 pm

No offense to Bill, but I am not a little person. I have a physical disability, use a wheelchair, and have limited use of my arms and hands. I have been blessed with musical talent and use mini keys to play in a band called OLYPSYS (check us out on reverbnation.com/olypsys) We just finished a gig at the Hard Rock Cafe Boston. You never know how modern technology can help people with limitations until you personally experience it.

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