The DX-11 was released in 1988, four years after the DX-7 hit the market. The DX-11's synthesis and sound quality is classic DX-style FM synthesis using 4-operators per voice. The DX-11 has one major advantage over the DX-7 and other older DX-synths, however. The DX-11 offered 8-part multitimbrality, whereas older DX synths were monotimbral. The DX-11 is essentially a keyboard version of Yamaha's first true multitimbral FM synthesizer, the TX81Z rack module.

The DX-11's multitimbral features allowed you to spread various sound patches across different areas or "zones" of the keyboard. It also allowed for complex ensemble performances using external sequencers or while playing live using "Performance" patches. Also added were some Quick Edit functions so you don't have to delve into the complexity of FM synthesis to make a few simple tweaks. These quick edits affect the tone, envelope attack and release times. Unfortunately there are no on-board arpeggiators or sequencers.

The DX-11 is only 8-voice polyphonic. A standard DX-7 has 16-voices and though it is monotimbral, superior polyphony makes the DX-7 an often more popular choice. Also, with just 8-voices, the DX-11's multitimbral performances can wind up sounding pretty thin. Other 8-voice DX-type synths include the DX-21, DX-100, and TX81Z. And unlike most previous DX synths which all used sine waves for synthesis, the DX-11 offers up to eight different waveforms to work with! And all the classic DX sounds can be found in the DX-11. Brass, piano, strings, bell sounds, percussion, effects, and much more. Other features include chord-stacking, digital delay, and panning effects, however there is no chorus effect as on earlier DX-synths. At its current low second-hand price, the DX-11 is an inexpensive way to get useable DX sounds! It has been used by Astral Projection and Autechre.

30 VISITOR COMMENTS

gustavo berocan

October 12, 2011 @ 11:30 am

if you feel curious to listen other sounds this wonder is able to do please check this song i've recorded with it's unique FM sinth timbers.

http://soundcloud.com/gugudada/
80s-speed-valley

mine was found on trash in barcelona. unfortunately i had to sell it. :(

rib

August 18, 2011 @ 4:52 pm

Please keep your comments relevant. Do not post requests for help, do not use for sales, do not post unless you have something interesting to say about this instrument. This used to be a great site.

Key

July 31, 2011 @ 2:02 pm

The DX11 has also been used on stage by Tears for Fears. You can spot it on Live from Santa Barbara.
I had once a DX21 but sold it because I was too much expecting DX7 sounds from it. Also the presets were complete rubbish and I was not so keen in programming the damn thing.

cj-303

July 27, 2011 @ 6:39 pm

If you have a dx synth with the display on but no sound then the internal battery might need changing (not a difficult job if you can solder!) if you hold down the 16 and 32 buttons and press edit(or something like that, soz cannot remember exact!) you get the internal sounds. There are a lot of troubleshooting references on the net about the dx range!

Steven

July 27, 2011 @ 1:02 am

The Dx11 IS velocity sensitive! And it also has after touch too. And this information is sent down the midi. The Synth is quite cool, probably best on after DX7. AND IT DOES A LOT MORE THAN JUST METALLIC SOUNDS. Great bass and leads if you stack sounds. Many software programers out there which makes life a lot easier when programming sounds. Module version is often cheep and adds a lot more power to keyboard S

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