Vintage Synth Explorer

Yamaha • DX-11

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.

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Posting Rules: 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, or we may delete your post.

 

Karl

Posted 77 days ago

I'm really impressed with my DX11! Had one in 1988 and sold it for a Roland D050(bad idea on retrospective:-)) Took me 20 yeras to find a replacement.....not going down that road again.
It's extremely easy to program(if you're familiar with FM) and is any day as good as a DX7 IMHO.
I sample all my favourite sounds on my Fantom workstation and with added MFX it KILLS!!
I'll NEVER let mine go!

Analogue Crazy

Posted 90 days ago

Just got one of these for £40 and can't say in words how impressed i am. The sound can be thick, warm, harsh, metallic...you name it, it delivers. The bass sounds in particular are increadible and have a HUGE bottom end, so watch your speakers! And i find it pretty easy to program. I come from an Analogue background too so take my word for it. Of course it takes a short while to get farmiliar with FM Synthesis, but once you've got the idea it's a doddle to program. Love the look of this thing too, it's so slim and sleek...it's sexy!

Any fan's of Sonic The Hedgehog will love this one. It's rack version was used for the soundtrack to the classic Sega games, so all those timeless sounds are on here. Now that's Retro!

Michael

Posted 108 days ago

Hi,
If you own this synth and a Mackie Control C4 or C4 Pro control surface, I am proposing Layouts (.c4i and .c4l files for C4 Commander software) that will allow you to access all synth parameters in an intuitive and user friendly way.
For additional information, please go to:
http://mapage.noos.fr/michael.rosner/ C4DESIGN/index.html
Enjoy the music!

BigFat

Posted 183 days ago

I use my DX11 to stack tuned percussive type wave forms on top of everything I play with my Roland TD20 cyborg madness and a VSynth kb to a racked computer.
The DX11 uses the Emu 1820s sound dock effects now
even tho you can detune one (or many) of the same voices in performance mode to add unique chorusing.
I still jam along with the fattest dang 8 voice basslines of performance-mode-WooF you ever heard from this kb.

I run it all thru a 800w CerwinVega woofer and a couple 600w monitor JBLs. This is when you really know what FM synthesis is about.
Its 8 voice ability has never been a setback for me, and I would certainly be nothing without its micro tuning secrets.
I highly recommend a midi connection to a source to help store your 1 billion gazillion sounds you'll make. :)

Jim

Posted 215 days ago

It's the DX synth with the most user-friendly interface. Even the buttons on the front panel are more than any other dx-synth. Great"Performance Mode": You can combine up to 8 different instruments together. For me the best is to combine maximum 4 intstruments with 2 notes per voice, creating some of the richest dx-sounds with this way. Multi-part keyboard: You can split the keyboard and play up to 8 different voices at the same time. For a live show it's a huge advantage. 4)"QUICK EDIT" function: you can edit your sounds very fast. last but not least: THE SIZE. This instrument is way more smaller and "elegant" that most of the other dx-synths of its qualities. It's the 2/3 of a DX7 mk1 size and weight.

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