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.

 

Thomas kenny

Posted 366 days ago

I've had the yamaha DX-11 synthersizer at home since 1998 I bought it off an old neighbour in Birmingham so my sister delivered it to me when she came on holiday by car & I sometimes use it whilst adding on to my electronic keyboard & I also can't understand using digital synth controls I use it for preset sounds.

Doug Dixon

Posted 394 days ago

Hi just a quick storie. I bought a second hand DX11 a few years ago to us as a master keyboard. The synth was in "showroom contition" and at the time cheaper than a dumie keyboard. I used it for gigging but kept it in good order. The other day I was ordering a new kitchen and told my wife I would sell some of my equipment to help pay for it.
I advertised the DX11 on a website beginning with E but when I unpacked it and started to play it to test everything was ok, I fell in love with it again so got my friend to bid on my beharf to buy my own keyboard back. Sad realy.

damir

Posted 411 days ago

type in you tube miki cortan an see what tjhis thing is able to do you will be amazed of the speed sound and still in our country this is the leak keyboard even after 20 years when it first came out.

Marc

Posted 414 days ago

Picked one of these up for £50 not long ago. It is absolutely like new no marks on it and was in orginal box with manual. Sounds are classic FM, great for bell, brass and digital piano sounds, and the odd level 42 impression.

Nice looking synth and seems well built, have yet to get into programming it, to be honest it does look a tad tricky. Very retro, and as stated above with its current low price I would recommend.

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