Yamaha DX27

Yamaha DX27 Image

The DX27 is a full sized keyboard version of the DX100. 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 DX27 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 DX100 are pretty bad. Though the DX27 adds a standard 61 note keyboard it still lacks filters, arpeggiators, effects or performance wheels and controllers.

Pictured above is the DX27S which adds built-in speakers for the home-user. It also has a stereo chorus effect and Pitch bend & Mod wheels and has support for a Breath Controller.

32 Visitor comments
Pordiepie
March 13, 2009 @ 4:42 pm
Jose obviously can't play keyboards and needs a sequencer with an appregiator to get any noise out of a synth. I bought one in 1986 and if nothing else it taught me how to play keyboards. If you edited the sounds in it you could get some great noises, rubbery bass, superb strings and brass, but only if you could play it Jose!!!!!!
Jose
December 28, 2008 @ 1:25 am
About six years a go, I bought a keyboard called: Yamaha DX-27 and after 5 months I give the Keyboard to my uncle and then he give it to a friend, Conclution.,,.,don't buy a dx-27.,..,. you not gonna liked, there is nothing what to play on this synth. Don't think wrong a bout my comment but is the reality, make your money wort, buying a quality Keyboards.
Phil Bearce
December 3, 2008 @ 12:18 pm
I just found one of these (without onboard speakers) at a Goodwill store where everything was 1/2 off! I paid $34.99 for the synth and they came running after me as I was leaving to give me the On-Stage keyboard stand that went with it! And it works just fine.
moto
December 3, 2008 @ 5:36 am
Yeah couldn't afford the DX7 so had some fun with this in '86.. didn't get that excited by it though.. hard to program on the the fly, and a limited sound scape. Keyboard felt really plastic. Bought an FB01 later and found the same engine as the DX27 in a smaller box for sequencing purposes..
Gordon McWilliams
October 25, 2008 @ 2:42 pm
I bought one of these in 1986. Because it lacked all the gimmicks, you had to learn to play the damn thing. It helped me enormously. As for programming, start with a pre-set close to the sound you want first, then edit that. Works a treat!
 
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  • Demos & Media
  • Audio Clip 1 - Different bass tones. Take a listen to the DX100 for a taste of the DX27's sounds.

    Manual - Download the original owner's manual here.

  • Specifications
  • Polyphony - 8 voices
  • Oscillators - 4-Operator Digital FM synthesizer
  • Multitimbral - 1 part
  • Memory - 192 preset, 24 user
  • Filter - None
  • Keyboard - 61 keys with no velocity or aftertouch
  • Effects - Stereo Chorus (DX27S only)
  • Control - MIDI
  • Date Produced - 1985

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