A classic synth gets a make-over by three significant updates to the original. The DX-7 was an amazing digital FM synth. The DX-7s carries on the torch once held by the DX-7. It offers the same great FM synthesis method and can also create sounds just as unique and wild as the DX-7. However, they can be just as difficult to program and understand for most users. Some general improvements include enhanced MIDI support, micro-tuning, aftertouch controlled pitch bending, and multiple LFOs. Although many improvements have been made to the DX-7 in this upgrade there still could have been room for improvement, which is where the DX7IID and DX7IIFD come in.

These next models allowed for keyboard split and layering capabilities. The DX7IID (pictured above) and DX7IIFD hold 64 voices in internal memory, as well as an additional 64 voices in a RAM/ROM cartridge that can be accessed. These voices can be layered in dual mode providing very rich sounds or a nice combination of sounds that would be impossible on the original DX7. They can also be split, for a two voice multi-timbral capability. Again, impossible on the original DX.

They have wonderfully clean sound and are stereo, providing pans and chorus and a few other nice effects. There are two real time sliders on these instruments, allowing control of user-programmable items in real time. Micro-tuning, as well as fractional tunings for eastern music etc. is possible. The FD includes a floppy drive for storage of patches, performance presets and sysex information. Like the DX7, these new models may have been used by The Crystal Method, Kraftwerk, Underworld, Orbital, Talking Heads, Brian Eno, Depeche Mode, D:Ream, Front 242, U2, A-Ha, Enya, The Cure, Stabbing Westward.

Pictured in silver & gold above is the DX-7 Centennial, released in 1987 to celebrate Yamaha's 100th anniversary. Not just a new paint job, the limited edition model had 64-voice internal RAM memory and 64-performance memory, 32-note polyphonic stereo output (2 x 16 voices), and a 76-key velocity and after-touch sensitive keyboard that glows in the dark. Additional improvements include enhanced MIDI support, stereo panning, 6 envelope generators and enhanced 16-bit circuitry. Only about 300 were made and it originally sold for $3,500!

30 VISITOR COMMENTS

Ad-vanc3d

May 12, 2012 @ 2:07 am

I agree with comments made by lightman, when i didnt own this synth i heard nothing but negative comments about the dxs /fm synths whilst researching years ago people saying, "rubbish sounds " obviuosly presets, "thin sounding" "too hard to program" which i guess for an average or advanced analogue tweeker is an acceptable opinion. If you put the time in to play around with this thing and listen to the depth of the sounds u could swear they were pure analogue, im guessing alot orf romplers sapled this aswell, eg korg m1 , roland d50 jd 800 etc

markuc

April 15, 2012 @ 1:39 pm

to "dx7-iid ultimate patch bank" - your link is dead, can you post any new, please ?
I have SY99 and sound programming is still very dificult for me, but the sound is excelent. Patches from DX sounds better as the original AWM+FM from SY ...

Phase3000

January 30, 2012 @ 10:51 am

The MK2 version of the great DX7 is as good as it gets from crystal clear bells to thiick pads and gritty funky basses, jangling guitar type sounds and blistering effects its all here. The sonic power of this Synth only gets realized when you put the effort in.

lightman

January 18, 2012 @ 7:52 am

In my opinion, FM is one of the most powerful and flexible forms of synthesis ever created. Once you move on from random knob-twiddling to more advanced sounddesign, a whole new world of sonic capabilities will open up before you that let some expensive true analog or VA synths (not to mention romplers) pale in comparison. However, FM synthesis is not for the impatient who expect instant gratification. The Learning curve is high, but so is the reward once you have mastered it. If people wouldn't have such a short attention span, we'd probably still see new FM synths coming out... ;)

Thomas Faurby

January 8, 2012 @ 10:07 am

A demo of this great synth:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wm5vNeROMaQ

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