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!

28 VISITOR COMMENTS

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

cj-303

August 21, 2011 @ 9:17 pm

Awesome synth!!A classic that shines as bright now as it did when it came out!Fm8 is a good emulation, but you just cannot beat the real thing soundwise!! :)

rib

August 18, 2011 @ 4:24 pm

Rock on! This is a great synthesiser. Anyone who likes puzzles is going to love this one, a real Rubiks cube. Nerding aside, it produces wonderful sounds with a 'little' effort(!).
2 Part Multi-timbral DX7 - prove how smart you are and write a techno track with it - it's been done many times (u-choo-o-oobe). Shoewe yoewea fraends!

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