Yamaha • DX-9
The DX-9 was a not-so-special spin off of the aggressively popular DX-7. The DX-9 wasn't a great synth, it had all of the headache problems associated with its DX-7 relative. Difficult programming and limited MIDI implementation to name a few. Still, it is a 4-operator FM synth like the other DX synths and is capable of interesting sounds.
In the mid eighties when the DX-9 appeared it was a welcome cheap alternative to the DX-7. But current DX-7 prices have nearly hurled the DX-9 into obsoletion. Also, unlike the DX-100 which is famous now for its gritty house-bass sound, the DX-9 doesn't have any particular sounds that set it apart from other synths like it.
VISITOR COMMENTS
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Bought mine in 1990 and still going strong! Oddly like this synth, the parameters are "upside down" compared to the other 4-op synths, but you can derive some interesting sounds from it, probably due to it's inherent limitations. Quite like the key response on it too. Used to trigger sounds on a Poly-800 from it, the warmth of the 800 and the typically FM sounds on the DX-9 used to combine quite well. Am sure one of the guys from Toto used to use one?
A great, inexpensive option for fm synthesis. The limited architecture makes programming sounds way more manageable than on the dx7 (that's the point of synthesizers right? programming your own sounds?). I do wish it had a bit more memory for patch storage and velocity sensitivity though. Even still, a very worthwhile synth.
I have to say that I like this synth, this is maybe due in part to it's under-dog tag it seems to have acquired. After saying that there are one or two sounds which I've never been able to re-create on any other FM synth. There is nothing more I can really say about it other than if you come across one, buy it, you may be pleasantly surprised and as it's getting rare there will be a 'need to have' collectors rush to have them soon. Often to be found in very good condition as they were not much use as a live/performance synth.
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