The DX9 was a not-so-special spin off of the aggressively popular DX7. The DX9 wasn't a great synth, it had all of the headache problems associated with its DX7 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 DX9 appeared it was a welcome cheap alternative to the DX7. But current DX7 prices have nearly hurled the DX9 into obsoletion. Also, unlike the DX100 which is famous now for its gritty house-bass sound, the DX9 doesn't have any particular sounds that set it apart from other synths like it.

Daniel

February 8, 2013 @ 6:33 am

"Still, it is a 4-operator FM synth like the other DX synths"

This is misleading. Not all DX synths had only 4 operators. It's worse in the context of a paragraph where you just mentioned the DX7. That has 6 operators, as do its more advanced relatives the DX5 and DX1. Poor wording like this risks misleading people that the DX7 family is only 4-op and hence that they can get a DX9 and have 'almost' a DX7, which is completely false.

Jens

January 12, 2013 @ 12:46 am

Hi all
If You have an IPhone try the dxi fm app. It's a 4 operator fm synthesizer with filter and effect processing. Use it with my setup. I wonder how close it comes to the DX9. I have a DX7s now and Will try to compare Them.
By the Way for IPad it has several waveforms like DX11/ TX81z etc

I once had a DX-21 and I loved that synthesizer. I Think the DX-9 is underrated.

Cheers

MT

August 17, 2012 @ 7:52 am

Yes, a DX9 is a 4-op FM synth. And yes, so is a DX100. But there are much more differences than just the keysize! The DX100 is (more-or-less) SysEx compatible with DX21, TX81Z, V50, and some other 4-op FM synths made by Yamaha. The DX-9 is NOT SysEx compatible with these models. And also the FB-01 is a 4-OP FM synth, that is NOT SysEx compatible with the DX100 nor with the DX-9. Let's not spread inaccurate information on the internet.

michaelphibes

August 15, 2012 @ 1:19 am

some interesting sounds to be found in here. but if you cant afford a dx7 ,this should do the trick until you understand it capabilities and itch for more. i do happen to enjoy this more than the sy77 i used to own but dont get me wrong the sy77 is far superior to dx9 but i seem to like membrane programming and simpler 4-op limitation. i say let fm synthesis live forever and yes i have much dx9 love.

TEENSTAR

July 11, 2012 @ 11:53 am

the c# keys on my DX9 dont play how do i fix them

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