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The Yamaha DX7: Death of The Analog Synthesizer | Featuring the Yamaha Reface DX and MODX7

SHOP YAMAHA REFACE DX: www.alamomusic...
SHOP YAMAHA MODX7: www.alamomusic...
After its release in the early '80's, the Yamaha DX7 became the pinnacle of the synth world; making a great shift from subtractive synthesis to additive synthesis or "FM synthesis." These two forms of synthesizing sounds are true to their names-- in subtractive synthesis, a complicated wave form is sculpted down into a desirable sound using oscillators; while additive synthesis enhances a simple waveform through the use of oscillators. At the time, the DX7 contained some of the most realistic synthesized sounds of acoustic instruments, which contributed to its massive commercial success-- it also pushed many analog synth manufacturers into the digital age, or put them out of business altogether. In this video take a look and listen to the DX7, and also compare the classic to some modern takes on FM synthesis, the Yamaha Reface DX and MODX7.
Demo sounds start at 11:10
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Пікірлер: 72

  • @sudachi909
    @sudachi909 Жыл бұрын

    Incredible MODX 8 op FM sounds. I am waiting for DX7 mk-III.

  • @unclemick-synths
    @unclemick-synths3 жыл бұрын

    It wasn't the DX7 that did it, it was the obsession with "realism" that infected many of us back then. Thankfully a new generation came along to show us what we'd been overlooking and analogue is bigger than ever.

  • @deantiquisetnovis
    @deantiquisetnovis3 жыл бұрын

    I love my DX 7! Built like a tank and wonderful sounding 👍

  • @CRITTERBUSTERS
    @CRITTERBUSTERS3 жыл бұрын

    The DX7 didn’t kill analog synthesisers, people wanted something new and different. Analog sounds have been back in vogue for at least 15-20 years now, FM has only recently made a comeback in the last 5-10 years. The reface is not the best FM option IMO, you’re better off with either a MODX or the DX7II (which is easier to program than the Model 1 DX7).

  • @_mickmccarthy

    @_mickmccarthy

    3 жыл бұрын

    The new Korg OPSIX looks awesome too (from a jealous Reface DX owner, not jealous enough to splash out 3x times the price though!). I don't think anyone could seriously call a 4-op FM synth the best in class. It's excellent for the size/price though.

  • @neonpop80

    @neonpop80

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@_mickmccarthy I love my Reface DX and CS. They're a great combo and you can connect them together to play them simultaneously and layer their sounds. These are my first synths and I wanted an entry point rather than anything advanced. Both have taught me so much and I feel covered most things about synths. Most of all, the combo is super fun to use.

  • @_mickmccarthy

    @_mickmccarthy

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@neonpop80 Same here! Got the DX as my first then the CS about a month later to pair with it. Such a great combo and for less than a lot of other entry level synths would cost on their own! Great value for money and I'd say there are few hardware FM synths out there that are better to learn FM on than the DX. It would be great if it was a 6 operator synth to load DX7 patches on, but the ability to have feedback on every operator arguably makes it even more powerful than the DX7 with its 6 operators.

  • @neonpop80

    @neonpop80

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@_mickmccarthy Basically exactly my story :) First DX, didn't feel the story was complete, got the CS a month later, fell in love.

  • @AbdiPianoChannel
    @AbdiPianoChannel2 жыл бұрын

    DX7 lives in my MODX 6

  • @Chris-yo6vh
    @Chris-yo6vh3 жыл бұрын

    I thought it also worth it to mention that dx7ii/dx7ii fd has a “stereo field” output vs the first dx7 series that has only a mono output.

  • @toomuchtoofast4533
    @toomuchtoofast45333 жыл бұрын

    Just got my 1983 DX7! So pumped 🍺😎 good vids Zach!

  • @Kobymaru0678
    @Kobymaru06783 жыл бұрын

    Dr. John Chowning is who you're thinking of :)

  • @PimpinBassie2
    @PimpinBassie217 күн бұрын

    In the crazy years after the introduction of DX7 and M1 you could get Jupiter 8's for a couple of C-notes.

  • @MrBruceHerrera
    @MrBruceHerrera3 жыл бұрын

    Just today I received my Yamaha Reface DX. Perfect timing!

  • @davidlloyd9598
    @davidlloyd95983 жыл бұрын

    MK1 DX7 best sound.

  • @wernervannuffel2608
    @wernervannuffel260811 ай бұрын

    John Chowning was the inventor of FM sound synthesis and transformed into an initial FM-music instrument by Yamaha (dx-series).

  • @mathmanmrt
    @mathmanmrt3 жыл бұрын

    in 1987 the film department at the university i went to purchased a dxz and fairlight cmi for use on film scores, incidental music, and sound effects for their students and faculty projects. i ended up helping a friend of mine with the dx7 because he knew when i had been a music major i had worked with the music department's roland 100 series modular system so he thought i could use any synth. neither of us realized at first what fm synthesis was all about. he made me a copy of the dx7 user manual and i found copy of massey's *the complete dx7* and worked my way through both. i finally got pretty good at programming it. good enough that the film department chair was looking into putting me on salary for programming it for the university. unfortunately, a collapse in the oil market resulted in hiring freezes and budget cuts. i never thought much about it until a few years ago when i discovered the dexed vst. it was so much easier to program than the dx7. that interface was such a hassle on the original. earlier this year i got the arturia v collection and their emulation of the dx7 is wonderful. the interface is even better than dexed and you get so many interesting waveforms to experiment with, and then a choice of two envelope types aside from those weird and fiddly yamaha envelopes. oh, and the university's fairlight . . . i bever got a chance to do anything with it. every time i was in their sound studio that thing had crashed and they were waiting for a technician to fix it. so it goes.

  • @asoundlab

    @asoundlab

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for sharing, wonderful story!

  • @mathmanmrt

    @mathmanmrt

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@asoundlab much appreciated. one thing i will mention is that my experiences with a variety of different types of synthesis early on has given me an appreciation for the usability of different types of instruments in different contexts. my personal hardware synths are two moog semi-modular analog instruments--the grandmother and the matriarch--and a hybrid synth--the arturia microfreak. those three instruments give me huge possibilities of sound design by themselves. additionally the arturia pigments 2.0 vst and the arturia v collection add so many sonic possibilities. as well, through the v collection i have learned so much about synthesis with spot on emulations of the synclavier additive synthesis approach, the fairlight cmi sampling engine, the casio phase distortion system, and of course the dx7. there is very little i *can't* do with them. i really have a warm spot in my heart for the dx7 though simply because i taught myself how to do a really good job of programming patches at a time when many, if not most, musicians were using nothing but presets. one patch i made recreated the sound of crickets and cicadas for the background noise in one of my friends night scenes. it sounded better than an actual sample of insect sounds someone else had loaded onto the fairlight and was the patch that caught the attention of the department chair. anyway, i've enjoyed what i've seen of your channel so far and i look forward to exploring more of it.

  • @jarrid8480
    @jarrid84803 жыл бұрын

    Learning a lot from this channel thanks!

  • @asoundlab

    @asoundlab

    3 жыл бұрын

    You’re welcome! Thanks for watching.

  • @AlfonsoMontellanoBlanco-qd5lq
    @AlfonsoMontellanoBlanco-qd5lq9 ай бұрын

    Front-242 used the DX7 and SY77 now I now thanks to your video ! NIN and Skinny Puppy used DX7 (side project Download used the SY77). Nice sound of MODX. But I m looking for the MONTAGE guys. Nice shirt too, boy X.

  • @johnchongsing7745
    @johnchongsing77453 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for a very clear exposition of the subject

  • @asoundlab

    @asoundlab

    3 жыл бұрын

    You’re welcome!

  • @asoundlab

    @asoundlab

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for watching!

  • @gonzalodominguez229
    @gonzalodominguez2293 жыл бұрын

    Awesome Video. Everything🖖🍀🧚

  • @cubistone
    @cubistone Жыл бұрын

    DX7 was a go to synth in Miami Vice the tv series soundtrack.

  • @SamLee300SL
    @SamLee300SL3 жыл бұрын

    D50 just didn't match the hit of DX7 and was soon surpassed by Korg M1's GOAT 250,000 unit sales Funny nowadays Yamaha doesn't have a FM-dedicated synth, while Korg came up with OPSIX synth with improved 6-op FM

  • @ClassicTVMan1981X

    @ClassicTVMan1981X

    3 жыл бұрын

    Fact is, this isn't 1985 anymore, when the DX7 was at its peak.

  • @aldoprinceton9428

    @aldoprinceton9428

    3 жыл бұрын

    I realize I'm kinda randomly asking but do anyone know of a good place to watch newly released series online?

  • @Swanlord05

    @Swanlord05

    2 жыл бұрын

    Yep while Korg pays yamaha for their FM tech..... Yamaha sits back and laughing at Korg all the way to the BANK BUDDY

  • @Coowallsky

    @Coowallsky

    Жыл бұрын

    Boutique keys and discontinued last year. Glad I didn’t give it a go.

  • @FakeGlasses
    @FakeGlasses3 жыл бұрын

    "You Maniacs! You blew it up! Ah, damn you! God damn you all to hell!"

  • @AlfonsoMontellanoBlanco-qd5lq
    @AlfonsoMontellanoBlanco-qd5lq9 ай бұрын

    Did you forget The timeless non classics SY-77, TQ-5, SY-22 and SY-35.. They offer FM synthesis blended with AWM2 (or samples if you like). His name is John, John Chowning. And once I asked the question of what makes the SY-22 special and he replied: It has samples. FM synthesis is based in sine waves.Simply but pure sounds. The mexican sample guy Victor Valdes 3V claims that when he looks for relaxation takes his DX7 and make sounds , and he gets it .But is for that reason and No others. Casio offered FM too in CZ series synths. Even Synclavier. 😄

  • @michelvondenhoff9673
    @michelvondenhoff967310 ай бұрын

    FM is a modulator and carrier similar to on how a vocoder works.

  • @Farold_Haltermeyer
    @Farold_Haltermeyer8 ай бұрын

    I defo dig the 4 op version more...just can’t work out what it is in that sound!

  • @budgetkeyboardist
    @budgetkeyboardist Жыл бұрын

    The DX 7 (FM) killed analog. Then sampling killed the DX 7 , and then analog came back, and wavetable was also there, and finally FM came back and tried to kill analog again, but analog laughed and said "I'm stronger now than ever." Analog is certainly far more popular than FM these days. I still like the DX 7 for some things, though, like bass and brass.

  • @chinossynthesizer705

    @chinossynthesizer705

    3 ай бұрын

    Fm synthesis was also used on the Sega genesis composers actually show how cool it is but you have to study alot on how sound works. Analog is popular but more expensive the virtual analog synths were kinda cheap. analog synthis easier and saves more time for electronic music im fine with fm so my head goes crazy.

  • @dvamateur
    @dvamateur2 жыл бұрын

    Well, when I have a Prophet-10 and Fantom 8 side by side at the music store, I find it unbelievable that anyone with any sanity would go for the Prophet. The difference in sound, features, keyboard feel, build quality, etc. The difference is staggering!!! Price? Basically the same.

  • @Swanlord05
    @Swanlord052 жыл бұрын

    Hey man the DX7 mk1... Killed the analog star!..... Not the Dx7ii!

  • @wernervannuffel2608
    @wernervannuffel260811 ай бұрын

    DX-1, DX-5, DX-7, DX-7 IID, DX-7 II FD, DX-9, DX-11, DX-21, DX-100, and much more... including different patch editors, TX802, TX816 (8 DX-7's), Native Instruments FM7, FM8, Dexed, Arturia DX-7 V, Korg Volca FM and Volca FM (2), Korg Opsix, Yamaha Reface (DX, CS, CP, YC), Yamaha Montage (FM-flagship), Yamaha MODX-serie, ... and all kinds of other brands with FM software (Serum just to name this one, etc.). And a kind of FM by subtractive synthesis... and the Hydrasynth... And as incorporated into Korg Kronos and other workstations. And don't forget the sysex (dx)-sounds libraries and the reverse engineering opportunities of it. FM is still alive and will be there forever as another sound synthesis paradigm... I love it... as I love Wavetable synthesis and subtractive synthesis... They all have their unique sonic qualities. Try to enjoy them all.

  • @FuZhixiang
    @FuZhixiang2 жыл бұрын

    Once a while, I was wondering for fully digging into FM synthes with 8 operators, should I learn the mathematics?

  • @alexanderbelov6892

    @alexanderbelov6892

    2 жыл бұрын

    Clean ears are enough

  • @Chris-yo6vh
    @Chris-yo6vh3 жыл бұрын

    Hi Alamo, what’s the pipe organ patch at 0:22 of the video?

  • @asoundlab

    @asoundlab

    3 жыл бұрын

    Let me check on Monday in the office!

  • @Chris-yo6vh

    @Chris-yo6vh

    3 жыл бұрын

    Alamo Music Audio Lab thank you , looking forward for it

  • @Chris-yo6vh

    @Chris-yo6vh

    3 жыл бұрын

    HI Alamo, did you find where that pipe organ patch come from and if you could please link me the sysex of that patch? Thank you.

  • @Swanlord05
    @Swanlord052 жыл бұрын

    Hi Can I download these, patches please?

  • @joekaplowitz2719
    @joekaplowitz271911 ай бұрын

    The Dx7 didn't kill anything. The problem was that people decided that creativity was too difficult. The desire for quick profit is the killer...

  • @pedraumbass
    @pedraumbass3 жыл бұрын

    hahahaha this guy have abolutely no freking idea of how fm synthesis work, he probably doesn't know how subtractive synthesis work too. But good video and nice playing.

  • @freestate6200

    @freestate6200

    2 жыл бұрын

    Fully, and the D50 is no workstation either. And these algorithms, so befuddling

  • @ChristopherSibert
    @ChristopherSibert3 жыл бұрын

    His first name was Tatum... Tatum Channing.

  • @mikehemens9359
    @mikehemens9359 Жыл бұрын

    Holy "and" town!

  • @seanconway1874
    @seanconway18743 жыл бұрын

    DX 7 Killed it’s self by being so hard to program 5 years it was king 👑

  • @Am71919

    @Am71919

    3 жыл бұрын

    Why does everybody say the DX7 was hard to program, I learned how to program it in 2 weeks

  • @Coowallsky

    @Coowallsky

    Жыл бұрын

    Hard to program?

  • @michaelmitchell8218
    @michaelmitchell821815 күн бұрын

    The DX7 did do a lot of damage. Maybe you idiots on here should look stuff up. It put a lot of companies out of business because people wasn’t buying their synths. The DX7 is a fantastic machine the shame was people was too lazy to learn how to program it. There was many great synths back then like the DX7, Jupiter 8 and the emulator. You had them and you was sorted for sound.

  • @mrrogerstown2435
    @mrrogerstown2435 Жыл бұрын

    That reface looks really cheap for how much it costs

  • @afxmnstr
    @afxmnstr11 ай бұрын

    I keep trying to watch videos about this keyboards history to get me hyped about the sounds. But truly what a horrible sounding board. I can’t believe these cornered the market. I can name a heavy list of songs this board was featured in and I can only enjoy a handful of them.

  • @ghostexits

    @ghostexits

    11 ай бұрын

    Even on KZread videos, overwhelmingly what you find is people playing dumb presets. Listen to Brian Eno's Apollo, The Pearl, Thursday Afternoon, or John Chowning's pre-DX7 FM experiments. It's almost limitless what's sonically possible using FM on a DX7, but a lot of my favorite sounds are very simple sine waves, bells, and tonal percussion ala Eno. When you get down to basics on the DX7, it has a very raw but finger-tip-touch expressive palate of additive sine waves and ring mods.

  • @chinossynthesizer705

    @chinossynthesizer705

    3 ай бұрын

    Sega genesis sound tracks use a 4op fm synth and sound good.

  • @BedlamAndBones
    @BedlamAndBones3 ай бұрын

    I absolutely LOATHE that generic synthesizer.

  • @blenderbuch
    @blenderbuch3 жыл бұрын

    They are like zombies! They are back!

  • @Coowallsky
    @Coowallsky Жыл бұрын

    All of the whining about the DX7 is hysterical! 😅🤣😂😅🤣😂

  • @madcommodore
    @madcommodore Жыл бұрын

    The problem with the internet is any idiot with no taste in music can proclaim the DX7 is 'better' than the sound of a top end 1983 analogue synth lol the reality is Fairlight shoved their sausage right in your pipe holes, there is no response for Fairlight's creative flexibility. The rest is purely down to personal taste before Fairlight reamed the technological landscape for electronic instrument sound creativity. You can debate whether you have a Roland Promars or DX7 in your band but only an idiot would not have a top end sample based synth as well. Murder story? yeah you murdered that one alright mate :)

  • @chinossynthesizer705

    @chinossynthesizer705

    3 ай бұрын

    The old analog machines are expensive to repair not worth it unless your rich

  • @madcommodore

    @madcommodore

    3 ай бұрын

    @@chinossynthesizer705 not really, the oldest machines only need simple components, cost more for replacement ICs for digital synths vs modular/analog

  • @chinossynthesizer705

    @chinossynthesizer705

    3 ай бұрын

    @@madcommodore That's a lie. ppg wave or yamaha ca 80 cost like 20,000 to 80,000 behringer makes them cheaper. Sold my esq-80 because it broke, couldn't Barley fix it.

  • @chinossynthesizer705

    @chinossynthesizer705

    3 ай бұрын

    @@madcommodore the dx7 was also cheaper to make because the digital chips were cheap , and the digital ym2612 was cheap, too.

  • @madcommodore

    @madcommodore

    3 ай бұрын

    @@chinossynthesizer705 I am talking classic synths like those of 79/80. you don't need any better tech than tht between a sample based keyboard from Ensoniq.

  • @jimabbey9544
    @jimabbey954410 ай бұрын

    You will never get rid of Analog synths!Yamaha ,to me is second rate!!!