Yamaha DX7 was a synthesizer manufactured by the Yamaha Corporation from 1983 to 1986, based on FM synthesis. It was the first commercially successful digital synthesizer, with its sound included in many recordings from the 1980s.
One major reason for the success was the precision and flexibility of digital sound. Although the DX7 was a not a sampler, its bright sounds were much clearer than the analog synthesizers that preceded it. The DX7 is well-known for its electric piano, bells, and other "metal striking metal" sounds. It was monotimbral and capable of 16-note polyphony.
The tone generation algorithms used were highly programmable, but it is said that 90% of all DX7 owners simply used the 32 factory default patches, and never bothered the Edit menu. The synthesizer included MIDI ports, but was released shortly before the specification was completed, and has incomplete support for the standard.
Several improved models were released in later years, most notably the DX7II which improved sound quality and allowed two simultaneous voices. Third-party products for the DX7 also flourished in the 80s, including the Grey Mattery E! expansion board which added sequencer functions to the keyboard. The DX7 family remains popular to this day with many recording and performing artists.
External links
DX7 page on Vintage Synth Museum (http://www.vintagesynth.org/yamaha/dx7.shtml) A photograph, samples of DX7 sounds and a few technical details.
DX7 page at Hollow Sun (http://www.hollowsun.com/vintage/fm/index.html) A collection of famous DX7 samples.
The FM7 takes the legendary sound of FM synthesis to a new level.
Not only does the FM7 read the complete sound library from the classic FM synths, but it goes far beyond emulation.
Additionally, a distortion operator with noise and an analog filter operator complement the waveform operators and increase the sonic range of the FM7 far beyond classic FM synthesis.
FM7 is a virtual software synthesizer for the Mac and PC that runs standalone or as a VST, MAS, DirectConnect or DXi plugin within your main sequencing program.
FM7 has 6 identical Waveform Operators labeled A to F which are the basis of FM synthesis.
FM7 has a huge Modulation Matrix where the two LFOs and the Performance Controllers can be routed to control all the operators and the pitch, for expressive playing.
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