Yamaha DX-7 (synth headz know the deal)
Brian
7,618 Posts
Ok, so I have an opportunity to pick up one of these on the cheap but I'm just wondering if anyone owns or has used one and whether they have any recommendations or not. I'm really interested in FM synthesis even though that shit hurts my head to think about. Anyone?
Comments
Some of the patches are pretty cheesy, but that could be a good thing. I think i like the juno better for that kind of stuff. But they are both cool.
how much?
I think that's the OG for FM synthesis (which I don't know shit about). If it's cheap I'd grab one. Despite it being an "80's" keyboard, there's some useful sounds in there for sure.
Jump was done on an Oberheim, but the DX-7 is the quintessential 80's synth. I'm dying to get one myself.
If you're gonna buy a hardware synth, there are better options. That classic 80s sound is so easy to recreate in other synths that you're not really gaining much by buying OG. The FM7 is really good, as is Absynth.
yeah, i mean, fm, synthesis isnt all that special. BUT, i would absolutely reccomend getting the O.G. over some native instruments software junk. But i also love hardware.
that's a good price for the Dx-7, but what in particular are you looking for in a synth? i've owned one (and sold it). it's great, but it will take awhile to get used to. i would also suggest considering the later model, the MKII model, which can store more patches. is there a reason you want a hardware as opposed to software synth?
if you're looking for an all-in-one secret weapon synth i think with a little more research you will find there's better stuff out there. as has been said, a lot of the FM-7 patches are cheesy, but that might be a production challenge to make them sound cool, or on the other hand, a reason to look into other synths from companies like:
Oberheim, Sequential Circuits, Roland etc.
It's a good deal, no question, but if you're just getting into FM synthesis, you should research it, and maybe try a demo of the Native Instruments plugin (which sounds good by the way) and see if it's for you.
good luck
just copped fm-8. it sounds good, but the best part is basically the arpeggiation. it's a deep program, and there's certainly room to freak with it, but i've only had it about a week and have not jumped in all the way yet.
Anyway, I think they're overrated. unless you got spare cash and having keyboards and electric gear piling up everywhere is your thing.
not really.
my knowledge of synths is limited but i'd say the time i spent with a dx-7 was satisfying, i'd probably cop one for two bills if someone gave me the oppertunity and i had two bills.