Yamaha DX7
The Yamaha DX7 is a synthesizer manufactured by the Yamaha Corporation from 1983 to 1989. It was the first successful digital synthesizer and is one of the best-selling synthesizers in history, selling more than 200,000 units.
| Yamaha DX7 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Manufacturer | Yamaha |
| Dates | 1983–1989 |
| Price | $1,995 US £1,495 GBP ¥248,000 JPY |
| Technical specifications | |
| Polyphony | 16-voice |
| Timbrality | Monotimbral Bi-timbral (DX7 II) |
| Oscillator | 6 digital sine wave operators per voice, 32 patching algorithms[1] |
| Synthesis type | Digital linear frequency modulation / Additive synthesis (alg. #32) |
| Filter | none |
| Attenuator | 1 pitch envelope & 6 amplitude generators per voice |
| Aftertouch expression | Yes (channel) |
| Velocity expression | Yes |
| Storage memory | 32 patches in RAM (battery backup); front panel ROM/RAM cartridge port |
| Effects | none |
| Hardware | YM21280 (OPS) operator chip YM21290 (EGS) envelope generator |
| Input/output | |
| Keyboard | 61-note with velocity and aftertouch sensitivity |
| Left-hand control | pitch-bend and modulation wheels |
| External control | MIDI in/out/thru, input for foot controller x2, input for foot switch x2, input for optional breath controller |
In the early 1980s, the synthesizer market was dominated by analog synthesizers. FM synthesis, a means of generating sounds via frequency modulation, was developed by John Chowning at Stanford University, California. FM synthesis created brighter, "glassier" sounds, and could better imitate acoustic sounds such as brass. Yamaha licensed the technology to create the DX7, combining it with very-large-scale integration chips to lower manufacturing costs.
With its complex menus and lack of conventional controls, few learned to program the DX7 in depth. However, its preset sounds became staples of 1980s pop music, used by artists including A-ha, Kenny Loggins, Kool & the Gang, Whitney Houston, Chicago, Phil Collins, Luther Vandross, and Billy Ocean. Its electric piano sound was particularly widely used, especially in power ballads. Producer Brian Eno mastered the programming and it was instrumental to his work in ambient music.
The DX7 was succeeded by FM synthesizers including the DX1, DX21, DX27 and DX100.