• From: CPH S
  • Registered: 2008-07-14
  • Posts: 635

Topic: Yamaha DX7

Which one is the one to get? There are constantly one or two up for graps, but I don't know which model to get. The DX7 / DX7S / DX7II / DX7FD 

Pro/Cons?

Home is where your hardware is!!!
ErrorAudio SoundCloud
  • From: the centre of the universe
  • Registered: 2008-07-08
  • Posts: 377

Re: Yamaha DX7

the brown metal DX7 is the classic sounding one that has that real grit and the patches you'll instantly recognise.

I find the newer ones nowhere near as interesting. much cleaner and well, to me - bland.  Though Smackos will come on now and insist the newer ones (esp the II/IIfd that let you stack sounds) are awesome for movie soundtrack sounding stuff.
:-)

no-fi's Website

  • Registered: 2008-07-07
  • Posts: 663

Re: Yamaha DX7

I fully agree with no-fi, the 7 (together with the 21 btw) is the nicest one where it comes to grit, warmth and... noise... The S and the II's are more alike. The II's are better spec wise (more functionality and better midi) but they do sound cleaner compared to the first DX7. I wouldn't say dull or bland, I actually think they sound more sparkling yet metalic and they can sound very big and orchestral which might be great for soundtrackish stuff. But knowing the DX21 and DX7 it's not something I expected from a DX.

But yeah, let's see what Smackos has to say, he's the DX expert.

Brian Chinetti's Website

  • Registered: 2008-07-08
  • Posts: 1,708

Re: Yamaha DX7

I you have to choose between them I would go for the DX7IID or the DXIIFD version (=IID + floppy drive) its got so many more advanced functions such as unison (which totally changes the whole DX sound making it broad almost "analog" sounding), bitrimbality, layering, keyboard split, microtonality, a bigger screen, nicer buttons (no tip touch but big chunkey ones), easier to edit, an extra slider you can assign to anything and lots more.

For the typical IID sound check out the S.Osmo Schaduw Horizon album which is almost 100% DX7IID http://www.xs4all.nl/%7Eawolfe/strangel … orizon.htm

expand your total self

Squadra Smackos's Website

5 Reply by GM

  • GM
  • Robot
  • Offline
  • From: Rotterdam
  • Registered: 2008-07-09
  • Posts: 672

Re: Yamaha DX7

check the track "Dust" on my myspace page it's only dx7.1 with ensoniq dp2 effects, reverb

http://www.myspace.com/shadowwalkerianmartin

I love the dx7, but never played on the DX7IID or the DXIIFD

Listen to SEER Radio every Sunday at 21.00 hrs on The Dream Machine, previous SEER Radio shows

GM's Website

  • Registered: 2008-07-08
  • Posts: 172

Re: Yamaha DX7

I have the brown dx7.  Nice and wooly.

GM,  how do you like the ensoniq dp2?  Do you know a lot about all the ensoniq effects?  I've been considering making one of those boxes my next purchase.. maybe dp4+ or something?  i hear good things about the ensoniq effects stuff.

7 Reply by GM

  • GM
  • Robot
  • Offline
  • From: Rotterdam
  • Registered: 2008-07-09
  • Posts: 672

Re: Yamaha DX7

I think the ensoniq dp2 is a fantastic multi-effects unit (reverbs, delays, flanger, phaser, lots of other stuff + combinations). Fits the sounds you run through it very wel. You can adjust all parameters. the biggest difference between the dp2 and dp4+ is the in/outputs. the dp4 is a bit noisier. so If you want to use 2 stereo effect or 4 mono, go for dp4+.

Listen to SEER Radio every Sunday at 21.00 hrs on The Dream Machine, previous SEER Radio shows

GM's Website