I'm looking for something hands-on with that 1980s "Stuck in a Computer"/1970s "Music to make your plants grow" feel to it.
I currently own a CS1x, and although I'm still learning new stuff about it every day, its sound just isn't doing it for me.
The only solution I can see is going for some kind of vintage synth that isn't a reproduction. I'd gladly buy something new, but I'd have to be convinced it has the sound I'm looking for first.
My choice as of now is the DX7, simply because I love the Windows 95 boot sound. I also love the fact that you can get such a wide variety of sounds out of it, all of the complaints about how hard it is to program just draw me in closer.
The exact color I'm looking for varies. I wish I could describe it but I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about, there's just something warm about the sound of something made during that era.
Funny...I have an old DX7 I haven't turned on in years. An old original metal one that I had to do the E! upgrade to as it didn't even come with midi.
I couldn't wait to put it away back in the day and move on to an M1.
Maybe I should break that puppy out and give a fresh listen...LOL!
Edit - I actually got mine from a friend that got it sponsored to him from Yamaha back then. He used it on Madonna's Blonde Ambition tour and sold it to me shortly after.
Funny...I have an old DX7 I haven't turned on in years. An old original metal one that I had to do the E! upgrade to as it didn't even come with midi.
I couldn't wait to put it away back in the day and move on to an M1.
Maybe I should break that puppy out and give a fresh listen...LOL!
Edit - I actually got mine from a friend that got it sponsored to him from Yamaha back then. He used it on Madonna's Blonde Ambition tour and sold it to me shortly after.
Then you must have one of the very first DX7 manufactured (they lacked MIDI), like a pre production (dont remember exactly). Congratulations.
My choice as of now is the DX7, simply because I love the Windows 95 boot sound. I also love the fact that you can get such a wide variety of sounds out of it, all of the complaints about how hard it is to program just draw me in closer.
By all means, go for it. I've had a DX7 MkI for years and I'm getting a lot of mileage out of it. DX7 is a relatively simple synth with slightly more than 32 synthesis parametres, all nicely laid out on the front panel. Any current workstation will give you a way steeper learning curve nowadays.
DX7 really excells at all kinds of percussive and staccato sounds. You can get nice pads from it too. I love the sinewave INIT patch The synth can sound fatter than my Moog Little Phatty at times.
On the negative side, you don't have global envelopes controls so forget about quickly changing attack or decay on more than one operator at a time or changing them at all if your attack/decay is carefully crafted using two stages of the envelope.
As I want to reduce my synthesizer setup to just one monophonic synth, I'm thinking about selling my DX7 together with Howard Massey's The Complete DX7 book and an MXR analogue chorus pedal that I used with the DX7 in one package very soon.
By all means, go for it. I've had a DX7 MkI for years and I'm getting a lot of mileage out of it. DX7 is a relatively simple synth with slightly more than 32 synthesis parametres, all nicely laid out on the front panel..
Sounds like Yamaha's ad for the DX7; "Easier than ever", but the truth was the opposite - the most hard to learn program synthesizer ever. But not impossible, and a fantastic synth.
I'm not looking for the sound as much as I'm looking for the SOUND, if you know what I mean.
My friend has some kind of unmarked-half broken synth from the early 80s in his basement that I was playing with. It had all generic patches, but something about the way the thing vibrated or sang or something, I don't know. I really want to go for something that isn't trying to replicate a sound.
Another thing worth mentioning is the fact that Brian Eno bought multiple DX7s and used them as his primary synth for a while.
I don't think I've ever felt that attached to an instrument.
I'd love to buy something and be totally blown away by it to the point that I can concentrate all of my time on perfecting my knowledge of the instrument and not feel like I just need to know enough to get by.
Well I was hoping to find something that could replicate a synth like that and leave some room for experimentation.
I know I've been blabbing on about not getting a replication, but I think the early 80s synths replicated the 70s synths more accurately color-wise than most common synths do today.
I know this is arguable, but that synth I played with at my friend's house had some kind of feel to it that I've never felt before on anything new.
Well funny you say that.. I personally love 70's synths.. but mostly own mid 80's synths. I still have a yearning tho whenever I listen to Plantasia to get an old 70's mono again.. but maybe my Alpha Juno 2 can do it... haven't tried..
There's much better options out there than a SH-1000.. just used it as a basic example.
as for cheap.. I actually suggest the Korg M500 aka MicroPreset... yes in this situation is would be better than the more expensive MiniKorg 700s.
The DX7 is a great synth but if you are thinking of getting one I would recommend the DX7-II FD version. It is multi-timbral and is not as noisy as the original one. It also has a better midi implementation. The keybed on the DX7 is fantastic. I have a bunch of synths and the keybed on my DX7-II FD has the best feel out of all of them.
FM synthesis is not easy to get your head around but this idea that the DX7 is impossible to program is just wrong. It is not as straightforward as subtractive synthesis because the way parameters interact with each other can cause wild sound fluctuations with what you think are minor tweaks.
I have FM8 but I never use it. If you want to stay ITB I am sure it is a worthy tool.
Oh...and in answer to your question...YES get a DX7
My bandmate has a DX 7 II and a TX-7. We recorded a song with it in March and it can make awesome sounds.
He claims the DX-7 first series has a less low end punch and the DX-7 II has more low end oompfh and better controls. I don't know if that is correct but he usually knows what he is talking about.
So maybe you may need to consider which exact model you wanna get.
I can confirm the DX-7 II really has a lot of punch.
The NI FM-8 softie for example is just a little girl compared to the wild beast of DX-7 II.
Although I find the FM-8 easier to integrate in a mix, simply because it sounds thinner.
Personally I won't go near the DX-7 II to program it, as I have no clue about FM synthesis, yet my bandmate is capable of making really great sounds with it. But it's a very different form of synthesis than the classic substractive synthesis.
Those things are cheap and if you don't like it, you can resell it for the same price, so no risk is involved.
Well I was hoping to find something that could replicate a synth like that and leave some room for experimentation.
...
I know I've been blabbing on about not getting a replication, but I think the early 80s synths replicated the 70s synths more accurately color-wise than most common synths do today. [/quote]
No.
That 70s sound is really very typical, and none of the 80s synths do it (Juno 60, JX3P, JX8P, Jupiter 6) and the DX7 the least of all.
You want 70s? ARP 2600, or failing that, an Odyssey. Too expensive? Build a comparative modern modular system with clone parts or get a plugin that emulates it faithfully. But it's also a matter of orchestration and sound design.
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For the real DX7 freak I can recommend the Yamaha TX816 that's 8 DX7 in a rack.
I have one. The store were I bought it long time ago said that the group "Europe" was tje former owner. In that case it was used for the epic horn lead of "Final Countdown" (a factory horn sound, with an OB). Anyhow, it's the ultimate FM synth and has a really good price on EBay, normally similar to 2-3 DX7.
Otherwise, the DX7 is a great synth, not only for the standard sounds we all heard too many times like the electric piano, the funk bass, marimba etc, but also for great pads and other ambient sounds.
And also, the FM8 makes a really good work to emulate the DX7. Not 100% the same response, but close enought, like a "DX7 III" or something.
Actually, it was a Roland JX-8P (preset P28, "Stab Brass"). Legend says it was also layered with a TX816, true, but the most prominent sound came from the JX-8P.
They told me it was an OB. But I don't put in too much stocks in that. And the TX816 sound is no doubt about. But that's all history and I prefere be present and looking forward in my creativity, not be stuck in the history, covered with dust...
Back to the topic of the tread: The DX7 also makes good brass sound. I like especial the fluffy, airy soft horns that are really smooth and useful - wonderful.
Just wanted to write that I'm not just looking for reviews of the DX7, but recommendations for other synths that fit my description as well.
Also,
Quote:
Too expensive?
I'm not looking for some kind of super professional piece of history that takes up half of my house, just something nice that I can play with and do a bit of home recording.
like I said
Quote:
I'd gladly buy something new, but I'd have to be convinced it has the sound I'm looking for first.
I would totally buy a Moog, but I can't afford it right now. I was hoping to find some kind of machine that could emulate its sound naturally. Worst comes to worst I'll save for a year and buy a nice one.
I changed my mind, I won't sell my DX7. I fell in love in music for plants and vegetables. I say, get a DX7 or another Yamaha FM synth while they are cheap.
Here's a quick demo showing how I like to use my DX7 MkI. All sounds are my custom patches. You can hear MXR Micro Chorus on some sounds. The music is a bit on the slow side as it's getting late here ;-) The DX7 is not going to a museum any soon.
I'm not looking for some kind of super professional piece of history that takes up half of my house, just something nice that I can play with and do a bit of home recording.
Hence, plugins. For Moog, the U-he Diva plugin is good and comparatively cheap ($180 vs the $500+ you'd have to pay - $249 for JP8V, $249 for Minimoog V, and then I'm not even counting the Juno-60/Alpha Juno and MS20 in there).
The Alesis Ion (now reincarnated as Akai Miniak, but not improved in terms of editing) also had ARP, Moog and OB filter emulations, though I don't know if these still compare favorably to current plugins - the Ion's keyboard was one of the worst I've owned, and the first unit I had suffered hardware issues with ghost editing and outputs distorting like crazy. I eventually received a brand new one.
These sounds used to be played on monophonic synthesizers, recorded line by line on tape. While you don't have to go through that trouble, it helps if you use this as an artificial limitation of sorts because this also influences the end result. Playing a polyphonic string pad kind of ruins disbelief.
I wouldn't call these vintage machines (the 2600 is reasonably compact!) super-professional; it takes a special kind of insanity to dump that kind of money on it, not necessarily being professional. Though if you keep inflation in mind, they sell for less than what they went for brand new.
I used to have a Roland SH2000 - it did lots of those wonky 70s sounds, but lacked deeper editing capabilities, which was a shame. Still, lots of instant highschool chemistry documentary material in there.
There is much more to the DX7 than the windows boot up. Not sure that's grounds for buying a synth.
Lot of Eno like Thursday Afternoon and Apollo A&S was done on a DX7 as was the cheesy 80's R&B among other things.
Eno had a custom built controller for it by a German company (can't remmeber who) with well over 100 knobs.
I got lucky and got one free, but would caution you its a HELL to program.
No filter and a mathematical approach. I really don't use it much at all TBO. Don't have the time or patience to learn it. It's more of a collector's piece for me.
I read the guy who was to make the presets couldn't figure it out in time for its release, hence its similar presets.
If you have cash to burn get it. If not I would hold off. Ask yourself why in this market it still only goes for $300 +/-?
Must admit I've never made that connection before.... I don't think the Windows 95 boot sound is the most obvious example of a DX7 in use. I would probably imagine something more like this:
That's a pretty classic sound. However, I would recommend against buying a DX7 today. Why? Well, here are my reasons.... (and yes, I have one myself in the basement).
1. The output is *pretty* noisy, and not in a flattering way.
2. It's an absolute nightmare to program.
3. It weighs something like 20 kg since it's built like a tank.
4. It's monotimbral.
5. You can get the exact same synth as a VST (Native Instrument FM7 or FM8) which not only sounds better, but it's also easier to program and you can load as many of them as your computer can handle.
It's one of the first synthesizers I bought, but I never found much use for it except for the elementary slap bass or the "solid bass" patch.
Don't bother with DX7 Unless you want loads of unrealistic sounding elec pianos. thin strings and a swooshy noise behind every sound. Dx series synths are the only synths I've come across that transmit the midi code onto the audio path if you mute the channel its on you can hear the midi going on behind the sound. FM7 does a better job of an FM synth than the DX7 or DX1 did.Whats more I can sysx all my old DX7 ,9,100 patches straight into that and they are near enough how I remember them. Also FM7 doesn't have a 2 row letter box display and s**t like "welcome to DX" flashing up in it when you switch on. IMO the guys at yamaha had a sense of humour when they programmed the thing to say
"welcome to DX"
It should have said either
"Best of Luck Mate"
or
"Oh Dear We Are In Trouble Aren't We?"
Should you get one?
Oh yeah I see no reason why you should get away with it!
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The synth can sound fatter than my Moog Little Phatty at times. 
