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Yamaha’s DX7 synthesiser changed modern music

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Re: Yamaha’s DX7 synthesiser changed modern music

#11

Post by httpsterio »

FM (frequency modulating) synthesis in itself was rather groundbreaking. Typically when we're talking about creating sounds, we mainly had additive and subtractive synthesis where stacking oscillators were used to shape sounds. FM uses oscillators to manipulate other oscillator's waveforms, which opened up a whole lot of new possibilities.

The DX7 mainly was an affordable all-rounder that got loaded with a ton of already-good presets and a way of managing presets. Yamaha had already released the GS-1 three years prior, but obviously it didn't remain in the books of history quite the same.

The Sega Genesis soundchip, YM2612 is also a great showcase on how different FM synthesis can sound compared to comparable competing consoles.

If anyone is interested, there's a great open source soft synth called Dexed, which is compatible with DX7 soundbanks (and comes bundled with a lot of em). A free, fun way of getting a glimpse into FM synthesis and music production techniques of yore.

Re: Yamaha’s DX7 synthesiser changed modern music

#13

Post by carry_bit »

ksk wrote: post #3
davtbaum wrote: post #2

The DX7 can lay claim to being one of the most important advances in the history of modern popular music. Perhaps not since Leo Fender attached a pick-up to a six-string in 1949 Statements like this are, exaggerated, to say the least. While the DX7 is undoubtedly prolific in 80s pop, it was just a synth that was successful for its price point (and timing!) as called out in the article. Case in point that today, nearl…

Are there any reasons to use a full synth these days? I'm not a musician but I've been dabbling in digital audio on and off and I really like the sound quality of sampled instruments especially for Piano. I haven't used the original DX7 only a VST (Dexed) for it.

The main advantage of a hardware synth is the user experience. Its controls are tailored specifically for that synth.

If it has a built-in keyboard, it also has the benefit of being a self-contained unit, and can feel (psychologically) more like a real instrument.

Re: Yamaha’s DX7 synthesiser changed modern music

#14

Post by klodolph »

woah wrote: post #8
sounds wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not a science, so objectively it could be argued either way. The "No synth" argument - as you say, a good DAW with the right plugins completely covers the space. No one will ever need a physical synth again. I guess we could both imagine a "Yes synth" argument for the counter.

Computers still can’t handle the style of complex analog FM synthesis that people do with “eurorack” style modular synthesizers. You can approach it with software like https://vcvrack.com , but it will start to stutter out quickly even on a fast computer, and introduces artifacts if you are modulating with high frequencies.

Well, VCV rack is far from the definitive solution here. There are commercial alternatives like Reaktor which are much more powerful. Reaktor is powerful to a fault, you might say, but if you are running into limitations with VCV Rack then something like Reaktor is the obvious upgrade.

As an analogy, if VCV Rack is like a Unix shell that lets you pipe programs, then Reaktor is like a C compiler.

Re: Yamaha’s DX7 synthesiser changed modern music

#15

Post by ratww »

ksk wrote: post #3
davtbaum wrote: post #2

The DX7 can lay claim to being one of the most important advances in the history of modern popular music. Perhaps not since Leo Fender attached a pick-up to a six-string in 1949 Statements like this are, exaggerated, to say the least. While the DX7 is undoubtedly prolific in 80s pop, it was just a synth that was successful for its price point (and timing!) as called out in the article. Case in point that today, nearl…

Are there any reasons to use a full synth these days? I'm not a musician but I've been dabbling in digital audio on and off and I really like the sound quality of sampled instruments especially for Piano. I haven't used the original DX7 only a VST (Dexed) for it.

Physical synths are great because they have knobs and are great for real time tweaking along with playing. Also, some people enjoy some of the "special sauce" that analog synths have due to their imperfect nature.

...with that said: the DX7 is digital, and its UI/UX sucks. It has only buttons and menus, so no realtime control, and it's a bit unpleasant to use IMO. There used to be an external programmer unit with knobs but I never saw one in the flesh.

So, your VST is light-years better in terms of both UI/UX and sound due to better anti-aliasing filters and probably new features. Another good option if you enjoy the DX7 sound is the Native Instruments FM7.

If you want to experiment with a real analog synth may I suggest something in the subtractive synthesis family? Something Moog-ish is a great start! Behringer makes some very affordable ones!

Re: Yamaha’s DX7 synthesiser changed modern music

#16

Post by Exmoor »

jdontillman wrote: post #4

Interesting. I agree that the article is an exaggeration. It could be argued that the DX7 had a significant negative musical contribution. Oodles of sounds at the expense of musical expression. The musician became alienated from the process of making the sound. The keyboard player's job moved from playing the piano or organ to coming up with all the accompaniment parts that aren't guitars. And the DX7 was way too dif…

I would agree that the DX7's sound is really dated has honestly really negatively impacted some of my favorite songs recorded in the the 1980's [0][1], but I really cannot think of an specific instrument as distinctive and widespread as it. The Telecaster and Stratocaster were very popular, but it's very tough to pick them out in a recording from other types of electric guitars. Hammond Organs are distinct and popular, but nowhere near as ubiquitous as the DX7.

[0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTTC_fD598A [1]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXRLozwejDk

Re: Yamaha’s DX7 synthesiser changed modern music

#17

Post by ninjin »

httpsterio wrote: post #11

FM (frequency modulating) synthesis in itself was rather groundbreaking. Typically when we're talking about creating sounds, we mainly had additive and subtractive synthesis where stacking oscillators were used to shape sounds. FM uses oscillators to manipulate other oscillator's waveforms, which opened up a whole lot of new possibilities. The DX7 mainly was an affordable all-rounder that got loaded with a ton of alr…

Indeed, the Genesis (aka Mega Drive) brought a sound very different from what was around at the time. As an example, here is the rendition of the Battletoads soundtrack for the NES [1] which you can compare to the Genesis version [2]. Both by legend David Wise [3] of later Donkey Kong Country fame.

[1]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCFqF-IeeAk

[2]: https://archive.org/details/md_music_battletoads/

[3]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Wise_(composer)

Re: Yamaha’s DX7 synthesiser changed modern music

#18

Post by klodolph »

type0 wrote: post #9
musicale wrote: post #7

It is true that the DX7 piano (among other presets) was on tons of songs, but so was/is the Korg M1 piano sound which became the "dance/house" piano of the 1990s. Its punchiness (basically compression, fast/percussive attack, quick dropoff, and tinny aspect) of the sound worked perfectly, cutting through mixes and also working as a solo instrument, providing strong melodic/harmonic/rhythmic support without sounding o…

M1 beats both DX7 and D-50 in units sold. We are living through the death and simultaneous revival of synthesizers, there probably won't be any characteristic bestsellers anymore. Last I checked MicroKorg was bestselling (in nr of units) current synth still in production but it can't leave the same mark on the current era of music like DX7 presets did.

I think the biggest synth from the current era will be the eurorack. Yes, it’s really a form factor and not a synth but it’s taken off in the past few years in a really startling way.

Re: Yamaha’s DX7 synthesiser changed modern music

#19

Post by scoopdewoop »

Exmoor wrote: post #16
jdontillman wrote: post #4

Interesting. I agree that the article is an exaggeration. It could be argued that the DX7 had a significant negative musical contribution. Oodles of sounds at the expense of musical expression. The musician became alienated from the process of making the sound. The keyboard player's job moved from playing the piano or organ to coming up with all the accompaniment parts that aren't guitars. And the DX7 was way too dif…

I would agree that the DX7's sound is really dated has honestly really negatively impacted some of my favorite songs recorded in the the 1980's [0][1], but I really cannot think of an specific instrument as distinctive and widespread as it. The Telecaster and Stratocaster were very popular, but it's very tough to pick them out in a recording from other types of electric guitars. Hammond Organs are distinct and popula…

I'd say that roland drum machines and bass synths would be up there, especially in the past 30 years.

Re: Yamaha’s DX7 synthesiser changed modern music

#20

Post by thewebcount »

musicale wrote: post #7

It is true that the DX7 piano (among other presets) was on tons of songs, but so was/is the Korg M1 piano sound which became the "dance/house" piano of the 1990s. Its punchiness (basically compression, fast/percussive attack, quick dropoff, and tinny aspect) of the sound worked perfectly, cutting through mixes and also working as a solo instrument, providing strong melodic/harmonic/rhythmic support without sounding o…

> Korg M1 piano sound which became the "dance/house" piano of the 1990s.

And it's bass became famous from Seinfeld. Every time I hear that bass, I think of the irritating lead in to every Seinfeld episode. So grating.

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