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DX1 | |
---|---|
Manufacturer | Yamaha |
Dates | 1983 [1] to 1985 |
Price | |
Technical specifications | |
Polyphony | 32 voices in single or split mode 16 voices in dual mode |
Timbrality | Monotimbral Bitimbral in split mode |
Oscillator | 6 operators |
LFO | 1 |
Synthesis type | Digital frequency modulation |
Filter | none |
Attenuator | 6 envelope generators |
Aftertouch expression | Yes |
Velocity expression | Yes |
Storage memory | two sets of 4 banks of 8 voices (A and B channel, total 64), 8 banks of 8 performance combinations |
Effects | none |
Hardware | 2x YM21280 (OPS) operator chip 2x YM21290 (ES) envelope generator |
Input/output | |
Keyboard | DX-1: 73 with velocity and polyphonic aftertouch DX-5: 76 with velocity and channel aftertouch |
Left-hand control | pitch-bend and modulation wheels |
External control | MIDI |
The Yamaha DX1 is the top-level member of Yamaha's prolific DX series of FM synthesizers.
The DX1 features two sets of the same synthesizer chipset used in the DX7, allowing either double the polyphony, split of two voices, or dual (layered) instrument voices. In addition, it contains twice the amount of voice memory as the DX7. It has an independent voice bank for each of two synth channels (engines). Each of 64 performance combinations can be assigned a single voice number, or a combination of two voice numbers - one from channel A and one from channel B.
Case [4]
Keyboard [4]
Algorithms
On the left side of the front panel, a printed algorithm chart provides an overview of the 32 selectable algorithms and their associated operator structuring.
Compared to both the DX5 and of course the DX7, accessibility and programmability are greatly enhanced by the sheer amount of displays:
Performance section
Algorithm panel
Oscillator panel
Envelope panel
Keyboard scaling panel
Sensitivity panel
Buttons
Only 140 DX1 units were produced. [4] It was used by artists including New Order, such as their tracks "True Faith" and "1963". [9]
It was also used for Dire Straits Brothers In Arms album.
The Yamaha DX5 is a derivative of the DX1, introduced in 1985 with a list price of US$3,495. It has the same synth engine, but lacks the DX1's fully weighted keys, polyphonic aftertouch, aesthetics (rosewood case and wooden keyboard), and user interface features (parameter displays). It includes 76 keys with channel aftertouch and slightly improved MIDI features. Programming on a DX1 is still a little easier than on a DX5 because of its extensive parameter displays, but in general both are easier to program than a DX7, because they have larger displays as well as dedicated buttons for some programming tasks.
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Although the DX1 may seem like a better buy than the more popular DX7, remember that the DX1 is expensive. There were only about 140 of these synths made and the retail value of a DX1 during its production year in 1985 was $13,900. ...
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