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Yamaha DX1

The Yamaha DX1 is the top-level member of Yamaha's prolific DX series of FM synthesizers.

Background

The DX1 has two sets of the synthesizer chipset used in the DX7, allowing either double the polyphony, split of two voices, or dual (layered) instrument voices. It also has double the voice memory of 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.

Notable features

Visual

The DX1 was enclosed in a handmade Brazilian rosewood case and was played with a 73-key weighted wooden keyboard with polyphonic aftertouch.[4] On the left side of the front panel, a printed algorithm chart provided an overview of the 32 selectable algorithms and their associated operator structuring.

The DX1 also used solid push-buttons rather than the membrane buttons found on the DX7, with them containing individual LEDs to indicate current status. [5]

Controls

Compared to the DX5 and the DX7, the DX1 had more displays that enhanced accessibility and programmability.[6][7][8]

Performance section

The performance section had a backlist LCD display (40 × 2 characters) which displayed selected programs in Single, Dual, or Split mode, as well as LFO settings and other voice-specific parameters.

Algorithm panel

The algorithm panel had a thirteen single-character 7-segment numeric displays for indicating the selected algorithm, by providing position and relationships of all active operators, as each on these displays were linked to neighbouring ones via individual stripe-style LEDs; the top display showed the of feedback and the bottom one showed the algorithm number.

Oscillator panel

The oscillator panel contained two LEDs for indicating frequency ratio (top) or fixed frequency (bottom) in Hz mode, a single LED to indicate positive or negative detune, one single-character numeric display (top) for detune amount, and one four-character numeric display (bottom) for value (ratio or exact frequency) of the selected frequency mode.

Envelope panel

The envelope panel had two LEDs for indicating either centre pitch (left) or amplitude level mode (right), eight double-character numeric displays for showing each individual envelope parameter, and four 16-segment bar-style LEDs that graphically displayed either rates (in centre pitch mode) or levels (in amplitude mode).

A DX1 at 2015 NAMM Show Yamaha booth, showing its display features

Keyboard scaling panel

The keyboard scaling panel had eight individual LEDs indicating selected curve response, three double-character numeric displays showing (from left to right) left depth, break point, and right depth values. The panel also had a single-character numeric display for showing rate scaling.

Sensitivity panel

The sensitivity panel had two single-character numeric displays showing key velocity (top) and amplitude modulation (bottom), one double-character numeric display showing output level, and one 16-segment bar-style LED that graphically displayed the output level.

Sales

During its production year in 1985, only 140 DX1 units were produced with a retail value of US$13,900 (US$40,637.72 adjusted with inflation).[4]

Legacy

Notable users

Derivatives

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.

Reissues

In 2019, the software instrument company UVI released the plugin bundle FM Suite containing recreations of multiple FM synths, including the DX1, DX21, DS-8, TQ5, FVX-1, TX81Z, DX100, and the GS2.[12]

At NAMM 2025, Behringer announced the BX1, an unofficial reissue of the DX1 that added CS-80 inspired analog filters, modern effects, and 32-voice polyphony.[13][14]

References

  1. ^ Yamaha Synth 40th Anniversary - History 2014
  2. ^ Yamaha LM Instruments (brochure) (in Japanese). Yamaha Corporation. 1985. pp. 3.
  3. ^ "Yamaha DX1". Vintage Synth Explorer. 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. ...
  4. ^ a b c d e f g "Yamaha DX1 | Vintage Synth Explorer". www.vintagesynth.com. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  5. ^ Gordon Reid (September 2001). "Sounds of the '80s Part 2: The Yamaha DX1 & Its Successors (Retro)". Sound on Sound. Archived from the original on 17 September 2011. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  6. ^ Digital Programmable Algorithm Synthesizer DX1 Service Manual. Yamaha Corporation / Nippon Gakki Co. Ltd. 1983–1986. Panel Layout, p. 5
  7. ^ "Yamaha DX1 Synthesizer (1983)". Wolf Collection. 7 April 2020. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  8. ^ "Yamaha DX1". Matrixsynth. 11 April 2007. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  9. ^ Gilby, Paul (September 1986). "Keyboards With Dire Straits (SOS Sep 1986)". Sound on Sound (Sep 1986): 36–40.
  10. ^ Buskin, Richard (March 2005). "CLASSIC TRACKS: New Order 'True Faith'". Classic Tracks. Sound on Sound. Sync'ing The Unsyncable.
    "When New Order commenced working with Stephen Hague, they brought an interesting array of gear into the studio: a Yamaha QX1 sequencer, a rackmounted Octave Voyetra 8 polyphonic synth, a DX5 that provided most of the bass sounds and which Hague succinctly describes as "Yamaha's attempt to put two DX7s under one roof – it weighed a ton," and an Akai S900 sampler."
  11. ^ Behringer (10 February 2019). Tears For Fears DX1 Heritage Synth Restoration. Retrieved 18 April 2025 – via YouTube.
  12. ^ "Review: UVI FM Suite". MusicTech. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  13. ^ "Behringer BX-1: What We Know So Far". Internet Tattoo. 31 January 2025. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  14. ^ "Behringer BX-1, a clone of the Yamaha DX-1 FM Synthesizer with analog filters – sound demo". Synth Anatomy. 24 January 2025. Retrieved 25 January 2025.

Further reading

  • "[Chapter 2] FM Tone Generators and the Dawn of Home Music Production". Yamaha Synth 40th Anniversary - History. Yamaha Corporation. 2014. Archived from the original on 23 October 2014.
    The development outline of Yamaha FM sound synthesizer; especially, the prototypes of GS1 (TRX-100), DX series (PAMS: Programmable Algorithm Music Synthesizer), DX1 (prototype DX1), and these tentative programming interfaces are seen.