Yamaha DX9

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jonnyc

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I know this is a massive shot in the dark but does anyone know where I can get some info on programming this piece of shit. In fact, does anyone know anything about this board? It doesn't seem to have any actual pianos on here, just sound effect type stuff, does this thing not have a piano.
 
jonnyc said:
I know this is a massive shot in the dark but does anyone know where I can get some info on programming this piece of shit. In fact, does anyone know anything about this board? It doesn't seem to have any actual pianos on here, just sound effect type stuff, does this thing not have a piano.
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The DX series used FM synthesis.

The Rhodes piano imitation produced by this method of synthesis was one thing that made the DX series popular, but that's as close as you're going to get to a sampled piano on that 'piece of shit'.

Google FM synthesis if you're really interested in devoting the time and effort to learning how to produce more than 'sound effect type stuff'.


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Passable French horns, Rhodes piano, oboe, bells.

But basically, you won't get anything like a grand piano on a DX9 or DX21 or SX7mk1 or TX-81 or TX-7 or DX-100 or any of these mid-1980's Yamaha synths.

As for programming information,

The DX-9 voice consists of 4 sine wave generators - called operators. Each of these can be tuned independently, then cross modulated according to the algorithms/patterns on the front cover of the synth. Further, each operator has its own 8 stage envelope - like Attack-sustain-decay-release but you set the levels at which each of the operator envelope volumes occur and the rates/durations at each.

Basically each patch is based on one operator algorithms - and the feedback (where the diagram on the top of the synth has a loop) is a cross-modulation effect.

So these aren't intuitive to program at all. The best of these Yamaha digital synths were the DX7mkII - which featured different tuning options including stretch tuning, and a half-decent piano - and the DX5 (rare).

You'll get more useful instrumental sounds out of a general midi synth (like a sound canvas Roland SC55 ) or Korg X5M or Roland JV1010 modules.
 
4 op FM synths are pretty cool and a little easier to program than their big brother 6 op machines. The nice thing is that you should be able to use any patch on it as long as its from the same family of synths so DX-100, TX-81z, DX-11, DX-21 patches will work with this synth and there should be thousands available for free online. It's decent for synth type dancy sounds, bass, and metallic sounds but dont expect super realistic anything and a lot of patches will sound very 80's, which can be good depending on your outlook.
 
FM synths are not much good for "realistic" sounds but immense for big fat organy brassy sounds full of colour and punch and movement. Not as easy to program as an analogue synth but can be rewarding. The hardest thing is getting to imagine how the frequency modulation is going to affect the sound. A background in radio frequency electronic theory helps.
 
If you're too frustrated to deal with it, I'll take that piece of shit out of your hands! :D

I've always loved FM since my first DX synth in the mid 80's - the DX100. Then my pops got a DX7s. I still remember the day he bought it and I walked in the living room to see it sitting on the floor. First, I crapped my britches, then my jaw dropped, then I plopped down on the floor and fired up the beautiful "tines" rhodes sounds and played for hours. Me at 16 yrs. old and in my glory - ahh, the memories.

Now back to your question...

You won't find any great acoustic pianos sounds on the DX synths. I recall a patch on the DX7s that was OK, especially in the 80's, but by today's standards not many would be satisfied with the sound - if anyone at all. In regards to programming it, I'd try Google.
 
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DX-11 patches won't work on a DX-9. Both are 4-op, but the DX-11 had 8 waveforms instead of the sine-only DX-9's.

There are lots of great DX-7 (6-op sine) and DX-11 sounds out there - and very few great DX-9 sounds. The DX-9 just wasn't complex enough to really make it sing.
 
I have one, too. The thing has been sitting so long, it doesn't make its own sounds anymore and needs to have the battery replaced and the data reloaded.

I thought it had a really gnarly clav sound, too, by the way. And it had a really mellow organ sound that was great for layering with strings or choir (child of the 80s).

The patches on this one had about 3 really weird chimey strings with long envelopes or sweeping warbles at the end. in demand at the time, I guess.

And don't forget that awful harmonica sound like on "What's love got to do with it"!
 
I used to have a dx9...it died a slow death unlike my ensoniq vfx which I launched off a stage to its death. All I can say is push,slide, twist and turn things until you get the sound you want.
 
:D Yo DX-ers:

I still have my DX7 and somehow and somewhere, I got a patch on there called FRED'S PIANO--pretty good piano patch.

I haven't fired up the DX7 since I got the Motif ES61. There is enough stuff in the Motif to keep me busy until Dagwood divorces Blondie! ;)

Happy New Year
Green Hornet
 
Thanks for the replies guys, I don't really see myself using this thing which really isn't a big deal since it was free. It's just too frustrating trying to figure it all out, every button I push yields a nearly identical sound so obviously I have no clue. I'd give it to one of you guys if shipping wasn't such a hooker.
 
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