Yamaha DX7IIFD

1987, 16 note polyphonic digital FM synthesizer.

A bit of a legend, watch any 80's episode of Top Of The Pops and you are sure to see the unmistakable rear of a DX7! There were several versions of the DX7 of which I have the more recent mark 2. Yes, this version even had FD, a hi-tech 3.5" floppy disk drive!

This synth is super clean and capable of a wide range of sounds allthough in my opinion good quality effects are essential to warm it up. The presets in my unit aren't very inspiring so its a little hard to see how it got so popular, but given a little time to figure out its confussing FM synthesis it becomes a very versitile keyboard.

I have used it a fair bit for dark or metalic pad type sounds, always with plenty of effects. Also I've used it's percussion style preset in a recent tune which pretty much replaced the need for any other percussion. It's also very capable of the sounds of the DX-21 which I used to own and enjoy.