Yamaha DX1

{{Infobox synthesizer

| image = Yamaha DX1 front view 1.jpg

| image_caption = Yamaha DX1

| synth_name = DX1

| synth_manufacturer = Yamaha

| dates = 1983{{harvnb|Yamaha Synth 40th Anniversary - History |2014}} to 1985

| price =

JP¥ 1,950,000

{{cite book

| year = 1985

| title = Yamaha LM Instruments

| url = http://brochures.yokochou.com/keyboard-and-effector/yamaha/1985/en_index.html

| format = brochure

| language = ja

| publisher = Yamaha Corporation

| pages = [http://brochures.yokochou.com/keyboard-and-effector/yamaha/1985/en_p03-04.html 3]

}}

US$ 13,900

{{cite web

| title = Yamaha DX1

| url = http://www.vintagesynth.com/yamaha/dx1.php

| publisher = Vintage Synth Explorer

| quote = 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. ...

}}

| synthesis_type= Digital frequency modulation

| polyphony = 32 voices in single or split mode

16 voices in dual mode

| timbrality = Monotimbral
Bitimbral in split mode

| oscillator = 6 operators

| filter = none

| attenuator = 6 envelope generators

| lfo = 1

| keyboard = DX-1: 73 with
velocity and polyphonic aftertouch
DX-5: 76 with
velocity and channel aftertouch

| left_control = pitch-bend and modulation wheels

| ext_control = MIDI

| memory = two sets of 4 banks of 8 voices (A and B channel, total 64), 8 banks of 8 performance combinations

| fx = none

| synth_hardware= 2x YM21280 (OPS) operator chip

2x YM21290 (ES) envelope generator

| velocity = Yes

| aftertouch = Yes

}}

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.{{Cite web |title=Yamaha DX1 {{!}} Vintage Synth Explorer |url=https://www.vintagesynth.com/yamaha/dx1 |access-date=2025-04-18 |website=www.vintagesynth.com}} 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. {{cite web |author=Gordon Reid |date=September 2001 |title=Sounds of the '80s Part 2: The Yamaha DX1 & Its Successors (Retro) |url=http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/sep01/articles/retrofmpt2.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110917223333/http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/sep01/articles/retrofmpt2.asp |archive-date=17 September 2011 |access-date=2011-06-29 |work=Sound on Sound}}

= Controls =

Compared to the DX5 and the DX7, the DX1 had more displays that enhanced accessibility and programmability.{{cite book |url=http://midimanuals.com/manuals/yamaha/dx1/service_manual/ |title=Digital Programmable Algorithm Synthesizer DX1 Service Manual |date=1983–1986 |publisher=Yamaha Corporation / Nippon Gakki Co. Ltd. |language=en |quote=Panel Layout, p. 5}}{{cite web |date=2020-04-07 |title=Yamaha DX1 Synthesizer (1983) |url=https://taraswolf.com/yamaha-dx1-synthesizer-1983/ |access-date=2020-11-02 |publisher=Wolf Collection}}{{cite web |date=2007-04-11 |title=Yamaha DX1 |url=https://www.matrixsynth.com/2007/04/yamaha-dx1.html |access-date=2020-11-02 |publisher=Matrixsynth}}

== 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).File:Yamaha DX1 (1983) - VINTAGE SYNTH @ YAMAHA BOOTH - 2015 NAMM Show.jpg 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$13,900 (US${{Inflation|index=US|value=13,900|start_year=1985|r=2|fmt=c}} adjusted with inflation).

Legacy

= Notable users =

Vince Clarke
Depeche Mode
Dire Straits{{Cite journal |last=Gilby |first=Paul |date=September 1986 |title=Keyboards With Dire Straits (SOS Sep 1986) |url=https://www.muzines.co.uk/articles/keyboards-with-dire-straits/1651 |journal=Sound on Sound |issue=Sep 1986 |pages=36–40}}
Herbie Hancock
Elton John
Kitarō
New Order (notably on their tracks "True Faith" and "1963"){{cite magazine |last=Buskin |first=Richard |date=March 2005 |title=CLASSIC TRACKS: New Order 'True Faith' |url=http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/mar05/articles/classictracks.htm |department=Classic Tracks |magazine=Sound on Sound |at=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."
Tears for Fears{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9abemf3sIc4 |title=Tears For Fears DX1 Heritage Synth Restoration |date=2019-02-10 |last=Behringer |access-date=2025-04-18 |via=YouTube}}

= 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, [https://www.vintagesynth.com/yamaha/tq5 TQ5], [https://yamahablackboxes.com/collection/yamaha-electone-fvx1/ FVX-1], TX81Z, DX100, and the [https://www.synthark.org/Yamaha/GS2.html GS2].{{Cite web |title=Review: UVI FM Suite |url=https://musictech.com/reviews/software-instruments/uvi-fm-suite/ |access-date=2025-04-18 |website=MusicTech |language=en-GB}}

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.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-31 |title=Behringer BX-1: What We Know So Far |url=https://www.internettattoo.com/blog/behringer-bx1-what-we-know-news |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=Internet Tattoo |language=en-US}}{{cite news |date=24 January 2025 |title=Behringer BX-1, a clone of the Yamaha DX-1 FM Synthesizer with analog filters – sound demo |url=https://www.synthanatomy.com/music/gallery/2011/may/29/joydivision-neworder |access-date=25 January 2025 |newspaper=Synth Anatomy |language=en}}

References

External links

[http://www.kratzer.at/DXindex.htm Yamaha DX1 Worldwide Information Center]

DX1

Category:Polyphonic synthesizers

Category:Digital synthesizers