Yamaha Dx27

[Georgiadis]

Got one of these for Christmas, and it's confusing as hell. I've managed like, a basic understanding of creating a voice, but it's still complex.

I was just wondering, is there anybody else out there who's got one? If so, what advice do you have for making some awesome sounds? :P

Also, if anybody's got any knowledge on making a lead similiar to something Rudess would use it would be MUCH appreciated!

Thanks guys!

[Syrinx]

Did you do any reseach before buying this synth? The DX27 and its bigger sibling the DX7 introduced FM-synthesis (actually phase modulation) to the masses and sounded different than anything on the market back then when almost all the synths were real analogs.

The interface might be (if not the) worst insterface on a synth ever, but part of it is due to the complexity of FM synthesis in general.
The keyboard is rather child play as it doesn't even have velocity sensetivity, which means that, like most $30 children's keyboard toys you get at Walmart, will play any note at the same exact volume regardless of how hard you hit the keys (info and specs found at www.vintagesynth.com).

The last thing I'd expect is to come up with a convincing lead sound at all from this synth, let alone a Jordan type lead. I'd say look for a better synth if that is your goal. Otherwise enjoy the DX27 for what it is.

[-=AnatomiC=-]

I never played DX7, but Radias has this "Variable Phase modulation" thingy... I think it's very very basic DX emulation (it only has 2 parameters)... and I was able to make some very smooth leads with it... it's like hearing your waveforms from other perspective - you hear a sine waveform, but it changes (and yet clearly stay sine) if you change 1 parameter (I think it was Harmonics).
You can change modulation depth, and your waveforms becomes much more aggressive. Like, you can morph the very smooth sine wave, into aggressive Saw. You can get some pretty good lead results... IMHO. But I was a "science fiction" kind of lead, certainly not JR lead...

Can DX work as a usual VA synth? Does is has "waveform modulation"?

[Syrinx]

I never played DX7, but Radias has this "Variable Phase modulation" thingy... I think it's very very basic DX emulation (it only has 2 parameters)... and I was able to make some very smooth leads with it... it's like hearing your waveforms from other perspective - you hear a sine waveform, but it changes (and yet clearly stay sine) if you change 1 parameter (I think it was Harmonics).
You can change modulation depth, and your waveforms becomes much more aggressive. Like, you can morph the very smooth sine wave, into aggressive Saw. You can get some pretty good lead results... IMHO. But I was a "science fiction" kind of lead, certainly not JR lead...

Can DX work as a usual VA synth? Does is has "waveform modulation"?

I have an SY-77 myself and you can do pretty interesting things with it, but still you're in the FM realm of sounds. You can have analogish sound leads but it doesn't fool anyone. FM (as implemented in the DX & SY series) is best suited for metallic, digital, type sounds. E.g e. pianos, bell sounds, harpsichords...etc.
As for the DX-27, it has no filters (major problem) and no velocity sensitivity. So, I'd think it's almost impossible to make any analogish lead sound on it.

At this day and age, a free VST like Odo's Purple2 (http://www.odosynths.com/index.htm) is an overkill in comparison to the DX27.

http://www.odosynths.com/2PurpleSmall.gif

Odo's latest VST products is an attemp to have something as powerful as the DX but with a much easier interface, it's called Double Six, and it's a donationware.

http://www.odosynths.com/DoubleSixSmall.gif

[Cary]

There's a ton of voices on the net for the entire DX series. I still have my DX21 that I bought new in...uhh....it was....uhh....right before the earth cooled. Although the DX21 does not have touch sens, it can receive it from an external source.

[Omega Monkey]

I have an SY-77 myself

Lucky!

I have the TG, one day I may move up to the 99. I love the TG though, so many great sounds.

I also want to get an FS1R, which is EIGHT op FM (actually 16 but 8 of them are "unvoiced", no idea what that actually means), and also has some kind of formant synthesis as well, for very vocal like sounds.

[Grey Loki]

The first step in using -any- FM synth is to recognise that no-one really understands FM synthesis.

Once that's out the way, it's plain sailing, really :D

[Syrinx]

Lucky!

I have the TG, one day I may move up to the 99. I love the TG though, so many great sounds.

I also want to get an FS1R, which is EIGHT op FM (actually 16 but 8 of them are "unvoiced", no idea what that actually means), and also has some kind of formant synthesis as well, for very vocal like sounds.

I don't think they are that rare, every once in a while a nice one pops up. I got it for $350 like 3 years ago.