Oscillator 6 operators | Dates 1983 to 1985 | |
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Price JP¥ 1,950,000US$ 13,900 Polyphony 32 voices in single or split mode16 voices in dual mode Timbrality MonotimbralBitimbral in split mode | ||
The Yamaha DX1 is the top-level member of Yamaha's prolific DX series of FM synthesizers. It features two sets of the same synthesizer chipset used in the DX7, allowing either double the polyphony, split of two voices, or dual (layered) instrument voices. In addition, it contains twice the amount of voice memory as 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.
It includes a handmade Brazilian rosewood case, a 73-key weighted wooden keyboard with polyphonic aftertouch, comprehensive backlit LCD displays for instrument programming, and solid push-buttons as opposed to the membrane buttons on the DX7. Only 140 were produced.
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 a little easier than on a DX5 because of extensive parameter displays, but both are easier to program than a DX7 because they have dedicated buttons for some programming tasks and bigger displays.