YAMAHA DX7II FM Synthesizer (1987) Uncommon Sounds

(c) 2017 vintage synthesizer demo by RetroSound

YAMAHA FX7 II FD FM Synthesizer drom the year 1987

The demo shows a few uncommon FM sounds. Self-programmed and from the library.

RetroSound synthesizer demo videos since 2007.
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[AdamTheAd-vancd]

Wow this is one of (if not) the best Dx7 mk2 demo ive heard . So underrated but its sound pallete is immense. This video proves it . My only criticism is, i so wish this was longer lol. I could sit back all day and listen . 0:50 really sounded so much like the D 50 soundtrack patch .

[horowizard]

I have one of these.
Used it in the studio and as my main gigging instrument for 35 years!
I had to retire it two years ago in favor of a sample based keyboard in order to compete with slouches that were getting all the work but it still operates flawlessly to this day..

[chrisjames_]

Short story long ...

... bought my dx7iifd from a San Francisco pawn shop during my lunch break (seen it a week earlier). Took a cab to pick it up and finally made it home. Plugged it in and just got one crappy buzz-tone. Although I bought many products at that pawn shop they just gave me a shitty attitude and wouldn't refund me. Had to take it to a shop in San Jose and thankfully they fixed it! The shop owner said it was one of his hardest projects he worked on. The fd had a built in sequencer. I tried to find extra cartages online and one shop sent some awesome piano samples to me for free on a 3.5 disk.

I bought the synth for $400 and had to pay an additional $295 to get it fixed. (The repair shop gave me $5 off for paying in cash).

As soon as I heard the sounds from this video it reminded me of the beauty I once had in my hands. That synth is SPECTACULAR! I had aftertouch or pressurized keys and only found out just before I sold it that it works best with both L/R outputs to your amps for panning.

I was a beginner with this powerful piece of machinery and it blew my socks off!!!

[scottlarson]

I'm always glad to hear any non-percussive FM sounds. The DX-7II (maybe the original too, I never owned it) can make some spooky, icy pads and they're a lot easier to program and adjust than the complicated and more familiar FM sounds.

[WoodyPianoShack]

great demo retro, i particularly liked the d50 soundtrack emulation of course :)

[xnonsuchx]

Nice to hear sounds that aren't the typically overused late 80's/early 90's DX7 bass sounds! I had a DX21 at one point and was actually able to program a sound I really liked on it, but I soon got tired of it and traded it for something else.

[Billytwotimes]

I hear these sounds and can't help to think about how many movies used this synth, you played a few sounds and soo many movies came to mind - just spectacular! I bet when you shop for a new board, you probably can name every movie that used that synth. :) Nice upload and always look forward to your next.

[Nick_x]

Bought a Volca FM and was underwhelmed by the preset sounds, but this has inspired me to keep it and power through the learning experience. Awesome sounds here!

[Dailabsynth]

What a great sounds here!! Some of them clearly reminds me the great Roland-D50 (Soundtrack patch, for example) and Roland JD-800/990. Amazing Yamaha DX7!! Long live FM synthesis!
Thanks for sharing!

[MTLGR]

I just luv those DX7 FM sounds. Truly wicked, but really sweet.

[dxmat]

Only raw FM... no filters.... wonderful-

[synthscolors]

DX7 & synths sounds lovers... Watch it !

Hat off & thanks for this awesome musical & sounding moment throughout this great DX7II FD & its tremendous programming possibilities...

Excellent week to you & keep sharing these jewels ! ;-))

[QueenfNoize]

oh, thanks for reminding me that I need to have my DX7 II-FD repaired. :D

[SiliconBassist]

I love the sounds you get out of this! I bought a TX7 for $100 USD a couple years ago. One the best purchases I've ever made! The BCR2000 makes it super fun to program. I still want to get a DX7 II to go with it though.

[seppa]

I like to see the waveforms on an oscilloscope!

[ish]

alright!!! stretching it's capabilities with some of the sounds. I have been too lazy to post up any new FM creation stuff, but I always get excited whenever someone else tackles the FM engine and showcases it. I'll have to not be so lazy and start showing again.

[l]

this is the most incredible video i've seen online of what the dx7 is really capable of, it's really quite versatile after all. Any chance of you sharing these patches in sysex form? I look forward to your response :)

[moogdome]

Never a big fan of the DX7. but listening here, it has potential. Perhaps it will be popular one day. well done.

[kevinsturges]

Fantastic! You have the same taste in DX7 sounds that I do.

[iLikeTheUDK]

Some of these really stand the test of time.
By the way, random fact: The famous celeste solo from the start of Hedwig's theme in the first few Harry Potter films and many of the celeste parts throughout their scores actually had a celeste-like sound created and performed on the DX7 by these film scores' keyboardist Randy Kerber, playing alongside the celeste.