Yamaha DX200 Desktop FM Synthesizer

6-operator, 16-note polyphonic FM synthesizer. 16-step analog-style sequencer.

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Yamaha DX200 Desktop FM Synthesizer reviews

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69 People rated this product : * * * * * * * * * * 8 out of 10

 

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* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10 zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.

"A GREAT FM synth... at a super price!"

Beautiful implemention of FM synthesis with analog-type controls: this sure beats programming FM synths from scratch. The onboard presets are very good and can be modified infinitely, or just construct your own sounds and play your own licks. Also a very good selection of drum presets that can be modified to your liking or dropped out of the mix entirely, if you just want to work with the synth.

LOW learning curve, but this doesn't mean that this isn't a serious professional box for live or studio work: it just means you don't have to sweat through pages of tech material before you can get down to producing your own music.

Enough knobs and sound-sculpting options to keep you going forever: an especially nice touch is the ALGORITHM setting, which allows you to dial through various combos of FM interaction in real time (something that took a major effort on older standard FM synths).

At the very least, use it as a 'groove box' for excellent FM synth sounds... or plug in a keyboard (or you can use the button row in keyboard mode) and use it as a straight FM synth: either way you won't be disappointed --at the current low price you'll be getting much more value than you can imagine. I, personally, wasn't expecting anything anywhere near this good. Now you can't pry me away from this baby!

Submitted: 9/9/2002

Style of Music: Ambient, Ambient-Techno, Hypno-Hop, Trip-Hop


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* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

"Great value"

The other raters seemed to think that it was overpriced at >$200, but at the current price, it's a steal. It is basically 2 boxes in 1; a loop-techno type of box with a rudimentary sequencer and some cool live features, and a DX7 "under the hood". I bought it for the DX7. The factory presets are mostly techno, not much in the way of classic pop DX7 sounds (e.g. rhodes pianos). So you have to use the software & hook it up to a PC. If you are afraid of programming you can program the box from the knobs, but this only allows you to get at a limited number of functions. The software, on the other hand is awesome, and allows you to program the guts-e.g. all the envelope generators for each of the operators (sine wavs). I haven't figured out how to load DX7 patches into it yet, but I would assume that there is a way to do that. The software is actually a plug in that runs within a sequencer programmer, the light version of which you get for free with this box. Basically, think of it as a soft-synth except that you are not sucking up any CPU power. (after all, soft synths can easily run you $200).

Submitted: 11/25/2002

Style of Music: pop, techno, jazz, r&b


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About This Product!
Description
Combining a 6-operator, 16-note polyphonic FM synthesizer with over 100 rhythm sounds and a 16-step analog-style sequencer, the DX200 is one of the most unique "groove boxes" available today.

Thanks to real-time control knobs, you can easily get inside this once-forbidden FM architecture and effortlessly tweak the voice parameters to come up with totally bizarre sounds that have never been heard before.

Many hip-hop and techno producers are already hip to the punchy bass sounds and radical metallic textures that can be created with FM, and now you can, too!

If you've been looking for some fresh new electronic sounds for your dance tracks, the DX200 is your new secret weapon.

Analog-Style Sequencer
Each step of a pattern can be precisely controlled with the turn of a knob. Change the pitch, gate time, or velocity of any synth or drum note - on the fly!

Real-Time Morphing
Tweak your sound just the way you want and store it as a "Scene." You can create and use 2 different Scenes within a single pattern. The Scene knob lets you "morph" between the 2 sounds in realtime.

Record Your Knob Tweaks
Free EG tracks let you record knob changes into your pattern. Using the bundled software editor, you can hand draw the shape of the EG on your PC screen.

LFO
You can modulate the pitch or the filter with any one of the 21 different LFO waveforms. Use this knob to adjust the LFO speed.

EG (Envelope Generator)
This group of knobs lets you set the attack, decay, sustain, and release of the amplifier envelope (AEG) and filter envelope (FEG). You can control these envelopes independently or at the same time.

Distortion
In addition to the 4 effect types common to all tracks, the Synth track has a dedicated distortion effect for creating hardcore synth leads.

3 Rhythm Tracks
Three tracks are provided for you to build rhythm patterns using the 120 built-in drum, bass, and percussive synth sounds.

Portamento
Portamento makes the notes of the Synth track glide from one pitch to another.

FM Depth
Tweaking this knob produces interesting variations in timbre ranging from subtle harmonics to harsh metallic sounds.

Noise Level
As the name indicates, this knob adds noise to the synthesizer voice. Great for making percussive sounds.

6 Filter Types!
A total of 6 different types are available, including 24 dB, 18 dB, 12 dB, band pass, high pass, and band eliminate. You can apply the filter to both the synth track and rhythm tracks, and change the filter type during playback.

32 Algorhythms
Algorithms are the basic sound generating component in FM synthesis, similar to VCO waveforms in analog synthesis. By simply changing the algorithm type, you can get radical variations in timbre.

MIDI Control Data Output
All knobs transmit MIDI control messages, which means that you can record knob changes into an external hardware or PC-based sequencer. You can even use this feature to edit and control synth modules that don't have real-time controls.

Technical Info

Main Synthesizer
Method: FM
TG Specs: DX7 compatible, 6 Operator FM, Filter (FEG), Noise
Max Polyphony: 16
Multi Timbre: 1

Sub Synthesizer
Method: AWM2
Max Polyphony: 32
Multi Timbre: 3

Step Sequencer
Type: 16 steps x 4 parts per pattern
MIDI Clock: Internal/External
Preset Pattern (voice): 256
User Pattern: 128 (Selection taken from preset patterns)

Other
Effects: 13 types
Free EG: 4 tracks per pattern
Scene Memory: 2 scenes per pattern
Display: 4-digit, 7-segment LED
Connections: PHONES, STEREO OUTPUT (L/MOMO and R), MIDI IN/OUT, DC IN
Controllers: Knob x 16, Switch x 51, Encoder x 1
Dimensions (W x D x H): 338.0 x 208.9 x 51.7
Weight: 1,600 g
Included PA3B Power Supply
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