All user reviews of 4/5 for the Yamaha TX81Z

Is it a model or Rack "rack"?

19 "rack

How many sounds effects? What styles?

Read the manual, some effects, they are anecdotal and very temperamental, it is not really DSP to avoid.

Are they editable? Utility via a Mac / PC?

There is a very good editor who is called TX81Z Program, it allows editing of sounds in real time and extensive control of the machine, I highly recommend: https://the-all.org/tx81z/index.html

Are there any extensions?

You could save patches on his tapes it seems to me, I've never used this feature.

What connection (Audio, MIDI, ...)? ...

Two audio outputs, MIDI IN / OUT / THRU

UTILIZATION

The general configuration is it simple?

Configuration rather simple if one has bases in MIDI.

Editing sounds and effects is it easy?

Here it spoils a little editing is complex, we must master the fundamentals of FM synthesis (which is not my case), but with the TX81Z Progammer can be fun to mess with the live sounds live with the mouse, which makes finding interesting sounds, even a novice.

The manual is clear and sufficient?

I just laminated, except the configuration section.

SOUNDS

Sounds they agree your style of music?

We must expect more metallic sounds, or psychedelic, the sound is pretty cool overall, but the TX excels on some bass sounds, and allows pretty fantastic leads, the strings are not too bad. For me it suits me very well, it is a synthesizer can do almost anything you want with it, but must tampering.

Are they realistic?

No, it is not his ambition.

The effects are they effective and responsive?

Clearly not, they are gadgets.

The expression is good? (Response to velocity, aftertouch to)?

No worries on that side of my knowledge.

What are the sounds you prefer, you hate?

Lately Bass patch, aaaaaaah, the rest is mostly what is done.

OVERALL OPINION

How long have you been using?

I had one for a long time, then I sold it, but his unique sound was missing and I bought one a year ago, I no longer separate myself, I love my TX: )

What is so special that you like most and least?

+ The sonic possibilities, its sounds good to share.

- Lack of outputs, the complexity level of publishing (forgotten thanks to a MIDI editor).

Did you try many other models before buying it?

At the time I also had a D-110, but I've always preferred the TX for its sonic possibilities.

How do you rate the quality / price?

For 50 €? unbeatable, provided love and having tamper rack effects.

With experience, you do again this choice?

I've redone, says it all

Expander unit 1 FM 4 operators. This is NOT the rack version of DX11, 27 or 100! (No choice of waveforms on DX) but identical to the V50 synthesis! ^ ^
8 voice polyphony and multi-timbral 8 parts.
128 presets and 32 users.
2 audio outputs, MIDI IN / OUT / THRU and input / output protection (DIN).

UTILIZATION

It is not too complicated to program when you know the Yamaha FM but quickly becomes tedious because of the lack of buttons on the front ... But there is a plethora of software publishers to edit the machine with more flexibility.

SOUNDS

Sounds fragrant consoles of the 80s! But there is much more to do thanks to the 8 different waveforms per operator. We can then make sounds that DX can not get (or difficult). The ability to stack sounds or spliter is also a big advantage. Of course all kinds of percussion pads good FM or sweets can be achieved with this "color" 4 operators a bit less rich than 6 ops (but no less interesting) ... Very close in sound of the Yamaha V50 for connoisseurs.

OVERALL OPINION

This expander can find its place next to a DX7 adding other sounds and adding multi-timbralité.
Very convenient to play a little bass and some other FM sounds sequenced in pieces already relying on other machines. Adds an unmistakable and inimitable 1000!
I like the format rack well built and with its deep green display reversed.
At this time (December 2012) and for several years, the price used is the lowest (≈ 80 €) and it worth to fill a rack with space! I think the coast a few years will be in the 150 ~ 200 € ^ ^

1 U rack trs cool, presets that express the full capacity of the machine. The synthse FM is here almost the APOG: 4 oprateurs is sometimes little, but when you consider that the waveforms are much more here than simple sine waves, one suddenly understands better why this small rack continues to have a major success.

Trs not good in multi-timbral, two mono outputs, MIDI implmentation correct. The strength of TX 81Z is certain sounds trs typs (bass Lately, infra-bass, vocals FM, electro-piano), less "wise" than a DX 7, that have been evidence. No effects Intgr. We will need external effects to make all its fury in TX 81Z.

UTILIZATION

The edition of sounds requires a big, big dose of patience to believe that the guy who did the ergonomics of TX 81 Z wanted to make us crazy! A publisher can be very useful. I love the micro-tuning (Manir to play the keyboard lines lgrement dsaccordes).

SOUNDS

The sounds are pretty good, but I would not use it as a single sound source: use the TX 81 Z in a mix dj fact, to give a touch diffrent, take a lead diffrent or an infra-low ... The TX 81 Z is an instrument that asks to be chrisse a bit to give it its full potential.

OVERALL OPINION

It is cheap, and has changed the traditional "super-virtual filters", "christallins samples of Hungarian zither" ... The TX 81 Z is a sample reader: it is an authentic old dlicat synthtiseur dj that will dazzle your ears if you take the time to tame.

Others have well described. I would add that unlike the DX-7, there is no fixed frequency "super low" or pitch envelope and the envelopes are much coarser. In addition, the functions of keyboard tracking its almost non-existent (where the DX-7 are simple but effective), so it's hard to make a sound that sounds good on the whole range (eg pianos).
on the other hand there are effects to simulate the envelope of the reverb (at the expense of the polyphony of course). Instead of using only the sinuses as the DX-7, carriers can generate 8 different waveforms. I use to edit sounds Caged Artist's TX-81Z editor for Atari. No extension possible, but with FM synthesis, does not, all the potential is already in the box! I put 6 because frankly level features, it's not terrible.

UTILIZATION

It is simple to use. In use, the polyphony of 8 channels is really fair, and multitimbral mode is therefore difficult to use. But for the price it can pay 2 who can work: there is a special setting in which the TX will not play the notes either side. So with two TX-81Z, 16 channels can be achieved under specific conditions. FM synthesis is mégapuissante, and even if we only have 4 operators, the ability to choose between 8 basic waveforms gives an incredible tonal variety to it.
I put 6 because it is usable but with such a small screen, you spend more time surfing than to change the settings (if it was not an editor on the computer).

SOUNDS

As mentioned by another AFiste advised, put behind a multi-effects is required. But then there it kills! It sounds more dirty and nasty as VSTi fi ethereal, it can make crazy synth sounds (FM requires), we have never been around! It is truly unique! With me, it's always him or Juno 2 that is very low metal.

OVERALL OPINION

I've had it 2 years ago I had a DX-7IIF / D I had the misfortune to sell (need € €) and I missed everything after. If it all over again, maybe I'd take a V-50, which has a keyboard, sequencer, reverb and above 16 voice polyphony. But the TX-81Z it is cheap and it is big! Sounds FMS, brass, electric piano, percussion, bass, although "80"! And it's fun to program (a computer), one can spend hours there!
But what Yamaha expects to recover from their FM synths? Almost 20 years after the brilliant TG-77 they do not know we propose that ordinary readers samples :-( With the exception of the DX200 (old motor DX-7, 1983) and too confidential FS1R (thank you for coyotte14 have mentioned). Yet it must be very expensive addition to an FM synth! It annoys me and just for that I want to keep my TX-81Z.

Rack version of the Yamaha DX-27 / DX 11

UTILIZATION

The edition sounds simple but is not facilitated by the small screen! One can easily create new sounds through synthesis FM.

SOUNDS

Sounds with a style multieffect MIDIVERB are suitable for the era, the bass is good enough tablecloths excellentes.Les traffickers in a bit. Organs, flutes, brass are correct, the piano is quite decevants.C on it is a thousand miles away from series XS6.Mais Reasons for the price it has nothing nya redire.Cet expander can still render great service to musicians not too rich .

OVERALL OPINION

I have over 20 years! never fails. I use mainly for bass and nappes.C is a true programmable synthesizer. With a reverb style ALESIS c is an effective device for any style of music.