Yamaha DX27

(Originally written by elriton/translated from Audiofanzine FR)

4-Operator Digital FM synthesizer with 8 octaves and MIDI
61 keys
Pitch and modulation controls
Sustain via footswitch
Breath control (very rare)
8-voice polyphony

Connections:
MIDI in, out, thru
Mono line output
Headphone output
Yamaha footswitch
Breath Control
Supply
24 user sounds
8 banks of 24 presets each

UTILIZATION

I'm not too complicated, I just pick one of the user presets. Possibility to switch between different banks.

The sound editing is totally empirical. You'll need a good number of hours with this synth to get to know its real possibilities.
Avoid theoretical approaches! FM synthesis on the DX range was perhaps the biggest intellectual rip off in the pro audio world of the 20th century.

The user's manual is clear but there's nothing like real-life experience.

SOUNDS

The easily identifiable sound of the DX range requires you to process the sound with effects or mix it with something else in order to hide the synth's characteristic sound.

The sounds aren't realistic. But then again which synthesizer sounds realistic?

No effects.

The keyboard isn't velocity-sensitive. But you can play with an expression pedal via MIDI. In this case it's very empirical again.

The best sounds are: electric bass, lead (Feed Lead), clav-sounds, special presets (Space talk, Schmoo).

OVERALL OPINION

I purchased a secondhand DX27 in 1987 and I still have it: indestructible and ever trusty.
Previously to the DX27, I worked with a DX21, a Korg Poly 800II and a Roland SH101.

I've noticed that it produces more noise than the DX 21 and FB 01, but it doesn't matter, it's still my DX27.

I only miss a pitch envelope like on the DX21 and the DX7.

Yamaha Synth 4op

UTILIZATION

Hard to take charge
Not expect to have anything but a 4 op FM synth
If you have never loved or Fad Gadget or Depeche Mode at the time they are manufactured, it is perhaps not the instrument you are looking for

SOUNDS

Perfect for what I do
It is fun to play with little expression that allows
sounds are not realistic at all but it's not what I asked
Sound only of interest in a set if you want to hear your synth as an audiophile listening chain, is another tool you need, with buttons to turn the head nodding with an air inspired ...
Used in groups is bluffing you can always do something
in home studio, there is always a sound unusual to find, we are still surprised
in addition it is perfect for the talk box

OVERALL OPINION

Excellent value for money today
and your grandchildren will still play, because time does not seem to touch him, his weight must be due to shielding

61 synth keyboard type but not dynamic touches.Toucher VLOC detected via MIDI.
Controller: Pitch wheel, modulation, breath controller, taken to sustain pedals.
Main output jack 6.35 mm, 6.35 mm jack phones output.
Midi in, out, thru.
No internal effects, but the possibility of phasing in dsaccordage op.
192 factory presets + 24 FM 4 user.Synthse oprateurs complte edition.
Polyphony 8 voices.
Portamento: 2 modes.
Pitch bend mono / polyphonic.

UTILIZATION

Like any synthtiseur FM, it takes some time to adapt to understand the principle of synthse uses the Fast Fashion DX27.La sound is simpler than a DX7 since it is one version Allgemeine (4 oprateurs instead of 6 on the DX7).
2x4 Accs sounds via banks 24 each + 1 sound banking user.
The manual can become familiar with the main functions of the edition and paramtrage synth.
Complete manual.

SOUNDS

Ventail The sound is quite wide: the typical FM sounding brass to synthetic, white noise, synthetic percussion, organs, effects spciaux ...
However, do not expect the sonoritsralistes with respect to acoustic instruments, which are not the primary purpose of DX27.
Despite the lack of rel-time controllers made by the two knobs of speech and pitch bend, the expressiveness is quite good, with multiple opportunities for rglages LFO, envelopes ind pending for each oprareur (oscillator), and their dsaccordage.Portamento and pitch bend parameter.
The DX27 can produce sounds hyper aggressive or distorted when pushed to its limits, but can also be sweet trs.

OVERALL OPINION

I possde my DX27 since 9 years and I have not made the rounds of its possibilities.
Its strength is the total shipping for the settings of the sound, it is also its weak point for those wishing to obtain a sound without breaking the tte.Les the pRSET are for them, ditables with backup (internal and sysex).
C'tait 2ime my yamaha PSR310 keyboard an APRS (arranger low end rev limit and Representative for me into the wonderful world of synthse.
I pay 700 francs in 1996 and is still the hill that he actuellement.Si you find one, jump on it (I trs subjective)! At this price, you have sounds grimey hope, voices of Martians, rage and tenderness, and full of sounds many typs 80's ...
I love it and I do not let go for anything.