The Iconic Sound Of A 14-bit Synth - Yamaha DX27

[@Gaby_Gaby702]

Nice! Shout out to my Uncle Ruben for the keyboard

[@vvundertone]

Yes!! We love Ruben!

[@Samplers]

This video has everything I could want in a synth video; genuine passion, humour, great production, tasteful playing, and a lamp. 13.5 out 10. Subscribed.

[@vvundertone]

🤣 I am glad you noticed the most important piece of the puzzle! Lamps!

[@HOUSEWARMING]

I feel like my DX27 just got gentrified

[@chinmeysway]

ha! yeh

[@jonaslasater4784]

Lmfao

[@michaelsundblom2766]

That might be the funniest thingI have ever read on youtube

[@DiodeMcRoy]

Perfect way to describe it, and also very accurate. This kind of videos is making the prices of gear that used to be cheap go higher (not saying they should stop making those, but that's a fact). Pretty sure there's instruments costing less than 100$ dollars that ar taking dust and once theyll get revived will cost plenty of money.

[@agiabone2000]

The way you play so effortlessly and freely with music is inspiring

[@vvundertone]

Thank you, that really means a lot!

[@suntidebandtx]

Dude your videos are so calming and pleasant. I just want to be your friend now😂

[@lengezz]

Man your channel and these vids are such a vibe and really doing a lot to help me fall in love with making music all over again. Thank you for what you do. 👏

[@orzelda9955]

Mega Drive tones all over this. Lovely!

[@oiiiich]

totally

[@vvundertone]

They really SLAPPIN'

[@rayanb.2578]

Love this video man! From the camera work, the editing, the playing and how you process the sounds, you did a really good job. I have a DX7II that I got for a great price. I barely used it, never gelled with it and it has been accumulating dust for quite a while. Not for long though thanks to you. Cute dog btw!

[@vvundertone]

TY!! When in doubt toss some pedals in the chain and you will find the sonic promised land!

[@npartridge12]

Excellent video, great playing and lovely laid back vibes. My first ever synth back in the late 80s was the DX21, it had the same sounds but you could layer 2 of them and there was also a great built in analogue chorus effect. I spent many happy hours playing and programming that synth and it always sounded great live too. It was the DX 21 that started my love of synths and sound exploration which is still continuing some 40 years later. Thanks for bringing back the sounds from my youth.

[@vvundertone]

Dang that sounds nice. Layering is so fun, and every synth should have a chorus!! Thank you for watching and reminiscing 🤝🏼

[@treehouse5391]

Sold my Ludwig vista lite drums and bought this way back when I should really start using it thank you Arts

[@abundzufreddy]

The "solid bass" sound is an all-time classic, heard on tracks like Inner City - Good Life and Saturday Night by Whigfield. It's a staple of classic house and Ian Pooley for example still uses it to this day.

[@vvundertone]

Love leaning the history, thank you!

[@TayWoode]

On later Yamaha synths and modules it’s called “lately bass” coz it was first used layered on “what have you done for me lately” by Janet Jackson and became popular through that so they modified it slightly and renamed it

[@PaulWilliamGibson]

Free by Ultra Nate too

[@kordianronnberg9090]

I found this gem at an auction for $190 in almost perfect condition. Your inspiring video helped me make the right decision to buy it. I can only add that the quality of this synthesizer is captivating. The down frame is made of metal, the keys are very responsive (although without dynamics). The menu buttons have pleasant feedback. The sliders and the pitch and modulation wheels work better than in many modern synthesizers. You just want to spend time with this device. So aesthetic that it can even work as decoration if you temporarily lack inspiration to make music. ;) In addition, it has many possibilities for sound synthesis, which are not as complicated as on the DX 7, and there are a few tutorials about it on the web. Sonically it is the same model as the DX 100, only in a larger format, better made, and much cheaper. Many thanks for your help and inspiration! I wish you fame and money, and may your passion and love for music stay with you forever!

[@vvundertone]

I'm so glad you found one! Perfect condition at that. Downside of mine is the preset #16 doesn't work. Am I missing anything?

[@kordianronnberg9090]

@@vvundertone I don't know why p16 doesn't work in your case. But the presets thing is very unintuitive here and I recommend a video on YT called: "Yamaha DX27 - Do you know how to access ALL the 192 PRESET sounds ?" by Mr. Stephen Mendes. In short: The sounds called PA, PB, PC, PD are not necessarily the factory sounds of the device. To access them, click COMPARE/FUNCTION, then choose the bank, and then the instrument. Then the instruments are displayed as F (for factory, I think) and not P! In addition, to have access to all 192 instruments, use the shift function: hold down INTERNAL button and simultaneously press the YES or NO button. Then COMPARE/FUNCTION, choose bank and instrument. If you're lucky, you'll see that the instruments are still named F, but they are different. The factory sounds can't be deleted or overwritten, so feel free to try! Good luck! :)

[@matthewcassette]

I have a DX21 and DX7s, they are so much fun to use. I bought a dx reface years ago and it made me love fm. Awesome video.

[@vvundertone]

Right? The internet has us fooled into thinking FM synthesis is learning a foreign language. It sorta is if your trying to make a convincing realistic sound from scratch but if you just open it up and have some fun, be brave, slide some parameters you will find a inspiration unique tone sooner or later!

[@alanredversangel]

I sold my DX27 thinking that FM7 was just as good. Nothing beats hardware. The timpani patch on this has inspired so many songs for me. And of course solid bass.

[@eliabtorres1548]

The DX27 sounds ethereal with all the effects

[@vvundertone]

Excited to try some different chains. Got some new stuff coming in the mail!

[@rachelar]

Basically anything sounds good thru good effects

[@jonpaulhollingsworth4732]

Had the dx 21 for years, nice synths so cheap! Great videos keep up the good work!

[@vvundertone]

Love the sleepers! Affordable and inspirational! Thank you!

[@e3-po405]

That's why, despite owning a TX-816, I also have a DX100 (soundwise identical to the DX27 except that it has mini keys and is one octave shorter). That low resolution FM sound has a special "something"... Also, my first synthesiser was a DX21.

[@vvundertone]

I had no idea the military industrial complex designed synths! I looked up your TX-816 and I am blown away! So wild!

[@rachelar]

DX27 is either given away or sold for peanuts...so glad you like it coz no one else does! From 4.00 you start to use effects and its dreamy, boy does it need em!

[@vvundertone]

I know its not a DX7 but for me its close enough to cherish it.

[@tyler_]

Love this, man! Such a great synth and just love the creativity of your videos! I just really like how you will use anything and figure out how to turn it into a cool, modern sound. However, the most impressive part of this video is the speed/thickness at which you can grow a mustache. Didn’t take you for a facial hair kinda guy, but your razor must be sharp.

[@vvundertone]

🤣 Yes I love all things music, not a purist by any means. I like to try all the tools and find a usable sound!

[@kordianronnberg9090]

Good thing you got your hands on the DX 27 before gaming fans discover that this cheap synth has the exact same chip inside as the Sega Genesis. ;) Thanks for the inspiring video!

[@vvundertone]

no way, my favorite console. makes sense now

[@5pr1nk57]

I want to get a DX-7 and DX-100 for FM in my setup but have seen a DX-27 pop up for £50 in need of some love so thought I might just get that for some fun and to learn FM in the time being until I can save for the more expensive boards. Your video has just made that decision for me! So many awesome sounds and excellent playing!

[@dovydasgrigas441]

Video came just in time as I'm fixing my DX27 right now. Bought it as my first synth for €100 and it sounded so beautifully aliased. If you make an FM saw with it and sent that through any modulation the high pitch noise moving around will sound so goooooood. It doesn't even reach 14bit, its a 10bit synth with 2bit oversampling (12bit) which is why I think it sounds so different to the 14bit DX7 (other than being 4op).

[@vvundertone]

I will give that a try! thank you! Oh wow I guess I'm over selling it! 🤣 12BIT!

[@CR-sj7xd]

well the original Dx7 is mono and 12 bit

[@CatFish107]

PowerBrass is 100% provoking nostalgia for super fast riffs coming out of an arcade machine with spaceships and waves of aliens.

[@vvundertone]

That’s so true 😂 takes me back, oh sweet nostalgia ✨

[@Tripwelleverday]

More synths please

[@ekummel]

My first synth was a DX27. When I got my DX7 IIFD, I stuck the DX27 in it's case and put it up on a shelf....I gotta pull it back down now...that and my FB01!

[@vvundertone]

its really amazes me just how many variations exist of this iconic synth line! stack them up so you can play baselines and lead!

[@_OopsieDaisies]

wonderful playing and sound selections :) i love yamaha fm sounds so much! i have a couple of the 80 consumer hobbyist keyboards, one even has 2 user patches that is a 2 operater fm that is wonderful! i eventually bought the new reface dx to have a more modern version of those and can get fairly close to dx7 and 27 sounds. i also bought the mega synthesis from sonicware which is pure sega gensesis/mega drive heaven

[@vvundertone]

TY! Yes Yamaha is amazing, especially those 80s consumer keyboards. I used to scoop them up from Salvation Army whenever I could but suddenly the price even at thrift stores has sky-rocketed! Luckily I have a modest stable of battery powered inspiration. That mega synth looks interesting, love some Sega tones.

[@chriswareham]

I've got a TX802, which is basically a DX7II in a rack unit. The early FM synths are a nightmare to programme, but there are some amazing sounds in there. Love your video editing skills and presentation by the way.

[@vvundertone]

Ty! 🙏🏼 Love a rack synth! A nightmare indeed, but when you get something good so satisfying!

[@susanutter7208]

You had a touch of Berlin-Riding on the Metro going for a sec. You get so many sounds outta one instrument. Love the photography mixed in. What can’t you do?

[@vvundertone]

😉

[@MjNortham]

I hope you and Rueben are friends irl. You guys look like sweet friends. Also, very nice photography

[@Gaby_Gaby702]

😂 knowing my Uncle Ruben, they probably are good friends

[@MjNortham]

@@Gaby_Gaby702 That's your uncle? Lucky! haha seems so cool

[@Gaby_Gaby702]

​@@MjNorthamhe's a twin 2 peas in a pod, best Uncle's in the world ❤

[@vvundertone]

Ruben is the man! We are! He shines a bright light on this neighborhood when he comes around. I was still suffering from chronic loss of voice when he gifted me this, it brought me so much joy and helped me escape the fear of never being to speak again! A extremely kind soul indeed.

[@johnnybeats777]

Could You, please explain how to: connect the pedals, rout them, what cables, what else do You need to use their effect in the daw. I had pedal once, but could not get the effect within daw. That could be really helpful video. Greetings

[@soysos.tuffsound]

You just use 1/4 unbalanced cables, output of the keyboard >> input of the pedal >> output of the pedal(s) >> input of your interface and record. Experiment with levels, a crackling static-y sound usually means means the input somewhere is too hot. Experiment, have fun, commit to the sound and don't over think it.

[@johnnybeats777]

@@soysos.tuffsound how many inputs should interface have?

[@CallumBarnham]

​@@johnnybeats777 You only need one line input on the interface that the pedal's output goes into. If you have your gain set correctly it should work just fine.

[@johnnybeats777]

@@CallumBarnham cheers pal

[@vvundertone]

The process is different than how a plugin works. Its about picking a sound, routing the pedal and then "printing" it back in the DAW in real time. There is another way to use "Aux" channels in your DAW. Depending on your interface there are different ways to do it. That way you are sending and Aux signal out of the interface into the pedal and back into another channel.

[@davedraws76]

Marvin. Great font.

[@aj.s...]

Oh, man... What's the tone at 2:47 called? It's lovely.

[@chinmeysway]

sounds great keep making theez ❤

[@vvundertone]

Excited to dive keeper into FM Synthesis. We’ll see what can be done!

[@gertsy2000]

Had one in the mid 80s. Made lots of 4 track music.

[@OVERSSG]

Vvvunderful

[@vvundertone]

🙏🏼

[@japhyvansan]

Any chance we could request a wavy FM jam with Napoleon dynamite freestyle liger shaping?

[@vvundertone]

bro its been so long since I seen that movie I don't know what your talking about lol. but a wavy FM jam thats my middle name.

[@kentaccordionist]

Try adding a phaser and a touch of reverb to the strings.

[@manuscriptrecords]

Can u tell please how called 3rd pedal in this video? Thank u!

[@vvundertone]

That is a Boss DD-6 and I was using the reverse echo setting and looping function

[@peteytwofinger]

that synth found its home

[@vvundertone]

And i'll always remember Ruben when I play it. I love when instruments have stories tied to them rather than, "It was payday, I was drunk on reverb"

[@kniferideaudio]

favorite FM style synth is Casio CZ series. Phase Distortion is almost the same thing. Real sleeper.

[@vvundertone]

I borrowed one of those and agree. Very fun. This era of synth was very special.

[@christdolphin69]

sold!

[@craigsurette3438]

I am an old fart, who was alive when these things were new.I still have my DX 100 andTX81z because they are still super useful for a lot of interesting sounds i cannot get with other gear. Those ambient pads you are making at the end, are a good example. There are reasons Brian Eno loved FM synthesis so much. Silly question. What are the pedals you are using They are working exceptionally well with the DX27, which is honestly not something i have seen a lot of pedals do. I have tried to feed my FM synths into my pedalboard and usually they end up clipping a lot so i have mostly stuck to using used studio rackmount multieffects for my synths, but these pedals just work, exquisitely

[@vvundertone]

I love FM. If I listened to the internet I would of thought "FM is too complicated and complex" which is true, but only if you trying to produce a violin sample out of a gang of sine waves. I get great joy subtly manipulating presets to my liking. And like you said, no one does it better. The pedal chain is as follows: Jekyll & Hyde overdrive, Eventide Riptide, Boss DD-6, Eventide Micropitch Delay.

[@MonsieurC64]

I don't know exactly how, but these vintage FM synth sound warmer, more interesting than modern FM synths. The Reface DX sounds cold in comparison. Maybe it's the bad converters.

[@Subtronik]

My first synth was a Yamaha DX27 and I spent many months on it. I learned how to make extremely wild watery metallic sounds with it. It’s such a wonderful instrument to experience FM synthesis on.

[@vvundertone]

I want to hear this watery metallic sound! FM synthesis is so fun, once I realized the goal isn't to make a realistic violin out of sine waves, I just subtly manipulate presets into new random things and its so satisfying!

[@Subtronik]

@@vvundertone I just uploaded a video clip for you of a watery metallic preset that I made on that exact Yamaha DX27. It’s the only video in my ‘Shorts’ section.

[@vvundertone]

@@Subtronik just checked it out, so cool! would be curious how you did it!

[@Subtronik]

@@vvundertone getting that type of sound took me a month of learning by doing. I bought that synth for $100 used and it came with no manual. I’ll revisit FM architecture with Arturia’s DX7 asap to try to recall exactly how I achieved that watery metallic sound.

[@C1c4da]

I believe in FM superiority.

[@urzathehappy72]

I was given a broken one i need to get fixed

[@vvundertone]

I heard it’s often the batteries that go out first. I’m knocking on food for mine!

[@urzathehappy72]

@@vvundertone ya its def the batteries i hope thats the only issue. Ima take my dx27 and dx100 in for repairs for my bday hopefully they can b fixed affordabley

[@vvundertone]

@@urzathehappy72 wishing you the best luck! birthday discount?

[@ndk703]

Model name of the cat??

[@vvundertone]

Shes a rare slept on FM hybrid semi modular polyphonic “Chonchi” ☺️

[@daccrowell4776]

The "Detroit DX". Actually, this along with its shrinky-dink version the DX100 have a lot to do with that sound. Derrick May especially used these on tracks such as "Nude Photo". Kevin Saunderson, also...the DX27/100 is the source of the infamous "Reese Base". It's worth noting that these two synthesizers make for easier Chowning FM programming and, due to their "thinner" sound, they process and sit in a mix very well. If you're thinking about going with some of Yamaha's FM sound, I think this or the circuitry-identical 100 are a best bet.

[@vvundertone]

Amazing. I am so honored to have such a stable in that scene. Listening to "Nude Photo" now and hearing all these sounds! Also your right about the programming. I started modifying a few presets and was able to achieve some great sounds quicker than I thought.

[@chinmeysway]

Corn pillow for the cat

[@vvundertone]

Animals love the texture ☺️

[@calvin808]

Great synth - Great video. Like/Sub

[@vvundertone]

🫡

[@MysteryCircles]

wavy

[@vvundertone]

Gotta love a mod wheel.

[@kniferideaudio]

HA! DUNE @ 6:50!

[@vvundertone]

Soundtrack? Hans?

[@shuplitz2257]

corn pillows

[@vvundertone]

The dog loves them 🤣

[@edissonjcd]

there is no reason to get pedals in this video with d27

[@wildberriesherbaltea]

Ideally for making a Travis Scott type sounds 😅

[@vvundertone]

It can go there!!

[@theallseeingarmpit5519]

Dawn of the Dead @3:36

[@markus6409]

Your Dog:"Kill me!"😄

[@Undead1963]

Can you play a song ? Or anything the same way twice ? lol

[@markus6409]

Bating heaven!😄😄 Oh, that 14 bit, digital, VInTAGE instrument which people spend month (😆) creating over time ripens. Oh this sweet sound.... Its old and people put thoughts in it. Its iconic. You are a casper. If you guys would spend tgat time in making music than thinking about it. Masturbating to something imaginary in your head you maybe would be what you so much desire.

[@vvundertone]

Thanks for your opinion! Remember that those few seconds you dedicated to my honor you can never get back, and later on in life when you really need them please remember you used them to hate. ☺️