Upgrades For The Yamaha DX7

[@Hedge777]

See video description for additional info/ download links. This is an old video. I no longer do any kind of tech support but feel free to check out my new content here: kzbin.info/aero/PLMVE1e9C0x_bLdOaH9rVou_QJEXLuu0se

[@KeeganSpeelman]

Nice Spoons cover, best Canadian band of the 80's

[@Napalbe]

ok.. thanks for your comparisons... but what about the JME SPX? you didn t talk about it... curious to know your opinion

[@Hedge777]

It’s a very rare upgrade. Took some digging. Only one of my Yamaha techs knew the specifications: • 128 presets • MIDI enhancements (like TX channels 1-16, “Local Off”, etc) • MIDI split. • Voice Chorus/ unison. I wouldn’t compare it to the SuperMAX with its many features. JME-SPX is a much simpler upgrade. Basically like the MTG’s 4X. But with added voice chorus/ unison. If this helps.

[@MoCheez]

The original Supermax came in both 256 or 512 presets versions. Mine has 512.

[@Hedge777]

interesting. I always thought it was the Plus version that had the 512. speaking of. Another upgrade popped up. JME-SPX. That and there’s also the 8X. (Basically double the 4X). Maybe I’ll have to do a part two at some point?

[@MoCheez]

@@Hedge777 Yeah, I think the 256 presets version of the Supermax was originally called the "DXMax". JME-SPX1 adds 128 presets, OMNI mode and selectable midi out.

[@MoCheez]

It is said that the people behind the JME are the ones who made the rare JellingHaus DX Programmer

[@Fabiohammond]

Can I Send/Receive one sound at the time with someone of these upgrades? If yes, which is the upgrades thad permit to do this? Or have I the only option to send/receive all the bank with 32 sounds as in the factory DX7?

[@Hedge777]

None of the upgrades remove features. They only add them. A stock DX7 can transmit and receive individual voice data so it is possible to do so with all of the upgrades.

[@Fabiohammond]

Last week I tried to send an individual voice to a Ram Cartridge, but I loose all the sounds of the banks on RAM Card, I can't understand how do it. Anyway, none of the upgrades update Keyboard Velocity from 0/99 to 0/127?

[@Hedge777]

Ah! You’re talking about saving a voice to the cartridge. To do that load your sound. Play it, tweak it. Disable cartridge memory protect. Then press and hold “Store”, pick a cartridge location you want to store to and press “Yes”. RTFM for more. :D BTW The ONLY upgrade that does not bump up velocity to full 0-127 is SuperMAX. All other upgrades do.

[@Fabiohammond]

Thank you so much!!!!!! About velocity: playing with standard 0-99 velocity, does mean that the keyboard can't open the sound to its maximum dynamic? Or 99 (on stock DX7) and 127 (on modified DX7) are at the same level? In other words Is the maximum dynamic open the same between 0-99 and 0-127?

[@Hedge777]

You don't need an upgrade to give the DX7 full 0-127. Most sequencers can do that. I show that in my other video. Actually the original is more like 16-119 (depending on ROM version) so the full 127 sounds more aggressive (brighter, louder) but not by much. In other words it's not a big deal.

[@BlakeFoster050]

have you ever played a DX5/DX1?

[@Hedge777]

Blake Foster no I have not. I have owned a TX816 though.

[@MrMixtic]

Hello wath is the best for you? Mk1, S or 2FD ?

[@Hedge777]

Short answer is MKI. But I talk about it all in this video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZmpq6OVhchsa5o

[@allenbaker_music]

I just ordered a TX7 listed as "untested/not working." The listing said, "TX7 makes sounds, but has a glitch on the screen. Otherwise untested." Do you think it might just need a battery replacement?

[@Hedge777]

I think either that or a new screen. I'm not a tech however. IF it makes sound thats good enough. Depending on the sound it makes. :D :D :D

[@allenbaker_music]

True! If I can get it to call up my patches, I probably won't mess with it until AFTER I perform Money For Nothing at my party in August. haha Thanks for the reply! :)

[@allenbaker_music]

UPDATE: It came today and it's working perfectly, as far as I can tell! The "glitch on the screen" turned out to just be that the patches were all in Japanese, ha!

[@Hedge777]

Congrats on the TX man. Good box. Glad it's in a good shape. :p

[@jpromano_]

Do you have any upgrades on your DX7IID there? If so, which one?

[@Hedge777]

Nope. Stock firmware. Don't want to get your hopes up man but you could try looking for grey matter response e! enhancement for the yamaha dx7ii/dx7s. They are VERY hard to find though.

[@Q8AKIRA]

@@Hedge777 i find E! www.ebay.com/itm/153292585043?ul_noapp=true

[@richbike6881]

hi, nice to see some love for the brownie! question for you.. I have an E! vers 202c in mine and pitch bend is out on midi local but receives ok from other controllers. have you noticed any issues on yours? cheers rich.

[@Hedge777]

Haven't had that particular problem but I've seen stuck values before. Even with stock firmware. Toggling everything on keyboard page might unfuck it. If not then it's a hardware snafu.

[@richbike6881]

not playing ball. it's like the E! is adding a bit to the pitch when ever the bender is set to 0 step aka continuous. . I'll try bunging the Supermax in...failing that I'll threaten it with a soldering iron

[@richbike6881]

Supermax seems like a go. bender is ok with it and the built in banks are pretty mad. some interesting real-time control possibilities. I'll take your advice and correct the velocity in reaper.

[@Hedge777]

I kill arpeggiator #1 and #6 right away but outside of that the SuperMAX presets are superb. Beautiful upgrade when it works. :P

[@richbike6881]

hi again. fwiw with my experience of E! vs Supermax... supermax crashes more than E!...seems to be the more elaborate patches. also one advantage I found for E! is it can take a certain amount of real-time sysexe from a bcr2000 without triggering a note off. next plan to burn an evening is to try recreating the Supermax midi effects in reaper using a local off 'loop' with the E!.

[@piynubbunyip]

Curious if you are familiar with Robin Whittle's Real World Interfaces mods?

[@ozboomer_au]

Robin's Mod 7.1F is still running happily in my 35 year old DX7.. and was a great investment, IMO.

[@davecohen4623]

Stock or E!!! P.S. Didn’t mtg discontinue supermax plus?

[@Hedge777]

Saw something on them focusing on 4x now and there’s not much happening with that either...

[@homeone4054]

Great vid. What sort of effect do the upgrades have on the battery? Is it worth putting a new battery in at the same time if upgrading?

[@Hedge777]

Home One none. In fact some of these upgrades come with their own battery sockets. But it’s the same battery. Same voltage. Generally they last about 10 years but it’s best to replace them every five years or so.

[@zacharyseabolt4434]

So I'm the inevitable player that doesn't care about the super technical details of the mods. I'm about to purchase a dx7. I'm a guitar player so synthesis is something I'm just getting into. I'm really looking for a mod that expands the preset sounds on the boardand only care about midi in/out.

[@Hedge777]

Try to track down the DX7 with E!. They are not cheap. Otherwise if you want a MIDI and memory upgrade get the '4x' expansion. MTG still sells them.

[@rixfixmix7116]

Hedge 777 I just acquired DX 7 I I with E card up grade I can’t get any sounds of the the Darn thing! It’s like the buttons are locked out or something? The only thig the display says is E 01 01 Is there a way to reset the whole unit? Get rid of the upgrade? I just want to play it, don’t care about all the extra fluff. Thanks Rick

[@nhoenderop]

Thank youu!!!

[@The_Bit_Player]

Maybe I should play it safe and stick with the 32 sounds.